1
5
JulesL
This review may contain spoilers
When I first started watching this drama, I thought I would end up leaving a lukewarm review, but after completing the series, I can say that I enjoyed it. What I liked outweighed what I disliked about the show. The plot is nothing new - young helpless female lead (FL), Nuan Nuan who ended up with a tall, charming, intelligent male lead (ML), Han Che, who started out as an emotionless machine but ended up discovering his human side as he fell in love with the FL. It was interesting though how the FL ended up in her unfortunate state in the first place. The story progression was a bit off for me since there were not a lot of interactions between the ML and FL, or even between the FL and secondary ML, Fang Han Chen. The first ten episodes focused so much on the relationship of the secondary couple instead, and that was somewhat off-putting for me. However, once the ML realized that he had feelings for the FL, the relationship moved rather quickly. There was the typical drama like avoidable misunderstandings that could have saved the two leads some heartache if they would only talk to each other.
I am glad that I stuck to completing the series since I am ultimately a hopeless romantic who wants to see the leads have a happy ending.
I liked watching the personal development of the characters. The FL did grow and mature into an independent, confident career woman who knew what she wanted ultimately, plus she could proudly say that she did it mostly on her own. I also like that she did not give in easily and was willing to give the ML a hard time when he deserved it. The ML increased his EQ, and learned how to speak to the FL tactfully. Of course, he was always there for the FL; quietly and loudly supported her all the way! I LOVE his proposal - so heartfelt and the visual impact was a great touch! The secondary couple, Gu Li and Han Xue, both also grew into their own rather nicely.
There was quite a bit of skinship. A lot of kissing after the main couple got together when compared to other C-dramas. There were a lot of cute moments, and the chemistry between Nuan and Han Che was great. I love how well they interacted, and the cliche 'tall ML versus petite FL' always makes my heart flutter - haha! While it was not the best kissing that I have seen, there's potential for improvement, particularly Leon Lai :D. FYI - I liked him as Feng Mei Zuo in Meteor Garden 2018, and it was his bio who led me to this drama, 'My Love, Enlighten Me'.
Acting-wise, the cast did a good job - the romance and comedy bits were well-delivered. There was just a touch of cringey overacting but not enough to make me skip through those moments. The show was packed with eye candy. Leon Lai and Tim Pei are both very appealing in their own ways. Li Min Jung, as Gu Li, did an awesome job as Han Che's right-hand man, and goodness, his dimples are just plain adorable! Eleanor Lee is attractive in a cute, quirky way, but I wish that the c-dramas would do better when it comes to styling their female leads. What's up with the short hairstyle with bangs, with the half up in a bun, half-down look that almost every female lead sports if they are in their 20s? Just look at this show, Go Go Squid, The Love Equations, Put Your Head On My Shoulder, and so many more. Also, the outfits - Nuan Nuan was always wearing oversize tops or cardigans, with shorts. Sometimes she wore some really ugly suits and OMG, why on earth did she have to wear caps so much?!! I found Xiong Yu Ting as Han Xue more attractive, and at least they styled her character rather nicely. Honestly, for most of the c-dramas, I think the stylist budget must be spent mostly on the male leads since they always end up with the enviable wardrobe, looking handsome, sleek, and fashionable.
What I totally dislike about the storyline was how quickly everyone forgave Lin Jia Yi for her betrayal. She chose her own career over her supposed best friends, over four years of working, training, and growing together to debut as a group. Yet, they forgave her so easily. I cannot even accept the reason why they chose to forgive her!!! She was one selfish, self-absorbed character. Even after she found out that Han Che had no interest in her and was interested in Nuan Nuan, one of her best friends, she still tried to get Han Che for herself. There was no villain, per se, other than Jia Yi who was more annoying than evil. Fang Han Chen, the second male lead was just the right character to invoke jealousy and cause angst for Han Che. I did feel bad for Fang Han Chen though; had he just made his move earlier instead of hesitating, he would have likely won Nuan Nuan's heart.
Music-wise, I like the intro song but I don't remember much of the playlist. So nothing memorable there.
Overall, I thought this drama was great and would recommend it. Most would enjoy it if they are willing to take some small leaps of faith and don't question how certain things just fall neatly in place.
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Who says romance has to be all sweet and cuddly?
I was eagerly waiting for this drama to be subbed and when I finally got to watch it, I was not disappointed. I understand why this show was rated highly (4.5/5) on pantip.com, a popular Thai discussion forum and a 9.1 rating on imdb.com. Even on MDL, for a lakorn, its rating is pretty decent.The production and the special effects were not the best, and the dialogue and story were not as tight. However, for a lightweight lakorn that featured a supernatural element, I found it entertaining. One just has to suspend disbelief and watch the story unfold without taking it too seriously.
For the most part, the plot flowed pretty well, except for the last two episodes which got farcical particularly during the showdown between the good and evil guys. It was almost as though the writers just could not care less anymore or the show was running out of budget. That being said, the show did redeem itself with the loveliest ending for our main characters and the worst punishment for the villains so ultimately I was a satisfied viewer.
I enjoyed this show because it had a good mix of suspense, thriller, action, romance, and drama but what really got me hooked was the love story between the main leads, Prince Keerich and Nuannueakaew. It was a slower burn, tension-filled, sort of self-imposed forbidden love for which Sean Jindachot and Baifern Luevisadpaibul had the perfect chemistry.
One could be annoyed at Keerich’s stubbornness but I could not fault his rationale for putting his country above his own happiness. Neither could Nuan. At the same time, one had to admire Nuan for wanting to live her own life and not giving up her own goals. Keerich understood that.
Usually I would be put off by the noble idiocy trope but not for this show since the romance was developed nicely. Our main leads had to experience personal trials, physical dangers, and all manner of other terrors to earn their happily ever after and I wouldn't have it any other way. Even though our two leads had to stifle their yearning for each other, there were many endearing scenes which kept me smiling and rooting for them up to the end.
I loved how well Sean was able to pull off the emotional scenes. His expressions nailed the longing, the angst, the unhappiness as Keerich fought against his love and desire for Nuan, many times unsuccessfully as he cannot help but protect and care for her. He was also a heroic male lead, intelligent, skilled and rational. I have always thought Sean a good-looking actor with appealing eyes and lips, but in this show, in this role, he was particularly charismatic, especially in his princely traditional outfits. What really stole my heart was how prettily he cried, and who can resist a male lead that teared up during the right moments.
Likewise with Baifern who looked gorgeous throughout the whole show. As the female lead Nuan, who was a famous Thai fashion designer, Baifern’s outfits were fittingly stylish and not over the top which can often happen in lakorns. Her clothes were practical and appropriate when the scenes called for it, and even in the minimalist styles, Baifern still shone. However, her most incredible looks had got to be when she wore the traditional sprees and accessories. As Nuan, Baifern played a hot-headed but brave character who was also smart and independent. There were moments where I facepalmed on her behalf but that was also her appeal since she was not too polished, too stripped of any flaws, or in other words, a boring character. Baifern was also good during the sad scenes, the way her eyes watered and the way she sniffled made me think that she was really crying.
