Alright, so I took a longer time between reviews than expected, 3 weeks instead of 1, partly due to some computer issues and partly working on how I wanted to do these reviews. So my ultimate conclusion since we’re out of the first few episodes, I will be reviewing with full spoilers, so you have been warned.
The Plot
The plot has really picked up and stabilized from the kind of chaotic state it had left off on. I had previously stated that I was unsure if I wanted to continue, and I’m happy to say now that I am all in. In terms of plot lines, a few have moved at a pretty good clip, specifically Jae-Hee’s family storyline, which has progressed mightily. His dad is still the worst, but it’s fun watching him learn and grow, although I fear he got amnesia at the end of the episode which the writers will use to just excuse the way he had been before. Jae-Hee’s mom is struggling with what it means to be alone, meanwhile Jae-Hee himself is struggling to truly accept the whole divorce, even if it seems like he’s over it, I’m not convinced he is.
Bit Chae-Woon’s plot has also advanced well, especially in regards to her battle with Seo-Ah, which seems to be resolving, although whenever she finally learns her real parentage that might all blow up, but they’re really avoiding bringing that to a head, it’s been frustratingly close for the last four episodes now. Na Ro doing whatever nefarious thing he is doing doesn’t feel particularly satisfying to be honest, probably the weakest plotline so far, just trying to get with Bit Chae-Woon for money once she learns she’s rich is just cliche and feels almost unrealistic in a fairly unrealistic take on real life.
Hae-Deun’s idol plotline is ready to blow at any moment, and hasn’t moved in a while, she’s been rejected and is hiding it from her family, so I expect some drama to come from that soon, and her family will still love and accept her because they’re good people. Ra-Hoon’s story has been very entertaining, just running away from the rapid Ba-Reun who likes him even though he likes her back. Ba-Reun has been a highlight character for me, very entertainingly written, and it’s fun to see what she’ll do next in her crazy logic, I can’t wait to see her living in the villa.
Man-Jung and Hwak-Se both have their side issues and clear mutual crush, they are solid supporters, but that’s basically it. Lastly the old generation are starting to get all tied together again, so we’ll see that coming to a head in this and maybe the coming weeks. That said this drama is supposedly going to be 100 episodes, so we have plenty of time for some of these plots to stretch out, and friendships to form, new characters to come in, and new plots to take over as these old ones get resolved.
Acting
Just want to make a few quick notes on the acting, this section will only pop up when I have something in particular to say. Some of Jin Ki-Joo’s facial expressions really take me out of moments that should be intense of sad or even heartwarming, they just feel a little over the top at times. Bona has improved a lot and doesn’t just feel like Bona anymore, also probably a credit to the writing and directing too. All the actors in Jae-Hee’s family are continuing to be incredible, even when other cast members have a slightly less consistent performance, they are always on point and elevate every scene that they’re in. Kim Si-Eun is also killing it as Ba-Reun, as I stated earlier, she’s my favorite character right now.
The Future
This show is looking up and I’m having a ton of fun with it now, so it looks bright, especially with some plot lines looking to resolve in the next few weeks and new ones likely to take their place, I’m ready for the shifts that are going to come. I think we’ll see Bit Chae-Woon and Jae-Hee start to admit their feelings by the midway and their plot will enter relationship drama territory instead. I also think that Jung-Won will forgive Soon-Jung for stealing baby Bit Chae-Woon fairly easily because she’s just that gracious and will see that Bit Chae-Woon loves them both. That said I expect Bit Chae-Woon to be the one that gets mad at her adoptive mother for holding her back from having a good life and will be brought to forgive her by her birth mother. The minor characters? Who knows those could go all sorts of ways, but they will definitely keep being the emotional balance to the heavier plots going on with other characters, while still having depth and staying interesting and not just wasteful… I hope at least.
Current Rating: 9/10
It’s picked up and it’s a blast, if you’re reading this and looking to see if it’s worth continuing after episode 4, it is, give it up to episode 10 at least to be sure, because things have moved along so much better than in the early episodes.