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Completed
My Sunshine
5 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Aug 26, 2022
32 of 32 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 6.5

A good mix of melodrama and sweetness after a so-so start

I finally finished this drama after having it on my Hold list for ages. I just could not get past how spineless the FL in the beginning but I really like Wallace Chung and his acting. I'm glad that I gave it another chance because the FL got better towards the later part of the show (after ep 22).

The plot was not unique but really quite lovely, about a couple who fell in love in college, separated due to misunderstandings and past grievances, and in the end found their way back to each other. The drama featured flashbacks of their college days
and those episodes were good. Kudos to Luo Yun Xi and Janice Wu for their portrayals of the leads in their younger days. I cannot believe how much these two actors have progressed in their careers.

I am not too impressed by Tiffany Tang's acting and I think she could portrayed the FL better especially in the beginning. Her wimpiness was too pathetic but it could be because of the script and directing. She looked really pretty though even in the ridiculous outfits that the show dressed her in. I really questioned the stylist and the choices for her.

Wallace was great as the ML, displaying a myriad of emotions. He can ham it up during the comedic moments and adopt a cold stone face when the moment called for it. He Yichen, the character himself was not the perfect ML but his commitment once he decided the FL was the one, was swoon-worthy. His hairstyle though - LOL, again I am not sure what the stylist was thinkinig. Other than his hairstyle though, he looked pretty suave in his suits.

Love the shenanigans of the law office and the fashion magazine folks, and I enjoying watching the second couple's path to love - truly a hate to love relationship!

Most may view the SML, Ying Hui as being annoying for his refusal to give up but I was actually quite intrigued by him. Honestly, if the FL chose to be with him, I would have been fine too. He was good-looking, successful, smart and also committed to the FL. I have seen Tan Kai, the actor in more recent shows and I must say that he's aging very well.

I really enjoyed the soundtrack especially the opening song, "My Sunshine" by Zhang Jie, the angsty "Why Love" by Wallace Chung and the equally emotional "A Ray of Light" by Hua Chen Yu. Tiffany also sang a lovely one for the show called Long Time No See. I am not sure why they selected the English song - most of the time, it did not fit the scenes. For posterity, I have list the songs below.

Overall, the later episodes and the really great ending left me satisfied, and the college scenes made this show a good one for me. I would recommend it but with the advice that if you feel your interest faltering, you should try to get past episode 22 because it does get better later. At least for me, it did.

OST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU-7klSJJms
00:00 Jason Zhang Jie - My Sunshine (Opening Theme Song) | 张杰 - My Sunshine
https://open.spotify.com/track/4ZHbDjROaPH8KWXn20ZRmT

04:24 Wallace Chung - Why Love? (Ending Theme Song) | 钟汉良 - 何以愛情
https://open.spotify.com/track/3jnhJ37cVGK92lbyQhYhgx

09:16 - Tiffany Tang Yan - Long Time No See | 唐嫣 - 好久不見
https://open.spotify.com/track/6iWESa3J8akk6C1lovuuHI

14:00 Hua Chenyu - A Ray of Light / Glimmer | 华晨宇 - 微光
https://open.spotify.com/track/2pxbYnrJ3tUDMZaBPCtvdZ

18:23 Gao Shan - The Road Not Taken / To April | 高姗 - The Road Not Taken
https://open.spotify.com/track/4XTtNQcDJ1hyl8Dy5arn7B

22:03 Gao Shan - When I Met You, All The Stars Fell On My Head | 高姗 - 遇見你的時候所有星星都落到我頭上
https://open.spotify.com/track/56xLSzX5lcYHCaxc1W5fLR (not the Gao Shan version)

25:58 Fang Wu Wen Fang - Accumulated Loneliness / The Sum of Loneliness | 吳汶芳 - 孤獨的總和
https://open.spotify.com/track/1rhPNTxshTaIrCkPrGn4KK

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Completed
Me Always You
5 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Feb 1, 2022
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 7.0

The value of knowing one's self-worth and loving yourself first

I have seen the Korean original and Chinese adaptation of this drama, and I liked them both. Each one brought its cultural style, and even though none were perfect, the great mix of comedy, romance, and drama resulted in entertaining watches for me. It is the same for this Thai version.

I read some criticism that the acting was too exaggerated, but I have enjoyed enough Thai lakorns to expect and accept that. For me, Thai lakorns have their brand of slapstick antics that mesh well with the plot and character development. This lakorn, Me You Always, had its unique flair and provided a good amount of situational comedy, witty, and lowbrow humor for some good laughs. Also, with great timing, rhythm, and sound effects, the show swings from romantic to dramatic to funny quickly and smoothly, and it keeps the entertainment level high throughout the show. There were some deviations from the Korean and Chinese versions, a few for the better, and a couple took away poignant moments for me. The ending in the Thai version though is my favourite.

For those who have not seen the original or any of its adaptations, the plot is based on the classic and over-used "Childhood Love" trope. Still, the story develops nicely and interestingly in this particular drama. It's truly a sweet rom-com, but you will feel angst during the prolonged misunderstanding on the ML's part and some noble idiocy on the FL's side. You will also get the second male lead syndrome, or at least I did, for all the versions. Most of the plot is about the FL deceiving the ML about her identity and how despite it all (including a sexy, eager SFL), he still falls in love with the FL.

In all versions, the ML is a jerk at first. However, some of it is due to him being bullied during his younger days, and he grows up developing a prickly shell. His mean attitude towards the FL is mostly because he is so confused and trying to fight against the attraction that he feels towards her, especially when he thinks he has already found his first love (the FL's best friend).

I like that in this version, the show did not have Ploy, the FL go through any significant makeover. She looked normal, albeit a little unkempt and dowdy with her oversized clothing and lack of attention to her appearance, but she was still pretty and cute, especially when she smiled. I love how Ploy improved her outer beauty naturally and realistically as she started to pay more attention, such as using proper skincare, contacts, and tidying up her hair. Most of all, I like how Kawin (or Win), the ML came to love her for her character and the connection he felt with her, the same closeness he had with his first love.

