Lovely - if I say so it is!
It was one of the best shows currently airing and a breath of fresh air. The plot of pretty simple really - FL can hear lies in real time and ML is overly cautious of people.I enjoyed figuring out the mystery behind the ML and the whole what-happened or who-dun-it scenario. Though I figured it out relatively quick, it didn't seem obvious to others so it's a decent mystery.
Watched this for Hyung Min Hyun. His role is similar to that of Alchemy Of Souls where he is a quiet and decent guy who falls in love. We get some nice action sequence initially as well and I hope he does such roles in the future too. I also enjoyed his cute comedy.
Kim So Hyun - I loved her line - if I say so it is. I started using it in real life for fun. I liked her strong yet soft personality. She has empathy for others. The leads had good chemistry.
I love mix genres that mix romance with mystery and if you're like me you might like this as well.
The OST is nice and there are lots of different songs included since it covers a music company and Min Hyun plays a songwriter.
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Went downhill when ML became a rape suspect
I genuienly don't know what the writer-director were thinking when they came up with this horrible plot.Knight liked Mild from a long time. Mild's brother and Knight used to be friends but then they started hating each other. At first the show makes it seem it was because they were fighting over a girl. But then they finally reveal it is because Mild's brother saw Knight raping Mild. The director did a whole flashback scene where Knight is going into Mild's room. He sees Mild sleeping and climbs on top of him. Then Mild remembers someone pushing his head into the bed and assaulting him.
How does the director overcome this twist? By saying none of that actually happened and Knight climbed onto a sleeping Mild just to kiss him and everyone else was imagining anything else. Why does Mild not remember clearly what happened? He was sleeping not drunk nor on drugs.
There was no going back from this train wreck. I was instantly put off from his character. Per and Kan are slightly better but even for them they show Per in the car with a girl performing oral while he is looking at Kan. They don't make it clear whether this is taking place while he was pursuing Kan or earlier. You just have to guess it in between allegations that Per is a cheater. Also, the scene itself was in such bad taste.
The women in this show are treated so badly. Like non-humans to use and discard. As if they don't have brains and just run behind men who are taken. They are made to be the most annoying characters.
To be honest, there is nothing really worth watching in this series. It is average even without the other nonsense. Very cringey romance. It has a several NC scenes which was tolerable. I didn't really want to root for any couple till the end.
The opening OST is probably the best thing about the show.
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Great start, dropped the ball midway
When The First Night With The Duke started, it was one of my favourite dramas airing. Then somewhere in between it started to get boring.I think when the drama became serious and cliched is when it lost my interest. The very typical crazy king, another faction trying to manipulate and capture the throne, helpless female lead, etc. The last one is what put me off the most since everything revolves around her. Capturing her was the worst plot move. I wanted her to keep driving the plot forward and not just from the background.
Other factors were: The FL in the modern world didn't look happy at all. The baby propaganda was over the top. Having 12 kids when healthcare for women was the worst sounds more like a nightmare than a dream.
The breaking the 4th wall ending was a bit too cheesy for me. Maybe if the lines were better I would have liked it.
But for the great first half and lovely opening, good negative female cast members, I'm giving this a 7.5.
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A fantastic ride
I had been waiting for this series for a while now and it's certainly lived up to it's expectations!The best part for me was not being able to guess who the killer was easily. Sometimes you just know it early on but this show keeps you guessing until the end. And even then, many fans were doubting it... waiting for some kind of plot twist. That's the sign of a good mystery where the audience isn't sure until the big reveal!
I loved the time travel aspect of the show as well. Although they don't do too much of it but they have scenes of the male lead travelling in time to the future as well as the past. But the main setting is in the past. The town they created and the look and feel of 1987 was great!
All the actors performed really well. Though Yoon Hae Jun's character feels a bit cold at times, he has depth and is frank with his thoughts and feelings. He also plans things out before acting. Baek Yoon Young is, in contrast, loud and rash. They make the perfect pair for the job they've set out for. I also loved the Baek brothers' plot line. It was quite touching with one of the episodes being a difficult watch. It was good insight into how things might have been for people at the time.
The series also explores a lot of different relationships and family dynamics and how a moment in the past can have a ripple effect. This is the best aspect of My Perfect Stranger.
