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DragonAlien
Belgrade, Serbia
First I fell in love with sceneries, landscapes and all the journey they have gone through, then constant battles, adventures, travelling, and wonderful music followed in every important scene and the last I was mesmerized by villains or supposed to be villains. You'll start this drama most cause of Wallace and Zanilia (which was the case with me too, I love them so much) but then you'll slowly start to notice others and put the main couple somewhere behind, I didn't think not even slightly that I won't like Wallace and that he'd be so unimportant to me. But it happened that way.
Cause Sha Qian Mo aka Jiejie and Dongfang have to be the best characters ever. I got too attached to them, I was excited and so impatiently waiting for next episode just so that I could watch them, their interactions with Hua Qian Gu, their ideas, thoughts and actions. Some of the best lines in this drama come from them, there were two lines which have engraved in my soul for the rest of my life. One was said by Sha Qian Mo: "Bai Zi Hua, if you dare hurt her for your sect, I will slaughter your entire sect. If you harm her for the world, I will massacre the people of the world!”- this scene was for me so powerful that I got goosebumps all over my body; and the other one said by Dongfang: "You must live on, even if no one in this world loves you, you need to love yourself."- my favourite sentence in this drama.
Let me tell you about those two guys- Sha Qian Mo a Holy Ruler, the strongest demon and the main evil guy but oh boy how he was everything else except evil. I loved him cause he was all for fair game, for no games and tricks, how he saved many times most of the characters in this drama and how he wasn't hypocrite, he was honest and loyal till the end. I can only bow to him, sweetest jiejie. Ma Ke did a brilliant job in portraying him and his costumes, hair, gestures, beauty- simply he was the most beautiful character; beside him the one who conquer my heart and the one whom I love the most is Dongfang- the most intelligent and clever creature in this drama. I could write all day about him but I'll only say a few words. Cunning, dangerous, calculating, manipulative villain who used people only to get what he wanted and to satisfy his thirst for revenge. Yes I admit he was like that but I can only admire him cause from all of them he was the only human without any divine and real power, he was a human being who had to use his own strength and brain to survive and in all the process he did hurt some people but actually he didn't hurt nor kill anyone innocent. He protected, loved, took care of Hua Qian Gu by any means and nothing wasn't more important than that, not even his revenge. His chemistry with Zanilia was amazing, their simple touches, hugs, natural behavior, conversations, I rooted for them and they are one of my fav. couples for sure, somehow I didn't feel that much chemistry between her and Shifu, I guess it was cause they didn't show us that strong and powerful love like it is in the novel. Anyway Dongfang will stay forever as one of the character I love the most, for whom I cried, laughed and cheered the most. ?
And in the end about our two main characters- Zanilia was so cute and sweet, she did a good job in acting and even better she was as a Demon Goddess, I think she should take more roles like this one to get out from the image of sweet, innocent good girl like in most dramas. Wallace was good as always, his character was like that- so cold, emotionless, ruthless and brutal that at times I was thinking how she could fall in love with him in the first place. I only saw his endless love for her at the very end and I think their love was too destructive and wrongly portrayed, I couldn't involve in their story almost at all, only at times I cheered and enjoyed in their scenes together.
As for the rest, I think that everyone did a decent job in acting and what I loved about this drama is how nothing is what it seems. The ones who were evil demons actually were more humans than the ones who supposed to be good immortals and leaders of sects. I hated all those hypocrites in sects, I won't name them but some of them deserved to die in the most horrible and terrible way.
I enjoyed in this drama so much, it has many flaws and things which bothered me very much but because of those characters I came to love and because of wonderful landscapes, music and costumes, I overlooked them.
Definitely from my point of view drama worth watching and after watching you'll see why I said all this, its details, side happenings and characters are what made her to be this addictive and one of the finest in xianxia and wuxia genre.
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Personally I don't think so cause I'm dealing, studying and exploring maths all my life therefore I love it but I do understand that there are many people who simply don't like nor understand it and find it hard to express anything which deals with mathematics.
Either way, after this movie you may end up loving maths, you may end up feel the magic of numbers and you don't need to be a math student in order to get enthusiastic about number games and about the wonderful world of numbers. Cause the way mathematics is presented in this movie, the method in which was written into the script, into the characters, is really interesting and it keeps you intriguing to the end. There are terms like prime numbers, amicable numbers, perfect numbers, pi, the imaginary number, and Euler's identity also known as Euler's equation. Even if you're clueless and unknowing about the concepts of these terms, the movie will introduce them and show to you in such interesting and enjoyable way.
Based on the novel by Yoko Ogawa, The Professor’s Beloved Formula tells the story of a housekeeper played by gorgeous Eri Fukatsu who is hired by an aloof heiress to look after her brother-in-law who, ever since a car accident periodically has his memory reset every eighty minutes. Before the accident he was a celebrated Math’s professor, and it is through his love of numbers and the housekeeper’s willingness to learn anything new that the two form a strong unique friendship. Soon the Professor meets the housekeeper’s young son and nicknames him Root on account of the top of his head being flat like a square root symbol. Together the trio manage to form a powerful, strange family despite all the challenges.
I enjoyed in simplicity of this movie, in wonderful development of that strange friendship between professor and housekeeper, she had patience, willingness and eagerness to listen to him, to be the part of numbers and mathematics and to keep him always busy with his work; and he accepted her and her son like his own family (although a platonic one) where they were strangely and deeply happy while watching baseball, playing games with numbers or solving maths problems. I found all 3 characters so lovable, both in character and presentation and I'll never forget Eri Fukatsu's smile and Professor's character.
Refreshing thing in this movie is that there are no unnecessary tearjerker moments around the professor's illness, although there are some a bit more dramatic and touching ones but without melodramatic scenes and with just right amount of warmness which manages to strike the right notes all the time.
The story is pretty simple and slow paced but at the same time enchanting and full of warmth. With many touching moments and with most of the things revolving around mathematics, baseball and cooking, whole movie will give you clear messages about maths itself using concepts and applying it to real life, to living life.
Cinematography is very nice, showing the beauty of landscapes and the town they lived in, the great actors really make you fell so good and cozy, whole movie just has this feel good factor and in the end you feel wonderful, poetic and comfortable. Charming, no manipulative movie, a slice of life that will make you feel joy and wanting to meet all three characters in person and playing number games with them.
"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour"
-William Blake-
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This review may contain spoilers
I was very curious about this drama, I wanted to see the real life story about one of the most famous women in Chinese history, about a woman who while she lived was called smart and virtuous, kind and modest, about a woman who was helpful in maintaining the piece in whole palace and harem, I also liked the trailer-it looked awesome plus I am a sucker for any Chinese historical drama 100%, especially when it's about one of the most interesting period in history, personally one of my favourite periods is Han Dynasty. ;)But in the end I was expecting more, not from the angle of acting, that was really great, but from the angle of characters development and palace intrigues.
This drama has the weakest Emperor ever, he made me cringe so many times, I really didn't like him at all. even when he was smart, he was stupid. Cause he believed everyone and every time he questioned the trust in people whom he should trust, every time it was with some evidences, with so many talks, I was so tired from all that.
