Reviews

Lives Up To The Hype - A Must Watch

This is one of those dramas that will stay with me. It’s very emotionally heavy (lots of emotions bubbling underneath the surface) and it’s these volatile emotions that lead to quite graphic scenes of violence that may make viewers uncomfortable but I think it’s dramas like this one that needs to be viewed so that those emotions can sit with you. It’s important to feel these emotions vicariously (which you do - very much so) and recognise where they are coming from. They should resonate with you, as it’s a hard look at how people become this way.

This drama was very illustrative, with the three main leads representing how someone can end up so far down a certain path. Each character is at different stages of that path. Soo Ho could have easily used his skills to become a school bully and give in to baser instincts but he doesn’t. Even when he has issues with Boem Seok he makes sure not to cross the line. He is someone who knows when to stop. Shi Eun is someone who was headed down the wrong path and about to give in to all his (understandable) anger and pent up frustration. I could feel him holding back in the earlier episodes. The tension was so thick and heavy, at times it felt suffocating so I can only imagine how much Shi Eun was being stifled by it. You can drown in those kinds of emotions and life circumstances where you feel like the boot is constantly on your neck. All that anger and resentment just to be greeted with more of the same each day. No wonder people in these circumstances flip out and rain down hell in a violent outburst when it finally breaks them and the anger comes spilling out.

Thankfully, Shi Eun was brought back from the brink before he went too far. He had someone like Soo Ho to pull him away from the edge and most importantly, Shi Eun was receptive to his help/intervention. This is where Boem Seok differs. The writers, director and most importantly; the actor, did a great job of showing the similarities and parallels between Shi Eun and Boem Seok’s characters and then showed how unlike Shi Eun, Boem Seok allowed himself to go to the brink. Unlike Shi Eun, he did not heed the warnings to stop before he was too far gone. And while he was justified in his anger and needing remedy for his pain; he crossed the line and became a victim who victimises.

What’s even more resonant is seeing how Boem Seok’s actions also drags Shi Eun past the brink as he loses it at the end and gives in to his pent up anger, frustration and resentment. Watching him in the second half of the finale, I felt so exhausted and emotionally drained. He looked tired, empty and like he had just returned from war, a shell of a person. This is the outcome when people are pushed too far. This is how someone loses the light behind their eyes.

The actors portray the complex states of emotions expertly. If you want to see characters who are real shades of grey; this is a drama that is a great illustration of that in the most harrowing way. You will not be disappointed.

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WARNING FOR MILD SPOILERS!!

Renai no Susume has a sweet message for everyone in all walks of life—it’s okay to fall in love. Although i was able to enjoy this film, i feel like it still has a couple of stuff that bothers me.

I really enjoyed the OSTs. The opening dance is really cute and silly while the ending song sounds really nice. But sometimes the music sounds way too dramatic in serious scenes that it feels … almost ironic?

The acting wasn’t bad at all, just nothing special.

About Ootori’s character, I liked him. He matured and became a more loving person. He’s intriguing enough that you can’t really hate him. He has his faults but you can see he’s trying.

The first couple episodes of the drama were a bore. It felt like typical romcom stuff that didn’t really stand out in any way. It picks up a bit after Ootori accidentally starts a “love liberation” group at his school, which is where the show is less comedic and more sentimental and dramatic.

Now, the main couple.

Hanako and Ootori’s relationship doesn’t make me feel anything, which is my biggest problem with the show.
However, although i understand that the focus of the drama was on Ootori figuring out how to let himself be in love which would ultimately make Hanako not need to be complex, it was a little disappointing. (Basically it was focused more about his feeling of love rather than who he loves.) Yes, love can happen for any reason, no matter how small, and many relationships that seem to spring out of nowhere can last a long time. HOWEVER. This drama could have been enhanced had Hanako been a deeper written character that actually had chemistry with Ootori.

