A novel-based romance Kdrama inspired by actual historical accounts

I rarely rate a drama a 10, but after watching, I honestly think this drama deserves it. The story is deeper and can be interpreted in so many ways than I thought!

I've been reading some comments and reviews saying that the ending is bad or Deok Im's character became irrational and she made the King look pitiful in the end. I felt the need to say some things to spare this drama from their disappointments (although we are still inclined to choose what we believe in).

• This drama was inspired by actual historical accounts.
It's not like we can change what already happened in history. As we know, historical distortion is causing quite a stir nowadays. I, too, am not a fan of tragic endings. But knowing that this drama was based on real events, I became quite accepting/prepared on how it will wrap up. Good thing, the production team gave us a fairly sweet ending instead. I think if a viewer will bear this in mind, they'll be able to watch this from a different perspective. Also, if you're quite the history buff, might as well check out some historical records about King Jeongjo and Royal Noble Consort Seong Uibin. They're super interesting! I did this while watching the drama, and it added fun to the ride. :)

• People who didn't understand why Deok Im doesn't want to be a concubine really cracks me up.
I am surprised by this, especially knowing that majority of Kdrama viewers are women haha! I'm quite dismayed whenever I see a viewer saying that Deok Im's being illogical for constantly rejecting the King when she eventually ​gave in in the end. Like... What? I happen to read Lee Seyoung's post-drama interview a few days ago and couldn't help myself from clapping because that's what I was actually thinking too, and I was thinking about that from a woman's perspective. She's clearly immersed with Deok Im's character to fathom her sentiments and the rationale behind her decisions. Seyoung indeed understood her assignment.

• King loved Deok Im, but did he love her right? I'm not sure about that.
Well, the King isn't in the position to adore her like a normal man would. We know this. We are with him on this. Deok Im knows this too, but by human instinct (I'm sure everyone feels this), like most of us, she wants to keep her pride. Her pride is the only thing she has left for herself, and so she decided to seal her heart until the end by not telling the King her true feelings. Cruel? Yes, but saying I'm it again, her pride is the only thing she has left. She already gave her everything to the King. Pondering about this makes me pity her so much. As I was rewatching the drama, I saw again those scenes wherein people were encouraging the King to take on the path to happiness (i.e., be with Deok Im). But have they asked if Deok Im will be likewise happy? Do they even care? Hmmm...? The King's happiness is the top priority, isn't it? I won't choose to be a concubine either if I were in Deok Im's position (luckily I'm not haha!)

• Deok Im was already happy merely seeing him. But what was that last-minute change of mind to be a concubine?
Well, personally I think, she was cornered upon hearing she won't see him ever again should she push him away that night. I think Lee Seyoung mentioned this as well in an interview. That very statement pulled the trigger. It's not like she was asking more from him; being by his side as a court lady is already enough. Yes, she loves him, but the cons of taking the path to be a concubine outweigh the pros. Those cons were already explained well by her in the course of the drama. It's the King who wants more from her, and I mean, you know haha! Don't you feel bad for Deok Im? I do. :(

Although I rated this drama 10 stars, there are still some things I wished the production team could've shown us:

* They should've proceeded with making this drama 20 eps. PD said they were initially planning this, but after further discussions, they decided to make the eps into 16 only (then 17). Perhaps, they were not expecting this to become so popular.

* We were robbed of San and Deok Im's family moments, especially with Crown Prince Munhyo! I read these moments were covered in the novel and showed how affectionate of a mother Deok Im is. What a pity we never got to see this!

* The last 2 episodes feel quite rushed. Based on the actual history, King Jeongjo and Uibin were together for 5 years before she died. So those 5 years of togetherness were compressed in just 2 episodes (1.5 actually, because Deok Im died mid-ep 17 and we were just presented with several flashbacks of their happy moments after that).

I've said a lot of things already. I don't know what I'm fighting for in this review haha! But one thing's for sure - this drama is insane and I love it! :)

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Unconventional, but fluffy marriage drama

This drama basically sums up the joys and predicaments of early marriage life in 7 episodes.

It's a short one that won't hurt you if you'd like to give this a try 'coz the story is quite interesting. Maybe that's also the reason why the turn of events are so fast-paced, and I appreciate this drama for being so straightforward! Y'all won't waste time dealing with the MC's emotional hullabaloos and dragging plots we normally see in lengthy dramas.

