My rating is actually 9.5/10, but I gave inflated ratings to balance the rating from childish fans of the original drama.

As this is a remake, I initially watched it with lowered expectations. Kdramas tend to do bad remakes or adaptations whether originally from webtoons, novels, or other countries' dramas. Moreover, the plot description is sooo complex so I wonder how they would make it consistently good in every episode. I also avoided watching the original before this aired so I could watch it with zero knowledge and get surprised and immersed. But wow, I am completely satisfied and blown away by how excellent it is.

The plot makes sense, the explanations also make sense. It's kinda confusing at the beginning but if you just follow it, then you'll understand. The plot goes back and forth to past and present actually making it exciting and interesting. The plot twist is plot twisting. Not a single minute that I find it boring because it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's been a long time since I watched a kdrama that has perfect stories from the beginning till the end, as usually it's amazing at first but got messy later.

The acting!!! gosh... Jeon Yeobeen deserves a Baeksang Best Actress Awards. No words are needed on how cool and amazing she is. Ahn Hyoseop too, he's doing a fantastic job. Kang Hoon too did great. Also!!! The villain is exceptional. I'm reaaaalllyyy scared to watch his scenes because it's sooo disturbing and creepy.

The cinematography is beautiful! The directing is stellar. As expected from kdramas with Netflix budget on top of it. What a masterpiece. But if I have to find a flaw, I find all the scenes in 1998 too modern and not retro enough so it breaks my immersions a bit.

I thought it would be heartwrenching. Not that means the story is not sad. It is incredibly sad and heartbreaking, but I don't cry when I thought I would. I don't know why though. The acting is good, and the story is good, but it lacks something that pulls your heartstrings? I rarely cry for romance drama anyway, but this makes me reduce the 0.5 points for my final rating. However, as I finished the dramas and saw other reactions and easter eggs, I began to appreciate it more and get sadder now. Does it make sense? 😂

Final thoughts! It's an amazing drama. Please don't mind the hate comments and reviews because it is objectively good. I believe with or without watching the original, you'll still find this a great drama. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.