It seems to be the writing that's the problem. Among Kokdu and nine tailed and goblin and sht of this vein, I've found Kokdu to be the best.
Actors are very good. The stuff they have said about the FL is utter venom, in my opinion. Too much aegyo and disgustingly childish mannerisms that just don't suit the character? That's goblin's baby lover.
This show suffers from amateurish dialogues, sometimes they are too long or dragged out. But considering the uniqueness of the way a concept is discussed along the show, and the way actors act it out, such shortcomings become invisible.
The uniqueness has to do with the concept of conditioning: fate and freewill are discussed but alongside that, something even more important is examined:
traces of things that are long gone. Things that you know mattered a lot to you once and you cannot even remember what. The trace itself becomes what matters. And in this specific case, that trace is the painful experience of yearning... Turning all existence into grudge for the one that has yearned since time immemorial. There's a valuable observation there and the epically poetic way with which how conditioning and what it means to a mortal, sapient being were conveyed... That alone was breathtaking.
This show has kind of grown on me after I finished it.
I think Kim Jung Hyun is an outstandingly talented actor (he sings a song BTW for the OST, he is great at it, he certainly puts his heart into it). There were moments where I'd thought his acting was a bit exaggerated, but then I tried to think about how else someone could act those lines and descriptions out and it was then that I realized there was a problem with the written material. They should have let the actors free and make suggestions for a more natural flow and expression. I feel the director might have been a bit strict too. Im So Hyang was a nice discovery for me and KJH, aka the king of adlibs, would have the whole show soar along with Cha Chung Hwa and Kim In Kwon, if a Mr Queen kind of chemistry could get built among all the main actors. I must say though, this show doesn't have issues with character development the way its ilk has.
Creative writing from a writer who has a long way to go when it comes to adapting things to the screen, especially for a romcom, seems to have been hindered in this one due to what I'm guessing was a lack of healthy back and forth with the director and the cast. Unfortunately, only such communication would create the environment best conducive to a wholesome show with all the parts fitting and in harmony.
Telling it like it really is... with the pharmaceutical companies and all... And a brief yet honest evaluation of capitalism in passing... That's what got this show low ratings from all these hypocrites.
There's no universe where this show could get a 6 something and yet the previously mentioned ones could score a lot more, except one where people are hypocrites.
