She May Either Electrify or Electrocute You

This drama is refreshing, does not follow typical romcom plot. Instead of a cold man meeting a warm woman you get the other way around. Instead of a rich guy and a poor girl you get a rich guy and ..... (I cannot spoil you). Let me entice you with my own synopsis: The female lead Feng Ping has a supernatural power that is like a curse to her. It can cause harm to others under her negative feelings. To control that, she trains herself to be cold and aloof, detaching herself to other people's emotions. In several coincidences, she meets the male lead Jia Nan. A playboy, a celebrity, an actor, and comes from a rich family. Accustomed to women chasing him, Jia Nan is instantly attracted to Feng Ping who does not bat her eyelashes at him. Soon he proposes to her, and both enter a fake engagement with different reasons. Having covered her identity and tragic past tightly, Feng Ping becomes an object of intense spying and investigating from Jia Nan and people around him.

LIKES
(+) The drama gives us many secrets besides the main one (Feng Ping's identity). Starting slow that made me bored and almost dropped the drama, it picked up very well especially after the engagement. I binge-watched every episode afterwards, dying to know the secrets revealed.
(+) The drama tricks us into believing differently on Feng Ping's characters and intentions and reveals the facts little by little
(+) The drama intentionally keeps some secret until the end and never reveals them. Not necessary for the main plot though, just enticing.
(+) The drama keeps us entertaining on the pairings fate. We will not be sure of some of the couples, who ends up with who until the end of the drama
(+) Close knitted Tang family relationship
(+) Some scenes are so hilarious you may want to rewatch the scenes, such as Jia Nan and A Jiu's adventure in the countryside, Jun Hao watching the elevator with the security team
(+) Hilarious jealousy scenes of Jia Nan, since he cannot really ask Feng Ping or get mad at her due to their unique relationship. Instead he lashes on A Jiu, Jun Hao, or Yue Sheng.
(+) Unexpected last dates of Jia Nan and Feng Ping, not with each other but with different partners
(+) Cute final wedding scene
(+) All main and important supporting actors and actresses played their respective roles well.
(+) Actors are eye candies. Choose your own favorite one, lol.
(+) Great acting of actor Richard Wang as the delightful Jia Nan. I watched this drama following his great acting as multiple roles in The Eternal Love 1 and 2. I thought he should play as a main lead in another drama and I'm glad he did here.
(+) Great acting of actress Camille Hua as the mysterious Feng Ping. Some reviews/comments criticizing her bad acting but IMHO that is because of her cold, reserved, and detached woman. Her character growth especially her feelings for Jia Nan is a tsundere-type.
(+) Natural chemistry between Jia Nan and Feng Ping. Started as complete strangers, with Feng Ping being reserved with Jia Nan to avoid gossips and jealous fans. Though soon getting engaged and moved into his house, she wanted to maintained each other private lives. Their chemistry develop from friends to lovers slowly, probably they did not get together until the middle of the drama. Their friendship is sweet, being considerate to each other feelings, although not need to do that since they are in fake engagement.
(+) I am glad that they don't make the character Jun Hao, a long time best friend of Feng Ping has a one-sided love for her, like many drama cliche. I am glad that they make another story for him with Qiu Tian. Jun Hao character is too cute and childish
(+) Friendship and brotherhood of Jia Nan and A Jiu, IMHO even better than the chemistry between Jia Nan and Feng Ping. Especially the earlier friendship started since the beginning and the latter relationship is a slow burn.
(+) Great acting of actor Miles Wei as the invalid, depressed, lovelorn Hao Yun. He really looks like Chinese actor Hu Yi Tian from A Love So Beautiful. But IMHO Miles Wei acting is better. Hopefully I will see him in the future as a main lead of another drama.
(+) The character of A Jiu is so adorable as the cynical and down-to-earth Jia Nan's sidekick.
(+) The character Qiu Tian who is refreshing and completely different than other female roles makes a unique addition in this drama.
(+) Although character Lu Qiao is an antagonist, but IMHO actress Li Ruo Ning acted very good as the jealous, scheming and ambitious Lu Qiao.
(+) Nice OST, notably Call of the Heart (心底的呼喚) by Ro Rowan, Say it again (再谈记忆) by Penicillin, Special People (特殊的人) by Luo Zheng who plays as Jun Hao
(+) Great costumes