Fang Neerasingh as Ploy and Pae Arak Amornsupasiri as Kawin were adorable together. They had awesome chemistry and looked good onscreen - I love the height difference. They played off each other well and nailed every scene.

Ploy was a strong, happy-go-lucky FL whose physical appearance belied how tough and plucky her character was after having gone through hardship in life. For sure, there were moments where I wanted to yell at Ploy for not having the courage to tell Kawin the truth, and she was the one who started her best friend, Randa's deception. Still, Randa could have made better choices. In the end, though, it all worked out neatly, and I like the character development of Ploy, Kawin, and Randa. It's great that Ploy prioritized her self-development, and Kawin was equally amazing in allowing Ploy time and room for her to pursue her ambition. After waiting years for her, he was confident in himself and their relationship.

This is the first drama of Fang's that I watched, and I thought she did a great job. She was able to convey different emotions with her facial expressions, and her crying scenes were pretty much on-point. Her cute "girl next door" look reminds me of other Chinese and Korean actresses, but I still cannot place which ones exactly. She also sang one of the main songs.

I am not a fan of Pae's hairstyle here, but he is still as charming and attractive as ever. I like his portrayal of Kawin and his mood swings as we see Kawin struggle against his curiosity about Ploy that eventually evolved into attraction and ultimately love.

There's lots of accidental skinship (yes, "mostly the trip and fall into his arms" and the "oops, I turned my face and my lips almost found his" kind), but since these two were so cute together, these scenes only increased the sweetness factor for me. I wish there were more kissing because they looked comfortable and natural together when they did. However, I did feel that the other versions did a better job showing how the ML slowly fell for the FL.

As for the second male lead, it is the way the character is written that would result in the second male lead syndrome. He's sensitive, cool, super sweet, and supportive of the FL. Nat Kitcharit played Tula well, and there were so many times when I would smile at the chemistry between Tula and Ploy.

The acting was great across the board, and there was just so much rapport between the cast!

There were not many songs played in the drama, and most pieces were instrumental. However, the theme song was fun and reflected the cute tone throughout the drama. The other one is the more romantic song and the instrumental version was used a lot during the meaningful scenes. It definitely heightened the romantic experience for me. For posterity, I have listed those two here:

1) "จับมือเธอไว้" ("Hold Your Hand")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ1ujiR2i6g

2) "ฉันจะกล้าพอ" ("I Will Be Brave Enough")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7K5hqv5LpQ

Overall, do give this drama a try! The sweetness, the silliness, the laughter, the terrific cast, the lovely ending - there's enough to keep you entertained!

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Completed
Eternal Love of Dream
5 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Aug 25, 2020
56 of 56 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Do yourself a great favour and watch this drama!

There are already so many reviews, but I felt compelled to add mine since this is now one of my top favourite Chinese dramas. Now, I have not seen Eternal Love, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms After Story, nor have I read the novel, so my review is entirely based on the show alone.

I didn't expect this show to be so addictive! I was so reluctant to watch the last few episodes, and I even waited for a couple of weeks before I finally finished it. I just did not want it to end. It is also my first show that is longer than 50 episodes. I have a habit of needing to complete any show (and not dropping it), so I tend to avoid long period dramas. However, I made an exception this time because of the great chemistry between the main leads. The trailers drew me in, and my only regret is that I did not watch it sooner. I really love the story! Even though some reviews stated that certain parts got draggy, I truly enjoyed the different arcs - from when Feng Jiu became Dong Hua's pet fox to the final battle at the end. Of course, fortunately for me, the ending was a satisfying one; otherwise, I would be so heartbroken that I would probably swear off Chinese period dramas for good.

Dilraba and Vengo really nailed their characters! I cannot imagine anyone else playing Feng Jiu with so much sass. Dilraba is mesmerizing, and it is completely believable when the character was described as a legendary beauty. She portrayed the future Queen of Qing Qiu with such grace and I love that Feng Jiu was also intelligent (albeit naive at times), good in martial arts and weapon making, and her culinary skills so exceptional that it won Dong Hua's attention. The same thing with Vengo - he played Dong Hua Di Jun with perfection. His acting range shone as he switched from icy handsome god to adorable pouty lover with endearing, smoldering looks reserved just for Feng Jiu. Also, while I have not seen that many period dramas, I cannot think of anyone else who looked so attractive in white hair (other than his own offspring)!

I also look for micro-expressions when it comes to acting skills, and both of them pulled it off so well. After all, they each had to portray three different character personalities, and they went through so many emotional periods of different levels across the various realms. The chemistry between these two was off the chart, and I truly enjoyed watching them fall in love even when they did not realize that their relationship was forming. I usually keep my interest strictly within Dramaland, but this is one of the very very few couples so far where I hope would become one from reel to real. I totally ship them together.

As for the rest of the cast - major applause! All of them did amazingly and so many good looking ones all in a one show :-) I was genuinely interested in the different characters - Lian Song, Cheng Yu, Chi Wu, Si Ming, super cute Ah Li, Zhe Yan (Baron!!!), Su Mo Ye, Qing Ti, Meng Shao and the list goes on! These characters completed the show. And yes, I have to mention Ji Heng, who was the one character I hated, not the actress who did a good job but the character - boy was I upset with her actions towards the end!

Other than that, the CGI effects were fantastic. It was obvious that they put a lot of thought and effort into creating the various realms and worlds. The fox was so well done, and I could not find any bad effects. Music-wise, also well-done! I have already added the OST soundtrack to my playlist.

The rewatch value is high for me since I am already rewatching it. Haha! As I said, this show is addictive!

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Completed
Mr Honesty
5 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Jul 26, 2020
31 of 31 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers
Warning! The cringe factor is fairly high in the first few episodes. Scenes meant to create moments of sparks between the ML and FL were so contrived that they made me laugh out of embarrassment. I can only handle so many scenes of the FL accidentally falling into the ML’s arms.

