Utemom5
Ten Star Delight
Casting, Cinematography, Script, Location, Music and Pacing are 100% on point.This beautiful series is therapeutic to the soul. Every single member of this cast played their role perfectly. Granny and the four little kiddie crew members get my top nod though, they were fantastic and added so much to this drama.
I found the first episode very triggering to me, I lost someone close to me to cancer, and I just struggle to relive those scenes in the media, so I skipped most of it and right into episode 2. This is when our beautiful FL ventures out to Yunnan province to heal. What she discovers are a group of people who are equally imperfect and dealing with their own demons. Each of them drawn to one of the most stunning locations I’ve ever seen in a drama and made me want to pack my bags to China immediately!!!
There is so much growth for our FL in this show, and all those around her. This community is wonderful and supplies truth and healing in every interaction. There is so many moments that the dialogue along will provide therapy for you the viewer, with profound and wonderful advice for so many situations.
The friendships that develop along the way are enduring and from start to finish your heart will be warmed to the fullest.
The ML & FL of this show are wonderful. Finally a mature couple who act and dress their age, with a natural and organic love that develops at just the right pace. If you are here for a fast trip to love, go someplace else because you won’t find that here. The chemistry between these two is also fantastic. They are a couple you will root for and delight and smile in every single sweet moment between them. They are my favorite cdrama pairing.
Congratulations to everyone who played a part in the production of this drama. 100% the best cdrama of 2023.
Was this review helpful to you?
Terrible script, amazing acting
I’m going to start with the positive. Beautiful OST and amazing casting - because this group of actors, including the younger supporting cast that have heavy chunk of the dialogue were absolutely hands down incredible. This is the saving grace foe this show, the only saving grace.Of course I’ll give a shout out to the stunning location they set this, and the cute doggy that low key rolls through this drama like a boss.
However, what a gigantic mess this script is. FL starts out a timid doormat of a mess, with everything going wrong for her in her life. I was hoping amidst all of that nonsense this was setting a stage for a great rediscovery of herself and a massive character arc. Half way thru, I’m thinking, nope we are no further forward in that regard. In fact what we got in small town Korea was the most toxic behavior possible. We have enabling of addiction, we have enablers of violence, enabling cover ups of potential murder, we have emotional manipulation of people perceived as weak, and lets why not just for fun pad all of that out with violent bullying (with victim blaming by the resposible adults), drunks up the wahzoo and psychological trauma that has been left untreated. Shoddy police work and lets just say, I hope when people claim Korea os nothing like these dramas, that they are correct. Because that is surely no advertisement for Korea or its people, and I certainly don’t think their cultural issues are going away when that kind of behavior is promoted as acceptable in their media.
This contiues and just when you hope it might have been an annoying one time only deal-you have another and then another toxic scenario. Perhaps the writers delight in all of that stuff. The result was that it overwhelmed the sweet and wholesome slow-burn romance (that will frustrate you if you need more from your romance) and the bonding of the friendships that develop here. It ends satisfactorily-for the most part. But I feel like the ratings are far too high for this considering the content. Hometown Cha Cha Cha did this better, similar feel, but better script. The actors deserved better than that, because they truly pulled out all the stops.
Was this review helpful to you?
Main Lead’s acting range is fantastic!
As is typical in dramaland the acting can often be subpar and a monotone, not the case here! The range at which the main male lead plays is expansive, from his cold ruthless revenge beginning there is a complete 180 with his expression of trauma and vulnerability so on pointe later in the show. I have to say it us impressive and a welcome change. So much more depth from him and the leading lady in My Lethal Man. Storyline is ok, the main thing that kept this show from being a solid 10 for me. There are a few plotholes and the flow of the business side of things doesn’t really make obvious sense, but to flesh that out it would have needed more episodes. The emphasis here though is not an office drama, which I did appreciate ultimately.The chemistry between the leads was incredible and there is no shortage of passion, sexual tension and kiss scenes. It rates up there as one of the better cdramas for romance, I’d put it in ky top 5 for sure.
This is certainly a rewatch for me. 9.5/10.
Was this review helpful to you?
What on earth did I just endure?