DISLIKES
(-) The English sub is autosub. Although we can understand the important issues and the storyline, it will be nice if it's well subbed to enjoy the conversation. Probably because the distributor company Youku main target is Chinese market so the company does not bother with international viewers. Unlike Tencent, for example, that also targets international market. Thus they usually sub their new dramas soon after airing the raw ones.
(-) Typical Cdrama, lots of dragging scenes and conversations.
(-) The coincidences meetings between Jia Nan and Feng Ping in the beginning of the drama feels like rushed and unrealistic, probably due to the story plot to 'engage' them early.
(-) Some scenes can have beautiful cinematography, but unfortunately they were not artfully done. For example the scene where Jia Nan saved Feng Ping during heavy rain in the night. There are other scenes with beautiful nature backdrops like the country side and the beach. It would be great if the production team thought about cinematography of such scenes.

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This drama is actually promising with supernatural genre and intriguing theme: going against fate. Unfortunately, either the original webtoon storytelling is bad (I have not read it) or the script written for live adaptation is bad, the story ends up very confusing. I am sure a good script can fix a bad webtoon story to present it to us the smart viewers, am I not? Because I watched a few dramas adapted from webtoons and they are good.
Nothing wrong with the cast or acting, and I am not a fan of EXO or Suho to defend. I have watched several dramas with idol singers who are newcomers in acting in dramas, but they ended up good (for example Dating Class). In this case, a good director can direct even rookies to act well. Some said that actor Suho has acted in 2 dramas and 2 movies after HAYB (that were filmed in 2016) with better acting skill, and actress Lee Se Young's dramas after HAYB are all 8+ rated in MDL so far.

MAJOR SPOILER:
I am writing this part for people who are curious and confused about the story. So basically ML and FL meet 3 times minimum (unless there is any explanation I skipped). But their romance is supposedly not fated. If they insist then one of them will get hurt, according to the fat guy who is the guardian god of destiny who causes shaky camera scenes making us the viewers dizzy. This annoying god actually makes things happen to destroy their relationship too, including amnesia.
However, I actually suspect that the story writer dictates that the couple is fated because they keep meeting again and they always get revelation from their common dreams. By the end, the final scene is actually shown as hopeful and positive.

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This is a feel good movie, light with some touching stories. Nothing epic, but the adult animals are well-trained to deliver acting that some are better than their human co-stars. Mostly are Hollywood pet stars that are hired together with their animal trainers, only the pig and the kitten are local. Not necessary a rom-com, but other relationship such as family bonding and friendship are explored as well. But mainly are relationship between human and their pets, and some were not accustomed to own pets before. This movie is mainly to teach people to love animals, especially, domestic pets, where both sides (us and our pets) find love, healing, friendship, family, even trust.

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The story starts with promising plot. An alternate modern kingdom of South Korea with nowadays royalties looking for a bride for the young crown prince. The first meetings between Crown Prince Lee Shin and Chae Kyung are adorable. The friendship between Chae Kyung and her girl friends is solid. The traditional wedding scene is extravagant, I love the wedding costumes and traditional ceremony. However, the story soon succumbs into boring conversations within the royal family elders, and between Prince's Yul and Chae Kyung. No wonder Chae Kyung feels suffocated, while her inattentive husband continues his extramarital relationship. It seems like this drama try to utilize actress Yoon Eun He's cuteness and hilarity to pull everyone up, cos everyone else but Queen Mother are boring and stiff. When I looked up the Goong crew in MDL, it seems the Director is also a rookie in directing dramas at that time, whether it's true or not but that may be a reason why this drama is a flop.

