Reviews

seobangnim (서방님)

By far the best series of the historical genre in the last 10 years! Although the screenplay is an adaptation of the enduring work "Gone with the Wind", at least for the first 5 episodes, the author has so delicately mixed different emotions such as fear, excitement, love, sadness, and hope that the story drowns you. There are no extra scenes or dialogues, unlike other series in which you advance the scenes, here every scene will nail you! I emphasize that all the actors have played their roles in the best way, even the minor roles like soldiers! This series is not to be missed!

Read More

Too many plotholes

I don't normally write reviews but I feel I have to as a lot of people dropped it cos of the female lead or the ending. Tbh I read what happens in the end and I might watch it or night not but that they may or may not get together doesn't bother me. Why? Cos they don't (for me) have marriage chemistry just great mate chemistry and mutual understanding. I liked them together but if I hear the word master one more time ....OMG. I like these type of dramas so I can suspend a lot of disbelief. However from the start I was confused..why would the man who told the prophesy allow any woman within 50 miles of SL before his 18th birthday, special celebration or not? Then the dress thingy...she (magically) put on the dress and danced at the bottom of a ravine ?? AF's characters problems with not seeing the face.od his beloved till she reincarnates but wait what she knows she can't reincarnate after all? Or was this a false translation as I watched English subs? The cute shy couple was great and the other.eventual.king and queen's get together was nice but their beginning was crap..why would he like her that much in the first place. So many other bits and pieces but then towards the end how could the FL bring him back from the death with her supposed not so brilliant power? And why would the ML have killed himself like that he didn't seem that type. He'd ignored the prophesy so long why did he do it then? On a good note I liked the characters enough that I kept going for a long time but in the end I just couldn't.

Read More

Missing a lot of beats along the way

A modern woman fell into a river and wakes up in the Joseon period inhabiting another woman's body, Hae Soo. She gets involved with five princes whom she becomes friends to lovers, whilst enduring all sorts of palace political stuff. This is her story of being a very naive woman with modern sensibilities struggling to survive in palace life.

The show is really beautiful and the music is really good, it's very emotional and elevates this show as a whole. The first 11 episodes are the best in my opinion. I like how believable all the character's motivations are, even the villains you understand why they're doing what they're doing. Afterward, there are a couple of time jumps and characters change, relationship dynamics change quite a bit, and it feels very detached from the first 11 episodes. Everything just kind of gets murky and lost its' focus. I don't think the time jump is suitable in this show because the first 10 episodes built my interest to see these characters' journeys in progress. I lost a lot of interest in the show and just stuck it out because of all of the goodwill for the characters. I needed to watch the to the end but the ending just wasn't satisfying. I was just unsatisfied with the conclusion of the relationship. I like their dynamic in the beginning much more and then it sort of changes like it just kind of happened. I didn't see her go from one love to the other, I didn't appreciate it. I feel like they're wasting such a great foundation they have built in the first 11 episodes.

(Spoilers ahead, rants ahead... XD)

I feel that the show as a whole is kind of missing the point as I don't feel like there was a reason for our female lead to go through all this hardship. She goes through so many sufferings and it just at the end there is no point in it all, especially if she wasn't gonna end up with her true love interest. Yes, she learned about ambition and the consequences of power but that is more relevant for the 4th prince. So it's just like I can't pinpoint exactly how the female leads character arc was. The show changed a lot and I am sad that it didn't leave a good impression on me at the end.

To not end up on a negative note, some of my favorite moments from the show. These are actually the little moments... so the first one is when Hae Soo makes the decision not to tell the 8th Prince when the king has died and she actually tells the 4th Prince I really enjoyed that part because she has some agency for herself in making that decision. I thought about the moment between her and the 4th Prince when she looks at him and she's like yes I'm gonna tell him the truth and like he recognizes the significance of her telling him the truth, I loved that entire scene!

OK, another moment is when she cuts herself to give herself a scar so she can't be married off to the 1st King. Oh! like the sound of the vase breaking and then she got a cut. That whole moment I thought it was really well done, it was so juicy. There's a lot of agency there that I really appreciated because she found a solution to her problem even though it wasn't the greatest solution but solved the problem.

Read More

Outstandingly Bad: Unraveling the Disappointment of 'Dangerous Love

Title: "Dangerous Love" - A Perilous Journey Through Twisted Emotions

"Dangerous Love" is a drama that attempts to navigate treacherous terrain of emotions and intrigue, but unfortunately stumbles and falls flat in its execution. Despite the captivating title, the story falls prey to its own ambitions, resulting in a tangled mess that fails to captivate or engage its audience.

The narrative kicks off with the marriage of the female lead (FL) and the male lead (ML), holding the promise of unraveling complex relationships. Regrettably, the introduction of the second male lead (2nd ML) brings nothing but confusion and an air of superficiality to the storyline.