Although I'm not that much knowledgeable about Emperor Wu of Han, I know that he was one of the most important and greatest rulers and in this drama his portrayal was too weak and it seemed like he achieved everything most of the times with the help of Empress, Wei Qing or Duan Hong, either the truth or not, I didn't like him in this drama.
On the other hand his sister the Princess was the best and she is for sure the best side character ever, so brave, intelligent, always speaks her mind, good, loyal and at the same scary and kind, a true woman who would survive anything and she did suffer and experienced many sad things but still she was standing so proudly and confident until the end. I have only full admiration for woman like that.
Empress was at times too unrealistic, I mean I know that she was modest and always wanting to keep piece in her clan but it's really impossible for someone to be that kind and good, putting others in front of her and always willing to sacrifice herself, too much in the palace where everyone just waiting to stab you in the back, especially all those concubines. But she was in one thing worthy of full respect, how she protected her brother and childhood friend, how she easily was willing to give up her own life to help them and protect them, she was too kind and naive sometimes but when they were in question, she was a lioness.
The best characters in this drama beside the princess were Empress's brother who was the best general I've seen, the guy was so smart, courageous, brave, skilled in fights, the best warrior and a real soldier but his love for the Empress was something the most powerful, I always fall for siblings and bond between them and this one has to be one of the strongest and most wonderful ones, they made me smile and sad so many times.; and their childhood friend Duan Hong- if you ask me, I would kick that Emperor and run away with Duan, he was such a perfect guy for her and although too much in love, he never insisted or revealed his feeling, he was loyal to the Emperor like his most trustworthy man.
What has really bothered me were the very first episodes, they rushed so much, how they even could fall in love with each other only after one look and I'm sorry for the spoiler but not one single kiss in historical drama with romance in the middle all of it?! Just too illogical and stupid, so I simply couldn't feel the main couple at all.
All in all, this drama would be great if only they didn't rush with so many things and if Empress was little more realistic and more like a woman with real feelings. As for the costumes- stunning, one of the best costumes dramas, the production was very good, it looks like an expensive drama with high budget and sceneries were astonishing. I've enjoyed in music, many beautiful sounds through the whole drama and those melodies fitted just fine.
There are a lot worse dramas than this one and lot better ones but as from my point of view I did like it cause there were some characters who really have won me over and made me fall for them plus I would like to see more high budget dramas like this one, everything looked so real. If you love Chinese history, great costumes, good acting than I think this drama is for you.
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So finally I was able to find this drama subbed and I was happy cause of Wallace who, to tell honestly, looked amazingly dashing in uniform, and I was confident that this drama was going to be all about love story set in the WWII era, but I was so wrong. Battle of Changsha is one of the most emotional and heartbreaking dramas I've ever watched but most of it doesn't even have to do with romance at all.
What was the greatest strength of this drama are their characters, the whole Hu family, they were the heart and the soul of it. You follow them through all the hardships, you laugh with them, cry with them, watch them as they grow and mature and they slowly grow on you until you realize that they’ve become a part of you and when everything ends you feel so empty, like someone stabbed you with a knife and ripped your heart. And now I’m stuck in Battle of Changsha and I can’t get out nor I want.
Whole drama is filled with so many raw emotions, every single detail of it feel so real, what left me speechless is that none of the characters are perfect, they are all full of problems and weaknesses, they deal with life in monstrous time of war and struggling to survive by any means.
This drama can be separated in two parts, the first half of it is more funny, lighthearted and relaxed than the second full of heartbreaks and overwhelming emotions, especially in the last couple of episodes where you'll start to sob and cry an ocean of tears and where your soul feels like dying and you can't breath. You're kinda expecting that cause yeah no one said war was easy but still you feel heartbroken to the core.
I got attached to many of the characters but there are few of them that grabbed my heart and for whom I ached and cheered the most. First of them as my favourite are the twins, it was impossible to separate them here as in drama too, they were together all the time like one. Xiang Xiang- the bold, confident one, a girl who wasn't afraid to speak her mind and fights for what she believes, I loved her transformation and how her character grew up and she became a mature, strong young woman; and Xiao Man- the immature one and he stayed like that almost until the end but then he also showed how mature and real man he became through many terrible and tragic things he experienced and has gone through. I loved their bond, they have to be my favourite brother-sister couple, the best siblings ever, I laughed so hard with them, I respected them and how they fought for their freedom, I cried so hard with them, they really made me too emotional, even now while I'm writing about them their picture and scenes shared between them are so vividly shown like they're in front of me.
The other character who was the most lovable is their brother in law, that guy who at the first glance looked so harsh, cold, evil but when you got to know him you see how he actually love them all, how he protected them, how he was doing all the things he's done just so they could be safe and have a roof above their heads and food to eat. His unwavering love for the sister was admirable to the core, so powerful and strong, he made me wondering how is i possible to love someone so strong and firm. I really enjoyed in scenes shared between him and the twins, they were at the moments so hilarious and then the next one they made you cry. And when you add to that the character of Wallace- who was also fantastic, his eyes, his expressions, how he secretly protected Xiang Xiang, he simply draws you in, he was a true soldier, brave and courageous worth the praise; you get four amazing characters who made this drama to be so freaking, torturing, astonishing beautiful.
Although a war drama there were a few battle scenes, whole drama is more a family drama in times of war. Despite that special effects for them were still excellent and those scenes in the battlefield and in actual fight were brutally realistic as mush as possible which only made it better (or worse) to the viewer, you tend to be more emotional and involved.
I honestly don’t have any real complaints about this drama besides some very minor things that I can easily overlook. Seriously, everything from the directing to the musical score was wonderful.
Battle of Changsha is a true rare gem. Yes, it has been a heavy, rocky, heartbreaking ride but I loved it completely and don’t regret watching it at all. Simply because a drama as beautiful as this one deserves multiple viewings.
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I really LOVED the sceneries, Japan is certainly the country with most wonderful nature and hidden places to be seen, I loved the colours very much, so bright and light, the flowers, the beach, water, all the scenes they shared, cinematography was awesome indeed.
The cast was very good and the acting so realistic and natural, Yamada was just brilliant, you could really feel his raw emotion emanating from the screen and I must say I loove how that man cries, he's doing it so good and so freaking believable. ;)
Ayase was at her best, I'm not some vivid fan of hers but in this drama she shined and was wonderfully convincing and truly accomplished an honest portrayal of a person in her position.
Their chemistry, relationship, so strong and powerful, going beyond everything, so many sweet moments, so much fun, enjoyment, tears, love, they broke my heart and then they mended it every time. Their relationship was so pure... just being together brings joy and happiness. This drama shows the development of the love between them. It shows how Saku, even from the beginning was drawn to her, where, somehow, without knowing it, goes to where she is, and for Aki, she knew that when she died, he was going to be by her side. Through powerful imagery like this, you grow to care for the characters.
Music was very appealing, those melodies were just astonishing and filled with so much melancholy and longing, I found myself attached even more with the whole story and characters.