I believe this because having two characters bonding with each other and falling in love will improve the impact in Ootori and Hanako’s love. Romcoms have every right to be silly and not take themselves seriously, but if you’re trying to have sentimental moments in one, it’s hard to feel anything without prior character development.

Hanako should have revealed more about her background and past to Ootori rather than needing Ootori’s friend to just find information for him. He could have connected more with her that would help them understand each other more.

Now…about Ryuzaki…he was one of my favorite characters in the show. Seeing him being rejected was somehow very somber and sweet to watch. Ootori doesn’t tell him straight up. Instead, he acknowledges Ryuzaki’s feelings without dismissing them. I wish he had more screen time so we could know more about him and why he loved Ootori in the first place. His motives were shown through his love. Even after being rejected, he supports Ootori and Hanako. He’s just a really sweet character who was unfortunately robbed of screen time.

I could ramble more but this really covers most of what I want to stay, if not all. I will put out that Hanako’s boyfriend (forgot his name) just easily supports her which makes no sense. They were implied to have talked it out but one talk isn’t realistic enough to budge someone like him. Overall, I enjoyed Renai no Susume. The ending wasn’t an outcome I enjoyed much, but I don’t regret watching this show. Please check out their tiktok page. It’s full of BTS stuff and really cute content if you enjoy Ootori and Ryuzaki fan service (that could almost be mistaken for bl) or just the actors having fun. @drama_stream_tbs

Thank you for reading!!!

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Different tale

Unlike other Goreyo story or Joseon drama, this story does not revolve around royal families.

The opening episode starts with a boom where the lady crosses the wall and does somersault to reach home before her mother in law sneaks in. It gives a fresh vibes. Unlike other period pieces, this story does not rely on lives of royals even but solely revolves around two commoners in search of their own identity. Despite living an unfateful life, Yeo Hwa is a positive person. She has her motto and does not rely on others for her life, Soo Hoo has been digging around to bring a twist in his career graph. He bumps into Yeo Hwa every time he looks out for a crime scene and her sneaky life piques his interest. But unaware of her real identity, he is being drawn to a widow who is waiting for her brother to come and take her.
As the story progresses, Yeo Hwa finds herself engrossed in affairs that has been shaking the nation. Her fierce moves which have been meant to help people needs to use it for a bigger cause that can turn the nation upside down.
Based on a webtoon of the same name, the drama is unfolding the definition of love in a time where the emotion has been limited and not allowed. But does love really follow time and management?

Lee Han Hee as the widow daughter in law of a prestigious family living a double life makes the story a fun watch. Her enactment as the obedient daughter in law and the masked woman helping people in need adds multiple layer through the storyline. Actions scene portrayed in a subtle note , quirky dialogues of Yeo Hwa makes it look like you are driving a racing car and there is no signal. The scene quickly shifts, thus making audience heart flutter. You never feel like leaving. Lee Jong Won as royal inspector Park Soo Hoo is the new love of the town. He fits in the shoe of child whose identity is a challenge for himself but tries to help Yeon Hwa in helping people in need. He is confident in his skin, which makes the untold romance more soft.

It is the storyline which keeps the audience hooked at first level. The unexpected twists offered by the tale, the subtle chemistry and the background music.....its been a while Korean drama offered such an enigmatic yet poised tale.

