The pain of sad endings or just horrible endings.

 

The pain of sad endings or just horrible endings.

Now, I don't want to complain too much, but let's be honest, when I'm watching my Asian dramas, the last thing I want after hours of watching and eagerly waiting each week is to reach the last few episodes only to find out that everyone is either dead or has turned out to be the embodiment of evil. Now, I'm going to share the most painful ending of a drama I've experienced.

 

Taking the top spot is "Princess Agents" (2017), a Chinese drama consisting of a whopping 67 episodes. This drama was like a drug to me. The strong female lead who could hold her own against any man was truly remarkable. Now, I won't deny that the drama was flawless, but it had an abundance of action that kept me on the edge of my seat. When Yan Xun (the second male lead) lost everything, it struck a chord deep within me, and I found myself shedding tears. I had even developed stronger feelings for his actor compared to the male lead. Throughout the drama, I felt that the female lead harbored stronger emotions for him as well. She supported and cared for him, unlike anyone else. On the other hand, the male lead, at times, exhibited lukewarm and contradictory behavior, which left me thoroughly perplexed.

As the drama approached its conclusion, it took a sudden and bewildering turn. The turning point for me was when the second male lead was willing to sacrifice countless lives in the city while ensuring the safety of others. It was at this moment that I woke up and started to see a different side of the second male lead, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. By the end, I had grown to despise him. It was a complete and drastic transformation, as he had initially portrayed a warm and enjoyable presence, but now he had become a disruptive force. On the other hand, the male lead experienced a change of heart, revealing a more open and tender side of himself. The female lead, throughout the drama, remained an unwavering force, but unfortunately, she underwent growth and transformation too late to salvage the pivotal moment that crushed all my hopes and dreams. In the end, it was highly implied or explicitly shown that the male lead was killed, and the female lead followed him into a frozen lake. That's it, the end. I was left in complete disbelief! After investing countless hours, I felt utterly cheated. Prior to that point, I would have given the entire drama a perfect 10 rating, but the ending compelled me to deduct a star. I wish I could deduct more, but I can't deny that the rest of the drama was a masterpiece. The absence of a second season further solidifies the notion that I won't see any continuation.

 

I now do my best to steer clear of dramas that hurt me, but sometimes it still happens, which brings us to my next drama, "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" (2018), a Korean drama that really broke me.

 

The leads in this drama are two of my favorite Korean actors/actresses, so I was excited to start watching. However, it turned out to be my biggest mistake, as I hadn't seen the Japanese version, which would have warned me about the nature of this drama. I watched the whole thing and experienced a mix of emotions and sadness. There were glimpses of light and warmth, but it became clear early on that something bad was going to happen. In my mind, I had a feeling that the male lead would be the sacrificial lamb, given his dark aura. However, what I didn't see coming was the loss of both leads in an incredibly sad ending that left me in tears. I felt cheated and upset that after all they had been through, they didn't get the happy ending I so desperately wanted for them. Despite this, it was an amazing drama that deserved a 10-star rating, but it will always hold a place in my heart as one of the most painful dramas I've watched.

 

I would love to say that I learned my lesson, but even with all the checks for tags stating, "This is going to break your heart," there was one Korean drama that ripped my heart out so well that I didn't just cry; I could have filled a swimming pool. The drama's name was "Kill It" (2019). 

 

The story was exciting with pockets of warmth, only for the male lead to be shot more than once. The female lead acted the hell out of the death scene, making me feel like I had lost someone dear. Now, the male lead in this drama is Jang Ki Yong, a fantastic actor who seems set on breaking my heart with either his death or heartbreaking lead roles. "Come and Hug Me" was another drama where he portrayed Na Moo so well that it was purely heartbreaking. "Born Again" is another drama that left me feeling like I would be crying by the end. I feel like the actor enjoys making us all cry alone at home.

Now, moving on to the next drama on the list, "My Name" (2021). 

 

It was a drama that was not only totally different, but the female lead was hands down a powerhouse in both her role and as an actor. She played her part so well that I zoomed through the drama, and when things heated up with the male lead, I needed a glass of water to cool down. However, his death was so shocking and sudden that it not only gave me chills but also left a painful void. It was a great drama, but I felt cheated.

Now, onto one of the newer additions to the list, "Till the End of the Moon" (2023). 

 

Again, two of my favorite actors take the lead in this drama. The drama was visually stunning, and the story was interesting. However, dear lord, did there have to be so many misunderstandings? I wanted to scream. Anyway, the chemistry between the leads could start a forest fire, and the pair of them just made magic. But why let me watch 40 episodes and then lose the lead character at the end? It makes me want to stab myself in the eye! It was a great drama, but I'm salty about the ending.

So, here is my list. While I do have a bad taste in my mouth about the ending or the way things went, I have to say that most of the dramas on here, I would actually watch again. The feelings I felt are part of the reason I love them. I would have loved to see a happy ending, and I would have killed for one, but as a viewer, I know that just like in life, happy endings are not what everyone gets. But please, please, Asian dramas really like to break hearts, and I weep so easily when the drama is so good. Happy drama watching.