Reviews

What a good rollercoaster!

I didn't expect this emotional journey at all. I thought it would be a classical, predictable drama about infidelity, but oh boy, was i wrong.

Likes:
+ The start is pretty usual. We get a good introduction of the characters and the dynamic. With each episode, we dive deeper into the emotions. It's not overwhelming, it allows us to understand everything better step by step.
+ The character development is slowy, but natural and so authentic. At the beginning i was so pissed about the husband and just screamed internally that she should just leave him, but with further progress, we discovered more and more of the story and the characters emotions unfold so beautifully.
+ Theres a deep dive into psychology and i really suffered together with the characters. This drama hit me off guard out of fkkn nowhere.
+ The OST. Its beautiful. Not just the song itself, also the vibe, the lyrics and how the intro was shot, the symbolism (i have my own wild interpretation of the blue apple :')) It's been a few day since i finished this drama and i still listen to the intro on repeat. The whole vibe of the song and the drama just has me in a chokehold. I am emotionally so hooked. x.x
+ Plottwists all over, kinda. I was definitely surprised. After the quiet/slow (?) and not-so-special start, i expected a usual drama, but nope.
+ The child actor! Yuma's actor is just great! But all the actors did a great job.

I actually don't have much that I dislike about the drama. There's nothing that I could name in particular, besides one little thing, that I will put in a comment of my review, because I want to keep this review spoilerfree.

I really don't get the low rating at all! It's not a typical infidelity drama, where one is cheating and then the other part cheats, too. Just for fun and without giving a fck about the relationship.

Its deep, emotional, raw and inspiring & I really like it a lot!

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Great start, Indeed! Thriller fans are in for a treat

Short synopsis -
There were three best friends - Jun So, Yoo Jin, and Joon Jae Kyung. ( but time separated them.) Now that Jun So has passed away in mysterious way. Yoo Jin and Joon Jae Kyung will work together to uncover the truth behind their friend's death. One is a detective, and the other is a reporter - a great combination! I'm looking forward to seeing their friendship growth again. The teenage actors who play these three characters are very good, especially the one who plays Joon Jae Kyung.


This drama is not just a thriller; it also explores the theme of friendship, which adds emotional depth. Ji Sung's character is complex and multi-dimensional, which is impressive. At first, I had some doubts after watching the first episode, like the female lead getting married and how the makers going to convince us with this element. But after watching the second episode, I'm convinced by the story and their relationship. Now I'm even more interested in what happens next!"

I'm really enjoying the pace of this thriller drama so far! I hope the writer and director can maintain this momentum till the very end, delivering one of the best thrillers out there. All too often, thrillers start strong but lose steam around the halfway mark, getting fall down with unnecessary side plots and losing their momentum(I experienced this with Adamas, but I'm still want to give it another chance now). My fingers are crossed that Connection will avoid this trap and stay focused, keeping the tension and suspense high until the final episode. Great start, indeed! Thriller fans are in for a treat - let's keep it up!

RATINGS -

Based on the first three episodes, I confidentially believe that this drama has the full potential to be an exceptional thriller. Don't let ratings influence your decision to watch or not - give it a try regardless! The story has already shown promising twists and turns, and I'm confident that it will only continue to intensify and captivate viewers. So, don't hesitate - dive in and experience it for yourself!"

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Enjoyable and Slightly Disappointing

Just a short critical review among all the moonbeams and rainbows....lol
Before the rabid fans jump in on my opinion with the 'nu unhs" and "I disagree", I will say I enjoyed the heck out of this show but it still had its rough parts and all the actors brought their A-game.

But,

They should have written in a 5 year time jump to explain some of the slight personality changes.

1) Since its been some years since season 1 aired, many of the actors have become "bigger" (and thinner) actors. Which has lead to contract negotiations for more screen time, unnecessary closeups and input as part of agreements.
The most distracting in changes is of the second prince's feel, overall character and his personal guard. His overall vibe is just wrong somehow in season 2.
Runner up: Ye linger. Yes, they changed the actress but she became a matured version of her former self the moment she walks on screen; I would've liked to see the gungho and slightly unable to read the room Linger to have grown into what we are handed

2) Strange editing with no excuses for a drama that's been so anticipated; it should've been on-point. And, inline commercials with the characters without a breakpoint

3) Too many "who the heck are you?" again moments. took 2-3 episodes for one mid-season pop up to be recognizable as to where they fit in the story.

