Good!

The drama When the Phone Rings, released in 2024, presents an interesting plot, but one filled with tropes. The story follows Baek San Eon, the spokesperson for the President of South Korea, and Hong Hee Joo, a sign language interpreter, who have been married for three years. However, their marriage is not traditional, as it is the result of a convenience agreement between their families, leading to a distant and cold relationship. The story takes a dramatic turn when Hee Joo is kidnapped, triggering significant changes in their lives and relationships.

POSITIVES:

1. The premise of the script is extremely captivating, as it combines elements of drama, romance, and suspense in an engaging way. With each episode, we are taken through a whirlwind of emotions and mysteries, keeping us hooked to the plot as we seek to understand the events shaping the story, especially the connections between the characters and the secrets that have bound them together from the very beginning. This careful and mysterious development of the ties between the characters keeps us constantly intrigued to see how the story will unfold.

2. This was my first experience watching a drama with a character who uses sign language. I found it extremely important to portray, as it addresses issues of inclusion and accessibility, helping the audience better understand this reality.

3. The chemistry and interaction between Baek San Eon and Hee Joo. It is clear to feel the characters' emotional expressions through their kisses, glances, and dialogues. Their relationship, although initially cold, begins to develop as both characters are forced to confront the traumas of their past and the realities of their present. The chemistry between them is visibly tense and complex, but as the circumstances bring them closer, a new level of understanding and connection emerges.

4. The OST is simply beautiful, I loved it, and I realized it played a crucial role in shaping the emotional atmosphere of the story.

CONTROVERSIES:

In my opinion, some elements of the plot were quite controversial.

1. The relationship between Hee Joo and her mother. In the beginning, the mother is shown to be cruel and cold towards her daughter, even interfering with her dreams. However, by the end, she displays a completely different attitude, and I couldn’t find a convincing explanation for this abrupt change.

2. The scenes of the fight between Park Do Jae and the kidnapper are unrealistic. Considering the amount of abuse Park Do Jae endured, he should, at the very least, have been seriously injured or even died, but in the following scenes, he appears in good condition, despite all the violence.

3. Now, the biggest controversy, in my opinion, was episode 12. I truly felt that there was a significant break in the narrative continuity compared to the previous episodes. I couldn't understand why Baek stayed away from Hee Joo for six months as a form of punishment after discovering that his father was responsible for the death of Hee Joo’s brother. Think about it: they fought so hard to be together, endured so many challenges and suffering, only for him to suddenly disappear without even offering an explanation, leaving her even more distressed. This seemed like a narrative choice that, to me, had no plausible justification.

OVERALL VIEW:

Overall, I found "When The Phone Rings" to be a good drama, rating it 8.5, as it managed to capture my attention despite some tropes and controversies throughout the plot. The story is engaging, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and personal challenges, with characters who, although they go through predictable situations at times, were still enjoyable to follow.

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Incredible <3

INTRODUCTION:

Blossom (九重紫), released in December 2024, is an adaptation of the novel Nine Layers of Purple and stands out as one of the best surprises of the year. Set in an empire in chaos due to power struggles, the drama centers around General Song Mo, who seeks revenge for his uncle's death but is accused of treason and poisoned. Simultaneously, we are introduced to Dou Zhao, a married woman who discovers her husband's betrayal with her half-sister Dou Ming. Faced with this situation, she decides to abandon her role as a wife and seeks to expose the scandal in her hometown. It is at this point that the fates of Song Mo and Dou Zhao cross when he saves her from an accident. However, this encounter leads them to a tragic end: both die in a trap. Before succumbing, Dou Zhao reflects on her life, feeling deep regret for never making her own choices, and receives a second chance. She is reborn with all the memories of her previous life, and despite some events repeating, she learns that with patience, strategy, and love, it is possible to change the course of an entire narrative.

POSITIVE POINTS:

1. The script of Blossom (2024) is well-structured and maintains a constant flow, perfectly aligning with the initial premise of the story. Each episode is carefully crafted, keeping the audience hooked for the next chapter. The plot leaves no loose ends, and every event that unfolds is significant for the progression of the story, avoiding unnecessary developments. The characters and their motivations are coherent, ensuring that every action has a clear purpose. Additionally, the drama skillfully balances moments of tension and emotion, maintaining the rhythm from start to finish.

2. The cast’s performances were outstanding. It was gratifying to see actor Li Yun Rui finally take on a role that truly showcased his talent. He deserved a lead character like Song Mo, as it gave him the opportunity to demonstrate his great versatility as an actor.

3. The sets in Blossom are breathtaking, creating an immersive atmosphere. The costumes are equally impressive, filled with intricate details that not only reflect the era and culture of the empire but also convey the depth of the narrative, showcasing the production’s aesthetic care.

4. The chemistry between Li Yun Rui and Meng Zi Yi was exceptional. They managed to convincingly portray the feelings of their characters, masterfully showing the evolution from initial distrust to an intense and passionate connection. The way they explored this change was so natural, capturing the complexity of human relationships, making the romance even more captivating.

CONTROVERSIES:

In fact, I did not notice any controversies in the drama. All the elements, events, and characters were well-developed, aligning perfectly with the initial premise of the story. The plot remained coherent and fluid, without any deviations that could cause confusion. The development of the narrative and the characters was so well executed that there were no disconnected moments, preserving the integrity of the plot. Since the drama explores the theme of rebirth and second chances, I found it fascinating how some characters underwent transformations in their personalities during their new life. This deeply illustrates how the events we experience can impact who we are, shaping our attitudes and decisions, especially in relation to those around us.

