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pammo1949

Melbourne, Florida

pammo1949

Melbourne, Florida
Completed
My Demon
14 people found this review helpful
Jan 20, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.5

A wonderful journey from hell to heavenly love.

I am not a regular K drama viewer anymore so I cannot say this dama was a cliche type of drama. It was recommended by a friend so I decided to watch it since there appeared to be a lag in good dramas during the Xmas period. I was pleasantly surprised at the content and I just enjoyed every minute of each week. The storyline brought me back to savor the progression of the relationship and the consequences of their polar opposite that attract circumstances to overcome. Visually the drama was outstanding and the stylist did a great job on all of the characters something that always irks me when a CEO or financially privileged character is dressed like they were shopping in a bargain basement. This was not the case throughout the drama and it added to appeal.

The acting: Superb and worth a high rating. The chemistry was just HOT HOT HOT between the leads and their interactions were natural and did not feel forced. The secondary couple was cute and the actors that laid roles that were not the most appealing in the character they played had a compelling joy of contrasting evil vs good. Overall the FL and ML complimented each other which made this drama very satisfying to watch. Perfect casting. Excellent scriptwriter. CGI and Cinematography were all visually pleasing.

The music -- I was not distracted by music so it was fine and was not overdone or inappropriately injected into scenes as to make the viewer annoyed.

Rewatch value: Would rewatch since it was 16 episodes not binged. Some characters would be more enjoyable to watch the second time around -- the ML and FL assistants; the "gang members" the family members and their acting and roles. Very entertaining drama and I would recommend it to any viewers who enjoy love stories, push and pull situations, and overall pure romance situations throughout the 16 episodes (drama was appropriate length) -- no dragging or fillers.

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Completed
Love's Lies
8 people found this review helpful
Jun 18, 2018
44 of 44 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 4.5
I feel like a Monday morning quarterback writing a summary of my feelings again. Another Chinese drama that starts off with so much potential and a talented male lead actor, but unable to find a pathway to credibility or viewer satisfaction with the outcome. First, the story, -- It had a fairy tale feel in the midst of a very serious subject - drug trafficking. Most of the plot was unbelievable and the viewer typically abandons -- but I am always hopeful that there will be a point of redemption with a story this complicated yet written as if the viewer is simple minded. The acting - tortured because of the female lead. The first time I watched a drama and wanted the lead eliminated violently and early. Poor casting of the leads in this drama. The music was okay - repetitive OST for opening., not a drama that would be infused with music. Wouldn't recommend re-watching. Overall, would not recommend this drama unless you have time to waste. If you have already started watching and invested more than 75% of your time, , I do recommend finishing it so you will understand why you should always wait for some genre's of drama to be completed and reviewed before diving in -- it is called the river of no return.

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Completed
Cruel Romance
8 people found this review helpful
Mar 16, 2016
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
Just a warning. This drama has the most luscious male lead I have seen in a drama. That said I felt the rest of the cast lacked the chemistry and skills to make the story lines work You almost begin to hate the people around him (save two sidekicks). There are some unexplained transitions, unrealistic transitions and most of all the cruel part is generally watching each episode waiting for the writers to stop doing flashbacks to fill up time. I am new to Chinese dramas - trying to transition from K dramas after watching Nirvana with Hu Ge but I am not giving up. 40 episodes is too many for weak story lines. Watch it if you are just bored.

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Completed
Chuushingura no Koi
5 people found this review helpful
Jan 6, 2018
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
I started watching this drama more than 6 months ago - it was different from many historical dramas and focused on a female lead during the period Samurai's reigned in Japan -- definitely unique.  However, subbing was so slow I became frustrated and gave it up -- but checked weekly to see if any progress in the area of subbing.   Finally, in 2018 my dream came true - all 20 episodes were subbed.  I watched without subs having no idea what was going on but the story just seemed appealing.   The story -  very unique and it spans a significant portion of the female leads younger life-- every emotion you can name can be attributed to her but the drama really focuses on "clan loyalty."     Once you start watching you can't stop -- in the end -- I felt a lingering sadness for this character.   This is not an action drama but a romantic story that moves your heart.  In the end, I researched the purposes of a Shogun and the governmental system during the 17th century.  It is best to marathon if possible because there are so many characters and week by week it is easy to forget their role in the drama ---  worth every minute watching and felt this should have been translated immediately and shared on many more streaming sites.  One of the top historical dramas with a focus on a woman -- a capable one.

