Takes Time To Warm Up

I think many people can’t resist watching My Sassy Princess (祝卿好) because of Zheng Ye Cheng. He has the required look to portray the role of a general in historical dramas. Of course, looks alone are certainly not enough to promote a drama and make it shoot up the charts. The plot has to be good too to get a high rating from viewers. So, how is the story with this one? Is it worth watching or merely hyped up because of the leads? I have gone through the whole 22 episodes and below is My Sassy Princess review for those who are interested to give this a go.

If the first impression counts, My Sassy Princess will probably be unappealing to many viewers. This is because the female protagonist is not an instantly likable character. In the first few episodes, she comes on as irresponsible, immature, and impudent. Therefore, don’t expect a demure and gentle princess but one who is rebellious and intends to get her way with the man she likes.


If you find her to be a real turn-off, in the beginning, it might seem hard to sit through enough episodes for you to slowly warm up to her. You will also have to tolerate her way of seducing the guy which is blatant and direct. It is very different from the typical relationship development in romance dramas whereby the leads are coy about their feelings for each other and they don’t confess until midway through the story. But Liu Ling in My Sassy Princess is already in love with her man at first sight and chasing after him from the very first episode.

I find the change refreshing despite her not-so-likable character. At least, I see a different romance pattern than usual. If you don’t mind an upfront princess who couldn’t care about modesty and conventions, then you might like Liu Ling better. But if you prefer the more traditional guy chases girl scenario, then she will appear as coming on too strongly.

Don’t Take It Too Seriously
Although My Sassy Princess doesn’t have a strong rom-com flavor like Decreed By Fate, it is also not a drama that can be taken too seriously. The plot is simple with only 22 episodes to fit in a romance and investigation into a robbery. If you want detailed political maneuverings and palace intrigues in the mold of Sword Snow Stride or Stand By Me, this is not the drama to binge on.

The focus is more on the romance and with the female lead clearly after the male lead, you will get a flirty feel in their interactions, especially at the beginning of the drama. Don’t be too critical of the princess’ antics and you will be able to enjoy their relationship development. But if you view things seriously, her behavior will become questionable and the romantic vibes will become subdued as a result.

The plot itself is predictable and there is no big mystery as to who are the villains. The cliches are there and you can already foresee them happening in certain scenes such as the couple falling off a cliff and surviving as well as the female lead being forced to marry someone else because of a decree. Thus, the plot is pretty average overall and it is hardly a selling point on its own. What enhances the storytelling and makes the drama more watch-worthy is none other than the chemistry between the leads.

Great Chemistry
I think the chemistry between Yuan Bing Yan and Zheng Ye Cheng practically saves My Sassy Princess from mediocrity. The flirtations would only look romantic if viewers can feel that the leads are into each other which they managed to do convincingly throughout the drama. So, once they got together, the love is obvious and you will be able to feel their sorrows when they face difficulties.

There are quite a few kisses between them and the blazing chemistry means these would be the highlights of the drama. Unfortunately, some have been deleted while others could have been cut short. The unevenness in the scene transitions shows with these poor edits. Perhaps the kisses are too numerous or raunchy for their domestic audience but it is a real pity to have been deleted given their great chemistry.

In addition, Zheng Ye Cheng’s charisma as a cold-faced commander also helped to attract viewers. He seems to have perfected this kind of role with his domineering screen presence and aura. He also played a similar character in The Sleepless Princess which is why Shen Yan shouldn’t be a challenge for him to portray. This is my second time watching Yuan Bing Yan after Love And Redemption. She brought out the essence of the character in My Sassy Princess and I think she did well with what she was given.

My Verdict – Watch For The Chemistry
My Sassy Princess will not satisfy those who want a great plot of a palace power struggle. It will also be disappointing for those who prefer a more traditional boy chases girl romance. On top of that, not everyone will have the patience to tolerate the “sassiness” of the female lead. You need to watch about 6 episodes to find out more about her background to slowly understand her character and behavior. Therefore, I’m not sure if more critical viewers will find this worth sitting through unless they are hooked on the leads’ chemistry right from the start given that the first impression of the drama may not be too flattering.

However, once you get over the initial bump, it gets better as the drama progresses. By then, you should find the female protagonist more acceptable. The leads’ good chemistry certainly helped me to hang on and I believe it contributed much to its marketability. The fighting scenes and Zheng Ye Cheng’s ability to execute those martial art moves beautifully provided another reason for me to stay on longer.

Chemistry And Kisses Sell
I believe this drama is getting a lot of attention in China at the time of this review. I think the leads did a good job overall and they deserve the good results notwithstanding the very ordinary plot. All I can say is romance dramas are very dependent on chemistry to make it work. Kisses sell as well but they have to be well-executed with the couple’s sizzling chemistry being the prerequisite for the scenes to feel romantic to the viewers.

So, the hype surrounding this drama centers mainly on the couple rather than the story to me. Consequently, for this My Sassy Princess review, I would give it a score of 7.5/10 because the plot doesn’t justify a higher rating in my opinion. But it doesn’t mean it is not enjoyable especially if you are a big fan of Zheng Ye Cheng and Yuan Bing Yan.

In conclusion, the romance flavor is strong in this couple. I think the story execution also effectively satisfies every girl’s fantasy of a handsome and domineering lord being conquered by a sassy princess which is typical of historical romance novels. Perhaps this is why it is one of the top dramas of the year to date.

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Engaging!

The Blue Whisper is an engaging tale of a forbidden romance between a spiritual master and a merman. A forbidden love plot is nothing new but what drives the drama is the other elements that have been weaved together to give us a detailed and intriguing story. Secrets, betrayal, misunderstanding, and revenge are some of the elements that will make you hooked on the drama. The story is easy to understand despite its xianxia genre and you will be eager to know what will happen next which signifies a job well-done in terms of plot execution.

While the drama is broken up into 2 parts, there is a smooth flow to the story. It breaks at the right time as the main couple’s relationship enters a different phase. I find the pacing for Part 1 to be better because Part 2 starts pretty slowly with a weakened female protagonist. This stretches for about 8 episodes which I think is too long as the point has been made to the viewers long before. In contrast, the ending seems to be a rush in the last few minutes. So, although the story is slowly built up to a climax in Part 2 with more secrets revealed, the first part is more evenly paced to me.

Lack Of Details For The Ending (Spoilers Alert!)
The last scene of the main couple’s reunion in Part 2 is sort of an explanation. It is not spelled out what happened to Yun He after she was sealed up in the lava pit. You have to use your imagination and deduction on what transpired rather than being spoon-fed about the details which are similar to the ending in Love And Destiny. The good thing is it has a finality to it when it comes to the main couple unlike Novoland: Pearl Eclipse. It is just how they got there which requires you to connect the dots.

If you have paid attention and watched the whole drama from start to finish, it is not hard to guess why Yun He could survive the lava pit. Chang Yi’s pearl has a lot to do with it. But I would have liked more details rather than less to spell out clearly what happened at the bottom of the pit and the villain’s ending. It would have made the story more complete with proper closure.

Tolerance For Xianxia Fantasy
The xianxia genre with its immortals, beasts, spirits and other beings may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you find this kind of drama to be unrealistic, The Blue Whisper may not be able to change your mind either despite the presence of popular stars in its cast. Why do I say so? It is because you will see many characters sacrificing themselves in this drama for the greater good. While that may seem ordinary, some of these characters will end up coming back to life later on.

In other words, they “die” and then reawaken. Perhaps it is overdone in The Blue Whisper with the number of characters sacrificing their lives. So, if you have little tolerance for xianxia dramas, this wouldn’t be a particularly good one to binge on. It might just annoy you with the number of so-called “deaths” and the simplistic way they are rejuvenated. This is vastly different from Ten Miles Of Peach Blossoms which is also a story of love and sacrifice but with much fewer deaths and more substance to the reawakening of the characters.

However, if the coming back to life thingy is not an issue with you, then the overall story is a cohesive one with a gradual reveal of the past and the villain’s plan. This is partly what makes you hooked as you will be curious about certain things along the way.

Acting And Chemistry
I think the 2 leads need no introduction. Dilraba Dilmurat has played enough roles as a strong female character to be able to exhibit the intelligence and stoicism of Yun He in the drama. While I don’t think she exceeded expectations to take her acting up a notch, it is still a respectable performance from her. She can switch effortlessly from a strong and mature character to a sassy one and back.

