It would be a great drama about toxic relationship, if romance wasn't prioritized

A cozy k-drama, filled with beautiful music. A lot of frames were cropped, it was a great idea, I focused more on my own emotions while watching, not actors' facial expressions. They left me puzzled, melancholic, dissapointed, annoyed, thinking what is the true nature of characters' feelings. Scenes with Na Bi's ex were especially catching — his whole face were never seen, only mouth and rarely — his eyes. Drama tells about art students and looks like an art itself, it's pleasant to watch.

At the same time I couldn't help, but be dissapointed in main lead. Yoo Na Bi had everything on her hands, but she trusted her sudden attraction to a guy who never shared enough of himself, was a mystery all along and promised nothing serious (though stepped in when other males showed her attention), who were always busy, but never told what he was busy doing, who told sweet and shallow things. Na Bi's ex was a manipulator, at some point she couldn't stand it anymore, left him, and the next time she fell in love at first sight and fell even deeply when he did nothing, just appeared next to her, touched her, flirted, but kept at arm's length. I was happy to see she didn't roamed much in her previous relationship, but sadly she was just busy thinking about new ones, confused whether Jae Eon likes her or not, they are sex friends or more. This isn't a pleasant feeling and I guessed she would recognize the manipulation, but she liked the feeling of being cherished too much to see through it (again).

She heard a lot about Jae Eon and believed it, the next thing — she sees him and discards her doubts. It's good to criticize what others say, but she didn't have any proof, just couldn't think in his presence. And god, every time she was alone, Jae Eon showed up and touched her. They attended the same university and didn't met before, why he is everywhere now, it's creepy? They talk a lot about fate that brought them together, but in fact he stalked her all the time. And why it's so easy to change her mind? She literaly cut things with Jae Eon (she called him a liar, he changed his number), avoided him and decided they could be friends and work together when she's not over him, all in the same episode.

The guy isn't any better, he wants everything, doesn't feel responsible at all. He comes when he's not wanted, tries to get closer when pushed away. He is stone when talking to guys, but flirt with every girl naturally and can't keep his hands to himself. Na Bi talks with other guys — he's pissed. When they are with friends, he stares at her not blinking, while everybody have fun, when they're alone and she has something to say, he tries to kiss. His selfish 'I missed you' and 'you're beautiful' are nothing romantic, he treats women just like his butterflies he keeps at home with a promise to release them one day.

All their relationship with Na Bi are — he flirts, she is happy, people tell her 'he isn't serious', she feels played, pushes him away, he tells how deeply it hurted him, she is confused till same people tell 'oh, he likes you', and the guy appears again. Repeat 20 times. No development. Somewhere in between they find new possible love interests — and the jealousy machine launches. All main story builds on love triangles and jealousy. Themes like egoism, abuse, friends-with-benefits-relationship are brought up, but in the end it's all about how they see each other with another person and can't live with that.

I am glad I watched the drama too — and a lot. Characters have different personalities, their stories are unique, not boring and they don't exist for the sake of jealousy of Na Bi. Gender isn't something important there — female characters are just as strong as male ones, and they all can love, learn, have fun, suffer. You can change their genders, but stories would be the same. Also it's refreshing to see k-drama where people have sex life not somewhere in the future after marriage (and then they will be embarassed to talk about it); and not all of them seek for relationships. It's strange though how supports (like Bit Na) have their own storyline, but when focus shifts on Na Bi, Bit Na exists just to remind her about Jae Eon. Their friendship doesn't feel real.

Sol and Ji Wan relationship is another great thing. Friends since school, they are expected to face their new reality where Sol have many options both in relationship and studies and eventually cut their ties, but they don't want to lose each other. As time comes, unsaid things pressure their friendship more and more to the point where all they had crushes, and it can't be solved till they talked their fears. Overall supporting cast are way more interesting than the main couple.

To conclude, I believe it would be better, if episode 9 was the last one. Maybe it should've been a web-drama with shortened length too, because many cycles of main relationship only damage the whole picture. Jae Eon changed in the end (it's pretty for his development and cliched at the same time), but Na Bi who took over most of the drama, she stayed the same — and it was reffered as a happy ending. She had many opportunities to change, her desicion to move forward from this relationship would be a more positive outcome.

I think the main problem is not in characters, but rather in the choice of priorities. Na Bi and Jae Eon could be all the things I mentioned - weak and problematic - and be a good portrayal of people stuck in toxic relationship, but in the same row with other couples it seemed like they could have a happy ending too. No matter how often she repeated 'I know it, nevertheless', last episodes make it look like a bittersweet love story.

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If you want to watch a detective series or a BL where romance take secondary place

It looks like it was not a high paid project, but it still looks good and has a unique atmosphere. These foggy landscapes, forests and houses made of wood, street markets, Viangpha Mork's small population where everyone knows each other. It's beautiful, and it's something I'd like to rewatch someday simply because of this little and alluring world. The story is not so pretty. Terrible things are happening here, many towners have skeletons in their closets. Dr. Bunn - who is a new medical examiner in town - is expected to play his silent role, which he denies and so he gets involved and very badly.

Time flows slower here, and the plot will unfold bit by bit with each episode. Music builds up pressure very well, though I'd like to see more vocals in series, not just instrumentals. Love story doesn't take much time - the attraction between TanBunn is immediate and there is nothing to stop them aside from dangerous case they are involved in and death threats. New obstacles appear between them, but they try to protect what they have, not always making good choices, but still listening to each other. Their flirt is something too X)

Young cast have something to learn, but I was amazed bythe play of older actors, especially by Max, Tul, Mint, Foei and Great (the character doesn't show much emotions and mostly driven by his will to do his job right, but the actor portrays him with appropriate style, Inspector M is the most real for me in the series).

Overall, I can not say the series look fantastic and new, outcome wasn't unexpected and there were too many men jumping out of nowhere with guns, but - aside from the last one - everything else was smooth, adding up and with unique charm. It's a pleasure to slowly explore the story. Definitely recommend if you want to watch a detective series or a BL where romance take secondary place.

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Humans are always tempted

Whether it would be a little help, a revenge or someone's happiness, everyone has something to wish, but consequences might be unexpected. And you can't undo what is done once you've wished for it.

Hee Ra is fabulous, there wasn't a single time I could doubt she IS a witch, and her outfits suits her well in every scene. Her character isn't very emotional, but you always feel strength in her voice and eyes give out pain she's coming through. She almost seems cold-hearted and cruel at first to reveal her true feelings later.

It's one of the few kdramas where I like last episodes more than the first ones, last two close the whole story and show development of each character. Absolutely loved the episode with Sun Mi, musical actress, cant stop thinking how fate leaded her to probably best outcome with a man who saw her passion in music and was mesmerized by it, but she chose her memories with a person she loved for a long time. I wonder where would she be, if she didn't come across the Diner?

Drama's not too much, no excessive turns of plot, simple and charming. Soundtrack adds in it too.

The only confusion to me was the sudden pull of Jin and Tom Kim toward each other, it happened as fast as it ended. Romantic side plot with Gil Yong is subtle which I liked, so the main problem would be between Jin and Hee Ra, and I like how it turned out, their relationship really progressed and gave them both a new path where they won't be ashamed of who they are.

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