Reviews

In friendship, age has no bar.

"If we only accept pretty things, then this whole town will be wiped out, won't it?"

Let's go karaoke is a random slice-of-life movie where you meet two bizarre yet perfect combination of characters in a questionable wholesome situation. A 40yr old yakuza Kyouji asks a 14yr old choir boy Satomi to teach him “how to sing”. After reading the synopsis you would expect a scary looking yakuza threatening a timid school boy to get what he wants. But in reality it's the opposite. How? That's for you to discover.

The movie is pretty much about the adolescent boy teaching him how to sing and founding himself in unusual situations with scary yakuza members. The absurdity of the whole plot is the juxtaposition of scary yakuza image and them taking karaoke singing competition so seriously like their life depends on it. Thanks to this film I found another banger “Kurenai” >.<
The bgm and hilarious singing adds up to it.
It's only possible for Japan to deliver this kind of unique plot. Throughout the film you watch two mismatched people come closer and forming a bond. Both the actors skillfully depicted the intricate emotions of their distinct characters.

I'm that type of person who reads the manga/webtoon first before diving into the series/movies. The mangaka, Yama Wayama has my heart and soul. Her art style is just my type. I read and watched “Captivated by you” long ago which I absolutely adored it but sadly was unaware of this manga. The way she combined and delivered all the essence of characters in panels is just phenomenal.

Definitely recommend them, both the one-shot manga and its lovely adaptation.

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The two main leads are carrying this show

some plots holes, too much tears from the main female lead, but their incredible alchemy and acting are making up for the mistakes this drama has.

I would have liked the main female to have more character development, aside the development about SunJae! it felt like she was living only for him, and it was a bit too much in my opinion.

I didn't feel the need to know more about the time travel (how? why?), but now I've finished the drama, I feel like there is too much questions and points that weren't explained (what we call plot holes)

but overall, the great points from this drama are definitely the acting and the alchemy beetwen the two mains! you laugh, you cry, you get angry at the scenario. and most of all, you're scared to finish it cause you're gonna miss them. And I think it's the sign you're watching a good drama.

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─ does the glory really matter ?

After lingering on my to-watch list for some time, I finally delved into 'The Long Ballad'—and I'm truly glad that I did. The well-crafted storyline and character development kept me engaged from the very first episode, with each subsequent installment revealing more secrets and complexities. I especially appreciated the focus on narrative and characters over mere romance, exploring both Tang and Ashile cultures. Exploring the Ashile people's episodes was particularly refreshing to see ─ as it isn't so common to see such dramas explore historical incidents from their settings.

The acting was remarkable across the board, with both leads and secondary characters delivering standout performances. Despite occasional moments where characters seemed to disappear, the drama ultimately struck a balance, allowing each character's development to shine. Another aspect I really liked is how both Li Changge and Ashile Sun were established as individuals ─ means we actually saw their morals, perspectives, and agency beyond just romantic involvement. They both had their own goals and protected each other while also caring for others which is not so common to see in dramas that prefer to focus on romance only.

Dilraba's portrayal of Changge's growth was particularly impressive, while Wu Lei's performance as Ashile Sun, especially in EP25 involving his mother's incident, was emotionally gripping.

While the director's style, especially evident in 'SOKP,' isn't entirely my cup of tea, I found the action scenes well-executed, particularly the Cuju game in EP1, which was truly epic. Occasionally, technical issues like echoes and camera positioning dampened the impact, but the strong storytelling and acting overshadowed these flaws.

The OSTs were a standout feature, as expected since I was familiar with some tracks even before watching the drama ─ and each song added depth to the storyline. The instrumentals were epic as well and showcases the hard work put in this project.


link to edit : https://youtu.be/BV1cR_6LW_Y

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A MASTERPIECE of humanity and wisdom. To (re)watch without moderation (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

Very nice romantic & family series with Li Xian & Zhou Yu Tong as CL, which sincerely addresses tough themes (disability, death, mourning, trauma, old age, etc.)

PLOT: FL, a sales manager, returns to her hometown for vacation. There she finds her high school friend (rebel), the ML, who has become Funeral Director. They will reweave their bond, and try to heal each other's wounds. But their way of life is very different...