All in all, I find this drama to be very originally told, it kept me interested to the very end, I loved the parallel in the present and past, I liked everything cause although a tragic one and dealt with cancer patient, this drama concentrates more on their love, friendship, many interesting happenings and somehow you don't feel all that sadness. It will bring you tears though cause you can't stay cold when you see devastated Yamada.
What Sekachu shows us is the futility of eternity, the acceptance of lost, and the meaning of living.
A full recommendation from me. I loved it. And I know you will.
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I was overwhelmed with so many gorgeous sceneries, wonderful settings, astonishing colors in this movie. Yellow, orange and red- I have never loved more these colors so much like I loved them in this movie, so many light, so many beautiful details. Somewhere after the middle of the movie those colors became more dark going smoothly in the direction the movie went but all the time cinematography was simply majestic.
Honestly the main reason why I started this movies was Miho Nakayama, she is for me one of the most beautiful women in the world and in Sayonara Itsuka she was a real goddess. Her dresses, skirts, her clothes in this movie was so beautiful, I want those dresses, all of them and dress like that. The way she smiles, walks, talks, kisses and loves- she took my breath away. She really shined and carried the whole movie. And in the end she broke my heart and I felt so much pain, I love that feeling, that means that the actor succeed to win me over. ;)
Chemistry between her and Hidetoshi was outstanding, their relationship in the movie was breathtaking, from those passionate sexy scenes in hot Bangkok and ventilator turned on while their naked and sweaty bodies were hungry for each other, through their sweet and romantic scenes in the car, boat and just walking around to those heartbreaking and full of sadness and desperate longing, they were fantastic.
There are a lot of holes and flaws, from the main one where guy is cheating and not loving his wife, marrying her only to be promoted and succeed in his career to the one where they realize that they love each other even after 25 years and once again they had to apart, yes but I still think Sayonara Itsuka is a great movie. It depicted a very real dynamic of love, one that puts the head against the heart in an inevitable lose-lose situation, one that was brought to life by great, if a-typical, characters and exquisite cinematography. For me this is one of the best movies ever in the genre of pure romance and has one of the most memorable endings which will stay with me forever.
"At death, some look back on being loved
While some look back on having loved…
I’ll definitely look back on having loved…”
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While these words has graved in a deepest chamber of my heart, I'll try to tell you about this magnificent piece, about the best drama ever made in history of television although I don't think it can be described with words. Seriously, it’s impossible to describe Comrades the way it should be described. I do not have that kind of vocabulary that could tell a story about such a beautiful work. But I'll try it anyway..
Stunning. Simply stunning. Comrades has grabbed my heart, mind and soul and captured me, possessed me. When I finished whole drama last night, I couldn't fall asleep, I was laying on bed for hours just starring in the ceiling and trying to revive my broken heart.
I don't have any special love and interest for war theme but I do appreciate when movies and dramas in that genre are well done with believable and realistic story and development of events. Which is the case with this drama. Comrades doesn't tell you the story nor the characters tell you what are they doing, whole drama SHOWS you all that through their actions, through the look in their eyes, so naturally and brutally realistic. And doesn’t sugar-coat anything, I didn't feel not for a moment that it's trying to impress me or manipulate me, it was like it was trying to take me in the true inside story. Sometimes that story got so unbearable (the hopelessness, the senselessness of it all) that I had to stop the video and simply walk away. And after a while come back again fully prepared for more feelings than previous time and I wondered whether in those moments show started to become manipulative, taking me to hell and getting last drop of tears from me. I cried like I don’t think I have ever cried watching TV. I bawled. I sobbed loudly and messily, I cried out as my heart broke and I felt grief and despair.
The whole story is about soldiers who fought in Korean War and it shows you their stories, both from South and North Korea, you get to see ordinary people who willingly or not found themselves in that chaos and cruelty, you see that there aren't good or bad guys, both countries show you that people everywhere are the same; they just want to live peacefully, care for their families, and make a living., it's not a story about winning or losing, it is a story about human beings getting involved with each other and bonding as long as they live.
I got attached too much for the characters and I got a feeling as if I met them face to face. Every one of them felt so real, tangible. The more episodes I watched, the more invested I became in their lives. I was constantly longing to be able to reach into the screen and give each character a big hug. I was overwhelmed by the warmth and the love that I felt for these soldiers, these young men who wanted nothing more than to live. I laughed and cried and breathed with every single one of them. They are now as real to me as the people I know in my everyday life. And thanks to that, I was able to understand, if only just a little bit, some of the horror of war. It was the first time I’ve loved so many characters in one drama, and not just loved them, but feared so much for their well-being. I watched every episode with one hand over my mouth and the other over my chest. “Survive, survive, please survive.” I wanted everyone to live.
If I have to pick some of the characters I love the most, I couldn't do it cause all of them I love to the fullest. But there are some of them who fascinated me and captured me the most. First is sergeant Lee. He is the sole heart of the Squad and the actor Choi Soo-jong was more than perfect, he was outstanding to the point I was questioning whether he was in real war or just acting. His character is a true leader, his courage, compassion, commitment we fell to the core. He knows what needs to be done, and he simply does it. He commands, he protects, he encourages, he teaches, and most importantly, he loves. His men are his family, his children, his responsibility. He values their lives far more than he does his own. If Lee Hyun-joong has a flaw, it’s his tendency to care too much. As a result, the men under his command forge a bond stronger than steel. They fight, whine, nag, and complain, but when faced with a choice to save themselves by leaving someone behind, or to stay together no matter the cost, then there really isn’t a choice. “All for one and one for all” might as well be tattooed on their foreheads. Second private Jung Taek-soo, he was my favourite boy and my heart ached for him like never before, he was so brave, loyal to the bones to his mates and I loved his on the surface emotionless but actually very soft in his heart, and third character I fell the most for was Park Il-kwon, that ahjussi was a real badass, how much he sacrificed and how much he did bear only to help his friends, he was called by many names and insulted and tortured but he survive all that until the end, I felt sorry for him too many times. Also a medic boy Park so sweet, caring, brave at every moment but very sensitive, then on North Korean side Chun Yong-taek, a true idealistic man who fought fair and who stood up side by side with Lee Soo-kyung, who was such a kick ass woman, I admired her so much to the middle of the show and then I literally wanted to rip her apart and strangle her, her transformation was truly magnificent, the actress was incredible. As you could see, I got attached to all of them.
Comrades has a fabulous soundtrack. One of the best in entire world, I don't know which song or instrumental left me speechless more, maybe that opening song "20 october 1950' or "Patriot's Way" or "I will come back" from Insooni or "Kyrie" which played every time something too shocking happened. I think that music from this drama tells more than words could ever do simply cause words are not enough nor they could ever show those feelings that music can give you. That song 'Friends' I'll remember for the rest of my life and it'll stay as a song which will always remind me of this brilliant drama and her marvelous friendship in it.
Comrades gets everything right. Faultless acting, script, story-telling, editing, pacing, special effects and stunts, splendid soundtrack, sets and locations, historical faithfulness, top notch battle scenes, interesting and believable characters, an intelligent sensibility, maturity…
In the end, after all those powerful feelings and after my heart has calmed a bit, the thing I will remember forever is Squad One. That brotherhood, that bond deeper than friendship and stronger than death, between men who side by side with each other strive to keep body and soul together in hell. That affection and commitment. Because Comrades isn’t just about a war, it’s about people, people whom I’ve come to care too much about and who will make me cry every time I think about them.