4) Nearly bored me to death in episodes after a fight scene in the final half.

5) That damn yogurt!!!

6) Misses a "that moment" that was achieved in Season 1. Even though they give one to chicken girl, it falls slightly flat with her scene partner's lack of tears (and he was really trying) and its almost identical mirroring of Season 1.

Is it worth a rewatch to me, nope. Would I recommend, yes with a warning on the vibe on the 2 characters mentioned above and to not watch without viewing Season 1 first.

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Emotional Rollercoaster

"Queen of Tears" is a rollercoaster of emotions led by the incredible talent of Kim Ji-won. This Kdrama showcases the evolution of storytelling in the genre, reaching new heights of entertainment and depth.

Kim Ji-won's performance is nothing short of remarkable. She effortlessly transitions between moments of laughter and tears, showcasing her acting range in every scene. The show manages to blend tragedy with humor in a way that's both clever and heartwarming. It's a rare feat to make audiences laugh until their bellies hurt one moment and then tug at their heartstrings the next.

Of course, Kim Soo-hyun's contribution to the series cannot be overlooked. His performance adds another layer of depth to the show, elevating it to the same level as beloved kdramas like "Crash Landing on You," if not surpassing it.

In "Queen of Tears," the storytelling is masterfully crafted to keep viewers hooked from start to finish. It's a testament to the evolution of K-dramas and their ability to tackle complex emotions while still providing entertaining and relatable content.

Overall, "Queen of Tears" is a must-watch for anyone looking for a captivating drama that will make them laugh, cry, and everything in between. It stands as a shining example of the best that kdramas have to offer in terms of storytelling and performance.

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I love movies that inform

What is the true power of the internet, even in the hands of youth? An action a youth started years ago in Korea employing the Internet got 16 million people to respond and take to the streets. Based on true events and witness accounts, Troll Factory explores how the media and social media outlets manipulate and drive public opinion, even if it is fake news. The movie has smoking music and a great point of view. The acting dream team delivers big time. Viewing is worth your time manipulation. You can rent this movie on ViKi.

Quote: “There is no truth in the perfect lie, but if the truth is mixed with the lie, a lie is mixed with the truth, and if it is not a perfect lie, it is not all lies. Truth mixed with lies feels more real than the real truth”, Journalist.

If one is not familiar with Trolling Factories and public opinion manipulation using the Internet, or one does not know all the street terms, Trolls Factory may be a learning experience or one may get lost in the fray. For me, it was a learning experience and I totally loved this movie. While the movie is rated PG 13, the movie had more cursing then I would have expected.

Sun Suk-ku (My Liberation Botes, Killer Paradox)

Kim Sung-cheol (Do You Like Brahms?, Our Beloved Summer)

Hong Kyung (Weak Hero Class 1, DP)

Kim Dong-hwi (The Deal, In Our Prime)

A Troll Farm or troll factory is an institutionalized group of internet trolls that seeks to interfere in political opinions and decision-making. Wikipedia

Products of troll factories include, among others: • fake social media profiles; harassment and bullying• entire websites created to support trolling operations.

Dictionary Definitions

Trolling—posting or commenting online to 'bait' people, which means deliberately provoking an argument or emotional reaction.

Doxing—search for and publish private or identifying information about (a particular individual) on the internet, typically with malicious intent.

Phubbing— the practice of ignoring one's companion or companions in order to pay attention to one's phone or other mobile device.

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A Cheesy Yet Charming Step in Kdrama's Evolution

