Overall, this is one of the best show of 2017 for me. I hope this helps and happy drama watching!! :)
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The cast however makes up for this wholeheartedly. So Ji Sub is an actor that I was already aware of as being good although that was in more romantic roles. I was pleasantly surprised that action suits him as well. His character was awkward and lacked harmony with the female lead at times, but that offset the action and "company" life that he was flawless in. I thought this was a messy writing mistake at first, although I came to realize it displayed him as a more dimensional man with things he is good at and lacks experience in. Lee Mi Yeon was wonderful in her role, capturing the charisma of the character's youthful dreams and the struggles that come with age and of being a mother. Supporting cast members worked well within their roles and the chemistry between everyone was fairly good as well.
Music did not play to big of a role in the movie, although it was present. Where and how the music was utilized was highly enjoyable and fueled the scenes onward. This is not a soundtrack I would download, but it definitely did not ruin the experience of watching or distract me from what I was watching.
The movie is rewatchable with good action and a time of about 1 hour 30 minutes, but I would not rewatch it often, especially not for the romance.
Overall, not bad. A fairly good way to pass some time, especially for action fans and So Ji Sub fans. I also think I have found a new favorite actress in Lee Mi Yeon. Fr me, a 7.5 because it is pretty good but not a masterpiece.
I hope this helps and happy watching! :)
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Story: On the surface this is basically the same plot as the first two movies, a mysterious phone call predicts a person's death. However, this film utilized a few more things to create a new sense of tension and thrill while expanding on human nature. A new mind set was presented with this movie that made the scares more intense due to never knowing who or what to fear until it's almost too late. There is also more background and foundation given to the curse that fit the tone and added to the atmosphere and demonstrated how all three films are not only connected but come full circle, making the movie a very good finale for the series. As far as production goes, you can tell the film is somewhat old but that makes it no less scary. I was actually surprised how well jump scares and overall atmosphere were blended to create something new while still using what worked for all the previous movies.
Cast: The cast had pros and cons, I will not lie. There tended to be times where everyone overacted; as the movie progressed it fit the script more and more, adding not only to the idea of hysteria but reminding the viewer of the youth, naivety, and ignorant disbelief that teens have. Although there were no real stand outs as far as I'm concerned. One must admit, though, it was nice to see Jang Geun Suk in a role other than the aloof pretty boy. His character had more substance than I was expecting - but you can also tell he was young and not always aware of his facial expressions on camera when not the focus of a scene. Overall, not bad.
Music: Music and sound effects helped set atmosphere and tone for the movie, but there was nothing that really stood out other than a few scenes with what are now Japanese horror standards such as groaning and such. The use of these things did not make the movie cliche, but could be slightly tiring at times when it was louder than dialogue (disclaimer! that may just be the quality of the version that I was able to locate and watch and could be different with other copies).
Rewatch: Out of all three this is the part of the series I would readily rewatch. The pace steadily built up, rather than being fast the whole time and a mess or boring and too dull to pay attention to. The script was okay and the cast fit their roles pretty well; most of all, the film was creepy and had plenty of elements to keep you engaged.
Overall: I really enjoyed this movie and if you love horror, especially Japanese horror, this is a must watch. It isn't the best, but it's pretty good. Happy watching! :D
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Cast: The cast wasn't bad, but not really standouts either. Everyone was enjoyable and fit their roles well, although the chemistry between one couple wasn't 100% there. That doesn't detract from the watching experience though because it somewhat fit their characters' situation and this is a horror movie, not a rom-com.
Music: The music and sound effects worked really well for this movie. The full songs were haunting and gave an eerie edge to watching, while the sound effects definitely added suspense. I would find myself tense at times, not from what was actually on the screen but what I could hear off screen and that's almost always a good thing for movies of this genre.
Rewatch: The movie is definitely good and rewatchable, but I would probably only rewatch it once in a while.
