This review may contain spoilers
This drama starts off with a cliché, over-bearing CEO who is wooden and unemotional, finding how to interact with a quirky, happy-go-lucky child psychologist. It’s the second time I’ve seen Wei Zhe Ming in this type of role and frankly, there was no difference from his stint as Zhang Si Nian in Perfect and Casual. He has the same robotic expression but fortunately for him (or rather his character), that he’s rich, handsome and powerful and that this can be easily overlooked.
Hu Yi Xuan is not too shabby as Qin Yi Yue, especially in the first half of the drama, where she had more spunk and personality when she goes against Qiao Yan’s dictatorial demands framed as requests. She flies by the seat of her pants when dealing with her personal life and makes decisions based on feelings.
The two are a match made in heaven as they counterbalance each other, but the catalyst between them is certainly the adorable munchkin Xiao Bao who seems to be unanimously voted by the viewers as the star of the show. For his debut drama, Lennon Sun is a natural as he delivers a performance rarely seen in kid actors, especially in those beginning episodes where he had no dialogue to speak of.
The rest of the cast try their best to work with the script as they guide their one-dimensional characters through development. Ruo Wei and Wen Gu act as sounding boards to the lead characters while navigating their own romance. Whereas a contract binds the leads together, a bet stands between the SML and SFL to see who falls for the other first. Another cliché where the strong-willed female manages to tame the spoiled-rich, playboy into submission.
Add in a calculating aunt (in the absence of an evil mother), a self-entitled childhood friend (in place of a clingy ex-girlfriend), or a brooding third male lead bearing unrequited love. Throw in an accident or two, and some tropey plot device like amnesia or disability, then you have your basic ingredients for a C-drama recipe. For added flourish, mix in a glimpse of a tragic past or some form of trauma. Also don’t forget the coincidence of all coincidences.
Surprisingly, I didn’t touch the fast forward button on this one, despite the few times where I almost gave in to that temptation. The first half was certainly stronger than the back half where the resolution seems rushed towards the end. Also, I found quite a few loopholes where the drama introduced some of the character’s backstory without it ever having fully explored or concluded. The show also tried to force a third pairing in the last two episodes where I see no rhyme or reason to do so. Some of the conflicts to me seemed unnecessary and weak.
Despite this lackluster review, “Unforgettable Love” is a decent watch and entertaining if you don’t take its faults too seriously. To its credit, the show also teaches you the importance of found family, as well as gathering the strength to move on from the past and how to live in the present.
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Lee Sung Kyung shows some of her best acting prowess in this drama; the way she unleashes her pent-up frustrations at how life dealt her hand, how the father she loved betrayed their family, how she has to hold back some of her emotions for the sake of her sister and brother, how she defends her actions as justifiable, and how she grapples with her growing feelings towards her sworn enemy.
The rest of the cast also pull their own weight in this mostly character-based drama, with the plot being secondary as a background. The events that unfold showcase how humanity or lack there-of can play in the decisions of some, like how some people are repentant while others are not, despite numerous chances given. We learn in this drama, that while some people are just plain horrible, it does not necessarily mean that their off-spring will be the same. Some just lack the basic human decency of treating others with respect and continue to become trash, but we should not be painting their relatives in the same brush because they can turn out to be really decent human beings with an unfortunate excuse of a mother.
If you are expecting a light-hearted, fluffy romance drama, this is not it as Call It Love meanders its way along the excruciatingly long road of life.
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Park Jo Hyun’s performance as the crazy swindler was on point, as her character goes about the world jumping in sticky situations and getting out the next with her out-of-the box thinking. Ye So Rang’s highly observant skills and wealth of knowledge aided in her portrayal of the dead princess’ lost spirit that the King believed her powers of shamanism to be real.
For his part, Kim Young Dae tried to be his best as the brooding widower Lee Heon, who pines for his dead wife even after years after her death. So when he hears of the possibility that he can see his wife’s spirit, the King eats up So Rang’s lies as a kid eating candy. Hilarity ensues as Ye So Rang weaves her tale larger than the last, and the oblivious Lee Heon could not determine whether he’s speaking to So Rang or to the dead princess, and lines get blurred.
But there’s someone who probably knows So Rang’s secret: the King’s best friend, right hand man, Lee Shin Won, who is relegated to his role as the second fiddle, third wheel in the love triangle. Kim Woo Seok is decent as the second male lead, as his stoic stance, quiet demeanor completes his loyal-to-a-fault, kicked-puppy-dog look, that he can only be So Rang’s really good friend at best.
