Reviews

A Beautiful Ryang Um Who's Like a Flower: Layers of His Character

I feel like Ryang Eum's character is interesting. He's complicated. He's definitely a more reliable friend than Eun Ae. But at least Eun Ae could understand the fl better. She even admitted that she understood her better than herself.

Meanwhile Ryang Eum seemed to have unseparable bond with the ml. It looked like there's no one who could understand him better than Ryang Eum but there was a time that Ryang Eum failed to understand. It's his heart. It felt like they didn't share the bro codes only in that particular thing.

"I don't belong to anywhere. I'm just here and there." When the ml said that what he actually meant was that he's longing for a place of his own. A place called home. And his reply with "Right. You don't belong to anywhere. But wherever you're, I belong to your side." It creeped me out.

I don't know what's his real deal was. Was it because of too much loyalty or he saw him more than friends? But I understand why he did what he did. Personally, I can relate to his character. That's why I can say that he's being childish at that moment. I thought he also realized his mistake but he just decided to cross the line.

And he really meant it when he said he didn't regret it. Moreover when he witnessed what happened to the man he looked up to at the end. If I were him, I would be glad if turned out I was wrong. But the look in his eyes, he was so mad that in his mind he's true about her after all.

I understand her decision and it seemed like there's another reason that will unfold in the next part. The writers seemed to have an intention to make it as if she didn't really meant it when she said "I don't love you enough to leave everything behind." Maybe they will provide a good and brutal excuse for us and we will buy it later. Something like "I love you too much that's why I was letting you go." But what makes it clear for me right now is, he gave everything for her, even his life. But she couldn't do the same. That's why to me what she said was quite literal, that 'he loves her more than she loves him' and I think Ryang Eum would be agree with me.

Was he okay when he saw Gil Chae sending him off just like that after what he's been through for her tho? Ryang Eum is not just another supporting character. And his bond with Lee Jong Hyun is too strong for him to let him go like that. Ryang Eum is smart and tactical and sometimes manipulative. Our main lead would have been died several times if it's not because of him. He has the ability to change the direction of the wind. If you know what I mean...

Based on the teasers, it seemed like something happened to the female lead. I wouldn't be surprised if Ryang Eum had anything to do to pull the trigger. Maybe he didn't need to take much effort. He just needed to sing, and it would be like a butterfly effect. When a small flap of its wings might cause a tornado at the mainland and the peninsula.

Or there's a twist of a character development and it's the other way around of what I've said about him. It would be interesting if later turned out I'm wrong. And I'm really anticipating of what they have in store in the next part.

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Gets better episode after episode.

I think I have a soft spot for K Dramas and there aren't that many that I find terrible or stop watching, so my review is probably influenced by that but here is goes.

I enjoy the main leads separately, but in the first few episodes them together annoyed me a little bit. The ML's wishy washy I love you because of a spell, but I'm going to be mean to you at the same time personality paired with the FL's it's all about me.. drove me nuts.

However getting in to further episodes when it starts to reveal what's going on and they get past all the nonsense it becomes one of my favorites. They have chemistry and are cute together and their back story brings them alive.

The gardener and obsessed ex-girlfriend storylines further the show.

I really enjoy it. If you bear with them at the beginning and accept it for the cute romantic comedy it is , I think you will enjoy it too.

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An Irresistible Blend of Laughter and Love

"Hilarious Family" is a slapstick drama characterized by its exaggerated expressions and actions. Despite this, the comedy remains relatable, with natural and genuinely hilarious jokes. Each character is distinctly unique, realistically portrayed, endearing, and undergoes well-developed growth. The deliberately exaggerated acting, though, is both convincing and playful. At its core, the story follows a widow who raises her four daughters by selling tofu. Now that the daughters are grown, the widow is focused on finding suitable husbands for them, providing a satirical commentary on societal norms that still resonate in today's world.

The story introduces multiple romantic couples, each with their own amusing yet heartwarming stories. The music dances with a whimsical charm, amplifying the actions and emotions of both the events and the characters.

Du Ruyu (Liu Lin) adores all of her daughters equally, though there are moments when it may seem like she favors the eldest and overlooks the second. This, as it turns out, is a misunderstanding. Her strong sense of pride and concern for social image often lead to comedic mishaps. Her own romantic subplot adds a sweet and amusing touch to the story.

