Tho it’s a remake of the 1960 film, this boast adaptation to the current social ground. I think it is unique, decidedly sensual, risky pleasures, subtle, mysterious, thrilling.
Admirable acting from the artists, and exemplary production work is visible.

This film gives out a surreal sense of deranged domestic privilege with added mystery and subtle chaos.
The graphic sex scenes radiate an uncommon heat that is not typical for Korean film work.

The ending scene is similar to David Lynchland, won’t leave you breathless, tho it delivers a consistently odd angle.

This series may not be deserving of a 10 rating but definitely not deserving of anything less than a 5 in my opinion.

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Fluffy, adorable, light & sweet

Enjoyed this short series. Just enough to make you see pink bubbles. Nothing heavy to give you a roller coaster of emotion. It’s just a relaxing treat for your Friday or Saturday night.

Given that most artists here are newbies and still raw with their acting skills, it’s very obvious that they put a lot of effort to do their best. With more projects, I am sure these young men will honed their acting skills to produce excellent work.

I love the music for this series. It’s perfect for the series: light and sweet.

I understand what some review meant with multiple focus. For a 24 minute per episode and only 8 episodes, this series tackled two relationships plus other life issues of each character. I see it as the Director being a genius with his craft to accomplish this.

By the end of the series it’s that “Awwww, I want more” expression.

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Jackie Chan & Yang Yang can’t go wrong

What I love:
The cast and their character portrayal
No mushy romance & love story
Action packed but not gruesome
Filmed in Middle East - remote locations in telling a story is always a plus for viewers
Story is pretty simple but the way action was executed, it made the story exciting.
Love they did alternatives in using animals in filming and made it obvious they are not real to avoid animal rights complaints. I rather they did it this way than go through all the trouble so No, this is seen by others as a negative But I see it as a plus. Entire filming were excellent that small flaw like this (which avoided any issue with activist so it served the production well) can be overshadowed by the action packed movie.

What I didn’t care for:
I think the international actors could have been chosen better. Mediocre in acting.
That’s it!
☺️
P.S. Yang Yang is so handsome in films like this and period drama. He can be the Asian James Bond♥️

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Box of Tissue Required

This started gloomy then became fun then ended in so much tears.
I’m recommending that if you haven’t seen this series, 20 episodes is not too much to invest time on. You either like it or you don’t. Hang in there til episode 5 at least if the beginning is too slow for you. It gets better and then you’ll be hooked.

The ending left me bewildered and maybe someone can explain: she came back to the future and for a year have been dreaming of Goryo adventure. She sells perfume and the guy who looked like the Goryo astronomer came to her telling her what her last name means in Goryo time. Came across the museum and then realized she’s a reincarnation. Started crying. It ended with The portrait transitioning to Goryo period. That’s it. It’s not a happy ending folks, confusing ending to me.
Overall it is an excellent film - so enjoy.

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Well buried plot

*series still airing so I am reserving edit and final review when the series is complete.

Watching as paid subscriber of iQIYI
There is alittle spoiler but nothing major

After enjoying MJTY with Zhang Ling He playing the male lead, Qi Xiao Xuan I can't pass this series of course. He plays a totally opposite character here: serious and cold henced he is nick named Ice Cube by Hu Zi played by Jiang Long. Jiang Long has played a lot os support roles in the past so it is refreshing to see him on a lead role like this. He is portraying the role well so far.

I am halfway through the 36 episodes and I still cant guess what the real plot is in this story.
Theres so many twists and turns that I am unable to have a solid thought as to what is being planned and who actually is the REAL villain. Tho so many murders have been directed by female elder who looks so young, it still gives me the sense that somehow she has a righteous reason.
We get that Hu Zi is the tiger, and possibly Xiao Xuan is the crane but again, halfway through and I have no idea if Xiao Xuan is a mortal or a demon if he is a crane. His sect kills all demons without distinguising good or bad. Being a demon automatically means not good.

I like the friendship story here and glad that romance js light and not heavily focused on.

