This week we’re discussing a couple of hit releases that I initially resisted. The first is the lightest of lighthearted romcoms; the second is a longer series, perfect for binge-watching. Both turned out to be unexpectedly solid viewing, and I’m glad I finally sat down with them. Let’s dive in:
Pretty Crazy: Settle in for a lighthearted, feel-good story about an apprentice pastry chef with an unusual curse, and her unemployed upstairs neighbour who gets recruited to keep an eye on her. Lim Yoona, notable for 2023’s King the Land as well as 2025’s smash hit Bon Appetit Your Majesty, stars as Jeong Seon-Ji, who turns into a demon every night at 2 a.m. Her father and cousin, both partners in the family bakery business, struggle to manage her raucous behaviour, which manifests for a few hours a night and then disappears, leaving Seon-Ji none the wiser. When her father, portrayed by solid character actor Sung Dong-Il (Reply 1988, The K2), throws his back out and can’t look after her, he recruits upstairs neighbour Gil-Goo (Ahn Bo-Hyun, Flex X Cop, Itaewon Class) to help out. Gil-Goo is fascinated by the beautiful Seon-Ji, and hilariously nonplussed by her demonic version. The next logical K-drama step is for him to also begin working at the pastry shop, all the better to investigate further. This movie had languished in my watchlist for some time, but I was pleasantly surprised by the subtlety of the romantic arc and the crisp writing and pacing. Joo Hyun-Young (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) and Go Geon-Han (The Tale of Nokdu) round out the cast as Seon-Ji’s cousin, Jeong Ara, and Gil-Goo’s best friend Hee-Beom, respectively. Perfect, undemanding viewing for decompressing. Sometimes you want to relax with chess; sometimes with ice cream. This is the film version of the latter.
My Royal Nemesis: This is another series I had put off watching, despite it being a hit release earlier this year. Supernatural dramas featuring timeslips and reincarnation have been done, and done again (and again) in the last few years, and the synopsis didn’t seem to offer much new. I was wrong! Lim Ji-Yeon, who was marvellously villainous in The Glory, stars as Kang Dam-Sin, a Joseon-era court lady elevated to the nobility, then executed for treason. She then awakens in the body of Shin Seo-Ri, a present-day washed-up actress trying to stage a comeback. Heo Nam-Jin (Snowdrop, When the Phone Rings) stars as Cha Se-Gye, a third-generation chaebol and also the reincarnation of Grand Prince Cheongheon, Dam-Sin’s paramour in the Joseon era. What sets this series apart is the strength and resilience of the female lead. In similar supernatural dramas with a timeslip plotline, the principal character is usually shown attempting to adapt and blend in quickly, but not Seo-Ri. Floundering is alien to her. Rather, she decides that the rules simply don’t apply to her, because how can they? Instead, she determines to seize her opportunity at a second chance and completely reshape her destiny. She isn’t passive or apologetic and definitely doesn’t need any rescuing. Seo-Ri is a commanding, intelligent woman. Having experienced the worst possible fate in her prior lifetime, she is unafraid of consequences—or of ruthless chaebol Cha Se-Gye—in this one. If you’re interested in a multi-day viewing binge, featuring a strong female protagonist who completely blows apart the helpless innocent abroad trope, this one is most definitely for you. It’s a nice finish to summer viewing as we head into the stacked fall viewing season.