[theqoo] WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE FUN? 'GENIE, MAKE A WISH', ONLY WATCHING FOR SUZY'S FACE

Whilst juvenile, Kim Eun-sook's worldview possessed undeniable appeal. The disappearance of enjoyment stems from the awkward blending of fantasy and reality. Within the drama, the genie is portrayed as Satan, possessing immense power. His reason for appearing before Ki Ga-young is to corrupt him, seeking revenge for being imprisoned in the lamp for some past reason. Yet, whether a thousand years of vengeance automatically evaporates in the face of Suzy's beauty is unclear, as the genie is excessively kind to Ki Ga-young. Even when beaten, thrown from buildings, or unjustly dragged to the police station, he remains “Ki Ga-young's devoted admirer”. Even without using a wish, whenever Ki Ga-young is in danger, he appears from nowhere to rescue her. Having endured countless romantic male leads in Kim Eun-sook's dramas, a character who defies all logic and plausibility like this feels unfamiliar.

Ki Ga-young's “selective” psychopathic tendencies are equally jarring. It lacks conviction that Ki Ga-young, who cannot empathise even with the tears of her most beloved grandmother, is unsettled by a kiss with Genie, or that she enjoys dissecting frogs without guilt yet feels heartbroken at the mere thought of parting with Genie, who isn't even alive.

Even if the premise is that Ki Ga-young's emotional void only activates in Genie's presence, the explanation for this process is inadequate. The core of romance is “after this and that, they eventually fell in love”, yet there is no narrative of love developing between these two. They despise each other to the point of wanting to drop the other from a building to their death, yet fall in love after a single kiss? Even in fantasy, wouldn't it require at least both being human, and both in a state capable of normal emotional exchange, to even feign belief?

Even if love somehow begins, it ought to flow smoothly. Yet as the story progresses, the focus shifts heavily to Ki Ga-young confronting her past life memories, diluting the romance's intensity. It must showcase Kim Woo-bin and Suzy's beautiful two-shots, maintain the grandeur of Genie's world, and address Ki Ga-young's backstory. With too many focal points, plus constant shifts between reality and fantasy, present and past, viewers who should be feeling butterflies end up confused and bewildered.

Writer Kim Eun-sook's signature witty dialogue also backfired when combined with melodramatic scenes appearing out of context. The pun-filled lines that served as comic relief in previous works became excessive, actually lowering the hit rate for laughs.

The public has already become well-versed in Kim Eun-sook's brand of romantic comedy. While expectations were indeed high, there was also an understanding that a certain degree of “cringiness” would be tolerated. Yet, if grumbles of “When will this get interesting?” emerge, then even the Queen of Romantic Comedies must examine why she has lost her way. With a stellar production team, a stellar cast, and the Netflix stage. Everything was in place, yet the most crucial chemistry with the viewers remains a question mark.

original post: here

1. The content is f*cking boring. There's no plausibility whatsoever. I felt like I was wasting my time watching it, so I finally gave up after episode 4. Throughout the whole thing, the actors' performances were incredibly dull. Honestly

2. Just the faces are entertaining. I watched it because they said it gets interesting if you get through the beginning, but right to the end...? It just ends like this. It's not just one person's fault. The actors, writer, director, they're all at fault. The beginning doesn't work? Right to the end...? It's highly likely it'll just end like that

3. The set-up is good, the actors are good but the direction is a shame

4. DOTS, Heirs, The Kind.. they are all so cringe that I can't bear the watch them. I'm surprised that this drama gets a special amount of hate;; That's just you your typical Eunsook drama

5. Does it deserve this much hate..ㅋㅋㅋ I find it really fun though

6. The acting is so awkward that I can't immerse myself in itㅇㅇ I seriously feel like I'm just watching a photoshoot in video

7. It's freaking boring

8. Suzy's acting is....

9. The script sucks too but the acting is just severe

10. This drama really has extremely polarizing reviews... It's either people finding it "fun" or "freaking boring"

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