Broke Me!

19/01/2023

Love Between Fairy and The Devil awakened me, Ashes of Love totally broke me and Love and Redemption brought me much needed relief and healing.

Taken from Netflix:. "Hidden away by her mother, the Floral Goddess, the naïve Jinmi is drawn to Xufeng, the Heavenly Emperor's son. Yet forces conspire against them."

So, the story more or less is about XuFeng and Jinmi and what others do to keep them apart to never be together no matter what it takes or what is at stake.

And this is all done in the Heaven, Demon and Mortal realms (that order) with so many episodes dedicated to each realm starting with the Heaven realm.

It took me awhile to get into this series and I had to re-watch the first 20 episodes to appreciate the lighter side of it before it got so so so heavy.

Once it hooked me in there was no point of return, however, so I enjoyed each and every moment of it, but especially the human realm and final arc.

The scenes I liked the most were the tomb, puppet show, the betrayal and killing of the "Phoenix", the death of the demon princess's true love, the demon realm wedding and the humour throughout the earlier episodes.

What I didn't really like was the person who betrayed the Phoenix the most so I still find it hard to forgive!

Also, before I forget, Jinmi's character mightn't be for all. I had no problems with her though.

However, moving forward, I don't think I'd opt for any drama series with females depicted as weak and helpless unless it is a baby or child

What else can I say?

Oh yes! I didn't know what my life was missing until I watched all three above, but especially Ashes of Love and Love and Redemption.

Also, since watching these and a handful of others, I have come to the realisation that I prefer dramas with less angst or drawn out build ups to relationships - so for me romance or love is not the main priority, but rather the story telling.

Give me a great story with lots of action, drama, adventure and fight scenes anyday with strong male and female characters!

If you are a person who has watched several dramas, unlike me, either you will be use to 60+ episodes and therefore forgiving of the imperfections and slow burns with some of them or maybe not willing whatsoever because you prefer substance in the first 5-10 episodes as anything beyond that is a waste of time.

Also, if it is a cliched story line it will not be tolerated either.

I reckon this drama series deserves to be given a chance because it does have a great story line and fantastic cast plus the main theme song throughout it takes it to a totally different level.

On hearing that song again when rewatching those first 20 episodes made me feel so sad with this feeling of foreboding. I actually had this knot inside my stomach because I knew what was to come...

I will say that a few series after this one I watched IMMORTAL SAMSARA which has the same female actor cast in the main role of that one only I stopped two episodes short of episode 38 as the story wasn't the greatest at all for me. Giving it a chance was wrong! The actor, Cheng Yi, was superb in it and well worth watching, however, the story for me was quite boring.

Ashes of Love comes highly recommended and is re-watchable, but may not be for everyone especially if some have 200+ dramas under their belts that are flawless and A+ dramas.

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Tidal Wave Of Blood & Gore!

19/01/2023

A group of prisoners being transported on a ship escorted by police officers, break free, only to unwillingly meet their maker due to everyone's worse nightmare lurking below deck who escapes as well...

There are some pleasant looking faces among some of the prisoners, ship crew, and police officers only...an hour in, most of them are goners including one or two of the main characters. However, it is great to see an elderly inmate make it as far as he did as in most movies he would have been the first to go or not too far behind.

Faces, in some cases, that were completely obliterated beyond recognition I might add.

I actually worked out something about 10 to 20 minutes into the film that was the case in the last 30 minutes or so.

Just so you know there is a lot of violence, blood and gore that never stops once it starts and that is from about 10-15 minutes in.

Expect rather brutal scenes that are quite graphic and disturbing.

If you after a movie that doesn't have an original story line, but is still full of action and gore then this is the right movie for you.

Seo In Guk did an awesome job as a twisted sadistic Psychopath - the tattoos on him were something else as was his violent outbursts and killing for the sake of killing.

Jang Dong Voon was exceptional as well in the role he played as was most of the cast!

If you want two hours of gruesome no need to be analysed entertainment this is highly recommended!