Compared to the first movie, this one is better (in my opinion). The creep factor is there, balanced by myth and even a very, very little bit of comedy at times. Overall, this is a 7.5 for me! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and happy watching :)
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Story: I think the writers took it for granted and just assumed viewers of the movie would already know the story. The story has a lot of potential, a twist on the common flower boy and inexperienced girl shoujo plot. However, this was not executed very well. I have seen shorter manga adaptations that tell a better story than this 2 hour film did. I never thought I would say a movie of that length was rushed but this one was. There was a lack of writing for their relationship and so it did not progress in a believable way and the character development was lacking. The friendship between Erika and Ayumi was fairly good, written with enough detail but Takeru, Kyoya's sister and even Kyoya were very underwritten and flat. Yes, I said Kyoya. THE MALE LEAD. The movie was a meh romance that just wasn't as funny, compelling or satirical as it was meant to be. I think it could have been wonderful as a drama, even a limited episode drama, because there could have been more character development to convey the story much better.
Cast: The cast is not bad at all. My low score has nothing to do with the casting, I enjoyed everyone but they were not given much to work with. If the cast had better scripting and even more screen time for some of them, this could have been much better.
Music: The music was okay? There were some songs I liked such as the ending theme and the song where Kyoya is running through the city. However, I disliked most of the other music choices. They intruded on the scenes and were not very good choices in my opinion, especially the song choice during the cake scene. I found myself focusing more on the music at times than hat was actually happening on screen.
Rewatch: If you like it you can rewatch it. I will most likely never watch this again unless I am desperate.. I really, really just didn't care for this one. I would rather watch the whole anime again.
This is just my personal opinion and I hope it helps. Don't let this deter you from trying it out if you think you might enjoy it! ...I'm just saying t don't expect a masterpiece. Overall, it was just between meh and okay. Like always, happy drama watching. :)
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Cast: The cast was very nice. Miura Haruma fans are in for a treat; he not only looks great but does a wonderful job in a serious role, even learning Chinese well enough to not be subbed over, although errors are written into the script to remind everyone he is a Japanese man living in China. I thought the scripting was good, but his acting made it better. Liu Cecilia did a wonderful job as the twins, adding small subtle things to make them different personalities and add to the suspense of wondering how well not only you know those around you, but how well you know yourself. There was always a slight charge of "what if...?" that filled the movie that I think the actors did a wonderful job utilizing to its full potential.
Music: I loved the music for this film. The instrumentals were placed well for situations, emphasizing both story and actors. If I knew where to download the soundtrack, I would.
Rewatch: This movie has a fair amount of rewatch value and you may even gain a new perspective if you do rewatch it. I will not watch it again for a while simply because it's not something I finished and went "Let's do that again!" It's a romance film for every once in a while.
Overall, it's a good movie if you want something that is carefully written, has good acting and it a bit more bittersweet. I hope this helps and happy drama watching! :D
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CAST: The casting for this movie was very well done, and they worked well with how fast paced the movie was. I was unsure of Fukushi Sota as Yamato - having never seen his work before - to me, his look was almost too cute at first when he smiled. As the movie progressed I quickly realized he fit it well because of how well he took on the character and his mannerisms. I found every member of the cast did very well with their roles and I regretted not watching this film sooner. Kawaguchi Haruna was perfect as Mei, she did so well getting into character and doing things subtly. Seeing her upset made me upset. My only wish is that they had extended Kai's role and the situation with him more as well as the Megumi conflict. Final thought, the cast made this go from meh to pretty good.
MUSIC: I didn't pay to much attention to the music in this film, the instrumentals fit well into the background, perfectly fitting the emotions. The final song for the credits was catchy and it took me a moment to realize it was an English song. I surprised by how much I enjoyed it and it stayed in my head for just a pop song, but the lyrics made it apparent why it was used.
REWATCH: I probably will not rewatch this for a while, but not because it isn't good. This is a decent adaptation, I simply want to watch other things at the moment. The story is cute, fast paced, the cast is very good and the film is only 1 hour and 40 minutes. Not even 2 hours! It isn't without fault but it is enjoyable enough to watch when you need a sweet romance and a cute story.