The journey of the secondary couple, Chaithat, played by Kong Teptip and Ninlapat by Richy D.Caballes, was also lovely to watch as they had to overcome much difficulties to be together. I did wish that there was more skinship between them. The chemistry between Kong and Ricky was not bad and they are both very attractive. Richy’s acting got a little weak towards the end but it could be due to how the character was written.
Overall, the cast did well but the actors playing the villains fell a little flat. Still, Lily Pansirithanachote who played Savitree, the Nang-rai deserved credit for portraying well a malicious, poisonous and power-hungry woman who always looked beautiful as she carried out her evil schemes.
As for the OST, the songs were the finishing touches that enhanced the romance for me. There were only two songs but both memorable ones. They were fitting for the poignant moments, especially between our two leads and made me feel the mood even more intensely. For posterity, I have included the details below.
In general, I would recommend this lakorn as I think most will enjoy it. Just let the story unravel and entertain you.
Curse of Saree OST
Last Person Forever - Ae Jirakon Sompak
คนสุดท้ายตลอดกาล [เพลงจากละครสิเน่หาส่าหรี] - เอ๊ะ จิรากร
https://youtu.be/3oD9kP7nEbw
https://open.spotify.com/track/5PNQoxj4g0BBvqJxWzo5OK
Do You Love Me? - Clear
รักฉันรึเปล่า - KLEAR (OST.สิเน่หาส่าหรี)
https://youtu.be/HW7c4Zmc4pg
https://open.spotify.com/track/2tdUbnxszF3DVtyG0eTHsn
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Sweet romance, great chemistry and a feel-good fun story
Looking for a light-hearted lakorn that still provides a little emotional roller-coaster ride? You Are My Heartbeat may be just the drama for you.This is a true rom-com Thai style with slapstick antics, witty and lowbrow humor that mesh well with the story. It also used well-paced timing, cheesy romance, and effective music effects to keep things engaging and entertaining for me from start to finish. I cannot claim the same for the Chinese original "Fox's Summer" since I dropped that series in the middle. I found the female lead character too annoying, and the actor who played the male lead could not act.
One can expect the usual tropes like co-habitation, intelligent but emotionally stunted "CEO" ML, an annoying supporting female character interested in the ML, and a domineering narrow-minded elder relative, the grandmother of both the ML and SML. The grandmother was definitely irritating, the necessary antagonist that kept the show from being too much of a fluff piece.
The cherry on top for me was the good looks galore. I think the entire show was a showcase for Push and Mai, who had great chemistry and looked so so gorgeous together. Both of them can do comedy, and they did an excellent job portraying their characters, including nailing the more emotional scenes.
Mai Davika as Kheetika was BEAUTIFUL, and I coveted her outfits. Her character was smart, stubborn, and creative but vulnerable and soft at times. Kheetika had no qualms manipulating the situation, including lying to get out of trouble, but at the same time, she was principled and straightforward. Her motto was "do unto others what they do unto you". In contrast, Push's character, Sira, was so averse to lying to the point that he could get sick if someone lied too much. Due to his past, he was also germaphobic and had a pretty low EQ when it came to romance. Push stole my heart yet again, and even if the drama only showed the lead couple doing nothing the whole time, I would still watch just to appreciate all that fineness. If there is anything to criticize, it would be the amount of makeup applied for the entire cast.
With these two as the lead couple, I was interested from the get-go, so much so that I watched it without subtitles and then with subtitles the second time.
Romance-wise, it was a slow burn one, which I did not mind at all. For someone so unsociable and inexperienced in love, Sira was one smooth operator, saying the cheesiest but adorable lines to Kheetika. One can see the character development of Sira as Kheetika gradually helped him get rid of his germaphobia and his reaction to lying. I wish there was more kissing because they looked comfortable and natural together when they did.
The secondary couple's story, however, turned me off. I did not like how they started their relationship and the cause for the SML having done a 180 degrees turn and moved his attention from the FL to the other woman. The whole situation felt somewhat contrived. Also, I am not sure what the stylist was doing with these two characters regarding their outfits. Both actors were attractive but dressed in the most unflattering clothes.
In general, though, the acting (especially the comedic parts) was good across the board, and there was just so much chemistry between the cast.
AS for the music, there were only 3 main songs, and Jackrin Kungwankiatichai, who played Sasa, the SML sang one of the tracks. I like them, but they were not super memorable. The opening song was fun to listen to and lent the same tone of positivity that was infused throughout the show. For posterity, I listed them at the end of my review.
Overall, I enjoyed this lakorn and would have rated it higher if the last two episodes were not as focused on the grandmother's redemption. Even though the lead couple got together earlier, I did not get enough of their sweet moments since the side-plot of Sira and his grandmother became the main storyline towards the end. That being said, the last few scenes were lovably cute, so ultimately, it was a nice ending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAFpeeNAOM8
ยิ่งหนียิ่งเจอ Inescapable Love · Two Popetorn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-aVWbCDyB0
Just Wanna Be With You · Zom Marie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUKBQcX0pBo
รักที่ต้องหยุดไว้ Let's End This · Jackie Jackrin
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Zany drama that offers a fresh approach to the supernatural and a few well-meaning lessons of life
If you are hesitant to watch "Sell Your Haunted House" because you are not a fan of the horror genre, don't worry. Even though the ghost effects are really well done, they will likely do no more than startle you when you first see them. This is a show worth watching or at least try out because it checks all the checkboxes when it comes to great entertainment. It does a superb job drawing the viewers into each episode while keeping a good balance with the overarching mystery that ties the fates of the ML and FL together.* STORYLINE
This series stands out from the large repertoire of supernatural K-dramas because of its unique premise and different take on the subject. The drama follows Hong Ji Ah, a real estate agent who makes a living by performing exorcisms to rid spirits from haunted properties, after which her office manager, Joo Hwa Jung, will then sell those properties. It is actually kind of a genius move.
The crux of Ji Ah's story is that she is unable to send her mother's ghost off since her tragic death 20 years ago, and it is during her attempt to do so that led her to cross paths with Oh In Beom. In Beom and his sidekick, Heo Ji Cheo, are conmen who set up fake apparitions to scare and scam people. However, the story drops hints that these guys are actually not that bad as they mainly target people with ill-gotten gains.
A temporary partnership is formed after Ji Ah discovers In Beom's ability as a special medium who could help her exorcise her mother's spirit. At the same time, Im Beom realizes that his past could be related to Ji Ah's mother. That is when the plot takes off.
Interestingly, as the drama weaves through the episodes, it touches upon social issues like problems affecting older people, the terror of stalking, and others more pertinent to real estate, like lives ruined and lost through real estate speculation.