I promise you, you will never be the same after watching this drama. And one thing is sure, Comrades will rip your beating heart right out, throw it on the floor and step on it, then leave you all alone to pick up that poor heart if it's not already destroyed from all those bruises. Either you're a crier or not you’re gonna cry anyway, I guarantee that and if you’re masochistic like I am you’ll probably even like it.
“Wish we could just go back to our 1st Squad days.”
“Uh?! What was so great about those days? We risked freezing to death, not to mention what happened in the caves. Oh…the concentration camp. Was it really that good?”
“Except all that drama, of course. Anyway, back then… there were nine of us.”
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Anyway apart from that I always loved Chinese historical movies the most so it's logical that I enjoy in Chinese dramas too. Lan Ling was easily one of the best historical dramas I've seen and I could gladly give even the higher score but those episodes from 20 to 26 or 27 I think, were too draggy and unnecessary with many illogical turn of events and I found the reactions some of the characters too unbelievable. Except for that everything else was FANTASTIC. LITERALLY. I think that the acting was outstanding and that even the side characters were brilliant and shined in some moments more than the leads.
Ariel as Xue Wu was perfect, she became my fav. female from historical dramas, so witty, smart, caring, funny, cool, brave and strong full of love to give to her man and all her friends, it's so rare to see a woman like her. I loved how she was such a support to Lan Ling and a true wise woman who deserved to be treated as a Queen, without her Lan Ling wouldn't succeed in anything, she was so psychically strong and in some scenes I loved how she showed balls like a real man. :P
William as Lan Ling- beautiful, wonderful, so freaking hot and grandiose man, a true leader who loved his people more than anything, who was willing to sacrifice himself in order to save the woman he loved and to save his soldiers and his country, I enjoyed in watching his brotherly love with Fifth Prince and how they shared their deepest thoughts together. And when he was a masked warrior oh well I was so in love with him, that role was even more suited for him. ;)
Yu Wen Yong-the way Chan Daniel has portrayed him was just magnificent, his expressions, gestures, his ability to be such a great Emperor and grand man, how he fell in love with Xue Wu and loved her until his last breath and who fought for her but to the point when it was possible, how he respected her, I enjoyed so much in their scenes together, I think they had incredible chemistry, they should make some other drama as a couple for real. ;) He broke my heart several times, I really fell hard for him and once more I had that second lead syndrome.
Amongst them all, there was one character I literally loved the most, it was Wei Qian Xiang as Xiao Dong, that guy was freaking brilliant and I have to say that without him, his helping and solving some things, nothing would be possible, he was of the crucial help for Xue Wu, Lan Ling and Yu Wen Yong. So spontaneous, free spirited, in love with life, a rebel who was by each step side by side with her, who supported and believed in her no matter what, who was also the most intelligent one- he saw before everyone else threats, who was evil and who's not, reminded me so much of Moon Jae Shin in SS which was fantastic. Above that he had so great chemistry with Ariel, both of them were such a splendid sight for the eyes, their scenes were the most funny and interesting ones. ;)
This drama also has such a great villains, the most hateful ones. I really found in Lan Ling the character I hate the most but really hate, she climbed up to my number one and most definitely she well deserves that place. Zheng Er- you who have seen this drama know why I'm saying this, you who haven't- go and watch. I've never seen some woman to be this evil to the core, to the tiniest bone in her body, twisted, nasty, terrible, disgusting, obsessively jealous, her smile is the most creepy one, I have goosebumps every time I think of her. The actress deserves and award for such a brilliant performance.
Music was beautiful and so wonderful, I like all the ballads, especially from Della "Shou Zhang Xin", it brought tears to my eyes.
I liked fighting scenes, cinematography was great, costumes astonishing, sceneries breathtaking, and the chemistry between the leads one of the best I've seen if not the very best one. They became one of my fav. couples in the whole world, their chemistry was too great, moments they shared were priceless, kisses, conversations, hugs, teasing, even fights were great, intimacy- one of the best I've seen, mindblowing for sure.
Every vivid fan of historical dramas should see Lan Ling, every fan of the actors in it should see Lan Ling, every fan of intelligent script should see Lan Ling and every fan of real passionate love and intimacy should see Lan Ling.
The bottom line is- Lan Ling is a great drama with its own flaws, holes and boring moments like almost every drama but hell it was worth watching every moment of it. And it has the most perfect ending. At least I found it to be so appropriate and logically wonderful.
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I always say how war movies are not my favourite genre and how they are too hard to digest. That being said I have to say that there are some war movies which are definitely worth seeing and this one is one of them. Actually this one is probably the best war movie ever made and no American or any other movie could get close to this one. And I say that with some real facts.
It started out like so many other movies, a short clip of the present and then a long flashback. And then it blew me away with its depiction of war and all of its complexities. There are many elements of 'Taegukgi' that elevate the film from the status of standard war film to a message of hope set against the backdrop of war. The film's scope is grand, dealing with the far more intimate themes of family, brotherhood, and personal responsibility. At its core, 'Taegukgi' is the story of two brothers, a strikingly poignant analogy for the entire North Korea / South Korea dilemma. While the battlefield choreography is as frenetic as it is harrowing, it never takes the film's center: this picture is founded on relationships – the human perspective to the world outside – and it never falters. Instead of focusing on history, Kang Je-Gyu crafts every scene to highlight the thoughts, actions, and emotions of the participants of history, and, for that, 'Taegukgi' deserves countless praises.
The film also spares no effort in showing us the ability of bullets, knives and bombs to turn human beings into squishy piles of gore. Cinematography is amazing and the camera work in most of the moments seems to be a documentary, so realistic it is. It's full of death, terrible events, sadness, tears, fears, full of strongest emotions that war brings and you're kinda expecting all that. But still your heart is tearing apart and breaking into million pieces.
The ending of the film won't come as much of a surprise, since it's basically foretold at the start with a scene set in the present day. The exact details might be a little unexpected though. And although you're kinda expecting that one too, still you cry and ocean, no two oceans of tears, honestly my head ached from all the tears I had. It takes to much off your heart and soul to watch this, no doubt.
As for actors who start in this movie, just these two names are enough and you'll know it has to be some masterpiece: Won Bin and Jang Dong-gun. They are perfect for playing in tragic, dark and serious movies, they already proved it (one in My Way, the other one in Man From Nowhere, they played in the best Korean movies separately and now together in one which was even better than those two :P).
Won Bin as a younger brother who was weak with his health was really grandiose, from at first sight weak boy, he turns to be so strong and brave and ready to fight for his own beliefs against everyone even against his own brother. He was constantly on the side of innocents and he hated war and killing more than anything else and it's shown very detailed on his face, his gestures, his expressions how he struggled and was disgusted by all the horrors of the war.