For me this is a 7 overall, not ward winning but definitely not bad. I enjoyed it and I hope you do too. Happy drama watching, everyone! :)
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I hope this helps gives a little perspective and you check this one out. Happy drama watching :)
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Story: This is somewhat of a stereotypical rom-com plot. A handsome guy pursues the girl he likes, people get in the way, friends and family help patch things etc. etc. BUT this wasn't 100% like all the rom-coms I have seen, there were some nice twists on the rom-com drama ideas you have. BIG, BIG, BIG round of applause for inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and questions, while it was not the best and there was some cliche aspects this is a series that openly has characters that are part of the community. I also enjoy the way they sneak future princes into each installment so you slowly get ready for the next guy. The writing was not stand out but it was written well enough and executed as best as it could be. EXCEPT FOR THIS LINE, WHICH I LOVED: "Love isn't about gender. It's about whom you feel good with." Ohhh, girl PREACH.
Cast: The cast was great. I absolutely fell in love with so many characters in this show, especially Pete. The chemistry between the leads was fairly good, as well as with one of the other couples. The family aspect was also very, very good and warmhearted. The script was not the best but the cast did well with what they had. I also enjoyed the fact that not every cast member was absurdly beautiful like carbon copies but had individual looks (short hair on some, pants rather than skirts, tougher personalities, crooked teeth etc.) and interesting features were not altered. I also highly enjoyed not every cast member was whitewashed.
Music: I was expecting some of the same music, due to the shortness of the show, but I was introduced to a fairly new OST. One theme remained to tie the series to its predecessor but there were also 2 or 3 new songs as well.
Rewatch: For me this show has a high rewatch value and binge value. This show can easily be finished in an afternoon/evening and is fairly light-hearted enough that you don't feel the time passing or want to stop. I personally liked this one more than Handsome Cowboy (U-Prince series 1) because it did not try to cram too much into 4 episodes and the male lead was not as volatile. All the characters were written much more consistently. If you want a show with romance, fun, some LGBTQ+ awareness, and eye candy this is for you.
Like I said this one is a short watch but it is a pretty cute and chill one. Like always, happy drama watching! :D
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Story: The overall story was not bad, handsome playboy and innocent seeming girl have a love hate relationship and there are crazy and sweet supporting characters. It was not the most original story but it was done fairly well. The settings, especially the farm, were absolutely beautiful although the scripting was not always the best. This was a promising start to the series, in my opinion, although it went through phases that were very fast and at times slightly slow.
Cast: The cast made this show from meh to okay. The scripting was alright but what the cast did with the script was better. They know how to interpret scenes and how to get outlandish just enough to remind you this is based on a book/comic series. Kasetin Puttichai had the male lead, Sibtit, down to a T and was easy to fall for - but you know you shouldn't because at times the title badboy . However, I won't lie, with certain scenes it seemed the writer was trying a bit too hard to make him like an anti-hero even though it fit the genre. Prick Kang was adorable and feisty; she gave life to a character that came off as inexperienced rather than too innocent and dumb. The rest of the cast fit their roles well and gave the show an atmosphere I wasn't expecting.
Music: This drama had some catchy theme songs! While the OST was limited it was very enjoyable and I hope I can find it to download. Song choices and arrangements added to the scenes especially the melancholy ones. As for sound effects used in the show, they often added an extra level of comedy to scenes.
Rewatch: This score is coming from ability to rewatch and ability to binge. Each episode is about 70 minutes, which seems long until you remember there are only 8 episodes. This makes it an easy watch if you can stay focused on it and I personally recommend that because it is easy to put down and not pick up right away if other shows come up (but I do that with many shows so it may just be me). This show is lighthearted enough to binge and has certain heavy scenes to keep you invested or shock you into quitting this installment of the show. It is also pretty good for rewatch if you want something sweet because it's easy to remeber the sweet episodes and the dramatic episodes. It is a show you can easily cherry pick an episode when you want a pick me up, you have time to kill, or want background noise/entertainment.
