Reviews

Original, captivating, interesting… loved it!

This is the first taiwanese serie I watched… and I am satisfied and glad I did…

Story itself is different… FL Xian is an editor of romance novels that ends up trapped in her own novel, with an overbearing CEO, Situ Aoran/He Tianxiang

I expected the plot to be the develop romance between these 2, but no…. It was a bit of a parody on all the plots and cliches that the production uses to insert romance that the female audience expects…. With a lot of humor and funny moments.
Its all about the estereotypes… like when the main female lead that is always falling so the male lead can catch her in his arms, or when the main femaile lead needs help, the male lead is always 2 seconds away to help, no matter when or where… those moments that are totally unbelievable but we got so used to… we expect them in all romantic genres novels.

Actors did a great job… in all their own stereotypes… they were cute and lovable.
I have to say that the SML was amazing,,,, until the end.. I would have loved for him to get the girl.
If there is a 2nd season about his story… I would be the first to watch… I am officially a fan now!
The chemistry between the ML, FL and the SML was great….

Music was nice also.

One min point was the costumes…. The styling was awful… clothes were super baggy or over the top.. (like the CEO went to work in a tuxedo…. Come on!)

For the rest:
Do I recommend it? YES,! Especially if yiu need a serie to lift you up after a historical drama with horrible open ending (like I had with moon lovers)
Would I watch it again? YES!

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Silly and more fun if not taken seriously. *Not a romantic story! The twist at the end was unexpected and somewhat humorous; it felt like a lot of build up for one big joke though. 29min. I was expecting a little more depth (with characters and emotions) in this longer short film since it's produced by Strongberry and they can do so much with 10 to 20 minutes. If you don't expect that, you may enjoy this more.

The comedic style didn't really work for me (didn't make me laugh) but it was consistantly applied throughout by the actors and director. There was a lot shown for the sex scene, but it’s also done in a comedic vein and I didn't find the way it was approached very enticing.

I wish the Hangul that shows up by each character at the end had been translated, maybe that would have made the ending more satisfying (even though the the general context can be guessed at based on how the friends act).

I won't rewatch.

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Has potential but fatally flawed

Plenty of funny moments and the FL is a rare example of a brash and intelligent woman. That said, I was frustrated by the way we only got an episode of her being in power and passing as a man before she's back in female clothes and sent to her rival's hard labour camp. Why did they feel the need to default back to the old powerful man-servant girl dynamic? I wanted to see more of her swaggering around in a hilarious charade of acting like a man and barking orders at everyone.

I ended up dropping this series, struggling to reconcile what we got with what was promised...

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This is serious

Everyone who tried to buy or sell something on classified ads websites can relate to this movie. Personally I was scammed once when selling something, and almost when trying to buy a console but I can see and detect scammers on a daily basis whenever I scroll the adds online. There are too many scammers out there. Unfortunately they always use new tactics and we should all be careful when shopping and leaving our personal information online. This movie is a great warning for that.

"Target" is a very interesting and suspenseful triller. There are some typical Korean movie cliches inside but they didn't bother me because the story was very compelling and moved quickly. It kept my interest all the time and I would certainly recommend it to everyone.

Btw. anyone here want to buy my Sony MHC V13 Sound System? ㅎㅎ

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glad i didn't let go

the perfect casting + the perfect plot + the perfect acting + the perfect storyline = the perfect drama. from the first second till the last, i was into it.

it was the first time i saw perth acting in a gmmtv drama (i know him since LBC, which is a wabi sabi drama) and the first time seeing chimon. they both did a great job! perth's acting on beyond words.

pond and phuwin also got better, since FUTS! it looked more natural, spontaneous. phuwin looks more confident, more comfortable in front of cameras. they both (pond and phuwin) did really good at portraying their characters' emotions and feelings. when they were sad, you were sad. when they were happy, you were happy, etc. i also loved how they made dancing their thing!

the colors were pretty, the atmosphere was heavy and calming at the same time. what about the cinematography ? insane.

the only thing that stopped me from rating this 10/10 is that part with the couple at the bar, on the island (wu/david). making them interact with the main couple at the bar, why not. but what's the point of creating a story for them ? i didn't understand how it could be useful in the storyline, knowing it didn't have any impact on the main couple. that just made me cringe, to be honest.

but anyways, "never let me go" goes immediately on my top 5 best dramas ever! it really deserves a lot more, the cast and the storyline are literally perfect.

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Beautiful Drama of Romance, Family, Comedy and Healing. Brings me so much joy!!