Still, I found the show entertaining and, in general, well-paced. It's an interesting plotline with a ML who hates lies and a FL who lies mainly to avoid conflict and hurting others as well as herself. Adding depth to the story was the subplot behind the love-hate relationship between the ML and the second ML. Throw in a scheming, bitchy third party vying for the ML's love, plus other villains so gratingly annoying, and you have a rom-com that is delightful but with enough drama to cause your blood pressure to rise at times.

I did wish that the romance between the lead couple started earlier, but mainly because the chemistry was great! Fang Zhi You was just so charming and adorable once he acknowledged his feelings for Xu Yi Ren. He was always trying to be romantic with her, and the skinship progressed so naturally. Their kissing moments were cute, and I like that they both can be honest about their lack of experience in love. The fact that Zhi You always told the truth made whatever he said to Yi Ren so much more meaningful, and he did say the sweetest things.

I was also touched by their commitment to each other and how they were both consistent in their acknowledgment privately and publicly that they were each other's one and only love. Even when others have assumed that their relationship has failed because Yi Ren did something unforgivable in Zhi You's eyes, it was heartwarming to see Zhi You not actually giving up on her, and for Yi Ren choosing to stay as close to him as possible even if it meant being humiliated repeatedly. It was endearing to watch Zhi You struggle with his principles, while his love for Xiren remained unwavering.

I was less interested in the second couple's relationship. The chemistry was not there for me, and I have to admit that I skipped through their scenes a few times.

The character development of the two leads in the show was the biggest plus point for me. I liked how Zhi You matured into someone who is more mindful of other people's feelings particularly Yi Ren's. I appreciate how he still valued honesty and did not lower his own standards throughout the show but instead he became more aware of social graces and the "give and take" aspect that was necessary in relationships. My favourite moment was when Zhi You realized that loving someone 100% mean accepting both their strengths and weaknesses.

It was also gratifying to see Yi Ren drawing strength from Zhi You's love and became braver. The development of her self-awareness and self-confidence was satisfying to watch, especially when she finally stood up against her nasty aunt and cousin, and their emotional blackmail. Yi Ren never did stop lying completely, but she did become more honest and true to herself and Zhi You. She realized that she did not need to lie to avoid conflicts and that it was better that she faced her problems upfront.

Fang Shi Yu, the little sister, and Li Zhe, the second male lead, were absolutely awesome, and they were the perfect catalyst for the lead couple's relationship. Shi Yu was an absolute breath of fresh air, and she was the voice of strength and reason. It was cute to see her advise her brother in the matters of the heart, and so refreshing to see her stand up to adults and put them in their places. Li Zhe was so charming and disarming, and even towards the end, his longing for Yi Ren was still palpable despite him accepting that Zhi You and Yi Ren were meant for each other, and that he wanted the best for them. I suffered a little of the second lead syndrome, especially since I became invested in Li Zhe's back story with Yi Ren. Ultimately, I am glad that he still got his happy ending with his father.

It would have been nice to see the other characters develop further like the villains actually learning from their mistakes. It was a bit anticlimactic for me when there were no retribution or lessons learned for the aunt and cousin. At least the uncle showed some backbone finally towards the end. I did find the way the show wrapped up He Yu Wen, the third party's story in a rushed manner, but at least there was closure between her and Zhi Yu.

Acting-wise, I thought Xin Yun Lai's portrayal of Fang Zhi You and Liu Hai Kuan's as Li Zhe were really good. Their micro-expressions were on point, and you can see the array of emotions play across their faces nicely. Of course, it does not hurt that they are both good-looking in their own ways. I look forward to seeing these two actors play the lead roles in more dramas going forward.

While I like Yi Ren, the character, I was less impressed by Liang Jie, who played her. I really tried throughout the 31 episodes to like her, but it just did not happen. I would not say that her acting was bad. In fact, I think she did fine overall, but there was just something lacking. It could be her' resting bitch face'. She often looked like she's pouty or bratty even during scenes that did not call for it.

Like in most of my reviews, I am going to comment on the wardrobe styling. I find that in most C-Dramas, they must have a low budget for the female lead wardrobe and again it is a miss for this show. Both male leads’ clothes were fine overall even though less enviable compared to other shows. The female lead’s styling however was terrible. All the over-sized Peter Pan and shawl collars!!! It’s 2020 for heaven’s sake! Why in the world did they have to make her look granny-like and dowdy? I realized that they want to contrast Yi Ren against He Yu Wen in terms of sophistication but they really went overboard!

The OST was all right. Other than the two tracks that I thought suited the moods of the scenes well, I didn’t remember any other ones.

Overall, I would recommend this show for its fluffy romance, interesting plot lines, and good looking actors. I would probably re-watch the cute romantic scenes. Typically 31 episodes would be borderline too long for me. The fact that I continued watching and completed the show means that others may enjoy it as well.

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Completed
Devilish Joy
5 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Jul 4, 2020
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.5
This review may contain spoilers
I started watching Devilish Joy because of Choi Jin Hyuk. I watched him for the first time in 'Fated to Love You' and suffered the second lead syndrome so badly that I wanted to watch him in a show where he gets the girl.

This drama captured my interest from the get-go, with an endearing story that started with the two leads falling in love at first meet. The show has all the key elements - great acting, a good mix of romance, comedy and melodrama, gorgeous cinematography, and good-looking actors. However, I have to warn you; it is also a bag of cliches! If you can get past the kdrama tropes, the show may pleasantly surprise you and exceed your expectations.

Choi Jin Hyuk as Gong Ma Sung looked really fine in his suits as the chaebol heir who was also a genius neurosurgeon. However, his character was not the typical cold and arrogant jerk. Instead, Gong Ma Seung was a warm-hearted, generous, and romantic man, who not surprisingly captured the female lead's heart immediately in the first episode. Choi Jin Hyuk did not disappoint, and he was able to convey so much through his expressions and body language. I was really into his character, and if I allow myself some fangirling - I love how his smile reaches his eyes and his voice...oh his voice!