Overall: This show is a 7 for me. It's average. Eye candy, drama, romance, comedy are all there in a nice short-ish watch. It isn't the best show but it definitely better than some of the messes I have watched.
Like always, I hope this helped and happy drama watching! :)
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CAST: I cannot applaud this cast enough. Firstly, this is a female led and dominated cast. They are a group of women, not young girls, that fight to take control of their lives. Each member of this cast was strong, portraying raw emotions and struggles that anyone can connect or empathize with. Ra Mi Ran acts as Hong Do Hee, a widow with two children that faces struggles but always keeps her strength and a sense of self worth. She takes a role that can be simple and gives it so much heart and you understand the work that a mother, especially single in one way or another, faces. As for Lee Yo Won, she takes the character Kim Jung Hye and gives her a depth that could be overlooked. Kim Jung Hye is a character that could have easily been a stereotypical, flat pretty rich trophy wife without a mind. But with writing and Lee Yo Won's performance she becomes so much more and you feel foolish for expecting anything less. A role that is one of the more difficult in the show is that of Lee Mi Sook, done by Myung Se Bin. Her character could easily be written off as weak and too mild to be capable of much; that is not the case. Myung Se Bin works with the character but also pays special attention to the situations her character finds herself in and the interactions/relationships she has with the surrounding cast members. These three women were knockouts, delving into their characters and then some. You watch the story begin as mere strangers with lives and struggles that on the surface are so vastly different that by coincidence meet. However, the growth shown of each character and what they face, individually and as a group, is what keeps you watching and engaging. At first I did not think it could get any better, but then Jun entered. I underestimated how critical his role on the show would be and I also underestimated how much skill and promise he himself would show in the role. Holy crap. I have rarely seen an idol that is as natural as he is on screen. It is very hard to believe this is his first real role. As for the supporting cast, they were all very good. The chemistry between everyone was stellar and it is not hard to see that this show was very character driven. The cast is what took a not so original idea and made it something new.
MUSIC: There was not too much music involved in the show. But what little there was added to the scenes and each time I heard a song at the end of an episode I grew more excited to see the next one because even if there were no "in the next episode" moments the music created an ambiance that left you wanting more and to know how it played out. As for the high energy song that was used the most, I absolutely loved the violin in it and I need to find it to download.
REWATCH: Oh yes please, especially at only 12 episodes. So for this category I am also taking into account the ability to BINGE WATCH the show. For me that is a 10. However, because they are each over an hour by a little bit I am knocking off a little of that score. But this is also a show you could put on a random episode and still totally enjoy the experience again. So for me, this category is an 8.5 even though I don't have time to rewatch it yet due to all the other dramas I am watching.
I hope you enjoy this show as much as I did and, like always, happy drama watching! :D
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ACTING : I overall really enjoyed the cast. Lee Jong Suk was very well suited for his role, although it is not too much of a stretch from what he has done in the past. That didn't make me enjoy his performance any less! It just made me think of how I would enjoy seeing him utilized in a more diverse way because the man has skill for sure. As for Suzy, she has come far from Dream High but she still has moments that show she has not acted as much as others and she still has more to learn. Some actions seemed over the top for the scenes at times and other scenes were underdone and had a dead feeling. Acting is hard; reading a scene and knowing your character well enough to do them and the show justice is hard. I understand that, but with that said her acting does need more work. I think given some more time, roles, or even classes (I don't know how she prepares) she will get better. On another note, Jung Hae In and Lee Sang Yeob stole the show. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed their performances. Both are so capable of reading every scene well, getting into character and staying that way even when he is not the focus of the scene (that was my main issue with Suzy). I will definitely be watching everything I can find with each of them in because I have a feeling Jung Hae In will only get better and Lee Sang Yeob has already proven his solid skill with his long list of roles but also with his ability to give a character such as Lee Yu Beom depth and dimension when he could easily turn into the usual drama trope character. As for the supporting cast, I think everyone was well cast. Every person showed skill and did well in their roles, even the children which surprised me. I expected the kids to maybe not be on par with the adults but I was very wrong and I have a couple kids I hope to see in more things.
