Shamans and peaches and portraits oh my

I enjoyed every minute of this drama. Like all great dramas, it starts with a flashback. The kids were cute, their story was unique, the supernatural characters were interesting, and it really got you interested to know what would happen next.

I love how they transformed Ha Ram to reveal Ma Wang. Very creepy, and the actor’s facial expressions and gestures made him completely transform. Also, I could have watched every scene with the ML on mute and I wouldn’t have noticed because he was so attractive. His charisma really jumps through the screen. **And extra points for sweaty shirtless workout scene**

The relationship between the FL and her father was endearing, though I did want to smack her when she turned down good opportunities, using her father’s health as an excuse. Did she really think no one would help her care for him? So frustrating.

For some reason, I love a good imperial exam/contest scene. The production crew must have included some very talented traditional artists because the close up shots of brush and ink on paper were simply mesmerizing. I loved the tension of each challenge and the artistry that resulted.

The second son has all the elements of a good villain: ongoing torment linked to past events, jealousy and entitlement as motivation, darkly handsome with a snarl when he speaks. I admit the plot suffered a bit when trying to maintain the tension between the brothers and the emperor in their battle for the throne and Ma Wang. And there were times when some plot holes miraculously resolved without any real explanation.

The ending…
I like seeing people happy and together, but when you spend 15.5 episodes with characters struggling with a disability, and somehow during a 5 year jump cut the disability is gone with no resolution showing us how/why?? I kept waiting for some clue, but it just ended and it bothered me as the credits rolled. It could have been fine, but that jarring incongruity made the ending more frustrating than sweet for me.

Overall, the actors were stellar, the visuals and artistry were top quality and unique, and it wasn’t such a heavy plot that it was hard to watch. In fact, I think this drama is highly rewatchable, and that is a rare quality, in my opinion.

I hope you all enjoy!!!

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Haunting

It’s been a month since I watched this drama and it still haunts me. The visuals, the music, the raw emotion... it just got under my skin and will definitely be one of those unforgettable dramas for me. Maybe being from the US and having lived through the 9/11 World Trade Center collapse and fallout it makes me sensitive to this subject matter. It was incredible, anyway.

Be ready to go on an emotional rollercoaster. And I highly recommend finding the OST because there are some killer tracks.

That’s all I really wanted to say. Not sure if I hit 500 words yet. Oops, not yet.

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Better than Gone With The Wind

Tumultuous story that is strung together by the once in a lifetime chemistry of the leading couple. The entire cast is more mature than you would usually see and it pays off. The gravitas brought to each role is a feast for the audience. Every squint of the eye, flip of a ribbon, or glance to the side carries intention and depth of character. I found myself loving and hating each character in turn, including our main couple. The ships passed in the night one too many times, and I found myself frustrated constantly; but this made the moments of true connection so blissful that all was soon forgiven.

I’ve been a fan of Gone With The Wind since I was young, for its grand scale, frustratingly unresolved love story, and cinematic impact. I found myself carried along with the plot, adoring the homage to my beloved story, but worried it would ultimately end without our leads’ redemption. I feared I’d have to watch Rhett tell Scarlett he doesn’t give a damn and storm out. I was so relieved to find the story developed into a much richer and more meaningful tale of true love, sacrifice, fate, and forgiveness.

This film used color so well. The early scenes before war breaks out are presented in almost glowing hues, as if the saturation was turned up a bit past believable and really drives home the fact the our FL is living in a rosy version of reality that doesn’t quite exist, yet she is desperate to hold onto. Seeing the beauty of her transformation into muted colors as she truly matures, and we suddenly realize that glow is now coming from within her.

There’s so much I could say about this drama. I don’t rate 10’s often, and never across the board. But this one deserves it. I rarely write reviews, but here I am, still with tears in my eyes after episode 21, typing a review I can only hope will be coherent.

Don’t pass on this drama. It is a feast for the viewer and you won’t soon forget it.

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Cried repeatedly

I think I cried almost every episode. The entire cast was a master of portraying unbridled emotion. From the kids to the adults, all had a gravity to their performance that made me emotionally invested to the end. I haven’t cried this much since Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Just a stunning gem of a drama. Hit all the classic tropes of a sageuk: the politics, the scheming prime minister and dowager Queen, the unsuitable love interest, the second male lead that you cheer for until the end... but all are done well. Throw in a bit of the supernatural to allow our main character to return from the dead and emotions run high. Definitely worth watching.

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Thoughtful story

This story has some different twists that kept me guessing. Finding lost loved ones, betrayal, hidden identities, and complicated histories make this tale complex and satisfying.

