a series of ups and downs watching this drama. sometimes it will make you confuse, or make you (almost) cry, make you angry, make you laugh, or maybe just punch the character for behaving such a way you don't like ( ᐛ ). it's a roller coaster ride, i guess. well, i've already expected there will be a lot of drama in this one since it's asian haha. here's some key points and takeaways after watching the drama:

1. production and casting (chef's kiss ⟡‧₊˚) . i like the cinematography of this drama. to add, qasrina and meerqeen had a great chemistry! i didn't feel any awkwardness from their acting and was also surprised to find out that qas is older than him! of course supporting actors were great too. (+ i really loved daniel's character and i love his english accent haha)

2. story. yes, you'll feel it too. you're going to feel that this came from wattpad. it's too dramatic. it's cliche. it's fast paced. and you might wonder, why did it worked? obviously the answer is in no. 1!!! i was amazed that this drama gain a lot of recognition on this year despite the censorship on malaysian streaming and broadcasting media. it's interesting to think that even though there were no any kissing and making love scenes in the drama, it still served and got the vision that the viewers seek. but tbh, i just felt lost and confused in the remaining episodes. i haven't read the novel but it felt like they compressed a lot of chapters in the last 4 episodes. it felt like i've already on the book 2 (am i???) hahaha 3. character development. imo, i hope i won't get hate (so much), i did not feel the weight of change from each of the main characters (except farez). it always the misunderstanding and miscommunication then they will settle it, but recognizing the problem, instead of running away or doing impulsive decisions (i'm not talking to you thariq ridzuwan 🙄), and just like being calm (can we) maybe that would help (?)

for radwa's character, i feel bad for her actually. i wished for her a good health and mental state in th ending (that's all i didn't even thought of her getting back with someone from her past or what). having anxiety, ptsd, and depression sucks (super sucked). and i hope to everybody out there who is also a Radwa, you'll get the help. soon, you'll get to see the bright side ; ) don't lose hope *ੈ✩‧₊˚. but my last take? maybe they're just in love. they are so in love up to the point that they can sacrifice themselves for each other. no matter what.

It's been years since I've watched sports drama and I never thought I would go back liking it again (last one was Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo 😅). There are many interesting things which made me love this drama and I would like to discuss several of that:

(1) the drama portrays the reality of being an athlete, specifically in the sports of badminton. from the hardwork and effort they put in their training, from the sanctions or punishments they could get if they would not follow from the management, controversy or issue which most talented athletes could experience—it lets me understand the life of a badminton player : ' }

(2) of course we have the lives and relationships with the characters. i love how this drama made a background story for essential characters and made sure that it is still relevant to the main story.

maybe at some point, i was just hoping in the last episodes that it would be a tragic ending (if we're going to consider the gravity of the situation that taeyang had). somehow, the conclusion of the drama went too quick and gave me an idea that, people around taeyang could forgive but never forget. they will at some point bring up the accident every time taeyang will have an issue ┐⁠(⁠´⁠ー⁠｀⁠)⁠┌

(3) well, special mention for our park twins because park ju hyun and chae jong hyeop had a great chemistry <333 when i first encountered a clip from the drama, i already liked instantly the character of jong hyeop.

park tae jun reminds me of jung joon hyung from WFKBJxczzzzz

he's so greeeen flag and man so far he has the best EQ among other characters (just you wait taejun-ah when i found a new one 555). he's such a great listener and supporter. he's a great friend and boyfriend!!!!

all in all, this drama is a must watch if you want to start a fresh and different vibe of kdrama : ' ]

p.s: i love jung hwan's character development too : 3. i thought i wouldn't moved on from junyoung x junghwan but i guess they're not really meant for each other hahaha

Can't even finish the remaining episodes now because I don't wanna know that Shin Won will never be with her :'(

Season 1 was full of intense and plot twist and even though the sole reason why I watched this drama is the chemistry of Jang Uk and Mu Deok, never thought I would fall in love with fantasy and magic because of them.

The figurative language they use when it comes to their feelings with each other is soooo angst coded and type of enemies to lovers coded ༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ!! Like, guys I can do this all day—watch them how they'll argue, show how they deeply. insanely. profoundly! INLOVE! Although this season did not really focus on romance (which my type of genre I love the most), I still love them (omg I miss them now ;() Another thing! I love the side stories of the season specially Park Jin and Maidservant Kim :') A slow witted X coquette kind of trope hahaha (girl, i made it up :|) I even love other characters specially Seo Yul and The Crown Prince (protect these two pls.) They're just one of the green trees in a green forest <33 I am actually thinking that if these two will die girl I'M OUT. To you Sang Ho, well, boy you played well (Thank God you weren't killed).

Here we go on Season 2 which the romance took place (I didn't like or dislike that either). Most of the watchers didn't like the 2nd season for different reasons. And the popular one is that the female lead was changed which in fact was really casted for that (watch the S1 pls.) I get it, I understand why Bu Yeon was like that during S2 (idontwanttospoilyouanythingsogojustwatchhahaha). There are times and scenes which I think, “Well, this is very Mu Deok (the one in S1)” but maybe we just miss how So Min, who portrayed Mu Deok gave the vibes and personality of Mu Deok/Naksu. Well, I appreciate how Naksu played significantly in this drama but during my dramarathon, I always pitied with real Bu Yeon (like this young lady didn't even have a great life and was just used all the time) but then when I watched the remaining episodes, I realized a few things (which made sense why Hong Sisters never highlighted the importance of our best girl Bu Yeon)

And to be honest this season also gave me the feeling of a roller coaster ride (sometimes).

As this was made by Hong Sisters, I already knew that this would be a tragic and entertaining at the same time (Kudos to HS u did it once again!). Overall, the cast and production did well to make this series incredible and deserved to have great ratings as well.

what about you? what are your thoughts on this drama?