PROS:
+++ CL brilliant, beautiful, talented, with palpable alchemy & without prudery (mature romance and natural kisses). They bring to life deep, wounded, but intelligent, determined characters... Kudo ! I loved this couple!
+++ excellent supporting actors, who bring to life complex, unique, very endearing characters.
+++ a realistic description of life in "small" Chinese towns (tradition, culture, customs, interpersonal relationships,...)
+++ the context is very unusual: I learned a lot about the funeral profession and this drama changed the way I view this activity
+++ the production is lively, direct, without length or unnecessary scenes, without procrastination. Everything (sets, costumes, locations) is realistic and coherent. WELL DONE !
+ very good OSTs
+ Death is mentioned a lot in this drama, without false modesty and with a lot of wisdom.

=> A MASTERPIECE of humanity and wisdom. To (re)watch without moderation (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
**********************************************************
Très jolie série romantique & familiale avec Li Xian & Zhou Yu Tong en CL, qui aborde avec sincérité des thèmes durs (handicap, mort, deuil, trauma, vieillesse, etc.)

PLOT: La FL, manager commerciale, retourne ds sa ville natale pr des vacances. Elle y retrouve son ami de lycée (rebelle), le ML, devenu Responsable des Pompes Funèbres. Ils vont retisser leur lien, et tenter de guérir les blessures de l'autre. Mais leur mode de vie est très différent ...

PROS:
+++ CL génial, beaux, talentueux, avec une alchimie palpable & sans pruderie (romance mature et kisses naturels). Ils donnent vie à des personnages profonds, blessés, mais intelligents, déterminés,... J'ai adoré ce couple !
+++ d'excellents acteurs support, qui donnent vie à des personnages complexes, singuliers, très attachants.
+++ une description réaliste de la vie dans les "petites" villes chinoises (tradition, culture, coutumes, relations interpersonnelles,...)
+++ le contexte est très inhabituel : j'ai beaucoup appris sur les métiers funéraires et ce drama a changé ma façon d'envisager cette activité
+++ la réalisation est vive, directe, sans temps mort ni scène inutile, sans atermoiement. Tout (décors, costumes, lieux) est réaliste et cohérent. BRAVO !
+ de très bonnes OST
+ La mort est beaucoup évoquée dans ce drama, sans fausse pudeur et avec beaucoup de sagesse.

=> Un MASTERPIECE d'humanité et de sagesse. A voir sans modération (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

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Fantastic, even for a non-sport fan, yet CRIMINALLY underrated. *slight spoiler*

Hu Xianxu. This guy is definitely a top-tier actor. Not gonna lie- although i don't usually start a drama for a certain actor, starting Pegasus was 100% just to see him acting again after Hikaru no Go. So while there were already high hopes for the acting, which proved to be great all around, i did not expect to like this too much as a mostly-romance watcher. But man, with every episode, every race, I'm sure you will start to dream of drifting along tight tracks and matching the speed of their cars just as i now have a new-found love for racing.

While the racing parts are sure to satisfy, the body-switching/time-travel on the other hand... kinda tricky. With multiple huh moments and conveniently adding rules for the sake of the plot, i feel it wasn't done too well. We could have done without it, but 2027 veteran racer Zhang Chi was the catalyst for most of the progress for 2022 Lin Zhendong to steadily and deeply fall back in love with racing and his new home, the 'Speeding Team'. Annoyingly enough though, the final episode was made to basically cancel out the entire story, especially for Lin Zhendong, to avoid China's censorship on such supernatural ideas. Quite pointless really, but i have learned to not see final episodes till the end after watching 'The Day of Becoming You', which has a similar ending.

There is a much smaller focus on the body-switch after around episode 12, which took away from the essence of the original story but added a lot too, although i admit it made the show less light-heartedly fun, and there really wasn't enough closure or even enough development between 2027 Zhang chi and 2022 Lin Zhendong. I see it as a wasted opportunity which was much more essential compared to the awkward attempt at adding a tiny hint of romance in the story. But honestly, the cars on the track, the excitement each race brings, the energy Lin Zhendong's race to his dream brings to the viewers, it's all just too fun to pass this show, and just for the adrenaline rush, i wish i could go through it all again.

