u/Mina_musings

Still me, still me, no need to be surprised
I’m sure you’re gonna say “My gosh!”
Your eyes getting busy, check-checking
Like playing spot the difference, oh hashtagging

''She’s walking so straight, she might trip and fall
Wonder if she knows everyone’s whispering about her
I think she’s hanging out with that person everyone’s talking about
She has problems''

It's me, it's me nothing different
What are they gossiping about me these days?
The searching light scanner, scanner
What's my score today? Jealous, jealous

Why does she like that kind of outfit?
What’s that blank face she’s making?
Maybe it's because of stress?
I'm worried about her''

we don’t owe, owe, owe, owe
(Anything)

Yes! This song was written 7 years ago, but the lyrics are relevant even today. It’s funny some of these comments are EXACTLY SAME stuff I have heard people criticising during and after her latest drama Perfect Crown… see the resemblance?

For those who know her as an actress IU, lemme introduce you to idol IU, who regularly pens lyrics to point out celebrity societal expectations, pressure to look perfect all the time, constant stalking, gossip, etc. Tbh these song lyrics are what made me her fan as an idol. Also love the shot of her exhaustedly reading the newspaper like still me? Still obsessed with me??

And for those who havnt heard this masterpiece yet!
The song name is IU Bbibbi. IU Celebrity is another recommended song!

Ok NOT as lovers exactly, but as two individuals who deeply connect and have comfort in each other. Specially considering how fragile Jinman still is.
If later down the years, if anything happens thats a different case.

Also, i love loveeee how they showed this scene of them interacting. From what I saw, Miran is extremely soft hearted she cannot be fake, and Jinman is also similar.

I loveeeee Park Hae-young’s writing, my My Mister is my all time fav kdrama, and the way they introduced the individuals in We are All Trying here and then eventually they all intertwined like the >!Eun-ah and her mom’s daughter, Hwang Dongman and the actress, Hwang Dongman and the actor who ended up signing!<

I am in love with this show and wish it had 16 episodes, Park Haeyoung your shows neeed more episodes than 12!!! Also I would have loved to see Hwang Dongman during the movie shoot/ life after. Oh god!!! I am emotionally attached to this cast.

The writer explained in the script book that Perfect Crown was originally meant to be 16 episodes

“In the process of reducing the drama, which was originally planned as a 16-episode series, into a 12-episode series, many regrets remained. I plan to release the backstory, which could not be fully shown in the drama, as a web novel.”

What we alllll suspected and kneww is confirmed.
I wonder why they took this disastrous decision ? Of reducing the drama run-time which won best script of the year award. I wonder who took it?

If its those who financed this project, I am sure its a big big loss. Because if they stayed true to the detailed script and layered characters, it could have been one of the best kdramas & reached new heights of popularity. Ah what could have been.

And even kept her photo with him.
I-an questioned him after the wedding was fixed and Hwan was in drunk and a sad condition. I-An was surprised he didnt know his brother was in a relationship for 3 years. He told the Daebi-Mama expecting her to break the marriage, but she said she doesnt mind, and she didnt break the marriage.

Hwan said “I feel like I need to go. If I stay here any longer, I'll go crazy." And said he will request to be dethroned as crown prince instead.

Chapter 19 webnovel.

So this clearrllllyyy explains the brother’s descent into madness, ah I just wish the drama did not gloss over (more like delete) such important details from the drama plot. The plot had substance but they ruined the drama, I am telling you

And for her ACTING CRITICISM as well
(Couldnt complete the entire quote in the title)

https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2026/05/17/FA57OFS4M5E6ZIJB2LEJW6GCDU/
“The Star Emotionally Accepts Blame for Acting Criticism, Historical Distortions

IU held back tears and gave fans a deep 90 degree bow during her birthday event yesterday while watching the finale.
She said, “I think it’s because I’m currently preparing an album while the drama is also nearing its end, but lately I’ve been thinking that I need to do better and become more responsible. It was truly my fault for causing any disappointment or showing shortcomings”.

Really sad IU had to go through this on her birthday, she has always been a hardworker and incredible talent. As a long time IU fan it painssss me how this drama was ruined (as compared to the original script which won the best script award), and unfortunately ended up being her worst work (in comparison).

FYI - the webtoon released today, it explains a lot lot more detail, and its clear they cut a lot just for fitting into the 12 episodes.

https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/117/0004065294

Update - IU and Wooseok have also apologized on Instagram.

I really really enjoyed Boyfriend on Demand. In fact its one of my favourite kdramas of all time. Why? Well if you are someone who is anxious and hesitant about trusting someone due to past experiences, this show will really touch you.

The cameos where amazing. The comedy hit very very well. And the romance was also good. By the end of the show, I was in-fact quite emotional. I think Jisoo’s character’s delimma was well portrayed. Someone who was scared of >!change and heart-break!<, and that is valid. The way the male lead’s character listens to her fears and eases her worries is sooo soo heart-touching. Definitely the best scene.

I was worried the lead would get overshadowed by the cameos in the initial episodes, but oh boy! His character shines!!! I love how the show managed to mix the comedy with the emotional depth. I wasn’t really expecting that. And for the genre Rom-com. Boyfriend on Demand certainly excels. And even has more than that. The instances of AI dating addiction, all add an extra level of depth to the show.

Summary review - If you are in a mood for a rom-com particularly if you are stressed after a long day, this is the perfect show! It might end up touching your heart, more than you expect.