The revelation that the FL's maid serves as a spy for the 2nd ML, designed to lure her back, serves as an embodiment of the story's shortcomings. Instead of creating a web of suspense and manipulation, this narrative choice simply reinforces the story's lack of authenticity and depth. The characters' interactions, motivations, and actions appear more manufactured than genuinely human.

Throughout the drama, the characters' behaviors remain erratic and illogical, leading to a disconnect between the audience and the narrative. The FL's abrupt decision to divorce the ML upon learning the truth about the 2nd ML feels forced, missing the opportunity to explore the emotional turmoil such a revelation could evoke.

Even the interactions involving the maid and the ML's knowledge of her role as a spy contribute to the narrative's growing sense of incredibility. Rather than crafting an atmosphere of suspense, the drama showcases an implausible dynamic that defies both logic and empathy.

In conclusion, "Dangerous Love" falls short of its potential and falls into the trap of overambition. The attempt to infuse espionage and manipulation only highlights the narrative's lack of coherence and character development. Instead of a riveting exploration of love's complexities, the drama devolves into a confusing mess that fails to evoke genuine emotion or engagement.

For those seeking a thought-provoking and authentic portrayal of love and human relationships, "Dangerous Love" proves to be an unfortunate misstep. With numerous other options available that offer more satisfying storytelling, I recommend exploring alternatives that provide a more meaningful and rewarding viewing experience.

Read More

being tall and skinny is a must

The message of this drama is quite deep, with a dark touch and a lot of intense moments, and acting is GENIUS, even supporting cast is remarkable... BUT - and its a huge BUT - i couldnt always relate to it since all the cast is YOUNG TALL SKINNY PRETTY faces, and i couldnt - just couldnt - relate : ( You might wanna add that they are also RICH/ SUCCESSFUL...
So, you only matter if you fall into that category? Even side characters have to be recruited at modelling agencies? Please move on from the ASIAN BARBIE world!
I admire the realism of the drama, conveyed at a superb low pace, but... AGAIN, ONLY GOOD-LOOKING PEOPLE MATTER?
Besides, this drama doesnt address LONELINESS... a challenge that most mentally-ill patients face. Everybody has got a loving partner supporting him/her through the treatment. For real??
I would've given this a 10 if they just hadnt been this narrow-minded while pretending to look at the inner side of people.

Read More

ONE OF THE MOST STRESSFUL DRAMA FOR ME

It is stressful because of the fact that Yan Yan is in love with Fu Jiuyun in Ah Man's body, It would be better if, once Yan Yan finish her mission she will go back to her real appearance and Zichen and Yan Yan will fall inlove with each other again and Ah Man will be revived and Fu Jiuyun and her can start anew. In my opinion, Zheng Ye Cheng doens't fit Fu Jiuyun's character because he's chubby and historical dramas doesn't really fit his visual. Also, Zichen's role should be the main role instead of Fu Jiuyun. Zhao Lusi looks so chubby in this drama but she's now skinnier now (2023) This is the reason why I'm dropping this drama...

Read More

Candy floss served in an expensive dish

My little happiness is like a straight road, without any bumps, potholes, twists & turns, and that's what makes it bland. When will the makers and the audience wake up to the fact that Romancing is not about all sweetness and fluff. There has to be an equally compelling story line too. Honestly, too much of sweetness and cute moments also make a romantic story dull and boring, and this drama exemplifies it.
Childhood friends separate due to circumstances and fate brings them together after many years. Our ML Dr. Wen Shao Qing is a neurosurgeon in a top hospital, and our FL Cong Rong is a law intern who happens to land in the same hospital to complete her internship project. ML doesn't pay much attention to FL until he realizes that she is the same childhood friend that he has been waiting for so many years, and this realization takes place with the FL introducing herself. All these years, he just goes under a huge tree and waits on her. It doesn't occur to him to take advantage of the advanced technological help that is at his disposal. He suddenly falls in love with her and starts showing extra care towards her. All this time, I was wondering, how come the ML's name didn't jog any memory of him being her childhood friend. or may be she is used to address ML as FATTY(ML was fat as a lil boy). OR MAYBE SHE DIDN'T CARE TO LEARN HIS REAL NAME. Anyway, this marks the beginning of the cheesy and over the top sweet flirty scenes between ML and FL. The so called famous and dedicated neurosurgeon becomes OH SO DEDICATED LOVER. He waits for her at the bus stop to pick her up. Coddles her like a little fragile baby. Coaxes her to have breakfast with her each morning. MIND YOU, all this happens while FL is unaware of the fact that ML is her childhood sweetheart. Well , she soon learns that the same handsome doctor(ML) is her childhood friend, and soon after this revelation, they start a relationship full of KISSING, HUGGING, HE LEANING OVER HER, GETTING EXTRA COZY at the drop of the hat scenes. UGGGGHHHHH!!! It was so much that I felt one of my tooth decayed due to the cavity caused by over the top sweetness. Not to mention, staring in the eye scenes(they were too many). There's a limit to everything, but WAIT, the worst of all is that she signs up to volunteer to help at an earthquake affected area, so that she can be with the LOVE OF HER LIFE (ML). At this point, I just lost it. I mean, C'mon man, she didn't care about her cousin who also went with the medical team to the earthquake affected area. She was just concerned for being with ML, making the whole RELIEF HELP MISSION look like a joke.

