Reviews

Please pour me some wine to go with this cheese!

Only two episodes in so a lot can still happen -- both for the good and equally for the bad. I will say, however, that despite some flaws there is great potential for this to be quite a fun romcom.

The pros --> a fun mix of old versus new. Have you ever had a very specific itch to watch a historical drama AND a modern romance at the same time? Well then, this might be the drama for you. It's an odd mix of the Joseon era and modern day and I'm not quite sure if it works yet...but it's still kind of fun. Another perk - chivalrous male lead helping out a female lead who is struggling. Might be cliché, but it's a trope that I always go for and this drama delivers that. Plus art thieves? And work drama in the fashion industry? What? A strange mix...but this MIGHT work.

The cons --> I'd like some wine with this cheese, please. It's been a bit over-acted and, at times, a bit cringey. The female lead seems to be a bit over dramatic (she's either REALLY happy or REALLY upset...there's not much in the middle) and I think that's to the detriment of the story. And the combo of Joseon era + modern era? Plus art thieves? And work drama in the fashion industry? What? A strange mix...this might NOT work.

Two episodes in is too little to make a judgement call on the drama as a whole. But will I continue to watch? Yep. Will I hope for more chivalrous moments that I'm trash for? Absolutely. Will I cringe a bit at the over the top expressions and layer of cheeze whiz on top of most of the scenes? You bet.

Why?

Because, to steal my dad's most favorite awkward conversation filler, "I like cheese."

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nothing

The show was cute in a non cringe way and ive grown to like the male lead. Before I wasnt really into him but now i think hes actually good and hea just grown on me overall. Ending this, this drama was pretty good and I would recommend for an easy watch. I will say that the acting saved the show because the plot isnt really much so im glad that they got actors that can pull it off. I will say that the forest officer was quite annoying but I didnt hat her. Other than that the characters were good and the assistant omg I loved him. He was the beaf and I was happy every time he appeared on the screen

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The most relatable drama of my life

This is a fantastic drama, so beautifully done, and extremely poetic. Every stage of my life I've watched this in, I have felt something different.

In my 20s, I related to Soo Ji, who didn't need a man, and thought her besties, family, and career are the most important things.

Close to turning 30, I related the most to Ji ho, who wanted to find a steady, unchanging, comfortable "home". Especially good if it comes with a soulmate & partner to call it "ours".

A couple years later, after my breakup of a long-term relationship, I knew how Ho Rang must've felt, with time-ticking, stuck in a loving but just utterly wrong relationship - and how her bf Wonseok couldn't change the way he JUST ISN'T READY.

As Nam Se Hee said, age doesn't matter to cats. To them, time is only the current moment; they do not feel sad or depressed about the passage of time. This has been my favorite drama since 2017, and it still is to this day.

I would knock off half a star for the last episodes, but...ehhh...it is overall too good to hate on.

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this is a heads up! please read before starting this!

hi hi
I posted this as a comment before but as more ppl get into this drama and they discover its slow burn :
I need the ones watching and getting annoyed that's it's slow paced and boring to focus on the cinematographer and director..don't choose it because of the cast..

this has the taste of the works of the director and cinematographer..so if you don't like their work don't delve into this drama..

please know what you're getting into! (I understand the main leads are talented actors but you have to understand that the plot and vibe is directing this drama not the cast..meaning it will be slow burn, melodramatic with social morality and constraints issues engraved in the plot) what's listed under the genre tag are all dominant: the romance, life and the melodrama

lastly to my slow burn enjoyers let's slowly melt together?

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A Whole Masterpiece in Creation

As expected, the writing in the show didn't disappoint. Each episode flows smoothly, balancing romance, comedy, and more. I love how the show embodies its creative vision. The writing and acting are excellent and definitely deserve awards. The hype is well-deserved. The creators and actors have done a remarkable job, bringing each character and story arc to life with great skill. Every scene transitions seamlessly, making it enjoyable to watch. This show truly stands out for its high quality and engaging content, and it’s clear that a lot of effort and talent went into its production.