Having recently finished this, it's evident that kdrama has evolved significantly, especially in terms of writing. The series demonstrates a departure from the over-the-top 80's style melodrama, although not entirely. It’s apparent that many writers have either been replaced or have learned from their past mistakes, leading to generally improved storytelling in contemporary dramas.
The show is riddled with clichés, to the point of being cringeworthy. The "poor girl meets rich boys" trope is painfully overdone, and the predictable plot twists do little to add originality. Watching the show can feel like a checklist of kdrama stereotypes: the aloof chaebol, the kind-hearted heroine, the love triangles, and the obligatory makeover scenes. The formulaic approach makes it hard to take the drama seriously.
Yet, the series has undeniable charm, largely due to its cast. "Cinderella and the Four Knights" has served as a launching pad for many actors, notably the beautiful Park So Dam. Her performance, along with the rest of the ensemble cast, brings a level of charisma that partially compensates for the lackluster script. The actors' chemistry and charm provide some genuine moments of enjoyment amidst the sea of cheese.
Speaking of cheese, this drama has more than a Quattro formaggio pizza. The excessive romantic tropes and overblown emotional scenes can be both entertaining and exhausting. It's the kind of show where you can predict the next line of dialogue or the next plot twist with uncanny accuracy, which might be endearing to some viewers but tiresome to others.
Despite its flaws, it remains watchable, even if only as background noise while doing chores. The light-hearted nature of the show makes it easy to follow without demanding much attention or emotional investment. It's the kind of drama that you can enjoy in a passive way, perfect for multitasking.
In conclusion, it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, it showcases the growth and evolution of kdrama writing. On the other, it clings stubbornly to outdated tropes and clichés. While it might not be groundbreaking or particularly memorable, its likable cast and easy-to-digest format make it a tolerable watch for K-drama enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.

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Weird plot holes and lacking chemistry sadly

Overall I enjoyed the majority of this Series. It did get a bit weird and confusing and illogical in the end.. but well with a time travelling plot that’s to be expected.

Interestingly enough I feel like both Gawin and Krist did great with their roles respectively. It’s just that the feeling of a very socially awkward 30yo in the body of a teen just makes for a weird feeling generally… krist did great at being exactly what he was supposed to be… I don’t see fault in the actors here but very much in the story itself.

While I did ship both characters together and I did feel like they liked each other, we were missing some actual vocalisation of those feelings from one side which made the whole thing feel a bit lacking in chemistry.. i feel like they could have put more effort into actually showing his feelings at some point, they were definitely there but the series just really didn’t give him a chance to show that.

The last Episode IMO overall was just unnecessary and could’ve been cut out of the series without any issues at all

I actually rewatched the first 10 episodes because I had quit at the end the first time around, I did still enjoy even the second watch though. Just the end really wasn’t all that giving.

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Best Iconic screen couple

After I've been rewatch a few times because I'm so confused ?as I didn't know before they are S1 S2 as well so I have to go back to watch the S1 S2 ,have the say I love both seasons this couple was so good feel very comfortable to watch very entertaining and very enjoyable.
back to season 3 love the fact that ML had 2 characters but I feel like l love S1 S2 the best of him also FL got 2 characters I love her all season but this season the best that she plays 2 characters seem like a very different person ...the evil queen even know you don't like her but feel sorry for her at the same time.
And their chemistry make me smile, laugh and cry very seem like a real couple if someone told me they are real I would believe it with no question asked ? not to mention kissed what can I say so real!!!
Ost always love it even know same as previous season but still fit perfectly .....one wish if it continues to season 4 I doubt it....

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Most incoherent thing I’ve ever watched

I don’t know what to say, I forced myself to finish just for the sake of it.

This was 8 hours of pretty much nothing? The two main characters relationship gets off on a terrible foot but we overlook a lot for the sake of entertainment. It started out strongish for like 1.5-3 episodes, with promising at the very least sexual tension and two very handsome guys going enemies to lovers (or something of the sorts).
After that everything just sort of happened without any logical order or actual effort to make their relationship development make sense or at least show the viewer how it develops. We sort of just hop between happy and problem (that’s actually a non problem) back and forth without any actual substance until it’s over.

Giving this 4 stars cause I enjoyed the first 2 episodes, the music was good and the actors worked well together.

Would not watch this again and honestly hope they do not make a second season, or if they do I honestly don’t care for it.

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Lovely Runner is a bubbling triumph of a fanfiction-like romcom. The chemistry of the leads, or even just the whole cast was sizzling, the humor mostly great - the secondary couple were very grating to me. And the youthful, almost nostalgic vibes and the feel light and breezy that the drama managed to hold onto was delightful and echoes of longing and yearning tugged at your heartstrings. There was something quite old-school about this sort of rom-com that I could really appreciate.