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Completed
Shards of Her
6 people found this review helpful
Nov 8, 2022
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

A complex analysis of the effect of trauma - AMAZING

This drama was so unique in its storytelling that it took more than two episodes to fully immerse myself in the essence of the story. However, once you begin to understand the writer's intention you begin to understand the mind is so delicate that it can be fractured into parts that interact with the future and the past. This drama should be a college thesis on dealing with trauma and documenting how incidents of unimportance to others often scar an individual to the core. It was so deep you have to reflect on all misfortunes and misgivings that occur in a lifetime and how you filter these misfortunes from the past into your current psyche. The acting was magnificent, the transitions in time were placed smoothly and not confusing, the ultimate conclusion was amazing and believable, and gave the viewer pause to reflect on the mental process of healing the mind. I was completely blown away by this drama. It could cause PTSD for any victim of any type of assault but this drama helps you to understand why so many people suffer unresolved fractures in their personality or suffer mental stresses or mental health diagnoses. The music just kept that feeling of despair for the protagonist in sync and each scene's change. Definitely a must-see and a short drama of substance. Highly recommend.

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Completed
Krong Kam
6 people found this review helpful
May 5, 2019
19 of 19 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
Pick an emotion - this drama has every emotion you can think of with no lack of intensity. The best part of the drama - it was well written - it allows the viewer to become invested in each character and the actions taken by that character. You feel for the characters because the actors are so good. I am new to Lakorns and the idea of Karma was explained strongly and convincingly. It is a drama about consequential choices and ramifications of those choices on yourself as well as others both negatively and positively. The actors were chosen well for their roles - kudos to whoever was casting director. The scenery felt authentic and the cinematography and camera angles were all good.

Another important part of this story - it did had the best ending. No character was left with a story dangling -- it was told from beginning to end so as a viewer I was totally satisfied.

Would I recommend watching -- most definitely. I haven't watched many Lakorns but this is already on the top of my list as my favorite. Definitely not a slap and kiss drama but a well founded story of personal life experiences centered around a family environment.

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Completed
Reborn Rich
8 people found this review helpful
Dec 25, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

A totql workout for the brain and a great drama - a Gordian knot.

This drama was one of the best I have seen in 5 or more years. The concept and execution of the creation of a dual identify character (in a different timeline) that exists for the sole purpose of seeking revenge and ascertaining the culprits responsible for his murder (which was only attempted) was executed by the screenwriter with the highest respect for the viewers' entertainment and mental engagement. There were several times I had to go back and recount incidents to properly knit the story together to its final mindblowing conclusion. After watching episode 15 I was concerned that there was NO WAY this drama could have a good ending. However, I was totally surprised and enjoyed my Christmas day just screaming about how brilliant the screenwriters and directors were to lead to a 100% satisfactory and believable conclusion. The timeline changes were the hardest to comprehend but I used the weightlifter's silver metal (2004) event to account for the 20 years that passed to bring reality and the events of the last episode to a plausible reality as a viewer. Even the 10 years for the Miracle corporation converting into an arboretum was confusing at first -- you just have to remember that Do Jun died 10 years before the company basically removed itself from ownership of the Soonyang corporation. Totally satisfying and worth a rewatch if you are uncertain of timelines and events. A difficult watch but if you enjoy a challenge and a little eye candy to boot - this is one to watch.

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Completed
To Love
4 people found this review helpful
Feb 4, 2021
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0

outstanding drama from beginning to end - A GEM

I had stopped writing reviews because I was binge-watching so many dramas from different countries and decided to watch fluffy dramas in between the historical ones that find. Thanks to MDL I saw a 10 rating for this drama from a previous reviewer and put it on my "binge-watch calendar."

The story - from episode 1 to episode 40 you are engaged and immersed in the story. Each episode I felt the writer was KNITTING. The writer did an excellent job and initially was weaving a story using different strands - without flashbacks his technique was perfect and the viewer becomes part of the strand that he is the weaver. The story is a mystery, romance, police investigation story with unique qualities. Only one warning - try to watch without comments from Viki -- viewers spoil some of the anticipations of storytelling halfway through.

