Reviews

Friendship and Brotherhood at its best

It’s too bad there hasn’t been reviews on this wonderful work. The lack of reviews then obviously drives down ratings and interest. Too bad!

The story itself is truly an overused narrative. A couple divorces, unexpectedly I might add, and there is your baseline. Corporate business is the setting, more or less, as the motivated drives to succeed and the opposition has its differing ambitions. Couple ended up working in same company so from there, it’s your guess where it leads as I don’t want to give spoilers.

Here’s the thing. Three men, in their forties, fifties as close friends as close can be. They are next to each other when facing a crisis, laugh hard when a celebration calls for, brainstorm to problem solve, etc. The friendship is so admirable. What a bond of men! In giving advice they are spot on, in lightening the mood they are witty with enough humor to change a serious atmosphere whether sad or good. I’ve smiled ever so often and moved too by the words of wisdom. Yes, each of these men have their own stories outside of their friendship, but guaranteed each were in support of each other when needed. Their stories, struggles, strengths and weaknesses are embodied in a strong brotherhood to make anyone envious of such a friendship. Forty episodes that i barely ever ffwd. Writing is good, deliverance of veteran actors are great. Subtitles aren’t always coherent but it’s good enough to understand the main points. I guess I’ve watched too many dramas to have a pattern I look or read between and this is one I was proud to fully enjoy regardless of.

I’m glad they produce dramas that goes beyond the seemingly favored audiences who like younger pretty boys and girls images. Don’t get me wrong, I do too. It’s just that the older viewers that I fall into also enjoy seeing cultured veteran characters. This is not to say this drama is only for matured audiences. Its message is same as other dramas but delivered by very handsome and beautiful veteran actors. Hope you can give it a try.

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Oh No! Oh No! Oh No No No No No!

Joong, Dunk, Why?

I had so much hope for this series, but it let me down big time.

It was slow, boring, and the storyline was almost nonexistent.

Even Joong and Dunk who have such big personalities and great chemistry in real life were lifeless in this series.
The actual performance was decent, it’s not like it was super bad acting, but I think the jacked up storyline probably made it difficult to portray their characters. ALL the actors from this series that I have seen in other series acted much better in the other series.

The music was good, Joong sings lovely.

I will not rewatch this series, I can’t sit through it a second time.

Overall… this series is not good.

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Pleasantly surprised

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this series, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The storyline was cute and executed better than “Hidden Agenda “ in my opinion.
The actors were good, they had chemistry and the acting was believable.
To be honest I can’t even remember the music, but I don’t remember hating it, so it must not have been too bad.

I think I would rewatch this series if I had nothing better to do, but it not at the top of my rewatch list.

There was definitely room for improvement on the storyline. I feel like the conflict was not dramatic enough, it lacked a little oomph. Also there could have been more details revolving the lead up to the conflict and more details on the second couple.

Overall this is a decent series.

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amazing follow up

This is a very easily binged show, not just because of the length but because it's just so entertaining. I'll admit there were times I was confused, especially when it came to the hallucinations and dreams and when those were over, but that was kind of the point I think!

Anyway, this was such an interesting follow up. While I liked the first season, this definitely feels like they found their footing and know where they want to go and are making their way down that path, rather than just setting stuff up. There was so much development, so many things we learned about the characters that have really helped flesh them and the world out more, plus we got even more gorgeous visuals and costume designing. The music really amped up the tension in several places and I liked some of the effects they used, and the qi/cultivation looked just as good as before!

Idk if there's gonna be a season three, but if there is, I will definitely be watching

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Inconsistent

This drama was boring and had an inconsistent storyline.
There were details that did not progress or make the story more interesting at all' while there were a lack of details that would have explained things a little better.

The acting was inconsistent as well, some scenes were acted out well, while other were not.

The music was good though' Guitar and Ping have very nice voices.

One thing I did like and I wish they would have added more detail on was the story line of Mr. House Spirit. If written, directed, and acted well, that has potential to make a good drama by itself.

I will not be rewatching this series. I hope all the people involved get a chance to do better on what ever projects they work on next.

