O Conto da Raposa de Nove Caudas (2020)

A well produced fantasy series with an intense plot and great music!

Tale of the Nine Tailed is an interesting plot-driven drama with an incredible music score, well-developed characters, romance, and a dash of comedy.

From the opening of the first episode I was drawn in by the plot and encaptured by the characters that were being portrayed before me. The story of Ji-Ah and her parents was highly upsetting, but I never imagined that Lee Yeon would actually be able to find them for her. I wasn't sure whether to believe they were actually there when reunited with Ji-Ah but was glad of it ever the same.

There were a few creepy bits which unnerved me and I actually didn't want to watch the show at night to begin with. In particular, the episode where Ji-Ah was being followed by the two little ghost girls was creepy. Also, it was gruesome when the Imugi killed the woman who lost the finger nail and then used her corpse hand to knock on the door.

I also didn't like it when the scales appeared on Ji-Ah's face as it grossed me out.

Now for some positives...

I really liked how the the show not only focused on the leads, but also included the supporting characters development and own personal growth. In particular, I liked the relationship formed between Shin-Joo and Yu-Ri. I was so happy when they got married in the final episode and even looked after the little boy (who I assume they adopted and didn't just kidnap?).

I found the relationship between the older couple who tended to look after Lee Yeon quite comical but sweet, and it made me laugh a few times. When the man left, that was sad but I'm glad he returned in the end.

I never knew whether to like Lee Rang or hate him. I know it was awful what he had done in the past, but then I ended up feeling sorry for him because he was messed up and confused. It was funny when the fortune teller/blind man noted that the most important thing to him was his brother, Lee Yeon. Even though throughout the series you were kind of meant to not like Lee Rang, I couldn't help but be sad when he was gone. Despite what others may think, I actually did end up liking Lee Rang and it was sweet how he bonded with the cute little boy who he nicknamed 'Blacky' after his childhood pet.

The beginning of the final episode was so sad and distressing that it left me balling my eyes out. I'm so thankful that the episode turned around and ended on a high (for the most part). Watching Lee Yeon's body drift away into the abyss was quite cruel on the viewer's behalf.

On the flip side, it was really nice to wrap up the season (yes I am expecting another!) with the two leads being reunited and them getting married! I was also expecting them to have a child, but maybe the reason they didn't is because of the ending.

I am quite confused as to what was going on in those few final seconds but will expect that to be explained in a follow-up series. I feel like the show has been left on a definite cliffhanger and would hope that the producers wouldn't be so cruel as to leave us guessing forever. As soon as Lee Yeon picked up the umbrella off of the wall, I knew that part of the Gumiho was still in him.

One thing I found spectacular about this show was the score. There are certain pieces that every time I listen to, I get chills. The music definitely added a lot to the production of this show and has made it stand out. I don't think I can ever recall a show that I've watched to have music that makes you really feel something. It might just be me, but I usually only find it in films.

I didn't have a problem with any of the actors. However, in the beginning I was unsure of Yu-Ri, but as the characters developed I came around.

The reason I gave it a 5/10 rewatch is because I don't tend to rewatch any show so really this is just a neutral score.

Overall I gave it 8/10 as it was a quality show that kept me entertained, but it wouldn't be way up there at the top of my list. This might just be based on genre as I do prefer a good rom-com style rather than an intense fantasy plot, but I am glad that I watched.

I would recommend to anyone who enjoys watching a fantasy-style show or is just looking for a change in genre.

-E

Leia Mais

Generic fantasy combined with generic romance

When I started this drama, I didn't have great expectations, I just hoped for a good love story, unfortunately I didn't get even that, although this show has its good moments. Honestly it was difficult to rate it because it's not terrible but it's also quite forgettable.