The title: TO LOVE -- gosh -- I'm sappy. Everyone wants to be in love with that level of commitment. The writer hooks you again with this thread that makes you ask yourself - have I ever loved with trust or commitment? An element that is streamed throughout the 40 episodes.

The flow of Storytelling: Never a filler, never a drag - always moving forward and weaving the story without dropping or dragging or repeating. I gave this aspect an A+ because I hate filler episodes.

Actors: The writer used every actor to his/her fullest and within their talent range. The lead couple - outstanding (both impulsive and strong - which made them compatible) the secondary couple - outstanding. The violinist - convincing in his dual role. The police officers outstanding and convincing without diminishing the occupation of the police office or investigation.

OST: moving and good. Not overwhelming soundtrack distracting from the story but music to set the mood - and done appropriately, not distracting.

This is a guarantee WINNER and your viewing time will be rewarded with QUALITY!!!!. Highly recommend.

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Completed
Terms of Endearment
4 people found this review helpful
Nov 17, 2015
70 of 70 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 4.5
This drama is engaging because it reflects time honored social mores of a 2004 society that leave the viewer questioning the value of these traditions in a modern society. Especially a society that treasures immigration and education of its children in the U.S.---the liberal land of free expression of thought, word and deeds. This contradiction is befuddling but the contrasts are what hooks you to the drama. The role of parents in a child's life (a child over 25), the disclosure of -"too much information" but failure to disclose the most important information, the need to lie, lie and more stupid lies with the same outcomes. The most entertaining part of watching this drama was comparing it to several current dramas (2014-2015) and realizing - not much has changed -- except the year. The performances of the actors/actresses - (all well known) are outstanding and the writers do a good job keeping to the theme of the drama.

If you are a k drama addict and have almost exhausted your list of top dramas -- add this one to the list. Long but worth the time spent.

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Completed
Mia Jum Pen
5 people found this review helpful
Mar 3, 2021
15 of 15 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 4.0
Story 3.5
Acting/Cast 4.5
Music 4.5
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

A 100% failure of a LAKORN

This is the worse Lakorn I have watched. I always measure the quality of storytelling and writing by the number of times I ask the 5 W's and 1 H. This is an endless drama that begs the viewer to ask" WHY, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHO and How? This is the underlying problem for this Lakorn because the storyline is unrealistic, the tolerance of injustices is unrealistic, the need to create "sexual" drama was unnecessary; the element of "revenge" was unnecessary, the failure to report crimes raising to the level of felonies is unbelievable, the use and the situational insertion of the "villian" - female and male were unrealistic. Then the writer tops it off with the element of "forgiveness" ---unrealistic. I can go on and on. There was hope for some reality at pivotal points in the story but the writer wasn't mature enough or creative enough to ask him/herself what would be the next logical reaction of a "NORMAL" person. The 7 deadly sins were all thrown around like a shuttlecock in a badminton game. Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride. The writer didn't fail to exclude one of these sins in this work. I would not recommend this drama to anyone and I truly felt sorrow for the translator who spent hours devoted to this piece. Just a piece of garbage at the end.

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Completed
The Imperial Doctress
5 people found this review helpful
May 14, 2016
50 of 50 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 6.0
50 episodes in 3 days required a lot of interesting scenes and side stories. This drama was loosely based on historical facts as the background for story telling but not historical accuracy. Had the writers stuck to historical facts with a little puff the drama would have been a 10. The underlying story of a fictional female daring to become a doctor in ancient China and the societal backlash was interesting. Hardships and pain were expected and the viewer is definitely drawn into her life which is almost pitiful -- except for the love interests she garners along the way. The acting is credible but writers tend to always give strong females an IQ under 100 when it comes to logical thought processing. Mothers are always "evil" and "daughters are either pitiful or just too kindhearted to think intelligently. Smart enough to be a doctor but dumb when it comes to institutional analysis and responses. Yes the drama reverts to a pure romance in the end but it still retains value for continued viewing. The ending is not a disappointment and was satisfying. worth viewer time.