Jang Dong-gun as Jin-tae was magnificent, he was a shine and glory of this terribly harsh movie. I can't remember when some character made me cry so much and feel so much pain, it was too painful to see him talking to his brother, there was one scene when he's saying to Jin-seok how he was dream and hope of their family, how he's not regretting giving up school and shining shoes for him, how they sacrificed so much to make it possible for him to study, that one scene has graved into my heart like one of the most powerful scene ever shown in movies. You could literally feel his endless love for his little brother and that exact moment was when I cried my heart and soul out.
In the further happenings it was very painful and hard but also very realistic and amazing to see how director forces Jin-tae to explore his own budding evil, how he turned mad and furious full of everlasting rage towards everything and this journey is not without its own relative scars. Once a man has crossed over and embraced wartime madness, can he ever truly find a way out? Maybe it was too much and maybe he went too far to accept that madness, and for us maybe too unbelievable but it was still a small thing and wasn't enough to put a shadow on this movie. But it was also necessary to bring the aspect of brotherhood full circle, to have these two unique men face their darkest hour, and to make one final statement on the role that family inevitably plays in every man's life.
The music was really perfect and so fitting, how slowly started to be louder and louder and more powerful with some bigger scenes going on. It really added more emotions and feelings.
This movie makes you feel like you're on the battlefield with these soldiers, with these two brothers and sharing their destiny. It's harsh realism only heightens the emotion. It is undoubtedly a masterpiece and I truly can't see anyone not being affected by this movie. Just remember to keep the tissues close by for this one cause you're gong to need it , like the whole box of them. Superb, grandiose, glorious piece of art and undeniably the best Korean movie ever made.
How it's possible this movie hasn't been nominated to the Oscar? Well it's probably cause its high quality goes way beyond that. There's no way I could give some score lower than 10. And 10 it is.
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First of all, it is a different drama with different touch and original story. It's not some epic or extraordinary unique one but still it is a different drama than other historical ones. Simply cause we're used to watch all historical dramas from the point of the nobles, kings and princes but in this drama the main focus is on the maids which is very cool. We do see also a nobles and their stories but all that goes through the eyes of the maids and servants.
There are no boring moments at all, drama has 20 episodes but still you don't feel it's dragging at all. Yes, a couple of last episodes were too slow and they could have shortened it to16 episodes but still it was good this way too.
I quite enjoyed in this drama, the script is very intelligent, witty, with so many emotional and heartbreaking sentences, it really got me, I admit. ;)
Costumes were so wonderful and painted with so many beautiful and vivid colors, from the dresses to the clothes for men, it was such a nice sight for the eyes and the music was heavenly-those instrumentals perfectly fitted to the scenes between certain people and when I think of it I couldn't imagine any other music except those astonishing sounds that were floating through the whole drama.
In the end about acting I would like to say a few words. It was brilliant. All the actor have done really great job in portraying their characters but there are a few of them I have to point out as the best ones. Jung Yoo-mi was just outstanding, the girl just freaking nailed it and showed what the word "ACTING'" really means. She demonstrated the way of a noble girl who falls into the mud and bottom and rises again proudly and strongly in such a marvelous way, I cried, I smiled, I cheered and rooted for her the whole time, simply I loved her. The other one who definitely stole the show was Kim Dong-wook, the guy was brilliant and incredible, his acting was the most believable from all of them and his character has graved in my heart forever. The most pitiful one, Eun-gi was the guy who only wanted to marry the girl he loved and lead an ordinary life of a scholar but he couldn't do that. Because he had to carry the scars from the tragic past events in his famil and all that troubles, worries and happenings were put on Eun-gi shoulders and he had to take everything in his own hands. But why he did that was only because of the girl he loved. Every move, every word, every detail was for her, for her own good. He broke my heart many too many times with his sentences, with his words and deeds. His love for her was something we all crave to feel and have, his undeniable desire and wish that she stays alive and healthy was so powerful that I was wondering too many times how someone could love that much and be so selfless? Why I liked him that much was because he's not typical good guy who was stupid and second male lead always being a shadow for the girl, he was fighting for her until the end and he went against everyone, even the King to protect her, he didn't care about money, power, status (there are some powerful sentences about that at the end when he talks to her, I won't be saying which ones), he cared only for her. Of course he has done some unforgivable things but still I loved him more than most of the characters in this drama. Oh Ji-ho was fine in acting, I think he portrayed his character in a appropriate way and with exact amount of emotions. He was a cold guy who was raised without proper education, only learning how to fight and use weapons, and at the first glance you could say that he is a emotionless, cold blooded ruthless man but when you dig a little you could see how he was caring, good and ready to give his own life to the people he loves. And my fav. girl Sa-wol, the most loyal character I've seen, she was so firm and determined in her loyalty and love for In-yeob, so protective and fearless, positive and kind and I truly adored scenes with her and how she showed a few badass scenes towards the rest oft he maids and servants. :P
One character I hated the most and she definitely goes on my list the most hateful characters ever and that would be Heo Yoon-ok, the most despicable creature ever, I really despised her from the bottom of my heart. The one who is your friend, the one who should be with you in your worst moments and tragic ones, that one stabs you in the back and in the most awful way humiliate and insult you with not single sign of respect. I've never seen such a truly bad character and I do love and respect more those who openly don't like you and hate you than those who do that secretly at first and then in front of everyone intentionally torture you, humiliate and offend you in the most detestable way, that kind of person I would gladly punch, hit and torture myself really hard. ;)
To sum up, this is a drama worth watching and definitely every person could and should see, I don't think that after watching anyone could say it is a bad drama, it has just right amount of everything and the acting plus the script are done without some real flaws. Although it shows a real cruelty and injustice in the world and it'll bring you some real tears, at the same time it will show you how to never give up, how to fight even if you have to fail, fall and crawl a few times, in the end you'll succeed. Cause yeah, that is a life, we fall and we rise, we fail and then we succeed, we cry and the we smile, the never ending circle called life.
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I'm a huge and everlasting fan of prolific screenwriter Nojima Shinji and can't say enough how great and influential a writer he has been for Japanese TV in the 90s. While his initial claim to fame came in the way of writing somewhat conventional love stories and human-life "Trendy Dramas" such as "Hitotsu Yane No Shita" "Ai To Iu Nano Moto Ni" ,"Kimi ga Uso wo Tsuita", it was his later "darker" and more sublime dramas which really showcased how talented and brilliant a writer he was. Many people said that Nojima Shinji has a gift in writing words. His dramas might win and lose interests, but most of the times they’re worth to quote.
Kou Kou Kyoushi is one such drama, a very dark one and in fact it's considered a cult classic in the annals of Japanese TV Dramas. The story was unconventional to say the least, not only in the scope of its plot but also in the way that it was presented.
