I honestly started watching out of boredom but found myself so damn ecstatic every week for an episode. The drama is addicting due to the entertaining characters and cute love story. Tendo’s character development from a rigid, unhappy man who only wants to help others to a smiling sweetheart full of love was breathtaking. Sakura was the perfect, hardworking female lead and their progression into this cute couple unable to live without one another was also adorable. I loved the way she grew into her character without changing. The actors did so well. I find myself falling for them in real life :’ 10/10 for the drama’s realistic approach.

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Stressful

This movie requires a huge leap of faith to be taken seriously. There’s just so much of illogical reasoning which made the movie seem draggy and unrealistic. To me, that is a huge flaw for a thriller/psychopath kind of movie. It could’ve been way better had the writer put more thought-out ideas in the script.

If we look past the questionable writing, the only saving point is the acting. The actors did a wonderful job, portraying their characters. I loved watching the scenes, just because of their stunning acting. The leads were perfect and I would love to see them act together again.

The direction is good too. The scenes are well-shot, creating suspense and dread within the watchers. The concept on paper seems good too but the execution was poor.

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I personally don’t like Chinese ancient themes but this one, I wanted to watch. Initially, the first few episodes, the plot intrigued me so much. I loved the idea of the two towns and how distinct they were. It was so refreshing and fun to watch female dominance.

The characters are literally the best part. I commend the writer for creating such lively and realistic characters, all important to the plot. The chemistry and coordination between all the leads and supporting characters was beautiful. The characters were all rational and written with depth. I didn’t find anyone to be overly annoying or exaggerated. The character development was so well done. It felt like I was watching them all grow and become more important individuals which I rarely see in Chinese dramas.

The romance shines bright and gives you the desired butterflies in your abdomens. Our main leads, Han Shuo and Qianqian were the best example of a healthy couple. Han Shuo, seemingly cold and arrogant, warms up to Qianqian and protects her with his whole heart. He was the perfect male lead, aggressive at times and soft for her. I personally loved his character the most. He displayed such wholesome affection for Qianqian, I fell in love!

The comedy is (unlike most dramas) very clever. They don’t force laughter upon the audience but it’s the small spontaneous comebacks or actions which blew me away, making it seem like a realistic world. I fell off my couch laughing so many times and it’s crazy how I rarely find “rom-coms” comedic.

I just wish, there was more. An insight into the real world. I miss it and will be rewatching soon. ?

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Wholesome And Romantic

I’m annoyed at myself for constantly pushing this back. ‘Go Ahead’ is all about the warmth of a family’s care, friendships and companionship; one of the best Chinese dramas I’ve come across.

The character development is amazing, building up to a really wholesome ending. The main trio is a breath of fresh air; the familial bonding, and overwhelming care they have for one another is heartwarming. You would definitely feel jealous seeing Jian Jian’s bond with the two leads.

The script discusses many important issues within our society but if I had to mention the most significant one: it highlights fragility of the relationship between children and their parents, which really struck me because so much of what was shown was a part of our everyday stories.

The script has so much substance as the characters feel three dimensional, their emotions and struggles, perfectly real.

My favourite part is the romance between Ling Xiao and Jian Jian. I know that the relationship could be a little dodgy for some people but as an observant watcher, I could tell Xiao’s feelings for Jian Jian were always more than ‘brotherly’ platonic ones. Song Wei Long’s remarkable acting came through as the look he gave the MC was enough to confirm my doubts. His need and hunger for her love is so precious. It made me twist in bed while clenching on to my chest.

Ling Xiao has to be my favourite character and also the one I empathised with the most in the course of the drama. And his clinginess towards Jian Jian made complete sense. She, indeed, was his ‘medicine’.

Watching this, you’ll cry, you’ll laugh, you’ll scream, you’ll pull your hair out and it’s all a part of the journey.

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Extremely Underrated

I am so baffled at how underrated this drama is. I’ve not had so much fun watching a romcom in my entire life. Mainly because most romcoms do the romance part well but when it comes to comedy, it’s bland and forced humour. This drama absolutely nails both genres.