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While relationship with wide age gap may not a big deal in some age range and certain culture, may become a hindrance in younger age range and other culture. To my calculation, the adult characters may be: Kong and Kook are both 26, Dao is 22, and Khai is 18. In this drama it seems like the female characters have difficulties getting into a relationship with guys with wide age gaps. Some viewers felt somewhat creepy that an 18 year old player boy can fall for a 10 year old girl, especially since in the drama Khai is not drop dead gorgeous both in her younger or older age. I feel mainly drama plot, cast, acting look more exciting when it comes to Dao and Kook's story, because Dao is romantic and crafty, while Kook is "pretty and bitchy" (Dao's saying, English sub) making the ups and downs in their relationship entertain enough to watch, played very well by Chutavuth Pattarakampol/March and Sheranut Yusananda/Namcha. They both have a great chemistry. In the other hand, it's not so easy for Hsu Thassapak/Bie to create that kind of chemistry with Nichaphat Chatchaipholrat/Pearwah if he is surrounded by a bunch of teenagers running around with school uniforms. Bad editing and choppy screenwriting don't help much, making this 2 relationship stories even more complicated with unnecessary pairings of the rest of Khai's friends. Therefore, though this romcom is light and fluffy, I won't watch again as I will skip lots of scenes and only leave scenes of Dao and Kook, than the drama will be cut to less than a half.

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Exceptionally Well Done Documentary Film on "Field of Wonder" ONE OK ROCK Live Streaming Concert

This documentary is the last film I watched in 2021, and I was completely blown away by it. My encounter with One OK Rock was many years ago when I found their MVs on YouTube, even before I found the rabbit hole leading to the Asian dramaland. I fell for their high energy, wildness, loud music, plus English mixed Japanese lyrics. I love most of their songs, from the heavier “No Scared” to softer “The Beginning”. I didn’t even know that the latter song is the OST of the “Rurouni Kenshin”, the first of its famous movie installments.

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Production: The making of this video is exceptionally well done. Specifically, I love the smooth shifts between their rehearsal and the actual concert scenes.

The subtitle was well done.

Story: The film starts with restless Taka telling us how hopeless he felt when Japan and the rest of the world were shut down because of the pandemic. Their last world tour was Australia tour in March 2020. Everyone was afraid, especially when Toru was contracted with the COVID-19. Forever a visionary, Taka started having this dream to create a live-streaming concert online. Most of the film then spent on how they prepared the concert. However, we also see a glimpse of their personal lives, for example Tomo spending time with his three little boys (the newborn is cutely presented in his father’s arm in the credit scene), Taka visiting his dad whom he once was estranged from, the members playing sports and barbecuing together.

I like the fact they also collaborated with other Japanese musicians and singers not from rock genre to perform together. Especially for the singers, each has their own unique voice and style and blended together harmoniously during the duet and chorus.

I also like the angst during rehearsal scenes on the second and the one day before the concert, when typhoon blasted Chiba, Japan where their live-streaming concert is held. Although there was no sign that the typhoon would stop on the concert day, the group and the team still rehearsed professionally and didn’t lose hope.

Acting: What to say, they’re performers. It was quite interesting to watch a glimpse of their anxiety in performing at an empty stadium, not seeing crowd neither hearing their cheers. However, one the concert started, the band and other performers just loosened up; especially knowing 100,000+ people bought online tickets (totaling to 110,000 live audience).

Visual FX: No complaint, everything was artistically created, like they were making a real movie!

OST: Although this film is not a video of their concert (you need to buy separately for their concert video), but we also hear and see them performing popular songs like “We Are” and “Wasted Night”. Their new song “Wonder” was also introduced at the concert. Taka singing a cappella the last line of “Wasted Night” as the last song gave me goose bumps, and closed the concert impressively.

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Lastly, congratulation to Toru who announced his marriage to Japanese model and actress Omasa Aya on 28th December 2021! Now with three of the band members are married, we’re waiting for the last eligible bachelor of the band Taka, to find his life partner!

