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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Frighteningly Disturbing In Parts!

18/01/2023

I am only five episodes in which makes it two left out of seven only the rest is yet to be released over the next 2 weeks.

A police officer, Agawa Daigo, moves into a small village, Kuge, with his wife and daughter replacing the former police officer, Kana, who has disappeared. It seems a well known local family, the Gotos, are dangerous people to mess with not to mention something doesn't feel right with the place at all especially after the body of Goto Gin is discovered in the woods after a "bear attack" and accusations of cannibalism is thrown in for good measure...

The only member of the Goto family that isn't crazy it seems is Keisuke Goto.

There are some really cool scenes like the bear attacking Daigo on the mountain, Mashiro's encounter with "That Man", the finger in the box, all the freakish adrenaline rush moments Daigo has with the Goto family, the car in the tunnel incident, the man with the half eaten face, the bodies and skeletons when discovered...

There a few minor things that irked me a little bit like one police officer taking on 4 to 5 family members with weapons by himself, a little girl wondering off in the middle of the night in a strange place and the directness of the Gotos or how impolite they were even if in a rural environment. For anyone to be so outspoken or to talk about a woman like they did of Daigo's wife so openly in public was distasteful and not something that would commonly occur in Japan where everything is usually quite indirect.

Not the Japan I remember anyhow unless it has changed a lot!

I have to say the Kuge villagers themselves are really weird and episode four has this vibe like: "The Wicker Man" or "The Lottery" coming up soon on Festival Day.

And now that I have seen Episode 5 it seems there might be a slow build up to that festival in which a "human sacrifice" might be the flavour of the day as it has been a tradition for one or two centuries.

The story is gripping until around the end of episode 4, the music is eerie, the thematics are on point, the cast is believable and the cinematography is outstanding, however, more and more it has this Twin Peaks feel or something similar to The Wicker Man, The Lottery and The Ritual.

21/01/2023: Additional Comment-

I reckon this could be turned around a little bit if they added a twist like Agawa's wife being an original villager or something and I'm wondering if they will do something like that - as in add in an unexpected twist.

Back To Original Post: 18/01/2023-

Highly recommended for the gory graphics and adrenaline rush moments, but about half way through, the story itself, loses originality and becomes similar to a number of others.

It doesn't make it terrible or bad to watch - just not original.

04/02/2023-

I have now finished watching it and although there is no real "twist in the tale" the last two episodes aren't too bad.

We find out more about Keisuke Goto and his younger brother and how they tie into the man with the half eaten face, also, a little more about Gin Goto (grandmother) and what she has in common with "That Man".

Just so you know season one ends on a cliff hanger or open ended ending which can be interpreted in two ways:

1) S2 is needed to tie up the cliffhanger in S1.
2) It is up to the audience to decide which way the wind blows when it comes to Agawa Daigo and his family as well as the Gotos and the Kuge Villagers.

Agawa Daigo is left facing "That Man" and his wife and daughter are left in the hands of one of the Gotos that isn't as sane as Keisuke.

The only silver lining in it all is that Agawa Daigo isn't all alone with what he knows about the Gotos and Kuge, however, it doesn't mean what he knows can save him...or will it?!

Background: Agira Yura (Agawa Daigo)-

The first time I ever saw Agira Yuya was in the film Nobody Knows back in 2004 when he was a beautiful looking boy taking on the role of Akira Fukishima.

Now is my second time ever watching him in a movie or series only at first I didn't recognise him until I thought his face looked familiar at certain angles.

Unfortunately, for Agira Yuya, his whole life changed because of Nobody Knows and not in a good way. He ended up turning to drugs in order to cope and at one point even gained a lot of weight which made him quite unrecognisable. In addition, he married young and had a daughter only months after being wed that became his saving grace.

Since then he has sorted his life out and is still married to the same woman he fell in love with at first sight!

I'm glad he was able to turn his life around and didn't end up wasting away to nothing.

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Clean-Up (2019) - 05/04/2024.

I'm really surprised no-one has written about this movie.

Am also wondering why it didn't make it over 8 as a rating because it is really good. Could it be because it is a tiny bit slow in unfolding the story or because the actors are realistic in what they are portraying with no unnecessary thrills or effects.

