Reviews

It shows real world or...

It really shows real world outside of our dramas. It not about bl but a person. His emotions, living ways and so on...

But at some points i found this show is really crazy u find any characters hooking up with each other but i kinda expected it.

Everything has come to MIDLE. Nothing compled like a hole drama i think but this also shows that life can change any time and cs of anyone.

It's good to watch but not to rewatch nevertheless u want ur head goes crazy


PC i want to know why did the director end them like that really want.. cs their casting contains really good actors. Maybe this way director thinks they can attract viewers

All of the my opinion..

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"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" - Sir Walter Scott

Playing catch up can be really fun (at times). I've had "Sky Castle" in my queue for a while. Mood played a part in the delay. I moved on to other themes after I finished a similar genre with "Crash Course in Romance." I'd had enough of bratty kids. Though "Crash Course" was good, "Sky Castle" had a much deeper experience. It wasn't long after episode 10 that I was already thinking about how I was going to review this show. Just so much going on and many roller coaster of emotions.

A father of 6 myself, I originally had so much to say. Even though it's from 2018, I'm sure the new Kdrama watchers will love it. So, I tried to keep it short:

An upper class group of families lives in Sky Castle, which is an exclusive and prestigious residential complex. There are a lot of academically driven residents and their kids go to a prestigious school. Family dynamics are explored in the series, showing the pressure parents put on their kids to do well in school.

The show highlights the fierce competition within Korea's education system. The acting was fantastic. Actors Yeom Jung Ah (Seo Jin), Kim Seo Hyung (Kim Joo Young), and Lee Tae Ran (Lee Soo Im). These were my standouts, but credit is definitely due to everyone else. Everyone did a great job. Characters are well-written and complex. A major theme of the film is the ambitious and driven parents, who often sacrifice their own needs and desires to help their children succeed. It's outright ridiculous in some cases. My blood was boiling in some episodes, while others just intrigued me.

The cinematography is also impressive, with the use of camera angles and lighting techniques to enhance the storytelling and create a visually stunning viewing experience.

Sorry I just have to explain my rating for rewatching of 6.0, which isn't terrible. Let's be honest. This show is a well-written "one and done"type of series. This type of story is structured like that. I like how the story unfolds with each episode showing you critical points, character revelations, character motives, and answering most of your questions. The second time around won't be the same. Those emotions you felt during your second 20 episode watch may be diluted, because you already know all the secrets. I feel of 50 folks that rate the rewatch at 10, only about 15 or less will actually rewatch.

Over all, "Sky Castle" turned out to be a very enjoyable watch and earned a high mark.

Wow, and this is my short review.

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Mothers in c-dramas have an extraordinary superpower - they always get away with "murder"

The only good thing about this drama is acting. Main couple has some really sweet moments together and if you are a fan of these actors you can enjoy their scenes.
Moral of this drama: do no evil, be kindhearted and you will get hurt, and if you survive, be happy with that. Do evil, be cruel and everything will be forgiven!

So:
- IF you love ML's mother to be evil, cruel, scheming, stepping over death bodies, mommy knows the best character - you will love this drama.
- IF you like when ML's mother is toxic and hates FL for no reason - this drama is for you.
- IF you like when ML is mommy's boy and has no problem when his mommy hurts FL, just because FL is with her son - you will enjoy this drama.
- IF you like when evil ML's mother isn't punished for her wrongdoings at all - this is drama for you.
- IF you like non of the evil characters to be punished - this is drama for you.
- IF you like when evil people who hurt others and do some really nasty staff get away with it and get happy ending - you will love love love this drama.
- IF you like to watch husband using and treating his wife like door mat and she stays with him - there you go, this is drama for you, you have second couple to enjoy this toxic trope.
- IF you are ok with death of nice characters - you will like this drama.
- IF you like when FL loses everything that she worked for her entire life and does not get really happy ending - you have this drama to put last episode on replay and enjoy her misery in settling with second best.
- IF you like a story that dragged out way more than it was needed - watch this drama.
- IF you like annoying loud music hurting your ears that gets so loud and takes over romantic or heartbreaking scenes - this drama is for you.
IF...