This show has a good, solid ensemble cast, from the courtyard couple Royal Nanny and Chief Eunuch to the band of Mosuldan’s (probably incels in today’s world). Everyone has their own little part of the story and are quite interesting characters in their own right, like the cunning fortune teller, the erotic author, and other people who give color to this drama.
The Forbidden Marriage is equal parts romance, drama, comedy, and politics, not one aspect too overpowering to take over another. Even the villains are not so villainy like in other dramas where I want to throw their heads against the wall, although sometimes I feel it’s justified only to wipe the smug grins off their faces.
Though it became a tad serious at the end, and lost a little bit of steam, this drama is an enjoyable watch.
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Then am I supposed to suddenly believe that, because he finds out that he has known her as a child, that the ML changes his mind suddenly and agrees to said marriage proposal, after lecturing the FL about said morals and principles about not exchanging love for money? I think there’s a word for that…hy…hypo…crite…
Or as his mother said, prostitution.
I also have had enough of those remarks in the first few episodes about how girls needing to get married and have a child to be really considered as a full-fledged woman. Not even Gong Jun's pretty handsome face will convince me to sit through a drama that spouts such outdated sexist ideologies. Plus, I heard later things that happened in the show that did not make a good case for me to continue this without me bursting a blood vessel.
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But before I digress further, I must say that this drama grew on me. I wasn't really expecting much from a cast mainly comprised of K-pop idols, but they are decent and you can see they are trying their best portraying their roles that are not too far from their profession. I enjoyed the parts where they were being idols: the practicing, the dancing, the music, the on-stage presence is as expected but nothing further given that they don't have much to work with.
A drama that tries to expose the dark side of the K-pop industry seemed good on paper but how it was executed was not. It is like the drama is trying to do so many things at once that it failed to excel in any one area. It is also trying to do a David vs Goliath story with a small entertainment company going against a conglomerate, but the end fell flat as nothing much was done except an article by a lone journalist that will most likely be forgotten by the next juicy gossip.
The plot suffered from the uneven, choppy writing as it tries its damned hardest to pair off couples that have no chemistry except for convenience's sake. But if you are willing to overlook all these weak points, and just focus on the feel good story of people reaching their dreams in spite of obstacles, then "Imitation" is not so bad as it seems.
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I almost did not recognize Park Hyung Sik from SWDBS as he broods quietly on the sideline, while Song Hye Kyo's doppelganger Han So Hee is decent as the object of his affections. I also liked the fact that the production team used music and imagery to reflect the different stages of the MCs' relationship. Alternatively, this isn't a drama that needed a whole thesis deconstructing the plot devices or in person narratives due to its short length. It is meant to be enjoyed as it is, a bittersweet journey of two people finally finding love after two decades.
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There was no character that really stood out for me as they each had their own strengths and weaknesses, but I have to admit that Xiao Wu became annoying after causing Tang San so much trouble because of her insistence to tag along wherever he goes. I was cringing every time she flutters her eyelashes at the oblivious Tang San. Surprisingly, I liked Lan De and Xiao Gang as the Founder and Grandmaster of Shrek Academy, how their teachings greatly influenced the "Seven Devils" in their quest for knowledge. Doulou Continent is not just a fantasy drama about spirit cultivation, but about found family and lasting friendships.
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Aside from the FL, ML, and the eye-candy Ci Sha as Mei Xing, the rest of the characters were pretty bland to me, if not ingratiating. The ML's mother was spineless against her ambitious son Wen Chuan, coddling him even when does despicable things. For her part Qin Wan treats Shi Yi like she's a nobody and a fly who hovers around her step-son. But it is actually Tong Jia Ren who buzzes around Sheng Chen despite being married to his brother, who is in turn chasing his ex-girlfriend around. There are too many family entanglements in this drama for me to keep the relations straight. There are some funny moments, a lot of sad moments, but this drama lasted forever and ever that I couldn't wait for it to finish.
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This review may contain spoilers
"Crazy Love" is bat-shit crazy and I love it! I rolled on the floor laughing at Kim Jae Wook and Krystal Jung trying to tear each other's hair out in this enemies-to-lovers romance. Fed up with how her narcissistic boss treats other employees (including her), Lee Shin A hatches a revenge plan after learning that she does not have much time to live. Her plans changed when No Go Jin ends up losing his memory on the same night she visited his house. Thinking this as her perfect opportunity, Lee Shin A pretends to be her boss' fake fiancée so she can execute her vengeance. I really liked Kim Jae Wook as the anti-hero: the overbearing and self-indulgent CEO who made a lot of people's lives a living hell, judging from the numerous death treats he received. He is seemingly unconcerned that everyone has their beef with him that even the police couldn't flush out the culprit behind his attack that landed him in the hospital. Krystal Jung is doubly sweet and at the same time devilish as the secretary-turned-psycho, or at least trying to be one, but really did not have the heart to actually hurt her boss other than throwing onions at him or punching holes in his clothes.
