Reviews

Darker, deeper more bloodey ok 2nd part.

The second part of this drama took the otherwise "light" plot and turned it darker, much darker and wondered in to the depths of the psychopaths mind in a beautiful display of blood and art. Giving it a completely different feel to it and making it smart, kind of disgusting and pretty interesting... Consequences of actions unfold as the screen is covered with blood, lots and lots of blood.

But then came the cringe of the last episode a long with some cliches so I found myself lowering the score a bit.

It is still a relatively good watch that does not take the issue of suicide lightly while exploring it from a whole bunch of angles... one of the better attempts but it just misses its mark...

There is a clear difference between the 2 parts, not enough to motivate splitting it in two but the two parts are indeed very different. the guest actors keep on impressing and there is still just a little bit to much yelling and crying out loud for my personal taste...

What can i say, get ready to explore some gore... And watch out for that last episode.

Read More

Boring

It started out good the first 1-2 episodes and then devolved into the same boring patterns of thoughts and dialogues about romantic relationships. Nothing really exciting happened between episode 3 and 9, just going around in circles, same boring conversations, same boring thoughts from the main characters.

It also turned gradually out that everyone in the story knew each other at some level and the coincidences were too many for the story not to be annoying.

I recommend you only watch the first two episodes and episode 10 because everything in between is filler.

Read More

Lighthearted and fun, contrary to popular belief

I must say after watching the series I was surprised by how low the reviews were on the series.

First of all I mainly was interested in watching the series because of Tutoryim and honestly their performance was great, especially Yim really shocked me with how good he was on the role. It is mainly a comedic series and while people don't like it because of that I found it really fun and lighthearted.

Story wise, it's very basic, nothing that we haven't seen before but as someone that watched it without the knowledge of Bed Friend the series it might have been even better that way, as no expectations were set before hand. So if there's someone that hasn't watched Bed Friend, giving this series first a try might be a good idea!

Of course the series isn't perfect, I resonated a lot with Jade's story which might be why I also grew attached to the show and are biased to some extent, but the way in which some scenes are portrayed in order to make the audience understand the character more can honestly be not as effective as they might've thought. In this case seeing the feedback on the comment section of the episodes was a great help in understanding Jade better. Also the comedy in the series might seem unnecessary at first but I felt like it gave it more of a cheeky and fun vibe to it and unless you're someone that really doesn't like comedy, I don't see it as being that much of a big deal.

It's an overall entertaining show, and while it might not be everyone's cup of tea, I highly recommend anyone that's second guessing to give it a try!

Read More

A drama that can be easily enjoyed

A drama that can be easily enjoyed . The plot isn't complicated, with some humorous moments. The male lead is very handsome, and the female lead is beautiful. The male protagonist, Gu Chijun, may seem cold and self-centered at first, with many iconic scenes, but as the story unfolds, you'll discover that he is actually quite clear-headed, kind, and principled.
The actor who plays the male protagonist Gu Chijun, Zhang Zhehan, came to my attention through 'Word of Honor' in 2021. Afterward, I watched some of his other dramas and found that he is a very talented actor who seems to immerse himself completely in his roles. Looking back at this drama from several years ago is quite interesting. As an idol drama, the plot is engaging, and I look forward to the developments. The supporting cast also gets ample time to showcase their acting skills in this drama. I'll continue to follow it.

Read More

Nothing like the trailer but not in a bad way~

I absolutely love this and not just cuz First looks like if Hendery and Xiao Jun(WayV) had a child. In a way, I'm totally ok that they didn't stick to the trailer. Like Sure it kinda just makes it another collage BL BUT It's super cute and so funny and I'm having the time of my life. I am absolutely feral for the reveal and I want it now but I under stand the wait for plot reasons and it just makes me anticipate it more. On one hand Sprite could very easily and SHOULD tell First like right now and I'm sure it would be fine but on the other hand I want a big and dramatic reveal xD

Very Fun Very Cute Worth watching 100%

finished update: It was perfect and i loved it~ still 100%

Read More

Too over-the-top for my liking

While this sounds like a run-of-the-mill office romance, Middleman’s Love is, in fact, the most over-the-top show I’ve seen recently. Typical of Mandee BLs, expect off-kilter humour, absolutely ridiculous visuals and wonky sound effects all around.

I love Tutor and Yim’s cute dynamic (and great visuals!) but Mandee’s over-the-top scripting makes the story a little cringey. Some people see it as a way to evoke laughter, but this is just not really my thing.

The side couples, King and Uea (from Bed Friend) and Tong and Gus (new pairing) bring some variety but also predictability to the cadence of the show since Jade can get a little over-the-top as a character.

