Unparalleled

In my 17 years of indulging in Asian dramas, I've had the privilege of encountering a multitude of captivating stories, characters, and narratives. However, I must say, the drama I've recently stumbled upon has left an indelible mark on me and has already etched its place among the finest pieces of Asian drama that I've ever had the pleasure of watching.

What sets this drama apart is its remarkable ability to ensnare your emotions and weave a tale so compelling that you find yourself becoming genuinely attached to every single character. This is no ordinary feat, and it's a testament not only to the spectacular writing but also to the deft direction that brings this world to life. The way the palette transitions from soft hues during peaceful times to somber greys during the throes of war is nothing short of artistry. The portrayal of the real war scenes is so vivid and evocative that it transports you right into the heart of the chaos.

The mastery with which the war's tension and thrill are handled reminds me of the standards set by productions like "Kingdom" and "Train to Busan." The sword fighting sequences, choreographed with breathtaking precision, stand tall as some of the best I've witnessed in all my years of watching Asian dramas.

But the true brilliance of this drama doesn't stop at its direction or action; it extends to the acting prowess of its cast. Namkoong Min, a name synonymous with exceptional acting, delivers a performance that transcends mere entertainment. His portrayal captures every microexpression, every subtle thoughtfulness, and a range of emotions from endearment to caution, from a burning desire for revenge to moments of jealousy. It's a masterclass in the art of emotive storytelling.

And then there's the female lead who defies expectations and stereotypes with grace and intelligence. The 99-tailed fox who emerges as an unexpected hero, shattering preconceived notions. She evolves far beyond the anticipated role and emerges as an emblem of strength and depth, reminiscent of iconic characters like Scarlet O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind," yet imbued with a uniqueness that makes her SO MUCH more.

This drama is not something to be missed, and it certainly defies any preconceived notions of what a "mere drama" entails. It's a culmination of meticulously crafted, movie-worthy episodes that seamlessly blend to create an unforgettable narrative tapestry. The way it engages the audience, drawing them into a world so rich and multifaceted, speaks volumes about its caliber. It's a gem that shines brilliantly among the vast sea of Asian dramas, an experience that lingers long after the final scene.

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A Historical Marvel Fueled by Explosive Chemistry

Knight Flower isn't just a drama; it's a mesmerizing journey that has left an indelible mark on my heart. Each character, no matter how fleeting their appearance, was a revelation, adding layers of depth and nuance to an already rich tapestry.

From the passing poor citizen who graced the screen for mere moments to the seemingly insignificant characters who proved to be pivotal to the plot, every individual was a masterstroke of storytelling. The gray characters, neither wholly good nor evil, added a complexity that kept me enthralled, while the villain's cunning schemes held me in awe of their sheer malevolence.

What truly astounds me is the unexpected success Knight Flower has achieved. Surpassing even the most esteemed dramas of its time slot, this drama has defied expectations and set a new standard for excellence. Its rise to the top is a testament to its quality and the fervor of its audience. The scriptwriting was a stroke of genius, seamlessly weaving together intricate plotlines and witty dialogue that kept me on the edge of my seat. And the direction and choice of OSTs added an extra layer of depth and emotion that elevated the drama to new heights.

And then there are the performances. The lead actor, in his first major role as the sole male lead, delivered a tour de force performance that was both powerful and nuanced. His magnetic presence kept me glued to the screen, hanging on his every word and gesture. And the leading lady, a modern-day incarnation of the multitalented Honey Lee, brought a strength and charisma to her role that was truly awe-inspiring. With every scene, she commanded the screen, effortlessly capturing the essence of her character and leaving me breathless in her wake. What truly set Knight Flower ablaze was the explosive chemistry between the leads. The screen practically crackled with electricity every time they shared a scene, leaving me breathless with anticipation for their next encounter. And how tender and understanding they were towards each other... And it wasn't just the main couple; even the side couples were a perfect match, their relationships unexpected yet utterly captivating.