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Snob yet awesome

Snob, arrogant, obnoxious

This Demon holds no respect for our endearing Goblin, charming Grim Reaper and nor to evergreen Vampires (He dismisses them as mosquitoes). But his perfect arrogance hits a roadblock named Do Doo Hee in whose hand his cross sign goes away. What follows are a constant rift between a rising business woman and a non nonsense demon who gets entangled in marital bliss even! But is there anything more to that...
Well, the ragged woman whose tethered smile ignites spark about entwined fate, but how they are connected!!!!
The last two episode reflected on a whole new segment. From unfurling connection between D do hee and demon to emotional change of Doo hee witnessing the hell by her own eyes raised many question.
Demon ends up as Do Doo Hee's personal hell, but isn't that true for every human...the personal we love most is the one we loathe most!!!!
The series has been a fun ride. The cute banter between Do Do Hee a nd Demon in the beginning gave the much needed base audience expect in their favorite couple. Song Kang and Yoo Jung is a fresh couple whose both on screen rapport made the show more delightful. Kim Hae Sook as Ms. Ju and Jin Ga Young as Star Jin add the glamour quotient in the fantasy tale. Star Jin's elegant exit outlined a new graph for female second lead. Kang Seong Ho as eccentric Noh Do Gyeong successfully piques interest. Lee Sang -yi is becoming delicious second lead more and more. After playing hard boy in Bloodhound, he is again returning to his soft boy era.
The storyline is not a surprise but the overall presentation made it a fun watch.

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Unsatisfying execution of an interesting plot; Lacking romantic chemistry

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

I am sure I am not the only one who read the synopsis of “Moon in the Day” and liked it, especially for fantasy romance lovers. The plot looks interesting and the male lead is the handsome Kim Young Dae, so I gave it a shot despite mixed reviews. Although the drama is not horrible, the execution and storytelling could have been better. It is wasted potential.

I quite enjoyed the first half of the drama, and dare I say, I liked the dynamics of the leads in the present-day storyline more than the past. Their encounter, the unfolding of the events, and how the leads get to know each other, are all fun to me. It was decently paced as well. But as we entered the second half of the drama, the pacing slowed down and I started to lose a little interest in the present-day timeline. There’s a whole lot of talking (repetitive themes) but not a lot of action. This is when I become more invested in their past lives. The leads’ story and romance slowly unfolded, and though with controlled and conservative emotions, I believed in their tragic love and felt their feelings for each other.

Unfortunately, I do not feel the chemistry between the leads in the present timeline. The romance is too slow burn and there isn't enough shown or conveyed to make me feel that they have fallen in love with each other again. But the time they outwardly expressed their feelings, it was too late and too superficial. Their romance did not move me. The only time I was sad and cried was in the last episode.

The pace is slower in the second half and people seem to talk a lot slower (in both timelines). It also doesn’t help that the formerly miraculous firefighting heroine slowly becomes a damsel in distress. How many times is she going to trip, fall, get into an accident and need someone to help her out. Where was her fire fighting training? Isn’t she an athlete that could fight and protect herself? On the other hand, the villain can do no wrong. No one could ever catch him, and he has all these resources to pull the strings behind the scene. The cops are as useless as ever.

The acting is not bad. But I’ve seen Kim Young Dae acted better in “The Forbidden Marriage” and had much better chemistry with his co-star. Apparently I’ve seen Pyo Ye Jin in several of her past dramas but I had no recollection of her. Her character allows her to convey more emotions than Kim Young Dae, thus, it seems like her acting is better. . The rest of the cast did fine. The veterans definitely shine more than the younger main cast. Lee Kyung Young as ML’s father is awesome and Jung Woong In never disappoints when he plays a villain.

Overall, this is not a must-watch but do so if you are a fan of the leads, or if you are a really big fan of fantasy romance. I am OK with the ending and feel that it’s quite reasonable. I might not have guessed the result of the end of the present-day timeline perfectly, but I definitely anticipated how the whole drama ended in the last couple minutes. It’s actually quite typical for this genre.


Completed: 1/15/2024 - Review #396

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When you can see how understanding forms in between the lines of (un)spoken dialogue

This drama is a beautiful gem. Something that I enjoyed every minute of. Even the painful parts.

The acting is on another level for this one. The actors show us what human interaction and understanding brings and where it falls short. The messiness and the noise, the hardship when things do not reveal themselves as expected... it's all here.

There has been a lot of talk about FL being toxic and their relationship being unhealthy (some of it might be based on the Japanese original). And a lot was said on ML being too old and the age-gap being an issue.

