Reviews

Good different.

I have to say this oddly turned out to be one of favorite Japanese dramas.
Japanese dramas tend to start off nice and normal then they veer off into some highfalutin pretentious concepts, in my opinion going for “trying to be different” pathway, that inevitably turns into jumbled up mess (I’ve dropped more JDramas than I have watched)

This show on the other hand takes that inevitable turn that most JDramas do and some how manages to pull it off.

It’s simple and old fashioned, but modern and edgy at the same time. It’s not something I’ve quite seen before.

In summary I recommend this because it actually manages to do different well.

Menu= Synopsis/Concept ~(10)
Ingredients/Recipes= Script Writer ~(7)
Chef= Director ~(9)
Flavors/Taste= Actors/Performances ~(9)
Restaurant/Decor= Wardrobe/Costume-Design/ Production-Value ~(7)
Waiter/Service= Editing/Pacing/Cinematography ~(7)

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Short but Well Told

I'm still not the best at writing reviews but I loved this little drama so much I decided to write one anyway..

This drama might have been short but they weren't "short" of anything in it.
The cast was perfectly chosen with the leads having chemistry that set my little soul on fire. Sometimes when things are short they tend to be lacking somewhere or another, but that wasn't the case with this BL. They managed to tell an amazing story, create in depth/precious characters and build tension within 4 short episodes.
Even the music was pretty and fit perfectly within the scenes.

I would recommend this short little BL to anyone who loves a drama that will make you feel every emotion within a short amount of time. You will not regret it.

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Lifeless Script, Acting, and "Intimacy".

After watching 2 episodes: I want more than just pretty faces! Melodrama with extremely poor writing, cliched and unlikable side characters (male, female, and trans), and weak/flat acting (and a lot of people using headshakes as fillers because they are inexperienced and because the script is so weak and unnatural).

I watched the uncut version on GagaOOlala.

It is *not at all* believable that these two characters (Foam & Chris) have been in an intimate, loving relationship for awhile. Their NC17 interactions are more what I would expect in a one-time Tinder/Grinder hook-up with two people who aren't very attracted to each other but couldn't find anyone else.

Ep 1: It's unfortunate that the first NC17 scene happens before we're able to bond with the main character (let alone the 2nd lead who's dead for basically all of Ep 1) so emotionally it feels pretty empty.

Ep 2: Fewer irritating characters but nothing else improved. The writing is so awkward, unnatural, and insipid. All of the actors are obviously rookies and can't compensate for the terrible script. The NC17 scene is just as lukewarm as the one in Ep 1.

Overall:
Camp shows some varied facial expressions and at least pretends like his character is having some enjoyment in the NC17 scenes. Jimmy however, remains very flat in expression and tone of voice no matter what situation his character is in (his response to highly emotional events or tragedy is not believable at all). Since the story so far is from his point of view, it's incredibly boring. And he doesn't look quite comfortable in the NC17 scenes; he doesn't look engaged or like his character has any interest, let alone much pleasure, in what is happening. Almost like his character is half asleep or bored.

Uncut on GagaOOlala vs cut on YouTube: in Ep 1 the NC17 scene (at 32min in) timed from first kiss to the watch glowing is 4min 20sec on GagaOOlala and 1min 30sec on YouTube.

While it's very poorly crafted and I have no interest in continuing, it didn't traumatize me in 2 episodes, so it gets a 2/10.

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Modern Fairytale

Menu= Synopsis/Concept ~(6)
Ingredients/Recipes= Script Writer ~(9)
Chef= Director ~(9)
Flavors/Taste= Actors/Performances ~(9)
Restaurant/Decor= Wardrobe Production-Value ~(7)
Waiter/Service= Editing/Pacing/Cinematography ~(9)

Starter/1st Act ~(9)
Main Course /2nd Act ~(9)
Dessert/3rd Act ~(10)

The concept was very simplistic and has been done before, but the script writer was given simple tasty ingredients and managed to flesh out a script that avoided to many cliches, and stuck with the simple straightforward theme. The script avoided the biggest mistake that plagues a lot of writers, trying to put an overly realistic spin on the story and trying to be different. The classic are that for a reason nothing wrong with “tried, true and tested”.

The director did a good job of staying out off his own way and let the story flow naturally.

The actors overall did a nice job and avoided overacting which generally plagues Makjangs, making this one of the few off this genre I can watch.

Sets where okay, no great emphasis on production value, the wardrobe was good with minimal emphasis on costume design, everyone’s wardrobe reflected their character, which showed that thought and planning went into them.
The product placement was not over the top and intrusive like you see a lot of the time.

