A Touching Love Story Beyond Words

A very relaxing and touching story that is well-written with a great soundtrack! I typically don't watch Japanese dramas nor have I successfully finished one when I did try one, but this drama was an unexpected surprise. I was hooked on Sakura and Aoba's chemistry from the first few minutes of ep 1 and I couldn't help but continue watching. And in only 3 episodes, I cried/teared up multiple times, and more in the future episodes. Their acting is also excellent and I am amazed at their hard work in learning sign language for their roles. The story was engaging for the most part, though there are definitely some silent moments since the story's characters include the hearing impaired, and using sign language is a major part. However, the silence didn't feel weird but instead calming and different in a good way. And I can tell that the story's writing is written strong since every decision had an explanation and each scene had its purpose, but the ending did leave me a bit unsatisfied. The piano bgm was also really emotional and touching when it was played for certain scenes, especially the instrumental of silent snow. The lyrics of the main theme "Subtitle" is also very touching and connected to the drama's story. This drama was also great at telling the different perspectives and difficulties of hearing-impaired and hearing-abled people. I wish the main couple could pair up again in a happier drama in the future. This Jdrama was a fresh experience and I hope there will be more in the future.

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An Addicting Tragic & Heart wrenching Love Story

I did not think that I would love this drama as much as I do now when I first gave this drama a try a week ago. I had doubts about this drama even though I liked the actors, but it was the OST that convinced me to give this drama a try. AND WOW! The drama did not disappoint. One and Only is the best historical romance tragedy drama that I have watched in 2021 so far. It comes second to Goodbye My Princess as one of the best love stories I have watched in the cdrama world. I am so glad I gave it a try because I definitely would have regretted it if I did not discover this gem of a drama and let it past me. One and Only was just so enjoyable in every aspect. I did not skip one minute of the drama and savored every moment of Shi Yi and Zhou Sheng Chen. I definitely recommend this 100% to anyone looking for a great love story and some amazing music.

There are so many things that I love about this drama:
1. The OST and bgm- it was so amazing and really added to the emotions of the scenes, particularly at the end of the drama when tragedy hits our couple. The music was ultimately what pulled me into this drama. It was already so beautiful to listen to before I gave this drama a try and now it holds a deeper meaning after completing the drama.
2. The acting- the entire cast did an amazing job at embodying their roles. I really loved Allen and Bai Lu as Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi and I can't imagine anyone else playing them better than they did. The supporting roles were also excellent; the actors who played the other disciples really showed their deep bond with Zhou Sheng Chen.
3. The chemistry- Bai Lu as Shi Yi and Allen Ren as Zhou Sheng Chen left me heartbroken and speechless. They showed their love so beautifully with their actions and through their gazes at each other. They made such a great pair and I wish so badly that they had a happy ending in this life. It would have been so amazing to see them admit their love for one another in this life. It hurt me so bad that they could not just be together and instead died one after another.
4. Angst- I love a good tragic love story even though my heart can't handle it once I finish lol. My heart really hurt for their love that had to be hidden. The bloody note that Zhou Sheng Chen left for Shi Yi was absolutely devasting and seeing Shi Yi's reaction to his death and the note hurt so much. It was also so sad to watch Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi be separated by an arranged marriage and seeing them cry silently for each other. The jumping scene of Shi Yi was also filmed so beautifully and made me cry T_T The snow and her dress made it even more tragic. I really felt wronged for Zhou Sheng Chen who lost his life to the people he risked his life on the battlefield protecting.
5. Story- the story was just amazing. The politics weren't hard to understand and I loved the character setups (except why did Zhou Sheng Chen have to be so selfless???) I would have loved to see Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi be happy in this life though, because their outfits were so beautiful and the scenery in historical times. There are some moments where the antagonists get really annoying, but it's not too bad.
6. Fight Sequences- I just have to say that Zhou Sheng Chen and his disciples looked so amazing fighting.

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Unique Premise & Pretty Cute Love Story

Once I heard about this drama, I added it into my plan to watch list and tried it once it came out. The premise and plotline was interesting and were what I expected as I kept watching. It was unique since I haven't seen another drama about a god of fate with books for writing people's destiny.

There was a lot of potential with this story, but the execution was somewhat lacking. The earlier episodes were relatively interesting to watch compared to the later episodes because some moments were just so slow-paced. Some stories about the supporting roles just felt unnecessary and not as interesting as the main couple. The acting also isn't all high quality since most of the actors/actresses in this drama are still considered rookies, so there are moments when their facial expressions are stiff or their delivery of lines seems plain/lacking. There are also some scenes where the comedic moments feel forced, but it is still okay enough to watch. Some dialogues also seem pretty dry and felt like filler for the episodes.