Allen Ren also needed to portray a change of personality in the drama from a sincere merman to a hardhearted and cold one. He did well in the first part with his sweet facial expressions. The purity and naivete are convincing. However, his cold demeanor in the second part is a bit bland to me. Yes, he is supposed to wear an impassive face but the inner torment that the character is facing seems to be lacking in his portrayal.

As a couple, I can’t really say that the chemistry between Dilraba Dilmurat and Allen Ren is great in the drama. It is passable but the heat is certainly missing. It is not so much about the fish kisses that lack real passion but their interactions just don’t have enough sizzles for their love to be felt more deeply. The actress’ chemistry with Leo Wu in The Long Ballad is definitely more obvious compared to this one with Allen Ren.

In fact, some might even feel that Dilraba Dilmurat has better chemistry with the second male lead. This is not surprising as Xiao Shun Yao did well in his portrayal of a conflicted Hao Qing. The other notable character is played by Cristy Guo. She really brought out the essence of Shunde Fairy’s character in her portrayal. So, be forewarned that you will hate her as you watch!

My Verdict – Recommended Watch
The Blue Whisper is a big budget production and the quality in terms of CGI, costumes, and cinematography will not disappoint. The scenery set up is beautiful with the effects in both Part 1 and 2. Hence, when everything is put together, it is a highly watchable production. The romance is not a deeply heartfelt one as it doesn’t have a strong foundation to it unlike One And Only but the overall story is logical and flows well. Hence, the main couple’s romance should still resonate with viewers. Even if it doesn’t, there are 2 more couples in the story to gain your attention.

Moreover, there is more to the plot apart from romance. Revenge also takes up a significant portion of the drama and is naturally weaved into the story. Some of the characters have underlying motives to their actions and these are gradually teased out as the drama progresses. Thus, the story is an engaging one even if you can’t feel anything special about the leads’ romance.

For this The Blue Whisper review, I would give it a score of 8/10. It is not the best xianxia romance drama out there but it has enough factors to make it watchable. Some parts is a little slow-moving and the ending could be more detailed. But overall, it would not be a waste of time to watch this. Whether you would find this to be a perfect 10 lies mainly in how deeply the leads’ love for each other moves you as a viewer. Personally, it is a beautiful love story that is well-executed but simply lacks more heartfelt scenes to make the romance more memorable when it is all over. That is also why the rewatch value is not high on my list with this one

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Rushed Ending!

Who Rules The World (且试天下) is one of the most anticipated Chinese historical dramas for the first half of 2022. Starring Yang Yang and Zhao Lu Si, it is a given that this production will attract a lot of attention as the 2 leads have a big following among fans. The general expectation is this should be a great drama and it is directed by Yin Tao whose projects include Ancient Love Poetry and Love And Redemption. But does the drama match up to the hype or is it a disappointment for the viewers? Let’s take a look at my review of Who Rules The World below.

Who Rules The World starts quite well with good and consistent pacing throughout… until you hit the last few episodes. This is where you will get time jumps and rapid events that culminate in a rushed ending. It gives you the feeling that they should be more scenes but they are snipped off to wrap this up in 40 episodes. The choppy editing is also highly noticeable now and then which is very uncharacteristic of a high-budget production. Fortunately, the story still flows coherently despite the poor scene transition at times. At most, they are annoying but you will still be able to follow the plot as it moves along.

The ending also may not be satisfying to everyone. It is understandable but certainly not ideal. To me, it could have been better written since they have decided not to stick to the novel’s version anyway. The ending leaves me perplexed because of the way the person becomes the new Emperor. It renders all the wars fought and soldiers lost meaningless when both camps know the other will also be a good ruler. It is like a gaping plot hole to me when both sides don’t see each other as evil. So, why fight in the first place, right?

Is It A Great Wuxia Drama?
I don’t see Who Rules The World as a particularly great wuxia drama. The fighting scenes are watchable at the beginning but the over-reliance on CGI towards the end is laughable. The wuxia element is not on par with dramas like Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre 2019 whereby the fighting moves are better choreographed with a classic scene that is worth re-watching.

In contrast, Who Rules The World is also peppered with fighting scenes but none stands out and compels you to rewatch. However, it is still better than Legend Of Fei, with a slightly more powerful performance by Zhao Lu Si. I think if the producer has largely kept to the standards at the beginning, this drama would leave a more lasting impression in the wuxia genre. Unfortunately, what sticks in my mind when the drama ends is the last fighting scene between the protagonists and the villain in Episode 40. It is anti-climatic and simplistic with superman-like flying scenes resembling a Western superhero movie rather than a wuxia drama. Hence, I doubt if Who Rules The World could satisfy serious wuxia drama fans. You will probably be disappointed if you expect more powerfully orchestrated fights. But if you want romance and court politics, this might be your cup of tea.

Romance Plus Politics Plot
Who Rules The World doesn’t have a tightly focused plot. It starts with a missing token that gives legitimacy to the ruler. Just when you think the story is about the fight for the token, it leaves that aside and starts straying heavily into court politics, war, and romance which have nothing to do with the token. The whole plot is more about the protagonists’ journey as they handle one problem after another in the male lead’s fight for succession against his younger brother and stepmother. And in the process, they naturally fall in love which is where a large part of the focus is as well.

So, I think this should delight romance drama fans. The political side of things may become a bore to some though with the typical schemings of a half-sibling and his mother in the quest to become the heir which I guess you could skip if you want to. This production is not a detailed strategy drama like Nirvana In Fire Season 1. Neither does it have the excitement of flushing out the villain as The Wind Blows From Longxi. Instead, it is just a story of a couple who is thrown together by circumstances with court politics interwoven into their adventure.

Chemistry
Is the chemistry between Zhao Lu Si and Yang Yang good? Yes, definitely! But is it superb? Well, not exactly to me. Suffice to say that they do look like a pair of lovers who are deeply in love with each other which gives credence to their on-screen romance. So, chances are you will find their interactions pleasurable. While there is enough chemistry for viewers to feel the romantic vibes, I don’t think it is sizzling enough for me to replay their scenes either. They lack that extra degree of love and passion in their body language to make their scenes together truly engaging.

In terms of acting, I think Rosy Zhao Lu Si shines in her role in Who Rules The World. She is certainly getting better with each subsequent drama and taking on more challenging projects like the one in The Long Ballad. In a way, the role of Bai Feng Xi suits her well as she is a free-spirited character with a bit of badass attitude which is akin to the one she played in The Romance Of Tiger And Rose.

As for Yang Yang, he gives Hei Feng Xi an elegant and graceful personality. He has also shown much improvement since the days of Love 020. Although he appears a little stiff at times in Who Rules The World, the emotional scenes are still well done and hit the right spots to make viewers root for him.

My Verdict – Deserves A Watch
Who Rules The World has a few noticeable flaws but the great first half makes you hooked to the story. Therefore, you will sit through it to the end anyhow. I just get the feeling that the first half is better executed with a higher production quality compared to the second which seems to degenerate into an average drama. This includes the CGI effects as well as the martial arts choreography. Perhaps this is the consequence of having different people being involved in the production as there were news reports that the director and screenwriter quit halfway through the project.

The cast did a great job despite the production problems and this helped to overshadow the choppy editing and plot holes. As such, the drama becomes watchable and engaging and deserves our support especially if you are a fan of the leads. The story itself is easy to follow and coherent. It is a pretty relaxing watch for a historical drama with court politics as part of the plot unlike Sword Snow Stride and Stands By Me which require much closer attention.

For this Who Rules The World review, I would give it a score of 8/10. It falls short with an underwhelming and anti-climatic ending. With the big budget which can be seen from the costumes, location settings, and the number of extras, I think they could have done a better job overall to make the story more compelling. Watch it for the romance rather than the wuxia elements. I think that is the main selling point of this drama and it succeeds in that aspect to make it a satisfying watch for the viewers despite the weaknesses.

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Too Long!

When I saw that Hello, The Sharpshooter (你好, 神枪手) is 40 episodes long, it really made me think twice if I should give this a shot. My first instinct told me that it would be a drag. After all, if you have watched enough of Chinese dramas, you would know how common it is for them to stretch on longer than necessary even when the plot is pretty simple. So, I started this with much apprehension. The cast made me take the risk. Was my instinct right or is this better than I thought? My Hello, The Sharpshooter review below will try provide some answers.