Other secondary characters like Park Yang Tae, No Go JIn's competitor and Gong Pil Sun, the company's cleaner are also a hoot along with the rest of the GoTop's staff. But the cherry on top would be No Go Jin's redemption arc as the love he has for Shin A melted his cold, cruel heart and he learns to treat people as humans.
You would think that a drama that jampacked on all the tropes imaginable would be cliché but no, it's pure fun and entertainment at its best.
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There is Shun who lived minimally after a set-back, despite aspiring to have his own restaurant. Then there's Ryuhei who gives advice to everyone but does not do well managing his own love life. There's Ayaka, the dream chaser, who does not know that it's okay if things don't turn out as they planned. Then there's Sachi the boss, who realizes too late, that somebody who is always at his side, does not mean she will be there forever. There's also the landlady, Kuoko, who does not cater to traditional views and become complacent in her situation when the absentee husband is nowhere to be found until after their marriage dissolved.
This drama turned out to be much more meaningful than just a light-hearted rom-com. It imparted life lessons on how we should live our life to the fullest, but also learn how to stop and smell the roses.
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This review may contain spoilers
Story: Two friends on a motorbike because one is jobless and the other left his things at his ex-girlfriend’s place. With this plot, I really do not expect much of a story. Acting/Cast: Middling as this was supposed to be an LGBTQ story but the way the two actors portray it, they could just be friends. I could not even feel the pining.
Music: Bland at best.
Rewatch Value: Nah.
Overall: This short film tries to be artistic and profound but fails in execution. Although we are supposed to believe that one MC is in love with the other who is oblivious to his friend’s feelings, but the portrayal leaves so much to be desired. All we see is one trudging up a mountain just following whatever the other says, and coming down without accomplishing anything. It’s like taking a trip to the department store but coming up empty-handed.
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This review may contain spoilers
Story: Cat and Dog are actually people and not animals who chase each other around: one seeks pleasure outside of his supposedly-committed relationship, while the other seeks stability, but neither really getting what they wanted. Acting/Cast: No acting prowess to speak of, but what can you expect from an adult entertainer.
Music: Nothing to write home about.
Rewatch Value: If only to figure out the logistics of how two men can fit in a small bath tub.
Overall: The film poses the question whether a “carnal connection can transcend into love?” And for me, the film does not answer this hypothetical query, and only serves to be gratuitous and self-indulgent.
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Story: A teenage boy suffers from panic attacks every time his girlfriend wants to be intimate. He is not sure whether the reaction comes from his distaste of girls’ bodies or something else, as he finds himself being fascinated with a naked boy lounging on the rooftop. But almost the same thing happens when the other boy tries to touch him. The short film presents a backstory of trauma suffered by the MC at the hands of his father, but it was unclear whether the father sexually abused his son, or whether the boy was being punished for having impure thoughts and acts of pleasure are heavily reprimanded. Acting/Cast: Mediocre at best.
Music: Mediocre at best.
Rewatch Value: If only to analyze why the MC hyperventilates with the thought of impeding physical contact as there maybe differing interpretations.
Overall: The film leaves a lot for improvement, and poses more questions than answers, like how brazen are the two boys cuddling almost naked a few feet from another group of boys ogling at girls. Or how the girls, knowing that they were being spied on, still tried to put on a show in the hopes of catching the perverts in the act. The inclusion of this latter part seemed off-tangent and unnecessary in such a short film. At the end, nothing is resolved but only offer up more confusion.
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Story: A slut meets a stalker. It looks like somebody really wanted to tell this story enough to make a short film out of it, but since there’s nothing much to go by, just throw in some weird sex. Whelp, apparently that was good enough of a plot (but we know it ain’t). Acting/Cast: Looks like they picked randos on the street, or maybe these actors volunteered for their 14 minutes of fame, or rather obscurity.
Music: Didn’t even notice, but maybe they should the background noise to “creepy”
Rewatch Value: Sure, if you wanted to see pasty white skin or the improper use of cuffs.
Overall: Probably the moral lesson it wants to impart is not to dismiss stalkers, as they may actually save you from rapists. It’s like yay! But really, no.
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Acting/Cast: Nothing remarkable to note.
Music: Nothing remarkable to note.
Rewatch Value: Maybe if only to clarify some of the scenes that suffered from poor editing or script writing.
Overall: The short film attempts to deconstruct gender stereotypes, by imagining a world where we can choose our gender as a part of a standard program, where identifying with another gender that you are born with, will be the norm, but the execution falls short of its aim.
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