The drama revolved around the taboo romantic relationship between the meek and shy academic Hamaura Takao (played by amazing and of the most famous Asian stars Sanada Hiroyuki) and his hopelessly optimistic and cheery 17 year-old homeroom student Ninomiya Mayu (played by the incredibly cute Sakurai Sachiko). As the series progressed and Takao and Mayu's romance intensified and grew more deeper, the audience soon discovers that Mayu's carefree disposition is but a mask to hide a truely depressing history and an even darker personal secret. We feel the intense darkness as death is mentioned along the way. Despite that however, the soundtrack and the main characters’ heart are pure and innocent. The director himself mentioned in a commentary that Nojima Shinji was the one who decided to choose an innocent Mayu. Not that there aren’t Gals and other type of girls in 1993 society, but Nojima Shinji decided to create an innocent characters for his story. Whole characters development was fantastic, every one of them had their own story, secret, their own deepness and the actors were really great in portraying those characters.
The issues covered in Kou Kou Kyoushi are controversial (a rape by a teacher, an abortion, homosexuality, another relationship between a young teacher & student, incest, etc.) but these accurate depictions did much to bring such topics into public discussion in Japan during the 1990s. The situations portrayed here are quite realistic--Japanese teachers have a higher responsibility for their students than in many other countries, and unfortunately some have intentionally or unintentionally abused this trust.
It is said that Nojima structured "Kou Kou Kyoshi" almost like a classic Greek Tragedy. With its lurid themes of teacher-student romance, suicide, rape, incest and bullying, "Kou Kou Kyoushi" was heralded as a bold and controversial drama and generated huge viewership ratings at the time of its debut. In subsequent years it has become quite a cult drama series and it's shock ending is truly one of the most memorable in Japanese drama history.
Even after 22 years it has been made, even I have seen so many dark and really difficult dramas to digest, this one will for sure stay in my mind for a very very long time and despite all those controversial and depressed issues in it, I've enjoyed and was fascinated by depth of love of the two main leads and their pure, innocent hearts in all that hopelessness and abyss of heartless and harsh society.
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Suzuki was gorgeous and I get now when men write and say she's a MILF. :P Yup, no doubt she is. :P She is a fantastic actress and I love her from before in other dramas but in this one she simply shined with her personality, looks and sex appeal. Rui is one strong, confident, smart woman who didn't let emotions got in her way but of course everything fell apart and her guard was put down when Ko appeared. She is a woman who loved for her work, she is divorced and she experienced a married life, she even got a child from that married life (on top of that her child is played by amazing Ayano Go who was such a plus in this drama with his wild, rebel personality and his unique, weird sense of style and fashion, a young man who simply didn't do anything in his life aside from playing in some band for fun and taking money from his mother). But she chose career as something most important in her life at that time and she haven't felt regretful about that. Anyway from that angle her character is a very respectful and admirable one.
As for Hasegawa Hiroki, he was HOT and ATTRACTIVE LIKE CRAZY, I don't know how to put into words his expressions when he was with her, his glances, his stares, look in his eyes, his gestures, it was a mind blowing, seriously I literally felt his eyes on me. ;) Naughty naughty but yeah the main genre of this drama is romance so from that angle it was a successful one. The sparkles between them were flying all over the place, in every scene when they were together it was so impossible not to feel all those emotions and attraction, so rare to see that nowdays. And you have to take in consideration that age gap between the actors is 11 years which is also a plus more in here, you didn't feel that not for a second.
Both of the leads are a respectful people In their work and their respective jobs of publishing and stock trading play an important role in the story and contribute to the tension besides the usual plot devices for affair dramas. I like that part about their professional career, the whole show was so real with problems on their work, on solving them and although this drama is a romance one with affair going on, that wasn't the only thing and that's why I enjoyed in watching, you get to see every day problems and their daily life at work. And dialogs were written very good, whole screenplay was an intelligent one which is something very very important in dramas.
What I didn't like is his wife Marie, she was one big evil bitch, manipulative one with many complex in her life, she was a typical housewife who didn't do anything in her life except of satisfying her husband and depending on him about every little thing, soooo boring and stupid, I mean where is your life, your hobbies, your time and freedom?! Anyway she was the most awful person in this drama and a main culprit for everything. In the last episode maybe someone would or could somehow understand her but I simply didn't want that because she didn't deserve nor pity nor understanding. At least in my opinion.
Also I find the pacing really fast and just when you think a plot device is too cliched, it quickly moves on. But I didn't like that, I do love more slow pace in these kind of dramas with details, much more story and character development, somehow in historical dramas a fast pace is much more logical but in this one a big no for me. It's like I almost got to use to particular happening, dialog and scene and in the next moment it's one year later. That doesn't work for me.
Oh and the music was fantastic with such a beautiful melody, some tones reminded me of Secret Garden's music and the main song sang by Koda Kumi "Anata dake ga" graved in my heart and I'm still playing a song in my mind.
Overall I liked this drama a lot with its darkness and that old J drama feel, I liked the screenplay, the acting was brilliant from the two main leads, as for the characters I didn't like any of them cause all of them were hungry for power, money or some other things, too much selfishness and emotionless but that is why I found this drama to be different and not an ordinary one. I do recommend it to people who love mature, dark, serious plot and story with great chemistry and some real passion and who don't mind not happy and fluffy endings.
With all its flaws and this show does have them pretty much, I've enjoyed and it was my guilty pleasure.
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Most people will probably want to watch this for the Eita + Matsuda Ryuhei combination, but the humor and the way the drama is filmed is like the cherry on top. I also love the two main characters who are anything but your typical male leads in jdramas.
Lines reflect minimalism. Words are mostly minimal and normal to very dumb sounding conversations that are kept to simple tiny bits of phrases then later on becomes philosophical thoughts and rhetoric questions thrust into the end or in between these seemingly mundane and meaningless conversations and BAM that’s when it hits you hard on the head and in the heart. This also the point where you as a viewer have something similar to a character and then you start to review your life choices and principles in life. In addition, It contains an exploration of the micro socio-economic structures as a work of fiction that highly reflects reality but is never cliched like telenovela but more relevant to real life moral issues and the cause and effects of society.
Mahoro is a very laid-back, simple story of two guys–Gyoten and Tada–who do various odd-jobs around their city. I love the ‘lazy’ feel that Mahoro has. This might sound weird but yeah, Mahoro has this lazy atmosphere which is also quite reflective of Gyoten and Tada’s way of life.
Anyway, the first thing you may notice in Mahoro is the BROMANCE. Yes, it is awesome. And not just because it is Eita and Matsuda Ryuhei together. The thing I love about the bromance is that it is not forced into the drama. It is not there just for some obligatory swoony bromance. Instead Tada and Gyoten feel very natural when they are together and it goes unsaid that they have a really deep companionship and bond. Also the main selling point of the drama is NOT just that there is always eye candy with Eita and Matsuda Ryuhei on the screen. Instead the characters of Tada and Gyoten are very ordinary yet charming at the same time.
At some point in Mahoro, I think you’ll begin to realize that it is way more than just bromance and humor. Mahoro is not only about shipping Tada and Gyoten, it’s not about the weird odd-jobs they do, but it's also about the people that Gyoten and Tada encounter. I guess what I’m trying to say is, Mahoro is not scared to show you things as they are. It’s not scared to go places that might even make you feel a bit uncomfortable. I like that the drama doesn’t sugarcoat anything and simply shows people as they are–flawed human beings. It exposes the dark sides of the characters but also makes sure to show their good sides. Pretty much none of the people that Tada and Gyoten encounter are people you would consider to be ‘admirable’ or ‘respectable’ but the drama always counters this by showing their redeeming quality and vulnerability.