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Cheesy Childish Cute Comedic Couple

Let me guess why this drama is rate low: many people followed Song Yi Ren as San San in Ever Night and expected that she delivered the similar serious acting here (this drama is aired soon after EN ended). But when you see her as a supposedly 22-year old university graduate riding a scooter to work, pairing up with Jerry Yan who is supposedly a 26-year old CEO with 2 teddy bears in his bed, you know this is a cheesy comedy. Also, almost the rest of the major roles did not act like mature adults at most or some point, probably only the secretary. Good chemistry between 2 couples. Long time friendships (20 years and 16 years) are challenged. And both Song Yi Ren and Jerry Yan can sing!

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STORY
Yep, that's right, since this drama contains mostly of the main and supporting characters being confused with their own loves, other's loves, and to the viewers as well almost until the end you don't know who ends up with who. And that's what heavily spices this hilarious Thai rom-com: love confusion.
There is no strong protagonist as mostly the main leads fights their own confusion, and the suspense from who's dun it mysterious cases happened in the zoo/aquarium is pleasantly spiced the drama.
Besides the confusing plot, the side stories are funny too and the second and third love stories are cute too. The lead and supporting actors and actresses are not only good looking but also know how to act and they fulfilled their roles really well.
The costumes are very beautiful, including the traditional Thai clothes they wear.
The setting in the zoo as well as the aquarium and sea are amazing too.
Non-romantic relationship such as among besties, family members, workmates are well executed throughout the entire drama.

ACTING/CAST
This is the second Thai drama I watched as I followed beautiful actress Preechaya Pongthananikorn (who was also in Gasohug) playing as Toon, a cutey lesbian tomboy zoo keeper turns to a straight beautiful feminine manager. Pongthananikorn acting skill is superb, and has blasting chemistry with handsome male lead Naphat Siangsomboon who plays Matt.
Siangsomboon's acting is brilliant as a guy who has to portray many roles: a rebel son, an overprotective brother, an ex boyfriend to his employee who stole his girlfriend, a workaholic CEO, and mostly just a man who falls in love with Toon when he is not sure what Toon's sexual orientation is and later if she really loves Nat, the second male lead.
As noted above almost all supporting characters play their roles really well, but mostly noted is Sheranut Yusananda who plays the second female lead Rose, arrogant, sassy, rude, but amazingly is lovable. She is no damsel-in-distress second lead as some SFL do to attract the male lead, but instead she plays a heroine that actually a guy calls her for help in some difficult situations.

MUSIC
Entertaining music and sound effects, and actually in some love scenes the music is played while the characters are just gazing at each other, not talking. And for videos with English sub, the words of the songs are on the top of the screen not on the bottom when the sub words are usually put on.

REWATCH VALUE
Definitely a 10, I rewatched some early episodes to get some info for this reviews and right away is entertained and laughed all over again with hillarious acts.

OVERALL
Rak Kan Panlawan or Confused in Love is definitely a light-hearted rom-com with sizzling chemistry and spices of past secrets, work sabotage, wild animals, Thai culture, beautiful sceneries blend together in a drama you hardly can skip.

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Tan Song Yun and Three Labradors Made It Passed the NRTA Review

I titled my review above because I swear there is a supernatural element in this movie (will give some examples). And if you watch a lot of Chinese shows you know that NRTA (Chinese censorship agency) banned modern shows with supernatural themes and deemed it as superstitious. But the cute actress and her cute labradors (yes there are three of them) were able to wring the hearts and tears of the NRTA reviewers and viewers alike.

STORY:

The movie is based on a novel titled "Dad is a 'Dog'" written by Wang Xiao Lie. The story is simple, and the synopsis provided on MDL tells the whole plot. The native title is Good Bye, Li Ke Le (再见，李可乐). Li Ke Le is the name of the pup, so we know in the end the female lead Li Yan (Tan Song Yun) loses her dog. So no surprises here. But it is a beautiful movie about mother and daughter's mended relationship past the death of the head of the family. How to let go of regrets and attachments after pain? How to learn love and courage while growing up? When the difficulties of the past reappear, will they have a regret-free choice in their lives?

Now I want to explain why I think this drama contains a supernatural element, in which Ke Le is the incarnation of Li Yan's dad. On the day Li Yan and Mom went back from the hospital after Dad passed away, Ke Le showed up and was adamant about being adopted into the family. Ke Le's habits mimic Dad's habits, including drinking soda (although the dog definitely cannot drink soda). That's why it was named Ke Le, since 可乐 means soda. The English sub called the dog Coke or Cola. And Ke Le knows some Dad's secrets, too.