Let me praise casting and director and the actress herself who played the sister of Xiao Xuan- I truly hate her lol

The scene set and wardrobe are wonderful and fits the story well. You can telm production worked hard to make every scene remarkable and fitting.

Initial credit music is catchy and fun - I LOVE IT!

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Starts slow then awesome

I’ll edit this review once I complete the entire series. I just want to share something to those ?reading? a review to decide if they’ll watch this or not.
Granted it starts pretty slow and doesn’t grab your attention right away but by episode 5 you’ll be anticipating the next episode.
The story is far fetch but artistically entertaining. Most cast were pretty good with their acting and convincing.
I’m on episode 8 and the attachment between the leads is just starting so don’t expect any amazing fireworks right away. Story is being told in a slow manner and I didn’t mind it on this series.
The period costumes used is also interesting.
So far, by episode 8, it’s showed clearly that attachment even not bonded by label, is blind of gender distinction.
I can’t wait to watch all episodes. By episode 8 it’s still not clear how the relationship will progress. It’s one of those drama series that’s unpredictable

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Learned, endeared, and appreciated

This series isn't the type of series I would have queued to watched. I started watching this because of Zhao Lusi. It dragged for me in the beginning and i found it to be different from a typical series I have watched. Regardless of the story or theme, seies usually flowed showing relevant scenes. If once in a while I come across a "so-so" series, it'll have irrelevant scenes thats added as a filler & didnt make sense to be added...like it was a waste of time. This series has a lot of scenes like conversations within family, colleagues or friends that we can say not necessary but actually helped carry the series.
I found some comments here regarding romance in this series immature.
This series is not about romance. It is there but itll be slow and tho you know it is coming, it came towards the end - to me, it was placed perfectly.
It will be slow for viewers as they start watching it and you'll feel you are trying to hold on for something good but eventually you'll stick to it because you anticipate the next banter between husband and wife, talks between grandson and grandpa, naughty exchange of TouTou with her master, learning about Meng Mengs condition, techniques to help live, learn TCM, etc.
This series will guide viewers with open mind how to live better, and healthier. It is educational at the same time entertaining.
It is not a perfect series, but it is one that if you give it a chance, you will stay til the end.
The characters in this series evolved flawlessly and artists all did an exemplary job in each their roles. The casts meshed well with each other. Casting director deserved his paycheck for his work here.
Production was just awesome ? Location chosen were all ? that I cant help imagine the hardships production encountered.
Overall, it is a series I will highly recommend. Don't get impatient watching because by episode 10, you will pick up things you would try to help you live a better life even in a small way.

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Harem Drama

*The time I am giving this review, the series is still ongoing so I might edit this after the series ends.*
Nothing typical with this series

This is a story of a lady who is carefree and vibrant, who has a doctor beau and then got entered by her mother in selection for a concubine for the Prince. Now, it is not typical young prince. He is an older prince with many adult sons who are mostly married and have numerous concubines.

The FL looks so much like the consort of this prince who died 30 years ago giving birth to the now heir and the selection is for a consort who looks like this dead consort for this aging prince.

This is where the drama starts that changed a carefree and vibrant lady into a woman trying to get out of a mess consistently.

There is not a lot of martial arts here, only one doing any is Huang You Ming who played the part of Lu Bei Yi (the doctor ex-beau of FL). Its very minimal martial arts.

As so the casts, I have seen ML Peter Ho in a lot of period series, and most times, he played a role of a carefree support character. I find his roles quite fitting for him. He seems to be a natural when it comes to those kind of roles. It closely resembles his role here but not to the full extent. I am actually confuse sometimes as to why his character was written to be a man who plays dumb but sometimes smart, and emotionally responds to certain situation in a way one would not expect or confusing. One sample is his son with his first wife being killed and he went berserk towards FL Lou Qing Lian but when his son with FL was miscarried at 8 months, he didnt investigate nor did he react anywhere like he did with 1st son (when this happens he was already in love with FL). When he found out his brother, the heir has something to do with it, he didn’t react towards his brother and was more focused that the 4th brother setting up this heir brother. Mind you, this heir brother did a lot of nasty things towards him. This made me confuse as to the way this chatacter was written. He even spent and risked a lot to keep this brother as the heir.

