Lacking compared to part1

My review is for the second half of the drama rather than the entire drama. I quite loved the first half (part 1) but this second half (part 2) was so much more weaker.

The first 3 episodes are decent, there are light moments (when you compare to the tragedies of the first part) and hope. But episodes 4 - 9 were such a drag to watch. You get brief moments of happiness and then problems. To the point that it seemed like a never-ending mess. I was prepared for a tragic ending. Apart from that, the story was really moving slowly with not much happening. You can easily watch these episodes on 2x because everyone talks so slowly.

Some of the characters really annoyed me. One being the king. He was so hell bent on retaining power and his position that he lost trust in everyone including his ministers, his son, and his people. To target his own people who already faced so much was simply unforgiveable according to me. What does loyalty mean if the other party unreasonably wants to sentence you to death in order to feel "peace"?

The other character was the scholar who acted all noble and could see that the king's fears are driving him to cruelty and he made the same exact choices by giving into his unreasonable fears. Though it just proved that he was always a cruel man and he never regretted his part mistakes. He would repeat them again without much hesitation.

Finally, it was Officer Gu, who we all knew was not worthy of marrying Gil Chae.

It's easy to blame the "barbarians" for the sufferings of the people of Joseon but this part highlighted that the people of Joseon were far more cruel to their own. They abandoned their own family and wives and sisters and daughters if they deemed them to be "tainted" and were obsessed with keeping Joseon "clean". They were willing to kill their own by labelling them as traitors without proof. They forced women to kill themselves. They humiliated anyone who survived. They truly disgusted me because instead of easing each others suffering and giving each other comfort after all the hardships and sorrows, they rejected and ridiculed them instead. They didn't allow their own people to heal. So the real traitors were the ones who escaped "unscathed". Problem is, I don't know if majority of the audience will understand this because of the way it was presented. Unless you can relate to being "othered" in your own country, it's unlikely that most of the audience will understand this aspect of the story because of the way it is presented. It will probably get sidelined as an aspect of war.

The last two episodes were the best compared to the rest of this part. Though there are again unnecessary hurdles and part of me wanted to know what happened to all the politics that we were forced to suffer through, I am glad we were not forced to suffer more on the leads' story front. If not for the last 2 episodes, I would have certainly scored this part lower just for those middle episodes. The male lead also said and did all the right things and he truly was a blessing for everyone. The growth of the female lead was also nice to see and a good contrast between part 1 and 2.

One aspect they glossed over is what exactly happened to Ryang Eum.

The OST of this show continues to be enjoyable.

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Good Attempt But Confusing

If you looking to watch Shadow because of the horror or BL element, then better skip this. It is neither. Might be slightly scary in the beginning but for the most part not at all. And this is coming from someone who avoids horror like the plague. It's strange because Thais are supposed to be amazing at horror.

The mystery element of Shadow is good but the problem lies in never understanding and solving the mystery till the end. Mainly why the shadow is obsessed with Dan. There were quite a few things about the shadow's behaviour that didn't make sense. And some of it got very weird (sexual). Trin's character was also a confusing one in some moments.

The actors did a good job overall but the story could have been laid out better with at least the main answers. The ending was interesting which begs the question if we will get a follow up season to this. If yes, then I hope they tackle the doubts left in people's minds. Although I believe this show meant to end at a shocking note.

It's good for a one time watch. The OST at the end of each episode is nice. The VFX are also decent.

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Perfectly Sweet Revenge

Thoroughly enjoyable series. Maybe found one episode that was a bit weak but otherwise, it's a really fun ride. Didn't expect much when I started but I'm glad I picked it up!

The FL is an exceptionally talented artist who was adopted into her family and always felt like an outcast. One day after being betrayed by her step-mother, she ends up in an accident, passing away and waking up 1 year in the past. She becomes determined to rewrite her mistakes and get revenge starting with cancelling her wedding. The background set in the first episode felt a bit tedious but has relevant information that the FL later uses to exact her revenge.