Each vengeful ghost's story is compelling, some of them more poignant and sadder, but each exorcism rights the wrongdoing against the ghost and provides a sense of satisfaction for the viewers. I like how the show presents the exorcisms in different ways and views of the spirit world, preventing it from becoming formulaic and predictable.
This drama offers a little bit of everything, and it will even make you feel hungry as many episodes feature delicious-looking Korean food! There is light and dark comedy, mystery, drama, and fantasy. You will probably shed more tears than expected, feel sympathy, and relish the character growth of the leads as one learns more about the converging backstories of Ji Ah and In Beom. There is an underlying romantic current between the two, but the show is not obvious about it. Instead of spending too much time on the romance, the show focuses on the main narrative. The hints are there, though with the witty bantering, the glances and stares, and the definite awareness of each other's presence and importance.
What I appreciate the most is that, instead of relying mainly on "shocking" plot twists that end up being predictable, the show teases the viewers from the start about certain revelations while effectively keeping us guessing about what will happen next.
* CINEMATOGRAPHY & MUSIC
KUDOS to everyone that worked on this show, including the screenwriters, director, cast, set designers, stylists, CGI production team, music producers/editors, and songwriters. You can tell that everyone brought their A-game. The level of attention to detail is incredible - from the camera work and lighting, the set and the props, the characters' styling – everything is well-thought-out and results in masterful storytelling. Just the way Ji Ah performs each exorcism is done so meticulously, and in general, every detail is there for a reason.
The music track is terrific, and the background music appears to be carefully composed for effects and emotions. I particularly love the instrumental piece that plays during many of the emotional and dramatic scenes. Melancholic and sentimental, this is the most touching piece for the whole drama. The OSTs are also memorable, and I always like it when the actors contribute to the soundtrack. In this case, Jung Yong Hwa sang the opening credit song, "I Got Ya" and Jung Nara sang the catchy tune "Daydream". For posterity, I listed the songs from the soundtrack at the end of my review.
* CHARACTERS & CAST
The casting is spot-on, with the lead actors portraying their quirky characters well. For the cast who has a great rapport with each other, this drama provides an opportunity for them to show off or expand their acting abilities.
I love that the characters are shades of gray. There are the antagonists who feel justified in their actions, and we also have the protagonists who make bad decisions, say and do things they do not mean in the heat of the moment. The show scores points with dynamic characters who struggle with their actions, who are not always clear if they are doing the right thing or what the right thing even is.
Notably, the more recent dramas are undergoing a welcome shift to featuring more substantial and more admirable female leads. Jang Na Ra as Ji Ah is no exception; you should see her take down the living and dead. I read that she did Parkour training, and it shows - she looks amazing doing the stunts and fight scenes! Her personality is as caustic as it is endearing, especially when we know about her complex and dark past. Her online shopping habit, which constantly frustrates her mother, is a nice bit of comic relief. I love her black focused outfits and her make-up. Seriously, Jang Na Ra has proven her acting chops over and over again. Just watch her in "Fated to Love You" with Jang Hyuk (love that guy!), and you can see the contrast in characters. Even the way she grieves in each show is subtly different, or at least to me, it is. Hah! Perhaps my bias is showing.
Jung Yong-Hwa does an excellent job as the smooth yet goofy In Beom. I liked Jung Yong-Hwa's performance in "The Package", and in this show, he has shown that he can match up to Jang Na Ra's screen presence, except during the more emotional scenes. In all fairness, though, it would be hard for most to cry as amazingly as Jang Na Ra. He has fantastic chemistry with her, and the dynamic between them is captivating. The romance is not the main focus, but I find myself shipping them. However, if they do get together, that means In Beom cannot be a medium. Oh, the dilemma! If you are wondering what do I mean by that, watch the show!!! Minor spoiler - it's cute to see In Beom as Ji Ah's personal heat pack, warming her up not only physically but also mentally. Her character development is heart-warming as she slowly opens up to In Beom.
The supporting actors also deserve praise! Including Kang Hong Suk as In Beom's extremely loyal sidekick - Chief, Kang Mal Geum as Joo Hwa Jung, who pulls off being so gray that she stresses me out throughout the show, and last but not least, Baek Eun Hye as Hong Mi Jin, Ji Ah's mother. Baek Eun Hye did such a great job emoting as a ghost who is silent throughout the show.
The weak link for me is Do Hak Sung, the shady developer. He is rather lacking as the ultimate villain and his cronies pretty one-dimensional. That's the main reason why I did not rate this show a 10. That said, Ahn Kil Kang as Do Hak Sung really does present a physically imposing presence.
* OVERALL
"Sell Your Haunted House" is a show done right, one that manages to take a fresh approach to the supernatural genre. The writing is excellent, the story is interesting, entertaining, funny, touching, sweet - basically all the feels, the cast is commendable, the directing and editing is nicely done, and the music track is well selected. Give it a try, and who knows, you may get hooked onto it just like I was.
* Sell Your Haunted House OSTs
1- Jung Yong Hwa - I Got Ya
2- Jang Jung Hyuk - Don't cry
3- Shin Min Jung - Don't ask
4- Jang Nara - DAYDREAM
5- NIA - Only one
6- Jung Yi Han - Someday
7 - Damu - in Dream
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I think the show would have benefited more if it were a couple of episodes shorter since I found the pace in the middle just a little draggy, and they overplayed the "third party threat" theme. To me, there was some melodrama that felt more like filler episodes. I am not a fan of angst-filled scenes that last more than 2 episodes when it comes to a rom-com. Still, the angst factor is low overall.
The chemistry between the lead couple was good, and they played off each other well. The progression of their relationship was delightful, despite the numerous disruptions from external parties. Also, I like how the show emphasized how the FL would always have the ML in her heart no matter who she turned into. The way the male lead came to realize and be sure of his true feelings for the female lead was also nicely done.
The development of skinship looked natural, and the kissing scenes were good. Nothing super steamy but nothing awkward either. I give credit to Zhao Yi Qin, who plays Shen Yi, the ML for the kissing since even for the "surprise attack kisses", he was pretty smooth. I watched him in "Fake Princess" and decided to give this show a try because I was curious about his acting in a modern drama. Despite being a newbie for lead roles, he did not disappoint. Besides being good-looking, he also showed a good acting range, and I look forward to seeing him mature in his acting skills, especially when it comes to his facial expressions.
Personally, I did not find Li Jia Qi as Meng Hui that attractive, although I am sure most would find her adorable. She is a newbie as well, and in general, her portrayal of the female lead was good. She transitioned well between her different personalities Finally! A female lead in a Chinese drama who dressed well and looked stylish and appropriate for the occasions. I often lament at how badly the C-dramas style their female leads, but in this case, Meng Hui's outfits were enviable and matched well with Shen Yi, who looked pretty fine in his outfits. I wish they would post where the show stylist got the clothes because I was practically drooling over many of them.
i also enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Jiang Jiang and Ah Tao. They were really cute together, and it was interesting how there was somewhat of a role reversal when it comes to the male and female dynamics in a relationship. As for the third couple, Sui An and Wei Lei, I felt that this relationship was unnecessary and thrown in as a consolation prize. Something was lacking, not enough chemistry perhaps, plus I felt that the character Sui An was suave and matured enough that he would have stood out on his own without needing a partner. Fan Zhi Xin played Sui An well, and he's another one to keep an eye on since he appears to have the looks and talent.