I did like the romance line between the two main characters and how it eventually played out. The OST is also really good, especially the one sang by Jeong SeWoon "Time Machine". It really made the scene more emotional.

Despite the flaws, the drama was a decent light watch to enjoy between other dramas, so I would recommend it. You will need to be prepared to skip some parts in some episodes though.

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Humorous Investigation Drama With Lots of Twists!

A really good crime investigation drama with just the right amount of humor! The first episode will hook you right in midway into the episode (so be patient until then) and then you won't be able to stop yourself from binging the remaining episodes. The cases are interesting and there are unique twists about the criminal that is a real surprise that you would have probably not seen coming. There are some plot holes if you think about it thoroughly but if you watch it straight ahead then you won't even notice. However, the little plot holes don't affect the case progression or the entire drama as a whole. The drama being 12 episodes also helped prevent the drama from being dragged and had the right amount of cases and humor. The chemistry between the main cast is also very good. Glad I waited until the drama finished to watch. The ending was also very satisfying so I am hoping that there will be another season with the cast.

What I liked:
1. Great interesting cases with very surprising twists
2. Plotline is consistent (with minor plot holes)
3. Superb acting!

What could have been better:
1. If the show actually explained the motives of the serial killers and normal murderers because that would have made the case more interesting to know why they started killing (like the last case- the utility knife cases). Some were explained, but vaguely, so it was hard to see why they killed in that way (the icebox cases)
2. If the main cast were working together as an investigative team more often rather than a few times, unlike what the title suggests. There were more instances of the PD working separately from the police although in the end they get to the same conclusions

Other than those points I mentioned, this was a very good watch for someone who enjoys investigation dramas with suspense and crime. Totally recommend this for anyone who loves watching a good crime drama solved by a smart team!

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An Emotional & Not Your Typical Love Story

First of all, the first few episodes were so good!!! Great humorous scenes that were funny naturally and not forced, but there were also amazingly played out emotional scenes. AN EMOTIONAL ROLLARCOASTER!! Jang Nara is really great at acting out the emotional scenes! I cried so many times already T_T The episodes just fly by each time! Not only that, the OST released are so goooodd too!! I have a good feeling about this drama!!! I hope it turns out great as it airs!! However, it did turn a bit cheesy after the main couple got together which is why I lowered the rating. It also got boring after the first four episodes, so I also had to decrease rating for that. But the ending was wrapped up neatly without any loose ends (as far as I know).

But, the good things are:
1. Excellent acting (Jang Nara is no joke)
2. Episodes highlight different experiences woman/men face that are not seen much in other dramas
3. Superb OST (Kim Sungkyu's song was just T_T)
4. The humor
5. A strong foundation for the script and plotline

I would recommend this for anyone looking for a drama with a love story not like your typical kdrama.

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Such a great movie omg! At first I was skeptical in trying it but the trailer looked pretty interesting. Also, because I am a fan of Xiao Zhan. It did not disappoint though! Xiao Zhan and the other actors delivered the lines really well. Xiao Zhan is really convincing as a naive and sincere character, Xiao Fan. He made me able to emotionally connect with the character. The script was written well too. The CGI is a bit off but it is good enough that it doesn't distract you from what goes on during the scenes. The fantasy and magic parts are really interesting to me too. There are also comical scenes as well which were fun to watch. Overall, this was a good watch and worth it! I totally recommend it!

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Exciting, Heartwarming, & Fun

I did not read the webtoon or heard of it before watching this, but the story really interesting and grabbed me right from episode 1. The counter team's chemistry is really just so amazing and cute which really added to the entire experience of watching them work together to catch evil spirits. The acting of the entire cast really did an incredible job of bringing the characters to life, especially Jo Byung Gyu. He really is such a talented actor and this drama, though it was his first main role, really showcased his superb acting skills and ways of conveying emotions to the viewers through the screen. I will be sure to keep an eye out for his future works and season 2 of this.

More importantly, the plot/story and character development were consistent throughout the 16 episodes (though the writer did change for the last 4 episodes). There weren't any huge differences from the change in writers or at least for me personally. It was really fun watching So Mun grow as a counter and learn from his choices. His strong powers as a counter were also so exciting to watch on screen. I had many favorite scenes from their fight scenes. Some particularly gave me the chills because it was so unexpected and dramatic. There were also a good amount of emotional scenes that made me cry for every one of them- notably the last episode.