It took me a little longer to warm up to the female lead, Joo Gi Bbeum. She seemed too silly for a 30-year-old top star, but she developed more depth soon after the first couple of episodes. Soon Ha Yoon was very believable as the unfortunate singer, who struggled against all sorts of challenges but managed to maintain her dignity. Her petite loveliness was a great match for Gong Ma Sung, and the chemistry between the two leads was palpable. This is a couple I can imagine as truly dating - their kisses (and there were many compared to other dramas) were so natural.

I also came to like Hoya's character, Sung Ki Joon - uncle/nephew bromance was fun to watch and their reunion scene was perfect!

Besides the leads, I did enjoy watching the other characters like Woo Jin and Nan Joo (the leads' sidekicks), and Gi Bbeum's family. They all had flaws that made them more relatable. However, I found the villains rather one dimensional and there was no character development. They are just shown as evil people with no other motives aside from greed. I found their backstories rather lacking, and not certainly not enough to explain why they hated Ma Sung or Gi Bbeum so much to inflict such terrible pain on them.

The music was good - the songs fit the moods accordingly but nothing memorable. I did not hear any that tugged at my heart strings and made me want to save it to a playlist.

As for the ending, I was very satisfied. Not going to lie, I almost didn't want to watch the final episode. The show went into full throttle drama towards the end and I was an emotional mess thinking that only a miracle can give me the happy ending that the characters deserve. Luckily, it is kdrama land after all, and one can toss all reasoning and logic aside. That said, I like that the show did not wrap up everything too neatly and the happy ending was not overly done with Gong Ma Sung recovering completely from his illness. With that, I ended the show with a feeling of hope, and thinking that there's potential for a season 2.

Overall, this drama is pretty entertaining. Yes, there were plenty of cliches but the story was well developed. The romance, focused on unconditional and timeless love was heartwarming and there were enough subplots to beef up the drama.

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Completed
First Romance
5 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Nov 21, 2020
25 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

Simple, endearing and pure

This drama was a pleasure to watch after some heavy Thai Lakorn and historical C-drama. Such a simple but well-executed plot about first romance, highlighting the struggles of youth and the awkward journey of inexperienced young adults as they try to develop their crushes into relationships. This show made me smile a lot, not only from watching the main couple's relationship evolve but also from watching the heartwarming interactions between family and friends. Additionally, the show delved into some social topics like bullying and self-esteem. To me, it was quite successful in delivering good messages.

Riley Wang as Yan Ke and Wan Peng as Xiong Yi Fan had a unique dynamic that made them so entertaining to watch. Both leads have engaging visuals - attractive but not your typical classic good looks. I first saw Wan Peng in "My Girlfriend is an Alien", and I thought her look was so fitting for a character who was not from this planet. In this show, she portrayed Xiong Yi Fan perfectly, a bumbling female lead who traded her tomboyish ways for a more feminine demeanor. Xiao Xiong was resilient, optimistic, always protective of her friends, and looking out for the underdog. She was also adorably clueless, hence the slow burn romance.

Riley Wang has come a long way since I first watched him in "I Hear You". His acting range has improved, and he's gotten better at emoting effectively. That dimple when he smiles! He was an excellent choice to play Yan Ke, a talented pianist who was smart and handsome. Despite being popular, Yan Ke was not arrogant and instead came across as sensitive and somewhat innocent. I enjoyed watching his attempts to get closer to Xiao Xiong, trying to confess his feelings and deepen their relationship. I shared the poor guy's frustration, and when he and Xiao Xiong finally got together, I practically jumped off my sofa cheering!

It is a mostly young cast, and while they did well, there is room for improvement. Another noteworthy actor is Ken Wu, who played Bai Yu Ze; I would not have guessed that this was his first drama. Unfortunately, as much as I liked his character, his potential romance with Ding Ming failed to capture my interest. I appreciate that there was a happy ending implied for Bai Yu Ze, but I did not see any chemistry between him and Ding Ming. On the other hand, I was rooting for Qi Xiaosong and his love interest. Also, the supporting cast was superb, and they had a great rapport. I loved Xiao Xiong's dad and Yan Ke's mom; both so supportive and loved their children so much!

The main couple's relationship demonstrated how love prevailed even in the most challenging times. Their liking for each other never wavered. When they first crushed on each other in high school to when they met again in college, they remained focused on each other despite other people trying to come into the picture. I liked that the second male and female leads were clearly told from the get-go that they never stood a chance. I also liked that the main couple never lost sight of their own goals and development. There was also a nice story twist when Xiao Xiong and her supposed love rival ended up motivating each other on to better things.

Another high point for me was the OST. The song choices were great, very fitting, and evoked my emotions.

Overall, I recommend this light, sweet rom-com, especially if you are looking for one with little angst where misunderstandings are quickly resolved and the OTP only has eyes for each other.

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Completed
Kanojo wa Kirei datta
4 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Feb 21, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Cute, fluffy, and fast-paced version

I have seen the Korean original and all (Chinese, Thai, and now Japanese) adaptions of this story, and I liked all of them. None of them were perfect, but I appreciate each one’s cultural style and artistic differences. If I were to pick a favorite, I would not be able to do so since there were elements in each that I liked a lot. Overall, the great mix of comedy, romance, and drama in the different versions resulted in good entertainment for me. This Japanese adaptation was different because it was more lightweight and less draggy due to the condensed storyline. However, a shorter version meant less time spent on character development. Also, some poignant or meaningful scenes were left out that hit the sweet spots in the other versions. That said, the drama still managed to follow the original storyline pretty closely, and whatever deviations made more sense.

For those who have not seen the original or any of its adaptations, the plot is based on the classic and over-used "Childhood Love" trope. It is a story of how two people, despite lies and mistaken identities, still manage to find their first loves in the end. This story is truly a sweet rom-com, and in this Japanese version that is faster-paced, you will feel less angst during the prolonged misunderstanding on the ML's part and less frustration at the noble idiocy on the FL's side. However, with a lot more episodes, the other versions did a better job showing how the ML slowly fell for the FL.