Oh boy. Script writing a disaster. Most people are toxic, including FL bestie. This is not a slow burn. This is burnt out. 90% of the comments are people telling you “oh is this like One Spring Night?” No duh, if you somehow hadn’t known that your eyeballs will be falling out from reading that the whole way through.Yes, there are some similarities but the writing here is terrible. Can you watch this and enjoy it, some people seem to. There is a huge gaping hole in chemistry building scenes, so there is no sizzle between the leads. Yes they share a romance, but it has no feels. Its so utterly depressing for most of the show, and you don’t get any fun until a couple minutes at the end. I can’t even say I enjoyed the friends, because everyone is either so manipulative incl her bestie or total doormats being used by the delulu 2 ML. There is something to be learned perhaps by women who are being controlled by men and then told what they should believe and behave from other controlling individuals but theres like no growth here or no lessons being taught in how to seek out healthy relationships. What is clear, is if you are exiting a harmful relationship you need therapy and time to heal before jumping in again. This needs a lot of help, which was a shame. I usually love this kind of drama and China can make them really good. This show needed better writing or cut in half.
Was this review helpful to you?
Unpopular opinion but the writing was a miss
Acting, directing and OST is on point. The only thing I felt writers got right was the humor, and the sisterhood. There were too many idiotic things that took place for me to score this higher than an overall 7.This show is not 100% romance, despite being classified as such. It features in the first 8 or so episodes- at a stretch, then returns at the end. What this is however is more a lengthy slice of life involving a massive cast, with varying issues that pop up along the way.
You could argue some plot elements were necessary for character growth, and I will give you that. However, I would have loved to have seen the romance not screech to a halt and find a way to further that love development around the challenges they were facing. What the main leads were handed was resl hard, but they just ignored it, which leaves viewer extremely emotionally disconnected in the end.
The main focus felt very feminist heavy, which I’m not sure felt realistic for the era, but this is a fantasy which means they can literally do what they want.
I loved both the brotherhood and sisterhood, and its sprinkled throughout with enough evil villian to add an edge.
The comedy however is top notch and many scenes will leave you smiling throughout!
Music is beautiful- I just wish these Cdrama OSTs would be available on streaming sites. They are incredible!!
Actors did a great job. There are a boatload of them, some more memorable than others (purely down to the sheer quantity of them). So much growth and development for the ones with the most script.
If that writing could have just continued a believable romance element throughout the hige chunk in the middle, this show would have been a 9/10 for me.
Set is lovely, I’ve seen it before on another drama, just can’t recall the name. China certainly has some beautiful architecture.
Skipped far too much for this to rank as best of the year (2022) for me. Love Like the Galaxy is hard to top in the Historical category. That show has it all!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Sweet Romance without the overdone angst
I loved this short sweet romance series! Plenty of chemistry between the leads especially in the build up. As others have mentioned theres plenty of kdrama cliches, but it’s done with taste and minus the angst and silly misunderstandings that usually come when they introduce rivals and exes. The townspeople & supprting cast are fun and nicely round out the drama. A great one to watch if you need something short and light and full of happiness! Sometimes, the latest dramas are heavy and intense, and it’s nice to have something on the rewatch list when you need a break from all that.Was this review helpful to you?
Typical cdrama - painful in 2023
After the huge hits of cdramas like Hidden Love etc, you can be tempted to watch the incredible Yang Yang expecting more of the same. However prepare to be disappointed. The first episode kicks off strong and then sharply takes nose dive.The concept of Firefighters x Doctors is a good combo - and they cast this show well. In fact the cast is superb and their acting is fine. Every single one plays their role well, INCLUDING the leads who have been harshly criticized for their performance. I actually think they did very well considering the poor script they were given. The script is the biggest disappointment here. At times its unimaginative-and ridiculous. The first half of the series it has us spinning in never ending circles, with no progress. It’s exhausting. At this show finished at the half way point I’d have given this thing like 3/4.
In fact the dialogue between Yang Yang and Bin Bin is the only redemptive part. They have the best friendship and scenes. To the point where you may go “female lead who?”
Thankfully we finally find 2nd gear and this show picks up, and the tension will have all of our blood pressure’s rising and the show starts giving Descendants of the Sun vibes. Everything picks up and though it continues with its slowest of snail burns and every typical cdrama trope under the sun-I stayed engaged.