The censored YouTube cut, which is shorter, gives you the minimum info you would require to understand the story, but the quality of the story and the depth of the relationship development suffers quite a bit from the edit. Spicy scenes are left out (understandably so, since it’s a censored version) and some extended emotional scenes are truncated, which makes the show seem even more shallow than it actually is.

Speaking of which, the spicy scene between Mai and Jade was WACK. I wanted to bury my face in the ground from the secondhand embarrassment. Just, um, sorry, no.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/01/07/middlemans-love-2023-bl-review/

Read More

Enjoyable

It's not going to change the world or anything, but this show had a lot going for it. I laughed, I cried, I binged.

STORY: Yeong Min has taken over being a taxi driver following the hit and run murder of his mom. He lives with his grandmother (loved her!) and the bank is going to take away their house If he doesn't come up with a large amount of money that's owed, and quickly. Suddenly he's got an amnesiac ghost in his car, which certainly doesn't help him bring in any money. She wants help figuring out who she is, he's totally focused on getting money for his debt, and at the beginning they are like oil and water. There are quite a few comedic scenes revolving around this. This is a story about how they go about getting what both of them want/need. There seemed to be a new storyline in every episode or so that gave us new ghosts, as well as clues as to what happened to mom and the identity of the ghost passenger. Red herrings are thrown out left and right, making us wonder who the evil people are, and everyone got their turn. Are the police on the take? What's happening at the hospital? Do the ghosts play any part in getting to the bottom of everything? There was a little romance, and I have to say I appreciated the time that the leads spent together and the conversations they had. It was a progressive building of a relationship that made sense, plus the addition of "How in the heck will this relationship ever work?!"

ACTING: It was good. I quite enjoyed Yoon Chan Young as Yeong Min. Maybe because he's not a famous actor, I could focus on the character. I thought he did a good job. The FL was irritating at times, but mostly just in the first episode or so. I know that writing had a lot to do with it, but I appreciated how, other than the two leads, you never really knew if someone was a bad guy or not. Bonus: Jeon So Min (Something About 1%) had a cameo as a ghost...cute.

I don't really remember the music. I probably won't rewatch for two reasons: 1) Now I know what happens; and 2) My To Watch list is seriously long.

It was an enjoyable way to completely waste a Saturday.

Read More

The true punishment in Death’s “game”

I’ve seen a lot of comments about this show’s narrow minded approach towards suicide and I felt the need to write a review.

Based on my interpretation, Death’s game isn’t aiming to explore suicide as a whole but it rather hones in on one suicide in particular; Choi Yi Jae’s. Not due to the fact that he committed it in the first place but his frame of mind, reason and attitude not just towards death herself, but also life.

Choi Yi Jae is ultimately a proud and selfish character, not just in life, but also death. His narrow minded views on life and what it meant ultimately led him to the decision to commit suicide. While there are various reasons why one might kill him/herself, his’ is ultimately selfish and reckless. He didn’t truly aim to die, death was just ultimately the easiest way out of his present circumstances which he aimed to escape and for this reason, death punishes him.

I believe that with all the numerous and creative ways which he died, The true punishment was not death itself but the slow and painful realization of what death was trying to teach him. One of the first things we are shown is Choi Yi Jae’s desire to live and that under different, “better” circumstances he was willing to fight hard for his survival. Death aims to open his narrow mind and give him a sort of bird’s eye view on life and death through the lives of these 12 very different people. He is able to see how his choice affected the people he left behind, and how he did in fact have reasons to live, reasons he took for granted, but only when the his loved one dies does he realize the true punishment was not these deaths itself but the regret and pain he feels as he slowly looses himself in between all these lives and realizes that he did in fact have an opportunity because what at that time felt like everything to him was only in fact a small part of his life and there was a greater more precious and meaningful part of it that he had completely missed out on in that one single act of recklessness because you only ever truly have one life and one chance. There ARE no do overs.

That being said, I believe that the ending would have been better if he wasn’t given the chance to go back after reaching the full realization at the end of the 12 lives so as to emphasize the fact that you only have ONE chance.

Read More

A Captivating Blend of Comedy and Romance, Elevated by Zhang Zhehan's Charismatic Performance

“时光之城 Castle in the Time ”is a delightful television series that captivates its audience with a perfect blend of humor and charm. Within the narrative, actor Zhang Zhehan stands out with his exceptional performance, earning sincere appreciation for his portrayal of the character Gu ChiJun. His on-screen presence is a harmonious mix of handsome and endearing, showcasing a remarkable agility in his acting.