In all versions, the ML was a jerk at first, but my favorite one was Nakajima Kento's portrayal of Hasebe Sosuke. Visually, I find him most appealing, with his sharp gazes transitioning nicely into boyish heart-melting looks. His smiles were truly disarming! Also, Sosuke was much less mean compared to the other versions. His angry or stern attitude towards the FL was tempered by his confusion and struggle to fight against the attraction he felt towards her, even when he thought he had already found his childhood sweetheart.

Also, I thought I would not get the second male lead syndrome in such a short series, but Akaso Eiji as Higuchi Takuya still won my heart. His good looks, his cool and supportive character, and the chemistry between the FL and him still caused me to root for him. I wish there was an alternate version where Higuchi had his happy ending with Sato.

In this version, the FL seemed the most natural without exaggerated freckles, bad teeth or ugly glasses. She looked normal, albeit a little unkempt and dowdy with her masculine clothing and lack of attention to her appearance. However, she was still pretty and cute, especially when she smiled. I love how Koshiba Fuka acted as Sato Ai, and her portrayal of the FL was the least cringey among all the drama versions.

As for Risa, the best friend, I find the character in this version, the most selfish and could have benefitted more with some further development. Still, Yui Sakuma did a good job and she is lovely. Reminds me of Anne Hathaway, visually.

The acting was great across the board, but it was difficult to note stellar performances when the story moved so quickly.

There's not much skinship, but the actual kisses were good, especially the last episode! The main leads were so cute together, and once they became a couple, the sweetness factor increased. I wish there was more kissing because they looked comfortable and natural when they did kiss.

There were not many songs played in the drama and mostly were instrumental. The theme song was fun and reflected the cute tone throughout the drama. The other was the more romantic song used a lot during the meaningful scenes. It definitely heightened the mood for me. For posterity, I have listed those two here:

1) 夏の午後はコバルト / Awesome City Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHDIX-RNgSY

2) Summer Hydrangea / Sexy Zone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a6SXtlEQB0

Overall, do give this drama a try! The sweetness, the silliness, the laughter, the terrific cast, the lovely ending - there's enough to keep you entertained on a weekend binge!

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Completed
My Sassy Girl
4 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Dec 5, 2020
32 of 32 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

Under-rated fusion sageuk - great balance of comedy, drama and intrigue

Indeed a worthwhile watch, and I enjoyed the cheeky contemporary details that the writers slipped into this sageuk drama. Elements like a manicure bar, cafe, taxi stand, and the male lead's knowledge of mixed drinks were not what I expected, but they certainly established the show as a fun and interesting one. I have not seen the other versions so my review is solely based on this drama.

For a lighthearted rom-com, the story was well-written and even better executed, switching between serious and hilarity, between dark themes and fluffy romance. Yes, cringe-inducing K-drama tropes were deployed, and the villains were somewhat predictable and not fully developed. Still, I never found myself wanting to fast forward.

The story flowed nicely, and the introduction of the characters and sub-plot lines felt organic. Comedic moments were on point, and there were often curveballs. Scenes that felt like the romance was about to kick off were often disrupted by unexpected unromantic developments. These twists kept me watching non-stop, and I was elated when the OTP finally got together! Even though 16 episodes felt just right, I did wish for only one more just to see a grand finale wedding.

Being a fusion sageuk, I liked how progressive the women were portrayed. Good or bad, these women were not afraid to go after what they wanted. I mean, Princess Hye Myung was the boss! Always questioning traditions and rules, and choosing to study medicine over getting married to her beloved Gyun Woo first. We also have Da Yeon going against her father's wishes and instead openly asking him to help her get Gyun Woo, and even her servant, Mal-Geum unabashedly chased after Gyun Woo's friend.

That said, I did like how it was Gyun Woo who made the first move with Hye Myung. Sounds contradictory, I know, but I still relish the romance of traditional courtship, and Gyun Woo scored major points when he asked the Qing prince to back off. Also, his confession to Hye Myung was so heart-felt and endearing.

My favorite thing about this show was the chemistry between Joo Won and Oh Yeon Seo. They played off each other so well, and they looked good together. Both actors were excellent and have proven their acting range. They emoted so effectively, especially Joo Won, who displayed grief and anguish so well just with his eyes.

The supporting cast deserved a shout-out as well, not only the actors but also the characters they played. Lee Jung Shin as Lieutenant Kang won me over - I was kind of hoping that he was the SML, and others who worked for me included: Prince Wonja (Choi Ro Woon) and Choon Poong (Shim Hyung Tak).

The music was another plus point. The OST was well selected, and I loved the usage of Pachebel's piece, Canon in D, and the adaptations of it.

Last but not least I have to mention the dimples! Not only did our OTP have the most adorable dimples, so did the little prince, the scheming queen, the villain, Gyun Woo's friend, and other characters. Everywhere I looked, it was dimples galore!

Overall, I recommend this show for its amazing OTP, cute romance, and satisfying ending.

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Completed
Professional Single
5 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Dec 12, 2020
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

I wanted fluff, and this show delivered!

This show was filled with all tropes and cliches possible, but it was also funny as heck. It is a simple college love story focused on the relationship between the ML and FL. I like that they were both mutually attracted at the same time, and I enjoyed watching the flirty teasing, cute jealousy, and growing love between them. The cast is a bunch of young, good-looking actors, and the rapport between them was really great. The roommates of the ML and FL were simply awesome and their interactions were entertaining. My rating is based mostly on how much I liked the characters, and I enjoyed the witty script.

Ireine Song looked liked like a twelve-year-old next to her fellow actors, but somehow she fitted the FL character of Yuan Qian. She's cute and is a good comedian actor. The actor who gets to be the male lead next to Ireine Song should be thankful because she highlights them, making them shine. They all look so tall and charming. Aaron Deng, despite playing the tsundere Qin Shen most of the show, was quite enigmatic. He looked so good in the Hanfu costume that I now want to see him in a period drama. I was also kind of rooting for the SML, Song Si Yi. Honestly, I would not have minded Yuan Qian ending up with Si Yi. He was handsome, charismatic, flirty, and was so into Yuan Qian. I first saw Wang Run Ze in "A Little Thing Called First Love" and thought that he did pretty well there and in this show.