Although it is about a woman that lost her son due to a bad heart as a child we don't see much of him at all - this is more about an ex prisoner she meets later on in her work environment (Sweepers) that reminds her of the past, but for "different reasons" other than her son.

SPOILER ALERT!

It seems her and her ex husband abducted him to get a large sum of money when he was about 10 years old. As a consequence of that, however, it impacted on the boy in a negative way.

It is really sad when it comes out as to what happened to him and his life afterwards and why, also, her to some extent.

SPOILER ALERT!

It kind of has an OLDBOY feel (if you've watched it) to it with the way it is filmed, also, due to what develops between the two a bit later on which is messed up yet makes sense if you look at it from both of their perspectives.

What is explored in this movie is the relationship between a victim and abductor years after the fact, only one wants forgiveness knowing what they did and who the victim is, and the has no idea until the clues fall into place...

Worth the time and effort to WATCH!

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01/04/2023 (April)

I wasn't too sure about what I was getting myself into when I started watching this movie because I'm not keen on the idea of children fighting or being exploited.

It is that to some extent, but not really.

More or less this ex convict ends up taking over a group of boys that have no homes or anywhere to go. At first he teaches them how to fake fight only when that is exposed he starts teaching them how to fight for real - like boxing and kick boxing.

Years down the track a video released of two of those boys fighting in a cage not only destroys his career, but makes him out to be an abuser not fit to have kids under his care

Here is the thing - he took those kids and gave them hope and taught them the only thing he knew - fighting. No one else wanted them or cared about them until that video was publically made known - and even then!

Anyways, the story is about all that plus what happens after the public is outraged - like all the boys being shipped off to different places including two of the older boys being "sold off" to a different manager only to end up in the worse case scenario.

What will become of their futures in the hands of a manager that really does truly assault those he manages and has no problems using illicit drugs to gain whatever means with his fighters?!

Who is willing enough to save them or not next?

Well worth watching!!!

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29/02/2024

This is a 2006 production which I actually liked regardless of its age.

If you want to know what it is about - read the Synopsis.

It is a sad drama with a bittersweet ending, but one with no regrets, closure where it was needed most and ultimately being able to forgive, move on and to have known true love.

It isn't perfect and does have its flaws, also, if there was less of a love story and more on just the main male character's math genius I wouldn't have minded whatsoever.

I probably would have appreciated it more!

What can be taken away from this drama is that life should still be lived regardless of someone committing suicide or whatever it might be that is the cause of a person's death.

Some mentioned (other sites) that they weren't invested in the male lead after some point and thought Bora's character evolved to be a better person.

I don't agree.

She didn't really change that much - she just toned down her outbursts and stroppy behaviour plus she has no choice but to resign to the fact that her fate was out of her hands.

It would have been better had she not just given back the words he gave to her - but also to encourage him to live guilt free, live life to the fullest and to find love again so he would never be alone or lonely.

It is worth the watch and even being re-watched.

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Beaches : Bette Midler+Barbara Hershey.

06/02/2024 (Feb).

This is a decent watch, but not what I would consider "soulmates" - just a very strong friendship and sister like bond.

How can I put this - the connection between JiWoo and Miso, to me, was more of a soul connection - seriously, each time they met, their interactions and from the first time they crossed paths. The necklace she wore was a massive give away and Ha-run knew it when she spotted it, also, Ji Woo. Miso was actually a threat even though it wasn't the intention. It was her friendship and loyalty to Ha-eun that she put first above anything or anyone else.

SPOILER ALERT!

I also don't think Ji Woo really made any mistakes - even the cave scene wasn't a "betrayal* really because of Miso. No lines were crossed as she saved the situation although she took the necklace for protection.

I know this is meant to be all about Miso and Ha-eun and them being soul mates, but I found it wasn't done to perfection like it was in Beaches with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey - that truly was one friendship that outshone any other relationship including boyfriends and husbands.

Lastly, it is one thing to keep a pregnancy and death from an ex boyfriend or ex fiance, but it is something else when you keep those kind of things from family and especially when that family is good even if not perfect. Actually, I think Ji Woo had every right to know about the pregnancy as he was the father and didn't do anything wrong except tell Ha-eun that her drawings should be treated as a hobby. He did everything to set it right between him and Ha-eun.

