Monkimajik
Its like eating a communion wafer
This is the most Bland drama that I've watched this entire year.There are multiple plot twists that have no payoff and hold no bearing over the story.
You'll be told the most sad or depressing thing about a character only to find out in an episode or two they'll be fine and it never really mattered anyways.
Its strange.
Relationship takes FOERVER TO GET GOING. Too much back and forth and the side stories were not compelling.
I feel like the show would have felt fresh and mature maybe like 10 or 20 years ago.
But we know how childhood romance dramas go, we've seen a hundred and this was one of the blandest.
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Great! until halfway through.
This show had so much promise while airing! I really liked the first half and was genuinely invested in everything going on.Once we pass a certain point this shows gets dumb. It's nonsensical twists and people causing drama for no reason and of course theres a murderer fresh outta prison lurking around for the last 4th for no reason...
But I loved that this a rom-com for adults that handled most of its romances well. Plus its hilarious. Eps 1-4 are almost perfect.
BUT I HATE all the cameos in this show. Its so distracting and unnecessary. I don't need to see characters from your other shows from like 5 years ago or the actor from a sh**tier drama that came out earlier this year.
You could dedicate that time to the characters from THIS story.
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Its ok.
Pretty basic and nothing life changing. Its supposed to be a comedy and it is really funny at times but the jokes can be over the top and irritating.I liked the premise and loved all the characters it just frustrating to see how shallow and mediocre it was. But it delivers on what you expect and gives you a little more. I liked it and I may revisit it.
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Almost there.
The Double is a pretty good drama. For the first 15 episodes I would have said that this show was on its way to being as good as Love Like the Galaxy.But it's not quite good enough to fill that LLTG Hole.
The positive things I have to say are endless, because this is an example of when you can feel every ounce of effort that was crammed into this show. The cinematography was amazing, there are so many shots that are screen saver worthy. The consistent use of flowing fabrics, wind and flower petals made my eyes pop open on more than one occasion. The fight choreography was on point too, it's almost comparable with Blood of Youth and fighting is the whole point of that show. The music also slapped. Be it a bgm or the featured artists it was always a pleasure to listen to whatever was coming out of my speakers. I did add more tracks to my playlist, and that's always the mark of great music.
I have the highest praise for the actors, there's not a single person in this show who was not giving a stellar performance as well, the direction and cast's chemistry was great! I feel like there are so many scenes where I can't imagine another actor replacing any of our main characters. This along with the initial writing in the first quarter of the show made the story so compelling! Everything just made sense, and I really liked that.
On the other hand it's hard to overlook the flaws of this drama. I think it can be overly dramatic and prioritize visuals over telling it's story in a more useful way at times. I also think that the pacing of the show could have been better. The 1st through 15th episodes are clearly aware that this story has a time limit and all the events flow evenly… But once we pass that halfway mark the plots take forever to resolve and get more and more choppy. I especially despise the final episode which unnecessarily kills off some characters in the dumbest and most abrupt ways. I didn't care for the drawn out reunion that we don't even really get to see. It's gore and murder and then a flower field and the FL looks into the camera and this hefty 40 episode monstrosity ends… Just. like. that…
I felt that there were so many moments where I wanted something more, something deeper, something intricate to happen and for the writing to be just a little smarter in how all of these characters related to each other.
I didn't care for it…
but the beginning was amazing so I can't rate it that low. I'd recommend it! But this is not on Love Like the Galaxy or Love and Redemption's level. Those stories kept you hooked until the very end and had very satisfying endings that didn't need unneeded shock value for its finale.
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Ah mannnnnn!
Oooo boy!If you have watched Princess Agents then KNOW that this show is nothing like that. It feels like They knew the fans of these leads could not take another sad ass drama with an ending that would make you end up in an asylum.
THIS is the FIRST Chinese Xianxia drama to make me more invested in the immortal/demon realm plot than what had happened on the mortal plane. Usually I'm gagging for that mortal trial trope 10 episodes in but not THIS time. I thought the meet cute was pretty well done and I loved the chemistry between Shen Li and Xing Zhi. I really enjoy it when the FL is the straight man in a relationship. Although Xing Zhi is a wise and elderly deity, he's also the youngest one of his kind. He's capable of being powerful and playful all at once. Shen Li's direct personality and serious nature mingle so well with Xing Zhi's. Her nature doesn't relax until she is with him freely.
It's a star crossed lovers story that works well, the romance is top tier and its progression is very natural and enjoyable. I can totally buy why they can't be together and yet it's so satisfying to see them attempt to do it anyway.
This show has some great side characters who all have their own mini arcs where they grow as people and end the show as better individuals, they also add a lot to the humor because the show is HILARIOUS. The music was so good that I added some tracks to my ost playlist!
The bad thing about this drama are the villains…
Nothing any of them did was particularly compelling to me. Theres a betrayal that was supposed to be surprising… but it wasn't… Nothing relating to villians goals or actions seemed logical and I found myself skipping through their scenes late into the drama. I also didn't enjoy the flash back/ back story… I was curious but that too was kinda meh.
I adored the ending though, it's such a relief to watch my leads be happy AFTER all the melodrama is over. This show is rewatchable… but only for the romance.
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Rare good J-drama
It's a case of the week show with a central story that is very compelling. It's more than just serial killers every episode. There is a wide variety of cases a d it's satisfying to see how they'll be resolved. I love the dynamic between the character and I'm a big fan of the lack of romance.Just really solid in a way that J-dramas struggle with these days…
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Damn good
This show was an insane roller coaster that makes use of sooo many old school tropes all at once.The crazy part is that it works.