The first few episodes were my favorites. I liked to see more about Korean mithology, however the drama doesn't dive too deep into the lore and uses fantasy more as a set up. The plot is quite far-fatched and honestly straight up dumb at some points. Characters were either holding information out or simply choosing to do things the hard way. The problem when you have such powerful beings as characters in your story is that you need the conflict to be a match to their powers and very high stakes, otherwise it would be too easy for them to solve it. This is one of the biggest problems of this show to me. You have gumihos and literal gods, but sometimes it's like the writers conveniently forget about how almighty these beings are in order to not end much of the conflict in this story in lass than a minute. I myself thought of at least two ways where they could've ended the Imoogi in a much easier way, but we need some drama in the last episodes, I guess.

The characters are pretty interesting. They are the driving force of this drama, even when they mess up the plot the characters are what keeps you entertained. Rang was definitely the character with my favorite arc (although the ending given to him was atrocious and downright lazy writing) in this whole thing, even when I was bored out of my mind with the main couple, his relationship with Yeon was what made me watch this until the end.

Talking about the main couple, oh boy what a disappointment. This was a set up to what should be an epic and heart-wrenching love story, but the execution was just piss poor. It's not the actors fault, since the acting here is overall pretty good. I think the writers just relied too much on the fact that Yeon has waited for Ji Ah for 600 years and that they are star-crossed lovers that they didn't even bother developing the relationship between the two leads in the present. I never skip scenes in dramas, but since I was close to finishing it I skipped almost all of the main couple interactions in the last 4 episodes just to see what would happen to all the other characters. All of that "I will sacrifice myself for you!" back and forth between the leads was extremely tedious, as well. To be fair I agreed completely with the Samdocheon guardian lady, they should've just killed Ji Ah or at least acted a bit faster on their plan, cause some good thousands of innocents died since they just sat with their heads up their asses instead of putting an end to the Imoogi as soon as possible.

The ending was also just a big ???????????? I always thought people were supposed to reincarnate as a baby and then grow up, living all the stages of their life, but apparently not? They were just reincarnating people as straight up adults and children right and left for the sake of forcing a happy ending. Not to mention how the writers just gave up at the very last scene and simply wrote whatever the hell came to their heads.

To sum it up, this drama has its ups and downs, It had potential and some scenes, specially certain ones between Rang and Yeon (in my opinion) were quite emotional. The cast tries their best, and while you can have some enjoyment out of it, Tale of the Nine-Tailed doesn't pull through and just fades into a limbo along with many other generic fantasy dramas.

Leia Mais

Aspired to be Goblin, Missed by a Mile

No doubt most of us were reeled in by Lee Dong Wook's stellar performance in Goblin. The man can act but this drama is proof that it takes so much more to recreate the magic of Goblin.

Lee Rang is easily the best part of this drama. I loved how they set him to be this ruthless villain early on only to peel back layers to reveal a sweet, scared, mistreated kid. He worshipped his half brother but turned dark when he thought Yeon abandoned him too. Kim Bum Soo was perfected casted for his innocent looks but strong acting skills. Seriously, i went from loathing his evil smirk in episode 2 to aww-ing at his adorable smile and childlike "hyung!" in episode 16. His character as the attention seeking younger brother was beautifully explored through scenes with Dong Wook's Yeon, which shed light beyond his Mr Romantic side - the aloof older brother who really adored Rang too.

Which is why I absolutely despise Rang's ending.

Dong Wook's acting as Yeon was good but that was to be expected. Yeon is entirely different from Goblin's Grim Reaper. True to his foxy nature, he's not smart, he's CUNNING. This was showed many, many times in the drama when he used his brains beond just brawns to save Nam Ji Ah. But what really stuck with me were the nuanced touches Dong Wook added to Yeon's interactions with Ji Ah. He remained snarky and sarcastic, but very considerate and attentive in small, subtle ways. Pushing the branch out out of Jiah's way, soft hair carresses. Very tender, not because she is fragile - she is too precious to him.

Her happiness list, he promised to do them all and indeed he did (sneakers, cooked rice, a wedding dress) and even though of Plan B in case he didn't make it. It so all was so endearing.