The main leads are brilliant, they were at their best in this drama, they simply shine. Both Eita and Matsuda. How they portrayed their characters, there isn't anyone else who could take the role. Although I'm Eita's fan since forever and love him the most, here Matsuda stole the show with his character of Gyoten, instantly became one of my favourite and dearest charactes ever.
In the show, both Tada and Gyoten are quite similar because they both have a really mellow and laidback personality. They are just chilling and drifting through life. Probably the main difference is that Tada is the one that’s “in charge” and is more conscious about social graces whereas Gyoten is irresponsible and blunt, he is also a lot of fun to watch, not exactly impulsive but he is the kind of guy who doesn’t care about boundaries and is willing to take the initiative to do something. His straight-forwardness can come off as being outspoken in certain situations, but earnest in others. Gyoten is a really good balance with Tada because he can help Tada make quick decisions, and Tada can help keep him out of trouble. He can always turn a seemingly boring situation into a funny one. He still has this running joke of telling all his customers that he and Tada are a couple. The funny part is that he looks completely serious whenever he ‘jokes’ about it and the customers end up believing it. Simply he is outstanding and the most interesting nutty character ever.
I liked all the content of this drama, it was refreshing not just because of the script and of the acting but as a whole cinematic masterpiece. The set were utilized as some sort of subliminal advert placement ala spot the hidden brand sponsor. It was not an annoying ad placement or corporate whoring but was more enjoyable to the viewers at the very least. Things like the clever foreshadowing, timing, and the proper use of mature content with props and all dignified the desperation and tensions in the story in a way never done before in Japanese TV. Even the tracks of the OST were superb pieces of music with lyrics drenched in pain and satire though presented in a funky or chill arrangements. The irony is fine in this one.
Watch this drama if :
- you want to see bromance, bromance, and more bromance between Gyoten (Matsuda Ryuhei) and Tada (Eita).
- you're a fan of Eita & Matsuda Ryuhei (WHO WOULDN’T BE?)
- you like quirky, eccentric dramas
- you are ok with the bromance not being everything in the drama.
For those of you who don’t quite like dramas that are too slow and serious, but still want quality without the sappiness, Mahoro might be for you. You may like this drama more if you like a sort of offbeat, quirky drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
First let me say that this is my first review about some Chinese drama and first review about a historical one. I have recently started to watch Chinese dramas and only watched a very few of them but after this one I'll be definitely watching more. The reason why I haven't watched before is cause of the large numbers of episodes, they're always too long. So you got to have more time for that. Anyway with historical dramas somehow time goes so fast and drama kept that interesting part all the way, not becoming boring at all. At least that was the case with Scarlet heart.And now I'll be starting to write about this magnificent piece. The review will be a little bit long because I really have to say a lot about this drama and how it has captured me forever.
I liked everything. Literally. First of all the story: history, time travell, Qing Dynasty, all those princes and the main girl who had so many different relationship with all of them. Attracted me from the start. Then Liu Shi Sh, she's such a natural beauty, such a delightful creature and amazing actress, I started because of her, the rest of the cast I haven't seen before. But they were all so fantastic and I'll be stalking some of their works for sure from now on. Every one of them portrayed their roles perfectly and without a flaw. I loved the scenery in this drama, oh so many beautiful scenes with snow, snowflakes at night, during the day, seasons changing from refreshing spring with cherry trees and so many beautiful flowers, through the warm autumn with wonderful leaves to the cold winter with white pure snow. The colours were astonishing and I was purely enjoying in that, every scene was so filled with many colours and beauty, it was such pleasure for the eyes. Not to mention the dresses, the coats, hair, make up, all that jewelry, oh I was glued to the screen all the time. ;-) I was even captured by the porcelain and all those wonderful tea cups, I imagined that I drank tea from those cups.
All these things made this drama to be for true one of the best drama ever. But what was the best part of it (still is) and what made this drama so different was the relationship she had with all the princes. It was written exceptionally and I really admire the writer for that. I loved how here we have so much more male leads and roles and less women, I always enjoy and love more when there are more guys in a drama, somehow everything is better, friendship, relationship, more intelligent minds and there aren't annoying and hysterical women who only scream and gossip around. ;-) Anyway in Scarlet heart we got to see so many various and colorful relationship between Ruo Xi and the princes, it simply crawls under your skin and you can't stop but love them all. Every one of them had so important role in a drama and in Ruo Xi life and that was the best part of it. You don't have one perfect man who, let's be honest, doesn't exist in real life, you get to see many men with all their flaws who when you take the best from them become one perfect guy.
What I found to be so fantastically done is that through the whole drama you could see how all of them change, how not everything is sunshine and rainbows, and someone you knew can become someone you can't recognize through time. The drama does an amazing job of showing how greed can poison everything and destroy your loved ones. Yes, the love is in the main focus but it's not only about love, it is a fight between the brothers over the throne, it is a constant battle who will become the Emperor, it involves a politics, some palace intrigues but most of all it keeps you so attached and captivated every moment that you literally lose time about everything and everyone else.
With the love as the center of everything, I would like to say that it was done so incredibly perfect where every characters gets their "5 minutes of glory", of course some of them more, but you really get to see the stories of all of them, how and why they loved who they loved, some loves were sad, some happy, some left with bittersweet taste, some passionate and true to the bone, some one sided and all of them were no matter of their endings, filled with hope and faith.
My heart has won from the beginning 13th prince, from the first second his interaction with Ruo Xi. He was so sweet, free, carefree, a man who will do anything for his brothers without some hidden goal. A guy who was no doubt the best material for her, it was such a pity that they haven't fall in love with each other. But then again, they had the friendship one of a kind - one in which people should envy. A friendship that is unselfish, truthful and doesn’t have ties attached to it. Because their friendship is so strong, they believe in each other no matter what or in whatever circumstances. They never questioned each other and they don’t need to know or hear a reason for anything, simply because they trust each other. He was her soulmate friend.
***** SPOILER ALERT! I will be writing about some parts her relationship with some princes so if you don't want to know nothing then don't read the next lines. *****
As the show progressed I started to like 14th prince, put aside that he was from the start the best looking guy and the tallest one, I meant for his character, I started to like him more and more and in the end I thought why she hasn't loved him? He was kind, strong, loyal, a little fierce, and a tad ambitious. But his defining characteristic for me was his steadfast and unwavering nature. The defining moment for this character for me was when he made a promise to come save the woman he loved if ever she needed him. She had only to send one word and he’d come. And when she called him he came running to her. He’s the type that will stay loyal until the day he dies even if some think he should give up. But he’s also not the type to restrict you and trap you if you want to be free. He was a true man for me and I fell in love with him.