Knight Flower has cemented its place as a true masterpiece of a genre that can't be just put into a box for being either a historical, political, romance, or comedy per se but a bit of it all and the best of it all. It's a testament to the talent and dedication of everyone involved and a shining example of what can be achieved when passion and creativity collide.

I don't think I can ever be satisfied with finishing this review because I don't know if words can encapsulate how good this drama has been from the first minute to the last. And also how hilarious the drama is! it's the kind of show that brightens your day or week, leaving you unable to wipe the smile off your face due to the sheer cuteness and perfection of the deliveries.

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The plot was hospitalised for COVID19 and never came back

Premise: I'm a Computer Science graduate in the AI industry and this is not a story about business and IT.
Now, as it's about romance: this has pretty bad examples that the actors themselves, in several interviews, agree to be bad life lessons. There is no character development for any characters apart from two characters who are not the main leads. This is a very long unnecessary, dragging, annoying, badly written love triangle that lasts till the end and has nothing to do with real world business and good values for the youth. The cast is fine and Seonho's acting is mind blowing: he even won an award for it and was nominated for baeksang award, which is truly impressive. The initial episodes till episode 9 were ok and then the writer didn't remember to have written the 9 preceding episodes. You might watch it because the initial episodes are nice and decide for yourself but please do make sure to stop and ask yourself if the actions of the lead characters are morally questionable or not.
National and international audience can confirm that this was a low point for the writer and the first kdrama in history in which a not so internationally well known second lead has stolen the whole show from the main leads and the writer when both the leads and the writer are such famous figures nationally and internationally. This was KSH's one man show even when his screentime was reduced when the writer realised he was becoming too well loved by the audeince.

I can't believe the same person who wrote someone like Ji Pyeong, is force feeding the audience such an immature love line for people in their 30s. Hell, didn't she learn from the makers of Reply series or I Need Romance series or Search WWW or litterally every other possible kdrama out there how young people their age behave? This is a lesson in which I hope the writer learns that the mentality of the audience changed. We need more strong and intelligent women like the lead in 18 Again. We need more sensible male leads like JP. We need bromance and respect between the lead characters like in Reply series and no matter what type of triangle they plan to invent next time, that better be well scripted and not so useless, bringing down the whole plot.
Also what family values do we learn from this drama apart from:
1. blood is thicker than water
2. It's ok not to care about your family when you have an aim in life even though they were your ATM machine till your whole wasted adulthood, like: family who?

This was one of the worse dramas of 2020 because I believe anything misleading the masses with wrong moral messages is very vicious. Perhaps this is why I think this to be a bit more dangerous than other "bad"dramas with lower budgets and worse acting. Villains or annoying characters of other dramas do bad deeds but nobody worries because they have " bad " written on their forehead. But making a pretty faced idol with such bad characteristics and unrelistic life decisions an example for youth is highly dangerious.

What did I like apart from HJP? The direction obviously. That was beautiful. It was clear that Directornim liked KSH's acting very much, no wonder he scheduled the show around KSH's schedules of 2D1N. But directornim mislead us audience by giving too many attentive details to KSH's scenes, creating parallelism throught the mesmerizing direction.

End notes: In the beginning I was worried about the review because in the future I want people to come here and watch the show for KSH and feel his powerful acting. I would have never put such a low rating and such an articulated review to let people know NOT to learn these life lessons but I realised NJH and Suzy's fans will evetually come and give a lot of high reviews so I antecipated that the review score would find the balance it deserves, just enough that people still watch it and discover KSH, although it's hard not to know him already. His little moments were enough to turn this rock of a show into gold, for those few minutes he was on screen, just by standing and breathing while expressing thousands of words in an eyebrow twitch while having romance with an AI voice and a plant.

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Atypical Journey with 'Atypical Family

"Atypical Family" is a paradox in itself - it presents a family that seems ordinary on the surface, yet the drama is anything but typical. It brims with unique concepts, shifts paradigms, and consistently breaks the mold. The heroes deviate from the standard hero archetype, the female lead is not your usual damsel, and her family, too, is far from ordinary. The male lead possesses one of the most unique, and indeed, atypical powers that I've ever seen in the realm of Kdramas!