I am hoping that the entire cast and crew will return for season 2 and I am curious what kind of story they will be showing us next.

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Entertaining & Funny- You Won't Notice an Hour Went By!

I was skeptical to try this show in the beginning because I haven't watched the previous seasons at all, but I gave it a try because I know most of the new cast for this season. AND boy was I surprised! I LOVE it! I have been binging it for two days and not a single episode was boring. The episode just flies by and it's already an hour, which I really didn't expect.

Here are the good things I like:
1. The chemistry between the new cast
2. Fresh vibes from the cast interactions (2 comedians, 2 actors, 2 singers- a very interesting combo)
3. Fun and unique themes for the episodes (and the games they play)
4. The locations are pretty and have deep meaning
5. VERY FUNNY JOKES!!

The only bad thing is watching them eat the specialty foods so deliciously. :((

Overall, a very good variety to watch every week! I personally think that it's better than the other Korean variety shows airing right now based on the 9 episodes I have watched so far. It's my #1 go-to Korean show right now and I'm getting sad that there are only 31 episodes out so far, so I have to enjoy the episodes slowly before I catch up. I really recommend for anyone looking for a fun hour with plenty of laughs!

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A Realistic Portrayal of the Lives and Comradery of Firefighters

I definitely went into this drama not expecting much since I first tried a few episodes of Yang Yang's Fireworks of My Heart when that was airing. However, this drama completely pulled me in and I was surprised at just how good it was yet not many people were recommending it. Fireworks of My Heart pales in comparison to this drama. Both are dramas about firefighters with romance but Bright Eyes shines in almost every aspect. Realistic portrayal of firefighters' lives, natural and fantastic acting, balanced romance and firefighting scenes, and educational. Moreover, the story and character have logical development, which is somewhat rare in modern-day dramas.

The first and most important thing is the realistic scenes of firefighters' daily lives training and going on rescue missions was really impressive. It was really realistic and eye-opening. The drama really realistically showed the struggles of the firefighters' family members and how firefighters juggle being so busy. However, as a Chinese drama, there is a bit of propaganda but I don't feel that bothered by it because I believe any person would want to believe that firefighters are devoted and willing to protect them in cases of danger. It also isn't very obvious since it is subtly hinted at through the characters' actions and dialogue. Another thing is the comradery of the firefighter team members. I could really feel how much they trusted each other and their teamwork in rescue missions really touched me. The drama did great at making you feel connected to every member of the firefighter team just by watching a few episodes of them together. I really cried and felt relieved with them every time. Even the sacrifices of the members, though are expected since this is a firefighter drama, felt so heartbreaking and I bawled my eyes out. The dilemmas and mindset of firefighters are also effectively portrayed in many scenes and experiences of the firefighter team. The director did great at directing those scenes with those camera angles and bgm. Also, since the firefighting scenes are realistically portrayed, it is very educational about what causes fires and tips in case of fires. Particularly, it was helpful that they talked about the firefighters who deal with wild fires because people don't usually think of them. I found that part interesting and I learned a lot about what they do. It was also nice that they ended the episode with a short clip of fire safety tips. This is what a fire education drama should be like, unlike other dramas ahem.

Now the acting! Johnny is the perfect person to play Lin Lu Xiao! Before watching this drama, I had no clue that Johnny played so many characters with uniform but wow, he sure looks great in his firefighter gear. His build really brings out a charisma that Yang Yang could not do. It is like he was made for this character- he embodied Lin Lu Xiao and I can't imagine anyone else doing it better. His line delivery and acting were also just top-notch! He was amazing at being strict yet also soft towards his team. His crying and tearing up skills are so natural and real that I couldn't help but cry with him. So rare to find a male actor with that kind of charisma, line delivery, and acting skills. However, it isn't just him who is great at acting- the entire firefighter cast was amazing! They were all new faces but they all did great in their roles. I grew attached to each of them and felt heartbroken at how every one of them ended up. My heart still hurts a bit thinking of them. The firefighter team also realistically pulled off all the firefighting scenes to the point where they actually looked like firefighters. I really enjoyed the chemistry between all of the team members- Lu Xiao, Lao Yang, Lao Yu, Lao Liu, and Lao Lei.