I’ve never laughed so much in almost every episode of a drama; it’s such ironic/sarcastic humour, that just makes you cackle. Paired with loud opera music for funny scenes, I was absolutely pissing myself.

There’s so much more to talk about. For starters, the plot seems the ordinary body-switching theme, like secret garden/your name. However, this one brilliantly explores the characters in-depth and the difficulties of literally putting yourself in someone else’s shoe.

The actors are amazing! Body switching seemed so believable. When the body switch happened, you could tell the complete difference in their body language and tone. The acting is what stands out in this drama, for sure.

The couple have great chemistry. Their transition into a relationship is so smooth. They have such an incredibly healthy relationship which makes you fawnnn.

The way the love of family, friendships and partnership is explored is so heartwarming. I enjoyed this so much. Totally worth the watch.

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You’ll Regret Missing It

This one’s a rollercoaster. It is so captivating, thrilling and addictive. I didn’t go into it with many expectations but damn, I was blown away with how much I enjoyed this drama.

It might not be everyone’s cup of tea because there’s an intricate plot with many complexities. The knots untangle as you watch ahead and the building suspense pays off very well. I’m personally biased towards Joong Ki, so that also comes into play but despite that the drama is nothing less of extraordinary.

The first episode might not catch your attention but please trust me and watch ahead. It is worth it. The acting is superior. The characters are so well written and portrayed. I was emotionally perplexed and sympathetic towards the MC and his inability to express himself. The romance is a double plus in this messy ride. There is so much love, affection that warms your heart watching the family of three.

The music goes well with the scenes. Looking back to when I watched it, I still think of this as one of the best works from Korea and that is a bold statement.

If you’re into romance, interesting characters and suspenseful plot lines then this is a must watch!

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Tear-Jerker

I didn’t expect anything going into this but I was surprised to find myself so captivated into the story. The characters are simple and sweet. The actors were both amazing. Takeru’s simplicity wins his character.

I do think this could’ve been more successful and interesting though, if the director had intended on it. The scenes feel kind of scrappy? I don’t know how to explain but there’s a weird discomfort with the camera rolling. This movie could’ve worked better, had there been more effort put into dialogue and scene quality. The acting and strong storyline really saved the narrative.

Nevertheless, sobbed my heart out by the end of this movie and that itself makes it more memorable for me.

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Fateful Love

It is in every shape and form, stunning. The drama made me feel like I was flying through space, destined to unite with someone written in my fate.

The nine episode short package is impactful. You don’t need more. It’s effective and heartwarming. The plot, like the title, revolves around the premise of a fateful first love. Though, drama has its own natural way of narrating the perfect love story. The poetic dialogues and scenic beauty of each frame captured me.

The direction is fantastic, melancholic like a warm sip of coffee on a freezing day. To be honest, I’d say the plot is very common but the execution is so raw and full of expression that it seems like an untold story of two fateful lovers.

The drama doesn’t fail to touch upon some real issues in our society: poverty, sexism, broken marriage, struggles of a parent and struggles of a single mother. The list can go on and on.

The actors were exceptional. Takeru Satoh is my fave but both leads were flawless. I binge watched this and cried a couple of times. I really recommend watching this drama to everyone. Even if you’re not into romance, please give it a go. It will leave you overwhelmed with joy, heartbreak and warmth.

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Entertaining But Average

I wanted to watch because Lee Joon Gi really left an impression on me from flower of evil. I’m happy to say that he didn’t disappoint. He plays a heroic vampire brilliantly and some of his monologues in the last few episodes were pretty solid.

The script is flawed. Though the main plot of vampires in Joseon era and the political struggle between humans and vampires is really interesting, the delivery is quite weak. 20 episodes felt too long for such a plot and I could tell they were really prologuing issues despite clear solutions; therefore, it felt stupid. I couldn’t take the problems seriously.

The characters didn’t seem to really have a plan which disappointed me because they were supposed to be leaders of this time. On top of this, the female lead’s character is extremely unbearable. Though i don’t mind the classic ‘damsel in distress’ arc, the girl should be worth risking your life for, right?

