Nice vibes. Light on content. Easy watching.

After episodes 1 and 2 had aired, Kim Ji Woong (Ji Ho Joon) and Yoon Seo Bin (Seo Jae Yoon) sat down together to experience the final cut of their hard work on the show.

Most of the time, they seem to be more absorbed in just watching the episodes for the first time because they don't have much of substance to say (or perhaps are choosing very carefully what to share), so it feels like we're just silently watching these cherry-picked scenes along with them as they occasionally ooh and ah and laugh at something funny. But even though it was few and far between, it is interesting when they do add a little bit of insight into the character acting in specific moments, what was going through someone's mind during filming, or how certain scenes were filmed.

If you're looking for 17 minutes of trade secrets, juicy anecdotes, or the answers to your most burning questions about what it was like on set, this likely won't deliver to your expectations. But if silence doesn't bother you and you're mostly in the mood to sit back, watch the actors' faces and casual comfortable gestures as they process how the editing all came together, and smile along with them, this is probably for you.

It could be a good pre-drama teaser if you're still not sure if the series is to your taste, but it could also be a great post-drama watch, depending on your personal preference for spoilers!

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A reflection on misgendering and gender roles in queer relationships.

Despite the hanging threads and loose ends, this miniseries does a decent job of highlighting queer issues that aren't often discussed through a queer lens in dramas.

Ah Young discovering and coming into her sexuality is a tale as old as time, but through Yoon's thoughts we see another side of the story. Yoon presents as androgynous and is often misgendered as a result; even partners expect her to act "like a man" in their relationship. Although there is too little time to properly explore the topic through the course of these short episodes, we are shown the affect this has on someone who just wants to be seen and accepted for who she is.

Both characters are easy to sympathize with, but I couldn't help putting myself into Ah Young's shoes and being frustrated on her behalf. She is just trying to do her job and figure out why her manager is playing around with her all the time. The lack of effective communication that comes across as mind games really put a damper on my enjoyment of the story because the ending didn't provide satisfying closure.

If you're a fan of the "cool lead picks on the sweet lead to show their feelings" trope, you'll probably wind up liking this. Even through the lack of communication, they do have some very cute moments together by the end. It's definitely worth checking out!

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An unabashedly queer retaliation against bigots.

This short went from 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye. At first, you think you know exactly where it's going... and technically you do... but it suddenly takes a slightly out of pocket turn from serious to comedic. And it's great. It literally and figuratively gives the middle finger to people (particularly men) who think they have a right to women's sexuality.

Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of using harmful stereotypes to fight back against equally harmful stereotypes - fighting fire with fire just hurts everyone in the long run - but I can't help feeling like this short was trying to make that point in its deliberate structuring of that confrontation.

Either way, it's a good laugh and I couldn't help smiling at the ridiculousness. The cartoonish acting and visual effects really are the icing on the top of the cake.

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An interesting concept that leaves much to be desired.

Sadly, the 9 minutes that are available on Youtube are the product of a small production with a shoestring budget, meaning the poster and the description set up higher expectations than what the company was capable of delivering. If this series had been slated for a longer run and been afforded the proper development, it could have been so good.

As it is, the strongest thing this miniseries has going for it is the cozy coffee shop witch aesthetic in the second episode. It establishes the potential for an engaging story about a queer and somewhat timid witch pining for the coworker who always looks out for her and I wish we had gotten two episodes of that instead of the rather confusingly executed "love spell" trope that makes the first episode look like the introduction to a porno. A lot of exposition is unnaturally dumped on the viewer more as an excuse than a proper part of the plot.

If magically-induced questionable consent doesn't make you too uncomfortable and you don't mind lowering your expectations for the messy story structure, you may get something out of this concept.

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A short but sweet story about a love that makes us braver.

If you have ever experienced that moment when you let an animal into your heart and you intrinsically know that there is nothing you wouldn't do for them because your life wouldn't be the same without them... this miniseries might speak to you.

The story introduces some interesting topics for discussion about the cruelty of humans and the societal issues that exacerbate poor mental health, but the very short runtime leaves little room for in-depth exploration. Instead, these two episodes use the time to focus more on the ways that Seulgi and Lea help each other through their fears. It may not break new ground, but it's heartwarming to see.

Admittedly, there is nothing particularly special or outstanding about the soundtrack, but it does feel comfortable and fit the mood of each scene very well. Also, look, I understand that there is an objective way to rate the acting/cast here, but they put the cutest little dog in front of me and my heart is soft! All 10 stars go to Lea for digging my heart out of the trash and running away with it!

So, if you're looking for a helping of fluff that packs a bit of an emotional punch and doesn't ask for a huge time commitment, consider checking this one out!

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A short and to-the-point flip show.

A fair amount of this black-and-white short film leaves the viewer to soak in the ambience of Hokusai's work, asking us to view history through his eyes as well as the eyes of the poets of his time. The narration doesn't say very much, but when it does it's very pointed, drawing our attention to the everyday lives of the working class and the timeless bitterness towards the wealthy class overtaxing them to pay for "hired guns" (in this case, samurai).