There is a lot of oddities though that are hard for viewers to understand. Like why do we not see leads together much, the lengthy scenes of the adopted brother- they feel irrelevant- especially as the show goes on. Then we have massive gaos where we seem to have forgotten about the Firefighter bro’s. Quite frankly I think I stayed for them for a huge chunk of this show.
Overall I gave this a 7. It needed script editing and at least 10 episodes of irritation removed from the front half. BUT the leads are beautiful and acted well together (eventually when the script allowed). Their chemistry was on point.
I ended up liking it but it wasn’t a show I will bother with again. One watch only. That’s my only a disappointment because I love Yang Yang shows and his FL was probably the best one yet. They were on fire, which hearing they may have hooked up during filming - you could get a sense of. Great job.
The OST, a couple of great songs and the oddest piano piece ever. Its like they let a toddler loose with a piano, and recorded it. ??
Was this review helpful to you?
Super cute, quirky but lovable
Yes this absolutely has all the quirkiness of a Jdrama, but hey thats why I love them. With one of my fave K actors, it felt a little trippy at first experiencing the two combined. Glad for my Korean understanding because not all his thoughts are subbed (not sure why).The story is cute and the chemistry between the too is sweet. Here we have an already introverted FL carrying a heavyweight of a secret and plenty of PTSD it seems. She is only going to shine with the likes of out Teao from Korea. Fun, kind and loving throughout he’s the perfect partner for Yuri.
It slows a little in the middle, but the whole drama is short enough its no matter. Even the oddball research buddy comes into his own eventually ❤️
Was this review helpful to you?
Thank goodness for Steve
Oh man I was hoping for a classic cheesy rom com, but I don’t even know where to start. I feel like this calls for bullet points:•What happened to the romance? Everyone got more romance than the leads! The 2FL. The bestie and the playboy. The sus VP. The rando artist guy. Even the last minute office couple. Seriously writers, you trolled.
•FL was so incredibly annoying. She only knows how to clompy run, can’t walk it seems, even just a few paces. Like her shoes are too big the whole drama. She cries ALL the time. She puts up with quite a bit (far too much) verbal abuse, mostly from the ML. For most of the show. Like 99%.
•Extreme lack of chemistry with ALL the relationships.
•So many plot holes, I’m not going there.
•Goes from mega rich to penniless in a matter of a day. Like seriously? You had nothing in the bank, and why does a rich person not own a home or a car?
•Plot was slow and pointless for too long.
•The scheming 2FL was as dry as a brick, the relationship was weird and cringe and went on too long.
•ML acts jelly in the early episodes and then seems to quickly forget he had anything to be jelly about.
Honestly I was hoping for a Cunning Single Lady type show and got something total pants. It’s so forgettable I’ve watched it before and forgot and only realized about half way through, at what point I watched the rest as I couldn’t remember the ending. Likely I’ll have forgotten about it next week.
Steve. We are all on #teamsteve. Thank goodness for Steve. For his weird facial expressions and random english lines that brought humor, laughter and a whole lot of funny comments on Viki. You did it Steve. You saved the show and the bored to death viewers!!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
A comforting drama with a stellar cast!
I did enjoy this drama, once it got moving - it took a few episodes- as the beginning does feel like its just going in no direction at all. What we do get is never ending angst with lots of whining and yelling from the FL. They never seem to have the guys act like that, and its so common in kdramas having the girls screaming all the time, its ugly and hugely off putting to the viewer. Nothing will turn me off the FL faster than constant screaming dialogue.The alcohol consumption in this show is off the charts. Like please, stop this korea, does anyone have a healthy liver? I highly doubt it. I know its common in Korea but this kind of drinking in shows is so disgusting. All the drunk scenes are ridiculous.
I loved this cast, especially all the side characters. I was here for that development between the younger sister and the dolphin center dude. Nothing felt inorganic in any of the plot lines, it was well done.
We do see quite a bit of character growth and that is a win for the writing in this show. So many characters saw a positive change, except maybe for the lying cow and the dad - who seems to remain just a fairly chill guy from start to finish. Even chasing JCW didn’t even feel overly threatening lol.
The views were great, I’m sure even more people will want to visit Jeju now than they do already, look out!!! ??
Loved the relationships amd connections and a community coming together.