This drama weaves a therapeutic narrative, laden with suspense. It keeps you on tenterhooks till the last moments, maintaining its unpredictable charm even in the last seconds of the final episode. It’s the kind of drama that you don't just watch but experience.

What began as a time-pass during a meal, turned into a captivating, then heartwarming, and finally an incredibly rewarding journey! The brilliance of the writing is evident in the flawless time-travel sequences, a concept that is notoriously difficult to handle well.

The direction is commendable! The melancholic vibe, reminiscent of the "My Mister" color palette, and the stunning OST – I'm obsessing over it! "Atypical Family" is so refreshingly different that it has set a new standard in my over two decades of Kdrama viewing. It's a travesty that it's not drawing the attention it deserves. Perhaps it appeals more to a mature audience?

Each episode outdoes the last, and the female lead! She's a revelation! Every time she sheds a tear, it tugs at my heartstrings. Her acting prowess is commendable, and she's a vision of beauty. Overall, "Atypical Family" is a must-watch! It’s a beautifully atypical gem that breaks stereotypes and sets its own rules.

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Epitome of slice of life

There is no words to explain how meaningful this drama was. I did not expect much from it from that Netflix preview also because it was dubbed for reasons unknown to me. Never watch the dubbed version, watch the Korean one because it is a piece of art.
The acting was perfect from all the members. The attention to detail in this level was last seen by me in the Reply series and Hospital Playlist.
It is beautiful and thought provoking. It has very important life lessons and well rounded characters, it is in the end of the day a person-centric drama. A perferct example of a slice of life indeed.

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It's true to it's genre and captivating till the end

I am a bit shocked they managed to put all that drama in 16 episodes but at the same time they could perfectly execute how hate turned into love at a rational manner without any inconsistencies. Most importantly it was very interesting to wonder "who is the victim here? who is the one who is suffering more?". They both did, but not because of each other. He manages to give her everything she deserved and didn't have from her previous relationship, for which he gave up her whole life and she gives him trust. She believes in him, till the very end. That was what made their relationship strong. He also trusted her back and for such a "obsessive" (as would appear to many) man he sure was not jealous or possessive at all. He trusted her words too and even wanted to give the minimum respect to the man who once was worthy of the love of the woman he loves, even if he took away someone so important to him.
Overall I found the FL to be strong, consistent and capable. She portrays the emotions very well. But all leads deserve a lot of praise for their acting, the roles of the villains too.
The last episode was well made, it gives appropriate closure to every single character.
I rewatched it after many years and thought of leaving a review until I remember all that happened.
I will probably rewatch it when I forget about it all, because of the chemistry and great acting

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A gem with "maturity" written all over it

I found a gem. I didn't think I would cry so much! It had exceptional writing, perfect representation of MATURE and immature youth, it pulled off not one but 2 damn amazingly done love triangles, it made you relate to ALL characters, it showed growth and development no matter the age, the value of family and friendship and POWERFUL WOMEN who did not always need a man to succeed or make right life decisions, the struggles of life and workplace for more than one character.
But it was also really funny!
And warm!
And the cast! THE CAST was amazing ! The acting! Oh God ? this better get all the awards this year !

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This is perfection, no wonder it was the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television

This drama teaches so many things about life, family and friendship and little life changing gestures that I just cannot express in a mere review how perfect it was, from the beginning till the end.
I won't say who the female leads ends with but once you re-watch the drama or think back at many things, everything starts to make sense. I wonder if there are still people who don't know who Duk Seon's husband is, but if you don't, and even if you do, please just watch the drama anyway. It is really not about the ship, this is just a particular aspect of the Reply series, just one aspect among many other more important ones

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Flawless Fusion of Compelling Narrative, Emotional Resonance, and Visual Splendor

The most compelling aspect of this drama is that it never loses its focus from episode 1 to 40. The sub-plots support the main plot, and nothing feels out of place, keeping the audience hooked the entire time.

