This is a gorgeous drama!

The good: Cinematography, direction, acting, music, pacing, chemistry. There is so much to love and this drama really draws you in.

The bad: The ONLY faults I can find are that it actually uses the now-ancient amnesia trope (although it succeeds in pulling it off, imo), and the adult ML did some things that made him not very likable. These were small things compared to the bigger picture, and this drama is still 100% worth watching. Actually, you don't want to miss it.

This is one of the best dramas of the year for me. It could have been better, but not much. It's close to perfect.

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Skip it

This was a disappointment. I feel the biggest problem (among many) with this show was if you’re going to go all out with a CGI monster drama, it should be a fun, character-driven genre drama centered around these monsters. The great trailers made it appear this way and and we were expecting a lot after the best shows of the year, Squid Game and DP. But it turned out to be a serious philosophical story, and a very boring one at that, with no substance or characterization at all, and the monsters were hardly in the picture. There was also lots of unnecessary disturbing violence and torture.

I feel like even Yoo Ah In intentionally jumped ship on this one (you’ll know what I mean). Give the first episode a try and you’ll be able to know if it’s your kind of thing or not because it doesn’t get any better.

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I agree it’s one of the best historical romances ever, if not the best. The complex story is superbly written. Especially in the beginning, you will swoon and fall in love and feel the chemistry. It’s amazing.

Then major stuff goes down and this is where it got a little dicey for me. I took away a star because of the portrayal of abuse and violence as part of their love story. FL was still swooning over him and literally clinging to him even as he made it clear he hated her and was a violent and dangerous person. He went on a killing spree, pushed her, choked her, tied her up and gagged her, watched her get hurt without caring, kidnapped her, and even said multiple times he was going to kill her. All the while FL still wouldn’t get over him and even told him I want you to kill me, which lets face it, is um…disturbing and sick. Exactly like an abuser and someone codependent on them. Their entire dynamic was unhealthy to say the least and sets a horrible example. I'm usually pretty lax when it comes to offensive things in kdramaland and give dramas a lot of leeway for the sake of entertainment. But this was a strange choice from the writer and I’m surprised it didn’t offend more reviewers.
It’s still a solid 9/10 drama for me. Highly recommended, just be prepared for the abuse in the middle.

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You know those dramas that hook you with an AMAZING first 1 or 2 episodes, then either suddenly or gradually lose steam? This was one of those dramas for me. I appreciate an autistic lead, it's a very unique and appreciated premise and I believe that accounts for much of the high rating. And like I said the first episode blew me away. However the rest of the story fell pretty flat. While it was interesting for an episode or two to see the inner workings of their business cleaning up the possessions of the deceased, I did not have any emotional investment in all the lengthy side stories of the random deceased characters. It got to a point where I lost interest because they had so little to do with the main plot and characters. And then outside of that there was very little in the way of actual plot. If that sounds like your thing though you'll definitely enjoy this.

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As much as JCW is my favorite actor, and as much as I anticipated this drama, I'm sorry to say it was a letdown for me. I feel like the writing was bad and the direction/production was lacking. JCW of course did justice to his character. The FL was okay. I know a lot of people have a problem with her, and I don't think she's the best but I don't mind her. Mostly it was the writing. It was not a well-developed story IMO, and there was cheesy dialogue and scenes at times. I found it very slow and boring until it finally started to pick up in episode 8...but that only lasted 2 episodes.

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This had all the makings of a great drama. Cold, closed off, mysterious ML with a juicy past. A shy FL who tries to break through his barrier. The cinematography and direction is great. The actors are experienced and good. There is so much that could be fleshed out from that. Instead the writer has given the leads, especially the ML, virtually zero outward development. Nothing exciting has ever happened. So many scenes of characters eating and walking together in silence. The leads have zero physical chemistry and their relationship feels very forced. Almost every interaction between them is the ML looking bored with her or physically trying to get away. I was amazed when in episode 12 I finally saw him at least crack a smile around her for a second. Sometimes he let her have a conversation with him, that's it. Their first kiss felt awkward since ML hadn't changed at all and is still being silent and leaving her in the dust whenever he can. It got to the point that it was frustrating for me to watch.