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A Cotton Candy Disaster

Im gonna start off by saying that i absolutely loved the main couples chemistry and also the side couple (qin feng and ho chi worshiper). I loved how innocent the male lead was and how he kept thinking kissing is 'eating cotton candy' cuz its soft and sweet. I felt very bad for the 2nd ML despite everything because I understood where he was coming from. The immortal Aunt's split personality is what really got me on edge. I felt bad for her nice side (bai li). Overall the plot was a total MESS. so many things were going on and things were all over the place. The female leads brother was also low key irritating. The jokes he played and how often he lied really got me annoyed at him. I cant really blame him tho, all brothers are like that. The ending left me feeling very dissatisfied since it didnt reinforce the closure it gave. It seemed rushed, nothing truly made sense of it. Like the plot itself, it was screwed. Overall my favorite part was the cute romance and flirting.


-major spoiler- its ironic how the FL was a tree hugger and knew how to care for plants AND she fell in love with a tree lmaooo

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Saved Me From a K-Drama Slump

I've been in a slump lately, with mediocre drama after mediocre drama. But I'm happy to report that this show sucessfully won me back.

Perfect Marriage Revenge is a K-Drama based off of an ongoing (almost finished) webtoon. I've read the webtoon and I enjoyed it well enough. And who doesn't love the contract marriage trope? So I decided to give the drama a shot, and I'm so glad I did.

It isn't exactly a faithful adaptation, while a lot of the same things happen in the two, there's a different order of events, which I personally think flows much better in the drama. The drama also has better development of the relationships and stronger characterization. I enjoyed both Yi-Ju and Do-Guk's characters significantly more here than I did in the Webtoon.

The last show I watched Sung Hoon in, I wasn't a huge fan. So, I was delightfully surprised by how much I loved his portrayal of Do-Guk here. And Ji-Yu couldn't have been cast better. The two of them worked phenomenally together and their romance was defiantly the highlight for me!

The revenge plot is incredibly convoluted, and the relationship dynamics are a tangled web that's nearly impossible to unwind, in the most delightful way possible. While I have seen some people complain about how complicated it was I felt the show was well enough written that I was never lost. Every scene progressed the plot in some way and there was certainly never a dull moment.

Every character was perfectly cast. I loved who I was supposed to love and hated who I was supposed to hate. Which is a feat not all dramas can accomplish. In fact, I'm not sure I've hated a villain this much in a good long while.

The only thing that's keeping me from giving this show a perfect score is episode one. The show started out a bit slow and I didn't like the characters much. It wasn't until maybe the last twenty minutes of the episode that it got me. By the end of episode one I was invested enough to keep watching. And by the beginning of episode two I was 100% sold on it. I enjoyed every second of the next eleven episodes and would have gladly watched more.

Is the show complicated? Yes. Unrealistic? Yeah. Is it over the top dramatic? Absolutely.
But it's exactly what its supposed to be. I'm going to keep recommending it, and I will without a doubt be back for a rewatch.

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So Sweet it made my mouth hurt from all the smiling I did.

This drama was so cute and sweet. My mouth literally hurt because I smiled so much from the sweetness of their relationship. I especially loved it because no one got in the way of their relationship. No rival who wanted to get together with the mains and try to sabotage them due to jealousy. Although they did get some hate online but that wasn't much of an issue in the story. So, this is why I practically binge watched this series. The acting was great, but I especially loved the music. Most dramas if the main or something is a musician, they usually have 1 - 2 songs and just constantly make them perform those, but in this drama, they have many songs they perform and the songs in itself were great. I loved how they started to get to know each other due to food recipes and is constantly showing us authentic Chinese cuisine. I literally looked up the recipe for Da Pan Ji (Big Plate Chicken)

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They're my star.

I love them. Ji Woo and Seo Joon are my new comfort couple. They're cute, wholesome and heartwarming. They'd do anything for each other and I'm certain of that, I mean we're talking about Seo Joon who wanted to open a restaurant just for his chef and Ji Woo who was ready to loose Seo Joon just for him to not pay for the debts and wanted to solve the problem by himself. The story is simple but I think that's it's charm, there's no big plot for you to focus on, just two boys falling in love with each other and developing. I just wish we saw them being more lovey dovey.