The romance and firefighter aspects are also balanced nicely. I am not someone who likes too much romance so I found it enough that it was about 65% firefighter story and 35% romance. Life isn't only about romance so it felt real that it wasn't all about their love story. They are also firefighter so it makes sense that it doesn't show as much of their personal lives. It also isn't like there weren't any romance scenes at all because it was quite sweet for a while and cringe. To be honest, I enjoyed the firefighter aspects much more than their romance. If you are going in looking for a lot of romance, I don't think you would enjoy it as much. Everyone talks about the ending but I believe that the ending is however you want to interpret it. I don't mind open endings as long as the entire story was

Overall, I really enjoyed this drama. It is more heavily focused on firefighters, but rightfully so since firefighters do so much for civilians but don't get much attention in the media. So, this drama is a very good way to learn more about the work they do and what kind of lives they live (at least in China lol-). I will miss these characters, particularly Lu Xiao and his team. China should produce more of these high-quality dramas to educate about these kinds of occupations. Anyways, totally recommend this drama for those who enjoy dramas focused on special occupations. I can see why people keep comparing this to Fireworks of my Heart and criticizing Fireworks. I have to agree that they are on different levels. The only reason i didn't give it a 10 is that some episodes did feel a bit slow but that was only a few. PLEASE TRY!

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Relaxing & Healing

Did not expect to like this but wow, this drama is very healing to watch! It took me about 3 episodes to really get into the drama but after that I finished each episode very quickly. The acting and chemistry of Liu Yifei and Li Xuan were unexpectedly good and fun to watch. The villagers were funny in their own way as well. There were many moments where the villagers and others touched me, and it made me wish such supportive people could surround me. There were also many comedic moments that were not too silly to watch. However, some supporting roles story arch near the end were not as interesting as others and I had to skip to keep watching the episode. I appreciate the writers building out each character though, it made it easier to understand their actions. It was definitely a healing drama to watch overall.

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Keeps you guessing!

I had doubts about trying this drama when it first aired so I didn't watch it then. However, I really liked Kim Seon Ho's acting in 100 Days My Prince and I like the crime/mystery part in this drama so I went back to try it. AND it was GOOD! Sometimes the episode felt a bit slow and not captivating but the mystery kept me going although I skipped a bit sometimes. And boy was I really shocked at the ending and how the case turned out! It wasn't as I expected as the writer keeps you guessing throughout the entire drama. The acting of the main cast was also solid so it was very very enjoyable to watch, especially for certain emotional scenes that made me cry. I really miss the drama now, especially Kim Seon Ho's smile. Glad I went back and watched this over break since I haven't watched a thrilling crime drama in a long time.

Overall:

What I liked: Acting, music, script (most of the time), mystery, cases, comedic elements
What could be improved: script

9.5 rating OVERALL! I recommend giving this a try if you like a mystery!

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I LOVED LOVED the unique plot and the actor lineup. Although I was doubtful on Jinyoung's acting at first, he proved me wrong over and over again through each episode I watched. He is a talented actor and should get more roles. I also enjoyed watching the female lead and the supporting roles, especially Dae Bong! He always made me laugh and he is just too adorable. The plot slowed down sometimes but it never got boring or confusing. It was consistent and not cliche or losing its plot along the way. This drama was the only kdrama I finished and enjoyed a lot in 2019 so far. I am glad it did not disappoint me and lose its strength in writing as it neared the finale. They wrapped up everything nicely for the roles. I really hope there is a season 2 for this drama! This drama is a MUST WATCH! I would totally rewatch this again in a couple of years if I get bored. I highly recommend trying this romance-crime drama if you get the chance! It doesn't turn completely into a romance and get sidetracked like other ones so it's great!

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A Locked Room Murder Done Right!

I first heard of this drama because I am a fan of Greg Hsu but I ultimately gave this movie a try after watching the trailer. It is the first time seeing Greg play this type of character and the story sounded very interesting- I am always down for a good mystery.

This story of a locked room murder case is not something new but the first few minutes hooked me right in and I could tell this could be really good if it was done well. And it really was! After introducing the main plot, everything afterwards was fast paced. I was sitting on the edge of my seat and couldn't take my eyes off. It keeps you thinking about all the possibilities even when you think you know who the real killer is. Ugh, I just love a good crime mystery!

As a big mystery fan, I had some feelings about how the story would go but it still kept me interested. You think you know everything but you have to keep watching to really know. The characters were not new but still were intriguing and I wanted to see if I was right about the villian. Lots of twists and turns. It really keeps you second guessing the truth until the end. The big reveal at the end was done super well with great BGM and camera angles. In between, the little pieces of the real story and investigation being revealed was also done so good and natural. This is what crime movies should be like!

