Why “Spooky in Love” Became One of My Favorite K-Dramas This Year Despite Its Flaws

One of the K-dramas I genuinely enjoyed this year is “Spooky in Love.” 

I know some viewers may consider it flawed, especially because of the sudden breakup in Episode 10 and the predictable “white truck” accident that put Park Eun Bin’s character through another dramatic ordeal. I agree that these are pretty common K-drama tropes, but honestly, I didn’t mind them that much. The drama gave me far more fun and happiness than reasons to dwell on its flaws.

Byeon Woo Seok Exits In Misery While Lee Yoo Mi's Team Celebrates Victory In Strong Girl Nam Soon

Nam Soon and the others celebrates their success over war on drugs (aka against Si Oh) and once again, goodness prevail in the world. yay for them I guess? Lol it's funny how the 'good' characters were glad and wore huge smiles on their faces but I couldn't really celebrate along with them. Am I the only one who feels like that? The moment Ryu Si Oh dies miserably like that, it became a drag to me to watch the rest of the remaining finale episode. 

Yeah, yeah, blah blah blah. There are still people out there judging viewers like me who have the same sentiments of symphatizing with a bad person like Ryu Si Oh. What can I do? Ryu Si Oh's character is so well written to the point that he's the one I felt connected with and had the urge to protect from pain/betrayal than the portagonists of this show. (Except for Grannie) I think this whole show was greatly carried by the character of Ryu Si Oh. If only the writer gave Ryu Si Oh a better ending like changing for the better then it would have been a much fitting 'happy ending'. Everyone would be satisfied. This whole show is showcased entirely as comical that we couldn't take things seriously but what they did to Si Oh's ending was plain brutal so it was really off to me. Okay wait why do I hear people whispering 'but he's a dr*g lord who ruins people lives he deserves that blah blah blah what if he does that to you or your family you wouldn't say that.. blah blah blah. Whatever people, we're in a kdrama and Ryu Si Oh is my favorite character okay, alright? So just chill! 

Anyways, season 3 is coming our way and the main villain is.... Mr. Bread a.k.a the serial k*ller Nozh. Bwahahah! That new 'male' character who's going to continue the strong girl uh... man?... uh whatever series better be someone impactful as the character of Ryu Si Oh or else it's all over. Tbh, Nam Soon as the main character was so weak and the male lead was boring too! This show wouldn't be successful if it weren't for Geum Ju, Grannie and a great villain like Si Oh at all. 

What can I say with the ending other than it was 'just okay'? But I would still recommend it for the great character Ryu Si Oh. Sigh... if only Si Oh was given a chance to change like Hwa Ja... sigh...

Lee Yoo Mi Tastes The Revenge of Ryu Si Oh In Strong Girl Nam Soon Episode 15

Ryu Si Oh's luxurious office instantly became a boxing gym, that's so pitiful of him. But what can we do? Si Oh is already a wanted man, all eyes are on him and it's all thanks to Geum Ju and her team. This is the start of his downfall but at least he's gone through it only in the last 2 episodes of the series. 

Okay, the next sentiments that I may say will probably anger those 'righteous' fans/viewers of this drama but I seriously am symphatizing for Ryu Si Oh here. I mean, this drama intentionally made us feel that Si Oh's character is the center of this drama. Yes, the title of this drama is Strong Girl "Nam Soon" but this exudes more of "Ryu Si Oh: the villainous protagonist" instead. Hmmm... yes Si Oh is evil, he killed a lot of people and all but heck... this is a Kdrama it's all fantasy and we can sympathize with whoever character we connect with. Just because some fans liked the 'villain' more than the 'protagonist' does not reflect their morality. It's simply just enjoyment of watching the character/ actor they or we like. That's all there is to it. Just because we like Si Oh doesn't mean we like him killing people using his drugs, no! That's not it at all! Lol So I hope some viewers would just relax and not judge those people liking the character of Ryu Si Oh in this drama. 

Anyways, Ryu Si Oh finally getting his revenge against Tsetseg/Nam Soon. The scene wherein nam soon is having a hard time after taking Si Oh's drugs, I feel no pity for her at all. Instead, I felt like she deserved it for playing with fire. Lol I know, I know, righteous people... I shouldn't feel this way but that's what I'm feeling... what can I do? It's only when Grannie and Geum Ju getting involved that made me side the 'strong girls' again. Geez, please grannie... I hope you're okay. It won't be the same without you. Waaaah! 