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Everyone Needs An Ashile Sun!

10/01/2023

I went into this after watching a number of other good CDramas with little expectations except that I didn't feel Lu Wei was right for the role and that perhaps someone else should have been chosen.

I thought he wasn't good looking enough, too scrawny and not old enough to pull off such a strong character like Ashile Sun and I knew nothing about Ashile Sun other than that he was like a nomad or warrior from the grasslands.

And I am not the only one that saw it this way from other reviews I have read on different platforms, but at least there aren't many.

Glad to say I was proven wrong!

Dilraba was okay, but unfortunately I didn't take to her at all.

The story, more or less, is about how a demoted Tang Princess set on vengeance ends up saving the Tang Dynasty from falling into enemy hands as overtime she comes to realise there is far more at stake than just her own personal vendetta.

The outro song eventually grew on me as did the music throughout each episode.

I enjoyed all of the males in it and the youngest princess, but I really liked the characters of Mu Jin, Yaro, Ashile Sun, Sher and Hao Du.

I have probably watched this 3 times back to back so it is most definitely likeable and re-watchable. There is not really one episode that is boring and the pace is just right!

From episode one it is exciting with the horse chase scene on to the bridge from the very start and that phenomenal Cuju game between the Tang and Ashile players.

In episode 5 we have a bit of a laugh when Ashile Sun discovers Channge isn't a male and is slapped hard even though he is blind folded.

And in episodes 15 and 16 it is a pivotal moment when Channge learns a certain home truth about Ashile Sun.

One of the best scenes I have ever watched in any movie or series comes at the end of episodes 24 and start of episode 25.

If you want to see real acting at its best I'd highly recommend watching the above.

In comparison to Lu Wei's character in Love Like The Galaxy (Ling Buyi), in the "uncle massacre scene", Ashile Sun wins hands down when it comes to "losing the plot." He is far superior!

Not sure why Lu Wei didn't do the same justice for LLTG although it wasn't a complete mess.

What else?

I appreciated that Ashile Sun was more honest and direct which is what I like in a person just in general so I found his character had more depth than Ling Buyi did in LLTG. Ashile Sun saw the bigger picture whereas Ling Buyi was all about vengeance no matter what the cost!

And whoever filmed some of the scenes in The Long Ballad should be given an award because some of the angles and shots were spectacular to a fault like the fight scenes and that Cuju game.

Some excellent filming - my kind of filming!

I know there are some that didn't take to TLB because it lacked romance, but to me that was an added bonus because the story was what I was in it for not a drawn out cliched triad situation or love between a couple that takes 59 episodes to manifest in full.

There is definitely love scenarios in this, but it isn't suffocating like it is in some CDramas. Yes!!!

That aside it is indeed a well told story that isn't too light or depressingly heavy and each episode has something going on.

I'd highly recommend this series for the story and a well told story at that where you will be drawn in by most, if not all, the characters and like each and every one of them!

This will probably remain in my top 5-10 for life!

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01/03/2024 (March).

I really enjoyed this drama as it was fast paced and interesting, but it did have its minor flaws like seriously injured fighters being able to fight later the same day or the next with very little recovery time. Not plausible in that sense at all. I, at least, can live with that as I suppose only so much can be done in a one hour episode with 16 in total.

Have to say this series was really well done - I didn't find it confusing nor did I find the music a problem at all.

The bromance, friendship and bond between Hwi and Seon-Ho was truly awesome so it was a bit disheartening to watch such a deep friendship deteriorate somewhat. I actually believe their friendship suffered significantly when Yeon really truly died - not before.

I really wonder had Yeon survived would both have made different choices.

As for Yeon, she was the light in both Hwi's and Seon-Ho's lives. When she was killed it caused Hwi and Seon-Ho to seperate for a number of years - during this time both followed different opposing paths in their pursuit for revenge on her behalf as well as fighting for a cause (opposite sides) that put their lives on the line as well as the possibility of fighting one another to achieve it.

