Completed
Cities of Last Things
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
Completed 0
Overall 3.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 4.0
Music 4.5
Rewatch Value 1.0

Good premise but confusing

This was barely coherent.

My order of how much I liked the acts goes 3 > 2 >1 of appearance, but everything really did not have to be in reverse chronology in the first place. It was confusing and the film basically asked me to care about all these unlikeable characters before it showed me why I should.

Act I. There was no reason for the genre to be dystopian sci-fi. It was a pretty interesting set-up in the first act but started to feel forced, not thorough, confusing...and by the time we got to the other acts it was forgotten anyways. The film showed nothing about how society became that way and why it mattered.

I actually enjoyed the dark and grittiness of the film (especially in the later acts) and the setting in the first act should've just stuck with being in a world with lots of corruption and wealth inequality (like Gotham). That would've been a lot more believable.

The acting in the first part was also the worst in my opinion. I already mentioned not really liking the characters, but I also found the performances all just very blah.

Act II.Lee Hong Chi was the only good part here. The acting was great but there was really no good story to work with. The cliche of the Unforgettable Girl You Meet One Sad Night And Then Lose Contact With Forever is cliche and boring.

Act III. This one was actually my favorite because it actually did have a story and decent character writing — until it all devolves just like the other parts.

Generally, all the parts had something going for it until it tries to do something violent for the shock factor. It makes every sub-story end on an unsatisfying note and it sucks because I think the cinematography is pretty good.

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Completed
100 Tula Para Kay Stella
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
Completed 0
Overall 4.0
Story 4.0
Acting/Cast 3.5
Music 4.5
Rewatch Value 3.0

Potential but feels like the male gaze

I feel like there was potential for this to be really good — if it had treated Stella more like a main character and less like a love interest. I actually really liked how the story went at the end, and themes of courage and timing would've been so much more powerful.

Instead, with the entire movie being from Fidel's perspective, it felt like a movie filmed from the Nice Guy's perspective, with Stella and her bad decisions villainized, like she was somehow wrong for not choosing him.
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Ongoing 3/16
Queen of Tears
1 people found this review helpful
by ryoato
2 days ago
3 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

“Mr. Cinderella”

So why do I saw what I say with the title?

The male lead is the one who’s pulled from the countryside into a lavish lifestyle. It seems like the happy ending in other kdramas. Where typically the girl is the poor one and swept away to a rich life to life with a chaebol.. I’m thinking boys over flowers. This drama starts where those ends, and it’s brilliant. What would their lives be outside of the ending? Likely this would happen.

I’m saying when Jan Di married Gyun Pyo at the end of Boys Over Flowes. Hyun Woo is Jan Di, the poorer one who is thrust into a new life and Hae In is Gyun Pyo, who despite all odds, loves someone that is a ‘nobody’ in terms of status. Gyun Pyro and Jan Di just get engaged at the end (sorry for spoilers), but in this one it’s the life of the two being married. It’s honestly hilarious and makes a lot of sense why Hyun Woo wants a divorce. As I could see that if there were a prequel that it would be something like Boys Over Flower.. now not that toxic, but to a degree. I doubt the writers thought of that connection, but to me it stands. It’s like a more mature version of a ‘happily ever after’ with a rich chaebol lifestyle. Instead it’s not all glitter and sparkles, and is more wanting your old life back because you can’t keep up with this one. I mean come on now, that’s so smart and I’ve always wanted to see what a happily ever after is like- and if it’s this? I’m here for the ride for this one.

The chaebol gets their humbling with a death experience, which I’m so surprised they had the balls to do.. and hopefully it doesn’t just get magically swept away. I’m looking for angst, for heart, a dramedy. This drama is gold when it comes to the humor. There isn’t a shying away from how hot are leads are, and how over the top the situation is. This drama is so much better than others have been giving it credit for. Yes. It’s hyped, but it’s also very smart and deserving of that.

I’ll keep this short since pretty much everything that needs to be said about this drama has been. I’ll say that I was reluctant to watch at first, as I’m watching a lot and sometimes dramas tend to be overhyped. It can go wrong pretty easily if the cast is so well, the writing may have been lacking. It’s done more than usual, where a cast is so good that it seems the writing and the direction is missed. Yet this drama seems to fill every gap in terms of the story, acting, direction, it’s well rounded and chalk full of entertainment value.