The female character has no charm. She seems to be the most useless person in the drama who just moves according to what plot demands. Characters around her treat her like a child. She’s so slow, painfully naive and just… clueless. It just baffles me how terrible they wrote her character. She’s not filled in on the most basic plot line even halfway through the drama, that’s just how irrelevant her presence is. It’s just a convenience that Sung Yeol fell for her.

For the positives, I do really appreciate some scenes because it feeds my vampire fantasy. Also, oh my god, the villain has to be the best character I’ve ever seen. Gwi shines throughout, his presence is bold. He is so attractive. I loved him.

Overall it’s average but some of it was memorable.

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Takeru Satoh’s Brilliance

The man surely knows how to get into character. Rurouni Kenshin is such a warm, ambitious and wholesome character which has kept me on board with the movies; Takeru seeps his paws into Battosai’s character and doesn’t let go. It’s mind blowing to watch.

As much as I love him, I was not a very big fan of this plot line. For example, the movie prior to this ends on some sort of a cliffhanger where Kenshin forgets his mission and stalks his way into the ship to get to his woman. It’s heartfelt, powerful and captivating. His feelings for her overwhelm his thought process and he hurries to her rescue. This movie starts off with Kenshin washing away at an island and he thinks Kaoru is dead. It’s shocking and depressing as he falls to his knees in disbelief.

I loved it. However, when it is revealed that Kaoru is alive, his reaction is… underwhelming. It’s out of the blue and he simply smiles and that’s the end of it. There’s no relief washing over him or uncontrollable happiness which seemed very odd since the loss really seemed to impact him in the beginning. He wants to learn the heaven’s technique for her after all!

Though, I liked how the villain ended up burning to death on his own. It was satisfying. His side kick, agile swordsman’s insane breakdown was also incredibly captivating and satisfying to watch.

Overall, I loved it but it could have been better with more plot.

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Cinematic Beauty

I’ve had this series on my mind for a while now since I’m a huge Takeru Satoh fan and wanted to devour all his work. I can confidently say that he is undoubtedly the magic everyone seems to be enthralled by in these movies.

The character ‘Rurouni Kenshin’ itself is really enticing but to have Takeru play this role is almost as perfect as things get. He brings life to the strong, kindhearted Kenshin. His moves throughout the combat scenes are intricate and so beautifully executed, like an artist displaying his finesse. His warm smiles and agonising screams during emotional sequences give this the exact spark it needs.

The supporting characters are pretty great too; however, the female lead is a problem. It’s not the fact that she’s the weak, damsel in distress because I personally do not think weakness is a flaw. Though, her delusion and innocence are infuriating. She wants to live and see Kenshin safe but his hands are tied because “killing is bad”? The narrative is so flawed and I am annoyed with her attitude towards vital scenes in the movie. If he won’t kill, how do you expect him to live? Unbearable.

Don’t even get me started with the kidnapping. I can’t believe the writers threw that in again despite adding the same plot line in the first movie. It seemed illogical.

Looking past that, the cinematography, costumes, direction, music and acting is phenomenal. I feel like I’m watching history run its course in actuality and that gives me goosebumps.

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What. Was. That.

There are people claiming it's a cinematic masterpiece. I'm sorry, swinging the camera around is not art? I do not know what was trying to be achieved. I felt violated watching this movie. I don't exactly know why

It has a strange, powerless protagonist getting played around with three different men. She doesn't even seem like a real character. The whole arc is cheap and the execution is even worse. The guys were all red flags, toxic and disturbing. The whole vibe was off. I don't even know what exactly happens in the end and I don't think I care, to be honest.

If you want to watch something which leaves you ''????" go ahead.

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Shadow of Part 1

I believe this drama ranks high because of the magic of Part 1. The main fantasy romantic plot worked out perfectly just like the Hong sisters usually deliver. Alchemy of souls has a very intriguing concept of magic and mages, also great cinematography and soundtrack. I loved the concept of 4 seasons, representing the respectable mage families. Season 1 is dense with intricate plot and amazing characterisation. Jang Uk, Seo Yul, Jang Gang’s trio was so uplifting and when combined with crown prince and Mu Deok, the group was my absolute favourite. They shared such pleasant bonding and chemistry. Jang UK’s character development as a mage and his sweet relationship with Mu deok really is heartwarming to watch. They fit together just right and I loved the master/pupil twist to their relationship. Whilst sometimes Mu Deok seemed crazy to me, I respected her bold/nonchalant way of loving Jang Uk.