I love it! There may be some scenes that seem shallow and nonsense, but bearable as the drama in itself has been offbeat on the onset. Also, I never expected it to be such a positive drama, like there were neither toxic nor shady characters and the romance developed swiftly but stable until the end. Another plus would be the skinships! I think all episodes have bed scenes in them except for the 1st one. But that's just a plus factor, the drama is overall cute tho (why am I explaining argh HAHAHAHAHAHAHA)

If you want a breath of fresh air from watching lengthy dramas, then go for this! Each episode is roughly 30 mins so it feels like you just watched a 3-hour movie as a whole.

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Revenge is sometimes best served hot

My new found fave! It's the first time my heart fluttered so much for a highschool drama. I'm so happy to discover this gem in the middle of my kdrama drought haha. The premise of the story is pretty straightforward though not entirely relatable, but it's a good watch overall.

Good things:
* CHA EUN WOO
* Visuals overload (from Ji Hoon to big bro to Cha Eun Woo to HIVA guy whose name I forgot to the music teacher)
* Ji Hoon and Goo Hee are relationship goals!!! I learned a lot from these two hah!
* Gripping storyline. Not the most original plot I’ve seen, but there’s something to look forward to in every episode

Not-so-good things:
* Given that Ji Hoon and Go Hee are still so young for romance, I can't ever imagine the future of their relationship… Or am I just jealous that my highschool life isn’t as thrilling as theirs haha!
* Goo Hee suffers for being nosy and dense most of the time.
* Cha Eun Woo, because too much of a good thing is bad.
* Bullies, bullying scenes are almost unbearable to watch (but hey I have a favorite bully though - Goo Hee’s big bro!)
* Ga Eun and Goo Hee’s mom (well, at first)
* Han Yoo Ra, remember this name
* Why is this just a 22 episode (technically 11 eps) drama and not longer?

Favorite episode: Episode 9 or 18 (depending on which copy you find. I found an 11-episode copy of this drama - 2 parts in one episode). Why this episode? Secret!

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Perfect for de-stressing

This drama may not be for everyone, but I believe finding the perfect timing to watch this will make you appreciate it the most. I watched Business Proposal while ongoing, during that time when I'm going through something. On top of that, I'm on Kdrama slump after I got my heart broken by The Red Sleeve, and also because the Kdramas prevalent at that time mostly have dark/serious/melodramatic themes (and I've got no time dealing with other people's problems when I've my own). Business Proposal's arrival was a breath of fresh air. To me, this drama was like a ball of sunshine on a gloomy day; something I never thought I needed until it came. Cliche, yes. Lots of overused tropes, yes. But its predictable narrative cheered me up like an old friend. Since you already have an idea how this type of story goes, you just sign up for the fun - no tugging at our heartstrings, nothing mind-boggling, just pure fluff.

The actors did a good job, most especially Sejeong. Hari is the type of character that not just any actress can pull out. You have to be convincingly crazy to portray her, and Sejeong did that. Through her, I was able to see Hari as a competent and optimistic woman rather than a damsel in distress.

Ahn Hyo Seop and Sejeong's chemistry was surprising to me though. I didn't buy their chemistry at first knowing Ahn Hyo Seop's shy personality. But as episodes went along, I began shipping HaTae couple (not Hyoseop and Sejeong 'coz I don't really ship actors hehe). I'm glad that Hyoseop and Sejeong became close IRL since it's positively emanating through their onscreen chemistry. I even get more attached to the drama upon knowing how it's filled with their adlibs. Goes to show that the actors confidently shared their own ideas to make the scenes more entertaining. Goes to show that they really enjoyed filming this drama despite the commonplace plot.

The OSTs are fire too! There are only a few Kdramas who've got amazing OST line-ups. It will not be an overstatement that I'm tempted everyday to buy the OST album haha.

If anyone asks for my opinion about this drama, I will only remember the good things and tell how happy and excited this drama made me feel, and how this drama made me look forward to Mondays for 6 weeks (when I normally couldn’t haha).

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Filled with romance and has enough comedic value, but fell short in delineating the main conflict

Although already an overused plot, contractual relationships never get old. We always welcome dramas where this trope gets creatively re-used, and this time, it's in the form of a CEO getting into a contractual marriage with a child psychologist to help treat his son's PTSD. The drama hit it off with me from the get-go! It took a few episodes before the story set foot on the main plot — a very sane move 'coz the drama will surely appear half-baked if done otherwise. Of course, this cliché story will never be complete without our bickering main couple, their funny yet heart-fluttering forced skinship, until love comes into fruition in their pseudo-affair.

The whole casts are exceptional, especially our cutie-pie Lennon Sun who played the adorable Xiaobao. I heard Lennon was just 4 years old at the time of filming and that Unforgettable Love is his first drama, but I can never tell 'coz he nailed the role perfectly! If you can just imagine how I melted when I heard Xiaobao speak for the first time in the drama. He's grown on me ever since the first scene I saw him.