I dropped it for this reason, which is disappointing since like I said I could picture this drama being so much better than it is, and there were some things I liked about it, especially the second couple and Ki Jung's chemistry with her co-worker.

IMO this writer is the most unique writer in kdramaland. I did like Another Miss Oh so I think with Liberation Notes she is trying to create another My Mister, which I know a lot of people loved but I couldn't get into either. These are two very introspective works which I can appreciate, but she needs to focus on plot and character development with this one. IMO a drama shouldn't be all introspection and philosophy, especially a romance.

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This drama had so much potential the first few episodes. Their banter and teasing...their chemistry was off the charts. Imo this drama should have stayed that way, more of a romcom, instead of turning so melo. The writer's version of melo in this drama was the "pushing you away because I love you too much" trope, which as usual involved "being mean to you because I love you too much." Except he even went so far as to kick her, give her evil looks as he's kissing someone else, ignore her telling him she loves him and instead inviting another girl inside, etc. There were a few more scenes of good chemistry, and the pacing was pretty good until about episode 16, but otherwise the frustration went on and on. ML pushing the FL away and pretending not to like her because he has an illness. Instead of just opening up to her about what's going on. Incredibly frustrating. By the middle, this drama completely lost me.
And how many times was the FL going to stand outside ML's house sulking and hoping to be let in like a lost puppy?
This drama wasn't for me.

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Must see

This show was a real gem for my us. It's one of those show that you savor and try to put off each episode because you don't want it to end.

There was so much to savor about this show, from the stellar acting to the cinematography and the writing, it's truly a work of art that should be watched at least once. Although I'm already a SKJ fan, the acting from everyone, from the leads to the supporting cast, was all mind blowingly natural and impressive. As in, this show holds some of the best performances I've ever seen in a kdrama to date. You will not be disappointed. SKJ was electric in every scene to the point you literally couldn't look away. Just his expressions alone kept you hooked. The cinematography was crisp, stunning and at times creative. The direction too was close to perfect with excellent timing, attention to detail in every single scene, and unique execution popping up here and there to keep you interested. The writing is complex but incredibly smart, and occasionally touches on current political/police issues without taking an offensive side. I would put this quality of intelligent writing up there with Itaewon Class and When The Weather is Fine (although it's not poetic like WTWIF.)

I will admit there were a few flaws, such as a plot so intricate that it did get a little convoluted and hard to follow, especially if you're not keeping track of many different side characters' names. While there was one good song throughout the series, the rest of the OST left me seriously wanting more. I didn't feel the kinda-bizarre techno style of music did anything for the rest of the genius that is this show and unfortunately, actually cheapened the experience just a little. Don't let any of this put you off from watching this masterpiece, though. Especially if you're a fan of any of the leads, it's a must see.

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Don't get the hype.
I understand the sensitive subject matter is something important and people appreciate it, and I did like that aspect. But it seems it's overrated for that reason. The story was incredibly slow and I couldn't stand the leads. Especially the FL who was your typical tropey drama queen getting mad at ML over every little thing as a way for the writer to create drama. The man couldn't do one thing right without her getting mad, from spending too much money on her for a nice hotel room to him having too much fun while water skiing. She always had to pout and get mad. Can't stand this kind of FL.
I finally dropped it at episode 9 when they gave up on the entire tension they were creating around FL's trauma with sex. I don't want to give away any spoilers but it was an extremely uneventful buildup. So by episode 9 they were already together and everything else seemed done...and apart from a few interesting side character arcs, not sure what could carry the story 7 more episodes.

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We need to come up with a name for dramas aren't actually good - don't actually provide anything great in the way of plot or anything else - but get way overrated just because they offer something unique that people love.