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Libraries are not only incredible places, dedicated to providing unique services, such as supporting training, research, teaching or the transformation of information into knowledge.
Between books, the constant hustle and bustle of users requesting various library services, this noble institution, with thousands of years of history, can be the perfect setting for two boys to meet again and fall in love.
Kang Woo, the director of the romantic drama 'Blossom Campus', knows this by locating in this academic and cultural environment the setting in which Yoon Chan (Choi Dong Ho), in his first foray in front of the cameras, and Kim Min Jae (Son Byeong Hoon), develop a romantic relationship.
Explicitly or implicitly, in his already suggestive work, the South Korean director stops to reflect the most secret, emotional and internal gears of youth, and offers, on this occasion, a series in which he once again portrays those microcosms to the that we all belong for the mere fact that at some point we have lived, are living or will live that period of a person's life that is between childhood and adulthood, to bring to light their most recognizable conflicts. It is that instant empathy that gives strength to his stories, sometimes silent, subtle and too calm, but with a lot of inner substance.
With backgrounds, symbolisms and homosensual and homoerotic imaginaries that seek to make the public react to their stories and provoke emotions, after writing and directing films such as 'Sweet Curse', 'Some More', 'I Don't Care', 'Secret Roommate' ', 'Dom' and 'Gay Out Soon 5: Free Dating', and the series 'Long Time No See', with 'Blossom Campus', filmmaker Kang Woo once again explores another recurring theme in his already extensive work: his vision of homosexuality from a personal point of view and through the years.
The result is a fun and tender audiovisual, very emotional and addictive, which puts all its weight on the faces of the attractive cast, especially the two protagonists with a captivating chemistry. It is, in short, everything that is as nice, happy and tender as a romantic, musical and youth comedy should be and that, without abandoning the spirit of the genre, has interesting dramatic readings.
The series, with an LGBTIQ+ theme, is a fresh story that vibrates while bringing to the table important themes such as self-discovery, innate vocation, dreams, friendship, love, acceptance, sexual awakening and the search for happiness and identity, seen through Min Jae, a transfer student from the Faculty of Music with a specialization in Applied Music at Hankook University, who on his first day at the new study center accidentally receives help from Yoon Chan, the clumsy and eloquent Taekwondo lover and student at the Faculty of Culture and Sports Arts.
Min Jae is a boy who has had to live his life alone, without family and in an environment of poverty. Since he does not want to appear pitiful to others, he has chosen to hide his inner sweetness. Armed with a shell, he tries to act tough and cold in front of others, until Yoon Chan appears in his path.
Audiences will like Min Jae's character for being a warm and shy person who will have several part-time jobs to support himself, such as being a barista or librarian at the university library. Here he will meet again with the star student who specializes in combat sports, who, in turn, does not know how to approach others and has never had friends. So when Min Jae approaches him first, he gets happy and will try to make him his friend.
Min Jae will react like a tsundere, and will initially have a distant, reserved and even hostile demeanor, but little by little he transforms into someone warm, sensitive and friendly towards the cool and tall young man who only shows feelings for Min Jae, while remaining cold towards others.
Min Jae has been curious about Yoon Chan since they met. He doesn't know what emotions and feelings overcome him every time he is in the presence of the lonely young man full of laughter and energy who doesn't care much about other people... except Min Jae.
The public will be able to enjoy the performance of Choi Dong Ho, an actor with a high capacity to transmit emotions, in a genuine and convincing way, who demonstrates with his performance that far from seeking grandiloquence, he immerses himself in his character with the simplicity that characterizes to those who understand that true art lies in authenticity.
The budding relationship between the two boys will be tested with the arrival of Jeong Woo Hyuk (Kim Yoon Sol), known for his participation in 'Man In The Shower', a new Applied Music student, who will also fall in love with Min Jae. Her character adds layers to the narrative and will keep the audience guessing about the evolution of the love triangle.