The eldest daughter, Chun Jinrong (Han Yunyun), at 29 years and 18 months, is fervently in pursuit of a husband. Her mother pulls out all the stops to assist her in this quest. Jinrong is the most refined among the daughters and invests the family's limited resources in clothing and accessories, all in the hopes of attracting a wealthy suitor. Initially appearing as a potential gold digger, as the story unfolds, we come to understand her motives and see her love for her family. Her escapades and encounters are hilarious.

Chun Peilan (Jackie Li), the second daughter, is a gentle and domestic individual. Her aspirations are centered around cooking, managing household chores, and caring for the family. While no one anticipates her finding love, she captures the heart of a very handsome man with dreams of becoming a valiant hero and a dashing sword fighter, but he couldn't use a sword.

The third daughter, Chun Banxia (Wu Jiayi), is a principled individual intolerant of any hint of wrongdoing. She is well-versed in the law and medicine, and assists her uncle in running a small clinic from home. The humorous exchanges she has with her mother underscore her sharp wit and determination.

Finally, the youngest daughter, Chun Keling (Li Jiaqi), is a spirited tomboy known for her youthful courage and impulsiveness. She enjoys venturing outside, often accompanied by a pair of friends, to confront bullies and teach them a lesson. Unbeknownst to her, a remarkably handsome young man falls in love with her for her distinctive qualities. However, not every girl dreams of marrying a prince, and Keling is no exception.

The final episode strikes a poignant and insightful note, yet the comedy continues, offering a delightful contrast. Lu Buping's hilarious kitchen scene and his comical daikon cutting leave deep impression. Chun Peilan originally requests the daikon to be diced into small cubes (丁), which is the true essence of cutting into "ding". Lu Buping, however, took a more literal approach, sculpting it into the shape of the character 丁("ding"). Despite its slapstick nature, I'm consistently impressed by the exceptional writing and acting on display.

My Verdict

Rowdy and constantly chaotic, this heartwarming story does away with traditional antagonists. Challenges faced by the characters often find resolution through serendipity. Every chaotic mishap can be traced back to a series of comically absurd misunderstandings. The romance is tender, endearing, and injected with humor. The dialogue is natural and witty, and the performances are praiseworthy. It's an easy-to-follow, enjoyable relaxation suitable for the entire family.

Recommended!

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I want to quit my job and live in a small town now.

What a beautiful drama. ?? This is my first ever review, normally I'll just leave a rating but I can't help myself to not write a review for this fantastic healing drama. The casts, the plot, the main storyline and sub storyline are all like a warm cup of coffee in a cold starry night. I watched this during my lowest too and even though I'm still having existential crisis, I will definitely keep in mind the lessons I learned from watching this show. Truly, I have no other words ?. I'm still processing everything after I finished this show and now i don't know what to do post meet yourself. The ending is beautiful. Will definitely rewatch this if I ever feel down again. This is now my favorite drama. ?

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Starts out as light romcom, becomes super random, then makjang, and finally finishes how it started.

Sometimes it's quite funny, the FL's dual role is sufficiently charming, and the frequent songs don't hurt either.

Acting, production and sound aren't great. There's more than enough plot holes and scenes that serve no purpose.
Unfortunately the whole middle of the show is full of filler scenes (while it's not that bad early on, one episode near the end is almost entirely made of adverts!).
Towards the end the writing goes into some really absurd directions, with obstacles being created and torn down again just because. Many spoiler reviews lash out at a particular arc that really shouldn't have been added.
The final episode only wraps up about two thirds of the characters, with the others disappearing never to be seen again.

As is common in CN dramas, the audio dubbing is very noticeable and sometimes quite bad.


P.S.:
I've seen shows that have cliffhangers meant to make you tune in for some revelation every single episode.
I've seen shows that just stop between scenes and don't try to fake excitement.
But I've never seen a show where plenty of episodes just stop like it's in the middle of somebody's sentence.

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A fantasy-adventure that sucks you in like quicksand

… into an immersive, highly creative world that could easily inspire fanfiction.

Ni Ni breathes life into Ye Liuxi’s character, an amnesiac seeking answers to her identity and past. Ni Ni’s charisma and on-screen presence is undeniable--an explosive force to be reckoned with. Bai Yu plays her level-headed counterpart, Chang Dong, a mature and intelligent guide haunted by disaster and loss. Sparks fly when they’re together. Along the way, more characters join them and add a touch of humor and absurdity.

The initial episodes introduce the characters and the world slowly but surely. Viewers begin to learn about the fantasy world along with Ye Liuxi as clues lead her to Chang Dong, then into the desert, and finally through Yumen Pass and into the parallel world. The secondary world is so incredibly rich and imaginative that it left me eagerly anticipating what else the writer could conjure. From salt monsters and shadow puppet gnats to a saran wrapping anti-theft guardian, it’s a trove brimming with creativity that would delight any fantasy lover.