Every single character is spectacularly written, and the sisterhood is the best thing about this drama. I cried buckets over the strong bond between the girls, which was absolutely perfect. I cried every time someone died, and I can't express how incredible the writing of the female lead and the male lead was. The romance is written with just the right touch, not rushing the characters into a relationship too soon, given the female lead's traumatic past and the male lead's personality. Instead, it keeps the audience engaged until the end, as their story is the last knot to be untied. The chemistry between the leads was spot-on because they were each other's perfect intellectual equivalent, and it was an unbelievable treat for the eyes.

The female lead is one of the strongest characters I have ever seen in a drama. What makes her even more remarkable is that she isn't a transmigrated character or someone from another era; she is a genuine product of her time, embodying the knowledge, struggles, and essence of the period she lives in. This authenticity adds depth to her character and makes her a perfect representation of a strong woman in her era.

The cinematography is undoubtedly the best I have seen in any Chinese period drama in a long time, if not ever. And the writing!!! I honestly remember moments when I eventually got a bit bored with dramas like Love Like the Galaxy, even though I would still rate them 10/10 today because LLTG was that good. However, this drama was just perfect.

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Oh please, this was adorable

She would be your typical sweet girl but she is not only that, she is intelligent, confident, witty and funny. He would be your typical mean CEO, but he is actually harsh but genuine, workaholic but a very kind and romantic man. Most importantly they are both extremely mature and their immaturity is only shown during rare moments of jealousy which are actualy portrayed very cutely. I rewatched it because I suddently wanted to see their first kiss once again but I didn't remember ever finishing this drama when it was ongoing. Their chemistry is seriously mind blowing. Now that I rewatched this after some years, now that I am more mature myself, I completely understand why they take certain decisions. I appreciate the witty dialogues so much.
I am also completely speechless about how effortlessly sexy the ML is. He generally is that in other dramas too but here he is acting in a full on, properly mature and sensible romance which displays the range of his acting in this genre really well. I am not even fangirling when saying I am so impressed by how charming he is. I can't believe they ad-libbed so many kisses. They looked like a real life couple and sometimes it was so realistic that I felt like I was invading their privacy by listening to them talk ahah I loved loved loveeed how all the misunderstandings are solved immediately.

The ending! Perfect closure for everyone. The title is explained perfectly in the ending. It was a really short and sweet experience

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It's super funny and contains many life lessons

The acting ! My Goodness ! The lead is a top class actor for sure. The cast was spectacular and the bromance !!!?? ooof! No wonder they won the best couple award, which is hilarious ahahah
There was no boring episode. The OST was really cool. The characters, everyone really, had so much depth which indicates a really good screenwriter. I am genuinely so impressed and happy to have watched it.
The lack of romance was just perfect for the genre of the drama. You could tell who the final couple was and there was no force fed romance, just a lot of amazing human relationships, friendships and warmth of a family of non-blood-related people...I cried many times and I never get emotional in the dramas ahaha

The ending cartoons were hilarious and super duper cute though!

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This is really educational as well as funny

They are so sweet to each other no matter what they do, the bromance is everywhere, I even love Smiley PD ! The cast members are very kind to each other. Despite the pandemic, the came up with so many ideas, which is actually commendable.
It was my first variety show ever and I must admit that I watched it because of Seonho but I love the entire cast! I later watched other variety shows too check if they were always this nice but I didn't feel the same about the other shows. The best variety show award was well deserved.
Now, about my favourite on-screen brothers:
Moon Se Yun is attentive and super funny, Ravi is random and talented, Dindin is smart and cute, Kim Jong Min is Kim Jong Min ahaha Yeon Jung Hoon is so passionate and fit! Kim Seon Ho is a mystery because you feel like he messes up everything with his clumsiness but he somehow manages to eat and sleep most of the time lol
They made me laugh so much and I learnt a lot about Korea in this show!
Well done to the whole cast and to the PDs and writers