I didn’t know the story coming in, I thought it would be a romantic comedy, a bit melodramatic. It is entirely that, yet it’s multi leveled and has 3-dimensional characters coming from all ends of the story. The main leads, the second leads, the supporting cast- it’s all so rich (literally and non literal). What I was surprised with this is that the comedy is actually a strong asset with this story, I love when a drama doesn’t take itself too seriously. I also knew that Kim Ji Won was a funny actress, multitalented and ready to play the character she is. I love it when no one else I can see fit to play this role.

So nothing in this drama pulls anything down. The comedy doesn’t make it awkward, the drama doesn’t make it too serious, it’s got balance.

Kim Soo Hyun is an actor I know is really good. Also I’ve only seen him in one movie, so I wasn’t too biased. He is worth all the praise. He’s a professional and you can tell that everyone here knows there role and can enhance and improvise and add here in there. Without the leads it likely wouldn’t be as good, but still, it’s got a great direction that I can see coming from an actors initiate as well as the directing itself.

I love the whole gender reverse of the women leading the house-hold.. seeing the men get pushed to the kitchen.

It’s a lot more refreshing than I thought it would be. What is also refreshing is the leads dynamic, that so far is very witty and fun. They once loved eachother and definitely still do, yet Hyun- Woo is so tired at this point he wants a way out. Not one character is the evil and super bad guy, and I’m liking that a lot, the second male lead I could see to get to be annoying if he is too bad of a guy just for the sake of story. So far even Hae-In is likeable even if her husband isn’t too fond of her.. still I find so much room to grow with the two of them. They did fall in love, and she did choose to marry him.

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Completed
Moonlight Chicken
2 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 2.0

Just bland

Honestly I much preferred the side characters’ stories than EarthMix. that sad though bc I love EarthMix as a couple. Jim and Wen’s relationship just seemed so lackluster. I didn’t get a sense of Jim being torn. He just seemed flat out disinterested. I only pressed on for Li Ming and Heart. I felt more feeling between Wen and Alan that Wen and Jim. it’s one of those situations where I can’t put my finger on what went wrong. it’s just…missing something. Not to mention, the previews were entirely misleading
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Completed
Dream High Season 2
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 3.5
Story 3.5
Acting/Cast 3.5
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Scam High

Season 1: The drama started off mostly alright for the first 3 episodes or so, but once they confined everything into the school settings, problems started to seep from every corner. Imagine all of the school related tired tropes and cliches amplified by cringe to create the cheesiest abomination. Jason as a character, actor, story and writing was easily the worst aspect of this drama. Which created one of the worst memorable dynamics with his love interest. From the outset, the plot followed a predictable trajectory but things got a lot worse around the last 1/3 of its run. During which the story became static, the characters fell apart and the drama started to shove empty scenes of side characters. They reduced Sam Dong screen time significantly as well. They also isolated Pil Sook and Jason despite being main characters and had little to no interactions with others later on. All of this led to a below average last episode and a lukewarm ending. Despite its flaws and problems, somehow it worked, to a certain degree.

In comparison, season 2 was an obvious downgrade in all regards, it's just plain worse. The empty scenes I mentioned earlier turned into amateurish random musical performances here. I noticed they were mostly using Korean songs in this season, compared to season 1 which had more western/global songs. In season 2, no one had any chemistry with anyone, all pairings were as incompatible and dry as they could get. It also had the same ending as season 1. I think the cast also had more idols than actors? Anyway, changing the directors and writers made its sequel DOA.

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Completed
Dream High
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 5.5
Music 4.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Scam High

The drama started off mostly alright for the first 3 episodes or so, but once they confined everything into the school settings, problems started to seep from every corner. Imagine all of the school related tired tropes and cliches amplified by cringe to create the cheesiest abomination. Jason as a character, actor, story and writing was easily the worst aspect of this drama. Which created one of the worst memorable dynamics with his love interest. From the outset, the plot followed a predictable trajectory but things got a lot worse around the last 1/3 of its run. During which the story became static, the characters fell apart and the drama started to shove empty scenes of side characters. They reduced Sam Dong screen time significantly as well. They also isolated Pil Sook and Jason despite being main characters and had little to no interactions with others later on. All of this led to a below average last episode and a lukewarm ending. Despite its flaws and problems, somehow it worked, to a certain degree.