Hwi at first wanted revenge more than anything only this changed later on when he saw several innocent people slain because of him and the Prince whereas with Seon-Ho revenge was a top priority, but also rising high in status and power so as to make a difference in the world.

It is understandable why they fell out, but such a shame as they were such good friends and for years.

Furthermore, Seon-Ho may have made some questionable decisions, but more or less it was because the choices he was given were either bad bad or the worse case scenario. e.g. Death.

What was never truly broken, however, was the strong bond between both friends.

SPOILER ALERT!

I appreciate the scene in which Hwi got to thank Seon-Ho for protecting him and also letting him know he was sorry for not seeing his friend's pain because of being so consumed in his own anger. Also, when Seon Ho told Hwi more or less that he looked too far ahead and too far up yet when he finally looked behind him he saw Yeon and Hwi there - just one step behind him was "his country", also, that he wished he had seen it sooner.

It took all their trials and tribulations for Seon-Ho to fully realise that what was most important in his life above wealth and status were his childhood friends who were more than that - they were his family, blood, lifeline and whole world.

Before I forget - I have to acknowledge the trio that supported Hwi and the one guy that stood by Seon-Ho right to the end, however, for the most part Seon-Ho was all alone in what became an insufferable existence for him. So, to see him and Hwi reconcile near the end of this drama after being apart for so long and to fight their last fight together against the real enemy was quite fitting for this soul connected duo - even if bittersweet.

On an end note - I would really have liked the last scene to have been something like Yeon meeting them in the afterlife as well as all three graves side by side phasing out to blackness.

ALL THE ACTORS WERE ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!

I liked both Yang Se-Jong and Wu Du Hwan and couldn't imagine anyone else doing their roles.

WOO DU HWAN:

I just want to say that Woo Du Hwan is one of the best male criers I have ever seen on screen among other emotions.

Have seen him in Bloodhounds and now this one - he does both characters justice.

His range is a wow factor whether happy, sad, angry, vengeful, surprised, caring and in emotional turmoil.

When Yeon died I found Seon-Ho's tears more impactful than Yang Se-Jong's (Hwi) for some reason, as well as his internal pain, conflict and suffering. One could have easily believed that he was her real brother because of how he reacted to her death and the silk phoenix embroidery design she left behind in her room. He was that convincing! Mind you, Woo's character, Seon-Ho, was a brother to her just like Hwi and he protected her just as much even at the risk of his own life. But when she died - it was his crying that caused me the most sadness because it felt so real plus I knew that his burden was the heaviest one to carry... and all alone.

This drama had realism to it that some historical dramas just don't have at all.

Totally recommended plus it is something that can be re-watched even though it does have a sad and tragic ending. AAA+++

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18/02/2024

As it is around 1 hour and 40 minutes or so it isn't like it has depth compared to a drama nor has full on character development, but it is still good nevertheless.

Arthur Chen looks a little different in this compared to Lighter and Princess and Ever Night - more so than Ever Night.

I liked him in L&P and grew to love his character in Ever Night and wish he had done Season 2 instead of Dylan Wang. But things were not meant to be...

Yesterday Once More has a Ground Hog day feel to it so expect it to be in line with dramas like: Reset. What I mean by that is - being caught in a time loop or point in time (past) with a chance to either change it or fix what wasn't right so that the future alternates for the better.

This movie is fine as movies go, but I prefer Athur Chen in dramas.

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06/02/2024 (Feb).

It is a very good series!

Have read a few reviews in different places and was under the impression Lee Ha Min committed suicide because he couldn't handle the jibes or little put downs said to him by others. Far from the truth!

It was a combination of factors including the snarky remarks, but it was mainly because of his mother and the continuous pressure she put him under to fulfil her dreams - far too controlling and over the top.

Not sure why some feel some of the actors were unnecessary or stiff, but I was actually fine with each and every one of them although the main female lead looked a bit older than the others and was perhaps a bit too short and on the plain side. Also, that "fake smile" - a bit too much.