40 episodes is indeed too long for Hello, The Sharpshooter. This could have been a much tighter story if the producers had cut it down to 30 episodes or less. There are many fillers and flashbacks which are not necessary. To me, the first 20 episodes or so seems monotonous. There is no excitement to make you crave for more as you watch. Although many Chinese dramas also tend to have boring stretches, there are usually high points or a feeling of anticipation here and there to keep your interest.

However, Hello, The Sharpshooter is pretty flat for half the drama. The story picks up only around Episode 21 when there are more happenings to drive the story forward. I wouldn’t term it as a bad drama but it is certainly nothing great either given the laborious way the story has been told. It is also predictable given some of the cliches and recycled plots.

Old And New Issues
Basically, the plot is about a guy who has selective amnesia and has forgotten about the girl although they used to be a couple. This amnesia theme is nothing new for a romance drama and you can easily predict what is going to happen to his memory loss. Viewers are not told what happened to this couple upfront. Instead, you are merely given hints every now and then through dialogues and flashbacks of their time together. The whole story of what happened to both of them is only revealed much later.

What is different though is the sport chosen as the backdrop to the story. We have enough of winter sports drama such as To Fly With You and Skate Into Love. They are also plenty of e-gaming ones including Falling Into Your Smile. Shooting certainly doesn’t seem as exciting. However, it is a sport that requires focus and mental toughness. Hence, the psychological issues that the drama bring up is an ideal fit for the sport. This is where there is something new being offered to the viewers as mental illness is not a common Chinese drama theme.

The downside though is not to expect much professionalism and in-depth exploration of the psychological disorder afflicting the protagonists. Just like in Dream Garden, if you start judging it through a professional lens, the protagonists’ recovery will seem overly simplistic and unreal. After all, apart from the psychological issues, the drama also has to give air time to the romance, training, friendship, and work. So, it is good as it doesn’t get bogged down with details but would be disappointing if you want a more serious psychological drama.

The Romance
I think most people who choose to watch Hello, The Sharpshooter are doing it for the romance. Personally, the romance of the main couple is sweet. It is also a gradual progress and the relationship is a very supportive one. They communicate with each other when problems arise. So, you can feel a deepening of the relationship as the drama progresses. The guy may be possessive and jealous but in a good and light mannered way. Some will even see it as cute and sweet.

However, what the romance lacks is passion. It is not a steamy kind of romance like what you would get in You Are My Glory. The kisses are limited to mostly pecks which kind of reminds me of Forever And Ever. it is understandable though because of the leads’ psychological issues and thus, the need to take things slow. Furthermore, it is a sports drama and the main character is supposedly a national athlete. So, I guess they have to keep it relatively clean. But that impulse and passion are certainly missing from this couple and as a viewer, it feels lacking in some way.

Acting And Chemistry
The role of Tang Xin is really nothing new for Fair Xing. The character is cute and chirpy and you will get the feeling that you have seen it all before in her previous dramas such as Put Your Head On My Shoulder and My Little Happiness. Therefore, if you are her fan, this one would seem familiar. But there is no breakthrough as far as her acting is concerned.

The same goes for Hu Yu Tian in Hello, The Sharpshooter. He is good-looking and you could be drawn to his eyes. But I find his acting to be pretty bland in this drama as there is little variation in his expressions. Maybe the director wanted it that way since he plays a top shooter who is supposed to have a calm and stable personality. His acting isn’t horrible but it doesn’t give you reason to be impressed either.

When the 2 leads are put together, you will find a big height difference between them. I really think it is time to stop pairing Fair Xing with tall actors as it is getting repetitive despite the supposed cuteness. Their chemistry is visible but nothing extraordinary. Hence, there is little motivation to rewatch their scenes unlike some other on-screen couples who have sizzling chemistry such as the ones in Why Women Love and Love At Night.

My Verdict – A So-So Drama
I think Hello, The Sharpshooter does require a bit of patience to sit through. The plot is drawn out especially for the first half. You can literally leave the drama running in the background while doing something else and you would still be able to follow the story. So, I won’t be surprised if this is tedious to watch for some viewers. For me, I took breaks in between before I completed it as it was too monotonous for binge watching.

Having said that, I can also see how this drama could have its fans. Apart from the leads, the main couple’s romance is a sweet and supportive one. It is a natural progress and not everyone likes a rushed relationship development. It may be slow-moving but each happening is like a building block to the complete story that goes back to their past. I guess if you really like the couple’s interactions and their stable romance, then you might find this enjoyable because the leads are together in most of the scenes. But if you find them to be only an average couple, then this will become a big bore due to the length of the drama.

For this Hello, The Sharpshooter review, I would give it a score of 7/10. It tries to bring up the issue of a mental disorder in a romance which is something refreshing. But it still couldn’t run away from a memory loss cliche which makes it predictable. Overall, it is a case of being a so-so drama – neither entirely good nor bad. In other words, it is forgettable once you have completed the whole 40 episodes with no real urge to rewatch despite a logical layout to the story.

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This is one of my pick me up dramas since it's a bit on the lighthearted side with its light comedy and cute romance and that you’re not gonna end up heartbroken after the last episode. It's one of those dramas that won’t betray your feelings and trust at the end.

STORY
So the drama mainly focuses on this group of people who try to find themselves in a harsh society, especially Nuan Nuan and Han Xue after their dreams of becoming an idol come crashing down one night because of their friends betrayal. And of course Nuan Nuan’s story, as she finds a new dream and love with her friend’s brother Han Che.So the story starts on that fateful day, when three best friends Nuan Nuan, Han Xue and Lin Jia Yi compete to finally debut as a girl group only to be betrayed by Lin Jia Yi, who orchestrated (with their agency’s director) to literally steal the spotlight and with the help of Light and Stage Director King. Jia Yi shot to stardom while Nuan Nuan and Han Xue not only ended up being embarrassed as “back-up” dancers for Jia Yi but got kicked out of their agency as well.

Both girls are not just heartbroken and mad at their friend's betrayal but at a loss, they have trained together for years dreaming of becoming a girl group and to finally debut together and have no back up plan. With Han Xue’s family money, she had no other worries except for Nuan Nuan. Nuan Nuan has no one in the city and will basically become homeless after she moves out of the dorms and so she offers their family townhouse, her deceased grandmother’s studio unaware that her aloof, cold, OCD and genius brother Han Che is back in the country and is set on staying on his grandmother’s house.

With their contrasting personalities, the two did not start well and he ended up throwing her out. It turns out that Han Che a.k.a KING (ikr!) is back in the country not just because of his new company but he wanted to search for his “benefactor”. Back story on that, when the Han sibling’s grandmother died, Han Che was so sick he could barely get up of bed and a mysterious person takes care of him, even though he has hyperthymesia (person who can remember everything) the one thing he can never remember was the face of the girl who took care of him that night.No matter how hard he tries he can never remember her face but he does remember her three white flower hairpin. And on that fateful day he mistook Jia Yi as his benefactor and helped her in becoming a star and unknowingly hurt the real one.

So the whole story will be about Nuan Nuan as she tries to re-invent herself, Han Che tries to “make it up” to her, Jia Yi and Han Chen’s a bit obsessing over our main leads, Han Xue still trying to make herself famous and Gu Li becoming her knight and shining armor.I love the growth of the female leads on this drama. The three girls who started off as best friends, their fall out, their personal growth and realization to finally making up and finding love amidst all the chaos of their life. Especially Nuan Nuan and Han Xue, their journey from who they were at the beginning to what they have become to the end, was really cute and touching.

The chemistries were extremely cute specially for Nuan Nuan & Han Che and Han Xue and Gu Li. I kind of appreciate that the “third parties” on the love story wasn’t despicable characters, Jia Yi and Han Chen even though have expressed their love but they knew the lines not to cross ‘cause even though they are in love they weren’t exactly so blinded by it that they throw their common sense out the window (like most third parties in chinese dramas) and that they value their friendships more than that love.

Which was quite funny ‘cause I was literally waiting to hate Jia Yi if she does something outrageous and stupid and I was genuinely surprised when her character didn’t turn out to be as bad as I was hoping it would, which is definitely a good thing. There were times that did annoy me but they weren’t that bad for me to label her a bitch like most third parties on dramas in general.The ending was really cute and definitely did not disappoint my heart since they have a good, cute and satisfying happy ending. It wasn’t over the top but it was the kind of happy ending that puts my heart to ease.