As for our main couple, I didn't buy the chemistry between Miles Wei and Hu Yixuan at first. But as episodes went along, I came to acknowledge how cute their pairing is! Their kissing scenes are not awkward to watch (they drove me crazy as a matter of fact). Miles, Yixuan, and Lennon's acting are well-coordinated that made them naturally look like a lovely family of three.

But then, as much as I wanted to give the story a perfect 10, the number of loopholes I tried to overlook in the drama (especially towards the end) is intolerable. The ending is sweet but feels rushed. The accident that drove the story into what it is wrapped up so prematurely. I still give it to them that the backstory is not what I expected. I just wished they gave us more narrative about it, tie up the loose ends, and round it all off. It's a pity that the drama's potential flaked out at the last minute. But if you're just in for the fun and will not try to overthink, I'm sure watching this will be an enjoyable ride. Just beware of the occasional moments offering secondhand embarrassment and sexual tensions giving pure cringe. Overall, Unforgettable Love is one cute and fun romcom Cdrama to binge on♥︎

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I personally enjoyed this!

It's more accurate to say that I was sold after watching the first episode! I never expected much since I just randomly saw the synopsis of this on a sponsored post in Facebook and I thought, this seems to be a What's Wrong With Secretary Kim-ish type of drama. Well, I wasn't so wrong. Because the 1st half of the drama was indeed similar to it. But...! On the second half, the plot switched into something like the Kdrama Devilish Charm.

Overall, I love this. The plot is cliche, but light. Very easy to watch. No annoying characters except for one I guess (but that character is short-lived and really added spice to the story so that's acceptable). The plot twist (i.e., the disease, if you know what I mean) is kinda weird to me tho. Like, the drama is already looking real and all of a sudden they dropped that kind of absurd bomb. But yeah, since I never expected anything in the first place, I generously accepted it for the drama's sake.

The side couples' stories are sooo cute as well! Out of all supporting casts, Zhao Yuanfang is my favorite! He's been the most positive character of them all, funny, and always has the FL's back in whatever situation... On top of being handsome.

Now onto the romantic scenes - hands down pure awesomeness. It's so good seeing our main characters not holding back on such. I mean, they aren't supposed to. The kissing scenes look very genuine they made me giggle while watching.

If you are looking for a real light-hearted romcom, I recommend this. But I suggest you lower your expectations so you can enjoy.

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Something Kpop fans should watch, especially die-hard ones

This is the second Kpop-themed Kdrama I watched so far - the 1st being Dream High ofc! This cannot be compared to Dream High tho, as this one kinda realistically touched the Kpop idols' off-stage lives and the dark side of the Kpop industry. I'm already aware of most of the issues discussed here, but seeing them in a drama setting... I don't know; I felt really bad for Kpop idols. Living the Kpop star dream is like climbing mountains - it requires hardwork and sacrifice to climb up, but if you aren't careful enough, it's easy for you to tumble down. So, as stated on my headline, this drama could serve as an eye-opener to fans. Fans should be aware of their limitations and give idols a breather from the pressures they're going through.

Okay, enough with that..

The casts did a fine job with their acting tbh. I'm saying this 'coz I've already seen a lot of idol-actors who did way worse. I don't know most of them, but after seeing this drama, I began searching for Ateez and Nayoung haha! Jung Ji So really surprised me because I have no idea she can sing and dance! There are times when it's evident that she isn't an idol tho 'coz her moves isn't as flawless as them. Nevertheless, I should make no comparison - idols experienced years of hard training. Moreover, Jung Ji So reminded me of Song Ha Yoon. They look similar, especially their eyes! Given that both of them got paired with Junyoung in a drama, I suddenly decided to finish Please Don't Date Him after putting it off for months haha!

Ryoc and Maha's chemistry is just... Okay. Nothing grand. Actually, I think I felt more excited watching their push-and-pull relationship before they dated than when they're already dating.

La Rima and Ria are the characters that stood out to me the most in this drama. I really like their attitude - strong, sensible, empathetic, on top of being talented, pretty women.

I guess my biggest disappointment about this drama is the ending. It's way different from what I pictured. Btw, I never read the webtoon. I must say that, I lost count how many times I cringed from watching the last episode. I can still remember it till now. Geez.

Overall this is an okay drama. I don't regret watching it 'coz I had fun one way or the other. But then, I don't think I'll rewatch this any time in the future. I'll just keep the emotions I felt as it is.

P. S. Out of all the songs, I only had one fave - Constellation, i.e., that last song they performed. It's actually going straight to my playlist now. :)

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