I understand why her character felt guilty and carried such a burden for years, but she should never have said what she said in the first place if she was going to regret it! She knew she was what kept him afloat yet called him:

" A coward.".

Wrong decision and a mistake on her part.

Unfortunately, it was the last straw I reckon next to what his little brother blurted out - it wasn't her fault or anyone's really, but it was his undoing.

Early on I wondered if she was meant to be back there for a reason - like for the younger brother and as it turned out it seems I was right. She may not have been able to save Ha Min, but at least she could do that with Jae Min.

This series has two stories going on at the same time - one in the past and one in the present. The one in the present involves Lee Ha Min's younger brother attending the same high school, his demons and his "love interest", also, Han So Mang as a trainee teacher back at the same school unable to move on from the past.

Mostly everyone is still dealing with the aftermath of Ha Min's suicide even though it is years later.

I think sometimes it is a very selfish act because the ones left behind have to live with the loss, regret, guilt, anger, grief and most times - unanswered questions.

Well worth watching! AAA+++

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Kindred To A Time Called Us!

January 2024
07th/8th

I liked ALMOST everything about this drama except:

a: The casting of one of the main female leads despite the fact she has always been amazing in other drama series. Had always hoped to see her in a main role - just not as a high school student.

b: The music on the most part is okay - maybe just a few songs were better than okay. Really loved the bass and guitar battle! I was really hoping for music that stays with you for a long time after - nope!

c: Didn't appreciate Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven" song referred to as a "chick magnet" - like it is a "romantic love song" or something.

It could be that the translation was incorrect and hoping that is the case.

It isn't a love song in the sense that someone's heart is broken by someone else (romance) - it is a song about the loss of someone deeply loved (Clapton's son) and them being in heaven.

d: The son in 1995 (from 2023) should have spent more time with his mother rather than the girl from 2023 - there were times she really could have done with his intervention and he just wasn't there.

Even his "dad" more so than the 2023 teen female, but I do get that they were both there for a reason.

What I did LIKE:

a: Seeing what would happen and develop between the "mother and father " in 1995 more so than the 2023 teens.

b: The bromance and friendships.

c: The story with it being similar to "A Time Called Us" with the time travel and trying to change the past to save someone in the future or future for the better only "Twinkling Watermelon" wasn't as dark.

Highly recommended! A+

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Am not going to go over what this film is about as that has been covered in full quite adequately.

What I do want to say is this - in some entitled first world countries there are certain privileges and freedoms some of us take for granted, a number of us want want want or need need need and unfortunately we get so caught up in our own selves most of the time, that we don't always pay attention to what is happening in less fortunate countries or countries that are totally divided - like South Korea and North Korea.

This film may be fictional and not so new anymore, but it is likely based on elements of truth when it comes to what might happen when someone betrays their country.

As far as I'm concerned everyone should have the freedom of choice and not be made to pay the consequences for wanting something different especially if it is the opposite of oppression or not conforming to one way of thinking that is narrow.

Life is meant to be lived and it should be lived to the fullest yet some are denied this basic human right just for being born on the wrong side of the border and in a totally restrictive country.

"Secretly, Greatly" will likely be in my top 10 Korean movies for life!. AAA+++

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28/01/2023

Had no plans to watch this at all, but ended up binge watching it over the last few days.

All 40 episodes!!!

I give this a thumbs up of approval!

More or less this series is about three kids, two boys and a girl, brought together in their childhood as a "blended family" due to different losses and what happens to them from childhood through to graduation, then the next 10 years or so with all the sagas, joy, heartbreak, absence and experiences between themselves, friends and family.

It explores the strong bonds of *family ties" as well as what loving or toxic relationships can be like, also, what happens when secrets are kept or the truth isn't told like it should be early on rather than decades later. Unfortunately, sometimes children are overlooked when it comes to grief, neglect, domestic dysfunction and their emotional well being.

Also, this is about what can happen when relationships change to something more than just friendship...