With Soulmates, it is similar to Beaches with the back and forth between the past and present and the triangle relationship ONLY I think Beaches is far superior and the flashbacks were more interesting and also quite humorous at times.

This is good to watch to pass the time - it is a bit slow and boring in parts.

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04/02/2024 (Feb)

It is a good story overall, but quite sad.

Somewhere in China a violent older husband, his young mute wife and two daughters suddenly turn up at an isolated village on a mountain to live - only 6 months later he accidentally dies in a dynamite explosion set to kill badgers.

As the story unfolds we get to understand how he actually ended up being married to her and what happens after his death as the real truth unravels bit by bit.

Some really don't have a chance or fair shot at life - it is made worse when that choice is taken away from them because of being so vulnerable, too young or taken advantage of by people that have no conscience.

Would highly recommend!

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30/01/2024

Don't expect this to be full on action or anything other than a story being told with a specific point.

Why is it so easy for some to condemn others for not being so fortunate in life or to treat someone like a lepar because of being the child of a convicted murderer.

It is not okay for teachers to ignore classroom bullying or teens/adults to be so vindictive towards someone for being the daughter or son of a felon.

Furthermore, it is unacceptable not to protect someone being mentally, physically or sexually abused - hell no! Sometimes you need to approach adults that can be trusted or the police because there are some things in life that are way over one's head.

Of course, if no one can be objective or non-judgemental it makes it harder still.

SPOILER ALERT

The female teenage victim in this had no real support with very limited protection so was quite isolated and all alone despite the brief association with the male adolescent (newcomer) and family member at home.

The newcomer did try to be friends, did have a few fights on her behalf, but he let her down when she needed him the most. If he was capable of taking on the high school bullies - what was one adult male? And then to sit on that incident and not report anything plus the church scene. I get he was young and wasn't to blame, but him not turning up that day and then ignoring her alienated that poor girl even more and likely drove it home in her mind just how alone she really was in the world.

I have read a few other comments to do with her last scene where some believe she died whereas others went with her running away somewhere.

What do I think happened?

I reckon she went somewhere to die because of the despair she felt, no one having her back, the trauma and everything being so overwhelming. The only thing she could trust or hold onto that brought a bit of happiness into her dismal life was the black goat and it most definitely wouldn't have been enough to save her nor was it hers to keep.

This movie is worth a watch!

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Based on a true story...

If you have ever watched HOPE this is along the same lines as that story only it is an ex convict's abuse towards an entire family of three. The "sexual abuse" occurs more or less after he grooms the 7 year old, I suppose, and has her parents hanging by a thread with all his threats and taking over their household.

Remember this is a movie not a drama series so don't expect it to be so in-depth.

We don't see a lot, but enough to know exactly what is going on. No problems for me there!

Good luck to finding this in English!

The main male lead that played the part of the ex con in this one is in a number of other movies and series including "What Happens To My Family" - he looks so different in this one in comparison to the cold faced son (doctor) he played in the other one. Not as handsome for some reason.

But it does show what a great actor he can be - and he is!

I was so hoping it wouldn't be him as the "baddie" doing the damage, but rather the "baddie" coming to the family's rescue like the pawn shop owner in "Man From Nowhere"

Nope!

Great watch, but not as gut wrenching as HOPE.

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27/01/2024

This would have been a heck of a lot better had the actors looked like their ages (too old facially for high school ages) and if they didn't do an about change in looks with Xia Mu's face at the end. The two actors for Xia Mu were on point.

A bit disjointed in one or two parts and maybe not fleshed out like a drama series would be, but it wasn't too bad and it did tell a good enough story.

Did read somewhere some considered Xia Mu a bit of a stalker as he turned up out of the blue in a few scenes involving her when he probably shouldn't have been there, but I didn't see it like that at all, also, if she had any concerns she would have told him so.

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

I think I understand Shu Ya Wang's decision between her first love, Tang Tian, and the dysfunctional boy she tutored and supported for years as a friend and "big sister, Xia Mu, post being sexually assaulted at a company party by Qu Wei Ran.