You can expect some romance in sprinkles in several later episodes. Though there is no full blown romance, the chemistry between the leads is undeniable. And there is a special reveal in the final episode that really got me excited.
The ending has so many sweet and satisfying moments so I hope it finds more viewers.
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Even with the lows, the relationship is worth watching
I'll be honest, the reason why I rated it this high is because of the relationship between the couple is so mature that it is one of the best I have ever seen. The understanding that the male lead has towards the female lead genuinely touched my heart even towards the last few episodes. The ending of this show didn't make a lot of sense but I still cannot take away from how much I enjoyed the show to score it low. Either way it's still an 8+.Things I loved:
- The strong female lead. She is a working woman and has to deal with a lot of misogyny at her workplace despite being incredible at her job. However she has a knack for dealing with people and it made me want to save the dialogues. I loved the way, the writers wrote her lines.
- A male lead that is understanding. Not just in a superficial sense but in a deep sense. He knows why the female lead is the way she is. And when he doesn't, he is guided into understanding her by his father.
- The couple's relationship itself.
- The lines are powerful. I genuinely enjoyed so many different dialogues.
- The OST.
Things I disliked:
- The brother and his relationship with his wife. It is toxic and I never quite got why he is the way he is.
- Though I love that the show covers the life of the female lead in her law firm but the name of the show is "She and Her Perfect HUSBAND". For whatever reason, they don't show much of their time together at all compared to the law cases. The male lead's character has less screen time which I didn't appreciate.
- SPOILER: The ending. The husband and wife get a divorce at one point because the female lead cannot accept that she has feelings for the male lead. I'm not sure why when she can admit it to everyone else. The male lead decides to wait until she is ready to accept him and her feelings for him. However, that never happens. He just moves next to her and they hug and everything is resolved. It was so rushed that this is the main aspect that didn't make any sense. I am not sure if it has anything to do the editing or they just ran out of time (they had 40 episodes) but that was nonsensical in an otherwise perfect show.
I still recommend the show for the highs. For those who aren't interested in the law aspect, it might not be suited for you but it's worth skipping parts to where the main leads are with each other or discussing each other.
I will rewatch parts of this show that I loved for sure.
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Brilliant show with a terrible ending
I was prepared to give this show a 10/10 rating until I saw episode 15 and 16. So bizarre! I've adjusted my pre-final rating of 9.5 to 8.5 just because of those last 2 episodes.The story begins with a national level fencer, Na Hee Do, who is now retired dropping her daughter, Kim Min Chae off to perform in a ballet contest. However, seeing her competitor's performance, Min Chae runs away and eventually goes to stay with her grandmother in Hee Do's childhood home. She discovers her mother's diaries and learns about Hee Do's passion for fencing, her rivalry and friendship with Go Yu Rim and her first real relationship with Baek Yi Jin. Most of the story revolves around these characters growing up in the 90s and how they deal with hardships and forming a strong support system for each other. This journey (until episode 14) is the most beautiful part of the series. The realism and the positivity is inspiring.
Then from episode 15, everything starts to spiral downwards eventually crash landing in episode 16. Ep 15 was a drag. There was a huge build up surrounding what happened between Na Hee Do and Baek Yi Jin and who is Kim Min Chae's father? The answer is weak to non-existent. Of all the obstacles, both endured, the result does not make sense. Even if the writer did not want to deliver a positive ending, which not all stories and real life experiences have, why not answer some questions as to who Hee Do married and why focus on this elaborate story if it was all about the kid going back to ballet?
Overall:
The Good
1. Na Hee Do's fencing moments are thrilling.
2. The rivalry and friendship between Na Hee Do and Go Yu Rim are beautiful! I adored the development and result.
3. The way Na Hee Do and Baek Yi Jin's relationship develops and their journey as each other's support system is endearing.
4. Baek Yi Jin's struggles from his family facing hardships and his growing responsibilities as the new head responsible for bringing his family together is worth watching.
5. The friendship between Moon Ji Woong and Ji Seung Wan is adorable and provide a lot of comic relief!
6. The coach and Hee Do's mother are wonderful characters and their relationship with Hee Do is interesting to watch with plenty of ups and downs.
