Technically it's not release until 27th of this month. However, a few months ago China made a raft of new 'modesty…
TianQi - I am NOT an ally to a government that gives a supposedly 'democratic' president the title 'president for life' and then these new rules come out. I actually know a NATIVE Chinese person who tells me it's TERRIBLE out there for the LGBT. Most of the underground is fair enough and the rest is heading underground to escape censorship.
There IS a ban on LGBT entertainment and it's impossible for anyone who is LGBT to be public about it. It's been spoken about all over Asia as well as here in the West. Also I'm told that it's TRUE that many gay couples are marrying similarly gay couples of the opposite sex and pretending to be straight in public and co-habiting with both couples to satisfy the bigots around them and in the government.
THAT is a terrible thing to force a human being to do just to be able to live in mainstream society. Can you imagine you and YOUR partner being forced into marriages with strangers under any reason? But just so you won't be discriminated against because the person you love just happens to be the same gender as you is right out there as no.1 in the NOT acceptable list.
I am also NOT an ally to a country that supports tyranny - such as North Korea. The people of North Korea are suffering miserable, suffering lives as shown by those who've defected recently.
I understand you love your country - but you cannot defend a tyrant and the reason YOUR internet is NOT 'free' (as in UNcensored as ours IS) is because YOUR leader wants to ensure you don't get too many ideas about free will and democracy. That's the REAL reason tattoos, LGBT, rap, hiphop and all the rest are frowned on - individuality is NOT acceptable under communism. Oh and whether 'guidelines' or hard laws I'm guessing by next year all those in the 'frowned on' categories will be invisible, just as the LGBT entertainment industry is already.
My country is a mess too - but I can say that out loud and outside, even to my country's leader's FACE, without fear of facing retribution for not 'towing the party line'. That is difference between MY country and yours. You've also got to remember we in the West remember Tienanmen Square and the butchered students, including the brave soul who was RUN OVER by a TANK. NO ONE just 'forgets' that kind of government butchery which was shown ALL OVER the world.
I SUPPORT utterly TAIWAN as they allow gay marriage and are, at a GOVERNMENT level, opposing and undoing LGBT discrimination. They ARE making progress. NOT China - your laws are getting STRICTER and NOT more open. Same with Japan who will allow civil partnerships or Thailand that, whilst gay marriage isn't illegal, have a fairly open view on it and do allow people to have celebrations and 'promise ceremonies' that are like (not legally binding) weddings.
Sorry to rant - but I have a lesbian cousin and I KNOW how she, her partner and their children (via IVF) would suffer if they were Chinese - I've been told by a gay Chinese person who was living in China until the end of April this year. I don't like South Korea's treatment of gays much either, but it's not as bad as China's.
The only ones worse are Ukraine, North Korea , Russia and the Middle East. Please do NOT defend the indefensible. China has its tech to be proud of and its economy - that's not to be sniffed at; it's a powerhouse in those areas - more than anywhere else and something the workers of China (who are the ones making possible) should be very proud of. So choose that to speak about.
Weibo, almost slave labour of some workers and all the rest; the netizens there who only go online to cyberbully some poor soul, the hate that is spat at those who are considered NOT to be behaving as they should or wearing what they should....that is NOT something to be mentioning.
Like said - sorry to rant; but I don't want others to suffer for just LOVING SOMEONE, for being born in the wrong body, or not dressing 'right', behaving 'right' or doing things that will 'promote the People's Republic of China in a positive way to the rest of the world'. I know I would fight the world to protect my cousin, her partner and their kids.
PS. Please excuse errors - I've had a couple of strokes and have some brain damage which makes things a bit harder for me.
I had watched the first five episodes and i admit that this drama will probably one of the best currently airing…
Thank you for just wanting me to watch it even more!! lol! Any idea where it can be watched? Subbed would be good, but I'm that desperate I'd watch it raw too!!
She's a minor, there won't be any romance. Or at least I hope not.
No I think it's basically how this one boy helps her come out of her shell by befriending her and her having a crush on him; more a slice of life movie than romance one. Actually that would be nice because it would show that not all crushes end in heartbreak for one or both individuals - sometimes, even if there's no romance, good things happen. Not sure of course but going by the trailer this seems the most likely. :)
ARGH!!!!!! Sorry, it was everything lovely that everyone said BUT I just wanted to facewall/facetable at the end because facepalming just wasn't enough. The only tears I shed were of frustration. I would also disagree about the ending .....it was NOT sad, very or otherwise, it was frustrating and exasperating. Infuriating even!