I have 3 big issues with this drama - Ji AH, Imoogi and Chemistry.
The plot is not coherant, especially in the middle around ep 7 to 14. This is where they jumbled up Ji Ah's and Imoogi's characters.

Ji Ah whom I adored early on for being perceptive, alert and semi-cunning at sussing people, succumbed to being a quintessential K-drama damsel in disstress the second Yeon became the knight in shining armour mid way.

And Imoogi, didn't have a strong character motivation. Did he want to reign chaos or did he want the girl? And what's that line about wanting Ji Ah because he wanted to be loved, trying to make him sympathetic like Rang? But then wait, 2 Imoogi's with different wants?? I'm throwing up my hands.

Yeon made a remark to Imoogi, something like the gods make creatures like him that don't receive love (a Ying Yang balance thing I asssume). If done right, it could have made Imoogi a complex, fascinating villain. Especially since they casted the boyishly handsome Lee Tae Ri who did not inspire much terror. Sad.

As others have mentioned, Chemistry was off for our main leads. Dong Wook did his best but sparks just weren't flying with Jo Bo Ah. Heck, even our secondary ML and FL had more chemistry, but nothing can top our half brothers.

I hope the Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 (2022) is better. But after this disappointment - I'm moving on.

Leia Mais

An average fantasy story with a questionable ending.

So apparently the grim reaper got tired and is now a nine-tailed fox. Jokes aside, I actually kinda enjoyed this drama, it's not the best out there, even in the genre, but it's pretty fun to watch, even if the ending was... questionable to say the least. Some people loved it and some people hated it, and I think that was the biggest dividing point when it comes to this drama. I honestly didn't hate the ending but i would've done differently for sure, and I'm not gonna say anything else so I don't spoil it for you.

We follow the story of Lee Yeon, a nine-tailed fox that is waiting for he's first love who died tragically many centuries ago. Lee Yeon is a cool guy almost touching the antihero side, but not really doing it. He meets Ji-Ah e very clever girl who's the incarnation of his long lost love. Then of course we have the villain, an Imoogi who wants to be a God. And that's basically it for the main plot, we also have some side stories that I personally found way more interesting than the main plot line, principally the strain relationship between Lee Yeon and he's brother Lee Rang. The second lead couple was also very entertaining to watch. Overhaul the main plot was a love story that was told many times before and didn't really added anything new to the table.

I think the weakest part about this drama was the main story line, the main couple's chemistry was average, it was there but I always felt like something was missing, and the actor choice for the Imoogi was odd, nothing against the actor, but I just felt like he looked way too young and had to little of onscreen presence to back up all the cheesy dialogue. I think if they went for a older actor and less cheesy lines they could have saved the Imoogi. Also Ji-Ah for me was a waste of a character, I really liked her in the first couple of episodes, she was independent, clever and strong willed, but the moment she met Lee Yeon and realized who she was, the writer seemed to forget about all those qualities, and Ji-Ah went from strong female character to damsel in distress just like that, I don't know how can someone need to get rescued so many times. Why do drama writers always do this to strong female leads?

Lee Rang's relationship with his brother, in the other hand, was the best part about this drama, their strained relationship that slowly was being fixed, and the overhaul character growth was really well done. Honestly they could have skip the romance stuff and focus on this relationship and the drama would have been much better. It was a bless to see Lee Yeon and Lee Rang's interactions. Yoo-Ri and Shin-Joo were a very cute and slow-burn couple, that episode after episode grew on me, and the more you saw them together the better they looked. This drama's strong point and what makes it actually more interesting to watch, were all this well done subplots and characters, if it wasn't for them I would have stop watching the drama a long time ago.

Another strong point of this drama it's its pacing, some people might complain that it's too fast, but for me it was fast enough that I wouldn't get bored halfway and slow enough that i understood what was going on. Honestly I don't remember being bored watching this drama, although in the later episodes they slowed down the pace to fill it with some filler cute couple moments, but I didn't really mind it that much.

I will not talk about the ending, although I have a lot to say, I want this review to be as spoilers free as it can be.