The ML is a welcome green flag and made the perfect partner in crime throughout the series.

All the actors did a great job, especially the negative characters that brought the necessary spice to the show.

The ending was so perfect. Almost like a fairytale. And yet I didn't see it coming. I loved the plot twists the show introduced and the theme song is catchy as heck!

Definitely recommend watching this series!

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Incredible!

I didn't know what to expect with Moving since I hadn't read the webtoon but what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be! I can't believe it's already come to an end. Every episode offers so much detail to the plot.

It is a well-rounded show with loads of action, special effects, sweet romance, heart-wrenching emotional moments and beautiful stories of parents and their children. There's also a sprinkling of humor here and there. In short, it has something for everyone. There is an excellent development of characters with their backstories including many of the negative ones. That was an especially nice touch that we don't commonly see.

The only drawback for me was sometimes I felt the story was moving a bit slow for my liking (pun not intended). And maybe some might find this to have a lot of gore. Some of the fights can be a bit brutal and hard to watch. But the way the individuals use their powers to their advantage really made the action sequences both shocking and entertaining.

All the stories come full circle in such a perfect way towards the end however it also leaves us with some shocking revelations.

The score and the OST was quite good.

There's a deeper political message that raises the question in minds of the audience - who's battle are we really fighting? I hope more people add this to their watchlist. It's worth it!

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Sweet and Satisfying

Loved the drama from start to finish! Minor spoilers.

Ji Eum has the memory of all her past lives but the person she most wants to meet is Seo Ha from her 18th life which was cut short. Meanwhile he is still reeling from the loss he suffered from the accident years later. Though I am not sure how much of it was taken from webtoon, I hear it's not an exact replica. Irrespective of that, it is cinematically beautiful with captivating performances by all actors and beautiful OST to set the mood.

The added mystery was a nice touch towards the end which kept things fresh. The pace might feel a little on the slower side but every minute was enjoyable. Loved the way the story portrayed all the relationships that Ban Ji Eum had and both the highs and the lows of carrying the burden of past lives. It was also interesting to see how she used it to her advantage in the present life.

Loved the completely different character portrayed by Ahn Bo Hyun compared to the one he had in Military Prosecutor Doberman. I love when actors can convincingly perform different types of roles well. The child actor Kim Shi Ah also stood out for her performance as the young Ju Won. This was my first proper introduction to Shin Hye Sun and although I had my doubts at first, I fell in love with her character when she is standing outside her mother's mom and reminiscing about the relationship they shared. Such a tragically beautiful moment that it brought tears to my eyes.

I also loved the back and forth between Cho Won and Do Yoon. Will they? Won't they? And the late but memorable entry of Minki to add some spice to the plot.

"Juicy Juicy" by Jo Yuri has become one of my favourite OSTs and it got stuck in my head almost as soon as I heard it!

This is a perfectly binge-worthy show that I hope finds more viewers.

If there is something to complain about, it would be that Seo Ha's dream was to renovate his mother's hotel which we didn't quite see finished. And I wish we would have seen some development in his relationship with his father just to tie up everything neatly.

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Fun Prosecutor but the ending needed work

Bad Prosecutor was actually a welcome drama when everything else in the genre was so serious and tense. I quite enjoyed watching it and the jokes and the fight scenes. Although there is nothing unique about this drama except that it is a fun and exciting ride so it's a very easy watch.

My only issue is with the ending. The 11th episode felt a bit like the writers were dragging their heels in order to do a quick finish and that annoyed me a bit. There were moments where I felt like the could have taken the bad guy down if they just talked less and took a few more precautions.

Park Jae Kyung was such a dull character. I can't believe he was a prosecutor.

There are some very predictable elements to the story. That's why I can't give this show a 10 star rating. For the most part, I loved it.

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Flawless and a surprise package

When thinking about how I should rate this show, I couldn't find a single fault and had to go with a 10.