7. The OST is wonderful.
The Bad aka the parts that are left unanswered:
1. The writers wanted a sad ending but Yi Jin's choices did not make sense since he switched fields just to avoid ever hurting Hee Do and in the end completely avoided her.
2. Why send a rookie in local news to cover a major international event? This is entirely illogical in the real world setting. It does not sit well with me progression wise.
3. Why did Yi Jin leave coins over the telephone booth at the beach? It wasn't clarified who it was for.
4. Who is Kim Min Chae's father and what was the need to hide his identity towards the end? There is no communication between the family and the father over a call either which is bizarre.
5. Why was Kim Min Chae and the older Hee Do required for the story? Was it all just so that Min Chae is motivated to pursue ballet? Could Min Chae not have the same life experiences without it?
6. The unnecessary dramatic departure that was stretched way too long.
I wanted to rewatch this series but after this ending, I might skip it. I would only recommend this show until mid ep 15. Don't bother with the rest.
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A great sci-fi thriller!
Mobius is about the ML, Ding Qi, who experiences time differently compared to most people. On certain days of the year, his day restarts 5 times because of which he can often change things to his advantage. He chooses to work as a police officer and help solve crimes or rather prevent them. On loop days, the 5th loop is his final chance.The premise is used well and the show opens with a literal bang - an explosion in a bank during a robbery. The show instantly pulls you in with it's great visuals and a fast pace dive into the story including both the positives and negatives of a time loop. Bits of humour are also thrown in. Things are often not as simple as you'd think even with foresight. People are complex and a lot can change when even 1 thing is meddled with. This makes the show extremely interesting.
As the show goes on, we start to explore the cause of the time loops and a case of a biotech company owner being threatened. The case becomes about finding Squid - the person who is making threats and has already killed 2 people at Moma. However the mystery behind all the different characters add layers to the story making it seem much harder to solve. With every loop, Ding Qi learns new facts about how the puzzles fit together and a lot more lives are at stake.
The story and drama are all very interesting and the mystery intriguing and the show makes it worth the watch. The action is also quite good with several hand to hand combat scenes along with shoot outs. There is some romance but not really worth mentioning. I couldn't quite see the chemistry between the leads nor understood why the ML was particularly interested in the FL nor why she entertained him. The other officers were nice characters. No one in particular stood out though.
If we speak about the flaws, although they do explain why people perceive time loops, it doesn't explain the mechanisms. You just have to suspend belief for this aspect. It seems that the finding was incidental. There is also one character that triggered everything else but was left out of the ending. What happened to that person? They didn't really elaborate.
The show is still quite entertaining with great cinematography. It might require a bit of concentration though because if you miss certain moments, you might struggle to follow along. But it isn't that complicated that it would lead to frustration.
The OST for Mobius is also quite good. Definitely adds to the viewing experience. Worth the watch I would say!
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Behind the scenes toxicity but good for a casual watch
This was my first kpop survival show and even though the production quality was good, the contestants are a good mix from far east Asia, the production team seemed to be toxic. Right from the second challenge, the controversy started when they did not care about the contestants's health. Lee Seung Gi as a judge was unbearable to me and I used to like him before. Now my perception of him has totally changed because his remarks were so nonsensical.Also the final line up of debutants was disappointing. I was already upset that a lot of my favourites didn't get to top 18 despite being better than some of the contestants that did. But then some of the not so good contestants even took the spots of the actual talents in the top 9.
I also had an inkling that the contestants that the team kept highlighting and focusing their cameras on were the ones who got more votes because the others were simply not shown much or at all. Thus they could not develop fan bases. And when 2 of your consistantly top contestants withdraw because of the harsh and unjustified comments they received, you really need to think hard on what kind of company you are.
If you want to watch the series casually, go for it before it is enjoyable and their Signal song - Good Luck as well as their final song for fans were good.
ADVICE: Don't get invested because this show is almost like the GOT of survival shows.