This is age difference aside!

I feel her choice came down to the fact that both were "damaged" (herself and Xia Mu) and therefore could relate more to the other not to mention what Xia Mu did to protect her.

Turning her back on Tang Tian wasn't to hurt him, but because what happened to her would have always overshadowed them plus she knew deep down there was no going back to their carefree days like when they were youngsters, teens then young adults.

With Xia Mu it wouldn't have mattered to him and it didn't - what was most important to him was that she was happy and he accepted her unconditionally. That is regardless of his small outburst in prison because be wanted her to be happy without him.

I think her choice was the right one because long before anything took place in the way of "violence towards a woman" I imagined a future for them anyhow - just not the way it turned out.

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26/01/2024

In brief, it is more or less a story around a POW camp in Korea in 1950 and a black American soldier forming a tap dance team to perform.

Some parts are really cheesy whether trying to pull off humour or not. Also, some of the actors were like B or C grade so something about it was kind of a hit and miss because of these noticeable flaws yet the parts that were solid were really really solid.

The main Korean ML was totally awesome as was the character - M. Jackson. The tap dance team were quite cool too as individuals and as a team.

This could have been absolutely brilliant had the English speaking actors been better excluding the guy that acted as M Jackson, also, if it had been directed and produced a bit differently maybe.

Using David Bowie's Modern Love song for the time period wasn't probably the greatest call, but it was indeed a wonderful tribute to him and did go well with the dance scene for it.

This really could have been an A grade film!

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Young Ones Had More Going For Them!

20/01/2024

Watched this back to back with another one called: My Father Is Strange.

I actually prefer MFIS over WHTMF like 70% more! WHTMF wasn't perfect either, but something about it kept the flow going and it wasn't as silly.

With WHTMF it is at the best of times cheesy so I ended up skipping though certain characters and scenes like the Director and Secretary Cha or the Director's father and his new wife. Couldn't stomach Doctor Cha's newly wed wife either or her parents nor him at times as he always wore the same poker face expression.

I liked the younger cast members except maybe the character of the country bumpkin girl as she was exactly the same as she is in Shopping King Louie (?) ...yawn, yawn and another yawn. The younger ones being the youngest Cha son, Se Weoul, and the CEO of the restaurant although Se Weoul was the one that annoyed me.

I didn't mind Miss Go either.

What was good in this series was when the lawsuit was put into action and that really is when it improved a bit, but that doesn't happen to either mid way through - before episode 30.

What I didn't like was how it took a serious illness to make the oldest son change his attitude towards his father and I suppose the daughter too.

I don't think it should have taken a lawsuit or serious illness for guilt to kick in and make a person act better towards another. His father shouldn't have had to beg or do things just because his son was ashamed or to protect everyone's so called pride and keep a happy balance.

And that is the other thing - ashamed of what?!

There is no shame in anyone running a little store and raising a family with minimal money and lots of love and kindness.

The shame is with those that look down their noses at others or society's unrealistic expectations of the do haves, don't haves and you will never have unless you marry well, cut certain ties and do as you say!

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In The Next Life...

16/05/2023

I don't usually think sad stories are re-watchable because of the emotional toll they have, however, this one would be an exception.

I'd revisit this series because it has a beautiful story to it even though it is a real tear jerker.

This drama revolves around a love song that is written and submitted anonymously only the copyrights for it can't be located so a search begins which leads to the story of K and Cream.

A sad tragic love story, but a beautiful one!

When it comes to dying, each person copes differently, and sometimes the decisions made aren't always so straight forward nor do they make sense.

In this series we have K and Cream brought together through tragic circumstances connected to them both (teen years) and together they are very happy as a makeshift family.

Prior to then being a makeshift family K is diagnosed with Leukaemia and chooses to keep it from Cream because he has a debt he feel he owes her. A bit later on when he knows he has limited time left he still choses to keep it to himself because he doesn't want it to devastate her nor for her to feel abandoned when he dies. Instead he makes it his mission to make sure Cream is taken care of so that she isn't left to fend for herself when he is gone - his mission is to find her a partner to marry.