Great OST - it's a fun selection and quite fitting for the scenes.

All in all, if you are in the mood for something sweet, funny, and light-hearted, you should enjoy this.

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Completed
Lost Romance
4 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Mar 13, 2021
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

Time will never stop so love your life happily and cherish the moments with no regrets

After having this show on my watch list for ages, it was the show's OST, specifically Marcus Chang's 輸給你 (Lose To You) that compelled me to watch it finally, and I am glad that I did.

This series touched my heart on multiple levels, and the interesting thing is that I felt the emotions even more when it was over. It is by no means perfect, and some parts left me questioning, but it is at heart an incredibly watchable and endearing show. It has memorable characters, music and songs that I am still enjoying, and scenes that I keep replaying. Plus, the comedy is on-point. I love how meta the show is and how it makes fun of itself by leveraging all the romance novel tropes and story personalities imaginable.

It is not all about romance, though. From the get-go, Lost Romance sets up expectations of a dramatic corporate power struggle between family in the real world juxtaposed against Xiao En's romantic adventures in the modern romance novel world.

In a way, trying to fit the corporate family drama and the romantic novel world into a 20-episode long series may be the show's main flaw. The real-world link to the novel world is never really explained. Some sub-plots feel poorly developed, like encounters that seem to lead somewhere but end up nowhere. Certain character development appears half-baked like Tian Jian's and Ming Li's sudden personality changes.

Still, what the show lacks in logic, it makes up for with enjoyable cheesiness, warmth, and charm. The show's strengths are the unique premise, attractive leads, and a funny, witty script. Plots about characters cross-traveling from reality into a fantasy world are nothing new. However, Lost Romance is the first one I watched that has the female character starting off as a malicious supporting character in the story and changing her destiny to become the female lead. So it felt fresh to me.

The two drool-worthy male leads, Marcus Chang and Simon Lian were major draws for me, but it was really Vivian Sung who kept me binge-watching. Her Zheng Xiao En was funny, happy-go-lucky, spunky, and adorable, and I found her very relatable. Being an editor of chick-lit romance novels, Xiao En had many funny reactions to the twists and turns of her storyland situation. I enjoyed watching how she determinedly and unapologetically attempted to change her fate by disrupting the cliché romance plot and its characters. Ever so handsome, Marcus Chang probably had the easier role as the good-looking CEO. Still, he was good in his dual roles as the domineering and arrogant Situ Aoran and He Tian Xing, who was more composed, sophisticated, and intelligent. He emoted well, showing character differences subtly but clearly enough for one to see his transition from the flatness of Aoran, the story character, to real-world Tian Xing, someone with more emotional depth.

The chemistry between Vivian Sung and Marcus Chang was easily the best element of this drama. Both of them had some crackling dialogue, and their love scenes were the most convincing of any couple that I have seen recently. I loved their banter, and the skinship and kissing felt so natural and real that I felt like I was intruding into their intimate moments. While I did not get how Xiao En can fall for Aoran so deeply and completely when he was more of a strategic target at first, but I can appreciate how much he lifted her up and vice versa. They showed each other how much they deserved love, even the parts that they wanted to hide. As that mutual understanding developed, the progression of their relationship felt organic

As the charming, sweet, and companionable Qing Feng, Simon Lian gave me second lead syndrome. Unlike other shows, though, I did not end up pining and wishing for more for his character. Qing Feng got his own lovely happy ending that felt just right. I was glad that the show did not spin up a female character just for him at the end, or even worse, pairing him up with Chu-chu, the initial female lead turned second lead. Speaking of Chu-chu, Snowbaby portrayed the annoyingly delicate, soft, and innocent "white lotus" so consistently that I have to give her kudos for it.

The OST is fantastic, and the show has done very well in combining background music with poignant moments. The music certainly elevated the scenes and moods for me.

Ultimately, all I can say is that if you have not watched Lost Romance, you should definitely consider giving it a try. I cannot recommend it enough.

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Completed
Unrequited Love
4 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Feb 20, 2021
38 of 38 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Sudden happiness that is too short-lived, yet it will take too long to forget in the future

This show appealed to me with its simple romance and its lack of fluffiness. I quite enjoyed the pining, the stolen glances, and the pensive stares between the lead couple. Having watched the 2019 version and really liking it, I thought this 2021 version is a more light-hearted adaptation and is less angsty. Still, there was enough sweet yearning and longing that kept me rooting for the two and coming back for more. I thought the script was beautifully written, and I appreciated many of Luo Zi's mature musings and Huainan's romantic declarations. Music-wise, the OST was pleasant and soothing and was used effectively during the more poignant scenes

I have to compliment Hu Bing Qing for her portrayal of Luo Zi. She had the essence that made her the heart of the show. Her Luo Zi was cool and classy, witty and sarcastic, introverted but always ready to stand up for her friends or herself, confident but also insecure when it came to her crush. Hu Yi Tian, as Sheng Huainan, probably had the easier job where he just had to be the "nan shen" (male god), look good, smile, and charm his way into Luo Zi's good graces. Still, having seen his previous dramas, he has definitely improved his acting skills, and he certainly has the aura of a male lead. I like the chemistry between the pair and the way they flirted with each other in their adorable geeky way.

Also central to the story are the secondary romances that all revolved around unrequited love but the side stories fused well to the main one. The drama also nicely showcased friendship; the sismance between Luo Zi and Jiang Baili and the bromance between Huainan and Zhang Ming Rui provided the heart-warming moments that lightened the frustration of missed opportunities. Ming Rui is one of my favorite characters in the show. He is adorable and good-looking, the epitome of warmth and loyalty. The entire cast did a great job, and there was great rapport among them.