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Completed
The Secret of My Love
6 people found this review helpful
Feb 10, 2018
100 of 100 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 1.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 4.5
Rewatch Value 1.0
I really used to enjoy the daytime dramas. Perfect for watching when you wake up - 30 minutes of distraction but at least meaningful.   This drama had a very good cast of actors tasked with a very mediocre storyline.   Since I marathon these dramas I try to wait for the reviews or ratings and if above 7.5  and 3/4th completed --- I will dive in to watch -- hopefully not resulting in an absolute waste of 50 or 60 hours of my life.   What I am discovering is the 100-120 episode dramas are resorting to cyclical, ambiguous, ridiculous storytelling schemes.  Even if you are an idiot you can detect they have run out of ideas for the story and begin to drag you along like pieces of attached trash.  You invest so much time - you feel you shouldn't abandon the story -- WE ARE CONQUERORS!!!
However, the daily drama challenge has become so insulting to the viewer that there is now one rule that I will follow -- LET ALL EPISODES AIR FIRST - then read ALL COMMENTS about the ending and the last few episodes - THEN DECIDE WHETHER I AM GOING TO BE INSULTED.    Obviously, if it is clearly not worth my time - I will just take a pass.   Now, this drama - since I am angry --- I watched after watching Sweet Enemy as well -- good in the beginning and terrible the last 20 plus episodes.  The story is just not plausible, women are devalued as being dumb, conniving, and easy to forgive even the most heinous of offences.  Crimes are rampant throughout but excused as part of the plot lines.  Romance or rather love relationships is just a side thought - not even there - but used to be the backdrop for betrayals and lies.   When will the writers be charged with the responsibility of QUALITY, not QUANTITY?  I am taking a pause from Korean daily dramas until one of them produces a rating of 8 + at the finality in MDL.

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Completed
Ashes of Love
5 people found this review helpful
Sep 8, 2018
63 of 63 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.5
I hate to compare any drama to 10 miles of Peach Blossoms but it is inevitable because the quality of the cinematography was just breathtaking and strangely addictive. The story is a beautiful romance that does not deviate from the writers' intentions of giving the viewer an opportunity to feel mixed emotions along with the story that is being told. There are moments in every drama that make you reconsider your rating - but in the end, I realized that overall this drama was a 10 for me. I loved the story, the music, the actors, the direction and the pace of telling the story. The chemistry is amazing because the acting was amazing. The lead actress had to define herself in a way that would be contradictory to normal and she did an amazing job. Some might find her annoying but I found it to be an artistic achievement to maintain the role's intention. Although there were several characters, the depth of character development for each one was enough for the viewer not to be overwhelmed by so many roles and faces. The best find for this year - enjoyed more than Legend of Fuyao and most definitely I rank it with Eternal Love (10 miles) with the splendid cinematography and camera work. A must see.

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Completed
On the Way to the Airport
5 people found this review helpful
Nov 11, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
The question of whether love is fated or love is driven by circumstances is realistically portrayed in this drama. What I love is the step by step decision making that goes into the separation and the divorce and the natural attraction of the leads. This wasn't a lust drama but one of mutual respect for the person that is the object of affection. One of the most satisfying endings for a K drama that usually spoils the ending withe the contrite attempts to redeem characters so everyone has a feel good experience. In real life and in this drama responsibility is the main theme. Responsibility to marriage, children and to self are all analyzed in unique ways. Tolerance and intolerance are so explored. Worth watching again and I thank the writers for seeing this drama through to a mature adult ending not some make believe fairy tale ending.

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Completed
My Golden Life
9 people found this review helpful
Mar 12, 2018
52 of 52 episodes seen
Completed 6
Overall 7.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 3.0
Rewatch Value 4.5
This review may contain spoilers
This is one of these dramas you spend so much time watching - week by week - waiting for the next episode because it seems to be following a logical and intriguing storyline that was building on a theme that made sense. Then for some reason, this drama took a u-turn. Reality takes a dive and the viewer must suffer through 2 episodes of dry storytelling and unrealistic scenes accompanied by dumb piano playing and pitiful music in the background. This was not a realistic or credible story ending. I am not going to write a spoiler but I advise any new viewer to heed a warning -- don't spend 52 hours of your life on this scrambled egg. The rest of us have been wounded deeply and feel the burn of frustration.

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