Italophilia

"He placed the entire financial burden on his wife's shoulders and became a stay-home parent." IIRC His wife asked him to so she could focus on freelancing.

@Tayce, I agree with you. Nagisa still loved Rena as a person and could not handle having her torn apart in court. He wanted to give her a chance to get to know Sora the way he had for the past 6 years. He was heartbroken about it but felt that having their daughter know both her parents would be a good thing. And he believed Rena when she said she had stopped drinking, and that Sora is her priority. And as the ending showed, Nagisa was right in his judgment. Sora was no longer neglected. Rena was more in tune with what was going on with Sora and realized she needed her Papa too. Frankly, when you have more adults (aunts, uncles, grandparents, significant others) love and care for your child, the better off everyone will be.

https://youtu.be/ixZIiESNlGM?si=Kuoq41FMTJVAv2zc

Just rewatched on YT https://youtu.be/ixZIiESNlGM?si=Kuoq41FMTJVAv2zc

Late to reply so maybe you have watched it already. I love this movie even though it's flawed and doesn't address everything fully to satisfy all its viewers. IMO, Nagisa goes through a huge development arc from the selfish p.o.s. (everyone seems to be calling him that) to one who realizes what a gift it was to raise this beautiful child, Sora.
Yes, there's courtroom battles, but not too much. It's enough to show us how unfair it is to gay men even though it's illegal to discriminate against homosexuals. Law is one thing; culture is another.
Did Shun forgive Nagisa too easily? I don't judge other people's relationships, because I'm not privy to everything that's between them. From having seen the prequel, they had been together a very long time, then Nagisa goes into this crisis mode and abandons Shun. I'm a sucker for Second Chance Love in dramas, so maybe we shouldn't be asking me. I've seen it work IRL so maybe we let them figure it out.
All I know is this movie managed to make me feel the gamut of feelings available and I cried sad tears and some happy ones. It's heartbreaking and heartwarming.

The prequel was fluffy, which I can enjoy in a different mood. This movie had everything that made me feel all those feelings: joy, sadness, frustration, angst, heartbreak then love for this little girl who managed to make her family whole.

That was when he was young. Things can change in all the years in between.

Nov 19, 2025 on GagaOOLala

Nov 19, 2025 on GagaOOLala

I didn't expect this to be dark and heavy, but I'm here for it.

Supposedly available on Youku
https://so.youku.tv/search_video/q_Transit%20of%20Life?searchfrom=1&isI18n=1

Having her go to him at the end was so meaningful. He was ready to give up, thinking he had no right to ask her for reconciliation. This time, though, it was she who approached him. After crying or being teary for so much of the show, my heart finally felt light.

Looking at this from Pin's POV, she might feel her fiance was "snatched" because he was already promised to her. And she does have feelings for him. Her cousin-brother knew she has feelings for Saen but still flirted with Saen anyway.
Of course I'm rooting for the leads to be together, but I just wanted to offer Pin's POV and how she might feel the loss.

A father's words of wisdom after his smart, independent and very accomplished daughter gets married:
"Remember if one day you realize that people around you have changed. They don't treat you like they used to. You remember there are three don'ts:
- First, don't be dragged down by past relationships.
- Second, don't hope for a change in the future. Those are all futile.
- Third and most importantly, never doubt or blame yourself. All you need to do is make a decision when it's time to make a decision."

def revenge, which I wasn't expecting.

He doesn't know that though. He has assumed that based on overheard calls. He doesn't know those guys are childhood friends and roommates, who say I love you when they're drunk.

To me, Si Yeol seems to have a crush on Kyu Tae [Si Yeol was happy as long as he was happy, even if that meant Kyu Tae was with someone else]. So, seeking revenge on his behalf starts to make more sense.

Supposedly, the drama name is Master Fu's Childhood Sweetheart: Cool and Beautiful.

I don't recall watching the trailer, so it wasn't there to color my expectations while watching the show. I wanted to address a few things:
- "searching for recognition" He Yan explained herself multiple times that being recognized quickly is the fastest way she can progress to get her vengeance. She wants to be a female general in order to challenge He Ru Fei, and she can't do that without being the best.
- "making friends" She's actually not quick to trust. The friends she has made are those who were attracted to her leadership, skill and integrity.
- "teasing her former friend" He's the only one He Yan trusts, having known him in what she calls a "previous life." She feels comfortable with him so much so that she calls him Xiao Jue instead of Commander when they're alone.
- "being a happy-go-lucky person" This is often a facade used by people who have a deep wound. The one person she allows to see her vulnerable side is Xiao Jue.
- "not going back being a woman" I don't see why He Yan shouldn't be allowed to act like a woman. It's bad enough that her own family forced her to live like a man for the family's honor. But to begrudge her for wanting to dress in women's clothing ot to wear jewelry seems petty IMO.

I got hooked from the start and I'm enjoying each episode. Good fight scenes, lots of political scheming. Good chemistry between the leads.