ACTING/CHARACTER:

The acting of Tan So Yun and veteran actress Yan Ni (who played Li Yan's mom) portraying the estranged relationship between mother and daughter is worth watching by itself. But the three Labradors who played Kele ought to have their introduction as well. Xiao Ke Le is the young pup who becomes Li Yan's companion during her mourning period. Ping An is the adult Ke Le. The dog also showed up in the 2023 drama "A Date With the Future". The adult Ke Le oversees the grown-up Li Yan, including her choice of a special friend who will be her future husband, and also accompanies Mom when Li Yan leaves the house to attend university. And lastly, the elderly Ke Le is played by Xiao Qi, who gives away Li Yan during her wedding.

DIRECTING/EDITING:

Kudo to the director and the editor who managed to execute a life story of Li Yan from teenager to adulthood, and of Ke Le from puppy to end of its life. There is not much dialogue as we see in dramas, but the actors and the actresses use a lot of facial expressions only well-experienced ones can show. All three dogs definitely are well-trained and able to act, including showing their facial expressions (especially Xiao Qi with its sad look).

And guess what? Wang Xiao Lie, the novel author, is also the director of this movie.

VISUALS:

I love the filming set in a small town. Wang Xiao Lie, besides being a director, is also a photographer. Thus we were able to see the simple yet beautiful cinematography captured in this movie.

OST:
The main theme is "We Have a Deal" by Diamond Zhang/Zhang Bi Chen

ENDING: (Scroll down, skip if don't want to be spoiled)
























Li Yan and Mom mended their relationship. Li Yan married her high school sweetheart Zhang Huai Jun (Jiang Long), but as usual Chinese shows, they don't date in high school but later in the university. Mom gets a new man, Uncle Zhang Ping. As for Li Ke Le, he becomes elderly, gets a brain tumor and the family has to put him to sleep. The movie ends with Li Yan snowboarding again. Dad and Ke Le are watching her from the hilltop, smiling.

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Not Sure Why the Rating is Low?

First of all, I am not a native Chinese neither am proficient in Mandarin, I watched it raw and I enjoyed it. After 100+ Chinese dramas watched, I can pick up words here and there and the simple story line is easy to follow. For main issues to understand I just google translated it. Anyways, It's a short high school drama (the campus life and campus romance tags are wrong cos the setting is high school). I don't watch high school dramas, but the OTP is so cuuute ❤️ together and they look alike like they are made for each other, lol. Besides, it's only 24 episodes of 12 minutes each, it's a breeze.
So the story is just a high school cliche of a handsome transfer student who doesn't really care about being in school, somewhat lazy but genius. Of course he has to sit next to a cute girl who is typical studious but dumb in math to the point being ridiculed by the teacher in front of her classmates. So the guy helps her and they become fast friends along with others, navigating thru the high school. The story is told as a flashback by the Female Lead. The acting is good, I love the sweet chemistry between the new comers Chen Xiang You (陈翔宇) and Chen Si Yu (陈思宇), and I want to see their acting again in the future. Although, if you are a fan of drama kisses you won't see any here cos China censorship doesn't permit any type of kissing in their high school dramas. The OST is good "Don't Say Sorry" duet by Liu Binhao & Song Xi, see the OST link in my custom list of 2020 Completed Dramas if you want to know. I do not want to re-watch it cos simply it's a high school drama which genre I usually despise.
If you want to watch it raw, see the conversation between me and the first reviewer (I'm the second) to get the link.
So to answer my own question in the title: Easy to guess that people rated low but did not even watch it because there is no (English) sub. Hopefully, in the future some fan will pick it up, cos it's a sweet short teenage romance.