MUSIC : The music fit the show but none of it was noteworthy enough for me to download. Pre-production allowed for the use of sound effects which aided some scenes, and BEAUTIFULLY done transitions for credits and scenes. I was caught off guard by that but they were done well enough to catch my attention.
REWATCH : This show benefits from the 30 minute or so episodes. That makes it binge-worthy (if you can stick with it) and it almost feels like it moves faster. However, shorter episodes leaves room for plot holes and loose ends. I think I would have to be bored or craving a certain aspect of the show to rewatch it, but it is rewatchable.
Like always, this is just my opinion and I would love to hear yours. Happy watching! :)
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STORY: For me the story is a 9. I was not exactly hot on the idea of a love story between a doctor and a rich chaebol son with multiple personalities. Worst case? It would crash and burn. Best case? It would be great until it lost steam and fell apart. HOWEVER, this show lived up to it's expectations (for the most part). The show starts with a bang and then a few pieces seem slightly off but come together the more you watch, keeping the show interesting. The writing for this show is a major win. From action sequences, to questions that are answered and new questions that emerge, to dialogue this show has it all. I found myself much more engaged and hooked on it than I thought I would be. The writer(s) make it much more intense and emotionally involving than the summary lets on. My only problem is actually I wish it had been slightly longer in the long run or per episode because I feel there should have been more about each personality. I felt the answer of how to help came to fast and close to the end that I felt slightly cheated. The lead up to the end was great but the ending didn't quite do the whole show justice. If the other personalities had been more developed, closer to how Seki was so developed, it would have been perfect.
ACTING/CAST: No matter how well a show is written the can make or break it. I have to say this is a definite 10. The chemistry between everyone was absolutely the best. First and foremost, Ji Sung. Holy crap. The amount of thought and effort and work that goes into portraying one character to the best of your abilities is hard, let alone SEVEN characters. He gives so much to each one, even if they do not occur very often, that the depth and attachment you feel is mind blowing. An absolute job well done on his part. Hwang Hung Eum was also incredibly good with her role. I was worried the writer would create a cliche character that was dopey or a screw up because she was young in her field, or the character would be overshot and a bit too developed and mature. Hwang was neither. She did convey the traits of a young and immature/inexperienced girl and doctor at times but that was when it was called for. That choice led to a bigger choice of visible growth and maturity for the character as the show continued. She was a relatable character, and spunky enough and strong headed enough that I think even male audience members will enjoy her enough to connect to a certain level. She is not a weak character, though she has vulnerable moments. They were very subtle choices on the actresses part but they made the character more rounded. She was not merely a female lead that will fall in love, but a young doctor trying to save a patient and the child trying not to disappoint their parents or siblings. Family was also a very, very strong aspect of this show. From where it was lacking with some characters backgrounds and how it was strong in the lives of other characters. I am not the biggest fan of family things but this had enough to balance the intensity of the psychological pieces of the show. The sibling aspect between Park Seo Joon and Hwang Jung Eum was spot on. That chemistry was absolutely amazing from them, so subtle at times but also very explicit in others. They will forever be my sibling otp.
MUSIC: So, so good. I have not downloaded it, but I have some tracks saved from youtube. The placement was very good, enhancing scenes, and adding to character moments. Sometimes the songs would get stuck in my head as well. There was not one song that I found myself muting or skipping over, even with credits/end scenes/previews.
REWATCH: This score of 10 is based on REWATCH and BINGE potential. This show has a lot of rewatch potential, I have frequently found myself thinking I kinda want to watch it again. However, because it is 20 episodes a full rewatch would take some time. It is also a little intense at times so jumping in randomly would depend on the person. (Personally I like jumping in on an episode by what personality I feel like seeing; the personalities are memorable enough to kind of remember where they are in the show.) BINGE-ABILITY is very, very high and I recommend doing so.