In this case this drama is rated so high because people love the setting/ambiance which is a relaxing seaside vibe. It is also kinda charming the way ML loves and befriends little old ladies. (Seriously, his relationship with his little old lady friends is a major part of the show.) Take away those things and this show is mediocre at best. The first episodes were promising with lots of potential but nothing ever really happened and the repetitive formula of nothingness quickly became incredibly boring as the show progressed.

I made it all the way to episode 11 before finally dropping it, and that's only because I watched as it was airing and kept hoping with all the reviews it would get better. The backbone of the show itself was dull, there was no actual plot propelling anything forward except these people living in this town interacting and talking with each other every day. The chemistry between the leads was sort of there in the background but incredibly subtle and slow. I kept hoping for more from the leads relationship but in the end I just couldn't take such a hollow plotline anymore. FL's character was also very "stuck up city girl" and unlikeable, my guess is they were trying to portray her as a city girl out-of-towner who didn't fit into the rural life, but they completely missed the mark and instead she comes across as annoying and pretentious.

If you just want to watch something that gives a unique vibe and you don't mind slowness in your dramas and I mean s l o w, you might be into this.

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I finally got around to watching this drama after putting it off for so long.

First I'll say it's the only sports drama that kept my attention all the way through.

Overall though, I thought the setup between ML and FL and how hard she'd already fallen for 2ML and was in love with him for so long made for a strange drama. I really liked Joo Hyuk in this though, it's the first role I've seen him play a character very different from his others. The chemistry between FL and ML was cute, but very minor because she was in love with someone else almost the whole time. I thought FL was a good actress but her character needed to be a little more down to earth and with more backstory. She acted bizarrely, walking stiffly and making funny faces, pouting and acting dumb, and being mean and cold to ML all the time. It was kind of funny, but after a certain point, the behavior got a little weird because they never showed any other side of her.

It's also one of those dramas where most of the drama was spent walking around the same place; this reminded me of Cheese in the Trap in that way, where nothing much seems to be happening as they go about their days, but it's still entertaining because the pacing is so good...Cheese in the Trap was better in that regard IMO, this started to bore me a bit with them continuously running around the same place trying to find each other after making phone calls and silly "problems" that kept coming up. Not to mention the obsessed and unhinged ex of ML whose character was milked to death.

It did keep me watching though and I thought it was cute. But it's overrated. Don't go in expecting something 8.8 on the level of Goblin or something. Not sure why this drama was rated so highly, I have a feeling if it came out today people would think it was pretty average.

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JCW is one of my very favorite actors, and I'll watch anything with him in it. So I gave this a shot.

The biggest problem here is the script is just not good. I have a feeling it could have been something good with better writing and direction. A lot of it came across as cheesy when it was going for dramatic, which wasn't the actors's faults.

This was one of JCW's not-so-good roles for me. He was amazing with what he was given, but he wasn't allowed the chance to shine. If the production doesn't give the actor good editing and direction choices then how the actor's performance comes across after production is affected.

Anyway, this movie was mediocre at best. Not recommended unless you're looking for a thriller with an average script or have some extra time on your hands.

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Apart from the ridiculous sci-fi plot, and a rocky and obnoxious first few episodes, this drama is WAY overhated and underrated! I honestly think it's rated so low just because people have no patience for unrealistic plotlines and plot holes. When other aspects are done well, I can overlook something like this and it doesn't bother me too much.

I admit that JCW totally carries it which isn't a surprise, but the FL does a great job too and the romance aspect is enjoyable with really great chemistry as you would expect from these actors. I heard some say the romance came on too fast and felt unnatural, but it didn't seem that way to me at all. It was very obvious that the ML started caring for her out of feeling responsible for her health and whatever would happen to her as a result of the experiment he convinced her to do. And yes, this did start to develop gradually if you pay close attention. I did feel pretty bad for his ex though, talk about a crappy situation for her.

Overall I really enjoyed it! Then again I always love watching JCW just because of his acting style and detailed expressions, etc. which make him so great to watch... but even apart from that, it is a great romance.

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