The child actors were fantastic in this series as were the three acting as "siblings" when older - they were so believable in their roles as high school students then as adults in their careers as a dentist, cake chef and sculptor.

The brother and sister relationship was done to a tee!

I have to say the whole cast did an amazing job of bringing this to life with their characters and stories so not one episode was boring for me.

Only a little bit annoyed me like the *sister" making a stand about being her own person and not needing anyone, but a few episodes (few times) after that she throws tantrums, cries and sulks around her "brothers" like an annoying 5 year old.

So much for being strong and capable, but other than that it was still excellent on the whole as that side of her occured in small tolerable doses.

The main theme song became one I liked more and more each time it played only I could have done with more episodes not just 40.

There are a few funny moments I really enjoyed like:

a: Li JianJian's first day of high school.
b: Li JianJian's heartless acts towards Zi Qui when he first came into her life - like being mean to him and packing his suitcase and throwing it down concrete stairs because she didn't want him living with her and her dad at the grand old age of 7 or 8.
c: Ling Xiao always keeping the other two in line with no problem disciplining either.
d: The mischief relationship between Li JianJian and Zi Qui which often lead to trouble.
e: The time Zi Qui had to sleep with Ling Xiao so that his aunt could have his room only Ling Xiao told Zi Qui that he should sleep on the floor in which Li JianJian pipes up saying that she would quite happily sleep in the bed and he can sleep on the floor as she was already on the floor next to them on a mattress. He responds to her : "Why are you here anyway?!" She didn't want to be left out it seems and didn't trust her "brothers" not to talk behind her back.
f: Ling Xiao telling Li JianJian in 12th grade he would marry her if she was brain damaged from all his head whacking.
e: The elevator and kitchen scenes between Li Xiao and Li JianJian as adults.

As the series progresses there aren't many funny moments like that as it does become more of a drama and especially once the boys return from abroad.

One moment in episode two made me open my eyes a bit. It was when Ling Xiao's father talked about what happened to him and his wife when they decided to keep their "second child" - like her losing her job and him being demoted in his job. Also, in a later episode there was a "moment" when Li JianJian's dad saved Zi Qui from a life of being worked on a farm (child labour) because of coming from a poor family.

Child labour should not be happening in any country!

Seeing how "broken" the boys were in their adult years despite having a wonderful man in their lives (Li JianJian's dad) was also heartbreaking to observe, however, it was truly understandable. In part, their overseas experiences contributed to that "damage" as well not just their childhoods.

Actually, maybe that isn't quite true - their time abroad added more and more to the internal conflicts and past insecurities simmering inside of them only with one of the "brothers" it was perhaps more Psychological and detrimental Mentally.

Secrets shouldn't be kept, the truth should not be hidden from those closest to you and real open communication is important even if it hurts.

This series is highly recommended and is one I will revisit with no issues whatsoever!

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Justice For An Injustice!

16/01/2023

I'm sure most of us have heard of at least one person imprisoned for life or executed even though they were innocent of whatever crime they were accused of committing.

This is what this short drama series is about!

It show cases this easy going fun loving naive college student, Kim Hyeon-soo (Kim Soo-hyun), who steals his dad's taxi one night to go to a party he never makes it to as he ends up having a one night stand with a mysterious girl that hops into the vehicle to be taken home.

As it so happens he wakes up to her being murdered only he has no memory of what happened and in his panic leaves fingerprints, DNA and physical evidence that is enough to arrest him and ultimately take him to trial and be found guilty.

The shock, disbelief, fear and reactions of this young male facing murder charges and life time imprisonment are quite realistic right through to how he hardens as an individual because the system failed to protect him inside a maximum penalty prison.

So, what we get to witness is the transformation of what was once a vibrant happy go lucky individual to a hardened distanced cold one that doesn't quite fit in anymore with the likelihood of no return. And this is despite the fact he is eventually proven not guilty (second time) because of an excellent lawyer that refused to give up on finding proof and establishing the truth.