CHARACTERS
- Liu Nuan Nuan is an aspiring idol who dreamt of nothing but to perform on stage. She is kind, optimistic, lovable, caring and understanding. She is the type of friend you wish you would have. In between the hot tempered Han Xue and goody two shoes Jia Yi, she was mostly the mediator and the overall troubleshooter; whenever her friends have a problem, she is always there fixing them and will do anything to help them out.

She is dependable and loyal but a bit clumsy. She is kind to a fault. But don’t mistake her as a weak girly girl who loves pink and needs constant saving ‘cause she is definitely not that! Nuan Nuan is playful, mischievous and gives off this girl-next-door vibe. She is not too girly but she’s not boyish either.

- Han Che is a famous Visual Director who has finally established his own company. He is cold and brutally honest, with OCD tendencies and hyperthymesia, he has the quadruple threat (lol) He has a bad habit of deciding for others, like he did on the championship. But like most male leads, he has his soft side too. He is not extremely heartless or ungrateful. He is just having a hard time expressing himself in a way that does not sound harsh or rude to most people.

He likes to keep to himself and is perfectionist when it comes to work. But when it comes to Nuan Nuan (after he finally acknowledges his feelings), he can just be himself.

At first I kind of doubted the love story, ‘cause in a way it looked like he was only doing things to repay her kindness but it was quite obvious that what he was feeling was no longer out of debt but he was genuinely falling in love with her. Her clumsiness, her personality and her messiness didn’t bother him in a bad way. Instead it healed him in a way they both didn’t expect, she made him open up as he assisted her to grow as a person. He is always blunt with her and even though it sounded mean at times, it made Nuan Nuan mature and to finally accept the things she couldn’t.

- Lin Jia Yi is Nuan Nuan’s friend who shot to stardom after the championship with King’s help. Jia Yi is viewed by the public as an innocent beauty. She has the face of an angel and the voice of one too. Although she was a bit selfish, she is actually pretty decent compared to other third party characters in most Chinese dramas.

- Han Xue is friend to Nuan Nuan and Jia Yi, she is the outspoken, party girl and hot tempered one in the three. She and her brother Han Che both come from a rich family, their parents have immigrated to america and both have been quite distant to them. Han Xue’s dream was to be famous. She is a bit like Nuan Nuan, she is a bit optimistic but she does have a temper.

She is not very close with her brother or any of her family. She used to be a promising track athlete with a huge possibility of joining the national team but she threw it all away when she decided that she wanted to become an idol.

- Fang Han Chen is a solo artist signed under the same agency as Lin Jia Yi. He has a pretty stable career and a huge fanbase and he actually willingly risked all of his life's work when he tried to stand up for Nuan Nuan. Even though I was not his biggest fan, I admire him for letting go.

- Gu Li is Han Che’s childhood friend and business partner. Well most of the time, he was acting like Han Che’s secretary instead of a business partner (lol). He had long secretly loved Han Xue and would do anything for her.

CAST
The one who brought me to the drama was Eleanor Lee, whom I saw on Fake Princess with Zhao Yi Qin from My Youth and Accidentally In Love. I love Eleanor on Fake Princess so I automatically wanted to watch her more and she did not disappoint. I love that her characters weren’t girly girls or the damsel in distress type but rather the “I’m kind of a badass and I can kick your ass if I want to” kind, they are not pushovers.I didn’t know that Leon Leong was in the 2018 adaptation of Meteor Garden since I have not watched that version but when I looked through his filmography on MDL, he has a good list and most of them have quite good reviews. I love Leon Leong and Eleanor’s chemistry, they don’t look awkward or forceful at all. They look really good together and their portrayal as a couple is really nice to watch, it wasn’t cringey but rather envious to look at.

FINAL THOUGHTS (Rating: 9/10)
Like I said it was Eleanor Lee that brought me to the drama and I honestly had no expectations at all. I just wanted to pass time as I wait for another Wuxia Drama I can watch so I had little to none expectations at all and that is what makes me love the drama even more.

Instead of being influenced by anyone or having a set of expectations for the drama, watching it with basically almost nothing made the drama worth every watch. ‘Cause when you read the synopsis, it might seem like your typical damsel in distress girl who’s life turned upside down and she gets “rescued” by a knight and shining armor and they live happily ever after but instead I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t go that way.Even though yes, our male lead did offer a helping hand, our female lead found herself, she matured in her own way and found her own colors. Which I really appreciate since it breaks away from a lot of modern romantic comedy chinese dramas.

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STORY
So the drama is about the four boy rapunzels who are hidden from the world and their two princes(ses) who rescue them from the basement of a narcissistic CEO who wants to use them to bend the world into his vision. LOL but in all honesty, that is the best way to explain the whole concept of the drama without spoiling anything.I really want to say so many things about the drama but it wouldn’t be that fun if you already know the secrets of this drama. I can’t really say it's very realistic cause it's definitely far from it but how they kind of played with the idea and mixed it with fantasy and good idol cdrama aesthetic, I could say this is a good drama. It's funny, has a bit of action, talks about self worth, self discovery, courage, confidence, love, friendship, moral lessons and mixed it with the colorful idol cdrama aesthetic and good looking cast. It's a really good watch.

Like I mentioned on my first blog about this drama, the idea of virtual boyfriends is interesting and the way this drama played with that idea is really good. I was at first unseasy with how they were gonna play that whole virtual relationship thing specially at the very beginning ‘cause they used glasses. Although in reality glasses seem more plausible but there are so many loopholes in glasses. Like how can it be a completely immersive game when you can clearly see reality outside the rims of the glasses so when they changed into lenses, it actually made it more believable, does it make sense?

There is a part of the drama that I unexpectedly love and it's about the “Fandom” aspect especially the loveboys’s “girlfriends/wife”. I was worried that they would exaggerate fandoms and make it look bad or make us fans look like we were crazy. At first it worried me because in my perspective they were making us “fans” look like we have gone absolutely crazy and that we have become unreasonable although the ex wife part was a bit funny.There is an ounce of truth in it but I just love how they also showed the fan’s perspective in a different light. That through idolizing these people or believing in these made up relationships, people who feel lonely, lost hope and discouraged were inspired to pick ourselves again, to look forward to tomorrow. That not all fans are like sasaengs, who stalks and causes trouble, that most fans are people like Kele, Qiqi and Lanlan were protective but were not possessive or crazy.

I need to take a time and talk about the villain in this drama, Xu Guang Han. I don’t really talk much about villains in my reviews cause it sometimes spoils a lot of things but he will be an exception 'cause I really enjoyed his character. I honestly did not hate him at all, he is actually quite funny, especially with his scenes with Lei Na and Grandma Fu Shun.I get his logic but his execution is terrible. I also need to mention his narcissistic personality and obsession with “perfection” that just makes me laugh every single time. For a very smart guy whose goal is perfection, he is quite sloppy. I don’t know how to properly explain it without giving away too much but he kind of has a childish overly confident ego. Even though he is horrible at times, his scenes just make me laugh (probably biased because of the actor who played him lol)

The story is good but I personally think they could do with less episodes. Not complaining with the story fillers cause they were cute but fillers are still fillers, the story could have ended with less than 36 episodes. There were also loopholes in the storyline that I was a bit confused with. There are also things in the drama that make you raise a lot of questions, like xxxxx, if she is so influential she could have done everything without having to wait for Kele to appear in the storyline.I mean if that person was so vital and important it would have been easier for her to do everything herself. But the drama would be boring isn’t it? So I’ll just let that pass. And then there were action scenes, like when did they know how to fight? They were kicking ass but it makes me question how?? Like Qianya is a badass, the four rapunzels were also really good at fighting and last but not the least Kele’s high kick at the end??? Where did that come from?

Even though I was enjoying myself I was honestly thinking of dropping the drama even though I’m nearly at the end but! there is a humongous BUT! Something extraordinary happened! Damn did I not see that plot twist coming! OH MAH GAAAAAAAAAAD! Probably one of the greatest plot twists in modern dramas. Like Damn, I was baited into thinking that the drama is falling into the very cliches that I absolutely detest but praise the lord that I’m wrong! And thank god, my baes took a leap of faith! No pun intended (you’ll probably get this if you have seen the drama LOL)

And just when it's getting better, another mega plot twist!!!! Like seriously this drama is like Christmas that keeps on giving! The last couple of episodes were definitely the highlight of the story, the plot twists and shocking revelations were just perfection. I was definitely caught off guard, but the good kind.Yes we do get a happy ending for everyone. Although it feels a little bit disappointing that Luo Ke and Su Lei’s love stories felt a little bit rushed. They do have their happy ending but it still felt a bit rushed for them.