Well, enough with the ranting, the only thing that got me glued to the show, was the chemistry and romance of the Second lead. I am usually not the one who ships for the 2nd leads, no matter how good they are. But here, I literally watched the show for them only. Their relationship doesn't start with romance. It rather starts with tiffs and arguments, but gradually it builds up and leads to love and romance. They are the spicy couple of the show, unlike the main leads who are just burying faces in each other's necks. Some people have commented on their height difference. I don't care much for the height difference. It's just that there are various other elements that the makers didn't focus much on.

Read More

Life meaning

I must say "You're actually plan B" really nailed it!!
The story really makes me rethink the meaning of life and work. It has inspired careers far beyond doctor. If you feel lost in life/career, take a break just watch this series.

I really like their motive of work, not because of money, reputation etc., but pure heart of rescue (romantic XD). This means that one must be passionate about the profession, and this is rare in reality. I was inspired to become like them although my career wasn't doctor, that why I said it inspiration is beyond being a doctor. I really encourage those who lost their way to finding a meaning in job or life to watch the series. You don't have time you can just watch season 3 alone, which in my opinion was the best and they don't really connect much to previous (It would be best if you could watch all 3 seasons to get more involved in the story).

Read More

I am a huge fan of Yiran

I started watching this drama for Yiran but fell in love with FL ,Sabrina is so pretty and her character is so strong as well. Yiran did a great job as always,his character is totally different from Rang Rang and he really carried his role so well,he proved that he is a great actor and can portray any role. Although I watched only 8 episodes yet and I know it's too early to say this but I wanna say that this drama is gonna be one of the best Cdrama of 2023. We are gonna get school and college romance along with lot's of emotions and it's gonna be a rollercoaster journey.. ahh can't wait,looking forward !!🍻

Read More

If you feel like the insane hype for this show has been lying to you, I know how you feel.

If you love basically everything GMMTV puts out, odds are you'll love this too. For me though, this show has everything I dislike about Thai BLs all in one place: mediocre directing and writing forcing mediocre performances out of otherwise perfectly good actors resulting in a story that, while it at least makes sense so far, I couldn't possibly care any less about. Everyone's kinda shitty, a couple guys are alright, a couple have room to grow, but it's all so bland and flat I could scream. Including the music, the try-hard lighting, etc etc. None of it has enough authenticity to feel even the slightest bit convincing.

Even the sex scenes so far--the thing everyone is really here for--are just...bad. The making out is mostly fine, but the actual intercourse is *hilariously* awful. Hire better intimacy coaches, I'm begging you. And do they want us to watch these guys jerkoff or not? Because those scenes are so poorly and rapidly edited that it feels like they're trying to edit around their own eroticism.

I'm a firm believer in the right for "I didn't say it was good, I said I liked it" content to exist, and I could hardly begrudge anyone for liking anything because that's silly. But wow is this show not for me, and the way people go on and on about how great it is and how good the acting is makes me feel like we are literally watching two different shows. I'm only sticking around to skip through episodes in case the sex scenes get better.

Read More

No cutie acts and the pace is smooth!

I am currently watching this drama after watching Lost You Forever Season 1.

The story is about a concubine's daughter, Mu Zhuohua, who is determined to take the imperial exam to earn a career as a female official in order to be independent of men. She escapes from her engagement to a local official because she refuses to be a concubine.

MZH arrives in the capital and becomes a physician to ageing prostitutes who are refused treatment by physicians due to their profession.

She encounters Lord Ding or Liu Yan, the brother of the current Emperor, who is trying to find the culprit behind the ambush which killed 35,000 elite troops. He is also the Chief Examiner who persuaded the emperor to reopen the imperial exam to allow females to take part in the court matters.

Both ML and FL are good because in the past, I have always dropped their dramas. This time, I am shouting for more episodes after completing one. Factors such as good chemistry between the two leads, no cutie acts, good plots and good direction/ production make this drama entertaining.