The show would have benefited more if it were a few episodes shorter since I found the pace in the middle just a little draggy, and they overplayed the "misunderstanding" theme. There were many moments in the earlier parts of the show when I wished I could grab and give both leads a little shake to finally just talk it out. Especially when Huainan repeatedly stated his wish that there would not be any misunderstanding between them. I also found the ending pretty anti-climatic. Don't we deserve at least a hug or more after seeing the couple go through so many trials and tribulations?

Overall, I recommend this slow-burn romance for those who are looking for something more wistful and not so cheesy.

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Completed
Oh! My Sweet Liar!
4 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Nov 24, 2020
29 of 29 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

Well-Written and Nicely Executed Rom-Com with Visually Appealing CP

Overall, this was a very entertaining watch. The main plot is nothing new - cold, indifferent military officer and the heir of a powerful family meets a poor but resourceful girl. However, the show was well-executed, and it was also quite creative in the way the male and female leads met and ended up in a contract marriage. The story was mostly well-written, the comedy was on point, and there was some great dialogue. Still, there were cringey moments, and the middle dragged a little, but the later episodes were well worth the patience. Also, there were some hilarious scenes like the female lead cleaning out the family during mahjong! The cinematography was stunning, and I was impressed by how much attention was paid to the CP's wedding. Against the grand backdrop of the manor, the scenes were simply gorgeous. The costumes were lovely with fabulous colour schemes; I loved how the couples were often color-coordinated perfectly.

After reading the comments, it seemed that many viewers were bothered by the lie about the fake pregnancy going on for so long, but that did not bother me. After all, it was the catalyst that brought the CP together and was the basis for the story. That was the main reason why I was willing to deal with the draggy middle episodes. I was increasingly interested in finding out how everything would be resolved at the end.

The main couple had good chemistry, albeit not off the charts compared to other screen couples. I like that it was the male lead that started liking the female lead first. He was always looking out for her, secretly smiling at her, and wanted her even after finding out that she lied about the pregnancy. The show got even better after the female lead acknowledged her feelings for the male lead. From then onwards, their love never wavered, and they remained completely committed to each other. Loved the kisses (could have been more) and skinship!

Like in many C-dramas, Xiong Xi Ruo, the female lead character, can get a little annoying and tiring with her immature, self-serving ways. However, her actions, for the most part were justifiable; after all, she wanted to keep her life! Admittedly, I did not give this show a higher rating because I felt that there were too many filler episodes where I felt extreme irritation at Xi Ruo for being so dense, stubborn, and constantly misunderstanding the male lead. Still, she was quite endearing for the most part and had character development eventually. Li Hong Bin, the male lead, was as loyal as they come, and he did so much for Xi Ruo without her even knowing. With such an amazing male lead, the story would have a winner if their relationship was more balanced, with Xi Ruo being more considerate of Hong Bin earlier in the show. That said, Xi Ruo displayed bravery and self-sacrifice when she blocked an attack on her father-in-law and took a stab for Hong Bin.

Xi Zi is adorably pretty with her dimple and has looks worthy of a female lead. Lately, the actresses cast in lead roles have been visually unremarkable, at least to me. She did fairly well portraying Xi Ruo, but there was some over-the-top acting during the crying scenes. I am not sure if it is the directing, or as a newbie, there was room for improvement.

Tall, good-looking with a great physique, Xia Ning Jun fitted the bill as the male lead, Li Hong Bin, and showed a good acting range, from cold sternness, angry jealousy, loving glances to swoony stares. Like Xi Zi, he is also a newcomer, and I hope that he will get more chances to hone his skills.

The supporting cast was good as well. Li Hong Bin's bodyguard A-Mao, and his parents were hilarious, and the villains evoked the right amount of annoyance. That Ru-er really made my blood boil, and I was so happy to see karma coming around, and she got what she deserved!

I love the OST, especially the title song, the duet that played during poignant moments, and all the instrumental pieces. So fitting for the scenes and helped to evoke my emotions. Also, the usage of sound effects to highlight the comedic moments was effective.

Overall, I recommend this sweet rom-com, especially if you are looking for one with little angst, where the CP only has eyes for each other and has a satisfying ending.

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Completed
Krachao Seeda Season 2
3 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Mar 19, 2022
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

The best revenge is to move on and let karma do the rest

This review is for Season 1 and 2.

Krachao Seeda truly 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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Completed
Payu Sai
3 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Nov 3, 2021
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

Esther and Film in a Slap & Kiss Lakorn? Sign me up!

Payu Sai truly drew me in, and I could not help but binge-watched over the weekend. It's a real slap & kiss but not so much between our main couple. There's definitely tons of slapping where almost no one was spared, and the kisses between the male and female leads, Nares and Sai, were hot...phew!

Why I like this lakorn?

* Awesome leads
I actually liked the female lead in this one. I'm not sure whether it is Esther who seems to be able to bring life to any character or the character itself but Sai was not a boring and weak damsel in distress. She can fight and shoot a gun with great accuracy. She was smart, independent and calm but she can be irritatingly stubborn and tight-lipped.

As for the male lead, his character development was a plus point and even though he may seemed self-centered, I actually found Nares adorable whenever he realized how important he was to Sai. He always wanted to be the first when it came to Sai which can come across as being possessive. However, Film managed to pull it off with charisma.

* Great kissing
In the first 6 episodes, Nares and Sai demonstrated angry passion that translated into some great kissing. After seeing them in their other shows, I always knew that Film and Esther could kiss well on-screen, and they delivered again. That said, Esther could have tried to avoid the wide-eyed "Oh, we're kissing" look that took away from the heat of the moment.

There was great chemistry and Film as Nares brought his usual flirty charm which worked well with Esther's more subtle appeal in her portrayal of Sai. They, of course, looked good together, which increased my enjoyment of watching them together.

It did get tamer after the two became more romantic. However, I appreciated how the writers developed the progression of Nares' and Sai's relationship, which brings me to my next point.