OVERALL VIEW:

In summary, Blossom was a captivating work that skillfully balanced romance, action, and drama with the themes of revenge and love. My rating is 10/10. I absolutely loved it. The actors’ performances, the quality of the production, and the engaging storyline made this a memorable experience, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for an emotionally rich and visually stunning story.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED <3

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Exciting from start to finish.

Reset, a drama that premiered in 2022, tells the intriguing story of two young individuals, Li Shi Qing and Xiao He Yun, who find themselves trapped in a time loop amidst a chaotic scenario. They desperately try, in many frustrating ways, to save all the passengers of Bus 45 from an inevitable and imminent explosion. In just 15 episodes, each around 40 minutes long, the show presents a compelling race against time without ever becoming monotonous. It's thrilling from start to finish, as each episode deepens our understanding of the dynamics inside that bus. Initially, the explosion is believed to be caused by a collision between the bus and a fuel truck, but as the loops repeat, the situation becomes more complex. What seemed like an accident gradually turns into a planned crime, raising new questions: who is behind the explosion? What is their motivation? These questions drive the protagonists to investigate, observe the passengers, and gather information from the local police in a frantic attempt to break the loop and prevent the tragedy.

POSITIVE PONTS:

1. The time loop concept is one of the most fascinating and engaging aspects of the plot. What’s particularly interesting is that the loop restarts every time the protagonists die, fall asleep, or when the clock strikes midnight. This creates a constant tension, with the characters in a literal race against time, trying to prevent the catastrophe with every new cycle. This device creates a sense of urgency that keeps us hooked, as with each repetition, more clues and details about the bus's situation and the surrounding events are revealed.

2. The evolution of the relationship between Li Shi Qing and Xiao He Yun is one of the central and best-developed elements of the series. Their bond grows naturally and touchingly as they face extreme stress and tension together. How they deal with feelings such as fear, frustration, sadness, and even physical and emotional exhaustion is portrayed realistically, adding depth to their characters. Even in a supernatural context, the way they respond to adversity makes them relatable to the audience, making the story emotionally captivating.

3. The interaction between the protagonists and the local police also stands out as a crucial part of the narrative. The interrogation scenes are intense, conveying the characters' anguish as they try to uncover the truth before the loop restarts. This dynamic creates an atmosphere of urgency, constantly testing the line between distrust and collaboration.

4. The dynamic inside the bus is another highlight. The show brilliantly explores how small changes in the protagonists' actions can lead to different reactions from the passengers. This not only helps us understand the personalities and internal conflicts of each secondary character but also encourages reflection on how our choices, no matter how small, can impact those around us.

5. The performances were excellent. The actors conveyed their emotions convincingly and realistically, without exaggeration, and the script was well-crafted and structured, ensuring that all the events necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the drama were included.

OVERALL VIEW:

Reset stands out for its intelligent and well-executed plot, earning a 10/10 rating. Highly recommended.

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Interesting <3

"Who Rules the World" is an engaging and surprising drama. If you're looking for a storyline with political conflicts, this is the ideal drama for you. There are many positive aspects that deserve to be highlighted:

(1) The beauty and richness of the costumes, sets, and cinematography are truly captivating, creating an immersive atmosphere;

(2) The love story and chemistry between the protagonists (Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi) were well-developed. It was emotional to watch their feelings evolve throughout the episodes and how they maintained a strong and healthy relationship despite facing difficulties. There were no misunderstandings, nor the formation of a love triangle, which is common in other dramas;

(3) The script, although I think some points could be improved, was well-constructed overall. The drama involves many characters who interact with each other, yet the plot never became confusing or tiresome for me. Additionally, the performances were very convincing and emotional.

CHANGES I WOULD MAKE:

What I would change in the script are the events in the final episodes. There were two main story arcs:

(a) the family and political conflict of Prince Feng Lan Xi's family; and
(b) the struggle for world dominance among the three nobles.

I believe the first arc was more developed and even more engaging than the second. I was disappointed to see Feng Lan Xi give up on his dream of becoming governor, something he always desired. I understand the context of the story and the shift in his priorities, but I think the ending could have been different. I wouldn’t have included the scene where Bai FengXi sacrifices herself, and Prince LanXi donates part of his life to her (leaving him with only 10 years). I found this decision unnecessary. Instead, I would have had LanXi become the governor of the world and lead the kingdom alongside Bai FengXi, living happily, helping people, and ensuring peace among civilizations—something they both shared. The idea of them living in isolation, enjoying the last 10 years of his life, is beautiful, but it didn't sit well with me. It feels as though he abandoned everything he fought for after facing slander, defamation, and even assassination attempts. I know that Bai FengXi was the one thing he couldn’t let go of, but I would have preferred to see them govern together, reaping the rewards of their work, and building a family. Also, I must highlight that the final battle with the main villain was too quick and overly reliant on special effects. There were earlier battles that were better executed, with more refined CGI, than the final one.

Nevertheless, despite these reservations, I absolutely loved this drama. It was definitely worth watching, and I highly recommend it.

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