Also, most importantly, the director is really great at story telling and I can tell he really cared about how to show this story. All the dialogues and character introductions were also written amazingly, superb job with the scriptwriters there. Great scenes with high tension and dramatic music. Moreover, the acting was really just amazing! I am usually doubtful when trying Chinese movies but this one shows how a good suspense movie can be done! All the actors from Greg to Janine were amazing at bringing their characters to life! Greg is a very versatile actor and this movie is even more proof of that. It is my first time watching Janine and she was so good! Everyone was just great! Hoping to see these actors in more great projects!!

Also no spoilers- but I was almost right about the story! Nonetheless it was still very exciting to find out everything. Such a great watch! A locked room murder done right! It went by so fast and I may even rewatch! Totally recommemd for those who love suspense and mysteries!

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Healing with Great Traditional Chinese music!

I discovered this hidden gem after hearing about its good story and pretty decent ratings, so I decided to give it a try. I went through the first half of the drama in a blink because it was so good. Got a lot of great laughs and teary eyed.

The story was pretty fast paced and did a great job at introducing the characters and their motives. The love line between Mu Di and Bai Lang is a cliche of enemies to lovers but the drama did it in a refreshing way that made you grow to ship them slowly at the same time that Mu Di also grew to like Bai Lang. I really liked that the drama respected the aesthetics of the small town and also didn't focus so much on the actors' visuals. They casted people based on talent which is obvious with the male lead who isn't the typical handsome and successful style in most rom-coms. He was great at bringing Bai Lang to life and was pretty boyfriend material. I will keep an eye on his future projects and hopefully he gets more main leads. He has a lot of potential. I really liked that they explained a lot about his background and motives so you could understand his actions at the beginning. His group of friends were also pretty likeable, although they didn't show much of their background.

The script and story was also written well for an original script. The writers clearly respected each character and tried to develop the main ones fully. I wish they did try to show more of the second male lead though since he is also shippable with Mu Di. I also liked the whole background story of the band with traditional Chinese instruments and Bai Lang's event company. His events made the show more interesting and there were many funny scenes. The writers did great with the comedic timings that felt very natural. The characters overall felt very real and not like a plot device. My only complaint is that the last 5 or 6 episodes were so focused on the side couples who were not really interesting in my opinion. They did have character growth but just were not interesting to watch. Mu Di's friend and the William guy were just not too fun to watch, so I skipped their scenes in the end. Besides them, I liked all the other characters. Their chattering and dialogue were very fun to watch, noteably Mu Di's family and Bai Lang's friends.

The love line is also not the main focus of the drama, which I appreciate. They focus more on healing and the topic of dreams and music. I do find it regretful that we didn't see more cute scenes of dating Mu Di and Bai Lang. They are cute together! Their best scenes were when they were starting to like each other so I wish we could have gotten more.

Acting wise, the main leads were great and the old actors were great too. The supporting were the weaker links, like William and Mu Di's friend. They did not feel that natural with their lines and body language. I couldn't get too into their roles compared to Bai Lang and Mu Di.

Overall, a healing drama with great music and a cute love line. It is an underrated drama since the budget isn't super big and not very well known actors. However, would totally recommend it even though it wasn't perfect because there are great funny scenes and it was really addicting to watch the first 2/3 of the drama.

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A Love Story That Could Have Shined Brighter

A nice romance story between two musicians who felt lost. I am usually not a super big fan of melodramas but gave this a try after seeing positive reviews. I was pulled into the story from episode 1 and I felt attracted to the characters. I felt for Song Ah's confusion about following her passion and Joon Young's burnt-out feelings about playing the piano. I also really feel the chemistry between the main leads and I wish there were more sweet moments between them. I did love the moments they did have, like the umbrella and handkerchief, and how they slowly moved from interested to dating. And I liked how they were not super lovey-dovey and had awkward moments- felt very real. I also liked how they talked about their problems directly (for the most part) and their love felt very warm. The friendships in the drama are also very warm, and I wish I got to see more of Hyeon Ho and his story. However, there were many moments in the drama where I got confused as to why certain characters behaved the way they did and it was frustrating during those parts. Those parts felt like the writer made it more complicated than it had to be just to push the plot. The plot also felt less engaging from the middle of the drama to the end. I also wish that they had concluded it better by wrapping it up more tightly and giving more of an explanation as to how certain characters ended and resolved their conflicts. Despite this, there were parts that made me teary-eyed and feel bad for the characters. The acting is also superb! I love Park Eun Bin and Min Jae's acting; they did great at portraying a musician and their love for music. I wish I can see them reunite in another romance drama and I want to see Min Jae portray more heavy and emotional characters like this again. Overall, this was a typical melodrama with a great love line and soundtrack.

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