The few live action sequences do a good job of demonstrating what the woodblock printing process is like and how it can be used to highlight the perspective that Hokusai strove for, yet I can't help thinking about how much impressive depth is lost in the absence of Hokusai's vivid colors.

Overall, it is a decent sampling of what Hokusai's portfolio has to offer and worth a look if you're curious.

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Romance with a twist!

This short story starts with some light comedy as Zhao Xiaoyu cheerily goes about her Shixiong-given mission to stick as close to Sect Leader Ye as possible and defeat any perceived challenger for her affection. It soon develops into a light romance montage of beautiful cinematography, pretty special effects, and a quick but fun fight scene which propels the two together. The costuming and atmosphere are gorgeous enough to pull you in before you even realize that the feelings have crept up in such a short amount of time. The characters have such natural chemistry that it's easy to believe a romance has been brewing and the twist ending is the cherry on top of this wuxia sundae.

With such effective storytelling and visual appeal, I don't even mind that it's not a full-length series.
That being said, I would absolutely watch a full-length series about these characters in a heartbeat.

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Timeless love between a demon lord and an elf.

This special lays down the groundwork for an intriguing story about a demon lord pining to be remembered by an elf she loves dearly. But how did they end up in this situation?

Part 1 introduces a question from the elf's current perspective and then the demon lord takes us back to their past in Part 2 to provide the answer. Each part is shot and narrated in such a way where the actors dub lines over their scenes, yet the characters don't always move their mouths to speak even though they are talking to each other. Despite the many blurred lines this direction creates, it doesn't feel like any part of the story has been lost. Instead, it comes across as an interesting stylistic choice that suits the music video/compilation aesthetic of this fast-paced, short-form content.

If you find yourself in the mood for a vaguely wuxia-themed fantasy, this one has a plot that is easy to follow and beautiful scenes to momentarily lose yourself in. Just be prepared to end the video wanting more to sink your teeth into.

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A straightforward PSA about living single.

Remember being in school and gathering for assembly so the teachers or guest speakers could pop in a VHS about fire safety, stranger danger, or how to say no to drugs?

That's what watching this miniseries felt like. From the preachy dialogue right down to the cheesy acting, the often over-exaggerated version of reality it presents to us tries very hard to explain the harmful side-effects of giving in to peer pressure and forcing a life of dating on someone who does not want to participate in it.

To its credit, it does summarize and clearly lay out the facts:
Just because someone's life doesn't look exactly like yours doesn't mean they aren't fulfilled by it.
Platonic love (for a person or a pet!) is just as important and fulfilling as romantic love and neither one should be valued more highly than the other.
Forcing yourself to date someone when you know you aren't interested will only hurt both of you in the end.

Admittedly, perhaps the preachy, in your face, no room for interpretation nature of the series is unfortunately needed in order to get the point across to the people it's trying to reach. It's short, surprisingly sweet, and to the point. So, overall, it will probably do a lot of good for those who need to hear what it has to say.

Also, Bo-ram and Oi the cat are the best characters. You can't prove me wrong. <3

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Horticulture for the soul.

A few scenes and hanging threads were never explained, possibly only established in the hope that the series would garner enough attention to carry through with a second season, but we didn't come here for plot. We came here to achieve emotional healing from the comforting vibes of nature on display!

On the one hand, an attempt is made to take four different people from different walks of life and demonstrate how plants can be a therapeutic part of the healing process for them. Together with their plants, they learn how to care for each other and themselves... and I am a sucker for a good found family, so this hit the spot. The genuine chemistry between the characters is wholesome and comforting.

On the other hand, the in-universe therapy class is being pushed so hard that an unfortunate implication pops up - that horticulture therapy is a substitute for medical treatment - due to how some of the characters seek it out as a type of anti-medication solution to their very serious mental health struggles. Honestly, I can't say if this is the show's intention or if it was just another part of the attempt to show how this type of therapy can be a good choice for certain people. The short runtime of the series does it no favors by speedrunning the characters' recovery process so that if you aren't paying close enough attention it can feel like they're insinuating that plants and gardening are a miracle cure.

Regardless, it is worth a watch if you like to see characters supporting each other through the healing process, don't mind the presence of a very subtly hinted at romance bubbling under the surface, can overlook some unanswered questions, and are curious to learn about some plants and the things that can be made with them along the way.

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This glorified advertisement is accidentally queer and needs more tarot.

If you're like me, you're probably wondering what the title "The Witch's Eye" means.

Yes, there is a character who could be considered a witch, she is the proprietor of a tarot shop where she reads her customers to filth (as the cards often do), and she occasionally demonstrates her powers when posed against supernatural threats. And sure, there are some cool glowing eye special effects here and there, but what does HER eye specifically have to do with the plot?

But then you start to notice some recurring details.
Da Bit is an influencer who starts her day advertising colored contacts.
Supernatural characters' eyes glow when something significant is about to happen.
Several characters wear glasses and we even get a look at Do Hee's gorgeous collection of frames.
And the breadcrumbs start to fall into place just in time for Davich Optical Chain to rise up from the shadows like the final boss and slap you with the "IT WAS ME ALL ALONG!" dramatic reveal.