Subjective Mood Rating: 9.0

“To the Moon and Back” is my last drama completed in 2023 and it’s a big surprise!! I was just browsing around trying to find a romance drama to end the year on a happy note, and stumbled upon this treasure. This is one of the very few Thai modern dramas that is not about fighting for inheritance or a company that I watched. Is this drama a masterpiece? Definitely not. But it brings me so much joy that emotionally, I just need to give this a high rating.

Main Romance:
Romance is what I was searching for and this doesn’t disappoint. This drama tells the story of opposites attract and it’s done so well. FL does take me a little to get used to since she’s so outgoing and talkative. ML is the quiet, reserved and repressed type. But they complement each other so well and bring out the best of each other. ML is patient and caring, while FL teaches him how to feel and understand his and others feelings. It does take them half a drama to be officially together but the cute scenes of them together starts from the very beginning. ML understands FL’s thoughts and actions (and clumsiness) so well, and FL is so in tuned with ML’s feelings. I love how she worried about his feelings after the surgery, when he tried to stay strong for her and didn’t say much. When he finally opened up and broke down, it pains me as well. I can’t help but smile whenever I see them together.

Auntie Grace
I am awarding FL’s dad the “Father/Mother of the Year” title. She experienced so much pain due to her sexual orientation but yet she taught FL to live with kindness. Auntie Grace raised a beautiful child and you can see that especially in the last ¼ of the drama and when FL has to face ML’s parents at the birthday party. The lessons taught in this drama by Auntie Grace should be taught to everyone. She also comforted ML and 2ML and allowed them room to breathe, to be themselves and to feel. I love Auntie Grace so much!!!

Family Relationships/Healing
A big part of the drama is spent on broken families and mending relationships. ML’s father is controlling and does not appreciate ML’s efforts. ML has been brought up not having a childhood and with feelings repressed. His mother is unable to support him and stand up for him. On the other hand, Auntie Grace’s father did not accept her new identity. There’s so much anger in me whenever I see these two fathers and how unreasonable they are. But of course, no one is a true villain. They both want what’s best for their child but are unable to communicate. FL is integral in mending both relationships and her persistent, kind and happy personality helps heal these relationships in the end. On the other hand, a smaller part of the drama is about 2ML and 2FL relationships with their families as well. No one comes from a ‘normal’ family.

Loving Non-traditional Family
They are loud, they are crazy and they are fun! That is FL’s family. A group of drag queens, transgendered and gay aunties that help raise FL. It does take me a little while to get used to how rowdy they are, but I love them! I love their fashion and always look forward to their outfits/costumes. I love all of their performances. I love how they always say they are “kind and pretty” because they truly are. They step in to help strangers, even those they might have a beef with at times.

Villains
Can’t really get away from evil parents in a Thai drama. They are not truly villains, but characters that have so much pain and jealousy in their hearts that they don’t know how to express them appropriately. Therefore, they cause our main leads a lot of pain and hassle. I hated seeing ML unable to fight back when he’s in front of his dad. I hate it when 2ML tries so hard but his mother just doesn’t get it. Do I find these villains irritating and want to punch them in their faces? Definitely. But I also know that they did not have a happy childhood or life. Luckily, FL’s family balances out the toxicity.


If you like Thai dramas, I definitely recommend “To The Moon and Back”. It is a great combo of romance + family + comedy + healing. In the end, it gives me such a warm and fuzzy feeling. This is in no way a perfect drama, but it brings me so much joy.



Other Random Observations:
1. FL is said to be the “hippie” and “Bohemian” type, does that mean she doesn’t wash her hair??
2. I love ML trying to learn how to braid hair.
3. Two handsome male leads with 6-packs. LOL
4. There’s some useful, simple medical advice for the general public.5.
5. Didn’t like ML’s acting in the early episodes, but he grew on me.
6. Pacing is decent, maybe a tiny slow in the middle. But that’s also probably because I binged 13 episodes in one sitting. LOL



Completed: 12/31/2023 - Review #389 (First review of 2024 and I still can't keep it short and succinct.)

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Effective musical romance

The strong points of the series are Bright's musical scenes, reasonably three dimensional performances from the leads, and the soundtrack. The weak points are unconvincing body language between the leads and some clumsy writing that makes the series drag in places.
The main arc and plot is well supported by the performances and soundtrack: an introvert who has a habit of communicating emotions through music meets and falls in love with somoene with whom that resonates, and the two of them need to work out how to make the sometimes awkward relationship work. For the series to work the musical scenes need to work, and Bright is a good enough musician to pull that off. The scenes where he sings to Tine are convincingly touching and carry the emotional impact they need to.
What doesn't work so well is the body language between Sarawat and Tine. They just don't seem to be a couple in love very often. I suspect it's in part intentional: a somewhat awkward relationship with an introvert that is somehow advanced by sharing emotions through music. I think it's probably also a result of having limited time to work on multiple takes of the secenes where they interact privately because of the time it likely took to shoot the musical scenes in the series.
Overall though I think the series accomplishes most of what it aims to do, and it's one of the best music centered series I've seen. If they had resorted to the usual fake guitar and produced vocals the series would have been a failure. Very credible and raw musical performances are worth the tradeoff of a little less credible chemistry between the leads here and there.