CAST
Jiang Ke Le - Kele is an only child whose father works as a sailor. She lives with her high school classmate and best friend Qianya. She works at a convenience store (before she was fired for being 5 minutes late) and later works at Colorist, a cosmetic shop where she befriends the cashier Qiqi. Kele has a bubbly girl next door vibe who is always optimistic despite being in a series of misfortunes. She’s the type of girl who goes with the flow and doesn't really hold grudges (much). She always seems to find a way out of her sticky situations by being a good actress and liar.

Lu Xiao - Lu Xiao is one of the four “loveboys”. Virtually, he is sweet, loving, caring and funny but he is actually far from it in reality. He is temperamental and a bit aloof to the other boys. He has a teddy bear that he never lets anyone touch, it was also the reason why he first butt-heads with their new cleaner, Kele. He has aquaphobia due to an incident when he was a kid before he was later “rescued” by Xu Guang Han.

Xu Nian - Xu Nian is like the “dad” of the four boys. Virtually, he is elegant and calm and unlike the rest of the boys, he is quite similar to his virtual character. He is kind, understanding and calm. He is the voice of reason and is very trusted by the other two boys Luo Ke and Su Lie. He is very smart and based on Kele and Qi Chuan, he is boring. He is very compassionate and caring towards the people around him.

Guan Qianya - Qianya is a career woman who is seen as a “tiger” boss but behind closed doors she is haunted by her past and relies on pills to sleep. Qianya is Kele’s trusted friend and roommate and the CEO of a dating company that is currently struggling due to the success of “loveboys”. Despite having a “strong/chic” woman facade, she is actually playful when it comes to Kele.

Su Lie - Su Lie is described as the sporty, outgoing “boyfriend” but in reality he is extremely shy and is scared of girls, with a very good reason. When he first met Kele, he was very awkward and avoided her as much as he could. Su Lei has a very traumatic past which makes him a bit timid and extremely scared of women, specifically women with red lipsticks. Oh and he has extremely low alcohol tolerance.

Luo Ke - Luo Ke is described as the “boyfriend” with a warm personality but in reality he is a bit childish and naive. He was the first one to open up to Kele especially when he was bribed with food, junk food to be specific. Luo Ke is cheerful but can oftentimes act like a spoiled child. He can also be a bit outspoken but is most of the time intimidated by Lu Xiao (since he was once beaten by him).

Xu Guang Han - Guang Han is the Founder and CEO of Yao Inc. Due to the “betrayal” of his parents, he was raised by his aunt. He then later became successful in the Entertainment Industry and managed different celebrities and where he met his girlfriend Gi Lan (or was it Gi Yan? Something like that LOL). Because of his greedy ambitions and obsession on staying relevant in society they had a fall out and then she left which made him see it as another “betrayal”. Unable to take it more “betrayals” he envisioned of a “perfect” relationship and eventually started his “loveboys” project.

CHARACTERS TO MENTION
Xu Fu Shun - Grandma Fu Shun is a badass grandma who, despite her age, still rides her motorcycle and can kickass. She works as the cleaner for the “Bay House” (where the boys are being kept) but when she got into a vehicular accident involving Kele, she had Kele take her place to clean the Bay House (with ulterior motives). She is very playful and mischievous but she can be cunning if she wants to be.

Lei Na - Lei Na is Xu Guang Han’s extremely loyal secretary who is definitely in love with him (LOL) Despite being fierce and mean, she is quite hhmm… okay, let me be blunt, she is kind of stupid but still she is a bit smart (watch the drama and you’ll know what I mean). She takes things literally and that's what makes her funny even though she doesn’ intend to.

Qi Chuan - Qi Chuan is a singer who used to work for Xu Guang Han before Guang Han took rights for his compositions (like Taylor Swift/Scooter ”snake” Braun story, sorry I just had to mention it. If its not obvious enough, I’m a swiftie as well LOL) I honestly don’t know about this guy. At first he gives me the “snake” vibe (the type that betrays people) but then he seemed innocent and just a bit foolish but then he was being sus in a couple of episodes but is actually innocent sooooo...I don't know. He was funny though.

CAST
I have seen Dai Lu Wa on CrossFire before where she played the troubling Chu Ge, Wu Lei’s love interest. I wasn’t really a fan of her then but I definitely love her now. She looks really cute as Kele and a complete 180 from the stubborn and feisty Chu Ge.

Then there is my bae Zhang Ling He, the reason why I wanted to watch this drama. As expected, he is really good looking and did not disappoint. There is also He Luo Luo sho plays as Lu Xiao, out of the four he is actually closest to his character since he is an idol and a member of R1se.

And ofcourse Chang Bin who plays as Luo Ke and Yan An who plays as Su Lie needs recognition. I actually expect them to be idols in real life but I can’t find much on their bio on MDL and although they are not main leads, I think this is their first time to have big supporting roles and I’m very proud. To think that this is Yan An’s first and only drama, it amazes me cause both are really talented and I heard they also sang parts of the OST. Stan talent.

Now to the biggest unexpected actor on this drama that just made me nostalgic and feeling like I’m a teenager once again is Ming Dao who plays as Xu Guang Han. I have only seen 1 drama from him (this will be the 2nd) but my heart will always remember him as Shan Jun Hao my Prince who turned into a frog Dang Ou HAHAH. Oh it feels like I’m back in 2008 just before high school.

PRODUCTION
I mentioned on my blog before that I was nervous about the CGI on this drama and that it might be one of those cringey super fake CGI that I really hate but it turns out it wasn’t bad, the effects were actually really clean and not bothering at all. The aesthetic is also what you would expect in Modern Idol CDramas, very colorful. I also quite like the fashion on this one since it wasn’t really over the top but something that anyone can really rock but that velvet suit though LOL.

FINAL THOUGHTS (Rating: 8.6/10)
The drama is not perfect but very interesting and fun to watch. It wasn’t exactly serious nor very dramatic that I could still tag this as a pick me up drama. It had the characteristics of modern romcom idol dramas that we love, it had the colorful aesthetic, good looking young cast, wonderful set, funny and a bit/somewhat relatable characters with cute and romantic scenes that will make your heart flutter, and just a tad bit of drama and action to make it more deep.

Like I mentioned it wasn’t perfect but I personally enjoyed watching this and will include it on my re-watch list. So I’m giving this quite a big rating cause I really enjoyed my time and had good laughs from this. Would I recommend this? Yes, I definitely would. Its quite a good modern + Sci-Fi meets Idol drama. And will definitely add this on my pick me up drama list as well.

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It’s been a while since I have watched the drama and its also been a while since I started writing this but never get past 1 sentence LOL.

STORY
So the drama follows the love story between a man who brings doom and a terminally ill woman who makes a drunken wish for the world to end. It was quite a unique and interesting format at times funny but at the same time really sad.We first have a female lead who works herself to the bones for her mischievous and lazy little brother with little to no plans for her own self, when she is slapped with a terrible fate of dying young with an illness that is too late to be cured and she meets a diety? Wait was he a deity? A deity that bares the name and brings “doom” and has a strong distaste for mortals.

On Doom’s birthday, he hears mortals wish and grants one person’s one wish, and coincidentally he hears our female lead’s drunken wish for the world to end and immediately became interested in this mortal who wishes for the same thing he wants so he made a contract with her that she will not feel pain during her remaining days in exchange for her wishing for the world to end, the very same thing he wants to do but has no power to do unless its a human’s wish.

I was reluctant to watch for the reason that I kind of expect that it might have a sad ending and I’m not good with sad endings, LOL and I mean don’t we all? Well, thank god that it did have a happy ending. I guess the pacing was okay, I quite like the characters and their growth but I guess it was missing something. I can’t pinpoint it but I did enjoy the drama it’s just that I was expecting it to be more. More outrageous, more intense, or more fantasy? The plot was really interesting and sounded really good but I guess it lacked the impact (personally).

And tbh, I think I rooted the love story between Team Leader Cha, Hyun Gyu with Na Ji Na more than I did with the main leads which is weird considering I hate love triangle cliches.