Byeon Woo Seok Gets Untamed After Lee Yoo Mi's Betrayal In Strong Girl Nam Soon Episode 14

The writer and director really knows how to play with our feelings. Lol (most especially to those who are fond of Ryu Si Oh) I mean, look at how they made Ryu Si Oh softy and smiley towards Nam Soon and charm a lot of us in the previous episodes  then made us hate him instantly (with no repair) in episode 14! Wow! The show really tells us not to get fooled with one's appearance because that's how one gets victimized by all these evil in disguise. Sigh. I was hopeful that Si Oh can change but he was beyond redemption judging by what he's been doing lately. Only Tsetseg could actually tame him but he got betrayed (Serves him right!) and now he's self destructing and involves everyone else. Ugh. Si Oh in his childhood was pitiful, it's his reason why he's like this in the present. But his actions and decisions in the present are all unacceptable and unforgivable. 

If you're always reading my updates in my FB page Keismagic Daily, you already know how much I care for the character of Hwa Ja from the start. She's the best representation of a person that lacks love and seeks for it in various sinful acts but in the end succumbs to an honest living because of a good samaritan like Geum Ju. Ah, seriously, Geum Ju is a blessing. A person that strongly believes in the kindness of people. We need more Geum Ju in this cruel world. 

Ryu Si Oh and Hwa Ja are similar when it comes to having a dark and past, but the difference is that, Ryu Si Oh embraced bitterness and angst against the world to the end that he's beyond saving while Hwa Ja let go of the bitterness in her past and changed for the better. Gosh, Ryu Si Oh killing Hwa Ja really made me him so much. I really don't care about him anymore!!! Waaaah! 

Byeon Woo Seok Found Out About Lee Yoo Mi's Real Identity In Strong Girl Nam Soon Episode 13

The day has come, Si Oh found out about Nam Soon's real identity!  All the smiles he has for Nam Soon were soon taken away with only wrath on his face. That ending scene was definitely intense but the truth cannot be hidden anymore as the facts were served to him left and right. Hmmm... it feels like he has the slight idea that Tsetseg was Nam Soon though, I mean, when the boy who Nam Soon was helping with financially showed Si Oh the number of Nam Soon, he instantly compared it with Tsetseg's phone number. Maybe he already knew all about it but he was scared to face the truth because he will once again be hopeless in breaking out from Pavel's grip. He kept saying from the previous episodes to the present that he is putting all his trust on her, meaning, he wanted to trust her no matter what desperately despite all the doubts that he has on his mind for a long time already. Instantly, of course, he'll feel betrayed but I am curious whether what he will do to Tsetseg. Will he order to eliminate her as well? or will he continue to pretend that he does not know the truth and still keep Tsetseg close to him to go on with his plans in destroying Pavel. Hmmmm...

On the other hand, I had a great laugh when Si Oh's people tried to eliminate Geum Ju's family starting with granny. lol Easiest one they said, but look at what happened to them in the end. wahahaha! Grandma wants to live more in her life now that she has found the new love of his life. Speaking of love of his life, I still don't like the barista for Grandma... I still want the original... but I cannot blame grandma for moving on now though.. I mean, grandpa left her and the whole family for 10 years... she had been all alone and lonely so she deserves some good time and new love. I'll support her whatever she decides. kkk 

Now onto the lovebirds of this drama, Kang Hee Sik and Nam Soon. They're definitely a match! A couple that gives strength and support to each other... that's something anyone would want in their relationships, right?! Definitely an endgame is set for them. Yay!

A Vicious Byeon Woo Seok Emerged In The Episode 12 of Strong Girl Nam Soon

Ryu Si Oh is really getting more and more viscous after each episode and it's really telling the viewers that we shouldn't get deceived by his good looks and stature because at the end of the day, he's still rotten inside. An evil person living in our world who's making money and power by taking advantage of people's weaknesses. 