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Jeez! This show was so mediocre. I love Yoo In Na and she was good here as Bo Ra the relationship coach who might not know much about real relationships after all. However, the writing was just terrible, especially in the latter episodes. The only person I like throughout was Su Hyeok. I get he was a bit obnoxious by not being able to at least once tell Bo Ra! that he loved her; let alone likes her but she knew he did so does a person really have to say it out loud for you to accept and believe it? All of the couples irritaed me in some way or another.

The reason I didn't like Uri and Sang Jin's reversal in the relationship department is that for me it would have made sense for him to grant her what seemed to be her wish of going out with him for that day and then knowing it wouldn't work. Not b/c of the age difference or him being her boss but b/c I didn't buy that he liked her like that.

Bo Mi & Jin Ho were completely obnoxious. Bo Mi and Jin Ho were both too naive and idealistic especially Jin Ho. Bo Mi is so damn awful to Bo Ra that I just can't with her. She lives with Bo Ra and doesn't pay any bills but spoke to her sister in the worst ways. Bo Ra is partially to blame for allowing it though. Bo Ra being upset about her situation or just wanting to talk to her seemed to be beyond her selfish comprehension.

Yu Jung and Jin Hoo eye roll. I jiust felt like he didn't even like his wife and she didn't really like him either.

I will stop watching young adult romcoms for a while. I need adults to behave like adults.

1/1/24

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Make sure to watch this drama with a happy ending, it's definitely worth your time!

I'm thrilled that I ignored the negative comments and kept watching this drama. It's been a while since I found a series that could keep me interested, and I usually give up before the tenth episode. However, this time was different.

Initially, I had my doubts about the main female lead (Ling MeiShi) fearing she would be another annoying, childish character. And, of course, there was the usual abuse from the male lead. But, against all odds, I found myself getting hooked on the love story. The female lead surprised me with her character development, and her portrayal of love, sadness, and regret was impressive. All in all, it's safe to say that this drama exceeded my expectations

I completely disagree with the criticism that ML (Alen Fang) was one-dimensional. He improved significantly after mid-season. In my opinion, the director is to be blamed for making him look over the top.

The plot of the drama can be divided into two parts - the first being the "I refuse to admit I am in love" part and the second being about villains who harbor hate, and jealousy, and who cause heartbreaking deaths. However, I felt the drama was too lengthy and could have been shortened by a few episodes on both parts. 36 episodes seemed unnecessary, and 30 would have been a much better length.

But what I found most refreshing about this drama was the multiple kissing scenes between the main couple. In most dramas, scriptwriters fail to capture the physical aspect of love and expect us to read between the lines. That's plain ridiculous. Love is indeed physical.

I must say that the casting was absolutely spot on, particularly the choice of support actors for the roles of the general (Ni Han Jin) and the Prince (Leo Dong). They portrayed the characters' unrequited love brilliantly, and their talent and good looks were undeniable. Even the supporting actors delivered solid performances.

Overall, I can confidently say that this movie is worth watching more than once. It's a must-see for anyone who appreciates great acting and an engaging storyline.

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Very Similar to the classic Enteral Love

I’ll write a full review once I’m completely finished watch but here’s my take so far.

Storyline is very similar to Enteral Love.

Yuangi is true god. As he was growing up, he was foolish, impulsive and arrogant. He was also tricked by Hong Rou to destroy the phoenix’s birth because she was jealous of how beautiful the phoenix will be. Because of this, he cause the phoenix essences to shattered. He and A Yin hated each other when they first met but in time as they go through struggles together, her realized that he loves her. He does a lot of thing for her without her knowing (sounds familiar) and keeps it to himself because he feels that’s how he can protect her. However, he was forced to kill her because the immortal (who don’t act good at all). He feels she not dead because she imprinted on her and waits for 1000 years for her until the last of her essence die. He tries to make it up to her after her rebirth. He’s also dying because of a sacrifice he did for her which she doesn’t fine out until last 3 episodes. You’re going to sympathize with him towards later episodes when things starts to reveal all the sacrifices he does for A Yin.