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Good start, boring middle, fine ending

This drama was good at the start. The characters that were being introduced and the backgrounds that they all had were satisfying enough. However, in the middle it can of feels like we lost the plot.

The plot was so lost that I completely forgot about the guy that killed xu’s father that had been introduced before, because he just wasn’t ever talked about again. It was like a character that was so important to the story wasn’t important at all.

The music was okay, it was just typical chinese drama music, nothing too special. It wasn’t terrible though so at least that’s a plus.

The acting was fine. The chemistry between the two leads weren’t mind blowing, but it wasn’t terrible. It kind of felt like their relationship was just kind of there in a way. I usually don’t like when there are miscommunications, however miscommunications are so important to relationships and the way that they only had a few kind of disappointed me.

The ending was okay. It wasn’t what I had hoped for, but it was satisfying enough to know that at least Xu and Bai would be able to see each other and their son again.

Overall, I don’t think I would rewatch this drama. It gets boring at some parts and is just easily forgettable as well.

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The Uea Chronicles

I was completely captivated by this drama. From the enchanting original soundtrack to the flawless performances, everything was exceptional. The chemistry between the characters crackled, and the romance was beautifully depicted. Those intense scenes? They were scorching hot! I found myself glued to the screen, grinning like a fool. This drama truly swept me off my feet.

In every drama I watch, there’s always a character I deeply connect with. In this one, Uea was my absolute favorite. From the moment I laid eyes on him, I thought, ‘That’s the one.’ He exuded sass, sexiness, and incredible handsomeness, yet he carried the weight of his painful past with strength. His graceful movements and expressive face drew me in. His journey was heart-wrenching, but when he finally found someone to lean on, someone who cared for him, it was a moment of relief. His mother never believed in him, his stepfather was… his ex was a pain in the *ss. Every time he was hurt, it pained me, and I despised seeing him cry. To me, he was nothing short of an angel—someone worth protecting. His performance was outstanding.

And then there’s King—handsome as hell, possessive, patient, loving, and protective. That jawline? Absolutely mesmerizing. I don’t know if I’m the only one obsessed with it, but it’s impossible to ignore. Anyways, he has my utmost respect. The way he safeguards what he loves is incredibly sweet. His patience with Uea, understanding him and giving him time, speaks volumes about his character. I vividly remember when Uea asked him if he’d wait for him, and King simply replied, ‘Tell me when.’ That’s a green flag right there. I adore him, and I’m thrilled he saved my beloved Uea and was always there for him.

Now, let’s address the red flags: Uea’s mom. I can’t fathom why someone would carry their own flesh and blood for nine months, endure the labor process, and then emotionally and physically abuse their child. It’s beyond my comprehension. Uea, despite everything, even saved his mother’s number in his phone. When he heard she was in the hospital, he rushed there, only to be mocked. I officially despise that woman.

And Uea’s stepdad? Well, let’s just say I wouldn’t mind someone snipes him or chops off his limbs and makes sure he feels that pain but doesn't die in the process before I do.

The other actors delivered flawless performances—I love them.

This drama is definitely worth watching.

I highly recommend it.

Go watch it!

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Those who enjoy realistic films about everyday life will likely love it

The two main actors are beautiful and talented, but I stopped watching after the third episode because I felt it wasn't exciting at all. Those who enjoy realistic films about everyday life will likely love it, as it's quite a true-to-life story and perhaps even too banal because of its realism. If it were a fantasy, the younger character would be chasing the older one, not only due to the age difference and maturity in understanding what love truly is but also in terms of status. A beautiful woman like that, with her status and intelligence, would seemingly be able to get the best. Is this true in the real world? Obviously not. A doctor is also a human being with weaknesses and needs. However, to achieve the title of a doctor, one has to go through much more than the average person and be strong, so their expectations from a partner should align accordingly, not only financially but also mentally. But again, this couple is understandable, and it is certainly something that can happen in reality. However, it does not challenge the viewer enough, in my opinion, and for me, a movie is meant to be an escape from reality. Another note, which might be the main reason this drama is directed differently from a typical Japanese drama, is the involvement or influence of Korea. The background music is Korean, and there is something in the overly open style that feels like a Korean plot.