Age gap between the characters is evident but that's the best part of the drama. The ML kind of acknowledges that the FL is cunning and playful so he lets her 'fool' him around while keeping her in check.

Watch it.

Read More

Good character development, but I was expecting more in general

Note: I went to see the movie in a Japanese cinema, the version most likely slightly differs from the net/DVD version.

Definitely can't say I liked this more that the TV series. The movie doesn't have much of what I was eager to know after the two seasons - no character backstories and surprisingly little communication about Hira and Kiyoi's relationship status. I was expecting some more development of this topic after S2. First thought it might be because of the focus on the character's feelings, but that wasn't the case either, unfortunately. There are so many things happening at once plot-wise that the production probably found it hard to emotionally stress everything properly. A little disappointing overall, but definitely not boring to watch.
I liked that there's more focus on Kiyoi's personality and feelings, but was a bit upset we didn't get to hear his thoughts like in S2. Also REALLY happy that he's not toxic anymore and focuses on proper communication (which obviosuly wasn't the case before).
Hira's character development: good. The strong supporting characters: amazing. I really enjoyed the photographer man and Anna's influence on the plot. The story was well-paced, but could be a bit more thrilling. But this franchise generally lacks powerful culminations, so it's not too noticeable.
Overall, very enjoyable! The cinematography in the movie was much more high-quality than in the series, now it's not only Kiyoi, but every third shot that you can feast your eyes on. Very easy and pleasant to watch, nice weekend movie. And obviously, if you enjoyed the series, this is a must-watch to calm your heart and observe that character development we've been waiting for for a whole two seasons.

Read More

I'll definitely see you again in this life.

It's been almost a month since this ended so I can finally rate this without bias.

The series started out very great--- with a strong plot, very compelling characters (especially the child actors! 👏👏👏), nice cinematography, and a realistic portrayal of the 90s. The wealthy truly looked affluent, and the middle class appeared like one.

Despite it being just 12 eps, however, it still felt draggy and long. The pacing in the first half was really good but the middle towards the end were filled with scenes with almost zero dialogue, just the character feeling the moment. The scoring didn't help too (although their OSTs still haunt me till this day).
It felt like the director focused on the start and end of the series but didn't pay much attention from the middle part leading to the finale.

Yes, I found the chemistry of the leads very good (in contrast to some who found it unappealing), but perhaps the screenwriter/webtoon writer wanted to prepare an onion-like of drama, with several layers to be peeled, only to have underwhelming parts as they kept peeling.

The drama had its greatest moments, but also meh moments. Nonetheless, I loved it. I appreciated all the efforts made to create it. And for that I'm grateful. 💗
I'll always remember this as that drama whose younger version made me cry a lot (like Missing You in 2012!), and whose older versions taught me how to become a better adult.

To anyone hesitating on watching this, this is your sign to go start that first ep. I hope you also have tissues within reach, just in case. 😉

P.S. Grief and loss tags are proper. It's a huge part of the story, so better prepare

Read More

lighthearted romance with butterflies

I am writing this review as a second time watcher and there are alot of good things bad also negative tropes.
The GOOD:
The really nice thing about this drama is that the scene sequences and the cuts are well done. At first it might seem like a slow burn but the push and pull between Mewadee and Songpao is very adorable and lovely, sometimes i sit in my seat and fangirl for a minute. The note worthy aspect of this drama is that Songpao makes it very clear to wan (SFL) that he is not interested which makes it clear that Pao is not like an oblivious or ignorant man who is leading on two women. The friendship between Pao, Wan and Jaet is also worth the watch, they are all close friends who want comfort from each other but clearly as adults they all draw their own lines, indicating what is okay and what is not. Jaet and Wans story development is also interesting. It is nice to see how they break through their past selves and grow. the way the story flows is relatively well done in contrast to what you usually see in thai dramas. The romance trope is also well done. The overall themes of mental health, environment awareness, sincerity and kindness are explored in a relatable way.
THE BAD:
However I noticed something which i could not let go of. In the first 8 episodes despite the push and pull and tension, Pao continues to act as a FATHER to Mewadee. He lets everyone advise him as if he was raising a daughter, to the point where people do mistake mewadee as his daughter.Point to be noted is shes 19 and him at the most 10 years older. It would have made more sense that Pao brings Mewadee to Bangkok with a promise of marriage and how they move forward, but the child to love interest was difficult. Thankfully Mewadee never sees him as such, and I assume the only reason Pao acts liKe that is because he is much older, but still a little weird.
They discredit Mewadee alot in this drama. She is a badass and temperamental girl who literally kicks gangster butt and can hunt animals, but they treat her as if she is the silliest and the most inexperienced woman. They classically downplayed the female leads ability to hold her own in a city setting just because its a new place.

Read More