And yet, it is not. There is no manipulative drama-usual plot here, but only human life at its purest and messiest, unclearest. There is not difficulty other than the silence in between us all. In the things said that leaves room for everything and the things we do not say and that ultimately still get a say.

I can say this: the only unhealthy thing in their relationship is him not really fighting for her. We never see him standing up with true effort (as his did with his former GF... mind you, he DOES stand up TO her FOR Meon, but not FOR her.). He said it at the beginning: for him it was new that for once he was not the one to make all the effort for a hearing person, but her actually doing all the work. And at some point he grew attached to it being this way, while disregarding (or not telling her) about what was happening with his former GF. Even though there is a lot of off-screen relationship handling happening ("we talked a lot..." in Ep 15.) He learnt through her that he was deserving of that effort. But the thing is: in a relationship that's normal. Sometimes you are pulling more and being supported more, and then it levels out until the other needs more.

Here the levelling out never happened... because let's face it: he unpacked lifelong trauma and hurt which informed ALL his reality.

And lastly: sometimes the greatest hurt we create for ourselves is when we think we are something for someone else that we are not. Sometimes we do not immediately know why we come into the life of someone else. And so we project our needs and wishes. She thought she needed to be his lover to show him the hearing world. He thought he needed to be her lover to protect her. And yet: She came into his life to teach him about self-love and respect, to lessen the harshness of the hearing culture in which he can barely exist, to bring peace to his child-heart of a mother who rejected him by bringing him to his old home and his mother (Ep 16). She was there for all of that, and it didn't matter that she didn't knew how or why.
He brought her confidence in moments of deep doubt. She built herself up again through being loved.

This series has so many layer and the writers had courage to show us how understanding forms without words and beyond the explicit forms of understanding we are attached to, how it erodes in the silence that allowed for expansion a few moments before and how eventually the same silence will grow so heavy and break love apart.
And let's not start on second lead Johan: who loves in silence over years and years and it is just enough. Even in the hard moments or when he is tempted to say it out loud, he keeps it in his heart like a precious treasure because he fears losing what he has. His silence is deafening and anybody can see it. And yet... it is his companion.

It's a beautiful, beautiful drama. And I cannot get over it. I cannot get over the layers and the depth and I will forever be grateful that there are still creators out there that make dramas with so much depth possible.

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The butterflies love and young love give.

A great salute to ones teenage to adult years. A great story that's embedded in friendship and love.

To say that I fell in love with this series is an understatement. It gave me all the feels. I enjoyed the friendships and relationships that took place. I enjoyed the growth and the portrayal of men showing feelings more than just being stoic.

While to story was mainly centered on the two childhoold friends, Ling Chao and Xiao Tu, the development and character growth of Jiang Juan Juan and Jia Sia Wen was the perfect icing on the cake. From total opposites, to uncanny friendship and camaraderie, to long distance relationships, to break up, and back to growth and being back together. The sacrifices and growth in that journey was the main highlight of the show to me. It was only in the last three episodes that they were given proper highlight, but the way their story was written was so beautiful and heartbreaking. The quiet sacrifices they both did for each other, especially the story of Jia Si Wen made me bawl my eyes. The insecurities of Jiang Juan Juan also hit home and made me bawl some more. It was beautiful and it honestly portrayed youth. While they aren't the main leads in this show, their story had more pinch to it. It resonated with me more.

Definitely won't tire rewatching this show!

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The Best K-Drama I've Ever Seen!