Definitely Not Today might seem like a depressing story or some kind of typical romance drama. It is neither. The way dark issues are tackled is a breath of fresh air!

Mi Chong is a young 29 year old male who has lost all of his family. Being alone in this world and trying to deal with grief has sunk him into depression. One day, as he is about to commit suicide by drowning, he sees a girl jump off a bridge into the same body of water. He gives up his plan to die in order to rescue her thus beginning their strange journey. Zhi Liao is an angry young woman who has surrounded herself with a dangerous gang of men which gets her in trouble. She inadvertently ends up having no where to go but to stick with her saviour, Mi Chong, for safety while maintaining her brash attitude unbeknownst to her that her presence is getting in the way of his plans of dying.

The way this show tackles dark topics like suicide, sexual assault and still manages to bring in light elements and comedic moments is invigorating. With just 20 mins, each episode wins your heart and surprises you. The pace of the show is good and there is never a dull moment. Every instant teaches you more about why these two characters are the way they are.

I also enjoyed the inner monologues and the little scribbly animations brought a cute element to the show. The OST is nice. The show has an indie vibe to it with muted tones.

With only 8 episodes, this series is worth a shot. You won't regret investing your time!

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Can't fault this show

If you are looking for a thriller drama that is a complete package then look no further than The Good Detective.

This was a show that was recommended to me and it is rare that I like someone's else recommendation and it is also not often that I rate a show a 10. Every episode makes you want to keep going and watching what will happen next. Although a thriller, it also has mystery as well as a wonderful comedy element that will genuinely make you laugh. It also has unexpected twists which is rare to find if you are a fan of crime dramas. The show is fast paced which I love.

If you are wondering about romance, then there is a hint of it but no real romance as such since the story is very much focused on solving the crime and finding the real culprit. Any romance would have been out of place. However, you find a really nice brotherhood and male bonding as well as female bonding. The entire cast did a wonderful job and suited their roles perfectly with some grey characters in the mix.

Since season 2 is starting, I definitely recommend adding this to your watch list and binge watch it. I have high hopes season 2 will be equally engrossing and loved.

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Underrated masterpiece

The plot itself is so unique that I'm disappointed it doesn't generate more interest. Hong Ji Ah owns a real estate business of getting rid of ghosts haunting properties in order for owners to be be able to sell them. When her regular psychic, Hyung Shik, that she uses to trap the spirits gets injured, she looks to partner with another psychic. Oh In Beom is a con-artist pretending houses are haunted in order to "cleanse them" of evil spirits. Little does he know that he is in fact a powerful psychic.

Though the plot deals with ghosts and can be a little scary, it is not proper horror. The visuals and graphics are incredible. The action sequences are truly enjoyable. The plot is fantastic with mystery into why the female lead is in this business to begin with. The chemistry of the main leads is incredible however there is no romance. But this should not dissuade anyone from watching this masterpiece especially if you love strong female lead characters.

Sell Your Haunted House is one of my most favourite kdramas.

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Communication and assurance is key

I liked the concept of the show but at times I felt it was a bit cruel to have couples who are on the verge of breaking up watch their partners date new people and build connections and enjoy themselves. Some of the participants were also torn about whether they should be friendly or restrain themselves on dates. The biggest issue among most couples was how they communicate and it was clear to see that lack of trust and fear was adding to their inability to communicate effectively. It was quite eye-opening as I analysed my own communication skills. It's a good show to reflect on and learn from watching the challenges faced by others. It has some funny moments early on as the couples adjust to their partners going on dates but as the show goes on, you begin to feel their pain.

My only issue with the show midway was that there is no challenge for the participants to work on their relationships when they are already unsure on how to resolve their problems. If anything, new people in the mix is like adding to the fire of mistrust and uncertainty. I'm glad there is no interference by the producers but there ought to be some tasks that can help the couples communicate with their partners as well.