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PERFECT! MESMERIZING! BEAUTIFUL!

Amazing story, beautiful couple & green flags all over this drama.

I can't find any issues not to rate this 10 out of 10 because i enjoyed every second of this drama filled with amazing music & romance.


All actors from ML/FL to supporting characters were peak performers, specially the beauty CEO, damn her smile was deadly to me as a viewer.


Satisfied with this drama, this gave a new outlook to cdramas without any cliches or useless plot points, this could easily give tough competition to the drama "Meet Yourself", that was a different genre but with a similar style, this focused on Voice Actors but that focused on Tourism but both have their own charms.


Overall i give this a rewatch value of 10 because of their music, which I can't find anywhere else, even if i find it, i will not enjoy it as much as i enjoyed while watching, romance is also a + point for me.


I was satisfied with the ending, they did not drag the drama and ended it on a good note with everyone being happy. A Must Watch!

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Living the lives of Seven People

Hey everyone, welcome to the first K-Drama study of 2024. Today, I'll discuss the show Death's Game, starring Seo in Guk. The Drama was released in two parts. The first four Episodes will be released in December of 2023, and part two will be released in January 2024. I've been excited to watch this since it was announced, and now let's jump in as we see what I thought of the show.

Disclaimer: This review will contain spoilers to read at your own risk

The last Drama I saw Seo in Guk was Minamdang Cafè, a drama that I wasn't a fan of as the comedy elements overpowered the other aspects of the show. I wasn't sure what Death's Game would be like, but I was excited to see it. I have to say the acting from the cast was perfect as each of them performed terrific. I loved Park So Dam's performance of her character, Death. The way she brought that character to life was amazing, as he expressions kept impressing me each time I saw her on screen. Seo In Guk put on an excellent performance of his character, even though there were some moments I wouldn't say I liked cause it felt like he was still selfish. I will also enjoy some of the stories in the first four episodes felt rushed, but they still fit this story overall.
I loved the moment when Yi Jae got to see his ex-girlfriend, but in someone else's body before they both got killed. The one story I liked was when Yi Jae woke up in a High Schooler's body. It was fun to see him stop this person from getting bullied, but he got killed again in the end. One moment that made me laugh was when Yi Jae tried to shoot Death with a gun. Come on, bro, Death can't be killed. You should know that. I liked the little suspense the show brought, but I will say the ending was predictable. I have to mention that the first four episodes we got in December were perfect. Nothing was wrong with them, but after we got the second four episodes, it felt like we were watching a Crime drama. Overall, a Seo in Guk is much better than Minamdang Cafè.

We did get three OSTs for the show, and they kept popping up on my playlists. Sondia did the first OST, delivering some excellent vocals with a beautiful piano melody that kept bringing me back for more. You could feel the emotion that she was getting with her singing. Seo In Guk did the second OST one that felt a little darker, but I always welcome it time we get to hear him sing since he does more acting than singing now. Sondia returned for the final OST for the show, which has been popping up on my playlist in 2024. For only three OSTs for this show, they all pack a punch and are ones that keep popping up on my playlist.


Overall, Death's Game is an enjoyable show with some excellent acting and suspense but a predictable ending. I've decided to give this show a B for being a great drama and a big step up for Seo In Guk since I wouldn't say I liked his last Drama. I'll be back sometime in 2024 with another Drama review, so look out for that and have a lovely day/night.

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It's Gwanhee's Inferno

The worst season so far. There were no games, no real challenges, no cooking or any other meaningful activities. The participants were not genuinely interested in anyone else but themselves. Most of the girls and guys have no personality whatsoever. Gwanhee being an exception although I really disliked how much screen time he had. However, now that the show is over it makes sense that they have focused so much on him - the others are so one-dimensional. Like someone mentioned in the comments, without him you wouldn't have a show and no one would be watching it. I also think the producers did him dirty - I doubt he is such a POS like they made him out to be. It's just that they had nothing else to work with.