Unfortunately and perhaps in an attempt to appeal to a general audience, there’s a fair amount of hand-holding to introduce the fantastical elements, mainly through a token but beloved character--a sorcerer--that conveniently info dumps. Not only does this hinder the pacing, but it also robs viewers the opportunity to see this new world unfold more organically.

The show also botches two crucial elements: the villain and the climax. The final act deflates like a balloon and missed opportunities abound. While loose ends are resolved, they’re done in an underwhelming fashion. Long Zhi, played by Meng Ziyi, could have been a truly formidable villain but instead comes across as a hollow shell and an empty promise … partly because of MZY’s acting and partly because of the role. There’s also no true final confrontation between Long Zhi and Ye Liuxi, which could’ve been a battle for the ages between two fierce females.

This drama had the potential to be truly epic and left me yearning for what could’ve been, especially since censorship issues may have hindered the show. Criticisms aside, if you’re unsure about watching, please give it a shot and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by all the hidden gems this show has to offer.

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good, but boring

the beginning of the end started to get boring. they got together and then the episodes just dragged on. yawwwn.

other than the main story, i thought the second male lead was excruciatingly hard to watch. i skipped over his parts or any parts that had to do with the other girl. the show could have gone perfectly smooth if either they made the sml more likeable or just scrapped those two all together lmfao.

i loved the main girl character! she is so cute.

i don't really have anything else to say about the show but i can't post my review without a certain count of words so here i go with saying blahblahblahblahblahblahblah

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Love in Translation spoke to me

For my sheer enjoyment (and actor Offroad’s performance), I was going to give this series full marks but then it wouldn’t be a genuine reflection of the glaring plotholes it possessed. Still, I wasn’t rolling my eyes every other scene as I have with some recent series.

The acting can be silly at times but in the end, it played into the characters’ personalities anyway so it wasn’t impossible to watch. Everyone in this series was new to me so I had no experience with their past work, however, I thought they all did well with the exception of Phumjai’s parents. Though I’d say that had to do with their characters rather than the actors themselves. I believe in two different scenes, Phumjai’s parents had very contradicting reactions. His mother would be smiling and his father seemed concerned and vice versa.

Any main character who wears a Woody and Buzz Lightyear t-shirt on his first date is automatically my favorite.

Daou is a replica of Korean actor Kim Junghyun.

Overall, I truly loved the characters and love their healthy friendships.
Yang is serious but lowkey playful.
Phumjai is lovable, full of energy, and a moodmaker.
Bowgie was straight-up fun, the slip/split in the store is my all-time favorite part (also my favorite callback to Phumjai suddenly falling backward. I thought he was lying about the floor being slippery until Bowgie swept the floor like a ballerina).
Tammy and Cheer are great and charming female characters. I wish they did more with Tammy’s ‘player’ character though. Her suddenly doing a 180 because she reunited with Phumjai was a bit out of character, especially when she made no effort to keep looking for him (as far as we can see).
Tag is so freaking cute, I just want to put him in my pocket and carry him around.
Phojai is a good brother, but he’s doing too much. Sometimes I wonder if the writers accidentally switched his relations with Phumjai and Tag. I’m glad he gave Tag the much-deserved attention later although his apology up to that point sucked :/ Him coming back as Boss No.2 was legit hilarious though.
Odo was just chaotically fun and had the right amount of support for all the characters. I laughed so hard when Yang and Phumjai borrowed his car and asked why he was still at the shop (looking bored out of his mind) like even I forgot they had taken his car.

If it’s not obvious, the comedy was right up my alley. I always love a good childish show that doesn’t stem primarily from pettiness.

I enjoyed the music and danced along to some of it at times. I was so happy no character pulled a guitar out of thin air and started serenading the other. I loved that the series only had 8 episodes which was more than enough and they did fine tying it up in the end with some unanswered questions. Such as Phojai’s possessiveness of Phumjai. However, the finale also introduced multiple out-of-the-blue ideas where Tammy was a successful author when she’s never said anything about working on a book/story, Yang and Phumjai have actually met as children and were friends, and Phojai having a conversation with Tag off-screen about moving in with Tag.

Although the storytelling was fine, and I actually like it when flashbacks include scenes we haven't seen, this series overutilized flashbacks to replay, reveal, and re-tell what we’ve just been told by the characters so it felt slow at times.