Zhang Zhehan's portrayal of Gu ChiJun is not only charismatic but also exudes a lovable and playful energy. His ability to bring depth to his character while maintaining a light-hearted touch adds a layer of authenticity to the series. The chemistry between Zhang Zhehan and his co-star Park Min-young is palpable, creating a captivating on-screen duo that resonates with viewers. The seamless connection between the two actors enhances the overall viewing experience, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating each interaction.

The plot of "Castle in the Time" unfolds with a perfect balance of humor and heart, making it a refreshing and enjoyable watch. The comedic elements are expertly interwoven with moments of sincerity, creating a narrative that resonates on both emotional and entertaining levels. The lighthearted atmosphere of the series serves as a delightful escape, providing a much-needed break from reality.

What truly sets "Castle in the Time" apart is its ability to engage the audience through the magnetic performances of its cast, particularly Zhang Zhehan. His ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from laughter to heartfelt moments, showcases his versatility as an actor. The dynamic between Zhang Zhehan and Park Min-young not only adds a romantic layer to the story but also contributes significantly to the overall enjoyment of the series.

In conclusion, "Castle in the Time" is a gem in the realm of television dramas, and Zhang Zhehan's commendable performance elevates it to another level. The show's humor, coupled with the chemistry between the lead actors, creates a memorable viewing experience. Fans of light-hearted, romantic comedies will undoubtedly find themselves enamored with the enchanting world of "Castle in the Time”.

Read More

Shock!! Shock!! Shock!!deserve 8/10 at least. Marginal spoiler!!!

I was going to write just a simple review, but after reading so many negative comments, i had to write one... Only reason ratings are low is because jung so min isn't the girl and that girl might have cheated on guy with another guy.. But that's not the case.. 2ML was despicable just like his family (family of Psychopaths) . He wasn't sincere towards the girl from the beginning. She was more like a project... Only reason he proposed because he might die. Other guy was innocent and sincere towards everyone.... Girl took pity on him, since everyone is deceiving him for the surgery. Unknowingly, that pity turned out to be pure. Don't trust these comments. Give it a go. It's a lot better than present eye-candy kdramas with little to no story yet getting 8+ ratings.. You can give it a go. Only thing i didn't like is the ml stupidity. He trust people easily..

Read More

Review and Analysis of The Last Immortal and Its Impact in the Xianxia Genre

I've been thinking about how to approach the review of this drama. I don't want to describe the plot here, so I'll focus only on certain facts.

Th Last Immortal is a drama that was the first xianxia drama I really enjoyed. It can be said that it opened the door to this genre for me. Why is that? Because Last Immortal was very refreshing for me; the drama flowed nicely, and I enjoyed every second of it. There's no need to talk about the acting performances – Zhao Lusi is already a good actress, and Wang An Yu, along with the others, complemented her very well.

Regarding the storyline, as I have already written, everything was understandable to me, though towards the end, I would have liked more twists.

I really appreciated and enjoyed the costumes and hairstyles, which reflected the different phases of the characters well, from the playful and childish A Yin to the brattish, spoiled Gu Jin. As the characters developed, the hairstyles and costumes were, of course, appropriately adjusted.

Below, I focused on four parts and selected three main key points from each. This doesn't mean that I couldn't find more points in some areas, but I wanted to highlight only the key ones.

The main strength of both dramas is exceptional acting performance. In particular, Zhao Lusi and Wang An Yu are outstanding in their roles and significantly contribute to the success of these series. The stories of both dramas are captivating and unfold in richly created worlds, with deep and interesting characters. The visual aspect, including costumes and hairstyles, adds to the authenticity and immerses viewers in the story. Additionally, The Last Immortal builds on the previous work "Ancient Love Poetry," which expands the fan base and opens new horizons in the xianxia genre.

Despite their strengths, these dramas also have some weaknesses. TLI is strongly linked to ALP, which might be an obstacle for some ALP fans, as it might not have met their expectations for the drama's development. In some parts of TLI, there may be a lack of complexity and depth in the story, which some viewers might consider a shortcoming. Differences between the book and the TV adaptation can also deter some fans.

The drama offers a number of opportunities for further development. There is great potential to attract new viewers, especially those who are not yet familiar with the xianxia genre. The interest in the characters and the story offers an opportunity for modern adaptations, which could appeal to a wider audience and bring new dimensions to the genre.

TLI faces competition within the xianxia genre, which is full of similar themes. High expectations from fans and comparisons with classic works of the genre can be a challenge. The ending of "The Last Immortal" evoked mixed reactions among viewers, which can affect the overall impression and recommendations. For some viewers, the end of the drama might be a challenge or an opportunity for another sequel.

Read More