Music-wise, the selection was good, and each song fit the mood of the scene well. I did like a couple of them enough to add to my playlist.
Overall, this is an endearing drama that I would recommend for light watching, good-looking actors who can act, and laugh out loud moments. I would likely re-watch it on a rainy weekend.
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the best couples out there!
This drama left a big visual impact on me, not only from the eye candy of a cast but also the gorgeous costumes. I could not get enough of how breathtaking Ban Hua, our FL, looked in her outfits, from the striking brights to the lovely pastels. The men did not disappoint as well, looking dashing in their own ways - Rong Xia, our ML, refined and elegant in lighter colours that matched Ban Hua's outfits nicely, and Shi Jin, imposingly handsome in darker tones. I absolutely love the detailed features that made the costumes so unique, including subtle patterns, ombre, and contrasting accessories and ruffles. Most of all, the colour combinations were so perfectly paired and well-coordinated with the jewelry and make-up. Indeed, I was mentally taking notes for my wardrobe throughout the show!The series did not feel like a big-budget production, and the sets felt repetitive and nondescript. Some of the CGI could be a lot better, but those did not detract from the show's charm. It was ultimately entertaining, mixing romance, drama, comedy, and a little fantasy with Ban Hua's prophetic dreams. I also liked that the show set up our female lead as a strong character who was recognized and respected despite the social expectations of women at that time. Ban Hua comes from a powerful family, was blessed with good looks, and possessed strong martial art skills but she was legendary in Daye more for her wit, bluntness, and razor-sharp tongue.
Compared to proper action dramas, the fight and battle scenes were not spectacular, but some action sequences were well-done. Ban Hua looked pretty awesome as she showed off her martial arts. Plus, Rong Xia with his fan and Shi-Jin with his staff, were such visual treats whenever they flexed their skills. By the way, there's just something about the female leads with whips that is just so appealing. Ban Hua's prowess with the whip reminded me of Sandra Ma's Ye Zhao in 'Oh My General' (who I was crushing on in that show, but that's a different review).
The show hit the jackpot with the chemistry between our OTP. As individual characters, they were likable, and as a couple, they were endearing. I was relishing their romance so much that I felt so much angst when they were forced to be apart. Even though the melodrama lasted just a couple of episodes, I was seriously annoyed at the villains for ruining the smooth ride of love for me. Still, even during those heartbreaking moments, I appreciated the consistent portrayal of Ban Hua, who did not give everything up for love. Ban Hua had backbone and pride, and she was so dignified even when Rong Xia acted so cruelly towards her. Seriously, I love this character so much - she did not allow anything to break her and reduce her to a simpering mess! She moved on and focused on matters more critical at hand, like her family.
It's great to see how committed our OTP was, and both were also sensible and intelligent enough to come to the right conclusions about each other's actions. Gotta love a show where there were no prolonged misunderstandings! There was a pretty good build-up during the earlier episodes, with the ML having an ulterior motive to get close to the FL but resisting his attraction to her, to the moment when he finally gave in to his true feelings.
I loved watching the OTP grow from the natural conflict of their budding relationship and going through the trials of fending off other people, trying to separate them to becoming a power couple. What was ultimately gratifying to me was not the chase and drama of Ban Hua and Rong Xia finding common ground so much as their ability to bring out the best in each other. They complemented each other and reveled in each other's strengths, rather than expecting each other to possess the traditional gender-related skills. When conflict entered the plot that kept them apart, it was not a test of whether it will break them up but more of a testament that their relationship was healthy enough to adapt and overcome. They were partners through and through.
This is the first time I have watched the lead actors, and while they were pretty good, they still need to hone their acting skills, especially when it comes to their facial expressions. That said, Gabrielle Guan's pretty good at staring daggers at people! Neo Hou was cast perfectly as Rong Xia, the most sought-after, most handsome, top gentleman of Daye. He was so good-looking that most times, I found him prettier than Gabrielle's Ban Hua. Still, Gabrielle did not fade into the background as she carried her own and looked gorgeous in every single outfit, including her military uniform. I loved the scenes when she changed into female clothing, and her soldiers kept coming back for extra looks. Rong Xia was the perfect male lead - intelligent, calm, rational and his level-headedness tempered Ban Hua's fiery personality. Interestingly, Rong Xia had more jealousy fits; those scenes were funny, and he was so adorable! It is nice to see Ban Hua's character develop, especially during the scenes where she became more thoughtful and gracious under Rong Xia's influence. As for Rong Xia, he went up a level of swoon-worthiness when he learned to discern what really mattered to Ban Hua and whole-heartedly supported her in any way he could, even if it could lead to a terrible outcome.
Zhao Shun Ran's Shi Jin was not perfect looking, but I found him very attractive, more of a man's man than Rong Xia. As the second male lead who loved Ban Hua for so long and only wished for her to be happy, I found myself feeling for him. When he remained so steadfastly loyal to his ideal love until the very end, I suffered a little of the second lead syndrome. I did not realize that Zhao Shun Ran played Sheng Huai Nan in Unrequited Love, but he has proven his acting range more in this show. Some of the characters fell a little flat, like the villains Jiang Luo and Xie Chong Qing, but the cast did well overall. I adored the dynamics of the Ban family and Ban Hua's maids. They were hilarious and were so supportive and protective of each other. Also, Ban Heng and Wan Yu's romance provided comic relief, and it was cute that they bonded over chicken with scallions!
The OST was memorable, and by that, I mean the songs were effective in evoking memories of the scenes for me. I particularly like the songs that played during the poignant moments with the OTP, but the entire playlist is recommendable. The two leads even sang a song together - Fēng Huā 風花. For those interested, you could listen to the OST here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBA8WDQza5s. The uploader did a fantastic job providing lots of information, including the lyrics in pinyin.
All in all, A Girl Like Me was refreshing, enjoyable, and satisfying. I could not recommend it more!
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ML can't act but I adore him anyway!
Actually I adore both the ML and FL! As individual characters, they were likable but as a couple, they were endearing and inspired relationship goals. Also they were simply gorgeous to look at.Why Women Love is a May-December love story done right! It is not often that we get a romance between an older super capable manager and her young assistant (who was actually her boss' son), let alone a good one. If you are looking for something light, lovely, fun and fluffy, this show might just do the trick.
Honestly, there was no real plot, but there was character development. The FL learned to open up her heart, and become brave in facing the unknown of love, and the ML grew into a man who wanted to protect and give his love a blissful and happy home. I love that even though the ML became more matured, he did not lose sight of his dream of being a motorcycle racer. The best part is that he still reacted like someone in his twenties but carried himself well to be worthy of the FL.