The series allows us to see how the actions and emotions of the characters change, all thanks to Yoon Chan's constant aegyo attack against Min Jae, causing fun and hilarious moments with his actions, in addition to the necessary reflection on the topics addressed. However, his own personality will trip up the young athlete, who will need the help of Min Jae's teacher, played by veteran actor Jo Yoo Seok, to be able to recognize his feelings and overcome fears and insecurities.
With realistic representations, the series will provoke the viewer to ask several questions, such as: What will happen when the music student who radiates a calm, meticulous and reflective demeanor, continually crosses paths with the taekwondoka with a strong personality, introverted and somewhat clumsy, but with endearing silliness that increases its charm? Will a chance encounter between them be enough to cause their paths to intertwine and, over time, their bond to deepen and blossom into a romantic relationship?
Although Min Jae thinks Yoon Cha is a very strange guy, for some reason he will still think about him. Their encounters multiply when Min Jae accepts the job as a librarian, which brings them closer together. Since their first stumble, the two have become entangled and closer, leading them to develop a romantic relationship.
The infatuation between Min Jae and Yoon Chan begins slowly; they circle close to each other but keep their distance, wanting to show indifference to disguise their interest. Yoon Chan ends up being much better at that game: he knows better than to stare for too long or too intensely. In contrast, Min Jae's furtive glances end up staying focused as if he is asking a question with his eyes.
In this Matchbox X Strongberry production, the lives of the two will meet, causing a definitive impact on them. The union will be revealing for both of them, who will begin to feel things that they cannot control.
"Although at first glance there are many things that separate us, there is something that unites us equally, feelings," said Kang Woo.
Those feelings are what he is looking for with the series. It is the emotions and feelings that are there, hidden, but on the surface, that the director wants to uncover with this story. A story of friendship and the discovery of sexuality, of homosexual love that, however, is far from anyone's prejudiced views.
In 'Blossom Campus' the characters discover that they attract each other, they fall in love, but there is no censorship on them. They both discover that they feel something else. Something they can't control. And that, in addition to being human, is beautiful. Because the first love, the real one, you only live once. Whether you are heterosexual or homosexual, whether you are a musician or an athlete, whether you are empathetic and happy, or introverted and clumsy. And therein lies its value. That although at first glance there are many things that separate us, there is something that unites us equally. The feelings. We all feel. And no one is immune from that.
You don't just visualize Kang Woo's dramatizations, you absorb them. His films and series show us beautiful people with impeccable taste while they intensely live their days of adolescence and youth. Passion and drama put a stop to those lives, but what stands out most about his work is the palpable quality they have.
In the director's work, this passion and drama are expressed with words, silences, actions and music whose strength is increasing and also in the vibrant and visceral textures that surround the characters: the shelf full of books, the light and the shadow, the small table on which the university texts are placed, the computer on, the cafe where lovers meet or work part-time, the combat uniform worn by the athlete in a practice session, glimpses of the sweat...
The viewer will experience memorable scenes, such as the one on the roof, or when each person fixes the other's apron, as it is very suggestive, or when Min Jae, who has an instinct for self-defense, lets Yoon Chan into his house, and The barrier until that moment between the two is broken and he accepts it.
As the drama ends in suspense, there is the possibility of a second season, which we will wait to delve into the romance between two friends who have become so close that they cannot deny the love that unites them.
I cannot finish this review without reaffirming my commitment to fighting harassment and cyberbullying towards the artists involved in this project, as Strongberry also did at the time.