It was frustrating to watch nothing happen. All they did was talk, talk, talk. Drama and more drama that became so messy and lead nowhere. The ending was predictable because there was no challenge. The contestants did not manage to develop any sort of bonds with others in the group, especially not with the ones they claimed to like.

The whole show lacked substance because of how shallow most people seemed to be. I also have a feeling there were some major budget cuts for this show or it is just that people involved did not want to get their hands dirty. Literally.

Don't waste your time on this.

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gave me a headache every time

Overall: the plot did not plot. Watched uncut on GagaOOLala. Also aired cut/uncut on WeTV and cut on YouTube (they cut the NSFW scenes). 10 episodes about 40 minutes each. MFlow Entertainment also produced: Beyond the Star, Ai Long Nhai, Coffee Melody, Second Chance and With Love.

Watch Suggestion: instead of watching the series, watch the Behind The NC Scenes (note the thumbnails have nothing to do with the scenes) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/3965/time-the-series-behind-the-nc-scenes-2024-e01 These are actually fully edited with music though they occasionally have someone giving directions.

Content Warnings: murder, sexual assault/attempted rape, dub/non con? (not sure what exactly that was around 30 minutes in episode 1), sexual harassment, beaten up, drugging, manipulation, slaps/fight, blood, mental health struggles, non con that turns consensual, breaking & entering, kidnapping, non con video recording/sharing

What I Liked
- the intro didn't make much sense but it did set up high stakes
- at least the manager eventually followed him to his room in episode 1
- the kissing/NSFW were decent (but felt directed instead of organic at times)

Room For Improvement
- not sure what the plot was supposed to be, we had fast jumps to characters that are not introduced well/I didn't really know who they were (especially bad in episode 5), it was also boring ie 7 minutes of guys flirting with women in episode 3
- everything felt odd, the dialogues, the lack of realistic reactions to things, no one acted like a human
- the timeline became especially choppy in episode 7, was not sure how much time passed between scenes
- way too much screen time in episode 1 with the stereotypical/cliche fighting/yelling trans women and evil wannabe girlfriend (reminded me of Be Mine Superstar, not in a good way), luckily the yelling went away
- the set up for the NSFW in episode 1 was awful
- the two leads needed to be styled differently, they looked kind of like brothers
- comedy sound effects that weren't funny
- episode 2 had a very long/odd flashback/dream
- nonsense stuff, that jump drive map in episode 5 being just one of a ton of examples
- cliche evil women
- cliche drunk trope (very fictional mouth says no but body says yes), cliche saw someone talking with a woman and then refused to communicate
- the twist at the end

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Although there were some poorly made edits, I thoroughly enjoyed the drama.

Despite some enjoyable aspects, the drama had several glaring issues with the poorly written script and bad editing. The transition from one murderer case to the next was poorly executed, and the love change of mind of the female lead was poorly executed as well. Although the main storyline was intriguing and kept me hooked, the overall execution of the drama left me cringing.

Frankly, I found myself caught between two vastly different scriptwriters - one who kept me thoroughly engaged, and the other who made me cringe with poorly executed scenes. Unfortunately, the drama took a downhill turn due to the script's many ridiculous and bad choices. Funny on paper, but cringy on screen. Intriguing on paper, but poorly executed on screen. Too many cuts/edits that left me frustrated. Some casting choices were also debatable like the stepmother.

Despite these issues, the second male lead captured my attention with his handsome and mysterious persona. While the other male lead was a good actor, I didn't feel any chemistry between him and the female lead. The decision to go with more veteran male leads was fantastic! This was probably the main reason I kept watching.

The characters were intriguing, and I was particularly drawn to the portrayal of the genius character, who seemed to have some borderline autistic tendencies. The female lead struggled with expressing emotions and exhibiting fickleness in her romantic interests. While the script may be lacking, it could be interpreted as a result of her being autistic or a genius. This is supported by the fact that she demonstrated exceptional talent at a young age, mastering autopsy at just 9 years old, as mentioned by her shoufu. I must say, this all seems quite stretched to me and I am only speculating to explain, or maybe even excuse her character.

