Not bad not great

My main takeaway from this is that the transition from enemies to lovers between the leads wasn’t believable. They were also lacking in the chemistry department, imo. Something super grating was how timid/meek the FL would act sometimes. She lost all her pre revenge confidence at some point and became almost like a prop for the ML’s character development. The second half of the drama is full of mystery plots that weren’t that intriguing. The motivations behind the ppl driving the mystery plots were weak. There were no real consequences for their actions either. Someone being a major asshole doesn’t justify stalking, death threats, actual murder attempts, and destroying their livelihoods. I started skipping scenes after episode 10.

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would not rewatch

Pros:
- There were a lot of sweet and cute interactions between FL and ML. Loved the skinship.
- ML actor has unexpected charm. I found his teasing, flirty, shy expressions very appealing as they were not the norm for the ML’s character
- The overall story line is actually interesting, even if the execution could have been better
- Good comedic side characters like brother Lu and teng she
- cute animals
- lots of food appreciation
- good fight scenes
- unexpected BL towards the end
- cgi wasn’t bad
- cute ending

Cons:
- FL says the ML’s name like 10 times per minute sometimes. At some point it becomes unbearable
- ML is either vomiting blood or has a bloody lip
- FL lacks complete agency and is easily manipulated to the point where it goes against the character development we’re supposed to believe she has gained.
- ML is supposed to be the moral compass of the show, teaching the FL how to love and be human. and while it’s a good concept, his self sacrifice was overdone. Also, his need to shield her from suffering ends up causing stupid misunderstandings
- Very repetitive, too many iterations of basically the same scene, same conflict, same misunderstandings. I ended up skipping so many scenes bc of this and was still able to keep up with the plot
- too many annoying and one dimensional side characters. Another reason I skipped scenes.
- the sister side story took up too much unnecessary space

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Wouldn’t rewatch

The story held a lot of promise and provided entertainment, yet there were certain elements that were executed poorly. Around episode 26, I began to skip scenes due to the repetitiveness and excessive use of unnecessary flashbacks throughout most episodes. On the production side, the presence of noticeable voiceovers and dubs frequently disrupted the immersion of the story.

On a positive note, the dynamic between the main group of boys and their interactions with the ML was the highlight of the show. The acting from the side characters and OST weren’t bad either.

However, there were some aspects that didn't resonate well. The portrayal of the "elders'" reaction to the ML's profession felt clichéd, particularly the unbelievable response from the FL’s parents. Despite being educated people that clearly understand the tech industry given how they speak about their daughter’s career, they inexplicably looked down on ML's career. He’s in the tech industry as well, specializing in and pioneering a very important sector of the industry, and even established his own company. There was already plenty of potential for conflict stemming from his age, character, and the FL's status as a student. They didn’t need to harp on him “playing with computers” all day. Like what?

Speaking of conflict, stupid misunderstandings were used as well as noble idiocy to cause tension. Both of which are never not frustrating and unrealistic.

The excessive use of cringeworthy and awkward moments between the ML and FL created an unintended perception of incompatibility between them. The FL often seemed like a prop rather than a fully developed character, exhibiting traits reminiscent of a manic pixie dream girl. The ML's aloof and arrogant portrayal was executed too well, detracting from the potential chemistry between him and the FL.

The kiss scenes also suffered from awkwardness. And the FL constantly being referred as a kid felt off-putting given the age gap situation. It’s unclear if this is a translation issue though. On a minor and petty note, the styling of the FL, especially her hair, often appeared distractingly out of place.

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Good entertainment

Things I love:
- The body swapping was actually fun
- The relationship progression between the leads felt so right. They went from enemies to friends to lovers in such a green flag way. There weren’t any weird misunderstandings, and unnecessary angst due to miscommunications. Their bantering and connection with each other felt very real. Lastly, they trusted each other!
- Altho source of contention, the ML’s parents weren’t portrayed as caricatures of the evil parents. They came across as flawed human beings.
- The shitty co-worker isn’t a caricature and actually had a redeeming quality.
- I appreciated the commentary on how poorly women are treated in the industry in comparison to their male counterparts for doing the same
- I also appreciated the commentary on how toxic idol culture
- The relationship between FL and her bestie is very cute
- The 2ML was a sympathetic character but not enough to give you 2ML syndrome
- Funny side characters

Dislikes
- the PPL was too much. Sometimes it felt like entire episodes were dedicated to bestore and that cold medicine brand
- The middle was kind of draggy
- The conditions for their body swaps didn’t feel consistent
- The ending re-contextualices the love story in a way that makes it lose its impact. Just because something is fiction doesn’t mean the viewer’s expectations for a satisfying resolution goes out the window. If you want the perfect ending stop watching at 32:41

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I’d recommend

I really liked this and was invested from beginning to end. The overall story was very intriguing, the folk horror that was introduced made it richer. It might have been more interesting if they delved deeper into the folklore and traditions surrounding the mystery. The ending wrapped things up nicely though.