Happy drama watching, my friends :D
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The story seems like many when you look no more than surface level: handsome young man with a dark and dangerous appeal, a young girl who wants to be strong and save the world etc. HOWEVER, this drama had much, much more to its plot. The theme of reporters and fighting for the truth was much more prevalent and took first seat in this story; a huge and pleasant surprise if one is expecting to be let down on that aspect. The darker underbelly aspects of stories and characters could have been emphasized somewhat more, so I will only score a 9 for this section. That being said they were done fairly well - considering they are topics that are often seen as taboo even in today's societies. Romance and action are actually woven together very well, making this drama much more appealing for audiences. The writing and timing are essential to this production. The writers understand their audience and their desires and mindset as viewers; when certain details get fuzzy there is a new part that brings clarity; you begin to understand bits and pieces only to have a new mystery evolve from what you have been given. There are no stale aspects because every turn something new happens to keep you on the edge of you seat and anticipating the next episode. I had not experienced that with a drama in quite some time.
The cast is essential to this drama as well. Each person not only fits their role but brings something to it that makes them standout. I was surprised how well the actors worked together and how many of them had a wonderful amount of chemistry. Normally you hope and expect the main cast to have that chemistry, especially if their is supposed to be romance involved, but this production gives much more than you are expecting. The importance of family and friendship is highlighted by the cast performance as much as romance would be. Park Min Young balances her role of fighter and an innocent in need of protection so well, I found myself connecting to her in the best of ways. With every victory, mistake and cringe worthy moment I was with her because she did not merely complete a role but gave it something more human and approachable. She definitely emphasizes how someone can be weak in one way but incredibly strong in others. Ji Chang Wook was also just as good as Healer. You expect him to be tough, untouchable and bad-ass. Ask and you shall receive. However, you also begin to see a developing vulnerability that is subtle but gives so much more to the performance. There is a ton of supporting cast (too many to name but all standouts) that create funny moments as well endearing, painful, heartbreaking, and beautiful moments as well. This is most deservedly the highest section I can rate. Absolute 10, if I could score higher I would.
The soundtrack is well timed; moments did not seem interrupted by jarring music or sound effects. In my opinion, nothing is worse than music that does not fit or takes your attention away from the show. Sounds should emphasize, not detract. I have not downloaded the soundtrack so I am not scoring super high in this category but the music was definitely good and added to the experience of watching.
This show is definitely re-watchable, but I am basing this score of 7 more on the ability to binge watch. The plot is a bit too deep to just pick an episode to watch, and with 20 episodes that have quite a bit to them I would have to be really in the mood to watch it again. However, this production was so good I finished it in about a day and a half or so. Very binge worthy - which I think is more important than re-watching! ;)
So overall, I give this drama a 9! And I wish you all a happy drama time! :D
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For anyone that wants to know my thoughts on the tv show I also have a review for it but moving on!
STORY: This story was much longer since it is a movie, but it is a continuation of the show. The show had a vague but somewhat satisfying ending - if you're not allergic to cliffhangers. This movie offers a more solid conclusion and just enough rivalry between cast members to get you excited. if you love the show you will love the movie. It has many of the same components of the tv show, love, friendship, family but it also offers more of a backstory for the characters that you did not get to see in the show.
CAST: Once again, the cast was simply perfect.The main cast was a part of this film, no one was replaced or anything which is a big pet peeve of mine. I did not have to worry with this. I was not a huge fan of Michelle but she was not a bad actress by any means, just the character was a little too flat until almost the end.
MUSIC: The music and sound effects were great and once again production did a very cool job with blending anime-like quality and tones with live-action and digital capabilities.
REWATCH: This is not quite as rewatchable as the show with shorter episodes that have self-contained stories but this would be good to watch again every once in a while. I highly enjoyed it. If you watch to see the club get into more situations, be their cute selves, and have a more definite ending concerning the romance you should definitely watch this.
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