I'm a bookworm, completely. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years in my local library. In fact i kid you not when I say that, as a kid, I spent ALL my free time in my local library. Forget parks, and all that stuff; I lived in the library. I even used to take 'my' libarians some of my birthday cake; I knew about their families, pets, they were on first name terms with my parents, i would've moved in if I could....so i get the 'no talking' rule....but come ON, it means SHOUTING, even speaking at a NORMAL volume.....but whispering? Totally could've done it.. otherwise how would MY librarian ladies (and 1 guy) become like my second family by the time I was 11? He could've even whispered 'look at such and such a book' as he checked out another one! Oh and let's not forget how the LIBRARIANS chat to each other ALL.THE.TIME.....not whispers either, just low voices......so why....oh God I remember how this made me so MAD.
The ending annoyed me all to hell -i wanted to smash something. Besides most librarians get that romances often start there, end there and move forward there. They even make exceptions for the occasional noise...i've SEEN it happen wjth my own eyes! You don't get a lifetime ban for saying 'I like you' even if you shout it, you'd get a warning sure, but that's it....no firing squad, no life sentence of never reading again (my idea of hell as it happens)......just a sharp and rebukeing 'SHHH!!' and a withering stare. if he couldn't cope with that....well.....besides, the other librarian was rooting for her, so would totally have allowed rule breaking....ARGH...just ARGH! Lovely actors, STUPID, STUPID, *STUPID* story.
Okay rant over and i will now settle my soul with a good book and chocolate.. ....lots and LOTS of chocolate....*sigh* (someone really has to make a facepalm emoji).
Sheng Peter - He's a lovely guy in real life; completely and utterly besotted with his wife and child; just a total darling. BUT he's so painfully shy and socially anxious that he CANNOT carry off lead roles. He's great as a second lead and a support actor as he can always have more cast around him who clearly put him at ease. Yes, I know he's breathtakingly beautiful (and yes I mean beautiful and not handsome....handsome doesn't cover this, same with Yan Aaron....beautiful). but looks can only take you so far. I love him in real life; he's such a puppy. But in acting he's a long way from coping with lead roles yet. Exhibit A as a proof - Pretty Li Hui Zhen....on that alone I rest my case.
If this was real I do wonder what my mother in law's cat would do as she HATES her with a passion. We can love on her, pet her, play with her...whatever; but my mother in law can't even look at her without being bitten and scratched! Yet she loves the cat to death, buys her tons of treats and fusses over her 24/7.....but that cat would rip her throat out if she could. So I'm guessing if 'Puss Puss' (that's the cat's name I kid you not) was able to be human we'd just never find my MiL's body! LOL!!
isn't this a manga or something? i've heard of this plot somewhere before
It's sounds a little similar to 'The Time We Were Not in Love' with Lee Jin Wook. But i'm sure you're right and there's been another drama with same plot, I just can't remember the name. The only one that keeps creeping in is Kiss: The Series which IS almost the same as this. Please let that be the one or I'm going to drive myself crazy trying to remember! :D
For a first article I thought it was very good. Succinct, to the point but with a nice friendly approach. I liked your choices of dramas too. CONGRATS!
He's such a wonderful, versatile actor - but I think his portrayal of the heartbroken, lonely and vulnerable Feng Jing in Revive was simply flawless. He literally made my heart hurt.
the same principles of the novel were applied to the movie Cruel Intentions and it was great.
You make very good points and it's true that South Korea is still a fairly conservative country - though, thankfully, not as closed or strict as China has now become. There's a LOT of the novel they would not tolerate at all.
Your point about the idols playing the main cast and not being able to follow the the subtext of the novel for fear it could jeopardise any future career is very true and I completely agree. - power through sex; overcoming the obstacles with manipulations rather than brute force, and the notion that even in such a vicious society as that in the book, there are limits that must not be overstepped or God help you as the hounds turn on you; all definitely not what conservative South Korea would like, especially in a teen aimed drama.
I liked WDH the most, personal choice though, and the other guy you mentioned (I can't remember his name either) was quite good too. Didn't think of much of the rest of the cast though. ALL of them, whether good actors or bad, were let down by the appalling script though. The writers should be ashamed of handing that mess in and calling it done.
Thank for the engaging discussion - I do love chatting to fellow drama fans; especially when novels/books, etc are involved and they know about those too. Thank you again. I hope we can chat again some time. :)
Oh I meant to say before - please excuse errors; I've had a couple of strokes a few years ago and, whilst I made a hugely better recovery than expected, the mild brain damage I've been left with means my command of my own language and all the grammar, punctuation and spelling that goes with it is sadly lacking now. Apologies again - I do check it, but my brain often skips bits and so I think it reads alright but....it doesn't.
the same principles of the novel were applied to the movie Cruel Intentions and it was great.