Some stories do manage that suspension of disbelief just a bit more smoothly than others. And Lovely Runners seem to be able to introduce us to the logics of their little fluffy, rom-com universe quite seamlessly and therefor making the more unbelievable moments feel both earnest and earned enough that is just might work. Or you are willing to forgive it despite how much of a fan fiction this story feels like it is.

The drama has a tendency to use excessive amount of tropes in it's storytelling, like the clumsy heroine, noble idiocy, miscommunication and so forth. The amount of times the two leads fell into each other arms was way to excessive to become endearing after a certain point. It also does have a tendency to drag out the plot and the twists on a bit too long as we get further into the story resulting in some pacing issues.

Towards the end the story, the convoluted timelines and the murder mystery subplot does becomes more of a burden to the drama, causing it to lose some momentum - I feel like episode one and until around 10 is this dramas sweet spot. Things just seem to be happening to the characters without too much depth but the character have such a good emotional core within them, despite me wanting a bit more development from them as the timelines become more messy and annoyed as things are just happening to keep the plot going, no matter what you are rooting for them to get together in the end.

The actors certainly add more spunk and feelings into these characters than they have on paper and really sell the earnest of the story and keep you coming back for more. It's a fluff, it's tropy, but it's fun and bubbly and compelling enough and you never really get the sense that the drama is trying too hard to be something more than it is. It's a breezy, cute watch with very likeable leads and characters that you enjoy spending times with despite it's flaws - I just wish we could have gotten more scenes with the second male lead.

The drama manages to blending humor and cliché with heartfelt moments and I do think the drama does a good job making you feel very at home in it's world and therefor invested in it and so light and airy that you just enjoy these moments with the characters. The drama creates a narrative that is light-hearted yet earnest, as it finds the most absurd situations and gives the characters enough stakes that you want to cheer them on and make sure that they finally get their happy ever after.

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I wanted to take a moment to recommend a drama that I find incredibly funny and enjoyable to watch. The humor and engaging storyline make it a delightful experience.

The leads in this play are not in love; there is NO romance between them. They each had separate love stories. ML is in the FL body, and FL and SML are in love all the way to the very end. SFL dies while ML and her are in love.

The comedy stems from the body exchange/ body switch/ Swap that occurs from the beginning till the end.

I believe you would appreciate the clever writing and entertaining plot. It’s certainly worth a watch.

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Mi sa che in Thailandia non sanno fare i drama di azione....

Molto carino che ci siano degli esseri soprannaturali, Naga e Garuda, anche se non so quanto la loro rappresentazione sia reale rispetto alla mitologia thailandese.
I primi episodi sono una vera bomba e sollecitano veramente delle grandi aspettative che però, man mano che prosegue il drama, vengono un po' ridimensionate.
Mentre è lodevole l'ambientazione in ambito poliziesco, in contrapposizione all'abusato Cliché del dramma scolastico, devo purtroppo rilevare come la plausibilità delle indagini sia una completa sconosciuta in questi lidi. Purtroppo anche le scene di azione lasciano parecchio a desiderare, siamo ben lontani dal montaggio di una scena coerente: troppo spesso accade che qualcuno dopo aver sparato rimanga fermo diversi secondi ad aspettare che qualcun altro lo abbatta, le incoerenze durante gli appostamenti si sprecano, con telefoni che vibrano in modo molto udibile in mezzo a un bosco quando tutti comunicano a gesti, con telefonate personali in mezzo all'azione, con combattimenti al limite del ridicolo, con l'assoluta mancanza di rispetto per gli ordini dei superiori, e così via.
Si salva fortunatamente la computer grafica che, pur senza arrivare a vette di eccellenza, riesce comunque a fare un buon lavoro, che non fa piangere agli occhi lacrime di sangue.
Il commento musicale si difende abbastanza bene, non sarà musica da Oscar ma è adatta alle scene che descrive.
Sul fronte dei costumi, mentre guardiamo con molto piacere degli aitanti giovanotti in canottiera che fanno allenamenti fisici vari, rischiamo di doverci cavare gli occhi quando (e per fortuna si tratta di poche scene) intervengono gli esseri superiori: costumi così pacchiani penso si vedano soltanto al carnevale di Rio tra le ballerine di samba...
A parte ciò, il drama si lascia guardare in modo piacevole fino all'ultimo paio puntate. I ragazzi sono tanti e una vera festa per gli occhi e, onore al merito, recitano anche decisamente bene. Specialmente la coppia principale è molto affiatata e, soprattutto nelle scene di intimità e tenerezza, rivela una chimica più che soddisfacente. Sarebbe stato molto più carino se al cattivo della situazione non avessero imposto dei ruggiti ben poco attraenti e convincenti, ma comprendo che non si può avere tutto.
E, a proposito del non avere tutto, a 10 episodi di storia tutto sommato non dico credibile ma soddisfacente, sono seguiti gli ultimi due in cui le cose sono andate un po' a catafascio. Ci sono delle situazioni di pericolo che non si capisce bene come si siano risolte, dei salti temporali, dei cambiamenti di scena che non si capisce bene come siano avvenuti, e così via. Anche la risoluzione finale di tutto il conflitto è piuttosto tirata là, decisamente insoddisfacente visti tutti i precedenti. I santi finiscono in gloria, ma non si sa bene che strada abbiano preso per arrivarci.
Sul fronte dei personaggi secondari, molto azzeccato il dottorino e anche i vari poliziotti; un po' meno le piagnucolose famiglie. Menzione di disonore per il personaggio del monaco che, pur dovendo in teoria svolgere una funzione di protezione, al momento del bisogno non è stato di nessun aiuto. Ridicoli i delinquenti, a partire dal loro capo.
Insomma, sicuramente un buon drama, per essere un BL, e un BL thailandese. Così contestualizzato, è sicuramente un ottimo prodotto, ma solo a patto di non cercare verosimiglianza nella parte poliziesca. Sicuramente meglio di Manner of death, ma da questo punto di vista c'è ancora tanta, ma tanta strada da fare.
In compenso, ci sono specialmente all'inizio diverse scene di spogliatoio e doccia con nudi anche integrali pixellati nei punti topici, idem per una scena di letto verso la fine. Decisamente un buon fanservice per gli amanti del genere.