K sacrifices his love for her so that she will be happy even though for him it is difficult and painful setting everything in motion knowing what he can't have and wants more than anything which is to live and be with her until they grow old.

There is a bit of a twist to the story, so in order to find out what that twist is, you will need to watch it.

K does pass away so the twist has nothing to with a miracle cure, but it does have everything to do with both of them in one way or another.

I really liked it when Cream asked him to reserve his next life for her - it wasn't the only time she brought it up either.

Love doesn't always keep people together especially when a life threatening disease or health condition is involved, but love doesn't cease to exist either and can transcend over time and in different dimensions.

On a side note, there is another parallel story going on involving one of the music teams young son - a different kind of love story, but just as sad and touching.

The most memorable moments for me in this series was how K and Cream came to be family, what K's mother chose to do, the pre-marriage photo scene, the secret wedding and the couch scene in which the very last photo was taken of K and Cream together.

Sometimes when two people are so deeply in love death isn't enough to seperate them either.

I highly recommend watching this A+ grade drama!

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"Jasmine - Gift From God."

10/05/2023

It is a sad movie and one that will pull at your heart strings.

I think movies like this are hard to re-watch as they need boxes of tissues.

Coming to terms with something like cancer is difficult at any age especially when it is aggressive with no mercy whatsoever and it cuts your time short.

Taigi Asano despite being a true fighter had real fears and questioned why he was the target - he wanted to live, like most of us, only that was taken away from him at the age of twenty.

The difference with his story compared to what I've experienced, seen or heard about in my time is Taigi Asano didn't really come to grips with dying, and that to me was the saddest part because he would have been so scared in his final moments, and that shouldn't have been so.

There are stages that a person goes through when dying or that we go through when someone dies and for some reason he didn't seem to accept what was going to happen.

In some countries, like the UK, there are dedicated counsellors to assist those that are dying so that they are psychologically prepared. So, I'm wondering what does Japan have these days because 20 years ago if someone was diagnosed with a terminal disease families had the right to keep that from the person if they wanted.

In fact, there is this one brief scene where Taigi's sister has bought a cake for him and says lightheartedly to her mother more or less: "We can do cake again next year..." I don't think she knew the seriousness of his condition compared to his parents and him. Not at all!

I also want to mention that turning twenty in Japan is quite a special time and significant for all young people that age as it means they can drink and gamble - it is celebrated on the second Monday of January every year where they dress up in kimonos or smart attire and have the best time ever!

Unfortunately, Taigi Asano died a few days after it was celebrated so never had that opportunity.

The reason I mention it is because his girlfriend acknowledged him making it to that age in one small scene and I felt it really underplayed the significance of it, however, he wouldn't have been able to celebrate the "Coming of Age Day " even if he wanted to as he would have been too sick.

I wish he had been able to do that at least.

Anyhow, Taigi Asano composed a few musical pieces in high school and university with "Jasmine" being one that he wrote and completed not long before he died and the other being a short anthem for his high school which is full of vigor with an upbeat drum intro. Maybe others too - not sure.

At the end of the movie you will hear the song "Jasmine" sung in English by Kenta Dedachi and there is a real photo of Taigi Asano attached to it before it finishes.

The song in English comes across a bit like a love song so I'm not sure if it quite fits in with how Taigi meant it to be with some of the lyrics, but it is a beautifully written song to what was just a musical composition.

Asano composed "Jasmine" as "Jasmine" means "Gift from God".

For him, each day waking up was a "gift from god" and he really wished that his "tomorrow" "the gods would grant his wish" to "let him live" not make forever "memories". Being alive each day, having good moments rather than bad, seeing butterflies flying around and his hopes was what the song was all about and to not disappear.

He wanted to live!