The novel was written for a different time and societal structure - trying to update it for today's much more inclusive and laidback society is a good idea, but then the story gets lost in doing so. Which is why Cruel Intentions never really worked either.
To me the ONLY true solid, excellent actor was Woo Do Hwan...literally just him. He gave a really good performance, as he always does, and mae his character believable - no mean feat considering the script for this was so dire and ridiculous.
I think your criticisms of his character's lack 'villainousness' and the side story you feel is pointless are purely down to the writers and no one else.
I also think their other serious issue was with trying make a book written in 1782 fit into 2018. It can't be done; sometimes the square peg cannot be forced into the round hole even with a a really big hammer - this drama, like Cruel Intentions before it, proves that.
Of course bad scripts can kill even the best performance and from there an actor's role in a drama; as so many actors have found out over the years - and with most of the cast in this drama. So the writers of this drama really have a lot to answer for.
I felt this was watchable with an agreeably different ending - which is still better than Cruel Intentions.
Omg MIK was honestly torture. I ended up fast forward watching the last couple of episodes. You should give yourself…
I had to watch the episodes from 10 to 35 in 15 minutes bursts of hell. By episode 30 I think I'd slipped to 5 minutes as I lost the will to live.. But at 36 they picked up a bit so I gritted my teeth, got a big bar of chocolate to keep me sane, learnt a few new swear words in a couple of languages (I can cuss in Italian, Japanese, Russian, Korean and Gaelic now) and just went for the burn. I have to say I felt almost euphoric when i realised i'd got through the very last one. Please GOD, they don't make a second series.
I don't understand it though; It Started With a Kiss and They Kissed Again wre so good in comparison....well, in comparison to MiK they were oscar worthy but that aside why reboot a solidly good series into utter drivelling (I don't even know if that's a word but it fits), badly acted rubbish? Mind you the Japanese movies aren't much better but at least each one's only just over an hour long and there's months between to recover and scrub our brains. Lol!
There IS a ban on LGBT entertainment and it's impossible for anyone who is LGBT to be public about it. It's been spoken about all over Asia as well as here in the West. Also I'm told that it's TRUE that many gay couples are marrying similarly gay couples of the opposite sex and pretending to be straight in public and co-habiting with both couples to satisfy the bigots around them and in the government.
THAT is a terrible thing to force a human being to do just to be able to live in mainstream society. Can you imagine you and YOUR partner being forced into marriages with strangers under any reason? But just so you won't be discriminated against because the person you love just happens to be the same gender as you is right out there as no.1 in the NOT acceptable list.
I am also NOT an ally to a country that supports tyranny - such as North Korea. The people of North Korea are suffering miserable, suffering lives as shown by those who've defected recently.
I understand you love your country - but you cannot defend a tyrant and the reason YOUR internet is NOT 'free' (as in UNcensored as ours IS) is because YOUR leader wants to ensure you don't get too many ideas about free will and democracy. That's the REAL reason tattoos, LGBT, rap, hiphop and all the rest are frowned on - individuality is NOT acceptable under communism. Oh and whether 'guidelines' or hard laws I'm guessing by next year all those in the 'frowned on' categories will be invisible, just as the LGBT entertainment industry is already.
My country is a mess too - but I can say that out loud and outside, even to my country's leader's FACE, without fear of facing retribution for not 'towing the party line'. That is difference between MY country and yours. You've also got to remember we in the West remember Tienanmen Square and the butchered students, including the brave soul who was RUN OVER by a TANK. NO ONE just 'forgets' that kind of government butchery which was shown ALL OVER the world.
I SUPPORT utterly TAIWAN as they allow gay marriage and are, at a GOVERNMENT level, opposing and undoing LGBT discrimination. They ARE making progress. NOT China - your laws are getting STRICTER and NOT more open. Same with Japan who will allow civil partnerships or Thailand that, whilst gay marriage isn't illegal, have a fairly open view on it and do allow people to have celebrations and 'promise ceremonies' that are like (not legally binding) weddings.
Sorry to rant - but I have a lesbian cousin and I KNOW how she, her partner and their children (via IVF) would suffer if they were Chinese - I've been told by a gay Chinese person who was living in China until the end of April this year. I don't like South Korea's treatment of gays much either, but it's not as bad as China's.
The only ones worse are Ukraine, North Korea , Russia and the Middle East. Please do NOT defend the indefensible. China has its tech to be proud of and its economy - that's not to be sniffed at; it's a powerhouse in those areas - more than anywhere else and something the workers of China (who are the ones making possible) should be very proud of. So choose that to speak about.