Revenant’s horror has an arthouse feel to me. The production (which was soo good) focused a lot on atmosphere and the use of light and shadows to create a decent feeling of dread. The psychological aspect of feeling out of control and helpless hits home, too. Also, what we’re willing to do or accept in the name of survival, and what it means to live.

Heads up: suicide is heavily used throughout the series. It didn’t bother me here because it was in the context of murder and not stemming from the despair of wanting to unalive oneself.

KTR convincingly portrayed a capricious ghost and a terrified host. However, the hyperventilating and wheezing was a bit much for me.

Now, onto the not so great parts. There are two investigation teams, and it gets repetitive with the overlapping efforts. But also, at some point the information we’re being presented with becomes convoluted to the point where I wanted my own detective investigation white board.

The communication between our leads was often frustrating. There were so many instances of thoughtless exchanges that led to dire consequences. And just didn’t make sense.

All in all, a solid horror show.

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<3

Unexpectedly lovely and tender, this drama is a delightful mix of gaming, aerospace, and actress/idol elements, which initially made me hesitant, but it all seamlessly came together, resulting in a successful narrative exploring dreams versus societal expectations, second chances, growth, and love. The key to its success lies in its high production value, notably impressive visual effects and animation, especially during the gaming sequences. The clever integration of video game characters with 'reality' adds to the charm.

In the first half, the drama centers around the game, offering thrilling action scenes and captivating animation. The second half transitions to the aerospace theme, portraying the allure of space with its romanticism, beautiful starlit landscapes, and a sense of the unknown that captivates the audience. The use of soft lighting and dreamy atmosphere, coupled with a stunning OST, enhances the overall experience.

While I initially had reservations about the cast, Yang Yang and Dilraba proved to be perfect choices. Their chemistry on-screen was genuine, and their banter felt natural, making them highly enjoyable to watch. Dilraba's performance showcased her charm and talent, while Yang Yang's intriguing facial expressions kept me engaged throughout. The absence of foolish misunderstandings and excessive angst was a refreshing change, and the obstacles faced by the characters were relatable and well-resolved.

Unexpectedly emotional scenes, such as the second rejection, the wedding, and the successful launch of God Searcher, left a lasting impact and even moved me to tears.

Finally, the drama’s ending felt perfect, tying everything together in a satisfying manner.

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No.

I went through a lot to find a watchable version of this with English subs. Which makes my disappointment, at how bad this is, much stronger stronger…

I’m dropping this on episode 9. I decided to watch the kdrama bc it’s so highly recommended and rated. IU was great in ‘My Mister’—a drama that I consider to be super impactful. And despite my misgivings about the production quality in the beginning, I decided to push on because of her. Yet, in ‘Moon Lovers’, her character is in perpetual deer in headlights mode. The initial portrayal they gave us was that she was bad ass and wouldn’t take shit from anyone. Her brashness was getting her into trouble in this era, but instead of her character growing to be smarter/cunning, she has become the total opposite. The director is to blame for this I guess. I’m not sure how things will play out from here, but another major gripe I have is the dynamic between FL and SML. As of this point, which is more than half way thru, THEY ARE MUTUALLY IN LOVE. They have made promises to each other. They have had many intimate and tender moments. This persisted despite him being married to her benevolent cousin in this lifetime. So I don’t see how we’ll be convinced that the love story with ML is ~the one~. Furthermore, most of the interactions FL has had with ML usually end with him being violent towards her. While he is a tragic character and I feel for him, the potential romance between them is already at a disadvantage. With that being said, the ML is a great actor and I loved him in ‘Flower of Evil’. Another thing, isn’t the princess actually related to all the princes if they all have the same father? The suggestion of incest is so unnecessary/weird EVEN if it was commonplace during that time.

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