It's really hard to change his ways because he's full of vengeance. He grew up in an environment wherein he's deprived of love and care. The way he thinks is already different from normal people, he just know how to survive no matter what and that drives him to do the unthinkable. It's sad that there are actual people like him in our world. It's sad that they grew up like this but I cannot really just let everything slide just because they have a dark and pitiful past. Because, imagine also their victims!! Gosh, humans are so scary you know. This is why we should treat everyone around us with kindness, so we would be able to prevent such people like Si Oh. 

I don't know if his kind is still the redeemable type but all I ask is for Nam Soon and her mom to be able to stop him from doing bad things. He's already too much and I'm so sad for the victims of this man. Watching him and Nam Soon interact though, it made me scared how he'll end up devastated again once he finds out about Nam Soon's real identity. Si Oh is too focused on his plan to take down Pavel using Nam Soon to the point that he couldn't figure out Nam Soon's real identity through an intricate investigation/research. Waaah Si Oh, this is your karma. 

I really like Si Oh's face and bad ass attitude but there is a limit to it. I cannot really swallow it anymore how he could easily just kill anyone and distribute drugs everywhere in the world. That's a no-no for me. If this is real life, no matter how handsome he is, I wouldn't really dare to look at him and probably would despise a guy like him. But hey, this is K-drama, so I guess it's okay to still fangirl over his good looks and body?! hahahaha! oopsie. 

Anyways, it's already obvious who is Nam Soon's endgame here, our inspector Kang Hee Sik. Soon, I feel like an heir of Nam Soon's would be born real soon with how they're both getting bolder each new episode. haha! I love it!

Byeon Woo Seok Shows His Real Color To Lee Yoo Mi In Strong Girl Nam Soon Episode 11

A billion won in exchange for the life of Nam In, a huge amount of money but no value of money can equal a life of a person. That billion won can be earned again by Geum Ju for sure. However, to think that some people are using this method of earning wealth is really evil. Si Oh is indeed evil and so his pawns. I hate him so much and no matter how much handsome and charismatic he is, I won't forgive him at all. Sigh. At least now we  know how much a scam this guy really is. Evil can disguise so good in the outside to lure people but we should all know that by now and be careful next time. Of course, his face is sold out to all of us viewers, because this is a Kdrama people! But if this were to happen in real life then that's a different case!

Seriously, thank goodness Nam In is back to normal again. I honestly thought that red heels would lie about the antidote but when I saw the color being mixed with water, I sighed in relief once I noticed the similarity of what Si Oh was drinking before. Nam In is fine now and it seemed like Geum Ju's family's bond is becoming whole again. I hope that they will continue being a happy family once again without anyone being left behind. The loneliest feeling on this planet is to be surrounded by people but still felt all alone. I hope no one would go through such loneliness. It's driving people to do unimaginable things and slowly kills them inside. 

Now let's talk about the chief police of the DIU team, I accused him already so fast that he became a drug addict already due to his actions and isolation but it turned out that he only made himself become the evidence to help out the team in exchange for his own life. And it did help Hee Sik to arrest hairtail but Si Oh knows how to save himself from being investigated, he knows how to eliminate hindrances on his way. 

I can't wait for the next episodes. The action is starting and it's about to fly to entertain us all till the end! Yay! Si Oh revealed to Nam Soon already his true form (to which is already known by Nam Soon) and I wonder what it is that he's going to ask this time. Perhaps ask her to do an evil deed again this time. Ugh. 

Byeon Woo Seok Asks Lee Yu Mi For A Date In Strong Girl Nam Soon Episode 10

"Would you like to go out with me?" The question was finally out from Si Oh's mouth! Geez this wouldn't be hard to respond to if he wasn't a bad guy but then again I wouldn't be sure to fall for him if he wasn't either. Lol That bad boy effect is really keeping me hostage. But if this is real life and I know his background, I'd want to change his wrong doings first before getting involved with him in a relationship. Hahaha! As if! Wait, why am I even explaining? Kkkk

Anyways, too bad, Si Oh would meet his karma in the form of Nam Soon. He's starting to fall for her and trusting her but he'll get betrayed in the end. I guess that's his fate for being a bad guy, of course he needed to be punished by law as well. He already ruined and killed a lot of people by his illegal drugs, I wouldn't really want him to get away with his sins without getting punished. If he face his punishment and start to live righteously then perhaps if he asked someone again (not Nam Soon because she's deeply in love with the inspector already) then I guess he'll get the girl this time. 