"Jasmine"
良かったらどうぞ。自分なりの和訳も加えてみました。(YouTube)

Do you hear the song?
Quiet melody
Ringing in the hallway still
When you feel
Like you’re falling behind
Be still
And hear your heart

Treasure your heart
Wherever you go

Say you’ll remember
Every moment together
You are my forever
My gift from above
I’ll never let you go
If you never let me go
I’ll give my soul for you
Tonight…


You’re the one I want
In my memories
If I could only have one wish
When I couldn’t fight fear
You cheered me in tears
And you’re still
Standing here with me

We’re only at the beginning

Say you’ll remember
Every moment together
You are my forever
My gift from above
I’ll never let you go
If you never let me go
I’ll give my soul for you
Tonight…

Every night I pray to God in bed
In spite of the pain I thank you for the light
in my life
Here’s to another day

Don’t wait ’til tomorrow
If you know you’re not over
You are my jasmine
My gift from above
I’ll never let you go
If you never let me go
I’ll give my all my soul…

Say you’ll remember
Every moment together
You are my forever
My gift from above
I’ll never let you go
If you never let me go
I’ll give my soul for you

If there is tomorrow
Let go of your sorrow
Remember the rainbow
That gift from above
I’ll never let you go
If you never let me go
I’ll give my soul for you
Tonight…

その歌が聞こえますか？
静かなメロディーが
廊下で今でも鳴っている
あなたが取り残されていると感じたら
静かに心の声を聞いてね

たとえ何処に行こうとも
あなたの心を大切にしてね

すべての瞬間を一緒に心に留めようと言って
あなたは私の永遠で
天上からの贈り物
私はあなたを決して手放さない
もしあなたが手放さずにいてくれたら
魂をあなたのために捧げるよ
今宵は…

あなたは、私の思い出の中で望む唯一の人です
もし私が1つだけ願いを持つことができたならば
恐怖に打ち勝つことができなかったとき
あなたは涙を流して私を励ましてくれた
そしてあなたは今でも私とここに立っている

私たちはまだ始まりに過ぎない

すべての瞬間を一緒に心に留めようと言って
あなたは私の永遠で
天上からの贈り物
私はあなたを決して手放さない
もしあなたが手放さずにいてくれたら
魂をあなたのために捧げるよ
今宵は…
毎晩ベッドで神様に祈っています
苦しみにも負けず私は人生の希望の光に感謝します
今日も一日頑張ろう

ただじっと明日を待つことをしないで
終わっていないと分かるならば
あなたは私の｢ジャスミン｣だから
天上からの贈り物
私はあなたを決して手放さない
もしあなたが手放さずにいてくれたら
魂をあなたのために捧げるよ

すべての瞬間を一緒に心に留めようと言って
あなたは私の永遠で
天上からの贈り物
私はあなたを決して手放さない
もしあなたが手放さずにいてくれたら
魂をあなたのために捧げるよ
今宵は…

明日がそこにあるのなら
悲しみなんて捨てて
虹を思い浮かべよう
天上からの贈り物
私はあなたを決して手放さない
もしあなたが手放さずにいてくれたら
魂をあなたのために捧げるよ
今宵は…

It is a touching tribute to a young male that really loved music - he still lives on because of the pieces he composed.

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15/03/2023

Am so glad this wasn't 70% romance, 20% fillers and 10% story.

Won't go into any details except to say that it is true that one unjustified word or one malicious act from someone can cause irreparable damage to a single person or an entire family - for life.

I enjoyed this K DRAMA for about 10 to 17 episodes although at times the crying scenes were a bit too much and I felt the main female actor over acted her role quite a bit. Also, the same dyed hair colour for all leads by the end seemed unnatural and superficial.

For me, 16 episodes would have been enough with less emotional drama and angst - especially the last few episodes.

This series would have been excellent if the focus had remained on the main story line of two young brothers seeking revenge, separately, for the injustice done to their family by a ruthless female reporter. No romance or 10% would have sufficed.

Overall, it is a fantastic story, it has a great cast, perfect music and there are moments that are truly heartfelt and tissue worthy.

I actually came to write about something quite trivial, but it was what I noticed over time and just had to say something about it...

The Piggy Banks.

The piggy banks in Dai Po's room (family apartment) went from a group of piggy banks to about two over some episodes after his "dad" kept raiding them for the money inside.

Hilarious! To me that seemed quite funny.

Not sure why that stood out above everything else with it not really being a funny drama 90% of the time, but maybe for me through the seriousness of it all that provided some comic relief or a bit of needed diversion.

A KDrama worth watching despite the angst or if you can tolerate it!

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