The rest of the story revolves around the harem, plots, tricks, friendship, enemies etc.

The rest of the characters and story is alright. It is interesting enough for me to keep watching. I love the first wife of ML. I think her character is the best in this series.



As to the artists playing the roles, I find nothing wrong with it. Most viewers are so used to seeing beautiful, young actors in a drama that when someone like Peter Ho plays the part, theres criticism bound to come up. I think he is a good actor and played his character well. Chemistry wise, its not exploding in chemistry but it is good enough.

The production part as in wardrobe and sets, all I have are positive words and compliments. One thing tho personally, I am not digging the FL's hairstyle by episode 15 (hehee its just my own taste). Don't expect grand palaces and sprawling mansions. But all the same, you can tell the sets in each scenes were done very creatively and efficiently.
One other odd thingbis the appearance of Madam De - the mother of ML who never appeared nor had a say before when FL was jnitially brought in the mansion then midway of the series was the hating on FL for lookingnlike thebold consort who she blames for the prince not visiting her anymore.

The background scene music is not that great for me. The credit music is alright but could have been better.

It is worth the watch I think. At least try 6 episodes and you can decide if it is for you.

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Good Concept, Poor execution

I am not being fair for dropping this before watching the entire series so my review may not hold water.
my POV: if there is no distinction between human and AI, what made the protagonist accept this AI when he is a recluse and introvert? The set setting is not matching the concept. AI is supposed to be aiding emotionally but so far, what I have seen was the AI being a physical help. The AI doesn't seem to be set with boundaries and has overflowing emotions - more than the human. The concept hooked me but lost me when I didn't see the execution matching the idea. I might have a preconceived notion of an AI that is clouding my judgment, so I may not be being fair.

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Typical Teenage Japanese BL

Review:
Don't include story summaries as users have already read the plot summary.

{{$t('Write why you liked or disliked.')}}
Actors - fine looking young lads

Acting - can be improved

A bit quirky acting

Do not post major spoilers as you'll just ruin the show for the readers who are thinking about watching the show.

'Do not add spoilers to the headline!

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

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Too long for me

66 episodes that I thought I will enjoy because I love all Dee Renjie works however, this dragged for me.
It may be because I have seen all the recent Dee Renjie works that this click for me. The story was slow and the romance added seemed forced. I may be biased because I prefer mystery without an added romance. There was more chemistry between renjie and the empress than the female healer that us supposedly his love interest.
The character of Dee Renjie here seems off from the typical Dee Renjie character played.

This is available in YT to watch for free.

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Well choreographed fight scenes

In some scenes, I felt like I was watching through the eyes of the charcoal ? you have to watch to understand what I mean.

If not for the story, stay to watch the fight scenes that were excellently choreographed. The very end scene with the sword pointed at Prince Qi's neck was awesome.

The story is good too. It has a nice ending and it didn't disappoint. Production's hard work is evident in this movie from scene sets, props, lighting, and wardrobes. Everything were done well to help tell a vivid story.

One beautiful scene was the dancer performing beautifully during a siege and not stopping complete with a smile kn her face.

The synopsis made it sound simple and boring but it is far from it.

I recommend for costume and period viewers.

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Could have been edited better

Pack some patience when watching

Multiple stories of different characters wasn't shown relevance with fluidity.
There's a scene that was repeated.
The transition of scenes weren't smooth.
To surmise, it's a chaotic way of telling the story of demons who take over human bodies and are openly living in society but being hunted by demon hunters/alchemists which do not make sense to me.
A man who was saved by the cat he took care, sold her out. His reasoning was absurd and the story showed him as someone who cares for the cat, even stealing fish for her. So sending her to her death out of the blue didn't make sense.
This could have been a good fantasy movie if it was directed and edited well. Best part of the movie is the fight scene between the demon cat and alchemist.
The set scenes were great and wardrobes used were beautiful. Production did a great job in this aspect. The ending credit song is nice and sweet.

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