Acting/Cast: The acting on this drama was kinda of average, I mean we all know that Lee Dong-Wook can act and I really liked his character, although he went through so much pain he was still fun, and I really liked when he acted all badass and stuff. In the other hand, Jo Bo-Ah wasn't bad, I think the script is the one we should really blame as the actress could do much with it, because by the middle of the drama, Ji-Ah would be crying almost all the time, I was always: "c'mon girl get your s*** together." Lee Tae-Ri was cast as the Imoogi, I don't think he was bad, it's just, between the cheesy script and his gorgeous young face, he didn't really convinced me that the Imoogi was that big of a threat, I kinda get why they chose him, but it still left something to be desired. Kim Yong-Ji was great, I really liked her character as well as Hwang Hee character, I think they did a great job supporting our main characters, but there own little story arc was also fun to watch, they were almost like a comic-relief in a way. And of course I leave for last, the best of this drama, Kim Bum, he stole the show for the moment he appeared on screen, and has much as I hated him in the beginning he started growing on me as the story progressed, Lee Rang is the definition of anti-hero, and I just love to watch him, Kim Bum just brought the character to life.

Now let's talk about cinematography. This drama, was average looking to be honest, it didn't do anything outstanding, and the visual effects left a lot to be desired. In my personal opinion, in so moments the effects were overdone and didn't look that great, I think if they went on a more "Hotel del Luna" vibe, with more subtle effects it would look so much better. Also, for such an high budget production they could have get Lee Dong-Wook some better hair extensions.

One of the things I really liked about this drama was the OST, I really liked the songs, and some of them became part of my playlist, I think they really fitted the vibe of the drama and worked well with the story and cinematography.

Will I watch this drama again? Probably not, although I enjoyed this drama even with all its flaws, I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon. Do I recommend it? Yes, if you're look for something easy to watch and that you don't need to put much thought into, it's flawed and could have been done differently but I think that overhaul this drama it's still fun to watch.

Leia Mais

Somthing is missing

I like story line.. but i dont think plot gone smoothly becoz i fell lot of missing parts.. in the first few episodes it is realky exiting but when come to the last few episodes i fell whole drama is dropping somehow i dont know why i feel like that.. but i am thnkfull tht rang is reborn otherwise my heart will hurt long time.. This drama has one thing that i want from every drama. That is in the end they show what will hapend to every single character. I teally love that kind of end ❤️❤️

As for acting they did thire job very well.but i fell somthing missing from yeon.. lee dong wook is good actor but somhow i fell somtimes in the drama he lost( not everytime just some scenes) it is somthing like i feel from lee min ho in LOTBS..
As for rang he did very good job and i love him. He manage to catch our heart than main lead. I even feel angry at him for sacrifice his life for yeon.. and i did not even cry when yeon die but i cried when rang sacrifice his life.
As for villans in dramas i dont think they are success.. becoz when villan apear we should fell tens but when lee tae ri come i did not feel tht.. he is good actor i think writer write his character like that. If he make calmly villan he should choos guy who has tought look... ( i dont tell tae ri bad actor somehow he is not suitable for this) and yes immogi in ji ah s body also fail. I think jo bo ha only success doing character ji ah not imoogi. She faild acting as imoogi..
And whole other actors did good job

Overall good itz ok to watch thire r lot things i did not feel ok but i must say i enjoy it somehow.. and it is not boring type drama.. i did not rreduced so much stars.. so i think you can watch it.. and i think lot of you put this drma to 2nd lead syndrome list ?

Leia Mais

Not bad, but not that great either

I started Tale of the Nine-Tailed thinking I'd like it a lot because from what I'd seen, it looked like a mashup of Goblin and Legend of the Blue Sea, which are two of my favorite dramas. Sadly, TotNT is just a kinda average drama with some frustrating plot holes, and suffers from the "tell, not show" syndrome. The drama told us too much and didn't show us enough.