Gina Jin is beautiful and she did well as Zhao Jiang Yue, a reserved, over-achieving manager. Absorbed with her work, always focused on doing her best, she was labeled as being incompetent in love. As she gradually fell in love with the ML, one can see her loosening up, and becoming more carefree.
Wang Zi Yi as Gu Jia Xin was a total idol in this show, with his avant-garde outfits, and being a newbie, could use more acting lessons. However, he was still able to pull off charismatic and lovable Jia Xin, and I truly enjoyed watching him charm his way into Jiang Yue's heart. Plus he can kiss!
There were 3 other side couples and I enjoyed watching 2 of those relationships progressed. As for the 3rd couple, I did not think that Xu Ning Yuan and Li Yan Ran were a good fit and there was no chemistry between them . Xu Ning Yuan was supposed to be the second male lead and was also Jiang Yue's first love.but he did not really put up much of a fight, other than being "compatible" with her.
Overall, the cast was great, and there was a fun rapport among them. I did find Li Yan Ran annoying and clingy but at least she could still separate her obsession with Jia Xin from doing the right thing.
The OST was awesome. I never skipped the intro because of the song, 'Love It' sung by Wang Zi Yi and Gina Jin. The closing song, True Love by Zhu Xingjie was catchy too. My favorite was Upside Down by Chen Xueran, the romantic song that heightened the emotional scenes for me. For posterity, I listed the song list at the end of this review.
Overall, do give this show a try - all you have to do is sit back and be prepared to smile and laugh as you gush over the cheesy, delightful and satisfying romantic journey of the main couple.
Track list: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDkvOpX-XEAS7ux-N5WjgI5m6cKx3ngIt
Love it - 金晨 Gina Jin & 王子异 Wang Ziyi
True Love - 朱星杰 Zhu Xingjie
Upside Down - 陈雪燃 Chen Xueran
错了 Wronged - 曹杨 Cao Yang
中意他 Like Him - 彭雅琦 Peng Yaqi
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Love Me for Me , Not for What I Have Done for You
There are already many reviews, but I felt compelled to add mine so that it can show up on people's radar again and hopefully get more viewers to watch this gem of a show. So here's my short review highlighting why this show deserves some notice.1) Great acting all around - kudos to the casting director since everyone truly delivered!
Our lead actors, Zi Tao as Lu Xun and Song Zu Er as Qian Wei, have such great chemistry. They paired off so well and comfortably as our main couple that most of the time, I felt that they were not even following a script, and instead they were ad-libbing. TBH, I was not expecting much from either one, and with Zi Tao being a singer, I thought it would be more of an idol drama. However, these two completely surprised me with their talent. They pulled off the more emotional scenes well and can also do comedy.
The only idol-like part was perhaps Zi Tao's hairstyles - not sure how I feel about it, LOL
Overall, the dynamics among all the cast members were terrific, and their interactions were so organic that I could feel the love, warmth, and camaraderie among the different characters. Watching Qian Wei's family and Lu Xun's parents was time well spent, and their colleagues, especially Lao Tao, the boss at their law firm, were hilarious. Qian Wei's sismance with Liu Shi Yun and Mo Zi Xin was heart-warming, and I love that Qian Wei and Zi Xin did not let any boy get in the way of their friendship.
No SLS for me but I did feel for Li Chong Wen, the SML - his backstory was touching and his actions while condemnable, were also understandable. Garvey Jin was a little stiff at times, but he did a good job portraying our suffering SML who tried to regain his true dream and self in the end.
2) Well-written script - This show was comedy, romance, and drama done well. The show swung from romantic to dramatic to funny quickly and smoothly, keeping the entertainment level high throughout. It was lovely but not too light, fun but not too fluffy with poignant and emotional parts dealing with love and loss that touched my heart and made me tear up. From Lu Xun's and Qian Wei's points of view, inspiring messages were delivered throughout the show.
For a story that was partly based on a college romance, there were little silly childish drama and filler scenes. Without the unnecessary drama, the show is a great stress-less option when you just want to relax and enjoy the sweetness of a non-cringey romance with some legal cases and action thrown. There were times I wanted to shake Lu Xun for being so obstinate about his "concept of love" - doing so much for Qian Wei because he was in love with her but not wanting her to love him for all that he had done. However, I admire his wanting for a visceral love, for Qian Wei to love him just because of him, not because of his actions. Isn't that what dramaland true love should be about?
Perhaps some side stories like the one about the SML and antagonists were watered down, but the resolution or outcomes were still realistic and nicely played out. Not only that, the dialogue was witty, and the comedy was on point.
3) Enjoyable music - seriously, the soundtrack is delightful! Each piece fit the scene and added to the mood or emotion appropriately. For posterity, I have included the soundtrack below.
Overall, I highly recommend this drama. Do give it a try!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5IAxJacwUM
Fate 命中注定 - Wu Yonghuan 巫咏欢
Fragments 碎片 - Gao Jialang 高嘉朗
Hear the Inner Voice 听见内心的声音 - Zhang Muxi 张沐溪
It’s You for the Rest of My Life 余生都是你 - Huang Zitao 黄子韬
We Are Not Together 我们没有在一起 - Liu Ruoying 刘若英
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This review may contain spoilers
Destiny & Fate - Pope & Bella are just meant to be (on screen)
I enjoyed this drama but it was not as engaging or absorbing as Season 1. They did not pay a lot of attention to events and even skipped over major scenes that would have made the viewers very happy. Everything was just skimmed over and it felt like the story was spread too thin. At least they did not omit the love scenes.Rid the ML in Phrom Likit was not as charismatic as Por Dech in Bhuppae Sunniwat. To be honest, I found all three characters played by Pope in season 2 to be somewhat disappointing. Por Dech despite being married to Karaked (Kedsurang) for so long, felt to be stuck in the old ages still, Rueang was not featured much and when featured, was sort of boring and finally Rid, despite given all the right prompts was way too passive for someone so in love.
I liked all the other characters especially the ones in the court and the Khun Luang. It was a bunch of good-looking men. Great was just so handsome as the King and despite being annoying at times, he turned out to be such a decent, fair character. He's got a fun scene in the last episode that he just stood out.
The final episode almost redeemed the show for being draggy towards the end but I don't know why it had to include certain events. It would still have been a memorable show if it ended on the best note ever but it seems nowadays, writers seem to think that they have to include something unpleasant in order to make an impression on the viewers. Still one could assume that the ending was meant to show how destiny and fate come into play in the cycle of life.
That said, I did enjoy this show and looked forward to each episode. I ship Pope and Bella a lot and I was imagining that what Rid was saying to Phuttarn could be applied to Pope finally confessing to Bella now that she's single - haha! The chemistry was undeniably good and I love that they still show the older couple as being all lovey dovey.
Also, I love the outfits - the way they matched the couples' clothing in color and style was so well done! All the guest stars were also a nice addition to the show.
The OST included songs that I liked from Season 1 and the ones introduced in Season 2 were also pleasant.