A Yin finally gets rebirth and becomes Phoenix Queen. She remembers what happened to her and resents Yuan Gi for what he did but she still loves him. She hides her identity as A Yin from him and tries to keep her distance from him because she can’t forget what happened. He’s can’t understand why she hates him so much so he secretly follows her to find out if she’s A Yin. He felt her actions are very similar to A Yin. He confronted her and she denies it. She tries her best to denies she still loves him. She later finds out all the sacrifices he made and regrets treating him bad. Deep down she always loved him but was so hurt by all the misunderstandings.

Hong Ruo (peacock princess) wants power so used Yuan Gi to gain it. She also likes the Heavenly Emperor but uses Yuangi through lies and manipulations. She’s jealous of A Yin and does everything in her power to create misunderstanding between ML an FL. Causing Yuan Gi to kill AYin. There are times here you will hate ML. She does redeem herself in the end.

Love all the characters. Very good acting all around. I do like all the redemption from several characters and I wished the ending wasn’t rushed but it’s typical Xianxia series.

Acting: Zhao Lu Si is such a great actress. She bring chemistry with all ML she acts with. Wang An Yu at times is okay but at times is great. The SML and SFL was cute together. I enjoyed all the great acting and cast.

Overall: I enjoyed it because it reminded me of classic Eternal Love that got me into watching CDrama but has its own take and feel. I would recommend it and rewatch.

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General Spoilers below. Bittersweet and open-ended but well done 11min short.
Very good acting and great nuances in the different tensions ebbing and flowing between the two leads. It was very believable that they had a history (though it's not explained in detail) and had complicated feelings.

I really want to go further into the story of these two. The ending is maybe, possibly, slightly hopeful- despite many years passing, they both seem to still be a bit stuck on each other. Just as the dish they made didn't "taste quite right" without the lemon, they are still missing each other in their lives.

I probably won't re-watch (unless they happened to film more of this story, then I would definitely keep watching).

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fantastic adaptation of the novel

All the actors are doing a fantastic job in their roles. The show is
only seven episodes in and they have done a great job with adapting
the novel for the show with a few exceptions here and there. I have
read the novel so I'm not confused with what's happening when it
comes to some scenes although some people may feel like wtf is going on. lol
I do however feel they still could have a bit more dialogue when it comes to some scenes.
This is definitely on my rewatch list.
Will be back to add my final thoughts when the final episode airs.
Overall one of the best Thai tv shows I've ever seen.

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A sweet story that will warm your heart

"Restart After Come Back Home" sits at the very top of my rewatch list, it is a gentle and comforting story that I never get tired of revisiting from time to time.

I have to admit I am a bit biased towards a countryside setting, it feels quite nostalgic and I always appreciate the beautiful scenery.

I am not by any means a cinephile and I am not familiar with the technical vocabulary. However, as a layperson, I can say that I really liked the photography and its colouring. I also found the pared back filming tecnique really lovely and suited to the tone of the story.
The score is very nice and fitting, I especially liked what I think is the main theme with its "flute-like" melody.

I am a sucker for a good grumpy/sunshine pairing and I think they handled the relationship development quite well. We get to know the sunshine character's backstory and see what lies under his always-happy façade. Conversely, we see the grumpy character slowly showing his sweet side and his fierce loyalty.
We even got a couple of pecks, which is always a pleasant surprise in a Japanese BL.

I really liked Furukawa Yuki and Ryusei Ryo's acting, they were especially good at conveying subtle emotions with their eyes and expressions. I have to say that the scene at the Tokyo playground always gets me teary-eyed.

I highly recommend this little gem of a movie!

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Love & Ghost

Contrary to the majority of watchers, I am enjoying a lot My Universe. The stories are short, to the point, fast paced, original and fun to watch. This one was no different.

Talay and Camp have been friends since highschool but have lost touch. They meet by accident at a camp site and secrets start being revealed. At the same time, the campsite seems to be haunted.

The story started as an enemies to lovers one but very quickly became a ghost story. The transition from a simple romcom to horror was natural and believable. But very soon I started thinking that thee was more than meets the eye here. And while expecting one twist (kind of , one of them is a ghost as well thing!) I got a completely different one. I am very happy about it because it allowed us to get a happy ending. But I was also a bit disappointed because the story suddenly was not as straight forward as promised and some of the backstory was missing. I wish they had just mentioned, in passing the origin of the tale.
The actors are cute and have good chemistry, the cinematography is correct, though often cold even in the nature (digital camera?)

There is just one huge problem with this series(My Universe) which is the music: the same song being played again and again and again....I cannot stand it anymore! Good thing I am not binging this otherwise I'd go nuts because of the annoying song.

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