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Beware if you can't stand cruelty
I truly loved the first 2 episodes. Until about episode 4 I found the show exciting and then things took a turn for the worse. Life can already so miserable so if you're looking for an escape, this show isn't it. It depicts the worst of human nature, frustrating characters, the insanity and of course the sadistic aspect. It was extremely hard to stomach. It hit me like a gut punch and that's where I started to lose interest and had to speed up just to get through to the end.Would a show with pleaasant people have been as entertaining? Perhaps not for such a genre. But then I also do not find these kinds of horrific shows entertaining and I keep forgetting to check details of Netflix Korean dramas which tend to contain nudity (male in this one) and extreme forms of violence (torture) compared to what ordinary Korean dramas would consider depicting. Basically I just read the synopsis and went in blind.
Another aspect that I disliked is the awful ending that is quite underwhelming but teases a second season. I'll pass thanks.
I have rated it a 6.5 because I thought the concept was quite good (a bit like Squid Game - similar set-up but worse in many ways). Also because I enjoyed the first half as well as the mystery behind each character. However I still don't understand the actions of some of the characters while some were just a victim of lazy writing or ignored entirely. The only positive is the unpredictability of many characters and the perspective and conundrum of a very ordinary unspectacular male lead.
If you aren't triggered easily then you might find this show more enjogable than I did. Personally, I will never be able to rewatch this.
I didn't notice the OST other than the "i'm so lonely" sped up as the intro. It was meh.
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Excelled in every aspect
From the plot, the acting, the cast, the production, the CGI, the action sequences, the comedy, the romance and the OST have all been top notch.I consumed this drama so quickly, it was hard waiting for more episodes to come. It is ideal to binge watch because you can't stop once you start watching.
I enjoyed the strong FL and mature depiction of affection between the two leads. But romance is more subtle and the story deals more with the responsibility these two characters carry. It had a strong start and I don't believe any point of the plot did I find the story boring. There are some interesting plot twists so avoid spoilers. Some of the comedy towards the end was most enjoyable. The action sequences paired with the OST is thrilling. The CGI is quite beautiful in those moments as well.
I enjoyed most of the secondary characters as well especially a female character towards the end - lady in red. But Shen Li definitely is the show stealer and it is nice to see a female given such a strong role.
I happened to watch this drama by chance and I'm glad I started it. Will definitely be recommending to others as well.
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Not predictable but not exceptional - trigger warnings discussed
I enjoyed the series considering a lot of people didn't. Most didn't seem to like the directing style which didn't bother me. The show wasn't boring at any point but the focus of the show seemed to shift drastically towards the middle with the male lead being sidelined. The other characters are also interesting but it felt odd by the end. The story direction took away the impact of their lead.The other thing that bothered me is there is a blaring female full frontal nude scene disguised as a sex scene. Meanwhile the male is cleverly hidden and wearing full clothes. It felt like a cheap attempt at gaining viewership. Such a Netflix thing. There aren't any strong female characters in the series unfortunately or at least not for very long. Mostly the women are side characters. The show does deal with sexual assault but despite being a show surrounding justice, the audience isn't given much time to empathize with the victims. They are almost secondary to the plot. The story just skips over quickly to the next case. It feels like the production didn't care too much about those victims. The focus was mainly on the men and their way of handling situation.
Another trigger warning for those sensitive to such topics - suicide and attempted suicide has been depicted. Sadly I can't really applaud them for the way it has been presented as it doesn't really deep dive into the emotions of the characters. Everything is shown in bites and then the story moves on.
The gore is just bearable, I'd say. They somewhat toned down the brutality of the murders by slowing scenes down or cutting to a different moment in time, imposing other shots in between to take you away from the moment of horror. The story also showed less and less on how murders impacted the male lead and his psyche. There was a drastic shift from his world view to story of the other characters.
I binged the series in about a day. It's got a decent pace for the most part. But if you enjoy thrillers or plots revolving around killers, vigilantes, and justice, etc, then this show is one of the weakest since it leaves you longing for something more. Nothing exceptional has been presented here. However, if you do watch, you certainly won't be bored.
Nothing really stood out from the OST for me.