In comparison, season 2 was an obvious downgrade in all regards, it's just plain worse. The empty scenes I mentioned earlier turned into amateurish random musical performances here. I noticed they were mostly using Korean songs in this season, compared to season 1 which had more western/global songs. In season 2, no one had any chemistry with anyone, all pairings were as incompatible and dry as they could get. It also had the same ending as season 1. I think the cast also had more idols than actors? Anyway, changing the directors and writers made its sequel DOA.

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Completed
Dead Friend Forever - DFF
0 people found this review helpful
by Nkati
2 days ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

Where to start?

This show has taken me on a roller coaster for really wow just finished it and I have so many questions.

The series was really good different from any BL series which is good horror/mystery and BL a prefect combination. If you looking for something different then this is the show for you.

Starting off with Non! Absolutely loved him from the beginning he was just a typical kid trying to fit in and make friends and with that I sympathize with him cause everyone wants to fit and belong. Now he was too trusting and that was his downfall and I understand that as well he was just innocent and a pure soul. I didn’t like how they used him and later died got something he didn’t do. #justiceforNon

Phee makes me so at the end I loved him in the beginning with his relationship with Non and then there was doubt and trust issues within the relationship and that is also unhealthy. When New and Phee come up with their plan and it works and things unfold in the end it seemed that Phee is willing to betray P’New but forgive Tee nah that was not cool at all.

New, the brother that looked for justice got his was my favorite I loved him until the end of the show wow wow he is your ride or die kind of person all he did was try to find answers on what happened. Now he was left all alone no brother, mother or father it was so sad and I cried the most for him like it was just so so sad ?. Loved him till the end.

All of Non’s friends were not friends they were terrible until the end all looking out for themselves and they died in the end. Jin, Tee, Top, Fluke and Por just terrible friends.

In the end it was all a hallucination and they didn’t make it out of there so it makes you wonder what happened? But White didn’t deserve to die at all he was an innocent baby.

Overall it was a good series and I recommend it! It gives you a taste of something different if you like mystery stores plus BL!

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Ongoing 10/10
Eye Love You
2 people found this review helpful
by jen
2 days ago
10 of 10 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Lead chemistry saved this show

The good:
The song "Ikuokukonen" by Omoinotake is an absolute banger. I've been following this band since they made the ost for the "Twittering Birds Never Fly" movie, and I'm glad they got their break with "Ikuokukonen".

Acting:
Chae Jong Hyeop's acting is seriously great! He exudes that golden retriever energy without being cringy, and his subtle acting with his eyes when the tone gets serious makes me emotional. I've been following the producers for the show and Jong Hyeop contributed to some of my favorite scenes!

The Cast:
I've been following the show's Instagram/Twitter/TikTok accounts, and the chemistry between Chae Jong Hyeop and fumi nikaido and with the staff heals me lol.

The Bad:
The story needs a lot of work. I read on the producer's Twitter account that he worked on this story since 2021 and it still needs work. The added drama with Min Ha Na and the book was unnecessary and contrived. They added some lore that had something to do with Ainu people that looks like went nowhere. IDK, the plot is a bit of a mess after episode 5/6.

I see people criticizing the people criticizing the FL's acting, but even Japanese people have been saying it's bad on filmarks.com (which is like the Japanese version of IMDB). I kinda agree, but I feel like it's the fault of the director and how they characterized her character.

Anyways I love Chae Jong Hyeop and he really carried this show for me. Overall I like the show, and its a comfort show for me. Something easy to watch and makes me feel all warm inside lol. I watched episodes 1-3 three times already and Tae-Oh still gives me butterflies in my stomach lol. He smile is to die for.

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Completed
Woman in the Dunes
0 people found this review helpful
by Macy
2 days ago
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 4.0

Kind-of boring

Every once in a while I come across a "classic" that I just can't bring myself to like. "In the Realm of the Senses" comes to mind since it's also a classic Japanese film. However, while that one made me very uncomfortable, "Woman in the Dunes" just kinda bored me. I can appreciate the story, the acting, the message, etc. But, at the end of the day, it put me to sleep literally.

"Woman in the Dunes" follows Niki Junpei (played by Okada Eiji), a substitute teacher and bug enthusiast, who comes to a remote village surrounded by sand. The villagers trap Junpei with a recently widowed woman (Kishida Kyoko). Every night, the woman shovels sand and the villagers take it away. Junpei tries in vain to escape the sand pit throughout the movie. An obvious allegory to Sisyphus.

