Disappointed...I Really Am

I am now developing PTSD from dramas that have all the markings of an "epic 10/10 unforgettable" drama but which end up falling way off the mark.

So here's the thing, this drama got so much hype when it was airing, has such a fabulous cast lineup, beautiful cinematography, and then has an intriguing storyline that's original (not watched any other Asian drama with Doom and a Deity as actual characters) ....and for the first few episodes, I was stoked.

And then somewhere in the middle ...the bubble burst! And this drama went from a potential 10 to a yikes!

I have trouble explaining how...or why. But the magic between the 2 main characters just faded, there were dozens of missed opportunities to have built up the romance burn, the heartbreak of the story etc, it wasn't really the acting, maybe the directing? I can't put my finger on it. It just lost its lustre.

But do not despair because somewhere along the way, Lee Soo Hyuk who is the Second Male Lead swooped in and stole the whole damn show. And for that plotline, that character, that voice, that intensity, this show was all worth it. Someone give that man his own drama, says the newest Lee Soo Hyuk fangirl.

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Are you looking for a rom-com drama that has everything.....and I literally mean every plot device you have ever seen in a drama all wrapped up together? You have:

Rich CEO
Struggling artist
Cohabitation
Fake amnesia
Evil stepmother
Adoption
Inheritance battle
Accident
Corporate battles
Sibling rivalry
Childhood connection
Break-up
Suicide
Childhood trauma
Unresolved past
Attempted murder/kidnap
Hidden identity
PTSD
Multiple couples
Fake death
Fake paternity test
Evil enemy from the past seeking revenge
SML tries to break them apart
SFL tries to break them apart
Fake relationship
Dementia
Someone goes to jail
A stalker
Oh yeah...and the ML lead saves the day...surprise!

It's not well-blended but at least the lead couple is cute.

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I Fell Hard for the ML in this One

I loved this drama!! I now know that I absolutely irrevocably love the high-IQ low-EQ trope and based on how much fun I had watching the ML, a Professor of Mathematics, stumble and fumble his way around the foreign world of romance.

So the leads were both stunning on-screen and with incredible chemistry, so much so that I forgot I was watching a drama. Both their characters were well-written and well-developed. Their relationship developed so naturally (once you get over the fake marriage and having-to-live-together thing...lol) and it was a realistic and not-over-the-top kind of romance that I have come to expect from c-romcoms. This one was different. No stupid breakups, just the kind of misunderstandings you'd expect from 2 people who had no intention of falling in love but who struggle to come to terms with their budding feelings.

Prof. Zhang was the cutest clueless-when-it-comes-to-love ML. I looooved that this drama was stripped of the problematic consent issues in most c-dramas I've watched, instead just a respectful ML who CAN ACTUALLY COMMUNICATE. Xu Ruo Han was splendid for a college girl who suddenly takes up more than she bargained for when she enters into a deal with her Professor.

Also, I just loved that this drama had none of the usual triggers that at the end of the drama I have to deduct points for. I did think the side stories were not so engaging. Otherwise, I had my fill of romcom saccharine cliches to guarantee giggling and squealing in the middle of the night.

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Oh come ooon....another stupid FL?

I hate the stupid female lead trope....Haaaaaaaate it.

Why would anyone think it is cute? It's not...because there aren't any stupid girls ...all girls are occasionally clumsy and do stupid things. But this here idea of writing a character that is brainless....naaaaaah .....it ain't right. I've seen it before described as "not-so-smart"...oh how polite. It's patronizing at best and sexist at the worst. What we're are trying to say here is that it's cute for a girl to be swoony, stalker-ish and altogether a silly sycophant for a guy because he's handsome? And after all her striving, her ultimate reward is an unromantic relationship?

And then add a cold totally unromantic non-caring heartless ML? ? I mean... come on...Even after the time-lapse, these two really unpalatable aspects about the main lead couple barely improved. I was secretly hoping to see some emotional maturity come with the age...uhm instead we got a "apologize to me" Aaaaaaargh...at peak annoyance right now.

This drama was painful to watch so this review is actually dedicated to Lu Yang...Hello Scene Stealer! Lu Yang is my hero and the character who made this show worth the while. Just adored that second lead couple. I loved that we learnt enough about them to have a beautiful side story. The most unlikely of couples and yet so cute and perfect for each other! *sigh* Now that was the love so beautiful.

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Sugar Overload!