The writer(s) tried so hard to incorporate it organically into the plot, but poor Sung Jun's out here sounding like a PSA for eye exams all of a sudden. I thought he was about to drop another tragic backstory on us when he hits us with a pitch for why optometry is an important career path instead. Joke's on you, Davich Optical, I was squinting at my laptop screen for the entire 1hr17min runtime instead of wearing my glasses like I was supposed to!

Overall, the plot is compelling and the mystery it introduces was built up rather well so that it makes sense seeing the pieces gradually come together. While the female leads have far more mutual chemistry than the relationship with the love interest, this story is sadly not a queer one... even though other characters almost seem to acknowledge that it could have been.

So, if you're interested in series that explore karma, past lives, and meddling deities - and you don't mind being shamelessly advertised to when the story comes to an awkward temporary halt about halfway through - this one may suit you pretty well. In spite of every other nitpick, my one true complaint is that there was not enough tarot in that tarot shop. The tiny glimpse we got of the cards looked so good! I need more!

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Great characters, familiar plot, confusing execution.

Don't you just hate it when your ex comes back from the dead to steal the pet you lovingly raised together after catching a glimpse of you with your new side piece?

This whole season hinges on a pretty confusing and significant misunderstanding.

The finale of season 1 showed Yu Ling Feng actively trying to save Chu Ye from falling to his death and ultimately failing as Chu Ye pries his hand away. This season begins with Wu Ye swearing revenge on Yu Ling Feng for abandoning him and living in peace for 10 years, which leaves anyone paying close attention feeling like they've missed a significant part of the story.

The intended arc of the season is pretty standard for the genre it's having fun with and I do appreciate the tongue-in-cheek jokes about their production budget along the way, but the fact that it doesn't make sense for Wu Ye to jump to that conclusion after what he witnessed begs the audience to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the ride until episode 32 delivers a half-baked answer. Look, I love a good "betrayal" plot thread as much as the next person who lives and breathes angst, but this plot device could have been executed much better. I mean, maybe it would have worked if Yu Ling Feng HADN'T risked his life to try to save him or if we'd been allowed to see more of Wu Ye's inner turmoil as he came to this conclusion.

But at the end of the day, it's an easy story to turn your brain off for and the characters are so endearing I'm willing to give it a pass simply by nature of being entertaining. Just... maybe brace yourself for the finale because the plot decides to throw comedy to the wind and make a lunge for the audience's hearts (and maybe our brains as well).

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Love in the rain transcends gender.

No matter which way it plays out, this scenario did not sit well with me.

This is a scene picked straight out of someone's trusty fanfic arsenal and yet, despite the actors trying to play the dynamics slightly differently for each couple, I felt like I didn't know enough about who they were or their relationships with each other to truly care about them as characters or want to see them kiss. Instead, I found myself recoiling from secondhand awkwardness and wishing Jimin could just escape already because anyone making those kinds of sudden advances raises all sorts of red flags in my book.

The dialogue exchange is incredibly awkward and the acoustics in that one stairwell must be wild because it sounds like the first two scenes were recorded inside a tin can. I guess it did accurately capture the feeling of being trapped while hiding from the rain with someone you aren't super close to, so I'll give it that!

To this short film's credit, I appreciate the intended message behind the juxtaposition of these scenes - love happens, regardless of gender - so in that way it's admittedly sweet. The first two scenes were practically the same right down to the "non-con is just a joke" bit, which combined with the echo to activate my fight or flight instinct, so the strikingly different way the third scene was played (despite following the same script) caught me off guard. I can't tell if I liked it a smidge better only because it subverted my expectations or if the slightly improved production for that segment contributed.

The sound quality makes a miraculous recovery here, so perhaps that's why the chemistry started to feel a bit more natural to me. The lack of an echo makes the characters seem closer, as though they're nervously feeling out the space between them while their curiosity and interest grows. I'm still not a huge fan of the setup for the aforementioned reasons, but at least it felt like I was watching something a little bit new happen.

All in all, this is a fine short to watch on a rainy day, but it's just not for me and that's okay!

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Gorgeous visuals make up for everything.

If you read "set within the universe of the martial arts MMORPG Justice Online" in the description and worried that you were missing important context, fear not!

I have never played Justice Online - and I hear that it's a premium only game anyway - but if you've played one wuxia-themed MMORPG before you get the basic idea. It is an eye-catching world of fantasy and martial arts, where the characters belong to sects that compete in trials/competitions and train to be the very best so that they may one day be harbingers of justice.

Fortunately, you don't need to know anything about Justice Online or the novel it is based on to get swept up in the atmosphere of this short story. Instead, you can sit back and treat yourself to a collection of scenes where a student and her teacher bicker about anything and everything. The dialogue seems to hint at some kind of emotional love triangle with another character that isn't featured - perhaps a reference to an NPC or an in-game mechanic, but it didn't affect the narrative beyond piquing my curiosity a bit.

Overall, the hair and costumes are immaculate, making this non-story worth every second of screen time and honestly I would recommend it for that alone. The short film itself has the same energy as a fan project and I can't help the nostalgia it gives me for the days when I enjoyed playing games like this with my friends.

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