CHARACTERS
Tak Do Kyung - Do Kyung is working as an editor when she was diagnosed with a brain cancer. She has quite a temper that she rarely lets out and often just holds her anger in, especially dealing with idiot writers. She has a younger brother Tak Seon Kyung and tries to looks after him after their parents died.

Myeolmang (Doom) / Kim Sa Ram) - Myeol Mang is neither human nor god. I’m honestly not sure how to properly explain what he is but he is somewhat a breed between a grim reaper and a goblin or is it a devil? He’s not exactly there to collect their souls but rather watch or assist their death? He is always there when a human’s “doom” comes and often times has the ability to extend their life for a little bit if he’s feeling annoyed and wants to punish that human. Humans can see him if he wants to but they don’t really see his real face but rather a stranger’s face and Dong Kyung is the only one who can see his real face.

Cha Joo Ik - Team Leader Cha is Dong Kyung’s direst supervisor and who is secretly really rich. He has a long time connection with Na Ji Na.

Na Ji Na - Ji Na is Dong Kyung’s best friend and a famous writer that goes by the pen name “Lee Hyun” which she took from the name of her first love who broke her heart.

Lee Hyun Gyu - Hyun Gyu is Ji Na’s first love and ex-boyfriend from high school. He used to be a swimmer and moved overseas. He now owns a cafe on the same building as Team Leader Cha’s office.

CAST & Production
I really love Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young so even if the storyline wasn’t that much exciting for me, it was still worth the watch. And can we just agree that Lee Soo Hyuk’s tall and serious visual with his deep full voice is just perfection? Then there was also my Dawon from SF9, I have been a fan of them since I saw their mini web series Click Your Hear so I was really happy to see them in bigger projects. And of course, Kang Tae Oh, like seriously? The cast list is such a visual overkill.Of course, it’s a Korean drama, the effects are edits were good. OST was good as well. No complains on the production for me.

FINAL THOUGHTS (Rating: 8.1/10)
I wouldn’t say I was disappointed with the drama but I was just expecting more with such a great synopsis, I think they could have done more. The main plot had such a potential to be more than what I saw, they could have made it more outrageous, more intense, more drama more angst? But that’s just my personal opinion. It did have tear-jerking scenes and cute romance which I also really liked so it was still a good watch. Would I recommend it? Yes, despite me not being overly enthusiastic about the drama after watching it, I still enjoyed it. It has a good fantasy element to it, a cute main and support couple, and funny scenes.

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Not A Fluffy Romance Drama

Shining For One Thing is not your typical sugary youthful romance drama like To Fly With You or Our Secret. It has a bit of mystery with a dark undertone and melodramatic feel towards the second half of the drama. So, it reminds me of Crush in a way as it moves away from the conventional. It is good if you are sick of recycled plots of contract marriages, domineering CEOs, and the likes.

However, Shining For One Thing is also kind of angsty and the melodrama means a few pieces of tissues may be needed for all the tears. “I like you” would be a romantic confession for other dramas but not this one. Personally, the sadness is not in the league of Go Ahead or One And Only which is much more of a tearjerker to me. Perhaps more matured viewers will not cry buckets over this one but I think it will definitely evoke pain for the younger ones who are into high school romances.

What actually kept me going though is not the romance but the curiosity of what happened to the male protagonist and how the screenwriter will tie everything up between the original and alternate universe. Thus, it is not only the romance that is driving the story but also other elements which helps to broaden the overall appeal for this drama.

Simple Time Travel Plot
Many dramas with similar themes tend to be confusing or lack an ending that is properly tied up such as Love Under The Full Moon. However, Shining For One Thing is pretty easy to understand. It doesn’t get bogged down into details of how the time and space travel happens. An old mobile phone is the link and it is left at that. Instead, the story concentrates on the leads’ relationship and the prevention of the guy’s death.

While the romance is a substantial part of the plot, it is of the innocent kind given that it is set in a high school environment. So, don’t expect any real kisses except for simple pecks. The boy is shy and reserved and loves the girl in secret. It is sweet in that way and should resonate with the younger audience. But I’m not too sure if older viewers would find this romance equally moving given the teenage feel.

The way the story is told is that the female lead would move between the original and alternate universe a number of times. Each travel will bring her to a different year or month and hence, some things are changed along the way. These changes prevent the story from becoming repetitive although the overall setting remains the same. The different time dimensions that she ends up in has its significance which is revealed later on in the drama. I think it makes the plot more meaningful that way. It is also these little details in the story that add to the emotional impact.

Main Weakness (Spoilers Alert!)
The main weakness of Shining For One Thing is the lack of explanation of what really happened to the male lead. This is not a drama that outlines everything for you from start to finish. Although what is implied in the end seems pretty clear, there are some other things that require your own deduction or imagination. For instance, if the male lead is still alive, what happened to him after he fell off the lighthouse is up to you to fill in the blanks.

Similarly, the link between the female lead’s time travel and the male lead is also open to interpretation. After all, her arrival in the alternate worlds is related to his regrets. Basically, you will need to connect the dots yourself and come up with your own picture as the story progresses if you are that type of viewer who can’t stand missing pieces.

Having said that, I feel that the vagueness, ironically, also enhances the story. It fits the tone well and adds to the intrigue. If everything is laid out to the viewer, it might well changes the tone of the drama and takes away the mystery. Moreover, the story doesn’t really allow you to get too absorbed over the details as your attention will be drawn elsewhere. Perhaps that is why the weakness is not glaring to the viewers as it has been overshadowed by the emotional effect of the romance and mysterious death.

Great Acting
Both the leads did well in portraying their roles. Their faces may not look young enough as high school students but their mannerisms are convincing to be at that age group. After all, Karlina Zhang is already more than 30 years old while Shaw Qu is over 25.

Nevertheless, Shaw Qu is brilliant as Wan Sen with his shyness and awkwardness as a teenager secretly in love with his classmate. He gives Wan Sen those little gestures to personify the shyness and anxiety that a teen typically experiences. For instance, the way he pulls his shirt whenever he nervously talks to Bei Xing is so apt for the timid character that he plays. It is a minor act on the surface but it tells a lot about the character’s feelings overall.

Karlina Zhang plays a more expressive character compared to her co-star and it is enjoyable to watch the contrast. Her emotions are on point and hence, she is able to bring the character to life. Together with Shaw Qu, they manage to make their on-screen relationship a touching one with their great chemistry. They complement each other very well in their acting to give us a vivid romance that feels real.

My Verdict – Watch Because It’s Different!
Shining For One Thing is not without cliches. The childhood link is one example of a typical romance drama subplot. But the overall feel and tone of the drama is very different from the usual. It has both sweetness and pain in the romance that might tear at your heart with a melancholic OST to deepen the heartache. The scene direction and cinematography accentuate the mysterious aura with gloomy skies and heavy rain. The time travel adds a level of anticipation to the eventual outcome. Everything comes together nicely to give us a coherent and touching story.

While this is a highly watchable production, the high school life encompasses more than a dozen episodes. Thus, if you are not a fan of youth dramas like me, some parts of this would seem slow-moving. Frankly speaking, I fell asleep a few times while watching the first 15 episodes or so. It is not that the drama is bad. It is just that classes, exams, friendships, and secret feelings are nothing new for this genre. If these themes still resonate with you, then Shining For One Thing would be a great drama from start to finish. Otherwise, some scenes would be skippable in my opinion.

For this Shining For One Thing review, I would give it a score of 7.5/10. It doesn’t have the same excitement and thrill as Reset which is another sci-fi drama with a time loop tale. Instead, its strength lies in the melodramatic romance to move your emotions. If you can relate to an innocent love with feelings that run deep and don’t mind shedding a few tears in the process, then this is the drama for you.

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Psychological Cases

Basically, Dream Garden is like a collection of psychological cases that are string together to create a drama with romance as the icing on the cake. The protagonists will encounter people that are afflicted with various psychological problems which they will need to resolve. These include delusional, gaslighting, and controlling behaviors. Each case could take about 2 episodes for a resolution. Therefore, characters related to each of the cases will come and go. Only a small number of core characters will remain throughout the drama.