Being exonerated came a bit too late for him it seems.

One of the most pivotal moments I reckon was when he was finally released from prison and suddenly stops in his tracks on seeing his father's taxi with this incredulous look on his face - the same taxi cab he took that night which lead to those unfortunate chain of events that completely turned his world upside down.

To me it was a cruel reminder of the fateful choice he made which couldn't be unchanged, erased, forgotten or turned back in time.

What simply started out as one ordinary day for most of us turned into this innocent young man's worse possible nightmare!

It really made me want to protect him and all those out there that are wrongfully accused!

I have seen a few discussions about the ending being too open and that there is this untoward suggestion of him "committing suicide" because he goes right up to the edge on the rooftop and that is where us viewers are left hanging regarding him.

Not sure why some would go that route at all - seriously.

Why don't I think he took his own life? Because he wasn't broken. Prison may have drastically changed him as a person only it didn't tear him down into an irreversible emotional mess - it just hardened him to the core. I reckon if he was going to clock out he could, and would have, done it in prison rather than on being released.

These are my own personal thoughts on that matter.

Lastly, I have to say, Kim Soo-hyun did a top notch job of his character as did Cha Seung-won who portrayed his lawyer.

It is a great drama to watch although not easy at times, but is still highly recommended!

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In My Top 5 - C Dramas!

15/01/2023

This is all about an 18 year old female posing as her deceased brother in an all male military academy during the Japanese occupation to fulfil what he couldn't do, also, to understand him better.

This will likely be in my top 5 Chinese dramas for life!

All the main and supporting actors were well chosen and played their parts so faultlessly that as a viewer I found myself invested in each and everyone of them.

There is a decent amount of humour in the first 13-16 episodes and also others, but as it progresses it does get heavier once their training is almost complete as well as when they are sent on missions.

In addition, there is this "gay" undertone throughout it because even though we know she is a female no one else really does except her best female friend and Gu, her annoying room mate, by episode 5.

I really liked the main male lead, Xu Kai, as well as the second male lead , Toby Lee, as their characters were cool guys in every sense of the word.

Some favourite moments for me would be the unexpected contraband inspection being carried out in episode two, Gu's wake up call and get back tactic, Gu's refusal to have another person sleeping in the room, Xie when she performs in Romeo and Juliette, Xie kicking Li's butt in martial arts, Qu when she saves Xu on a motor bike, Xu when he declares his love and also when he plays the piano which was unexpected, heartfelt yet so hilarious when it came to a response.

There are a number of other moments I enjoyed as well!

Before I forget there are different love situations involving Qu, Gu, Xie, Shen and one or two others in a criss cross kind of fashion. Like Xu likes Xie and so does Shen and Xie likes Shen as does Shen's female friend from his school days whereas Qu likes Xu and Shen's brother likes Qu.

Do you see what I mean?!

I will leave it at that except to say that there are no heavy angst moments nor is anyone harmed due to anyone being jealous so it made me enjoy it just that bit more.

What else?

The one character I really really liked more than anyone else was Huang Song as out of all of them he was the most uncomplicated with a good heart and balanced temperament. A very humble, kind and beautiful soul even if not clever like the others. If I could choose anyone to watch my back it would be him! And it is because of him that I will never watch one particular episode again - not ever! One of my favourite scenes with him in it was when Xie, Shen, Xu and Ji came through for him to help him get out of this "black market illegal boxing circus" in which he had to "fight to the death." All of the goings on in that made the series even more interesting.

It is a well told story and a series that isn't boring at all even though there are 48 episodes. I'm not usually into war or romance yet this won me over no sweat because of the humour, drama, characters, costumes and even the cinematography. Maybe not some of the hair styles, but most definitely everything else!

It is re-watchable as I have seen it again within a short time of initially watching it plus I still keep returning to it just to revisit all my favourite scenes.

It is most definitely in a class of its own - there is nothing else like it so is highly recommended!