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Hilarious rom-com - a parody of its genre and everything the original webtoon failed to be

I wonder what people were thinking when they started the drama to comment later that this was predictable. Like literally what were you thinking this was? Misaeng? Stranger? Voice? Why would you even start a high school drama with the 18 years old "ugly" girl with makeup and 2 hot boys in love with her to begin with expecting the twists of say..Penthouse ? If you have watched enough k-dramas you would know that this drama was literally parody of many typical k-drama plots and has cliche plastered in it's poster. It was made to be laughed about and it was almost a satire of its own genre.
It can be many things including predictable, but boring? oh no, that it isn't.
I didn't like the webtoon but I am here because of my girl Moon Ga Young because I love her acting! The direction was also really good and it was hilarious! They have diverted from the webtoon as much as possible so I was happy with the plot.
The sad parts seemed to be well potrayed possibly also because of MGY's great acting. I gotta say that the cast is seriously full of good looking people, including the friends, the parents, the siblings and so on. But they are also really cute. I liked all the side characters. I am a big fan of the actress who plays the older sister and the character she is portraying. I am hoping that unlike the webtoon, this will show positive values about beauty and character development.

The reason I like the main couple is that the director never failed to show they were even for a second. No misleading scenes despite sweet/sad/cute scenes with the second lead. Her feelings were clear, not like in Start Up where the FL kept staring/following around/was in love with HJP for 15 years and 9 episodes and the whole audience was extremely confused and some were so even until the penultimate episode.
The male lead here has a messed up childhood and adolescence, with his orphan life, bad father and death of the closest friend and loss of all friendships. Human interaction is not something he has had much. The main female lead had a pretty sad growing up too until recently with so much bullying and even her own mom making her feel worthless. Then one day he finds this one and only person who can make him smile and she finds this one and only person who can make her feel loved and beautiful for who she is. They are so emotionally intimate with each other even before the kiss that it was just right: the right amount of vulnerability, the right amount of awkwardness, the right amount of friendship and understanding. They are teens and they are perfectly fine both as themselves and as a couple.
It litterally gave us a sensible breakup for such a young couple with actual COMMUNICATION and the most realistic way in which people go back together (and COMMUNICATE about what went wrong before) and how some move on with life but their heart never does.
Their going back reminded me of some meetings in my own life that I should never have had and the meeting of Reply 1997 of the main leads after 6 years. I will never forget those iconic words in his thoughts when he saw her again:
"Because of you I avoided reunions and visit your parents the day before you would come. On holidays, I lie about having enteritis or eye infection. I've made all stupid excuses for past six years. But you're made all my efforts go powerless at once. Si-won Sung, you bitch. Everything went back to the first day of our high school back in 1996, to the day of out first kiss in 1997, to the day when I was crying like a madman in 1998. Everything went back to that winter. To be more accurate Yoon Jae Yoon from the 90s has just come back." This pretty much what happens if you just move on with your life but keep your heart parked at one single crossroad forever.

I love the drama much more than only the love line. I love the second lead and his whole family. I love all JK's siblings. I love all the side love stories, the friendships and the funny scenes which are actually funny and the acting of the cast and what else can I even say. I didn't even want to start this because the lost plot of the webtoon and the lack of any type of character development were not my cup of tea but I did, for MGY and I don't regret it one bit

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It was just that good

This was so good that just when I thought that k-dramas stopped producing masterpieces after writers such as Park Hae-youn, Yoon Ji-ryeon and Lee Woo-jeong set the standard, I watched this and changed my mind. There are good dramas and great dramas. This surely falls in the latter category and now unfortunately the wait begins again, until I find another great drama that leaves me with this much awe. I think the last time I loved a historic drama so much was during Queen Seon Duk, when I was still a kid. The Kingdom series was also amazing and this is definitely in the same category of great cast, great writing, great direction.

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