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Based on a novel, this is a dark psychological drama/thriller exploring complex themes of relationships, marriage and love. It also centers on themes of past traumas, psychological manipulations and complexities of different relationships. It's a powerful well-acted storyline that unwraps slowly but ever so steadily.

Thankfully, It's not a typical "Kdrama" series that you can find plenty of on Netflix and other streaming platforms lately but you wouldn't find Gong Yoo on one of those anyways.

The acting is quite solid especially from the main characters portraying their past emotional traumas and the slow healing they both go through finding each other again (as this was not their first encounter) and possibly lasting love from something that started as an unwanted, bizarre and disturbing contract marriage. But most marriages are contracts is one of themes the show explores and what binds two people together.

I haven't read the novel and I am sure this is not completely true to the book as others before it haven't been but on its own merit, this is a beautifully and well crafted production including the music scores and absolutely worth the watch.

Sigh! These negative comments for a show that is far from being "garbage".

Unfortunately, in recent years especially, IMDB has become a cesspool of negativity and hate just like other sites.

Not only it seems some of the viewers didn't possibly give the show enough time but also if you have been more into Hollywood productions that mostly follow certain safe storylines then this can be too confusing, boring and slow. I am always amazed at the countless number of times I have seen comments about slowness of a show even from film critics as if that's a bad thing! Quite the opposite. Slow burn is usually what makes a show good because it takes its time to tell a story and build its characters.

As for the show, a slow burn, I found it to be more of a philosophical art-house type thriller/mystery because from the beginning we get to know one of the culprits and strongly suspect the other who committed the crimes. What slowly develops is how those crimes and the choices and actions or inaction of one can have severe physical, emotional and financial consequences that can even ripple effect through generations. This is told through two parallel unrelated stories at two different times that eventually converge towards the end because of shared themes of justice, shame, guilt, pain, looking the other way, etc. In the beginning episodes, it can be hard to connect all the dots because of the two timeframes and the constant sudden jumps between these two time frames and the unrelated stories but it will eventually all fall into place as the series goes on.

The acting, music score (especially the beginning theme song) and cinematography are top notch. I really got interested because Kim Yoon-seok from the movie The Chaser is in it. He is such a good actor and he doesn't disappoint here either.

I would recommend watching and giving it some time.

I am not a fan of sci-fi or space drama/thrillers but as a fan of S. Korean movies and TV series, I gave it a watch. Overall, it's slow-burning with a somber mood, different from other sci-fis of this kind giving out a realistic feel of their challenges, no aliens or creatures about but something more mysterious and deadly, with intriguing twist and turns and you have to watch all the episodes patiently to really experience the show. There is also a very important message - climate change and the effects on future generations like water shortages which can easily happen if not already. Some of the acting surprisingly was not up to par for me but maybe because this whole project was a complete new experience for all involved. I think, the show would have been better with fewer episodes but for a new director and first attempts at this kind of genre, I was really impressed and enjoyed the show.

However, I like to point out somethings based on the comments/reviews I have seen a lot lately (Squid Game, Hellbound, My Name, etc.):

1) There is so much comparing every recent S. Korean show that comes out to Squid Game. Even the reputable sites that review films/TV shows are doing it. It's ludicrous and at this point aggravating as if all recent S. Korean shows must somehow be like Squid Game to be worthy or that's all they have to offer!

2) I have seen some reviews that seem suspicious and generic whether rated high or low. Sadly, I have even seen few racist ones!! Not sure even any of these ratings were based on actually watching the shows??

3) There is always some comparing the shows from other countries to Hollywood ones as if that is the "ultimate standard". International shows have become very popular in recent years so they must be doing something right. Viewers these days, at least some, are looking for something really original, unpredictable and emotionally engaging and with natural acting and great character build up/storytelling (fast or slow-burning) which is offered more in international films and TV series than the Hollywood productions. You can find reviews/comments to that effect as well.

Anyways, I definitely recommend watching this show because it has a new approach to this type of genre. South Korean filmmaking can be very innovative and this too does not lack in some originality,