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Main couple with double identities

This started of as not that fun to watch for me. I watched ot for Zhanglinghe and this was almost unbearable to watch at first. Maybe because I've watched far better shows in terms of quality that is why I notice all the small flaws and nitpick on them. But after ep 1 I was intrigued. The flow is kinda boring but the investigating scenes are quite interesting especially the fl because she's so smart and I really like that about her. Both main leads have double identities and I really like the gender bender or cross dressing as a boy element in this drama. The romance are a bit lacking to me because they usually focus on investigating crimes and etc but the few romantic scenes are so satisfying. I love how Zhanglinghe, as this is his debut role, delivered the role of Prince Qi perfectly. Although for me, his physique does not match the role as a heroic prince who won many battles, his acting skills we're not lacking at all. I love how genuine and kind he is as a lover but also very intense when it comes to showing his love. I like the part at first he was seen as the womanizing ml but turned out to be smart and cunning prince. Also worth mentioning are the sidecasts. I really love the 2nd couple, they are really fun to watch and had made this show less boring. I love how the drama ended with the team having a happy ending and off to a new adventure together. Overall, the first few moments of this drama is quite boring, the middle part is quite interesting and fun to watch and after that it became a little bit boring again to me.

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Overall not bad!

I didn't mind the relationship. I don't know why people leaving comments are outraged about that. People crush on their teachers all the time and no one actually acted on it at the time. But, I didn't like the actress. She's kind of irrelevant past the beginning. I get she had a tough time, but she's just miserable and boring. I have no idea why any of the men like her. She talks like she's half dead. But I did enjoy parts of this drama. The math. The lead actor. Principal Noh. She does a great job being evil. The overall kdrama is worth a watch. I always like a good revange story!

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Waited for so long and… IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT !

I BINGE WATCHED IT (IN 3 DAYS) AND WOULD TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT !
I already knew the series before even knowing it because I’ve read the webtoons from which it was adapted (money game and pie game by bae jin soo and both available on the WEBTOON app if y’all want !). I’ve waited for so long for that series to be released and two days ago, on the first day I started watching and immediately recognized the essence of these WEBTOONs : I clicked when I saw the money counters in the rooms.
But in this review I won’t deal with whether it’s a loyal adaptation or not !

I love the concept of showing us rough yet realistic things using this series because eventhough everyone knows a group of people can’t stay still for a long period of time especially when money is involved, writers found a way to make it entertaining AND realistic. They showcased how people would grow greedy and the toughests will ended ruling and that’s what the show demonstrated ! We saw gradually, as each episode went by, the downfall of the serenity, the downfall of each character !

(Btw I loved how each episode -the intro and the first minutes- was always dedicated to one character, to getting to know them better, their lore).

The fact that the levels of the flats and the space of which each person disposed of was a reflect of society is even more deep in my opinion.

The characters winning time from being progressively violent to each other (they quickly went from the ´cute ´ version of the king game to tasering each other then hitting each other with bats…) was also accurate considering humans under pressure and with the illusion of gaining money would do anything.

Also, don’t get fooled by the synopsis that might make you think of squid game ! I’ve watched both and they have nothing in common except them showing humans being greedy, being guided by their will of money, to escape their debts !

Besides, I might sound weird or psycho but a few parts in the show really made me smile or giggle out of nowhere ?

Before I break down why I did like or not each character, I would like to say the intro and especially the song used is such a good idea. And that part where it speeds up is genuinely addicting, I don’t know why !

The acting/ the cast : I loved them all. Every one did such a good job, for example floor 1´s actor playing the pitiful character, floor’s 7 playing the intelligent one and helper to turn his back afterwards or even floor’s 8, who really embodies the apparently naive yet very controlling and manipulative character ! I also saw people boycotting ryu Jun yeol because of what’s going on with Han so hee and tbh I still don’t get the goal of this (I don’t support him dating shortly after breaking up especially if it’s to date Han so hee tho) but I respect your choices .

The characters :
- Floor 1 : I don’t know why but I adore him so much and from the beginning ! He is so sweet and caring but he also knows why and how to step up for himself ! I was gladly surprised by his performance during the talent show lol ! ?
- Floor 2 : That woman is so badass and doesn’t let someone else decide for her (ex : before the vote for to decide about who will get to keep in their room everyone’s feces). Maybe once or twice she would lightly lowers under the pressure but she always knows how to bounce back.

- Floor 3 : He seems rather realistic and by that I mean he always let what others will think of him and how he might looks like to them rule how he acts (ex : when he helped floor 1 during the days they had to go up and down the stairs to gain time or even when they had to write down the amount of pieces they want and the only condition was them receiving the amount they were willing for if the addition of what everyone wrote made the number they would have to partake from the beginning. Another example would be him choosing to get tasered to not look like a depraved or even him refusing floor 8´s favors for the same reason).
- Floor 4 : I hate that woman so much I swear ! Her trying to sound ´cute ´ with this voice really pisses me off to be fair… As well as floor 8. It feels too unnatural to me.
Then her character in itself is so much self-centered ! She acts like a clueless and naive character but when the leaders stand out she would willingly follow them and harass the others ugh.
- Floor 5 : I don’t know what to think of this woman to be honest lol. She felt like if we had to choose a not-so-well-written character, it would have been her but she was cute among all those people. It was funny seeing her always hitting at not being bothering doing spicy things etc..
- Floor 6 : This man is so exhausting. He is one of the reasons of why everything went downhill… He thinks with his d!ck and his knuckles to put it down mildly… I really hate him.
- Floor 7 : I had faith in him is all I can say…
- Floor 8 : Even if I hate this woman I have to admit SHE is the QUEEN here. She controls everything eventhough she might seems naive and stupid at first sight (what the actress really embodied !) !
For example, when she got them changing the politics after they voted her off to be the one keeping everyone’s trash and then she punished them and got them waiting for food and water for days. Or even escaping the taser’s sentence and then with the help of inferior floors (7,6 and 4), taking the lead other the others.