As for the two men she loved, first I would tell something about the 8th prince. He’s so angelic, very gentlemen and always warm to others. It was natural for her to fall for him although she knew she wasn't supposed to. Knowing that he’s gonna have such an ending, she sympathies and pities for him. Rouxi is in a confusion state with her feelings, she doesn’t know if she really likes him or just pity him for his fate. But then she realize that she does have feelings for him. 8th Prince and Rouxi love each other, but not enough to give up everything. It’s a beautiful love story, but they’re not fated to be with one another. It’s a love worth remembering, but it’s a love that can no long be. Somehow I saw him as her protector and she was his, their love was replaced by respect and protectiveness until the end.
As for the 4th prince, that was her love to the core. Their chemistry was undeniably sizzling. Their passionate truly pure love seared through our hearts and souls that we were left heartbroken when they were apart. Their intense love and longing for each other induced us into crying fits when the magnolia flower finally fell off her grip, and when he broke down in tears as he looked at the belongings left behind by his beloved. 4th Prince is always cautious and well-hidden, but to Rouxi, he’s different. He can be honest with her, telling her he wants the throne and such It’s an adorable, yet touching and interesting romance - it’s love. It’s a love, not just worth remembering, but a love that can last a lifetime, even when they’re not together. When 4th Prince finally became Emperor, there were more obstacles standing in their way and more misunderstanding. The more they loved each other, the more they hurt each other. 4th Prince intentions to aim for the throne was so he can protect Rou Xi, but by becoming the Emperor, he needed to maintain his power, which forced him to act in such a way that he ended up hurting the people that Rouxi love and care about. Their peaceful time together was sweet, but short. Their relationship starts to break down, with differences in opinions. They never got around to fix their problems - it escalates even more. Rou Xi becomes more hurt and tired. She still love 4th Prince, but she cannot accept the other princes’ sufferings. They were fated to meet, fated to love, but not destined to be together. And that some cruel fate. But if you ask me, I didn't like this man because he was too much cruel and tyrant, I knew that he loved her but that is not enough. I remember when he said to the 13th prince:" She only cares for others, I only care for her.", you could feel all his powerful and strong love but I just didn't like him as a person and the choices he has made were to much of a cruelty and selfishness.
***** SPOILER END! *****
Character development was awesome. The strongest character and the most pitiful one was Rui Xi. The burden she carried was very big, but she wasn't able to really share her story. And that makes it even more tragic. Ruoxi wanted to love and give, but even though she was cherished in return, she was never able to truly give herself completely. She was a true survivor after all, just trying to make the best of it. She was the most admirable one, smart, strong woman with a good heart who wanted to help others and always protected and helped the princes no matter what. And they helped her, no matter what and how important was the thing they were doing they were always coming to help her and be a support. You could just watch and admire their relationship. Cecilia has done the job brilliant, she's a true great actress. And the others were so great in acting.
Even though this drama was filled with pain, it felt real and it gave you hope at the end. I could completely relate to the most of the characters and why they did certain things, after all it was all about love, passion, friendship. This drama really had such a big impact on me and I would really recommend it to everyone, at least give it a try because I think you won't be regretting. It is a wonderful piece filled with life and making the best of it as much as possible. The story of one dynasty and their princes, their relationship with one girl who came out from other time and changed everything. All of them captured me and made my previous days filled with so many emotions and happiness that I'm really thankful for that. From the bottom of my heart.
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As for the Suzuki, that woman is just too beautiful, I watched her in Tokyo Love Story where she was fantastic but in this drama she was way too brilliant and amazing, I was hypnotized all the time when she was in the screen. Hiroshi as the main guy, I was mesmerized by him, he just know how to portray tormented, lonely, tortured soul with a serious psychological problems, I've seen him in Lipstick and there he was fantastic and I thought that he couldn't play better any role. But I was so wrong. This is for sure, 100 % his best role, the most complex one and I've never seen that kind of acting like his in some drama.
One thing is sure about this drama and that is that there isn't no darker and more depressing Japanese drama than this one. Literally. I've watched many of them, old ones, new ones but like Kono yo no Hate, never. I mean there are no happy things at all, rarely you get to see some smile, some light, well maybe only in the last episode. This is the first drama I saw that there was a drug addict as the main lead and that someone from the top, a married man with career, a famous pianist fall so deep down in a a gutter and become worthless. And that is what fascinated me and wanted to see more and more, how Hiroshi played a heroin addict, you know how Japanese are the masters in creating some drama to be so realistic one, and I really thought that he was on some drugs. He starts from the top, a man with money and power who accidentally meet Mariya and fell in love with her, then the next stage is how he leaves everything for her, they start to live a happy life but not for long because some things begin to happen and slowly everything starts to fall apart. What left me with the most impressions was that man Shido, how he became wreck of a man, you could see how heroin had an affect on him, how he destroyed everything he had and the woman he loved because of that drug. This drama showed us how no matter how much you love someone if you abandon everything, your life, your career for that person and the most important if you lose yourself, start to lose self confidence and doubt in yourself and the woman(man) you love causing to become jealous and obsessive, you'll lose everything and that's when you turn to other vices and destroy your life and all that love you had for someone. It was very difficult for me to watch this drama because I am a person who hates drug in every single way but I always want to hear the stories and to listen to people who have gone through that hell and that's why this drama had such a big effect on me.
As for the main girl Mariya, she was the most gentle, kind and selfless person in this drama, actually the most selfless character I've ever got to meet but not the stupid one. This girl should have a medal for everything she's gone through, she was not typical girl at all, dressed more like a guy with short hair, smoking cigarettes all the time and with a quick temper. But how strong she was, how smart, how she was helping selflessly her sister, her mother, Shido to the very last breath. She was also a very tormented young soul with tragic past and you could easily see through each episode how she was struggling with everything, with all the insults, offensive words, rude behavior and remained strong, positive and cold from the outside, I think she is the woman I truly admire and respect.
In this drama I liked also the side characters, especially the guy with a scar, he was such a hero and cool guy, and I liked it how you get to see their stories, not only of the main couple.
There are no perfect and happy people in this drama, everyone had their own flaws and issues in the brain, simply that is the thing with Japanese, when they make a drama they make it more realistic and more darker than anyone else. And I admire that completely.
Kono yo no Hate is a drama with tragic events, dark issues, depressed atmosphere, crazy people, many tortures souls, with music in the background which suits so good with all the non happy things and happenings, I truly think that this drama is no doubt the most complex one I've ever watched but also a drama with the biggest and strongest emotions ever.
A true love story about a man who had everything and lost everything because of his stupidity, immaturity and jealousy and a woman who didn't have anything and who fought 'till the last breath for the people she loved risking her own life and not stopped believing and trusting her man. The story that showed us how love great and strong can be that nothing couldn't stop or destroy her but that sometimes just love isn't enough.
A true masterpiece for me.
If you look for something very different than all other dramas, if you don't mind real human stories, if you don't mind dark, depressed, problematic and mind issues plot with the complex characters, if you love a full development of how and why things happen and if you love not simply, not fairytale, a very serious and complicated romance story then this drama is a must watch for you. Also what was a big plus to the drama is how at every beginning and ending of an episode, Shido narrates and telling us his own thoughts from the time he met her until the end and you could easily find yourself to understand and feel everything he tells you through those sentences.
For me it was a piece of art. And in the end left me with so many lessons, deep messages and gave me a light in that dark atmosphere.
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