Pacing was good and crisp, no lagging.

1st and 2nd act were smooth like freshly churned butter in french country side boulangerie. And thank goodness there were not crazy breakups in the 3rd and we got revenge served with a great heaping helping off the warm and fuzzies.

I’ve rewatched twice already, enough said.

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Plot was spread way too thin

When the best parts of your series are the cameos of other characters from the same universe of stories then you have a problem.
I like the cast and I thought there was a gentle and lovely chemistry between the leads but it was dull. I am all for a slow and sweet story but this was not it. I think it would have suited a shorter run. Maybe 6 eps? But there wasn’t enough here and it was disappointing.
There were elements of the story they could have delved more into and side characters too but instead it felt literally like sitting in the restaurant for half an hour each week for maybe 2 minutes if plot.

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Go watch Not Me it is much better

This story is similar to the Not Me serie by OffGun.The concept is almost the same the only thing that is different is this serie includes sports.while I would have liked it if the writing is not poor.There was no need to extend the truth to the last episode.There are many things that are missing.I am saying this with my experience that gagaoolala is not providing good content.If this channel is giving you 30 series in a year.Only 3 would be great.I am not saying it without any reason.Me as a bl watcher thinks that why everything in these series have to good in the last episode.I mean this is the purpose of last episode but if they have revealed the truth earlier and then Pfirst should be upset.Then sprite should reconcile with him that would have been a very good plot.And PZee should consult with his mother that she only cared about her wish and that ruined the relationship between the twins.Like guys I am really disappointed in this series' poor writing.

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A bag of chips/crisps...

This is a pretty little production, with steamy kisses, lovely banter and a surprisingly entangled story for the short format. It is also one of those shows that you know lacks all substance and is probably not really good for your health but you watch it anyway,

The leads do a decent job acting have great chemistry and do look at each other like pray, ready to devour the other at any moment, the OST has this 007 feel to it and so does the cinematography. While the leads seem to be able to act, the money did not cover acting lessons or any type of coaching for the rest of the cast as they had less expressions than an icile lead at the begining of a drama. The little sister supposedly grown up acted like a toddler and well that is a bout it.

An okay watch for the gazes and the banter but nothing wow.

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Worst show for both the leads

This is definitely the worst show done by bothe shin Hye soon and jcw..
Story is beyond ridiculous with almost 40 years old Virgin ML pining for his ex girlfriend of 8 years back who is changing boyfriends every year..
In conclusion, ml is a loser as well as simp and fl is whiny, annoying, selfish and bratty who only drink and cry in the whole show..
There is some comic relief by side characters, that's the only good point..
The ridiculous story arc of ml father and fl mother adds insult to the injury of already crippled plot of the drama..
IF YOU ARE HUGE FAN OF LEADS AND TOO MUCH TIME TO WASTE, ONLY THEN THINK ABOUT WATCHING THIS WITH ATLEAST 2× SPEED WITH SKIPPING MOST SCENES OF SML AND ML'S FATHER..

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Realistically Wholesome

Slice of life kdramas are my favorite genre to watch. It embraces everyday life stories and events. There's no fantasy, no chaebol family drama, no serial killings or murder, just real life situations and welcome to samdalri served that well.

Away from the busy and bustling city of Seoul, a successful photographer (Cho Sam Dal) who has experienced a fall from grace and has become a topic for ridicule due to betrayal from her assistant relocates to her hometown, jeju. There, she reunites with her old love (Cho Yong Pil) and childhood friends. Adding more liveliness and stimulating tourist instinct is a peek into the life of jeju inhabitants and beautiful parts of jeju island. That is the story of welcome to Samdalri.

The storyline is simple, lightweight and very relatable.The drama portrays the fact that hatred, envy and jealousy mostly doesn't live far. It comes from our circle and people close to us. Who would've thought that Samdal's assistant who wanted to debute as a photographer at all cost would be the same person Samdal's boyfriend cheated on her with.

One likeable thing about this drama is that it focuses more on self-growth than revenge, that's on Sam Dal's part. She could have decided to get back at her former assistant for what she did and expose her but instead, she focused on herself, embraced and discovered other parts of herself and ones she has forgotten and grew through the process bearing in mind that her talent could not be taken away from her. Thus, she came back stronger. This show is a classical example of "people can try to imitate you as much as they want but they can never truly be you". Also, Yong Pil's father let go of the grudge he was holding against Sam Dal's family for a long time and allowed her to be happy with his son.

Additionally, the romance in the drama is subtle. It is not too intense and it is not too dull and that complements the drama well.

The entire drama gives off a warm, healing and peaceful vibe and captures realism in the most beautiful way. I loved it.