I'm going to start off by saying that I've never been a huge fan of Korean dramas. I'm not sure why or how, but all of the dramas I've ever seen have always been over-the-top dramatic and downright nonsensical. I'm not very fond of soap operas and soap opera-esque shows, so I typically choose to stay far far away from them. And yes, I have tried to watch some Korean dramas in the past and I've never been impressed. Either I'm bored senselessly or I'm unable to suspend my belief to buy certain storylines because they're so effing ridiculous, especially if they're not marketed as being fantasy/supernatural. They're just regular slice of life K-Dramas, but they always employ certain tropes that can only be found in dramas from this country. I can't explain it, but I'm sure someone knows exactly what I'm talking about. And no, I 've never had any issues with watching dramas from other Asian countries; I've always managed to find something to watch from Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, etc. Korea has been the only country where I've had difficulty falling in love with their dramas.

However, this show is nothing like that at all. If you're anything like me when it comes to Korean dramas, then I will highly recommend that you watch this one. It's nothing like a typical Korean drama and that's what made it stand out to me. I know some people may not like the female lead but I LOVED her. She's one of the primary reasons why I fell in love with this show to begin with. She's also the reason why I've decided to give K-Dramas a second chance, so thank her! I've always been drawn to female characters like Moon Young. Yes, she's awful and does some irredeemable things. However, she stands up for herself and other people too. Moon Young is an excellent female lead. She's interesting, complex, and dynamic. She's not boring and she's quite memorable, as well. She doesn't fall victim to being "weak." Granted, I don't mind female characters who aren't as assertive and opinionated as her. But I do mind when female characters are practically depicted as pathetic doormats who don't stand up for themselves and constantly allows things to happen TO them. Moon Young is definitely nothing of the sort. She doesn't let anything happen to her; SHE makes things happen.

Gang Tae was amazing, as well! This is the first time I've ever seen this actor but I'm thoroughly impressed by his performance. The running joke for me while watching this was: "if there's anything you can count on, it's Gang Tae crying." I joke, I joke! But the actor played the role of Gang Tae being suppressed but wanting that freedom of being a single, unmarried, young man in his 30s pretty well. You just know Gang Tae held back for most of his life and you believed it. Now, I loved the two of them as a couple too. Yes, we know that no means no but this is a fictional depiction and is not real. So, because of that, I honestly don't care how "creepy" Moon Young may or may not have come off. I don't care, friends. Anyway, the two of them as a couple worked well for me. I've never watched any shows where the female lead chased the male lead. This show depicted that pretty well too because Moon Young never really came off as desperate or thirsty. In the hands of less competent writers, it would have been fairly easy for Moon Young's choice to chase Gang Tae to come off as pitiful and pathetic. However, that never happened. Even when Gang Tae would reject her in the beginning, it never came off as pitiful. It's a very delicate balance that must be employed and they handled the challenge incredibly well.

Sang Tae was great too, but he would annoy me ever so often. Mainly because it almost seemed as if everyone would walk around on eggshells with him instead of calling him out for his own manipulation. I don't care what anyone says, but Sang Tae manipulated Gang Tae quite a bit during this show. I understand him not wanting to "share" his brother but Sang Tae isn't stupid. He knows that Gang Tae would constantly choose his brother over himself again and again, and that's unfair to Gang Tae. Why should he be forced to sacrifice his own life and happiness to take care of his brother for the rest of his life? It wasn't right! So, I'm really glad that we saw some growth from Sang Tae regarding that issue by the end of the show. This was my favorite trio once everyone got on the same page, and that makes me happy.

Now, before I end this review, I must talk about the elephant in the room with the story. While the story was good and the actors more than made up for certain weak spots in the story, there was something that I wish was made more clear to the audience. This is regarding the woman who turned out to be Moon Young's mother or the woman from Devil Judge (haha). I feel as if they should have justified her sudden reappearance by saying that Moon Young's father has a distorted version of his recollection of the events regarding her "death" due to his tumor. If they'd just mention that in passing, that would clear up so many things. The audience watched her bleed out on the foot of their stairs and watched him put her body in a bag and throw it to the bottom of the lake. How did she survive? I never fully believed Moon Young's recollection because of her age, the length of time that had passed since the event occurred, and her overall trauma. However, that doesn't really explain how her mother survived all of that and I wished they would have cleared that part up a lot more, because it didn't make sense.