After completing the series, it was clear that the looming deadline suddenly woke a lot of the couples up and they realised, this might be their last chance to talk it through with the partners. Being able to listen, as well as see each others' perspective and in some cases reassure their partner that they are committed was what many of them were looking for. It was certainly a fascinating series.

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Wasted Potential

I started Only For Love for Dylan Wang. BaiLu has also given an impressive performance in a previous drama. Both are talented actors but this drama gave both of them nothing to work with. The plot is terrible, the characters are terribly written and there is no chemistry.

I watched the first 8 episodes of the show with the greatest of difficulty because nothing was happening with the couples. The drama revolved around a CEO making business deals (boring!) and a financial reporter who is trying to secure interviews by flirting with him (ridiculous!) on the advice of her best friend.

I didn't get far enough to see what happens afterwards because there was nothing to look forward to. Dylan is not fit for a serious CEO role maybe because there is literally nothing interesting about this character. He doesn't even have interesting conversations. BaiLu has also been dealt a bad hand with a character that is unprofessional and immature in her dealings and the series sends a terrible message. We are just expected to believe both are good at their jobs without seeing any real work being done.

I was recommended to skip ahead and watch the last 6 episodes. Episode 31 also doesn't really carry much weight. Episode 32 made me fall asleep in the middle of it. I don't know if I have the ability to even watch the last 5 episodes. I'm so disappointed. But you can see some bits of romance thrown in if that is what you were waiting for. In order to save this drama, it should have wrapped up in half the episodes it actually has. It is so rare for me to drop a drama but I just couldn't do it. Not even for the leads. I hope in future they will work together again in something that has a decent story. As for this drama, sincerely, don't bother.

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Fluffy RomCom with Minimum Drama

King The Land is a wonderful romcom. It is light and funny with not too many ups and downs in the lives of the main leads. And perhaps that is it's biggest drawback. If you're looking for a pure romance story with lots of steamy kisses (leads only) and minimal drama otherwise, then this is probably perfect for you. The male lead is the epitome of a perfect rich boyfriend who loves and supports his girlfriend and also her friends. He gets along with her family. He's the perfect gentleman who will fight for her and be there even when she doesn't know she needs him. It's like the honeymoon phase of all romance stories with 0 conflicts between the leads.

The flaws of the story, however, is that despite them introducing some interesting plot points, everything is pretty much subdued. Whether it's Gu Won (male lead)'s struggle to prove his value to his dad, him trying to get along with his older step-sister who wants him to have no say in the business, the mystery of why his mother disappeared, etc - none of it is that big a deal and is all resolved fairly easily or isn't given much time at all. It all comes secondary to the time between the couples. Because of that it feels a bit pointless at times to even have these things happen. And it's not just these that get quick and easy resolutions. Sarang (the female lead) has two friends who also happen to be working in the same hotel's King group - in the sales department and in the airlines. Oh Pyeonghwa is a stewardess and has a younger male colleague who likes her. I was quite invested in how things go for them but besides only getting few scenes and a bland kiss, we don't get much. The other friend also has an interesting story of a pathetic husband who has lost his job but does nothing except order his wife around. There are other work issues involving these friends. Though they had more drama and interesting scenarios, both friends get quick and easy resolutions with their problems and storylines. Makes you wonder why these two smart women were putting up with so much nonsense for so long.

King The Land also had a controversial character - an Arab guest portrayed by an Indian actor that drew a lot of criticism. Personally, I didn't find the portrayal as bad as some of the other viewers. I would have preferred they chose an Arab actor to portray the character who could have also given them some cultural insight that would have avoided any issues. But to really enjoy those episodes, you have to remember this is a rom-COM after all and some silliness is to be expected. I also don't blame people for their criticism considering how common it is to misrepresent or negatively represent Arabs and Muslims in dramas thus making viewers slightly more sensitive.