The Good:
1) Kim Bum as Lee Rang. I loved this bad boy. He was honestly the best character. He had his priorities straight. Too bad he died to save his love-struck and love-blinded brother. He deserved better.

2) Yu Ri and Shin Ju. They were the cutest couple. Way better than the main couple.

3) Lee Rang and Lee Yeon. The relationship between the brothers was more dynamic and interesting than the main couple's relationship.


The Average:
1) The music is ok. I don't plan on buying any of the OSTs, but there wasn't anything I particularly disliked about it.


The Bad:
1) The "tragic fate" between the two lovers Yeon and Ji Ah was cliche and not executed very well. The modern romance happened too fast, and their past lives backstory was told through too much exposition. Did we see why Ah Eum was taken out of the palace or why she wanted to kill her father? Nope, they only told us. How much of Yeon's and Ah Eum's romance did we really see? Maybe five minutes? Not enough to really care about it.

2) The missing parents story was wrapped up too quickly, and they adjusted to being missing for 20 years far too easily. They were pretty much caricatures, given so little actual development that I hardly believed that they were her real parents and not more fakes.

3) So many innocent people died while Yeon tried to figure out a way to save Ji Ah, that I was disgusted that they seemed only to care about saving her. In the words of Gatekeeper Granny, "How many lives do you think that thing will take away in three days? Who says their lives are less important than the one you're trying to save?" Near the end, I wished Ji Ah would just do the right thing and sacrifice herself, because then I might actually have some sympathy for the main couple.

4) Imugi would've been a much more interesting villain if we'd been shown more about his origins. Show that disfigured child in the pit of death, show his emergence as the white snake. Show his fury at being denied the position of mountain god when Yeon first took over. But instead, we were just told about it.

5) I hated that Lee Yeon's love for his brother was not as strong as Rang's love for him. Yeon only seemed to swoop in to save Rang when it would result in benefitting Ji Ah, or when he absolutely had to: such as when Rang was about to die because of his fox contract. But when Rang was once again on the brink of death after getting stabbed, Yeon didn't even try to save him. Why? He was too busy having a seaside date with Ji Ah and pretending to be a "normal" couple. It seemed like Yeon's love for Rang was inconsistent. On the other hand, Rang loved his brother without any ulterior motive. He just wanted his brother to live.

6) The ending was trite and didn't make sense within the story logic that had been established during the drama. Lee Yeon reincarnates as a grown adult? Lee Rang's reincarnation is a 10-year-old child who had to have been alive before Rang died? They seriously forced that happy ending.

Leia Mais

This is a great fantasy thriller drama with a nice romantic storyline. The action scenes are fantastic and, for the most part, acting was done well. There could have been better chemistry between the leading couple but, overall, it was not too bad. The brothers Lee Yeon and Lee Rang’s story and interactions were the best part of this drama. Both actors did great bringing their characters to life. The supporting cast provided lots of funny moments to smooth the thriller moments in the drama and their storylines were interesting and engaging. The most baffled moment is Lee Rang’s unnecessary demise. In an effort to create a dramatic flair, the writer failed to take into consideration that Lee Yeon valued his brother’s life more than his own. It’s paradoxical to have to sacrifice a life for a life that has done the ultimate sacrifice to save his beloved. Although this drama brings about the theme of self sacrifice for a loved one, it is also a tale of obsession. It is disappointing that once one of the main characters reaches great character development and finds the true value of family, his life is seeing as less important and okay to be sacrificed to satisfy an underworld god’s greed and Nam Ji-A’s obsession. Now, the ending might seem confusing to some, but it is a very welcomed twist to the finale. The drama is entertaining, enjoy it!