Main characters:

Bai Lu as Xie Xiang
Xu Kai as Gu Yanzhen
Li Chengbin as Shen Junshan
Wu Jiayi as Qu Manting

Support:

Liu Runnan as Li Wenzhong
Wang Yizhe as Ji Jin
Liu Sibo as Huang Song
Meng En as Zhu Yanlin
Shao Bing as Guo Shuting
Lin Yo-wei as Lu Zhongyu

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14/01/2021

I like season one, two and the movie, but mostly season one.

This isn't another cliche horror movie or tv series and is different because we are taken back into historical times in which the zombies aren't your run of the mill type zombified fiends. For example, the zombies are only active at night time and play dead in a sleep like state hidden from direct sunlight during the day.

However, it isn't just a series about zombies, it is also about a royal family with power conflicts, political corruption plus there is a background story behind why and how the zombies come to exist in the first place which kind of goes against the law of nature.

We have a combination of great story telling and adventure plus episodes full of drama/action/suspense and interesting characters.

Episode one eases us into it - then it is full on action and what have you from episode two on right through to episode six.

It isn't too slow or so fast that it feels boring or rushed.

Everything about this is done perfectly from the acting, music score, costumes, atmosphere and thematics right through to cinematography.

I enjoyed the main male lead and his servant's relationship as well as all the fight scenes and zombies when they invaded and attacked. There are some really cool scenes that are well worth watching throughout it. E.g. Finger in the pot of soup.

Personally, I liked it and feel it is most definitely something that can be rewatched again with no problem.

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Life Isn't Always Fair!

14/01/2023

This is more or less about a 30 year old male that puts his whole social life on hold because of an older autistic brother only to have his world turned upside down when he meets a female author with a personality disorder.

It's not one's everyday typical type of romance which is rather refreshing plus it is quite intriguing observing the dynamics between a relatively "normal" guy and these two high maintenance characters in his life.

However, there is alot more to the story than just this chance encounter as there is actually history shared between them that goes back to their childhood plus something more than that - that is twisted.

One of the saddest lines ever from Moon Kang Tae (Kim Soo Hyun) that touched me to the core:

"I never want to be born again."

From a conversation between his "fake" mother and himself when she told him to repay her by being reborn again as her son, but he didn't want that because of all the burdens and hardships of his current life with his brother.

Kang Tae can't be in a real relationship because his brother requires full attention not to mention the guilt he carries of leaving his autistic brother to drown (almost) once and wanting him to die when they were younger as well as wishing a number of times that he was just "normal."

In addition, with the murder of their mother as youngsters and the case still being unsolved it still impacts on the two brothers in some ways - what they don't know, however, is the person responsible is connected to them including Go Mun Young, the author.

This unravels more and more in the later episodes until it is no longer a whodunnit anymore.

So, we have three beautiful damaged souls trying to survive life the best way they can all because of one selfish, sadistic, narcissistic person in their past that set that path in motion.

It is a brilliant and unique series which I thoroughly enjoyed!

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

I first saw Kim Soo Hyun in HOTEL DEL LUNA only dont really remember his character so perhaps it was quite minor and then recently in ONE ORDINARY DAY which was truly outstanding although I have yet to watch a few parts l missed as I don't like violence and also a few episodes from MY LOVE IS FROM THE STAR which is not too bad.

I read he is the highest paid or one of the highest paid Korean actors and I can see to an extent why that would be with ONE ORDINARY DAY and ITS OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY, but I would really like to see more versatility and if he can pull off comedy which is really hard to do. I need more proof!

I know some think he is very handsome and attractive, but it is his eyes really that are alluring and height rather than anything else.

There are a few better looking Korean and Chinese male actors I reckon.

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Badass Female In Action!

09/01/2023

This was kind of unique to watch from the very first episode.

Imagine 3-4 males from wealthy families plus one prince from the royal family hunting 30-40 young women with bow and arrows, destined to die anyhow, along side manacing wolves as sport.