Anyways, Geum Ju survived the evil plans of Si Oh, she actually predicted it all. But sadly, she was too preoccupied saving the world but couldn't save her own son. Ain't this cruel? I hope she'll get in touch with all of her children not just just Nam Soon. Let this become her lesson in handling her own family. Her son, Nam In, needs her as well and so is her husband too. I think there is still a chance for their family to become whole again. Geum Ju just needs to focus on her family more than the world. Family first before the world. I think that's much better.

Byeon Woo Seok Orders To Eliminate Kim Jung Eun In Strong Girl Nam Soon Episode 9

We finally got a glimpse of Ryu Si Oh's story, as usual, he got a painful past that makes him want to achieve power and wealth however ways possible. He's an orphan and was raised and trained by an organization/mafia Pavel to do unimaginable things. And this organization also became his backer in his company Doogo according to Geum Ju. By revealing this confidential information, Geum Ju got into Ryu Si Oh's nerves and wanted to eliminate her as soon as possible. So Ryu Si Oh ordered his men to do the dirty job.

I think this is the start of us, viewers, witnessing that indeed, Ryu Si Oh is not a leading man of the story but a villain. In the first half of the series, we all know that he's the mastermind of all these drugs being distributed everywhere and it still didn't get into our mind how awful this person could be because he's been that cutesy whenever Nam Soon is around. But now that one of our favorite character is being the target of Si Oh, we start to realize and be reminded that, hey, Si Oh is really a monster that's capable of doing heinous crimes. Sometimes or most probably most of the time, we're all really biased. lol But yeah, it's time that we get back to our senses and focus of Nam Soon's mission of stopping Ryu Si Oh at all costs.

What I like the most in this episode is, Hwa Ja's 360 degree change of heart. Thankfully, Geum Ju was able to talk with her in the hospital and revealed that she's still open in accepting Hwa Ja as her daughter if ever she will live her life honestly, before she met Ryu Si Oh. I like how she didn't reveal that Tsetseg is Geum Ju's daughter Nam Soon. I think she did this not for the sake of Nam Soon but actually of Geum Ju. Geum Ju has been nothing but a good person to her, she treated her right and kindly, and so I think that's something she felt obligated to return by saving her daughter Nam Soon from the devil, Si Oh. Gosh! I'm so happy for her. I just really hope that this will continue on and that Hwa Ja will start to choose the right path for her life.

And of course,  I think we should talk about Nam In already. This guy is in danger! Someone give that child attention!!!! Waaaah! I hope it isn't too late yet for him. He needs love and attention and I hope the whole family would be able to give that to him. But of course, Nam In should start to help himself first before somebody else would be able to help him.  It always start with one self after all.  

Ong Seong Wu Is Scared For Lee Yoo Mi Being With Byeon Woo Seok In Strong Girl Nam Soon Episode 8

I really enjoyed episode 8 as it's packed by both adorable and thrilling moments. We're half-way through this series and so I'm expecting enjoyable episodes like this to continue till the end.

Gang Nam Soon and Ryu Si Oh working side by side. My goodness, they are just so cute! It's like they complement each other so well. Nam Soon, being the jolly & kid-alike personality, bringing sunshine to the dark and serious life of Ryu Si Oh. Shocks! He's so cute smiling whenever he's surprised by Nam Soon's strength and jolliness. I really do think that he'll fall for her in this drama. Yes, he needs her power that's why it's understandable that he's thrilled, happy and curious about Nam Soon. But I cannot help but think that he's falling for her bit by bit when I see him smiling at Nam Soon whenever she's acting childish and jolly in front of him. 

Let me say this clear, yes I do enjoy Ryu Si Oh's visuals and I do love it if he'll ever fall for Nam Soon. But, that does not automatically meant that I want Nam Soon to end up choosing him. He's a bad guy in this story, a villain indeed. The purpose of me wishing that Ryu Si Oh to fall in love with Nam Soon is that, maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to change from being evil to being a good person. Using his wealth for the benefit of all people and not by damaging or killing all of them after draining all of their money for purchasing illegal drugs. That's what I only want, people! Come on! Of course my number 1 bet for Nam Soon here is still inspector Kang Hee Sik and no one else.  