Leia Mais

Une déception imprévisible

Je ne sais pas. Si le drama est mauvais. Ou si "Joy of Life" a influencé mes sentiments
(inexistants) durant le visionnage du drama.
Je l'attendais. Depuis le trailer qui m'avait donné l'eau à la bouche. Je trépignais d'impatience comme une enfant devant ses cadeaux de Noël. Nous nous étions promis de le regarder sans les enfants et d'une traite. Et puis. Rien. Pas un sourire. Pas une larme. Voire même un soupçon d'intérêt. 16 épisodes que nous avons fini en 2 semaines (au lieu de 2 jours comme nous l'avions prévu...).
Alors, oui, nous venions de finir "Joy of Life". Oui, nous avions découvert la perfection, l'ultime (mais cela est une autre histoire, écrit dans un autre avis) mais cela devait-il tout expliquer?
L'ennui devant la romance (trop de romance finit par tuer la romance) : les personnages principaux qui se cherchent un peu, se niaisent un peu, finissent par s'aimer, et puis, j'avoue, le passage que je trouve pénible, surtout si cela doit durer sur plusieurs
épisodes : les pleurs, les flashbacks à rallonge et inutile...bref, lorsqu'il y a trop de romance, trop de je t'aime moi non plus, de "ne me quitte pas" sur 20 minutes à chaque épisode, je fini par bâiller.
L'ennui devant les relations que cela soit les personnages principaux ou secondaires ; Zéro alchimie en ce qui me concerne. J'ai eu un début d'intérêt face aux 2 frères et puis au final, non. Trop classique, trop prévisible. Pas assez fort émotionnellement. Aucun des personnages secondaires n'étaient intéressants à mon sens.
Je n'ai pas réussi à accrocher ne serait-ce qu'un peu aux divers tourments des personnages : amoureux. Familial. Amical. Rien.
Et enfin, les vilains. Rien de transcendants. Rien d'effrayants. Moi qui adore la légende de Gumiho, qui aime avoir peur (du moins un peu), qui aime le suspense, j'ai été très déçue...
Le drama n'est pas mauvais en soi. Du moins je le crois. Le jeu des acteurs non plus. Mais, rien n'a été assez fort pour me tenir éveillé.
J'avais adoré "Gu Family Book" et "Korean Odyssey", et je m'attendais vraiment à adorer celui là aussi.
Je pense que ce drama peut plaire à un large public. Car je le répète, le drama n'est pas vraiment mauvais. Je suis surement devenue plus exigeante avec l'âge. Et avec ce que j'ai pu déjà voir ou lire.

Leia Mais

I'm not sure of what I've watched

Nothing new. It's okay, millions of drama exist so it's okay if something it's repetitive, I guess.

I don't like when these supernatural stuff is seen as "cool" "sexy" bla bla I mean, I can't explain it well but to me it's been pretty childish. It's not THAT bad but it's just tiring. At least to me.

I had to drop it because I couldn't take it anymore. The story was actually interesting but I got irritated every time for how the main characters are handled.

Completely uninterested about the main love story, it didn't make my heart race not even once. I'm more interested in the two brothers.

Maybe when I relax a bit I'll finish those 6 episodes but I had to take a break from the characters.

LITTLE SPOILER
When she told her two friends/collegues whatever they are about the Gumiho and what they were in their past life I don't know, it just became ridiculous to me. With that attitude like "I know everything, I'm cool, I'm about to make your mind blow" STOP PLEASE.

PS. The actors did a great job, it's not their fault. Something had to be fixed. I'll try to finish it and in case id fix this review.

Leia Mais

Twilight with foxes and snakes

Story: This is Twilight knock-off - supernatural beings, a fox and a snake (but both looking like hot human men of course) fight over a human woman below their league - but without a proper love triangle and with much older ML and FL which is the main problem. You can't have characters in their 30s behave like teenagers and expect that to work. The romance in this is beyond awful and drags the whole thing down. ML and FL have zero chemsitry, are very unlikable and their romantic montages are diabetes inducing and cringe. They worked OK when they weren't romantically linked (yet) but were more of Mulder and Scully in the earlier episodes. But the show rushed to make them a couple without a proper foundation and then proceeded to make their romantic scenes more and more inane and senseless. Cases in point: SPOILERS The couple takes a romantic getaway while ML's brother is lying in coma on the verge of death. They also take numerous dates in restaurants and amusement parks during a deadly outbreak. SPOILERS END

Not all is this bad which is why the show is so frustrating. The bromance between 2 fox brother is really compelling and should have been the main story, without romance preferably, or with romance as a side not focus. This is also the reason why first 9 episodes (some lagging in episodes 5 and 6 notwithstanding) are stronger than episodes 10-16. They are more focused on brothers and Ep 9, which is the best in show, brings their relationship to a satisfying closure. If only the show ended there.