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"Finding Out What Those Important Things is What Life is About" (Mugi's Mom, English Sub)

First and foremost warning: Watch it at your own expense!
When I saw the poster and synopsis stating that there are 4 young Onzoshi (meaning son of a distinguished family) for 3 high school girls, I smelled something fishy about it. And that is the plot of this drama.
Unlike most of my reviews, I will stated what I don't like first then what I like, so you don't need to waste more time to read as you wish.

WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THIS DRAMA:
(-) Bad story especially how it turns out. I am not discriminating against age or gender, but it seems like the story is written by a high school girl for a school project. Signs: recipe how to make peeled orange snack and Yu's make up tip to name a few.
(-) This drama seriously need a PG, Parental Guidance, lol. Not because of violence, language, drug, or nudity. But because of the message given. If you are in age who can give advice to teenage girls, please watch this drama first before recommending it to the youngsters.
(-) The message taken from this drama can be toxic to teenage girls. Mugi's written reason in the contest application: "A girl's life is decided by her marriage. Even if I get into a good university I won't have a stable future set for me. I want to find a marriage partner with high specs and get married to him!" (English sub) Or Yuu's reason: to make her mom happy. Or Fumino's reason: to revenge her past bullies. The drama message can be positive IF the ending is different than I expected... but read the next negative point below:
(-) The ending! I am a sucker for happy ending and wickedly cheat to find out that every drama I want to watch end happily. This drama ends happily alright, but after going thru the turmoils I rather not seeing a happy ending. Especially not for the main FL. She better walks out being single and establishes her own career as a dance coreographer. Or even a time lapse that in the future after some growing up process she meets one of her guys again giving out a possibly for a happy ending or an open ending. I will still accept that.
(-) This drama stole some ideas from Hana Dori Yango franchise: 4 young, handsome, talented, rich guys; poor childish FL, FL from food business family (Meteor Garden 2018), cold mean ML, FL likes someone first ends up with another, FL rides bike, FL is underdressed in a party, FL fell into the pool, FL cannot dance ends up stepping on ML's foot, boys in the swimming pool (MG 2018), FL wearing wedding dress, competing first and second MLs, long time boys friendship, long time female friend for the boys, rich mean female villain... too many not to notice the HDY replicas. I will not complain if this drama is done right, but since it is bad this is straight an insult to the classic HDY.
(-) The cringey scene with girls wearing wedding dresses. It does not matter what religion/belief, cultural background, or situation is, wearing wedding attire is to be taken sacredly and seriously unless for modelling or acting purpose.
(-) The unnecessary scenes with half naked boys. First scene (Riku) okay... she needs to see that; second scene (in the swimming pool)... copying Meteor Garden 2018, anyone??? third scene (in the sauna)... wow!!! OK I get it, the drama is targeted to squealing teenage girls.
(-) The main couple chemistry is bad. I though I saw some promising spark when ML and FL look and smile at each other for the first time, but disappointing after that.
(-) The boys' acting are mediocre. Since now the boys are maybe too old to act in future Kamen Rider shows, they better work harder if they want to act in other genres. Only Iijima Hiroki acting as Taiga is okay IMO.
(-) The boys' costume (mismatch prints???)

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS DRAMA:
(+) Fast paced, easy for binge watching (18 episodes x 15 minutes = 4 1/2 hours)
(+) Some funny dialogues and hilarious scenes (although drama cliches)
(+) The friendship between the Mugi, Yuu, and Fumino, and the sisterhood between Mugi and her dance crew.
(+) The second and the third couples, which develop naturally. The second couple's chemistry is good, and the third couple's chemistry is okay
(+) I watched this drama solely for the actress Taira Yuna who is adorable in the lovely movie Honey (read my review about it). She surprised me she can be a hilarious comedian, since her role as Mugi here is straight stupid, naive, yet comical and hysterical.
(+) The other actresses' acting are good too.
(+) Beautiful scenery and scenes in the winter resort

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A Well-Executed Rom Com Manga Adaptation with A Lesson to Learn

I have dropped several Japanese dramas adapted from Japanese mangas because they are not well-executed for drama viewers like me who are not manga lovers, but this one is an exception! I have read several reviews and comments before watching this, I think after they watch more manga live-actions they will change their mind. The actors/actresses acting and the script came out of manga but with good directing and editing it becomes a cute light romcom watchable for non-manga lovers.