Aside from that, this show was incredible and I'm sad that it's already over. I would absolutely recommend everyone watch this show if they were on the fence about it. It was downright amazing!

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Watch this for Recommendation Challenge month of Jan 2024. Long time heard this one but finally watch this. Must say have mix feeling about this in the end.

What I like first:
+ Ko Chia Yen played 2 character beautifully. We can feel the diff between 2 of her character. The depress Chen Yun Ru (YR) & the cheerful Huang Yu Xuan (YX). Even as simple as the way she walk is diff with 2 character.
+ The beautiful song. But yeah.. Like Kate wrote I think I also heard enough of this song. At least for a while for me. Haha...
+ The beautiful representation of our beautiful mind... Haha... This kinda like Miss Gu Who Is Silent concept but more complicated
+ I kinda like how the make the concept of room in our brain

What I don't like:
- They start to lose me when they introduce the part of Li Zi Wei (ZW) | Wang Quan Sheng (QS). Especially when he returned back to ZW. Gonna be better if we have time stamp. Really confused how & why must be like that & sometimes confuse what time we currently watching that time.
- How can ZW easily understand the time jump concept. Especially when he met himself at the airport. He never really go deep with the time jump concept, but he easily accepted when he see himself & not shock or confused a little bit
- At the end I kinda confuse which one is the real characteristic of YR. The sad & depress one or the cheerful one...
- And after read Kate's review I also just realize how the writer never really bothered to make the story of other characters outside YR. Like the relationship between ZW & their parents. It's like the character only exist to support YR.
- And yeah like Kate's wrote too. I also think in the end this kinda take the depression & mental issue too lightly. Depression it's not something easy to change/heal with the change of mind

Overall this a good drama with interesting concept how beautiful our mind is.... If u looking for romance, just stay away from this drama.

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Great drama!!!

I really enjoyed this drama! I saw clips of it on TikTok and had to check it out, plus i was watching another drama at the same time with the same FL. My favorite part about this drama was not even the romance, it was the friend group (ESPECIALLY GU RAN). I really enjoy simple dramas with a good storyline and characters! Also i'm so happy they didn't kill off the grandma because I really enjoyed her character! The only thing that made me mad in this drama was RangRang's mother, smh - I dont know what is up with Chinese dramas and giving the male leads terrible moms. I wanted to come through the screen a couple of times , and I didn't like how we didn't really get a resolve with it , it got swept under the rug :(
10/10 would recommend!

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Everything was worth watching till now... Just go for it.. You will love it . Minyoungs acting is on marks same for inwo and also the story is lill bit diff form the webtoon but surely its give more reality vibes . Hope everyone enjoying it can't wait for the last episode already toooo toooo toooo much excited a lil bit of fantasy but you won't notice because of how good they are acting.. Good work to the team.. Please rate it good. And also................. Beans ? lov for the queen minyoung she never disappoint can't wait to see inwo and minyoung.. Hope there interaction will be great and great????

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Almost perfect. Deserve to be called best cdrama of 2023

Romance, adventure, brotherhood, sisterhood, love in its many forms, all can be seen in this drama. I really liked that this story does not end when the leads got together but goes beyond and proved again and again that they really are the perfect match for each other. The characters make logical or at least understandable decisions, love is not their end all be all, except maybe for one character, but he moved on from that. My favorite side characters are Yanying and Yuan Lu. Yanying's arc in particular was so satisfying, her growth from a timid princess to an outstanding leader. Yuan Lu always brings freshness whenever he's in a scene. Another unforgettable character who gave me mixed feelings was Li Tongguang. I didn't like him and his shenanigans but he kept mesmerizing me and I keep rooting for his happy ending.

If you want a respite of the many love centric dramas then this one's for you.

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