* Realistic relationship progression
Even though the kisses became fewer after the major misunderstandings were cleared up, there were still many sweet and cute moments in almost every episode. Nares was constantly hugging, trying to kiss, and physically expressing his love for Sai, while Sai would react with modesty and fake outrage. I did wish that Sai did not react so shyly, especially after seeing her initial ardent responses to Nares. However, after having watched numerous Thai lakorns, I somewhat expected it.

There was also a secondary couple whose endearing interactions caught my interest. At least for the couples, the writers focused on keeping the romantic relationships healthy and respectful. As for the other relationships, oh boy, it was toxic but entertaining as heck.

* Tropes used in a refreshing way
This drama was riddled with worn-out tropes, but... they were not that bad. The show used some tropes in new ways and managed to surprise me. The screechy supposed nang rai was dealt with quickly. The bitchy stepmother found redemption. Unlike many Lakorns that were all about forgiveness and earning merit, the villains were punished satisfactorily.

* Engaging plot
The story unfolded pretty nicely for me, and I like that the show revealed the villains early on. Even then, there were layers of manipulation and scheming that kept things fresh. It is also gratifying that the main couple developed quickly, allowing more episodes of sweet romance. I find many shows so frustrating, having to watch the couple go through many episodes of denial before finally getting together in the last 15 minutes. It was also enjoyable to see the villains unravel as they got closer to being caught.

* Memorable theme song
For posterity, I included the link to it. It is quite a lovely song and has made it to my playlist. As expected, it heightened the romantic experience for me.

ARTIST : มาเรียม เกรย์
SONG : หัวใจเลือกจำ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpSP67RocUo

Why I couldn't give a higher rating?

* Trite dialogue and overuse of flashbacks towards the end
Seriously, they could have done better with the dialogue. For some scenes, the writers must think that the viewers are pretty dumb since they got the characters to say out the entire scene. Also, a lot of drama happened for the sake of drama which can be frustrating at times.

* Lack of music creativity
Unfortunately, other than the theme song, there was not much else going on musically, and the background music selection did not seem suitable at times.

* Unimpressive acting by the villains and side characters
The overall frustration about the bad acting is something that you have to overlook to move on.

On the whole, I do recommend this Lakorn. The story moved at a good pace, and if nothing else, Film and Esther might be enough to keep you watching.

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Completed
To Me, It's Simply You
3 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Jul 25, 2021
13 of 13 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Endearing Slice of Life Lakorn that Deserves a 2nd Season!

"To me, It's Simply You" is one of the Thai Lakorns that I wish they would make a Season 2, as it was a truly well-done "slice of life" drama. What makes this series appealing for me is how well the show depicted the everyday experience, the recurring themes of friendship and family, the struggles of daily life, and the stark portrayal of the good and bad sides of human nature. Though primarily character-driven, the plot is still crucial, and in this show, the main characters' little and large struggles and triumphs were well written, executed, and acted.

To pull off a great drama without relying on a dramatic or extraordinary storyline, casting is the most essential ingredient. After all, the characters drive the story, and the cast must be good. Not only do the actors have to portray their characters accurately, they also need to work very well in tandem with everyone else. This excellent rapport is necessary for the cast to produce a seamless, touching, and most importantly, relatable story that keeps the viewers engaged and wanting more. Without a doubt, this show totally delivered! The entire ensemble was so fun to watch as they interacted with each other and dealt with life in general, living in the same village. The script was funny, often low-brow, and the sexual innuendos just kept coming, but I found it hilarious because the dialogue reminded me of how my friends and family would converse in real life.

Nadech and Bow have a wonderful and easygoing chemistry. It is a treat to watch them as the main leads, Kiew and Chompoo, as they find love, navigate through relationships and deal with heartbreak. It is my first time watching Nadech, and I am impressed to see him in such a role. He appeared comfortable playing a comedic role, and I never knew that he could sing. Nadech did a great job as Kiew, who moved to Bangkok from one of the villages in Northeast Thailand (or Isan) and lost touch with his roots. I enjoyed watching Kiew's character development as he assimilated back into the Isan village way of life, like lapsing into the local dialect and appreciating the food as well as the traditions and beliefs. It was endearing to see his family and friends tease him as they welcomed him back. Bow was so lovely as Chompoo, our intelligent, determined, and incredibly stubborn FL, who, unlike most Lakorn FLs, was also very calm and self-sufficient. It is so nice to have a nang'ek who can take care of herself and value her self-worth and pride. It was so CUTE when Kiew and Chompoo started flirting with each other - Chompoo, usually almost tomboyish, getting all girly and demure, while Kiew acting all awkwardly shy. Bow is so naturally beautiful, and when paired with Nadech, it was good looks galore.

In addition, the show stylist deserves kudos - the clothing and traditional outfits were practical but attractive at the same time.

It was also refreshing not having annoying nang rais who constantly scream throughout the show. Even though there were unrequited love and love triangles, the people involved were realistically more rational. They experienced the usual doubts and hesitation that tempered the crazy behavior that one typically expects from a Lakorn. Best of all, the show emphasized respect and the value and importance of friendship.

Finally, to top it off, the soundtrack was so heartwarming. The music was mostly traditional but very fitting and set the scenes and moods perfectly. I was not expecting the show to be a partial musical, but the way the show wove the songs into the story and have the actors sing them captured my attention and evoked my emotions appropriately. Enclosed below is the link to the OST list, but I also included another link to the adorable love song that Bow and Nadech sang together.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu-BmsoVBj-tog7735T_Hn7FzJOZ3c9p9

ขอใช้คำว่าแฟน lyrics rom | Nadech Kugimiya & Bow Maylada | ost Mon Ruk Nong Pak Ka Yan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzFvTZof_qE

Overall, I could not recommend this drama more. It really is a charming story with actors who can deliver while looking good doing it. I am surprised that the viewership is so low given the star power of Nadech. Not knowing how well this show did in Thailand, I hope that Ch. 3 would do more to promote it. It deserves more exposure for sure!

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