I may not have the words to accurately describe the magic that was Go Go Squid! I loooved this show...evidenced by the fact that I breezed through all 41 episodes and didn't want it to end. I avoid long dramas like the plague but this...one...this one had me.

I managed to watch GGS after one failed attempt, like many other people, I took a peek, thought the lead was not as handsome and too cold. Boy, was I in for a surprise! I am 100000% head over heels in love with Han Shangyan and can't imagine anyone else but Li Xian pulling off that role. It was amazing to watch him fall in love with our Little Squid. Yang Zi as Nian Nian was phenomenal and has cemented her as one of my absolute favourite actresses. Together, these two had explosive chemistry.... couldn't get enough of them. I think I'll always have the image of Nian shouting Han Shangyaaaaaaaan! and jumping him......sooooooo cuuuuuute.

I just had a problem with the fact that HS hurt Nian Nian so badly and she didn't get a proper explanation for that. It was also difficult to stomach the lying. Still, the characters were both imperfect and completely understanding of each other's shortcomings. Ultimately, they were relatable; it made sense that they were meant for each other.

I love when I leave a drama having learnt a lot of new things about sth I never knew about. GGS introduced the CTF world and blended it so seamlessly into the plot. The whole show was so incredibly balanced with all the characters feeding into the main story. At first, I thought, there were too many and the flashbacks too long but it was essential to get that proper understanding about Team Solo and the birth of K&K. I grew and learnt with all these guys and just adored the K&K gang.

I think the memory of Go Go Squid! will always make me smile. One of my all-time favourites.

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Living Off This Kind of Fluff

My first c-drama and I was completely blown away!

This has got to be the cutest couple I've watched ...all the romantic scenes were so magical. I was like awwwwwing every episode and just blushing like a fool. The story was so well paced, nothing rushed and incredibly developed so that you have a 1000000% binge-worthiness without feeling the need to skip any parts.

I loved so many things!

that height difference was so freaking cute
FL was badass and independent
the perfect balance of vulnerability and roguishness in the ML
realistic misunderstandings - I was like 'same...I am also so stupid and petty' - that were then quickly resolved
*sigh* Daddi Tang (marry me already)

THE SECOND LEAD COUPLE! These guys were phenomenal!

Okay C-Drama...I am in. I am pulling up a chair and settling in ....

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Take Me Wherever

You know my absolute favourite thing when I watch dramas? ...When the story takes me wherever it wants to go.

I sort of subconsciously knew this but could never articulate it until I watched this drama. This is the kind of story that just grips you and for me, never let go. I love that the writers created a whole new world and I couldn't really guess what the next turn would bring. You know what? A story can just flow without making sense and without the writers solving every single riddle in the story...so I am saying this to anyone who might be discouraged by reviews taking about plotholes. It's okay that there are gaps. This story was still incredibly beautiful.

I loved the lead couple, absolutely charming and lovable. Just put Rowoon in front of a screen and I am happy to watch him being cute all day *love eyes* Kim Hye Yoon's performance was stunning! She had the type of nice female lead character that could get exhausting but she played Dan-o flawlessly. Jung Gun Joo's character Do-hwa was a surprise ...absolutely fell in love with him

Loved the OST as well! 10000% going to rewatch all those cute scenes.

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The Best Acting Eveeeeeeer!

Ok...I have a major MLSHR hangover and I don't know if how I'll get over it...

This story was absolutely incredible, the opposite kind of story I end up loving in dramas because hey, life is hard enough, why get immersed in tragic, too-real stories like these? But oh my gosh, this one is one for the ages. I started watching dramas pretty late which means I get so easily disappointed by older dramas but MLSHR was one of those dramas that kept coming up everywhere I looked. I get it now good people, I get all the fuss and in fact, I am totally sold out to the MLSHR Fanclub.

The story and the writing credits go to the writer of the book. The cast though, they brought this story to life! I loved most the fact that these characters were real people, like yeah, me too. I understand how you feel and would probably have made the same mistake you did Hae Soo or when Wang So is plagued so terribly by his insecurities, I felt that.

Let's talk about Lee Joon Gi for a moment because that is the best acting I have ever watched. He stepped into a complex, character and kiiiiilllllled it! Every line every scene...it was so phenomenal, Lee Joon Gi held out to the very end and made me fall in love with a character that was deep and raw and human with incredible willpower. I am in awe!