One major issue about this kind of drama that revolves around a profession would be its accuracy or the lack of it. I’m not a psychologist and hence, I can’t comment whether the patients’ treatment and the characters’ actions in Dream Garden would fit reality. But you know it would be farfetched for someone who has not studied psychology to be hired as an assistant to the partner. This is how it is in the drama. So, I suppose you just have to treat it as pure entertainment and not nitpick on the details and accuracy from a professional angle. Otherwise, it would be very hard to get into the story.

Fairly Interesting Cases
As Dream Garden relies on psychological cases to move the story along, its success would depend on how interesting and convincing these cases may be. Personally, I find the cases to be fairly interesting. I think the brevity of each case helps to minimize the boredom as they do get resolved within 2 episodes or so. It also provides some insights into how people could be psychologically affected by the behavior of those closest to them.

However, I also think you must have some level of interest in the subject to find this drama worthwhile. This is because it is not a thriller or a suspenseful drama like Stealth Walker. The protagonists are mainly trying to help people with their psychological issues and hypnosis are constantly used as a solution. Hence, some may find it repetitive. With each episode being an hour long, it can certainly feel drawn out for those who prefer more excitement.

On top of that, there is also a revenge factor as part of the plot. This is the last case which is used to prep the viewers for a climatic ending. But it falls short and it is the least convincing case of the lot to me. The perpetrator obviously needed psychological help but the drama must have a villain. So, he seems like a convenient choice as a way to end the story.

Slow Burn Romance
Would I watch Dream Garden for the romance? My answer would be no. In fact, the whole drama could stand on its own without any romance being included. But I guess viewers always like some sweetness in a drama and a matching pair of on screen lovers does sell. Just like in The Lion’s Secret, the couple in Dream Garden officially get together rather late in the drama. However, they do spend a lot of time together from the very beginning which should satisfy that craving for some fluff and sweetness in their interactions.

Nevertheless, if you are looking for your sugary fix, I would still say that this is not the drama to watch. For that, you are better off watching You Are My Glory or Forever And Ever. In Dream Garden, the cases is the meat of the story while the romance simply offers a sweet distraction to make the drama less heavy throughout. Yes, there are also kisses towards the end of the drama when the couple started dating to spice things up. But it doesn’t automatically transform it into a great love story as the drama is not meant to be one.

Acting And Chemistry
Simon Gong is as good-looking as always and he does have the necessary acting skills to give viewers a satisfactory portrayal of his characters in all his project thus far. So, there is nothing much to complain about either with his portrayal of Lin Shen in Dream Garden. He depicts Lin Shen as a capable professional and does that convincingly.

Bridgette Qiao plays Xiao Xiao who is more impulsive and expressive compared to Lin Shen. Xiao Xiao is not an instantly likable or adorable character but the actress still managed to make her grow on you as the drama progresses. I think Bridgette Qiao did well with what she was given. Xiao Xiao is supposed to be smart but she ends up being rather dumb when it comes to the second male lead. So, I can’t blame the actress because that is how her character was written.

The chemistry of these 2 leads is great for a drama that is not entirely romance-focused. They are sweet when it needs to be and they look good as lovers. At the very least, I think Bridgette Qiao has much better chemistry with her co-star here than with Hu Yi Tian in You Complete Me. Perhaps the easy banter between them and Lin Shen’s cheekiness at times help with the couple vibes in Dream Garden.

My Verdict – Neither The Best Nor The Worst
I would say Dream Garden is neither the best nor the worst of the lot where Chinese dramas are concerned. Whether you would enjoy it would depend on how much you want it to mirror reality in the psychology field. If you think the cases presented and the leads’ actions as psychologists are unreal, then the drama’s watch value will go down the drain. To me, the cases are pretty interesting. While I do get the feeling that the leads’ behavior doesn’t seem professional at times, I also didn’t have the urge to question and nitpick over the details. So, I guess if you can just treat this as a drama and not expect the story to strictly adhere to the standards of the profession, then this would be more enjoyable.

Having said that, the sore point for me is the way the villain’s story is told. The female lead completely lets down her guard with him when she has been very astute in sniffing out the psychological problems of others around her. You might also roll your eyes over all the “coincidental” meetings each time he shows up in front of her. In other words, the execution of the revenge plot falls short to me. Since they have also identified a villain, his case could have been a suspenseful and thrilling end to a psychological drama. Unfortunately, this aspect is totally missing from Dream Garden.

So, for this Dream Garden review, I would only give it a score of 7/10. Without sufficient excitement, the romance is a sweet distraction and helps to make up for the shortfall. Overall, it is an average drama for me with little rewatch value. Give it a try and you should know within the first few episodes if this is up your alley.

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Weird!

I Am The Years You Are The Stars is actually a collection of different themes in a single drama. It has romance, mystery, sci-fi, medical, friendship, and bromance elements which are part of the story. They are not forcefully cobbled together but the drama still ends up weird to me. Maybe because it tries to make light of the solemn subject of death or perhaps the whole story is just incredibly farfetched. Not to mention the drama begins with no clear explanation on how the characters are related to one another and the length they would go to to protect the male lead’s secret.

In other words, the story is very different from your typical romance dramas such as Nothing But You and Love At Night. It has potential in that sense but the execution is lacking unlike Shining For One Thing which also has a sci-fi element to it. The romance blossomed out of the blue when the couple started off disliking each other and the subplots tend to drag the story out unnecessarily. Some scenes editing are off and the transitions look choppy. In addition, some parts also give the drama a low budget feel especially towards the ending.

If You Don’t Mind An Unrealistic Plot…
Basically, I Am The Years You Are The Stars is not meant to be an intelligent mystery or sci-fi romance drama. You can’t watch this and try to apply logic to the story. For instance, it doesn’t make sense for a girl to agree to live with an abnormal being who can mutate into a zombie no matter how much she is paid. Moreover, she didn’t like him to begin with. But this is how the story flows and you can’t question it too much as you watch if you want to enjoy the drama.

However, while the drama is weird and unrealistic, it also has a certain level of intrigue to make you watch till the end. Chances are once you start, you will want to know the protagonists’ fate in the last episode. This is because the girl is expected to die and the guy wants to give up his immortality when the story begins. Hence, you will be curious about how they will end up and whether they will be dead or alive. So, the drama is far from great but ironically addictive in a strange way.

Apart from that, the story also consists of a twist towards the end. It is not totally unexpected for those who are astute or have a suspicious mind. But if you have no inkling of what is to come, it adds a layer of surprise to the overall story.

Acting And Chemistry
Both the leads put up a respectable performance to me although I also don’t see anything groundbreaking. They did their part as required with Estelle Chen managing to portray Xiao Yu’s inherent personality of a cheerful and positive lass. She has this vibrant demeanor with spring in her steps. It may seem inconsistent with her situation as someone who is going to die but she that is how her character has been written rather than bad acting on her part.

Liu Hai Kuan’s character is harder to play as he has to be an old man trapped in a young man’s body. He did well to a certain extent as he displays a more reserved attitude that is consistent with men of his generation. But I also can’t help but feel that his acting in some scenes feels forced. He doesn’t look completely natural in that role but I guess Jiang Bai Ju is a very unique character with a lot of inner turmoil and conflict which the actor couldn’t convincingly express.

When the two leads are put together, their chemistry is lacking to me. They can be acting sweet and lovey-dovey but I can’t really feel the couple vibes between them in some scenes. Even the kissing ones fail to make my heart flutter unlike really matching on-screen couples such as the ones in Once We Get Married and You Are My Glory. Maybe it has a lot to do with this couple’s background which just doesn’t resonate with me.

Unconventional Couple
The pair in I Am The Years You Are The Stars is not your typical romance drama couple. Some viewers may find them refreshing but they give me the impression of having nothing in common with each other. The guy is an old soul while the girl is young and restless. He is tired of living and wants to die but she is eager to live with a zest for life. He views love as something serious and fated while she doesn’t mind trying out a relationship. I could just sense a generation gap between them.

Therefore, I can’t really get into this couple from start to finish. I did try to give them a chance to grow on me but their romance still falls flat as far as I’m concerned. It didn’t help that their relationship happened very abruptly when the girl simply decided she wanted to date. Maybe you will have a different view if you like the concept of opposites attract and an unconventional couple. Then, perhaps you will be able to detect a healthy dose of chemistry between them.

My Verdict – Not My Cup Of Tea
Well, I Am The Years You Are The Stars just doesn’t suit my taste for a Chinese drama. To be honest, I scanned and skipped as I went along as it got boring towards the middle. The subplots got too much air time which dragged out the drama. Although they are tied up with the main plot in some way, they could have been shortened or better executed. The romance isn’t great to me while there are no side couples to fall back on for alternatives.