Final thought, what is with all these time jumps amd people chasing their dreams alone in Kdramas??? Doesn’t anyone just hook up and go off together???!!!! Like for reals in this case it even would have made complete sense. At 38 with so much wasted time - another time jump felt more annoying that supportive. Amd it makes no sense in a drama. Like who sits and honestly watches the time wasting filler while we wait for thr inevitable return? Not me. Time waster. Last episode was incredibly rushed because of that, and what was the benefit of the credibility of the experience- he just comes back and is treated as not knowing anything still… like that was weird.
Overall, I’m glad I watched. I enjoyed this far more than My Demon, it would probably have hit a 10 for me if we could have toned down the screaming, the over drinking and lengthy circles this show goes in.
Was this review helpful to you?
Don’t take it too seriously
What a riot lol, this show surely can’t even take itself seriously let alone the viewer, its so out there at times I was wondering what the writers were smoking!Don’t take this super short cdrama too seriously and you’ll probably enjoy it. At times its so soapy it’s laughable and other times its pushing you to beg it to be giving serious cdrama romance.
Theres chemistry between the leads as the show develops which kind of takes you by surprise- this is certainly one of those FL that is dresses and styled like a little girl, which I don’t think I will ever understand. But the unique fun side to her is the reason why I’m willing to overlook that cdrama stereotype. Her sass and ability to take down the guys is fresh. The sound effects are so awfully stupid at times I can’t even take it seriously. The jewelry looks like it was picked up in the toy store.
Nice try, its a filler bit of fluff, but nothing to call home about.
Was this review helpful to you?
Soapy & Draggy
Be warned, the same song is used a billion times per episode so get used to the Lucky Star song and if you can’t tolerate it, drop the show.The leads were great, plenty of chemistry.
This became more soapy the longer it went and I skipped tonnes just so I could finish. If you can follow it on fast forward, well then it’s obvious it is not the best script ever written.
Lots of plot holes, laughable at times.
Won’t evet rewatch. So go down this road with caution. I think it had a few redeeming moments so I gave it a 5 overall. Thai dramas can be a hard watch, so this was doable but I was ready for it to be done.
Was this review helpful to you?
A must watch
Bear with this one, the first handful of episodes are setting everything up and then it just rolls effortlessly.I have no doubts that if you are the type that wants fast paced energy in all your shows with oodles of romance, you just won’t find that here. Approach this show with no expectations and be pleasantly surprised. The cast is fantastic who are for once playing mature roles in a way we rarely see. The character growth for so many of the roles here is evident and nicely done.
The story is heartbreaking from the very beginning in only a way two people torn apart by the cruel restrictions in place between North and South Korea. The scenes from the past are beautiful- even the agonizing ones. So well done.
There is room for this story to have been further developed and the ending (as per usual in dramaland) is rushed. It is however satisfying.
A solid authentic drama that is a real showcase of storytelling at its finest. Give it a chance, you won’t regret it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Utter nonsense you somehow love it ??
Utterly ridiculous and stupid but hilarious that it doesn’t even matter that this drama is packed full of cliches and drama tropes because you somehow tolerate it all. Between Baron’s hair(??) and smoldering gazes, the strange mix of silly and comedy don’t quite mix with the supposedly serious plots of mafia and murder and disappearance of characters- just make sure to leave the comments on and enjoy the watch with others! Its a must. I will say I skipped a good 7 episodes around the half way mark, it got a bit boring and draggy - and I had no care in the world for the whole nana plot - that could have been cut completely. One big plus for this show is the chemistry between the main leads - they were on fire, and the bts at the very end of ep 19 is fun to watch. The soundtrack is whack just like this drama, but if you need something to lift the spirits, this is perfect, just don’t take it too seriously and enjoy this nonsense ???Was this review helpful to you?
Best cdrama ever!
Best cdrama ever for romance without the stupid stupid breakups, idiotic manipulative exes, and a FL who isn’t a childish baby voice and actually a nice mature young lady. The chemistry is something else and the kissing scenes plus bonus ? are ?????Of course it wouldn’t be a drama without some stupid drama and I guess the budget didn’t stretch to police uniforms lol because on the couple occasions it called for it, it was nowhere to be seen. However we can excuse this nonsense because the rest of the show is just beautiful. OST & cinematography was fantastic.
Was this review helpful to you?