Overall, I would recommend this show. It would be difficult not to compare this to Season 1 but it is still a very entertaining watch.
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More of a smooth scenic drive than an emotional roller coaster ride
On the surface, a story about a royal physician framed for conspiracy against the royal family, and his quest to right the wrong done to him may not be a candidate for a feel-good show. However, Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist was surprisingly chill with beautiful cinematography, soothing color palates for the sets and outfits and a great selection of songs and background music.Even-keeled, endearing and easy to watch - this drama was one of those shows that go down smooth and make one smile. There were conflicts, melodrama and palace politics but nothing heavy that dragged me down and stressed me out. That said, there was also nothing intense that left me waiting in anticipation for the next episodes. Overall, it was the kind of show where one can leave the world behind for a bit, get a temporary mood boost and not think too much about it until the next episodes aired.
The story followed the adventures of physician Yoo Se Yeop/Poong, who after exile, ended up with a makeshift family headed by Kye Ji Han, a village doctor running the Gyesu clinic. Having suffered PTSD and unable to use his acupuncture skills, Poong ended up healing people by focusing on their emotional issues. Hence his transition to becoming more of a psychiatrist.
The Gyesu clinic family was hilarious and I enjoyed watching how they did so much to uplift and support each other in their own ways. Their interactions were so organic that I could feel the love, warmth, and camaraderie among the different characters. It was an ensemble cast guaranteed to constantly entertain. The villains fell flat though, almost farcical in how stereotypical they were.
There was romance but a slow burn kind; a perfect cocktail of sweet and silly as our young couple navigated through their awakening feelings of love and attraction for each other. Watching the natural buildup of a relationship between Poong and Sun Woo was time well spent.
In general, the cast did a great job. I see the potential in Kim Min Jae and Kim Hyang Gi but as main leads, they are not quite there yet. Something is missing, and they just don’t have the lead aura yet and they do need to hone their emoting skills further. I am sure that they will get there after a few more dramas.
Music-wise, some songs were not what I would expect from a historical drama. Still, they were fitting for this drama and I really like the instrumental pieces that underscored the more poignant scenes.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this drama and I felt that it never got the views and higher ratings that it deserved. While I would have preferred a lovely happy ending to Season 1, I am happy that there will be a season 2 which is expected to air in January 2023.
Soundtrack:
By Your Side (사랑스런 너의 곁에) - Solji (솔지)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKTfioKlWa8
https://open.spotify.com/track/3beMVL4X8krvydjvUToFTm
I Guess I Like You (그댈 많이 좋아하는가 봐요) - Hello Gayoung (안녕하신가영)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF7YJY8rY08
https://open.spotify.com/track/7IP4kpJo2r5EGvKmQIpjtG
She (반짝이는 그대여) - Standing Egg (스탠딩 에그)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-3dkb6AkIM
https://open.spotify.com/track/0BnIEkvcwpCH0UhPUqtUTg?si=005aa1e2a1ff43dd
Luminous (눈이 부시게) - Sohyang (소향)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvufDr9GhwQ
https://open.spotify.com/track/3fQTr5geEQ2q8kgdqx44gl?si=f3c18dc76a32475e
Starlight (별빛처럼) - Xydo (시도)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR6SfjFa0ms
https://open.spotify.com/track/24dSyqfPW6WNzdegehvuBw?si=70fa3a46920442bf
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Only if you are a fan of fight scenes, Mik or Louis
Would I recommend this lakorn?Yes - if you like action, more specifically hand combat because even though everyone went around carrying guns, they would rather fight. The hand combat is probably the better part of the show with Mik as Dave and Louis as Drago coordinating well and duel fighting against the bad guys.
No - if you are looking for romance. Very little chemistry between the main couple. Visually, they looked good together, but their interactions were rather stiff. Other than some hugs and a forehead kiss, and lots of "Are you OK?" from the ML, there was nothing else to satisfy the viewers. There was much more chemistry between the two male leads with their constant nodding and exchanging of looks with each other. There was definite romance for the secondary couple. Even then, it was a little unbelievable since the girl did so much bad stuff to the guy, so he's a total doormat to me.
No - if you are looking for a good story execution. Everything is kind of weakly linked together and some loose ends were never explained. This drama could have wrapped up without the extra 10 episodes, but the director must really like fight scenes since that was at least a showdown between the good and bad guys in every episode. Also, the bad guys were always around because the good guys must really wanted to make merit and they would never kill the bad guys. In fact, they constantly welcomed them back into the group. With this group of leads, you get infinite chances to do all sorts of evil stuff because the leads just never learn their lessons. It's like rinse and repeat - "Oh we got attacked doing this...that's ok, let's do it again because it cannot possibly happen again...ooops." Or someone is told not to leave the safety of the place because she's targetted and the next minute, she does exactly that...
Maybe - if you are a fan of Mik or Louis. They carried the show, more Louis in my opinion. They looked good and they did well in the fight scenes. Preaw did not impress me at all. She constantly had a shell-shocked look and her character was just ok, a little weak and useless. She's pretty much there to be a damsel in distress. Even though she can shoot a gun, no one gave her one to protect herself even though everyone else had one. She was constantly hiding in the best spots to be caught. Her strength is that the Naga won't eat her.
Speaking of Nagas, they showed up during some crucial moments but they were not featured much. The story was connected to them but as I mentioned before, kind of loosely. The story was also about past lives, but the plot development there was bad, and I think they cut out scenes since those scenes were shown in the ending credits but not in the show itself.
The best part for me is the romantic OST. The intro rock song was interesting but way too long. It was about 3 and half minutes long and really dragged into the start of the show.
Overall, I started off enjoying the show but it got too draggy. I would ask people to give it a watch and feel free to skip some episodes since you won't miss much.
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Good story, well-paced episodes, great chemistry and satisfying ending...
I was anticipating this lakorn because of Esther and Jes pairing as the main couple, Arisara and Panin. Since I watched them in "Leh Ratree", I have been hoping to see them star together, but this time with Jes as the male lead. And they did not disappoint! I liked the chemistry between them, and they looked so gorgeous together. In fact, I wrote this review after watching it twice because there were scenes of them that I wanted to revisit and appreciate the gestures, the effects, and the words.Visually, musically, emotionally - The story unfolded pretty nicely for me, and the episodes flowed quickly, keeping up the pace and never losing the momentum. The show was by no means perfect, and there were loopholes in the plot. At times, Arisara's questionably stupid actions made me mad, but I chalked those up to the show trying to create melodrama to move the story along. In general though, this show was a good watch, and I never felt tempted to fast-forward or skip.
I wish that there were more episodes earlier focused on Arisara and Panin falling in love. The development of their relationship felt too short and somewhat rushed. That said, they were so lovely together, and Jes' portrayal of Panin falling hard and fast for Arisara was done nicely, and it was believable. There were only a few kisses and almost kisses, but the scenes hit the right emotions for me with the touching background music.
