PoohlookingforHoney
The Hague
Flawed suspense
After seeing many raving reviews and positive comments I started watching this drama. It is the first Chinese crime series I have watched as I watch Chinese dramas usually for its fluffy romance. I have watched quite some Korean crime series as which are usually of good production quality.I have to say I really enjoyed watching the first half of the drama. Overall the story is greatly written and makes me anticipate for the next episode. The romance between the leads is also more of a focus in the first half and a good built up towards the crime story. However, after the first half I began to find so much plotholes mainly around Bo Jin Yan's trauma/abduction which they didn't even explain much context around.
One major recurring annoyment is the fact that they included American actors that spoke in English to which the Chinese actors replied to in Chinese without some kind of translator involved it somehow had to make sense that American people all understand Chinese???? To me the drama is a flawed suspense. It was quite good in creating these interesting cases and build up towards the greater story but there were too many things unexplained.
I do have to give it up to Wallace Huo! He did an amazing job at playing the main character. He solely saved this drama for me. Sandra Ma as Jian Yao also did quite well even though she played a translating student who could't even speak english.
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Bit of a let down
This is the lowest review rating for any review I have written so far.Since this drama is a "netflix original" I expected a lot, therefore I waited for the series to finish to bingewatch (my mistake...). The set-up of the series is quite chaotic and the graphics in the first episode are pretty bad. It takes a while to realize what the storyline is about in the first few episodes. Most often it does not take much for me to finish a series and be content with it. The series had a lot of potential which was not realized, which is the main reason for the low rating. The character development of most side characters was quite unsatisfactory like King Qin'guang or the other sidekick. The storyline from the past also had some plotholes if you ask me.. In the beginnign you may ask yourself why each ghost story seems so random, luckily that answered mid-series. The ending was in a way satisfactory but not entirely what I was looking for.
The acting was not super. I just liked the way Mike He looks (yes a bit to biased) and how he acts as boyfriend. The acting of Ivy Shao and Jane Cheng was a bit to robotic at times. Anson Chen however, made an impressive twist (you will find out). Also the character development of Roy Chang was likeable (how he went from 'bad to good'), I know a bit to biased.
Don't remember much from the music.
And would defintely not rewatch this.
All in all I would not recommend the series, unless they make remake with a better storyline (and less plotholes) (also maybe some better acting).
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Motherhood drama - well executed
I watched this drama with my mother, which felt a bit awkward in the first few eps. The start of the drama might seem a bit unrealistic for some viewers (for example experienced moms).However, the deeper we got in the story the more realistic the topic of childhood rearing became.I found the overall theme to be refreshing rather than my average romance drama. The development of this story was rather great. Our main characters experienced growth and an understanding of starting motherhood all in their own ways. Especially the main charcter her ambition for her work and achievements seemed rather empowering (a character that seemed empowering for once) and her struggles between choosing between working and her baby. This drama might portay some unknown challenges of new moms that are interesting. Another aspect I liked was the supportive husband of our main character, something we also often don't see in k-dramas.
I especially liked the concise numebr of episodes. This drama is close to perfect drama, for me. I guess I am a bit greedy with my 10. It is a true gem and I hope you will give it a chance.
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Intriguing fatasy/supernatrual
Let me first start off with telling guys this isn't my normal cup of tea. The trailer already hints at the supernatural storyline. Starting the first episode, got me thinking ""what the hell am I watching?". However, the first episode also seemed like a movie (a manga adaption if you will). Nevertheless, it got me intrigued. I bingewatched the series, which is easy due to its 6-episodes of somewhat less than an hour. Even though short, the serie definitely had depth and some deep emotional scenes. (Secretely wish for a second season)I have to start of with the storyline, not you're typical k-drama, but that is what made it fun and refreshing in a sense. The background music is very 'supernatural' and it fit so well, I even begun to like it. I have watched some dramas starring Nam Joo Hyuk but this was his best role so far (he was very likeable). The characters were casted well.
Overall, if you are doubting, just watch it! it just six eps, enjoy!
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Intereting shortwatch
I watched this drama in-between my drama slump since it's short (with ten eps of 20-25 min each).I didn't have much expectations but just knew that Hani is in it (thumbs up) and that it would have a mysterious vibe (wasn't mysterieus at all but nonetheless a interesting shortwatch).I particularly like some of the badass ost's (Sunmi - Gotta Go). The story and acting were pretty good for such a short drama. If you are doubting, just give it a go. Just be aware it isn't particularly a light (fluffy) drama like a lot of the short ones.
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Unserious-classical-music-themed
Basically, I recently rewatched this drama after a long time. Around 2014-5 I first saw this drama after having seen the original Japanese live-action (which I really liked). From what I remember, the Korean adaptation is quite similar to the Japanese. Let me first start off with the story, I haven't watched many dramas on classical music, so I found the story to be somewhat fresh and interesting. I wonder if the actors actually played those music instruments..not important I guess, since it they defintely looked like they were (total music instrument layman). The actors were casted quite well some could be a bit better (Joo Won's mom whom I liked but their development was lacking). Some acting by the lead actors seemed somewhat raw, especially that of Park Bo Gum (which I didn't even knew the first time I watched it) and Joo Won (who has acted a variety of roles, really liked his acting here). Shim Eun Kyung role shouldn't be taken too seriously. An appreciateion point found in the drama is personnal development of the characters. The overall background music fitted well (all classical music).If you are searching for somewhat fresh, funny and somewhat older friendship (and music related) drama, try it out! Hopefully you will enjoy it as mush as I did.
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Fun story
It is probably a bit unfair for me to write a review as The Big Boss is one of my personal favorites. Sure, the female lead is a bit childish but for some reason I liked her more so. The male lead's calm character seems to balance it out. Every episode seems like a new adventure with some weird (but funny) context.I went in with not much expectations except for the drama being a typical fluff high school drama. I was pleasantly surprised by the first episode and I immediately binge watched the drama. I was even happier to had found a second season which I also bingewatched.
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Heartfelt story
I have not watched the orginal Japanese parent story and cannot offer comparisons.However, I must say that this version is a masterpiece and an emotional rollercoaster. I was tearfull when I had watched the first episode but the drama had pulled me (which does not easily happen). The story offers different versions of motherhood in different context, which is what I mainly liked about it.
The acting was wonderfull on all parts. Many love Lee Bo Young and I can see why.
The OST where not that memorable but amplified the overall feeling of teh drama.
I have rewatched the drama and it still remains an amazing drama.
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Captivating! Real life love story?
This drama had everything I was looking for but did not know I was. True, the storylines might be slightly confusing as different time lines cross. I could not be more excited when I saw the text below the synopsis "based on a true story of the author Qiao Yi and her husband". I could not believe that this was based on real life love story! Sure I there were some slow-paced moments but overall the drama was very captivating!The acting of all actors was definitely on par with the quality of the drama. I liked each and every main character.
I can't remember much of the OST.
But I would defintely rewatch!
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Well-balanced romance
The drama is slightly different from the fluffy romance I expected. But if you are doubting, just try it out. It surely focusses more on the romance but it is well-balanced by adding angsty 'spices' to the plot. The main couple made me super envious and their chemistry was great.Marcus Chang is a total eye candy, but I have to thank this drama for introducing me to Simon Lian (total hottie that stole my heart). The drama adds depth and inner struggles of character (of course not all flawless).
Product placement of the diffusers were actually part of the story. Also witty were the few K-drama references.
Music is very repetitative and not perse to my liking.
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