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Angelic Descent into Desolation: A Glimpse of Hope in 'One Room Angel'

As a devoted follower of Harada-san, my expectations soared for this adaptation into the BL genre with "One Room Angel." After the premiere, I wholeheartedly endorse it, albeit with a caveat: ditch the hopes for saccharine romance and brace yourself for a literary expedition, for it delves deep and soothes the soul.

In a world teeming with many a Koki, they trudge through life in quiet desolation, dwelling in cramped, impoverished rooms, their faces etched with stoic despair, living each day and year as mechanical beings, void of hope. The opener unfolds with a high-angle shot of Koki, toppled and stabbed on a dimly lit street, as angelic feathers gently descend, ushering us into a narrative where, akin to omniscient deities, we witness the pivotal turn his life takes post his angelic encounter.

Uesugi Shuhei’s stellar performance impeccably embodies the numb, living dead that is Koki. The scene outside the convenience store, where Koki's altercation with thugs spirals into a frenzied beating before he collapses, was nothing short of enthralling. Moreover, Uesugi's voice, laden with years of hardship in every inner monologue, adds a layer of gruff melancholy that's captivating.

"One Room Angel" doesn't just unveil a story; it presents a raw, evocative voyage into the annals of despair and the wings of hope.

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Fascinating story and great script, music and top class acting. Very Well done

The story telling is so fascinating through out all 9 episodes so far. The script writer and director have done an amazing job. Every lines are sharp, interesting and informative, just right, and every scenes have been done in a finely detailed manner. It’s such a pleasure to watch! The casts are most amazing, including all main characters and supporting characters. Everyone is playing their role so well. Congratulations on your wonderful product. Music is fantastic. Absolutely love it. I will have OST added to my favourite play list asap! For JCW fans, he is at his best. Yes he has done it again, playing best in any roles be it romantic or action! This roles is a new aspect of his super talented acting skill. However it is only fair to give all other main leads the same score: all 10/10 ! What a joy to watch each episode! Thank You ??

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Be aware of the Genre!

Excellent acting, writing, direction.
This is a tension filled horror short about a comic and a "joke" gone very wrong. There is another important aspect which ends up controlling the story. But, talking about it would be a major spoiler. Part of the fun/stress of this story is figuring out what is actually going on before the protagonist does.
When I watched this I didn't pay attention to the Genre. I watched because of the cast and writer. at some point I debated not continuing to finish it. In the end I'm glad I watched it but don't plan to watch again. Nearly the entire time is spent in a windowless space set up primarily as an internet studio.

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The Inextrincable Destiny - Should be "Psychic Husband 2B". or 'Fortune Teller Love Destiny"

I watched the first episode, skimming fast forward to find the story. What is the story?
What is this drama about?

The title should be "JINK BRIDE 2B" to match this story. It does not make any sense at all to why someone wants to kill entire family. Then turned out ep 12 it was her going around beating up men. So one guy took a revenge killing entire family.
A girl beat up every men in the city but her father does not know it until at the Emperor feast.
The girl poisoned the guy ML, then he turned into a retarded over night. Yet, he remembers her.
The story is very confusing and is terrible.
Why does the Chinese focusing on romance, fighting, flying kung fu instead of good story line.
I had to drop this.
It is very very .. the worst drama.

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It's fun to watch. Just try not to be angry in the end.

In the last few episodes, it could have been better if that Qilin God (inside Brick's heart) have told Huzi that he is also a god as he's the son of the White Tiger God. That he doesn't need any help to activate the Phurba because he himself has divine power to activate it. But since Huzi still don't know how, Qilin God will help him activate it so they can go to that valley.

As for the death of the others(grandma,2nd master,mozi), well it is fine. But with Yimei, they could have done the fight scene in another place, then make Yi mei be injured so much but will still escape and go to her master's coffin (of course with the help of the white tiger), after opening the coffin, only skeletons remain. So she will use her remaining power to return her master's body into its original form. They will very happy to be reunited again, Yi mei will learn everything and then she will be very regretful to her wrongdoings. She will then ask her master to punish her by taking back her life, but her master will tell 'we made a promise to be with each other always. you made so many unforgivable things but this is because i have not properly inform you of it this making you misunderstand. Let's face this punishment together'.... then Yimei will ask forgiveness to the white tiger, thank her for bringing her to her master, then yimei and her master will then both disappear into thin air.