I also wish two major story arcs had a different and more realistic outcome such as Phumjai’s unexplained feelings for Tammy and Phojai’s over-protectiveness of his younger brother, Phumjai.
Since Phumjai doesn’t care that Tammy is a “player”, I thought they would reveal that his feelings for Tammy were more of that of a hardcore yet a not delusional fan. But the explanation, or lack thereof, was that all Phumjai could imagine and see was Yang even when Tammy was right in front of him.
For the second arc, I wish there was a deeper reason than ‘you said I was a useless brother and you didn’t want a brother like me when we were children because I let two bullies hit me and break your toy’. Seriously, judging from how Phojai had his boyfriend, Tag, spies and reports Phumjai’s every move you’d think maybe Phumjai has some serious health issues that only family and close friends knew about or Phumjai had some close-to-death experience as a kid and that’s why his family babies him but they do it just because.

The biggest plothole would be Phumjai admitting to conversing with Tammy in Chinese through private messages when in person Phumjai couldn’t understand an ounce of Chinese and witnessing this, Tammy even offered to teach Phumjai Chinese. However, after said scene, the story resumed like that never happened, Tammy would continue messaging Phumjai in Chinese and he’d have Yang reply on his behalf.

All in all, this is a definite rewatch for me :D

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What Rain?

I have to say that despite a few hiccups, I enjoyed this drama. So much time wasted on side stories and characters who contributed very little to the overall plot. The war and fighting scenes were overdone and took up too much time for my liking. This whole drama could have been told in less episodes with less fillers.

First time seeing most of these lead actors. I realized the chemistry between the ML & FL immediately. The 2ML was handsome and all that, but despite her goo goo eyes at him, I felt little or no chemistry between them, so I had no problem with 2ML syndrome. I liked the pairing of 2FL & 2ML and how it kind of developed as their personalities and backgrounds were more appropriately aligned. BUT - that character of FengYao OMG! If she shouted, called out, called after, or moaned Mo Xi one more time I was going to throw something at the screen! Helpless, simple-minded and just plain useless! I'm glad she had some redemption in the end.

The FL is beautiful - even when she was scowling or making faces, she has a very pretty face. The ML was rugged and rough and scoundrel-ish, and I grew to like him. I kept mixing up the 'bad guys' and couldn't really keep track of the plots and who's working with who. And that gender-bender general was downright nasty! That actress played the part so well that was the one character I genuinely hated with a passion.

OST was pretty.

I might rewatch if I wanted to kill some time on a weekend. I'd still fast-forward through some of the scenes, but there are some scenes I enjoyed and would watch again.

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this is a MUST WATCH! A simple but pure and enchanting story about -

a first young love that will melt you!

Every time I think about this drama I just happy/sad squeal inside! This show had me staying up till 4am because I simply couldn't stop! Having to put down my absolute obsession into words is almost impossible. I am currently watching it for the 3rd time and get so sad every time it ends, it's that good!

I was blown away from the moment I started watching this, there was no drama, no fill-in scenes, amazing acting, and realistic circumstances. I was watching a full mature chinese drama that wasn't only 'okay' but was actually amazing, something I hadn't seen in a long time. I kept expecting for something weird or unnecessary to happen, but it never did.

The young actress absolutely charmed me, and I had a short struggle adapting to the 'older' version played by Lu Si, but fear not, for it didn't take long for me to fall in love with this new version of the FL and ugly cry for her and her love struggles. I have now become a passionate fan. The ML was enchanting and his portrayal of emotions really pulled me into the story - to say that I wished I was the FL in this drama would be an understatement.

The music really complemented the story and was tastefully implemented, although there were a few scenes which I thought could have gone without. The cast was good, specially the FL's parents and brother.

In short and without any exaggeration, please watch this drama. For your sake and for my happiness, gift yourself 24 hours of an absolute wonderful series that will not leave you disappointed. I hope you can feel my joy and glee for this drama through your screen into your heart. Be happy, watch Hidden Love!

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Thoroughly enjoyed watching it

I won't lie from the drama's name I thought ah this will be a ride of sorrows and tears. It actually indeed was but it was lighter than I thought and I'm glad it was because my fragile heart wouldn't have been able to handle it otherwise. I wanted to give it a 10 but the ending was literally very predictable and kinda annoying and I hated it. I think it became some sort of stereotype to do this type of ending this year so yeah. My Other complaint would be that the drama was a little too short!? I wished to watch more. I also awaited for a better show of ending battle. It felt a little rushed at the end I didn't get to enjoy watching my demon cat ?! BRING HIM BACKKK!

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