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Addictive & Powerful: Must Watch show that addresses social hierarchy & its impact

The drama addresses the themes of social hierarchy and school violence that is carried out via a game, against the backdrop of a girls high-school. It explores how the powerful trample on those who go against them, or keep them as their sidekicks for fun and favor, while the powerless strive to climb up the social ladder. The story focusses on the main lead - a new transfer student who aims to break free from this oppression and the 10 episodes capture how she plans to make friends/allies and break the pyramid.

⪼ Best Parts:
♥ Acting: I am seeing most of the actresses who are students and central focus of this drama for the first time - and each one of them owns their character. They each bring their own personality into the role - crazy, naive, psychopaths, kind, unbothered, sly and more. It is very interesting to see the dynamics of the students as well as the supporting cast - staff and others related to school and students. Already have taken note of these fine artists - and eager to see their next work!

♥ Plot: I binged this straight in 10 hours after work hours. Was dog-tired but the show's cliffhangers were placed so well, that I just could not keep it down. The story builds up really well and ties it up with a nice explanation on why the characters behaved in a specific way and why the Pyramid Game exists. Every character gets their due - in a realistic way, which was very satisfying and not many dramas can claim that.

♥ Music: Shows like these need to be supported well by a good, haunting, suspense and powerful BGM. Needed as it complements the twists and reveals perfectly, and when there is no action but a mind game happening on screen - you need the right music to convey the feelings of that scene and character back to the audience.

The acting and music go hand in hand - that make you love/hate the characters, plots and eventually the drama, overall - hence this was also done very well. Blended it well with the direction/cinematography that keeps us on our toes - giving us some information, but then revealing the big picture later from the same scene - is an art, and was well delivered here.

⪼ Weakness:
Honestly, there are no weakness to be honest. The reason I am not calling this a 10/10 drama is solely cause of the fact that am familiar with this genre/plot theme and hence it did not blow me away, as it would to someone watching such plot for the first time. And if I have to be extremely critical - I would say the ending though it explained things well - felt rushed compared to the earlier 8-9 episodes. But this is me being overly critical and working very hard to find faults.

⪼ Overall:
"Pyramid Game" is well-crafted drama across grounds of plot, pace, acting, music and a powerful message that will resonate with you as it is something you see in real life - the grassroot of rich vs poor, powerful vs powerless and the never-ending fight to be free! Recommend it as a must-watch for those who enjoy fast paced survival game plots, suspense, thrills, revenge.

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Great production value. Boring plot.

The cast is strong, so I thought this one would be good. Well... the production values did not disappoint - the CGI, costumes, props - everything is top notch. Really well done. Unfortunately, the good points kind of end there. The actress, while not my favorite, is usually competent. But here she played "cool and aloof" to the point where I get zero chemistry or any sense of feeling that she cares in any way about the male lead. I realize she is supposed to be hiding it - but she hides it too well. because there are zero emotions from her 26 episodes in. And literally zero chemistry between the leads. She likes the roast chicken in the drama way more than the poor ML. The writing and direction fall short as they fail to give us an interesting plot that would let us hold on despite the epic romantic face plant. Dropped at episode 26. Just too boring to continue.

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Wang Xingyue brings the novel character to life.

I went in not really expecting much and was very much pleasantly surprised. A revenge based drama. There were a few beginning concepts which were changed in terms of the novel (since ig the possessing another body plot was banned?). Wu Jinyan does a great job of depicting the complex emotions of the Fl who was betrayed by her lover and also as someone who is trying to maintain her image as a completely different person. Joe chen also does a great job of bringing depth and subtleness to her "side villian" character as Jiang Li's stepmother.

Only thing I would complain is that the ML needs more screen time. It is a very female revenge centric film but Wang Xing yue has such a strong presence in terms of his acting and voice whenever he appears even for the short moments. The early eps are more based on building up her connections and her plans so the romance aspect is definitely a slow burn but definitely has me hooked.

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