White tiger then go to Huzi. But after showing them what happened 500 years ago, there should be a nerve wrecking situation about the heart of the mt.god. They will all try to control it to no avail, so the white tiger will need to sacrifice her life in order to stabilize it. Before she disappear, she will then tell Huzi that it is time for him to be awaken, because that will only be the way to save everyone, Huzi is a God, he needs to forget all human emotions (which is being in love, happy,sad, angry, in other words- to be emotionless) *well let's say his mom fell in love with his human dad thats y Huzi's divine power got sealed*.

During the last fight, Huzi got injured and fainted, QXX died as his heart was taken by Wushang, Wushang went to the top of the valley to celebrate his new life as a human again, ZZ died (but her primordal spirit disappeared immediately and went inside a magical bead). Huzi regained consciousness & saw ZZ died and disappear, he went crazy for a moment,collapsed and became quiet,then suddenly, he started gaining his divine power. Everyone saw it and can't believe that Huzi is actually a god,not a demon. As QXX, Brick is still a genius healer; he immediately went to take the mt.God's heart ( of course he'll be heavily injured after) and put it inside QXX's body. This will make him posess the power of the Mt.God Crane. Then the 2 will go and defeat Wushang, and will also appease his resentments.

Those 2 (Huzi and QZZ stayed in the valley as Gods. Brick went and govern Qianyu state, Yanran because the chief commander(or head), Wudan and the rest as commanders.....

Then lastly, Bricks will accidentally discover a huge hibiscus tree, and he felt that there's something wrong with it. After some checking, he realised that ZZ's spirit is in there. He then remembered her saying she wanted to become a treee. And so Bricks will then say "It’s been so long Zhintong, i guess it's time for us to go back to D* valley. " then it will show Huzi and QZZ medidating separately in the valley.
= THE END=

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One of 2023's best cdramas.

From the very start I was very impressed with this drama. The first episode felt grounded in reality and presented all the main characters as young adults behaving like such but also with a level of maturity that felt respectful. Sometimes youth dramas don't know how to balance the growing pains, friendship and romance but You Are Desire does it perfectly.

Xia Feng Yan created a story with solid development based on actual growing from well rounded characters that act and react in ways that feel natural. I am amazed this is her first project and I will keep an eye on her because she has a bright future.

Deng Ke (My Huckelberry Friends) also started in the industry as a screenwriter before transitioning into directing, so it was a perfect fold for Xia's story. He understood the assignment and complemented the script with beautiful cinematography, camera movements and choice of cast.

This drama could have died in the hands of a lesser cast but Zhou Yiran and Zhuang Dafei carried the drama flawlessly. Most of the story centers around them and how they interact with others when loneliness has been a part of their young lives for a long time. The supporting cast were also at their best, each with their own lives and struggles which made them well rounded individuals and not an artifact to push the leads's story.

All of these elements created a beautiful group of people dealing with different experiences. A slice of life drama where we understand the world is not always fair and parents make mistakes; where people need to learn to grieve in a healthy way. That families can all look very different from each other and that's okay as long there's love. That you don't always pass the university exam and your workplace might suck. A world where you fall in love and support one another as you grow together with a clear understanding of each other. That life can be sweeter when you are surrounded of good people who truly appreciate you.

Overall, You Are Desire it's a wonderful story that enjoyed from the very first episode to the last one. Criminally underrated, for sure, as I don't understand how more people are not talking about what is probably one of 2023's best cdramas.

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This is a cute drama that uses a sport-centric (air pistol shooting) setting with emphasis on psychological elements having the main leads working together and supporting each other through the healing process. As for the leading couple’s romance, the drama just offers a cute, fluffy, and steadfast relationship and how, years later, they try to navigate through PTSD from an unfortunate event that happened when they were in high school. There are two other couples that also had to handle psychological issues in other to resolve whether they stay together or separate. Although the leading couple has a nice playful chemistry, the healing process took the entire drama’s duration and the viewer doesn’t get to see how the couple gets to be more comfortable with each other and becomes intimate in a healthy and amorous way. There are also too many instances of backstabbing and even a sexual predator that were not really necessary extending the drama to 40 enervating episodes.

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