There are a couple “extra” characters that we could have done without. FL’s rich and bratty school friend seemed to have purpose initially but continued to fail to advance the plot and just wasted time.

The second male lead was a sympathetic character and I appreciated the message his character illustrated which is that you are not your past and whether you are a good person is because of the choices you’ve made.

I wish the lore and rules for the supernatural were more clearly laid out. It was hard to follow the various tools that were needed, lost and found, as well as the relationships between characters and their histories and abilities.

Overall, it was a satisfying drama that was enjoyable to watch from beginning to end. I didn’t know how it would end until the last episode, which is always a nice surprise. Highly recommend you give it a try.

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What is love really?

Beautiful portrayal of different aspects of relationships, without the storybook gloss. An anthology of 4 stories, unrelated.

The first tale explores how meeting someone can set your life on a new trajectory, and explores that feeling of being known by someone else, and feeling fate at work in your life.

The second tale explores how relationships can alter as the balance is thrown off, and how no one is really at fault, but it’s important to remember why you want to be together in the first place. Giving each other grace and choosing to return and love deeper each time.

The third story was truly gripping, as you aren’t sure who the bad guy is, or if there is a bad guy. When is love about true commitment? When all is laid bare, can you face it all with the one you love, truly?

The last story was a bit confusing at first, until it became clear what is reality and what is metaphor. Another example of how far would you go to be by the side of the one you love? I would say this tale shows a stunning conclusion of what it means to be truly selfless.

Beautiful movie. I would recommend it for any film class, as there is so much more that can be explored with the symbolism and themes explored. As a casual viewer, however, it’s a memorable film that made its mark indelibly.

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Keeps you interested but derails

The story seems original and breaks some expected molds. The FL remains wishywashy back and forth about who she actually loves for far too long so I wasn’t sure who to even root for during a large chunk of the drama. It’s definitely interesting and keeps you wanting more. However, the last 15 or so episodes seem like they belong to a different drama. I had a hard time keeping timelines straight and FL again was so stubborn and refused to admit her feelings for far too long. Minimal relationship development. Second leads romance progressed more than mains’. Great martial arts and stunts. Good use of themes in soundtrack. Enjoyed monk’s character.

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No personality

The FL has no personality traits other than having bad things happen to her. There’s a scene where they are playing a cutesy “keep away” and she does the most ineffectual “chase” with floppy arms and whining. I’m constantly wondering why men like her. She’s not even good at her job. A one night stand is a terrible foundation for their relationship because they never build any further common ground. Totally annoying. BUT good steamy kisses when they happen. Easy fluff.

They kept missing opportunities for the “baby scare” and it was annoying that the male lead had to have it literally explained to him in order to complete the misunderstanding. The last few episodes were drawn out. The second male lead didn’t take any risks. No chemistry between them except for the first episode.

Hated her mom. Hated his dad. The baby brother was adorable and scenes with him and the male lead were super sweet.

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Watch for Choong Ta and other amazing performances

I was enthralled from the beginning by the male/female characters of Choong Ta, played expertly by a veteran actress who is clearly enjoying the unusual characters. Funny, strange, not good nor evil - I think that would be my favorite character to play if given the chance.

I have been surprised by the moments of true despair several characters have expressed and caused me to tear up in empathy. The entire first flashback opening sequence aside, I have gotten chills from the wails of pain from the ML and Ak Hee (each separately, though played by the same person), and the Eunuch crying for his briefly acquired “daughter” was possibly the saddest moment of all.

I think many of the poor reviews are from those who gave up near the beginning, assuming they understood where the story was going. I can honestly say that I’ve been surprised along the way. The plot twists are not groundbreaking in the genre, but they don’t play out predictably, nor do they follow traditional storylines. The fact that the ML let the FL leave the palace and trusted her to handle herself, despite worrying about her, was nice to see. And there’s no big attempts at misunderstandings, trying to convince each other that they don’t care in order so save each other.

Some of the side characters complications seem burdensome, like the queen and the bodyguard. There’s been no attempts to show that relationship develop or how deep it may or may not be. The father of the queen is also playing the cards so close to his chest that it makes it impossible to feel there could be a sense of resolution at the end because he’s clearly playing both sides all the way.

These “messy” elements are good red herrings that keep you guessing, however. It’s got enough palace drama to keep that crowd happy, and supernatural elements to keep that crowd happy. The only thing I wish there was more of is the push and pull of romance with Ak Hee and ML, maybe more confusion from FL about who is who or who she really loves. I think she made up her mind too clearly too soon. However, there needed to be a reason AkHee would refuse to come out and give ML a chance to bloom. So I understand that as well.

Overall, I think it’s worth a watch if you appreciate watching good actors dig deep and take chances in scenes.

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