The ending was a complete letdown, leaving the viewers disappointed, especially since it was left open-ended with the possibility of another season that never materialized. Do not expect a typical love story. It is a complex and tumultuous triangle of love and misunderstandings that will keep you frustrated, yet still watching to finally watch the mutual love declaration.

Despite the flaws, I still believe that this is a great show. However, the producers should have done a better job with the script and editing to make it a more seamless and enjoyable viewing experience.

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Really really enjoyable - but had some 'wtf' moments

I started watching this one back in October, left it on-hold for three months, and finally finished it. Lessgo

The good

- Aoki is an adorable protagonist. He's quite quirky, and the actor who plays him can border on too over-the-top sometimes, but he's so cute and sells it amazingly well. His performance is very funny and animated, I really liked it. He's also incredibly kind, and thoughtful (almost paranoic lol), and always looks out for others over his own well-being. He treats women with RESPECT (love him for that), he's hard working, upbeat and so likeable overall. I want to be friends with him so bad
- Hashimoto is also a godsend. What a great friend oh my god, I love her, I'm obsessed - she was always encouraging Aoki, while dealing with her own feelings, and was super nice to everyone without being a pushover (honestly, those slaps had me fucking dying. She's a queen).
- In that same vein, Aoki and Hashimoto's friendship is everything I want in this life. They are so relatable, add me to their groupchat please.
- Hashimoto and Aida's relationship - I am obsessed. At one point I liked them more than the main couple, can you believe that? It's just so natural and banter-y and they tease each other so much and it's so fun to watch.
- Aoki in a dress and a wig. Need I say more? Bro was looking drop-dead gorgeous

The 'wtf'

- Ida's character is kind of... all over the place. He's not connected to his emotions at all, which is *fine* (he could be ace, for all we know), but the way he leads Aoki on at the beginning is not nice. If you're not sure about how you feel about a person, don't date them to see if you find out - that's so cruel, even if you don't intend it to be. I think him and Aoki needed to communicate more, they are very different and that causes multiple misunderstandings throughout the series (the hand-touching, for example).
- Them breaking up in the last episode was just not it. Or, at least, if you want me to ship them and want them together. From what I saw, Aoki was way too paranoid in their relationship and Ida was too nonchalant, there was a gap there and they weren't seeing each other's perspectives. I agree with Aoki that they weren't even dating, he was right to be upset about that - as I've mentioned, you do not date people just because you 'might' like them.
- They forgave the homophobic teacher way too fast. I'm not a violent person, so the way his drunk ass would have gone flying into the river or the nearest dumpster if I were there is kind of out of character for me. But oh well. Have fun drowning I guess

There's some amazing episodes in this series. The first two were incredible, so so funny, definitely a must watch. The rest are kind of a gamble. Who would've thought that the relationship would be my least favorite aspect of the series?

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Thought-Provoking Drama with Mixed Suicide Messages

I must admit, I found this show to be quite captivating, yet I couldn't ignore the excessive focus on penalizing Yi Jae for his life-altering decision. It's worth noting that the show is backed by the Korean government, specifically in the realm of sports and culture, and given Korea's high suicide rates tied to work culture (a universal issue), this messaging felt off-putting. While the intention to convey the importance of finding purpose and the beauty in life is evident, the active punishment of someone who has chosen to end their life seems counterproductive. As someone who strongly relates to Yi Jae, this aspect of the narrative left me feeling uneasy.

Nevertheless, the stellar acting in this drama deserves applause, evoking powerful emotions within me, especially during the portrayal of the last body Yi Jae inhabits – a truly moving moment. The versatility of Seo In Guk, making it seem like he effortlessly stepped into various characters, is commendable.

The storyline also held my interest, with the concept of living in another person's body being a personal fascination of mine. Observing how the director navigated this plot added an enjoyable and intriguing dimension. Additionally, the inclusion of another plotline that Yi Jae is unraveling, beyond his own demise, brought an extra layer of complexity.

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