This drama is a hilarious and wild ride with an overarching mystery that involves every main and side character. The story makes perfect sense and progresses as logically as it can allow itself to…
I had a lot of fun and will certainly revisit it in the future. OMFG it's so cheesy and satisfying. The action and music are great and it's vibe reminded me of Chief Kim at times. Imagine Nam Goongmin in heels.
That's the show. It's great filler fodder while you wait for something else to update.
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Amazing
This show is so good and I was not expecting it at all. A lot of the things I wanted from Lovely Runner were given to me (finally) in this drama.The cast is filled to the brim and I still love every single character. The work that the writing put in to make SURE you know every character is so apparent. I loved the leads and ALL of the secondary romances. For once we don't have an awkward ending for the 2nd ML, he gets his own happy ending that is set up so well. This care is put into every storyline and I appreciated it so much.
Also this show is so freaking funny.
My main compliment is to the meaningful commentary that this show makes about the entertainment industry and fandom culture. It does a great job of highlighting how fandom culture strips a lot of celebrities of their freedom and humanity in exchange for the fame and wealth that they enjoy. There are multiple episodes that touch on that while cleverly utilizing its setting and premise to facilitate that… This drama also talks about celebrity depression and how fandom behavior contributes to that. While watching the characters reconcile their feelings about the tragedies of life you do the same… I did cry, I felt better after.
Anyways, great STUFF.
Will rewatch soon.
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A cut up
I'm not sure why but it took me FOREVER to finish this show.Overall it's really good for a costume drama… My biggest problems were the costumes. Some of the fabrics look like they were printed polyester and that always took me out. The secondary villain is also a huge problem for me. Every action he took just made me wanna bang my head against my tv because I could never understand his line of logic… Why even try to understand crazy people I guess?
The drama is just really engaging and consistent. I found myself always caring about what was going on. When the leads experienced loss then I did as well. I cried while watching this show, it made me feel true anguish at times and lighthearted at others.
Its also the first Xu Kai led drama that I have liked since 2019's The Legends which isn't as tightly put together as this is.
Give it a chance.
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Its pretty decent
QoT is a pretty good drama. I think that it starts off stronger than it ends… but it's still a great experience.The best part of the show is of course the main leads. I really love that the lead characters complement each other so well. Hyun Woo's intelligence, gullibility, and caring nature fits so well with Hae In's hidden vulnerability, arrogance, and willpower. This is the couple who got the fairy tale ending and then lost the plot shortly afterwards. The main point of this story is getting this couple back to square one and I'm in support of using a progressive brain cancer to do so.
I'm in love with the writing, its very well put together with so many memorable and heavy lines that are buried in my head. It was always moving me every episode. The side characters were all so fleshed out and all of them got satisfying moments that made them seem like real people to me. They made mistakes, did hurtful things, and could be selfish and ignorant while doing so… but they didn't usually stay that way.
This show praises its characters for changing and punishes anyone who doesn't make and effort to be a better person… I like that… a lot.
On the other hand this show is REALLY overly dramatic sometimes and I'm not a total fan of the ending. It seems so lackluster compared to all the buildup.
Its still better than 90% of Rom coms this year, and it's definitely rewatchable.
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Loved it
When dramas are slow, sensual, and depressing, then they're for me. I really like this show and the progression of the characters relationships and the story. Suzy was such a wonderful surprise, her portrayal of a downward spiraling kpop idol was amazing. If you think this show was slow and boring then thats valid.... I just so happen to prefer slow and boring.If this show is your vibe then I def recommend
Do you like Brahms?
Moonshine and Valentine (a bad c drama, beware)
Something in the Rain
Just Between Lovers
Encounter
Run On...............
All of these have that more mature vibe and slow progression. I'll rewatch a bad show of the build up is good. Mmmm so good.
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Great Detective.
This drama has a great vibe, but some of the mysteries can be hit or miss. I love our detective and how he operates...It's a short but decent japanese mystery anthology with mature materials and genuinely Goosebumps inducing moments.
It's not the best but it's definitely worth rewatching some of the episodes for the stories.
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......
At first I thought that this would be another reincarnation drama but it's actually rather refreshingly a time travel story with Supernatural elements. There's an overarching mystery and plenty of Comedy to balance the tragic moments. I liked how some of the characters had dual natures that the audience couldn't really understand until more information was revealed. I loved the pretend marriage trope, it's just not done enough these days.On the flip side.... I was hard to care or focus towards the end.... Its got another jealous 2nd female lead of course, and there are still reincarnation tidbits.
Lee Seyoung can do no wrong.... and this drama was a cute watch...
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I'm ashamed to admit that I liked it
I was ragging on this show for the first couple of episodes. Then episode 5 came and I did a complete 180. I think it's really funny that this B grade drama has more commentary on societal issues then a lot of the biggest melodramas right now. It was surprisingly fun and I will definitely rewatch it. Also the chemistry was hit or miss but the hits were really hitting.I love that this isnt 16 episode. I'm so glad the creators were self-aware and understood that not everything needs to be dragged out for for two or four more episodes
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" Are you okay? You haven't touched your reincarnation."
One of the more interesting ideas that just kinda landed flat?I genuinely had a lot of admiration for the drama and liked it quite a bit at first… The concept is so cool but the backstory and lack of chemistry between the leads was what ended it for me. The mysteries were intriguing but once you get to the later episodes things fall apart…. It's okay but I'd never take the time to revisit it.
The cast was amazing though. Like... really good. Its worth watching for the spectacle.
I'm just really tired of reincarnation.
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