It is the introduction episode to Princess Agents and for some it will be understandably unsettling, but also it is the first glimpse of the main female, Chu Qiao, in action bacause she is one of those women.

She does survive to go on to becoming a slave to one of those distinguished households and works her way up quickly towards being a fighter/assassin/soldier due to having such "strong natural abilities." However, she has no memory of her past so isn't aware of the secrets she might hold...

I really liked the relationships she had with all the main male characters, but especially with Yuan Song, Yan Xun and Xiao Ce.

As for Yuwen Yue I found him too stiff and cold plus he looked like a 50 year old male. The actor did play the part well enough, but he just wasn't appealing at all.

It is a series full of action and story telling so isn't really boring at all and it is well paced.

For the first 8 episodes or so we see the dynamics between her and Yue and then after that it is her and Yan Xun when she ends up with him due to certain circumstances. With Yan Xun it starts out strong only it changes over time when he loses perspective and they no longer walk the same path anymore whereas with Yue he undergoes changes in how he views the world due to the losses he sees and the war which puts Chu and him on the same wavelength some years down the track.

What I did like was that out of all the males Yan Xun accepted Chu as Chu regardless of rank or wealth and allowed her total freedom whereas the other males, although they liked her too, still had that "slave is a slave" mentality. This also included Yue.

As for the last episode and no season 2 - I had no issues with how it ended or that it wouldn't be continued. Nothing whatsoever!

I feel the last episode made its point and rather well. Xiao Chu made a choice and that choice was to be with Yue regardless of whether or not he made it out of the lake after Yun's attack on him. However, it would have been great to have had an additional 10 minutes or so just to see what had awakened inside of Chu when she opened up her eyes under the water trying to save Yue.

Before I forget, the only annoying character in this story for me was the princess over time although she didn't deserve what happened to her. It was a shame she was so jealous and petty because it didn't get her anywhere whatsoever and was her absolute undoing.

Overall, I really liked this series and would have no issues watching it once a year at least.

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Good To Pass Time!

Ji Eun, Young Jae, Min Hyuk and Hye Won.

Who goes to a foreign country for the first time for a few days with no money?!

Apparently, the female lead in this one does!

There is an awful lot of yelling and arguing from the first episode to the last one between the two main actors and it kind of grows tiresome early on.

I did like Ji Eun, Young Jae and Min Hyuk, but didn't find all the humour or dialogue lines funny or that great at times.

The story was good in parts, but even that dragged in certain episodes.

I didn't know the actor of Ji Eun was the same one in The Glory that just came out! Very versatile it seems.

I didn't enjoy the music, most of the fashion nor Ji Eun's hair style until the last few episodes.

There are a lot of moths and flies whether inside the home, the office or even in the car. In a few shots you can see the shadow of the camera man as well as the equipment and this noticeable glare in all of the actors eyes like they all wore contact lens or something and a light reflected off of them.

What is good is this is light hearted on the most part and it is interesting seeing four different people when it comes to love.

Young Jae, a famous actor, has loved Hye Won for years only it is unrequited love plus they treat each other as close friends. He won't tell her because he doesn't want to be rejected or to lose her.

Hye Won on the other hand loves Min Hyuk who is a lady's man and doesn't reciprocate her feelings at all.

At a party Hye Won embarrasses Young Jae by putting him on the spot about him being in love with her so instead he declares his love and upcoming marriage to Ji Eun to save face only Ji Eun and him hardly know each other.

Ji Eun and Young Jae are actually together as her home has been illigally sold behind her back to him so she is trying to pay off a debt to him as well as get the house back.

As for Min Hyuk...

On receiving some of her written work as a writer to review he actually starts to fall for Ji Eun.

So, we have all these different individuals in love - just not with a person that loves them back!

What happens with all of them unfolds through each episode to the very last.

I will say one thing - in reality if someone keeps standing you up over and over again for another person - don't wait. Seriously! Life is far too short to be waiting for another person who is in love with someone else for years.

This series isn't too bad (except all the screaming and yelling) and will pass the time for sure!

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