The above could be labelled as a review for Part 1, I guess. Flash forward to the outburst of events by the end of S1 and bearing with the brunt of it in S2, it went haywire. The plot started making lesser sense. I still don’t understand how they can justify Mu Deok’s face changing, despite having the same body. She starts living as Jin Byo Yun and whilst I liked that, I don’t think the actress fit well into the real naksu’s characterisation. Sure, she forgets all her memories and awakes a completely diff person, but Naksu’s feistiness and determination is shoved under the rug this season. It’s like a completely different person. I don’t think it’s necessarily Youn Jung’s fault, but the writers and director who completely forget Mu Deok/Naksu from S1. It’s like a re imagination of the main lead.

The romance is stronger this season and whilst I enjoyed that, I still missed Jung Somin’s character. The revelation of Naksu was so underwhelming. They build it up so much, dragging it all the way to the ninth episode and yet it felt so… oh, alright, ok lol. The dangers Jin Mu wanted to ensue onto the world seemed petty and annoying. The way they dragged Naksu’s reveal was already frustrating enough for viewers and so distasteful. Jang UK longed for his lover so much, only to find out she’s been alive and well.

How could they have just revealed it in such a chaotic, strange way? What about the conversations they were supposed to have after the big reveal? All gone wrong because they had to give jin mu’s plan screen time.

Season 2 was chaotic. Merely a shadow of Part 1. I still rated it high because season 1 is special and jae wook was absolutely brilliant.

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A Painful Journey

I want to emphasise that stopping around episode 35 will give you enough mental peace to love the show. Where do I start with this excitingly messy ride?

First, I want to address that the storyline is interesting from the get-go: a fearless devil who will destroy the entire universe to be stopped by a righteous immortal travelling 500 years back in time. Transmigrations are always so enjoyable to watch. I personally really enjoyed the first half of the show.

This drama in its purest form is the most enemies to lovers trope you will ever come across. It’s a tug of war between good and evil, might and right. The leads will create the most stupefying chemistry with the unbeaten tension and colliding worldviews. Morality is challenged countless times and the main lead Tantai jin will go through wonderful character development. Li Susu’s character is worthwhile. She’s not the damsel in distress. She fights her battles independently and saves the people she loves.

I love Bai Lu and Leo’s chemistry. They embodied their characters so well. It was amazing to watch. The soundtrack of the show also deserves a praise. Amazing music, perfectly expressive with each scene.

The list of things that I loved have come to an end, unfortunately. Whilst I loved the main plot and characters, I found the themes to be very repetitive. The leads would grow an understanding, bond, love, misunderstand, hate and boom, make irreparable damage. This is the viscous cycle till the 40th episode. It got so predictably annoying. The misunderstandings were also stupid. It irked me when a character as empathetic and intellectually strong as Yi Xiwu would misunderstand and act upon impulse. Sometimes I thought I knew the characters well but they’d prove me wrong when they’d do something completely incomprehensible next moment.

The writing falls really weak by the end. The desperation to end the show badly could be seen clearly. They just refused to give Tantai Jin a chance at happiness even when he had completely surrendered himself before the world. It wasn’t his fault that in his entire life, not one person could truly love him. When he meets Yi Xiwu, his desperation to hold onto her was poetic but the show demeans his attempts at living a righteous life.

Moving on, though Leo as Tantai jin was amazing, the makeup and costume watered down his character. I didn’t like the really exaggerated eyeshadows and lipsticks. It frankly made his intense scenes feel comical which is really a shame because Leo put his everything into the character. Yi Xiwi was a sight for sore eyes whilst Tantai Jin’s entire image was just unnecessarily bad. The editing also did not impress me, quite lazy and disappointing.

Overall, it’s good. Sometimes too good. Sometimes it’s awfully lengthy woven with a tower of misunderstandings and grievances, but the main leads and their chemistry will overshadow many faults. If you want to watch “I hate you so much, I love you” to an extreme, then this is perfect.

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