That's it, that's the end of my review. I am on the floor, totally shook, even dazed because this drama was a whole out-of-this-world experience.

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Oh What Wasted Potential

I was super excited to watch this drama because...Lee Dong Wook and for the first half of the drama I really thought it would be the most amazing one I have watched. But, it went downhill afterwards...

What did I like?

The first episode was a great introduction to the story and the characters. I was in love with Nam Ji Ah's strong personality and boldness. Even as the story unfolded, it was great to watch the totally unexpected twists and turns. Loved Kim Bum as the bad boy and Kim Jeong Nan who lent the story some real depth. Even the side stories like with the Spirit of Darkness (my favourite scene was actually the scene where Yeon defeats the Spirit of Darkness in his subconscious...epic!) Also love that Lee Dong Wook has made red umbrellas iconic. The production and visuals were amazing. And the fight scenes...olala! The OST Blue Moon.....yeeeeees!

What didn't I like?

Zero chemistry! I was so upset because I loved Lee Dong Wook in Goblin and Touch Your Heart and was hoping to be blown away. It was actually two-cringey to watch the love scenes. I was beside myself expecting a not-cliche drama. But that's what we got. The story got exhausting at some point and you almost want to hurry everything up just so we can be done with the main-characters-wanting-to-sacrifice-themselves-for-each-other. A suicide pact? Really???? The worst thing though was the lack of explanations. I wanted to have everything make sense in the end and when even the most important part of the end - Yeon's reincarnation as an adult human (or is it fox?) - goes without explanation, I was so frustrated!

Still, this was a really great one and all the bad doesn't take away from a great production, some good acting and Lee Dong Wook :)

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I Cannot Get Over this Drama

Oh my gaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssh!

True Beauty is an elite drama- totally on another level.

Story 100%
Humour 10000%
Cast 100%
Second Lead 100%
OST 10000%
Bromance 1000%

This is the first time I watched a drama back to back because it was too good to stop. When I started out, I feared there would be the usual high-school/teen drama cliches and yes there were some I-definitely-saw-this-coming scenes. But amazingly, that iddn't take away from the drama's freshness. It was still amazing and refreshing.

I loved Soo-ho and Ju-kyung together - there were cute without going over the top. Cha Eun-woo is not a good drunk to watch though - my only complaint from the drama was that scene. I loved Seojun! He brought life to this drama! Oh my gosh, I was really rooting for him but there was no way he gets the happy ending *sigh* But my absolute favourite character was Hee-kyung. Yo! Incredibly well-written character - hilarious, strong female, unapologetic about who she is and what she wants. I want to be Hee-kyung when I grow up.

My dilemma now is - how do get on with my life after True Beauty?

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Standing Ovation!

Okay, guys....if a drama doesn't offer what Vincenzo delivered, then I don't want it.

This drama has ruined everything!

Redefining friendship between the ML and FL - I looooved that Vincenzo and Cha Young were partners
Redefining badass - the ML is the villain and you will love him, the FL is what I want to be when I grow up, and the gang ...waaah
Redefining friendship - that Geumga Plaza Gang is just goals
Redefining romance - giving you that slow burn
Redefining humour - oh my gosh, had me tearing with laughter
Redefining plot twists - I remember following chats and videos about predictions and somehow, we all just didn't see it coming
Redefining OST - all the music *chef's kiss* and that BGM....gave me chills at all the suspenseful moments
Redefining character development - the most unassuming characters just blew my mind *Hello Mr Ahn!*
Redefining writing - the plot, the dialogue....whaaaaaat?!

Just wow. Hats off! Throwing flowers on the stage because ...wow! (I shall be in my room recovering)

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This One Was ...... Different

This isn't your typical drama.

As I watched this, I wondered how much of the Webtoon story the Producers and Writers retain for the Drama because the story has some definite problematic issues.

Song Kang probably had a hard time portraying this character and I do not for one bit fault his acting. Sun-oh was ...different, pushy in a way that can be a turn-off. Buuuuut, I didn't hate him, and that's probably why this drama gets an Overall 8 for me. I was still rooting for their relationship with Kim Jojo. I thought Jojo did not have a legit reason for the breakup...I mean for the level of heartbreak involved, hers was too flimsy a reason. Otherwise, this drama drew me in completely. I am glad I waited for both Season 1 and 2 to air before starting because I do not know how I could have endured the wait.

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