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Beautiful but Incomplete
Twinkling Watermelon has a lot to love about it. I love Time Travel tropes already and I am happy they chose to introduce deaf characters and depicting family bonds and friendships. Despite it having several heart touching moments there is still something missing.Ha Eun Gyeol is the only hearing member of his family. He has seen a lot of struggles as well as had to put aside his own dreams for the sake of his family. He is carrying burdens and is scarred without realizing what he means to his family. Travelling back in time helps put a lot of things in perspective and he hopes it is also an opportunity to save his father. It is only when he goes back in time, he realizes that his father was also once a teenager who had dreams of his own as well as struggles of his own. The same with his mother and he still desires to carry his family's burdens. But in the process he also ends up sharing a strong bond with his father, Yi Chan. One that he never expected. His moments with Yi Chan are the highlight of the show so the ending does leave you with a little more to be desired.
With regards to his mother, Cheong Ah, again he forms a protective relationship and a lot of instances made me tear up. The depictions are beautiful. Yet again, the ending speed runs through their reintroduction.
Eun Gyeol also meets Eun Yu. I found the chemistry between them quite lacking unlike Yi Chan and Cheong Ah's. The former's relationship didn't really develop well and felt quite choatic. We also don't see Eun Yu overcoming her own trauma rather running away from it. The series also completely skips over Eun Yu's family reunion which was disappointing.
There were moments that felt like the series was dragging and if they had simply reduced those, they would have had the time to give us a more complete picture and then I could surely rate it a 10.
The OST is nice but other than the final song, nothing really blew me away which is disappointing since music is such an important aspect of the plot. The final song is catchy but not exceptional.
Overall, the series is good and heartwarming. The actors have done a fine job in their portrayals and make this series worth watching.
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Couldn't Connect
I was extremely excited for this season after enjoying the first season but somewhere in the middle I lost interest in the plot.The story seemed to be all over the place. They killed off a character which I didn't quite understand the rationale behind. The show was still all right till that point albeit a bit slow for my liking. Story in between is forgettable. Then one by one new characters came out of the blue. One to serve as replacement to complete the trio but it just wasn't the same. I must have fallen asleep at some point because I don't understand why a certain character came into the picture. Convenient placement?
I liked that they added the autopsy scenes but it wasn't as impressive compared to the firefighting of the earlier season. They didn't really highlight a lot of medical and technical advancements.
The shows certainly goes for the shock value towards the end with the final criminal. Some incorrect medical statements were also made. I'm not sure how the system works in South Korea but since they are working with bombs, shouldn't a different department have jurisdiction? In that case, it would have been earlier to find the seller using legal means. I might also be mistaken but it takes less work to access the dark net which is why so many criminals can frequent it in the first place and nothing can be done about it.
Part of my interest dwindled when I had figured out the mystery of the final story so I couldn't enjoy it as much. It wrapped up quick which was good. I rolled my eyes at the US officials being certain of the result of a trial that hasn't even taken place. It's not like perpetrators ever get away through a mistrial or lack of evidence, right?
I wish I could score this higher but at the same time don't want to rate it too low since the actors did portray their characters well. They did try with the story. It just didn't strike a chord with me the way I wished it had and I don't have the patience to rewatch for now.
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A gem!
I didn't expect to love it so much.It's a very simple series about two people struggling with mental illness and the friendship that forms between them. It gives one insight into how people feel and how leaning on another can make things a bit easier. You also get to see how their families are dealing with their own issues.
The actors did a good job, especially the male actor. I really understood how he must have felt with the circumstances he was dealt. He did a great job emoting. There is a little bit of humour in the show as well which is cute.
I really loved the title and the message this show is trying to send. I hope this show finds more viewers!
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Controversial
To be honest, I enjoyed the show except for the very end. Perhaps if they had ended it differently, I would rate it higher. But it would also be no different from other shows and be easy to forget. I can see the writer's dilemma.Nonetheless, I've rated it as a work of fiction. I enjoyed the acting and the story telling. I do understand that such lifestyles work for some people. Just like polygyny, polyandry exists. Men bragging about threesomes gets brushed away as normal/exciting. But women having several partners or partners simultaneousy is viewed as immoral or shameful. Such is the reality of most patriarchal societies that are especially worse in the continent of Asia.
If those involved are in consenting relationships, should we be offended is what it ultimately comes down to. It is possible to have your own set of beliefs without imposing it on others. In order words, live and let live.
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