Modern Chinese dramas are becoming better written. Historical and fantasy Cdramas have, for the most part, been pretty good but modern ones, in the past, were lacking in story plot and character development. This drama is on par with LoveO2O and Go Go Squid! It seems that the writers have been watching Kdramas to get some pointers on how to create a better view able drama. This is an easy to watch drama that has the typical drama elements.
• Love triangle/square
• Rich boy/poor girl
• One female who is delusional about her relationship with the ML
• One parent who is against the relationship
• One dead/dying parent/parental figure
• Contract relationship
• Piggyback rides
• Some kind of injury that involves a hospital where everyone meets with the patient
• Some kind of minor injury, usually small cut on a finger, where the medical kit comes out
• Car crash that affects the leads
• At least one of the leads is drunk and has to be taken care of
• Usually the ML is sick, but not hospital sick and the FL serves them porridge
• One kissing/sexual overture scene where the leads are not on the same page
• Cooking/dishwashing scene that involves back hugging
• Falling asleep together, usually a couch, and one is awake touching/kissing the others face
• Phone dying while in the car (the car charger technology seems to be lacking in these dramas)
• Beach scene

But some typical elements were missing
• Second lead syndrome
• Major villain
• Cliffhangers/major climaxes (ep 24 does have a little one with the ring)
• Eating ramen together (I may have missed it if it did happen)

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I wrote this review while watching the show. I really liked the actors and their interaction but what bugged me the most was the clothes the lead wore. It was very distracting for me because it made it harder to believe the characters age. It may sound judgmental but as a society (U.S.) we do it all the time when an older women tries to look younger by wearing tighter and skimpy clothes.

As of ep.25, I wasn't sure I would like this drama but I gave it a chance and am glad I did. I enjoy watching smart female leads and this one is that, except for the fact that she seems to blindly follow him around without much question. I realize that some of this is cultural based on what the Chinese government will allow to be shown. I kept shaking my head at the parents making dating decisions for their children but yet again I have to remember the cultural context. One thing that is really getting on my nerves is the frumpiness of the lead characters clothing. Is there a reason she is wearing oversized sweatshirt dress? Her friend is running around in shorts. Are the clothing that both leads are wearing happen to be the fashion "in" in China? The clothes are not flattering on either one of them. I am enjoying the CTF storyline and all the training that goes into it. I've laughed at the male lead and his cousins interaction at New Years eve dinner and I've cried at the anguish that the male lead is going through.

Update, ep 41, I don't want this drama to end, it feels like I've been left hanging and wanting more. I have so many unanswered questions. One thing I would like to acknowledge is that someone finally got a clue and stopped dressing the lead in overly frumpy clothes which didn't make her look younger. Light colors and frilly sleeves can helped create a younger look. Her blindly following him was also addressed. If you have been avoiding Chinese dramas, take a chance and start with this one. It has a good story line, the actors are great and have chemistry (as much physical contact that the government censors will allow).

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Remember that dramas do not have to be realistic nor historically accurate. This is not a romcom so be prepared for some suspense and a light spy thriller. It has been awhile since I've watched this drama. I originally watched it because I liked the idea of a modern Korean monarchy and I had watch "Princess Hours" years ago and recently rewatched it too. This is the drama that i was introduced to Jo Jung Suk and there was something about him that I couldn't get enough of. His character was serious, empathetic, and lovable. I had also seen Ha Ji Won in "Secret Garden" and loved her strong female character. This drama continued her portrayal of a strong, intelligent, and emotional female character. She was basically a badass, she was fighting bad guys in a short shirt and boots and then later pulling out a sniper rifle in a skirt with an injured arm and leg. It was great to see her character being the strong and decisive one instead of relying on the lead male character. That doesn't mean the lead male was wimpy, you could see the growth progression of the character as the series went on and by the end he had started to become a strong leader. I really wanted the guard and princess story to evolve and have a happy ending but I understand why it ended the way it did, lets just say I was crying with her. As an American I did a little chuckling at the portrayal of Americans, it's not far from reality though. Watch this drama and the great acting that is in it you will enjoy the ups and downs that it gives you. Will John Mayer get justice or won't he?

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This drama has all the typical drama elements. Love triangle with a female that is more concerned about possessing the lead male than him loving her, a lead male that can’t seem to say “no” and gives in to the delusional female, and finally a, usually, innocent female that gets sucked into the toxic love triangle thinking that love will overcome all difficulties. Spiteful and corrupt boss that is influenced by the delusional female to attack the other female. Ex boyfriend who could really love the female and want to get back together or he could be a jerk who is like delusional female. And with this one there is juvenile slapstick in the first couple of episodes which may turn some drama watchers off from the drama. This drama does get better as the episodes progress, it starts to mature and then it seems to take forever to finally reach the end. Just when you think things are starting to look up for the two leads the delusional female does something to change all that and the drama seems to start over again. If you are looking for an easy to watch drama this one is not it, but if you are interested in a rollercoaster drama then this is the one for you.

I really like the actors but it felt like it dragged a bit, just when the end looks like it was near something dramatic would happen again. Eventually you just want it all to end.

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This is in my top three favorite dramas. The OST has so many great songs and I listen to it on Spotify a lot. The Grim/Goblin bromance is highly entertaining and brings depth to the characters. They have such good chemistry that you feel like you are part of the drama. The Sunny/Grim story line is one of my favorites. The characters are lovable, quirky, and sometimes socially awkward. If you want to see more from these two actors together watch “Touch Your Heart”, it doesn’t have the same emotional intensity as this drama but it is still a good watch. Secretary Kim dancing and singing to BTS & EXO in front of grandpa is hilarious.
In many dramas this character would turn on everyone but I am glad to see that the character has unconditional loyalty to the Goblin.

Kim Go Eun has so much energy in her high school character that it was making me tired watching her. Kudos to her make up artist and stylist that were able to make her look 10 years older and different from her high school character. She was able to tone down the energy but you still felt her passion.

Gong Yoo, what can I say about this fabulous actor. Watch the extras, they will show you how fun and serious about his craft he is. I loved when they were in the movie theater and they were watching “Train to Busan” and he comments about the decline of Korean cinema. I laughed a little too hard when Sunny was describing the Goblin to the medium and she said “Gong Yoo.” It’s these kinds of “inside” jokes in dramas that I finally get after watching so many of them.

I’m giving this drama 10 stars because there is character development and growth, the storyline is easy to follow and doesn’t have any blaring “jump the shark” moments. The OST adds to the drama and doesn’t distract the viewers from the story line. This may get some thumbs down but I’m going to say that the lack of PDA for this drama is a plus. There is a lot of looks of yearning but little physical contact until their relationship progresses. When there is kissing, its not a slow burn it’s like striking a match, quick and heated. I don’t feel like I’m being pandered to. Overall there is little to dislike unless you don’t like the genre, otherwise I highly recommend you watch it now!

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