LIKE:
(+) Just reinstated above: well-adapted Japanese manga, good directing, good editing
(+) A fast paced drama great for binge-watching: 8 episodes x 25 minutes, so about 3 1/2 hours.
(+) Although some conversation seems unimportant, but connect with next scenes or the development of the story as a whole. So no scene skipping necessary.
(+) As light as it is, this drama teaches you a great lesson
(+) If you never read the manga: a turn the table twist in the middle and a surprise in the last episode
(+) Cute doll-san!
(+) The actors and actresses are not newcomers here and had played in several dramas and films prior. Their acting here were good and just out of the manga.
(+) Great acting of both actor Takasugi Mahiro as the pricky and picky Takane and actress Takeuchi Aisa as the spunky Hana. Their chemistry is so cute and natural as a huge age-gap couple.
(+) What to say... Ito Asahi is an eye candy Luciano
(+) Funny grandpa! Actor Shinagawa Toru is 83 years old and still acting!

DISLIKE:
(-) Only one, not sure but it can be a positive for the drama. Actor Takasugi Mahiro was only 22 but played as a 26-year old man. Despite of his good acting, he looks too young for the Takane character. As I said, this can be good to narrow the age gap as this is a youth drama anyways.

As I read in the comment that the manga was still ongoing, I don't mind to watch a second season of this drama if the story is still cute and the adaptation is well executed. But I think the end is as good as it is.

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Makjang Against All Odds

This drama is beautiful. One of the fine makjang Kdramas from the 2000s: almost every cliches are in it. I cannot write them here or I will spoil the story. You better watch it yourself. My guess that the rating is low due to it was made in 2006 and the viewers who rated it came from era after this site is established (2011), where Kdramas have shifted to supernatural, Kidols, or time travel theme. This drama gave me heart palpitation. For sometime I could not finish Episode 1 due to the intensity and angst. I feared the female character Eun Seol's life!

What I like about this drama:
(+) The story is not boring. Although the main scheme is revealed in the middle of the drama, there are other plots to come. Even until a few last episodes. You won't get bored.
(+) Emphasize of the importance of family
(+) This melodrama is also balanced with light-humor scenes of the housekeeper and daughter relationship and the sycophant office assistant
(+) Chilling Shin Jun spying on Eun Seol scenes
(+) Touching love pledge and wedding scenes at the church
(+) Strong chemistry between Male Lead and Female especially since they meet very early in the first episode
(+) This is one of a few romance dramas that have older characters who played important roles with lots of screen times.
(+) Outstanding acting of actor Joo Jin Mo as the heartless and scheming Shin Jun brought by past pain and anger, turned to a romantically in love mad man.
(+) Amazing acting of actress Lee Bo Young as Eun Seol. She brought a smooth character growth from spoiled, snotty, but naive, doubtful heiress to hard-working, determined,impoverished, mature woman.
(+) Excellent acting of actress Na Young Hee as Shin Jun's alcoholic and psychotic mom
(+) Impressive acting of actor Han Jin Hee as Eun Seol's overprotecting dad and conniving businessman
(+) Great acting of supporting characters as individuals as well as relationship with other characters (I can say good non-romantic chemistry)
(+) Costume is relatable to modern day fashion. Not many clothing are outdated considering this drama is made in 2006
(+) Beautiful film location in New Zealand

What I don't like about this drama:
(-) Some dragging scenes and conversations, probably typical older Kdramas.
(-) A few unrealistic scenes, for example: Eun Seol length of pregnancy. She was still pregnant (not showing sign) although Shin Jun was released from the prison one year later.
(-) TOO many dialogues with 'what to do' sentences.
(-) Not sure why they have to 'redeem' Shin Jun thru amnesia. IMO it is better without amnesia incident, as Shin Jun will have either revenge or forgive Eun Seol
(-) Too many slapping scenes, especially slapping poor Eun Seol
(-) Excessive application of lip gloss for female characters. Even they put lip gloss on Eun Seol's deceased mother portrait!

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