Panin was one of the best MLs I have seen in a Thai lakorn! He was charismatic, suave, and charming. Always the gentleman but assertive too, Panin never hesitated to express his feelings, and I loved watching Arisara's reactions whenever Panin flirted with her. He was really quite smooth - haha! Panin was also intelligent, and he can fight! Best of all, he was mature and reasonable, allowing the progression of his and Arisara's relationship to happen realistically despite years of major misunderstandings and separation. Panin was also savvy, knowing when to manipulate the situation to his advantage, and I like that he never misled the second female lead and remained true to his heart. He was also able to respect his father without bending to the unreasonable demands.
Jes can emote well with his eyes, and I enjoyed watching how Panin pined for Arisara, the stolen glances, and pensive stares. Jes did a great job overall, but he is not quite there as a male lead yet. For me, something is missing, and he does not have the male lead aura yet. I am sure that he will get there after a few more dramas under his belt.
Esther fitted the role of Arisara, our long-suffering female lead, perfectly, but then again, this is not surprising. I think she plays this kind of role best, and she looked really pretty in the show. Arisara can be considered as a plucky optimistic female lead with an admirable spirit that cannot be broken down. She can react too quickly and emotionally, which led to some frustrating outcomes. Still, Esther, who seems to be able to bring life to any character, was able to lead the audience to sympathize with Arisara was truly the victim and cheer for her as she bounced back, determined to right the wrong she suffered.
There was also a secondary couple, Lin Jong and Nont, whose endearing interactions increased my enjoyment of the show. Also, the young actor playing Pinyet/Pete was also pretty good and added the cuteness factor.
The villains also deserved kudos for adding the layers of manipulation and scheming that kept things fresh. It was also enjoyable to see the villains unravel as they got closer to being caught, and it was so gratifying to see them punished. Nicha Chokprajakchat was awesome as Lookmee, and she pulled off looking beautifully cold-blooded and ruthless. In my opinion, Lookmee got too much screen time, but since she always looked amazing in her outfits and hairstyles, I guess it was ok :D. Pokhai, the other antagonist, was played quite well by Chopin Noochintra. He appears to be new to lakorns, but I would say that he is off to a great start, acting in two of Esther's dramas.
However, the true villain has got to be Panin's father, Puchong, portrayed superbly by Kob Songsit Rungnopakunsi. Oh, he made my blood boil throughout the show with his prejudice, narrow mind, and ignorance. He was not a stupid man, but he was blinded by misplaced hate and self-righteousness. He was really the cause of all the heartache, but it was only during the last episode when he got his redemption.
The OSTs were well-done, with appropriate instrumental pieces underscoring the more poignant scenes. The theme song, Song Krai Kid Teung by Bird Thongchai is very fitting and sets a romantic, emotional tone for the show. The more I listen, the more I like it! Unfortunately, I could not find the links for two other songs played in the show. My one complaint is that, like most other lakorns, the music producers have not mastered the effective use and timing of melodramatic/suspenseful background music. It got too loud, and sometimes, the scenes fell flat because they did not match the music.
For posterity, I have listed the tracks that I could find in this review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kh-re0Wass
ใครคิดถึง Krai Kid Teung - BIRD THONGCHAI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM3uFeJNlRk
ใครคิดถึง Krai Kid Teung - cover by Jespipat Tilapornputt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm2N4gntigI&list=RD2kh-re0Wass&index=3
Undo - POP PONGKOOL X WONDERFRAME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emv3FYWFcLY
Chairai - BOWKYLION
On the whole, I do recommend this lakorn. The story moved quickly with a great ending, good-looking actors who can act, and great music. So give it a try, and who knows, you may get hooked on it just like I was.
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The best revenge is to move on and let karma do the rest
This review is for Season 1 and 2.Krachao Seeda delivered the emotional rollercoaster that I expect from a Thai lakorn! The plotline is nothing new, but I enjoyed the story, and the pacing was good. There's definitely tons of slapping where almost no one was spared, and there was melodrama and angst when I found my heart wrenching or my blood pressure rising numerous times. However, throw in the happy and satisfying scenes, and you get an addictive drama that kept me binge-watching it. The main messages were karma, knowing one's self-worth, and valuing one's dignity.
After having experienced the spectrum of emotions, from the villains making my blood boil watching them plot and play dirty to the feelings of enjoyable romance watching the interactions between the ML and FL, the best part by far was seeing the good guys triumphed over the evil schemes repeatedly. This is so gratifying since there are so many lakorns where the bad guys keep winning until the last episode when they finally get their due punishment or redemption because forgiveness is a key virtue. The rating should be higher, but I guess a rating above 7.5 is considered high for a Thai drama on MDL.
I started this show because of Nune Woranuch, who played Nampink, the FL, but ultimately I binge-watched because of Got Jirayu, who portrayed the ML, Aumpon. I first noticed him in Love Destiny, looking so fine as Luang Surasak, but he stole my heart in this drama. A perfect ML, so charming, charismatic, and attractive...Aumpon may be younger than Nampink, but he was mature, thoughtful, protective, and committed to his love for Nampink. One of my favorite genres is when the ML falls for the FL first, and it was cute how Aumpon smoothly expressed his feelings to Nampink. I love how Got's eyes crinkled as he smiled widely, but his playful expressions can transform so effortlessly into serious and menacing ones when he stared down the villains. I have nothing but praises for Got's acting in this show, and I look forward to him playing more lead roles.
Nampink was a strong female lead, like an iron fist in a velvet glove. Beautiful, decisive, and resourceful, she handled herself with elegance and grace even through heartbreak and betrayal. I like that Nampink was intelligent, and even when she felt devastated, she executed her revenge so nicely and cleanly against the people who did her wrong. Nune has the aura of a commanding female lead, and it is not surprising that she was proclaimed as one of the royalty of Thai dramas. She is gorgeous and I spent the whole show admiring her hair and fashion. In fact, I loved all the female characters' outfits! The production designer deserved a shout-out for such excellent choices but seriously, does the Thai high society really dress like the way they do in the dramas?
As individual characters, our leads were likable, and as a couple, they were admirable and endearing. So supportive and understanding of each other, they were able to take down the villains by anticipating their next moves and laying traps for the bad guys. The chemistry was good, and I wish they had more kissing scenes. That said, both actors were so on point with their expressions and body language that I did not need obvious gestures like kissing to see how well they played off each other. They have a unique dynamic that made it so interesting to watch them. Plus, Got just oozed sexiness, and the show enhanced that impression by playing the sexy background song almost every time he appeared on screen to charm Nampink.