So consider how unhinged Ragini was, like throwing sister into the river on her wedding day to marry the groom, kidnapping her step-mom (the worst thing ever), pretending her brother in law assaulted her, and finally attempt to off herself multiple times (once when she came to know Lakshya had proposed her just for Sanskar, and again after pushing Swara off the river, and later on again does after Lakshya marries the other girl). I am 99% support the plot should have gone, after the truth reveal that night she shud have just been shocked and attempted again and ultimately wouldnt survive.

I dont think she deserved to end up with Lakshya (not that he was better than her but thats for another post). And hence, she wouldnt survive cause she attempts to off herself everytimes he says no to her. And he was right to say no. But, also because i wanted them to show, blackmail aur zabardasti sain tum pyaar ko haasil nahi kar sakte. And i loved loved the scene of her getting that obhishap from deeda. Like its true. You cant be happy by straight up ruining someone’s life (my favorite scene!) i wish they didnt dilute deeda’s curse.

- And make redeem ragini after making her this dark. If they did intend to make her good again, they could have shown swara falling off accidentally or something. Then Ragini feeling guilty the whole time and lakshya marrying her, but then she should not have done anything bad afterwards (like accusing sanskar of assault or kidnapping Ma) Then it would make sense to redeem her. Oh god! But this is itv do characters really get what they deserve? I wish she did.

But ofc people would feel without Ragini no Swaragini would exist. Hmmm well for that, but they literally made her charracter attempting to off herself i really think she genuinely would have succeeded! No other option

- Otherrrrwiseeee this another plot came to my mind. But this is like a 1% support for me (only if they had HAD to keep her alive and end up with lakshya). The story could have gone something like this (this is kinda unrealistic but not that unhinged as the malkin track so bare with me). After the truth reveal and lakshya’s rude words, she gets annoyed at lakshya and plan revenge her love becomes hate ( like she did at some point of the story) she becomes a working women- unrealistic i know (but more realistic than bade papa giving her all the property) . Then she meets lakshya somehow and theres this enemies to lovers arc but still it would take lakshya atleast YEARSSSS to first learn to stand her then become friends with her, then maybe something more. But i genuinely think it would take him YEARSSSS and it should have. idk why they glazed that everything should be quick. Even swara should have taken years.

So the twist would have been in swaragini, sometimes life is unexpected. Swara was the mordern girl ends up becoming the submissive bahu, while Ragini becomes the independent, working women. And each struggling to fit into their roles as housewife and working women. I think that would have been wonderful to show, how life is unexpected.

- Or maybe she would have ended up with another guy. Cause itv does that right, new leads? But she was sooo borderline obsessed with Lakshya this is completely unlikely.

Anyways what do you think should have been ragini’s fate after the original track reveal and if they haddddd to keep her alive (like itv) how should the show have progressed ?

The good

Story was Ahead of its time with unique aspects

- THE MORDERN GIRL WAS THE LEAD, AND THE SANSKARI girl THE VILLAIN. I really really liked how they reinforced that wearing traditional clothes don’t make you morally better.

- The villain and new entry after 3 months of the show ended up becoming a male lead, and this was the best twist ever. Also if my memory serves me right this trope was repeated in shows around the same time like thapki (not sure if this trope of changing the male lead existed before but swaragini definitely causes a resurgence of it.)

-The father in law who was surpringly against stereotypes (and acknowledged Swara).

- Even dadi who raised ragini, >!slapped her when she realized she faked an assault.!<

The characters

The characters were really well written initially and there motivations made sense. Sanskar, swara, deeda were my favorites. Also, ragini’s intial feelings when everything happened, was well portrayed.

The worldbuidling

Beautiful real locations and sets in Kolkata. The first few episodes feel sooo well shot, I wish it continued but obviously wasnt sustainable. And also the maheshwri house, which atp is nostalgia for me, and baadi.

CHEMISTRY

All the couple in the show had insaneeeee chemistry. Swa-san, raglak, even sharmishtha and shekhar when he was not annoying

Casting

Extremely well cast. Helly till now to me looks like a bengali, and as a bengali, multiple shows cast leads as a bengali when they look nothing like a Bengali but they nailed it. Everyone on the cast is gorgeous. Varun Kapoor, Parineetha Borthakur, Tejasswi Prakash, Namish Taneja, Sachin Tyagi everyone.

Excting plots

Some of the plots are extremely exciting and have great re-watch value until today. Sanskar redemption plot, forced living together, ragini going evil, kavita plot, sahil plot initially

The bad

Inconsistency of characters

Yes. Swara was supposed too be wise and understanding and she eventually becomes annoying. >!Like after swara reveals parineetha was with rajat and she finally ends up with together sanskar after weeks of memory loss, she goes into “I am sad for parinettha getting kicked out of the house” like ????!< Ragini randomly becoming good within like 2 weeks.

Shekhar, daadi shifting for bad to good. Sanskar’s character was also eventually ruined

Hasty plot solving/ terrible plots

Once ragini was positive, they had to bring random characters to be the villain & to me the plot starts losing focus when other cast members suddenly join and everyone trusts them. >!Adarsh parineetha plot, jiji khush nahi hain, sahil plot dragging - the dadi kidnapping and attempting to off shekha’s baby like. Also, the house ownership started shifting from ragini, lash to adarsh, it was too unserious like I get it its itv unrealistic but who becomes the owner of the house one by one.!<

So eventually the show goes downhill, with few saving arcs. Though tbh as someone who watched other itv shows I would say they managed to keep the show afloat for a pretty long time.

So anyways, I would recommend watching it simply for the amazing sanskar character arc and the initial episodes. And then, if you do fall in love with the characters then continue with their journey a little longer.