Like I said, I can appreciate this plot. I felt that it did its job as it made me feel anxious and claustrophobic. But still, I fell asleep and I practically couldn't wait for it to end. To conclude, I didn't like it but I see it's artistic merit.

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Completed
Islands
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.5
This review may contain spoilers

TOO REAL and INSPIRATIONAL

The family dynamics between Ma Sichun's character and mother character are depressingly too real. From the harsh conditions of worth and constant meddling to the eventual realization that the mother was projecting much of her unhappiness with her marriage on her daughter can be a lot! However I love that at the core of the drama series it is centered on female strength and dynamic relationships. But yes, I definitely was shipping the coupling of the youngest aunt and the youngest female PhD student - Sun Qian's character human moment when drinking with the not so ideal guy was beautifully written and performed!

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Completed
Ready, Set, Love
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
6 of 6 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
Better than expected.

Some things a bit overboard, some things a bit too convenient, some things/characters too predictable, and it's definitely not some profound dystopian drama. But it definitely scratched the surface and had quite some nice starting points worth thinking about IF something like that would ever happen. How would women rule the world, what about birth rate and birth control, how to secure mankind's survival, etc.

It's probably just me taking attention to that, but even though it was maybe just randomly put into the story, it's actually quite logical that waaaaay more female relationships would exist in that environment and feel soooo normal. I hope, you know, what I mean. Another normal than what we have in our sociaty right now (where's still fighting for acceptance in many parts of the world).

Though I'm almost sure they wouldn't "sell" men like that if they are that valuable to the world.

The setting kind of resembled Squid Game, only without the death threat. I quite enjoyed the games, they really put some thoughts into those. Also, nice music and such beautiful shots here and there <3

And I was totally surprised by the good acting of the whole cast. I was esp. fond of the supposed evil SFL. I liked her performance, her facial expressions and gestures quite a lot.
I also liked the main couple, but I hated the hairspray hairstyle of the ML and his overly careful way of running his hand "through" his hair, lol.

Overall, a somewhat basic stereotype kind of character setting, but they still put together a really enjoyable story with only 8 episodes and even left room for a 2nd maybe deeper season. I would totally go for that since there's a lot more to tell about just everything. Potential's there. Hope, they use it wisely if they decide to it.

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Completed
Age of Legends
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
47 of 47 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 3.0

Could have been great.

"Age of Legends" had the potential to be great. The core plot is interesting, but the execution felt uneven. Crucial moments were sometimes undermined by flat dialogue or awkward silences. Additionally, the storytelling order could have been improved, leaving me with the feeling of missing key information at times.

This might be a good option for viewers who enjoy piecing together a story and appreciate strong action sequences, but those seeking a tighter narrative might be frustrated.
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Ongoing 5/6
Blank
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
5 of 6 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10

TAKE ALL MY MONEY

This is such a gem!!!! This is hands down the best GL that I’ve watched. The acting is top tier and the natural chemistry between Faye and Yoko is untouched. The acting feels very comfortable and nonscripted. I am really enjoying these little details with the directing as well!
The delivery of the script is so good. I fear that I won’t be able to move on from this drama. Anueng
must be protected at all cost!!!!!
And the side couple as well is chefs kiss. Also not to mention the plot is giving very soap opera and I’m eating it up lol. You should definitely watch!

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Completed
All of Us Are Dead
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 2.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

:

It was a very good serie. It never stopped being interesting and at the end of each chapter I was left wanting more. It made me sad every time one of the main characters died and also to see how they reacted to seeing that their family members had been infected. It brought several tears to my eyes. .................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
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Ongoing 10/12
Wedding Impossible
1 people found this review helpful
by Nim
2 days ago
10 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 7.5

An objectively a good k-drama

I have been reading all the comment reviews about this drama based on recent episodes and I kind of disagree with the ones hating on the storyline and the drama itself. Personally, I believe this might be one of the top kdramas this year so far.
Let's start with the story's pace: compared to other people, the pace of the storyline and episodes is good! If they had made it a 14 or 16-episode drama, it would've lost its ratings easily. They gave a maximum of 1/2 episode of their romance, which is fine with me.
Next, "Dohan is being selfish" Yes he was being selfish but I began liking him at ep10 when he has that moment of self-realization and he steps in to defend them both, but their grandpa stops him (the press conference).
For me, the characters are well-made but yes maybe because they're rushing it so it makes us, viewers, feel uncomfortable with how the story is turning out

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