None of the above was really a cause for me to dislike the drama. I enjoyed it quite a bit, in fact, because of it's light nature and the comedic moments. But there is a recurring theme of toxic authority and forced respect throughout the show especially in the workplace. It's actually quite honest on how people in higher positions misuse their power and take advantage of those working under them. Where the show went "wrong" was when the best staff working at the hotel were shuttled off to the Gu family home and made to work as personal caterers for a month's worth of salary. Sarang went in blindly for this job without knowing what was required of her and when she tried to ask, she was shushed and reminded of the NDA she had signed. This scenario would otherwise be a hotbed for exploitation where it would be very easy to violate the rights of the employees. The whole aspect of this story was unnecessary. I wish more thought had been put on how this was presented. It was also a tacky rich man poor woman romance cliché where the poor woman has to wait on the rich man just to show the difference in their status. There also created a hurdle with this scenario that they simply forgot about. So I failed to see the point of it all.

Hope this review helps explain what you can expect with King The Land. Don't expect for any great revelations or any kind of rollercoaster or overcoming of great hurdles. The male and female lead are progressive and mature by nature and treat each other with respect. Though Sarang being constantly excited about everything is a bit too much at times. I would probably get sick of that first, if she was a real person. lol. But that's me. Otherwise all the actors did a good job. It's a fun drama. Maybe not the absolute best, in my opinion, but a good stress-buster. That's all we can really ask for.

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Based on an authoritarian propaganda piece

My main reason for dropping the title is that the book plot eventually revolves around war and authoritarian regimes and normalises xenophobia. We can further understand the mindset of the author, Liu Cixin, for his statement defending the Chinese government's mistreatment and mass internment of its Uighur Muslim population.

Speaking on the show, it's a slow moving story with multiple repetitions, eg. "The scientists are killing themselves!" every so often which was unnecessary. The people investigating these suicides don't really seem to care nor have any intelligence capabilities. It all rests on one scientist to act as a spy agent and provide them with answers and a cop that acts as his handler. Three Body is based on the first of three books. 30 episodes is overdoing it for an already slow moving plot.

The aspect that originally attracted me was the science which the series then proceeds to drive the point that "physics isn't real", again repeatedly.

Up to the mid of the 9th episode, the women in the series don't seem to serve much purpose apart from minor roles and eye candy. An apparently talented female officer is treated like a maid and 'errand boy' while doing the work of 10 men and not paid much (by her own admission). So much for equality.

There's also a game which seems pointless. One of the benefits of a computer is it allows us to do calculations and run simulations at a faster rate than a human would take. If a pattern exists, a computer would likely find it as long as some basic information is provided. The game offers no insight towards a solution. It's just added CGI effects to further drag the plot along that explains nothing. With every episode you are left with more questions than answers.

After reading the author's disdain for other humans, I didn't feel the need to watch further and it pretty much killed my curiosity. If these things don't bother you, you might be able to enjoy this lengthy series.

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Nice but missing the wow factor

The concept of the show is pretty good. In the Josean era, a king dies and a physician known for his talent in acupuncture is blamed for his death and banished by the crown prince. A conspiracy surrounds the death of the king. Dejected, the physician nearly kills himself but is rescued by a maiden who also has great interest in forensic medicine. The physician joins a clinic in a nearby village and starts seeing patients but is unable to use acupuncture again.

The series shows different cases and each episode has it's own story while developing the story behind the king's death. However, the show focuses most of the treatment on the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine and there are not many cases involving psychiatry so the title will not make sense until you realise the series is expecting a second season.

There isn't overt romance and the drama and mystery progressed slower than I liked. There are comic moments but again, it may not be to everyone's taste. I felt like the drama had become a bit stagnant midway and finally picked up the pace in the final 2 episodes. I quite enjoyed the two episodes and feel like the show was simply delaying the inevitable for a few episodes.

If you do not like cliff hangers and open-endings, then you can wait until Jan 2023 when the second season will air and watch this season just prior to that.

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