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"Human don't realize what an opportunity is unless u take them from you."

This show is incredible. 1st of all why so much handsome cast like i would absolutely die if the villains were that hot. Damn that psychopath ceo and that extremely handsome artist. Ufffff......

Jokes aside, the drama is so so so so versatile like it shows so many angles surrounding suicide and I saw alot of people saying they are only showing that we should not commit suicide just beacuse of others. But but but if we watch closely we will be able to understand that they basically covered all the issues regarding suicide which let me tell you

1. The death shows him so many different ways on how he can save his financial life by sending him in different bodies.
All his life he was just trying to pass 1 type of interview but his skills in different lifes shows how capable he actually was. Like when he was a detective or even a gangster. He managed to get not only money but fame too.
2. Death even provide him with alot of money but even the money can't helped him but put him in some more horrible conditions. So it is very true that only money can't buy happiness.
3. Death made him realise how much he was loved and how much he has taken it to granted. How ungrateful he was like only having money problem doesn't give you a reason to end things when you have such supportive, loving, and caring people in your life.
4. Death made him realise that how much 1 suicide can effect the course of life of so many people like the incident that made him to fail his 1st interview. 1 suicide made ML into a loser and the villain into a killer.
5. Death also made him realise how incredibly self-centred he was like he was ok to make her gf regret her life by committing suicide but he himself was not ok when her gf died and become so angry that he almost wasted 4 lifes just to take revenge. Its ok if you die but its not ok when u have to go through.
6. Finally death made him believe that if he can win a death game cant he also win in life? come on.
7. All 12 people he has to live the lives of has it more difficult in one way or other all were dying innocent deaths which they never wished for but here, he has given a life but he wanted to give up without even trying? why? Just beacuse he doesn't have a good job?
Death made him realise that in his mind he was claiming that he is living the worse life but in actual he wasn't even close to what all the other 12 lifes were going through.

I know being a human we all at one point of our life think of suicide but we never actually commit it beacuse we all think about all the possible outcomes of our actions. We should live not beacuse someone else loves us but beacuse we have the possibilities to love ourselves. If our society, education, culture, religion, family or traditions failed us why should we give up on our self? Why should we as a victim punish ourselves.

I requests to all the people reading this please love yourself not for anyone else but for yourself. U have all the options but you just have to figure it out. It will all make sense in the end.

And yes I want a season 2 like come on all these crazy people I want to see them again and also now we have to see how that motherfucker is going to do to save his gf and other peoples lol. I also need an other excuse to see that sexy psycho CEO and daddy artist killer. Damn..........
Death is so cruel for making killer so handsome?

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A nice surprise

Considering this drama was made in 2018 it is remarkably topical . It is also interesting for its debate on marriage , living together , and divorce . I found it captivating for that reason as fewer and fewer women in Korea want to get married and the divorce rate is still quite high . None of the characters are particularly likeable but they are ordinary people living their lives the best they can , juggling work , relationship , money , friendship like most of us , some hiding secrets which are eventually revealed . Tempers can run high , patience can run dry, and looking after oneself becomes a priority . It draws you in , because you think you can do better than them , but they take back control in the end , and all's well that ends well !

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Cliches, stereotypes and toxic behavior

Secret Garden was a drama I always skipped on Netflix. The synopsis never seemed very appealing to me. But finally I gave it a try because of one reason: Ha Ji- woon. She was very impressing in Empress Ki, tough and cool - and she is as well in this drama. But the rest ...

After 13 episodes my opinion about this drama was nearly made: boring plot, silly body switch and a weird “love story” between the two main leads. I never saw any reason why they would fall for each other. Especially the way Kim Joo-won treats Gil Ra-im is horrible. He chases her even when she said no, some kisses and hugs are forced.

So why I did not dropped the show? One reason: The drama has a few strong and emotional scenes between Gil Ra-im and Kim Joo-won - even though they sometimes doesn’t fit to the kind of relationship both have at this moment. Another reason: Oska. I really loved this character. From the outside he seems to be a selfish and ignorant idol, but inside he has a heart of gold and is such a good friend to Kim Joo-won and Gil Ra-im. And he is fun. The love story of him and Yoon Seul seemed more interesting then the one between the two main leads.

Both reasons wouldn’t had been enough to go on. But the show became better from episode 14. I think turning point is Gil Ra-ims decision to be with Kim Joo-won. From this point on there were no reason for him to chase her. Their love story became less weird, more emotional and cute.

The drama is full of cliches, stereotypes and toxic behavior. But the cast is really good, nearly everyone tries to make the best out of his/her character.

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