Anyways, enough with the 3 of them. Everything seemed to be going well with grandma's love life in this episode. But have you seen the preview for the next episode? Grandpa is coming back!!!! And that means my bartender is soon going to be out of the picture. Unless, grandma and the other guy wanted to be claimed as cheaters. Grandma is still married after all. Perhaps a little conversation to come up with an agreement of divorce between grandma and grandpa would be wonderful before moving on with another love life. Sigh.... but if I'll be very honest. I'm still quite doubtful about the bartender guy. I mean, why all of a sudden he wants to be with her after finding out that they are possess great amount  of fortune and luck? He kept digging for information about Geum Ju's success story. I don't know, maybe he's just really curious? Hmmm... we'll find out about that later on!

And let's also talk about Geum Ju and Mr. Bread. Oh boy! They are so effin' hilarious! Geum Ju couldn't find that blind spot of Mr. Bread at all no matter how much she digs for information. Due to desperation, Geum Ju declared that she's interested with the very confident and charismatic Mr. Bread in the end in order to supply to the information gathering Opulentia. lolol That was crazy!! HAHA!

And the thrilling part that I was saying was during that very dangerous moment of Nam Soon drinking poison and how Hee Sik and Ryu Si Oh met each other eye to eye. I was scared that Hee Sik would be discovered by Ryu Si Oh because it just mean that Nam Soon would be in danger real quick because of betrayal. Also, I don't want Ryu Si Oh and Nam Soon's relation to be shattered real soon. I'm still enjoying them being together after all. kkk So that was a very scary moment for me.

Nam In on the hand, I'm scared for him too!!! They need to give him attention soon or else he'll end up being an addict too. Wah!

Lee Yoo Mi Finally Meets Byeon Woo Seok Face-to-face In Strong Girl Nam Soon Episode 7

Finally after few episode, CEO Ryu Si Oh (Byeon Woo Seok) finally got the timing to summon Gang Nam Soon (Lee Yoo Mi) to his office. I must say, he has a beautiful smile seeing Nam Soon up close. I have a feeling that this smile actually comes from his intention to use her power to his evil deeds but, after seeing the preview were in he wore a smile looking at Nam Soon by his side... I feel like he'd probably fall for her at some point? Hmmm... that's actually my wish to happen here in the series. Maybe, just maybe, he could change from being bad to a better person. What do you guys think? Love is powerful, so this could actually force him to stop being a villain at the end. 

I actually am liking Ryu Si Oh as a character here despite his heinous acts. Well, personally I fell for his good looks. I really have a thing with guys who are manly, has bad-boy vibe, tall, good looks and just knows what he wants exactly in his life. Perhaps an addition of 'love' could turn his life much more colorful and loveable? I don't know maybe I'll get to see him smile more and more and would actually attract me more too! lol He's really attractive, I must say. Actor Byeon Woo Seok is making me want to do research about his other projects for me to find out if he's indeed attractive or it's just his cool character in Srong Girl Nam Soon. 

So back to him summoning Gang Nam Soon, he wanted her obviously to become one of his people and Nam Soon took his offer in order to become closer in finding out more about him. Basically, she's still doing what a 'cop' ally would do. Kang Hee Sik's ally for this case. The man who her heart chose and Nam Soon's mother chose for her to consummate an heir. But oh boy, Nam Soon got tested right away by Ryu Si Oh. He wanted to see her strength like how he saw her stopping the plane at the airport. Geez.. My guy surely is addicted with her powers! 

Byeon Woo Seok Meets Lee Yoo Mi's Mother In Strong Girl Nam Soon Episode 6

The drug that Ryu Si Oh's developing and distributing had been explained with more details on this episode. So basically, a person that consumed this drug would be able to become the person they aspire to be. For example, the police officer that Hee Sik has been working with, he reacted to the drug as if his muscles were bigger and so he displayed an immense amount of strength and aggression. The scientist explained that this is only temporary because taking this drug without an antidote, sea hare's blood, would meant self destruction. The drug is attacking the organ that is in charge of producing hormones in one's body and so the organ and the person itself will die in the end. 

