3
Zogitt
Australia
Tangled web of subplots with bonus bait and switch
This is not a bad show but it could have been better.
From advertising to the opening sequence and during the first couple of episodes, Kim Sejeong was the focus and it was assumed that the show is her starrer. However, once she join the webtoon department, her role faded into the background and she was just a rookie in a small struggling team. A lot of her "jobs" are quite mundane and largely involve putting out spot fires involving webtoon artists. We do see her growth but other aspect of the storyline suck the oxygen from her narrative.
This is a natural segue because the collection of artists are actually a lot more interesting than the FL. They are a diverse bunch but some are neurotic prima donnas. The Show does try to shine a light on how much hard work is involved in the creative process and the constant grind just to meet the deadline which I appreciate.
So rather than the show focusing on the FL, it is really an ensemble show with the plot switching from office politics to dramas with the talents and then occasionally we get a bit of the FL's backstory. That would have worked ok but some of the narratives involving the artists are tropey and flow oddly. One particular subplot involving a young male artist was very impactful and troubling but the Show whitewash the issues in the end. That was disappointing and feels like a cop out. Other times the subplot would end abruptly only to have the character pop up again several episodes later involved in a different subplot. It all sort of pulls together towards the end but it does make the show feel scatty.
A relevant but minor issue is a lack of romance. This show is definitely made for it. There are multiple possible pairings but nothing concrete happens. There are some side-eyes and meaningful looks but everything is literally left unsaid. Even the "confession that has to happen" is last minute and unanswered. I'm not saying that all shows need to include love lines but this show tease us constantly and delivers very little.
Acting wise, it is generally decent. The more experience actors anchored the Show but some of the roles are tropey and one dimensional. Even unto the end, I'm not a 100% clear on the efficacy of the male and female leads. Yes, KSJ is technically the FL but her role is marginalised and lacks depth. She laughs and cries on cue but she is hardly the focal point. Ditto the 2 male actors who can be considered ML's but doesn't seem to want the job either. LoL
Now that I have finished the show, I can actually say that it is watchable but I would have enjoyed it more if the show was more upfront about its genre and composition rather than try to capitalise on the popularity of KSJ.
From advertising to the opening sequence and during the first couple of episodes, Kim Sejeong was the focus and it was assumed that the show is her starrer. However, once she join the webtoon department, her role faded into the background and she was just a rookie in a small struggling team. A lot of her "jobs" are quite mundane and largely involve putting out spot fires involving webtoon artists. We do see her growth but other aspect of the storyline suck the oxygen from her narrative.
This is a natural segue because the collection of artists are actually a lot more interesting than the FL. They are a diverse bunch but some are neurotic prima donnas. The Show does try to shine a light on how much hard work is involved in the creative process and the constant grind just to meet the deadline which I appreciate.
So rather than the show focusing on the FL, it is really an ensemble show with the plot switching from office politics to dramas with the talents and then occasionally we get a bit of the FL's backstory. That would have worked ok but some of the narratives involving the artists are tropey and flow oddly. One particular subplot involving a young male artist was very impactful and troubling but the Show whitewash the issues in the end. That was disappointing and feels like a cop out. Other times the subplot would end abruptly only to have the character pop up again several episodes later involved in a different subplot. It all sort of pulls together towards the end but it does make the show feel scatty.
A relevant but minor issue is a lack of romance. This show is definitely made for it. There are multiple possible pairings but nothing concrete happens. There are some side-eyes and meaningful looks but everything is literally left unsaid. Even the "confession that has to happen" is last minute and unanswered. I'm not saying that all shows need to include love lines but this show tease us constantly and delivers very little.
Acting wise, it is generally decent. The more experience actors anchored the Show but some of the roles are tropey and one dimensional. Even unto the end, I'm not a 100% clear on the efficacy of the male and female leads. Yes, KSJ is technically the FL but her role is marginalised and lacks depth. She laughs and cries on cue but she is hardly the focal point. Ditto the 2 male actors who can be considered ML's but doesn't seem to want the job either. LoL
Now that I have finished the show, I can actually say that it is watchable but I would have enjoyed it more if the show was more upfront about its genre and composition rather than try to capitalise on the popularity of KSJ.
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