Weibo, almost slave labour of some workers and all the rest; the netizens there who only go online to cyberbully some poor soul, the hate that is spat at those who are considered NOT to be behaving as they should or wearing what they should....that is NOT something to be mentioning.
Like said - sorry to rant; but I don't want others to suffer for just LOVING SOMEONE, for being born in the wrong body, or not dressing 'right', behaving 'right' or doing things that will 'promote the People's Republic of China in a positive way to the rest of the world'. I know I would fight the world to protect my cousin, her partner and their kids.
PS. Please excuse errors - I've had a couple of strokes and have some brain damage which makes things a bit harder for me.
I'm a bookworm, completely. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years in my local library. In fact i kid you not when I say that, as a kid, I spent ALL my free time in my local library. Forget parks, and all that stuff; I lived in the library. I even used to take 'my' libarians some of my birthday cake; I knew about their families, pets, they were on first name terms with my parents, i would've moved in if I could....so i get the 'no talking' rule....but come ON, it means SHOUTING, even speaking at a NORMAL volume.....but whispering? Totally could've done it.. otherwise how would MY librarian ladies (and 1 guy) become like my second family by the time I was 11? He could've even whispered 'look at such and such a book' as he checked out another one! Oh and let's not forget how the LIBRARIANS chat to each other ALL.THE.TIME.....not whispers either, just low voices......so why....oh God I remember how this made me so MAD.
The ending annoyed me all to hell -i wanted to smash something. Besides most librarians get that romances often start there, end there and move forward there. They even make exceptions for the occasional noise...i've SEEN it happen wjth my own eyes! You don't get a lifetime ban for saying 'I like you' even if you shout it, you'd get a warning sure, but that's it....no firing squad, no life sentence of never reading again (my idea of hell as it happens)......just a sharp and rebukeing 'SHHH!!' and a withering stare. if he couldn't cope with that....well.....besides, the other librarian was rooting for her, so would totally have allowed rule breaking....ARGH...just ARGH! Lovely actors, STUPID, STUPID, *STUPID* story.
Okay rant over and i will now settle my soul with a good book and chocolate.. ....lots and LOTS of chocolate....*sigh* (someone really has to make a facepalm emoji).
Your point about the idols playing the main cast and not being able to follow the the subtext of the novel for fear it could jeopardise any future career is very true and I completely agree.
- power through sex; overcoming the obstacles with manipulations rather than brute force, and the notion that even in such a vicious society as that in the book, there are limits that must not be overstepped or God help you as the hounds turn on you; all definitely not what conservative South Korea would like, especially in a teen aimed drama.
I liked WDH the most, personal choice though, and the other guy you mentioned (I can't remember his name either) was quite good too. Didn't think of much of the rest of the cast though. ALL of them, whether good actors or bad, were let down by the appalling script though. The writers should be ashamed of handing that mess in and calling it done.
Thank for the engaging discussion - I do love chatting to fellow drama fans; especially when novels/books, etc are involved and they know about those too. Thank you again. I hope we can chat again some time. :)
Oh I meant to say before - please excuse errors; I've had a couple of strokes a few years ago and, whilst I made a hugely better recovery than expected, the mild brain damage I've been left with means my command of my own language and all the grammar, punctuation and spelling that goes with it is sadly lacking now. Apologies again - I do check it, but my brain often skips bits and so I think it reads alright but....it doesn't.
To me the ONLY true solid, excellent actor was Woo Do Hwan...literally just him. He gave a really good performance, as he always does, and mae his character believable - no mean feat considering the script for this was so dire and ridiculous.
I think your criticisms of his character's lack 'villainousness' and the side story you feel is pointless are purely down to the writers and no one else.
I also think their other serious issue was with trying make a book written in 1782 fit into 2018. It can't be done; sometimes the square peg cannot be forced into the round hole even with a a really big hammer - this drama, like Cruel Intentions before it, proves that.
Of course bad scripts can kill even the best performance and from there an actor's role in a drama; as so many actors have found out over the years - and with most of the cast in this drama. So the writers of this drama really have a lot to answer for.
I felt this was watchable with an agreeably different ending - which is still better than Cruel Intentions.
I don't understand it though; It Started With a Kiss and They Kissed Again wre so good in comparison....well, in comparison to MiK they were oscar worthy but that aside why reboot a solidly good series into utter drivelling (I don't even know if that's a word but it fits), badly acted rubbish? Mind you the Japanese movies aren't much better but at least each one's only just over an hour long and there's months between to recover and scrub our brains. Lol!