I loved her duality despite her being a really despicable person in herself. Maybe the system of winning money being different (the sound of money won per minute being different from a floor to another) etc… but once again the series reflects society and it’s difficulty !

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Is this a joke or something? Who writes such stupid scenarios???

Just three episodes. That was my threshold on watching a pile of impossible plot nonsenses!
Spoilers ahead.


This drama's plot is based on tbe following technically impossible scenario. A self proclaimed avenger of Judicial injustices sends via sms on each and every single Korean person's smartphone an Android app ( like this could be even possible, I mean to send a whole app via sms ) in order to use it and vote for or against the execution of an alleged criminal.
The app auto installs ifself lol... but strangely this doesn't bother or worry a good number of people whose smartphones were actually hacked.
Instead they use the auto installed app (a.k.a malware) in order to vote for or against the execution of the criminal instead of freaking out for such a massive hacking incident and call their mobile providers and the Digital Crime Police or whatever such department deals in S. Korea with such cases. Anyway they go on and use the malware to vote not worrying that this app might make their smartphones explode or something!!

The same type of poll is repeated after 15 days with no reactions whatsoever from anyone. The hacker "avenger" is streaming a video too through the malware app straight into the hacked devices asking their owners to vote again via their hacked phones.
Which they do because due to their obviously limited or non existent IQ don' t mind having installed in their phones an app that they never willingly installed themselves, and they don' t care either who hacked their phones, while also no one else is taking any action to prevent them from doing so, either by advising them to delete the auto installed malware app, or disconnect the hacked devices from the mobile network, or take action to shutdown the mobile network temporarily in order to prevent the vote of a second killing. Letting the public vote freely in self arranged referendums, from a malware app for an execution is not so serious as COVID after all! LOL LOL LOL...!
I assume that at the fifth episode (that I didn't bother to watch) the smartphone hacker avenger asks the public if they would like him to execute the S.K prime minister! They vote yes and then justice and democracy prevails!!

And that' s all. I can't bother writing something more about the complete and utter stupidity of this plot concept but I can' t bother either to watch the rest of this nonsense of a drama.

Who writes such stupid scenarios???!

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this drama...made me mad!

I was really enjoying the first half of the series.
it all takes place in a school where Bek ho rang, our protagonist, is an "insta celebrity" and has many eyes on her. she doesn't seem to be that approachable and often spends time alone while her peers idolize her or just straight up criticize her out of jealousy.
one day, someone from her past start threatening her to reveal something about her past and she freaks out but decides to join the school radio club to find out who This person is.

so far so good. the series starts hinting at something really "horrendous" that happened in Bek ho rang's past but when in the last 2 episodes the truth starts to come out.... I got really mad.

spoiler:
Bek ho rang was the victim of a bully.
and that is where I got mad.
first of all the "bullying" was not cool , of course, but is was not so horrendous as described.
during the series she meets her supposed bully and doesn't fling a bit.
admitting that she was bullyed would save her sooooo much trouble but she just lets people's mind run wild about what happened. so much so that people think she is the actual bully.
I get to a certain degree that it is humiliating to admit something so personal but Bek ho rang brings it to such an extreme that it made me mad.
she pushes away her only friend and stops talking to her because of that, she lets everybody talk shit about her, believe that she is a bully, she lets her comments online run wild which is insane since she is an actual Influncer and has contracts and cherry on top, people usually get expelled for this kind of behavior..
I don't really get it.
the second bully (yeah there is another one) is bat shit crazy and no one does anything to stop her.

at the end, the drama is not that bad but it's not that good.
I'd say the best characters are actually the secondary ones.
it's a cute story about a girl becoming more welcoming towards others but .... it's nothing groundbreaking.

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