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A Fiery BL Romance between Lawyers

Overall, I thought this show was quite creative and I quite enjoyed it (in spite of the crappy writing near the end of the show starting from episode 8).

Positives
- The co-stars did a great job conveying the feelings of their characters.
- The first and second episodes were hilarious. I enjoyed Zheng's plan for rejecting blind dates.
- Episode 12 was well-written from the dialogue to the story to the setting, etc. It was likely the series' best episode by far (aside from Episode 13 (the special/extra)).
- Episode 13 was very enjoyable. I especially appreciated Zheng's character growth in the episode. It was funny and added a comical aspect to the show that bumped my rating from 7.0 to 7.5.
- Lots of skinship/kissing/contact. You see this a lot in Taiwanese BL but it is always more enjoyable compared to JBLs and KBLs as they tend to do away with much of the skinship.
- Great acting from the fathers of the co-stars. Especially appreciated the supportive nature of Fu's Dad.
- The story was good, made sense and was decently enjoyable.
- The music was catchy and well-suited to many scenes in the series. Opening theme was quite good too.

Areas for Improvement
- Chemistry was weak for the side couple (Kato Yuki and Jian Yingze). Did not enjoy their relationship as much as the main co-stars. Did not like that it felt like Yuki forced Jian into a relationship either; seemed forced and was too fast. Yuki was far too aggressive. This was unrealistic writing.
- As others have pointed out, the lighting in the camping episode was very off. It made it hard to watch.
- The owner of the bar was a bad character cliche. Did not enjoy her character though I thought she did a good job partly getting Zheng and Fu to realise they ought to be together.
- The sister did not have much of a role to play in anything besides the first few episodes. She deserved more as a female character in the show.
- I think the flashbacks were good for adding context to the show especially when it comes to how Fu's love for Zheng started but I think it lacked a lot of development. It was not developed well enough for us to see how Fu actually came to love him.

Suggestions?
- The side couple was unnecessary. It felt like they did it to only increase the show's screen time (same goes for the break-up).
- The break-up felt unnecessary because it was based off of a cliche and did nothing to make the show more enjoyable; another fight/argument between the two would've been better if they were looking to implement conflict.
- The support characters could've played more important roles in the story, they were largely quite 2-dimensional.
- Could have added more flashbacks that focused on Fu's growing love for Zheng; perhaps the 18th birthday was the largest contributor but it was not good enough for me.

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