Acting: ML and FL are awful. Maybe it's because they play characters who should be much younger than their age. The constant and nonsense vows to save one another as if no one else matters (his brother and friends, her parents and friends, people who were dying because of them) are tiresome but at least understandable for teen characters. Not so for 30somethings, one of them being a career woman who should know better.

I'm sorry LDW fans but he is just playing himself, always acting self-conscious "ain't I the hottest thing?" with repetitive smugness, pouting and one brow raising. I have a feeling that this was meant to be his Goblin where he was ML not SML like in Goblin. And indeed, the show panders to him so much, more than dramas usually pander to their MLs, that I'm positive that this is a vanity project. Not only that every character who isn't his got shafted in order to make his character always look cool, but SPOILERS the last episode is literally one long LDW praising reel. It even ruins secondary characters' wedding for they and guests are asked to praise LDW('s character) which takes attention away from them. SPOILERS END

Jo Bo Ah is both miscast and awful in this. She just doesn't cut it as someone who would have a Mountain God spend 600 years pining for her and who would get a teenage or barely out of his teens Snake God-posing-as-an-intern horny for her (especially when truly beautiful fox Yu Ri is right there). Also, there's no real difference between Ji Ah and Jia Ah Imugi. They both bulge their eyes a lot as if crazy, but I guess Jiah cries a lot while Jiah Imugi laughs a lot so that's the distinction.

The standout and the reason to watch this is Kim Bum. He is just terrific, giving a layered, believable performance that's much stronger than many awarded ones from more popular shows. Skip the romance and watch for Kim Bum is my advice.

The supporting cast runs circles around ML and FL despite having nothing to work with for all characters were massively underwritten. I honestly can't say a bad thing about about any of them for they did the job and made characters out of nothing and had a strong rapport. Also, Kim Yong-ji is so beautiful and likable, she would have been FL with Kim Bum as ML. Now that would sizzle.

OST: Amazing. Together with Kim Bum and supporting cast, it's the show's strongest link.

Rewatch Value: Low. Rewatch for Kim Bum. He gave a tremendous performance that deserves to be seen. Skip ML/FL drivel. It's really that bad and there are good romances in other dramas so why waste time on a terrible one?

Overall: Squandered potential, a drama that starts as X Files but ends up as Twilight and even butchers that premise. There is no reason to make the (much younger) villain horny for the heroine if there is no payoff. Though the noona romance tease is more interesting than vanilla crap with ML and FL and at least the young villain conveys that he wants to jump in the sack with FL. Something that is entirely absent from ML and FL interplay. They are too busy making vows to save each other and crying 5 times per episode than actually looking like they want each other. I know that dramas are super chaste but many actors know how to convey real desire unlike these two. They are all platitudes and no passion.

Also, too many characters that don't add up to anything. As enjoyable as they may be in a vacuum, about 50% of them had no consequence and no real role in the main conflict between the heroes (ML and FL) and the villain. And speaking of the latter, you cannot have an effective villain if you don't let him move the needle. He has to do something that raises stakes for the heroes and creates a serious setback for them. Instead, he was given nothing because it was mandated that ML had to be the smartest man in the room every time. Imagine Avengers: Endgame without Thanos winning in Infinity War. There would be no Endgame. You have to let the villain win, and win big, to have a big payoff. This drama has no payoff cause there were never stakes and there were never stakes cause ML was too cool, smart, always prevailed in every episode and thus killed any suspense and stakes that could have arisen from villain's actions. In short, drama without drama.

Leia Mais