The supporting cast was good, but I was not interested in the second couple's relationship. I don't think it was executed very well, and I didn't exactly buy the idea that Ramnam and Lue loved each other in the end. Green Ausadaporn is lovely and was good as Ramnam, the scheming nangrai who stopped at nothing to get what she wanted, but something was lacking in her overall delivery. I think that the SFL was supposed to be a more complex character, fighting against societal prejudice and oppression, but Green's acting did not come through for me. She was good with her smirks and sneers, and she totally brought out the dislike in me. However, she did not do as well in the more emotional scenes. The same thing with Peter Corp Dyrendal, who played Lue, the SML who was supposed to be in love with Nampink even after he betrayed her but then all of a sudden, he was in love with Ramnam towards the end. I pitied Ramnam's mother the most, but in a way, she was the one who enabled Ramnan's wickedness.
The music list was not long, but the soundtrack was memorable, including the sexy song I now will always associate with Got…Haha! For posterity, I have listed the main songs below. Unfortunately, the show did not balance the dramatic background music well, and it can be quite jarring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tCPuOIeSHo
เพลง : พิง (Song: Lean)
นักร้อง : NONT TANONT (Singer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SHtrQNYE90
เพลง : ความรัก (Song: Love)
ศิลปิน : โรส ศิรินทิพย์ (Singer: Rose Sirinthip)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUhlXxelZZA
เพลง : ปม (Song:Crux)
ศิลปิน : ZANI ( ซานิ นิภาภรณ์ ) (Singer: ZANI (Sani Nipaporn))
I gave a decent rating for the re-watch value since I expect I will replay scenes of Aumpon and Nampink. On the whole, I do recommend this Lakorn. The story moved quickly with a great ending, good-looking actors who can act, and great music. So give it a try, and who knows, you may get hooked onto it just like I was.
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Sweet glimpses of romance, great chemistry and interesting storyline
I am often drawn to Thai Lakorns featuring time travel because most of them do not run on the same plot. This Lakorn follows Pete, our modern-day spoilt and irresponsible pra'ek who accidentally traveled back 100 years earlier during his great-grandfather Pian's era and ended up trading places with Pian. During that time, he also met Wan, played by Vill Wannarot. The twist to this story is that Pete thought Wan was his great-grandmother and tried his best unsuccessfully not to fall in love with her.One reason that made this drama enjoyable for me is the dual roles that Film Thanapat played as a present-day influencer and his great grandfather, who looked identical to him. Film did an excellent job switching between playful and adorable Pete and a more matured and dignified Pian. His microexpressions were great, and Film in all his roles so far has impressed me through his superb acting. That said, I think he could have handled the crying scenes better, especially compared to Vill. She as Wan did well, too, although she did not show as much range as Film. However, she was on-point during the emotional scenes. She cried so prettily that even when the scenes tugged at my heartstrings, I could not help but admire her loveliness. Together they made a great-looking couple, and that heightened my enjoyment of the show.
While I was thrilled at the plot about two separate worlds bringing together two soul mates, I find the romantic tension a little lacking. There was not enough build-up of attraction and awareness of each other that convinced me that these two were falling in love, except perhaps towards the end. The romance was relatively chaste with innocent skinship, which I don't mind if there were implied near kisses and increasing intimacy (just like the scintillating chemistry between Pope and Bella in "Love Destiny"). Still, there was definite chemistry between them, and I started off rooting for Pian and Wan first and then was won over by the sweet interactions between Pete and Wan.
Other than the romance between Pete and Wan, the main couple, there was also the secondary relationship between Pian and Pink, Pete's best friend in the present. This is where I thought Film shined as well. His ability to act restrained as old-fashioned Pian while showing interest and care for Pink using his eyes and expressions. Through the love story between Pian and Pink, the drama took on heavier topics and presented everything beautifully in the story; topics like family responsibilities versus personal desires, the way families were made up, the principles and values that one believed in and held tightly, and how one's actions can seriously change the outcome of the future.
Speaking of Pink, Bifern Anchasa deserved praise acting as the self-sacrificing love interest of Pian. The show was smart in writing her character as someone who believed in time travel and understood the consequences of one changing history. The side plot concerning Pian and Pink made sense to me, even though many commented that the ending could have and should have been different for them. It would be great if the show made a spin-off focusing on Pian and Pink. Without revealing spoilers, it is a workable plot so hopefully, the scriptwriters will note the viewer comments and the amount of interest generated in these two's relationship.
While watching the show, I could not help but think that the romantic storyline was a sweet excuse to highlight the achievements of the King during one of the prosperous periods of Ayutthaya kingdom - an era that brought many changes to today’s Thai society - and the tremendous respect that the Thai people have for their royal family.
The OST was great, and was effective in stirring up my emotions. There was only one main song and I included the link below for posterity. There were also a couple of instrumental pieces that set the tone well and appropriately for the scenes. If there was anything to complain about, it was how loud the background music got when it came to the suspenseful moments, and sometimes the music did not transition well. It is a common problem in many Lakorns, so I am not going to take off too many points for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-4HspJRgxM
กลางหัวใจ (เพลงประกอบละคร รักแลกภพ) - แอ๊ค The Golden Song【OFFICIAL MV】
The other thing that I did not enjoy was how the show dragged a little in the middle, with unnecessary drama involving characters that were not really the villains but could be considered the antagonists. Some of their actions and reactions did not quite make sense, and it seemed that the show would have benefited by cutting a couple of episodes out. I did not skip through the episodes, but it would not have made much of a difference if I did, especially towards the middle-end.
Finishing off on a positive note, I must say that visually, there was so much to enjoy - from the good-looking cast to the gorgeous outfits (past and present), to the settings and locations.
Overall, it is a light romantic drama that I think most will enjoy. If you like a little fantasy in your romance drama, then do give it a watch. Just let the story unravel and surprise you.
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Ah, what a feel-good series!
After reading the comments and reviews, I was expecting a lot of fluff, and that is exactly what this show delivered. This is truly a show with lots of heart, romance, and on-point comedy, one that is guaranteed to make you smile and cheer at least once.It is a simple love story, almost entirely focused on the OTP. Where the show excels is with its romance and phenomenal chemistry between its two leads. Both Matsui Airi and Itagaki Mizuki are great in their roles, and I can really feel the warmth they have on-screen together. They are so cute together that I would watch this show just for the couple's interactions. Yes, I did cringe a lot but in a good way.
I like that the ML and FL are both mutually attracted at the same time even though Manatsu-san acts all cool and detached initially, and I enjoyed watching the flirty teasing, cute jealousy, and growing love between them. The almost immediate racy skinship is a plus for me since it is rare in most Asian dramas. What I truly appreciate is the emphasis on open communication in a relationship and how the couple values honesty and respect between each other.
Despite the fluff and the short length, the show is well-executed, and everything is tied up nicely in the end. The starting song is fun to listen to and lends the same tone of optimism and positivity that is infused throughout the show. I have to admit that I kept waiting for something melodramatic to happen since the show would tease the audience with hints of potential rifts or serious issues. Fortunately, matters and misunderstandings are cleared up quickly, and the serious moments would transition into sexy ones.
The cast is a bunch of good-looking actors, and if nothing else, no matter who you look at - either Ami-chan, Manatsu-san, or the other characters, the visuals are pleasing.
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