Ryu Si Oh also claimed that he wanted to become a stronger version of him, a glorified one. Reason why he wanted to develop this kind of drug, and despite the fatal side effect of this being explained to him by the scientist, he still remained unbothered and actually excites him even more. He reasons that death is enough payment of tasting what one person aspired to become. Geez that made me really think that he's really insane! I love him for being a billionaire yet staying with high ambition at such young age but I cannot swallow the fact that he plays other people's lives as if they are all Guinea pigs, experimental for him to come up with the perfect drug for him to use. I just hope that the antidote would be discovered by Nam Soon and the good guys in order to prevent people from dying. 

Anyways, enough with Si-Oh, it seemed like Grandma and bartender Seo took their relationship to the next level already. hahahaha! Grandma got laid again after so long... kkk but Geum Ju is still right about Grandma should divorce her father first before dating... but the problem is... where is grandpa?!

And of course, our little wonder woman, Nam Soon. I like how the writer is fronting the mother, Geum Ju, to the most crucial part of finding out the culprit behind the drugs in South Korea. Like, contacting and meeting a lot of business tycoons that may be suspicious and is capable of being the bad guy. While Nam Soon is out there doing her own thing like a kid having no pressure at all despite her pact with her mother of saving the world. That's what I like about Nam Soon though, she'll just do whatever she wants. She'll do everything in her power to help those people who are in need but at the same time does not get bothered by pressure and stress at all. I guess later on we'll find out if she could still act the same way after next few episodes. I just hope that Geum Ju won't die here in the end though. I don't like those tropes wherein the child would be obligated to take all the responsibilities in the end because their parents died in kdramas. So I hope that won't happen here in Strong Girl Nam Soon. 

Lee Yoo Mi And Kim Jung Eun Made A Pact Of Saving The World In Strong Girl Nam Soon Episode

Geum Ju went out to meet the vice chairman of Opulentia and it turned out that he is an old man serving good food to customers. He said that the one who started out the venture was his great great grandmother who earned a lot of money from fish pocket and started to change the world with it. According to this vice chairman, the current chairman of their family business was his sister. 

With the world being run by money, their family principle was really superb. They have no intention to earn money to live lavishly. Life is about eating good food with good people. Use money to do good things and punish those who do bad deeds. And with that, Geum Ju surely is impressed and willing to support their means in order to create a better world. Geum Ju is already living up to this as her company, Gold Blue's principle is  "The borrowed money must be spent on something meaningful." Finally, she found company that shares the same vision and mission. 

Nam Soon and Geum Ju made a pact with each other in saving the world and make it a better place to live by using their supernatural abilities and wealth, starting with South Korea being a drug-free country.

Meanwhile, Hee Sik stopped from being a delivery guy as directed by his boss. However, Nam Soon still continued to be one and there she found Doogo's CEO Ryu Si Oh. That encounter really tells it all, Ryu is developing drugs that could make one powerful. He's drinking a glowing water and I wonder if it's an antidote from the side effects of it and only take the 'supernatural' strength to gain. 

Upon seeing the patterns of the dead people who took the drugs, they were all consuming a lot of water to the point that they wanted to drink a pool, sea, shower water to quench their thirst. Hee Sik concluded that the drug that these people consumed were being activated by consuming lots of water and so his boss definitely is in danger!!! Waaah! 

On the last part of episode Ryu Si Oh finally found Nam Soon working on his company and truly happy with the good news. While Nam Soon, our superhero, discovered the girl who disguised to be her once before. I really hate that fake girl, Ri Hwa Ja/Lee Myung Hee but I feel like the show would lead us to a conclusion that a bad person could still come back to being a good one. That's what I really feel now considering how much Geum Ju wanted to prove it that way. She knew that a person was never bad in the first place, they jut needed love and attention in order to become a better person. So she has this idea that she could still tame Hwa Ja by being continuously kind to her. What do you think about that?

I just hope she's not wrong with that. But somehow despite me hating Hwa Ja, I'd like to see her getting tamed too and probably become Nam Soon's ally in the end.