However, there are still a few redeeming qualities despite my unflattering view on this drama. The mystery part should help viewers to maintain some level of interest to enable one to cross the finish line. The cute friendships and bromance are other positive factors which provide the needed lighthearted moments. So, it might not be a great drama but there could be enough attraction to make you plough on. After all, you can always quicken the speed for the boring scenes.

For this I Am The Years Your Are The Stars review, I would give it a score of 6.5/10. I don’t really recommend you to watch this drama unless you can lower your expectations before you start. Not everything is properly clarified either when the drama ends. You won’t feel dissatisfied but some clarity would have been good. Watch it if you want some mystery and sci-fi elements in your romance dramas. But stay away if you can’t stand cheesy romantic lines and prefer more realistic and conventional couples.

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Prepare Tissues!

Because Of Love is not your typical fluffy romance drama like To Fly With You or Love At Night. This has a more matured and depressive mood to it with a past heartbreak and a struggling mother who is always short of money to treat her sick son. The plot is not anything groundbreaking with a link to the past as young lovers before circumstances forced the girl to initiate a breakup which actually reminds me of Here To Heart. Then, of course, the pair meet again and all the pain is then brought to the fore. In short, this is a second chance romance story with tissues needed along the way.

So, my guess is it could be slow-moving and predictable for some. But it is also a very well-executed drama that effectively moves you and touches your heart. Just like Shining For One Thing, this is achieved through a brilliant cast, great cinematography, and a very apt setting which enhance the overall angsty mood. It is the whole package that makes Because Of Love very real to the audience. It may not have a refreshing plot but it is exactly the seemingly ordinary that makes the story relatable.

Having said that, there are also two weaknesses in the drama that I think are worth highlighting – the way the flashbacks are told and a faltering last third of the story.

Constant Flashbacks
Because Of Love relies on intermittent flashbacks to tell the viewers what happened in the past. So, the scenes will flip between the present and their student days whenever the leads are triggered into reminiscing about the past. This happens quite often in the first 8 episodes or so. It is done without warning at times and you will have to adjust to the change in time setting before it reverts back to the present just as quickly.

Therefore, if you prefer flashbacks to be told in one long sequence rather than in a back and forth manner, then Because Of Love could start off being highly annoying. Personally, it did take a few episodes for me to get used to the story telling technique. I guess this is done to heighten the viewers’ angst and to emphasize that the leads are still thinking of each other after all the years apart. So, don’t get turned off when you start watching and discover all these constant flashbacks. The story will grow on you and leave you with a strong desire to see the couple reconcile.

A Not So Great Last Third (Spoilers Alert!)
To me, the first 20 episodes of the drama is highly engrossing. But it starts to lose its intensity and falter in the last third. The mental regression suddenly changes the tone of the drama and Yu Sheng’s recovery looks too simplistic to be real. The couple is then shown to be back together after the real culprit is exposed which has nothing to do with Yu Sheng’s father.

However, the viewers are shortchanged here as there is a lack of scenes of the couple towards the end to address everything that has happened in their lives. At the very least, there should be a heartfelt communication between them after all the misunderstandings and pain. Unfortunately, there is no such satisfaction for the viewers.

As for the side couple, their ending is also a bit rushed with no proper accounting of Vicky’s thought process on how she arrives at the decision to leave. It is not a bad conclusion to the drama overall but there just seems to be a few missing scenes here and there which could have increased viewers’ satisfaction and fulfillment.

Wonderful Acting
The casting director deserves accolades here for picking the right people for the roles. The last time I caught Wallace Chung was in The Sword And The Brocade which is a period drama. In Because Of Love, he delivers as usual with a very convincing performance as a pensive and melancholy doctor who can’t seem to get over a lost love. He is not a handsome hunk here and he doesn’t try to be. Instead, he gives the character a sort of depressive vibe. The pain and yearning are written on his face that viewers will automatically feel for him.

Li Xiao Ran is also excellent as Tan Jing to me. This is a very steely but sad character due to her circumstances. So, you can see it through Li Xiao Ran’s impassive facial expressions which show her determination and stoicism on the surface but her eyes will tell you how she is suffering inside. Her chemistry with Wallace Chung is also impressive as both of these veterans know how to take advantage of their characters’ anger and longing for each other to set the mood in their scenes together.

Li Xiao Ran’s chemistry with the child actor is also worth a mention. They manage to bring out a very special bond of mother and son and for his part, Mi Ke is a joy to watch as a viewer. For someone so young, Mi Ke delivers his lines so well and with an innocent charm that fits the character perfectly. Mi Ke and Morni Zhang’s scenes are also extremely touching as both young and old seem to have a natural affinity for each other.

A Stoic And Cold Female Character (Spoilers Alert!)
I suspect that Tan Jing may not be a likable character to all. This is because she is cold and impassive on the surface and her actions may not be agreeable to some viewers. For instance, she didn’t tell Yu Sheng that Ping Ping is his son which is grossly unfair to him. She also didn’t trust him in her custody fight with his father. Hence, Tan Jing is a flawed character with a lot of stubbornness and pride in her. Her coldness might also not win her any supporters.

Personally though, she is not a hateful character to me. Whether you can relate to her will depend on your ability see things from her perspective. I can understand why she broke up with him and kept quiet about her pregnancy. That is because she didn’t want to drag him down with her so that he could fulfill his potential. Moreover, his father’s involvement in her father’s death is a major barrier for her. When they meet up again, she just isn’t prepared to confront the past as that would be opening up old wounds. Moreover, he is dating Vicky then.

Basically, Tan Jing is not that type of person who can easily forgive and forget. If you can accept this flaw in her, then her pain and actions will be easily understood. Otherwise, she will seem too cold for a female lead character and that will take away some level of enjoyment from this melodrama.

My Verdict – Watch!
Because Of Love is definitely worth watching to me. It moves away from the typical substandard romance dramas that are getting too common like Meeting You Loving You and I Am The Years You Are The Stars. It is hard to get a matured love story that is well-executed with great acting and this is where Because Of Love shines. The couple’s past is also revealed bit by bit and this also helps to make it intriguing. As this is a serious romance drama with the lead couple being in their 30’s, it will resonate better with a more matured audience. In fact, I would think the younger viewers might find the pace to be too slow and hence, boring.

If you are worried about this being a tearjerker, then I would say that it is not as sad as it seems. If you can tolerate One And Only or Go Ahead, this should be less taxing on the emotions. Yes, some scenes will make you cry and tissues will be needed. But they don’t weigh you down considerably and it is not all sadness and tears throughout the whole drama. Some scenes are touching rather than truly sad especially those that feature the little boy. Thus, don’t let the tearjerker label stop you from giving this a go.

For this Because Of Love review, I would give it a score of 8/10. Watch it for the acting and simple story that successfully evokes deep feelings in the viewers. The plot is really nothing great. But this is a more of an emotionally driven romance drama that relies a lot on the acting skills of the cast to move viewers which was effectively achieved. This is what you will be signing up for when you get on the ride!

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A good start

City of Streamer could really have been a great drama from start to finish but somehow, the wheels fell off as it crosses past the 30th episode. The story starts off well as it is engages you with the relationship complexities of the Rong family and the excitement of Shi Zhen’s spying activities. We are also not told what exactly happened in the past. Hence, there is the intrigue and curiosity there as to why certain characters are against the villain.

Moreover, the female lead is an educated, courageous, and independent woman despite it being a Republican era drama. So, there is a certain satisfaction in watching her story develop and how she is able to think for herself. However, there is a shock to the story in the last quarter of the drama and this is where it gets overly dramatic to me. It doesn’t render it unwatchable but I strongly believe it could have been better written. This is because once the shock is revealed in Episode 30, the plot basically becomes predictable.

A Revenge Plot (Spoilers Alert!)
If you expect City Of Streamer to be a fluffy romance drama, you will be disappointed. The main focus is actually revenge with love thrown in to up the ante and dramatic aspects of the story. Where it starts to falter is the reveal that the couple could be half-siblings. By then, they have already consummated their relationship. Now, this is where it gets predictable to me because you know they can’t be related since they have already slept together. From there, it doesn’t take much for you to guess who killed the female lead’s parents. What is left is only the details and the fate of the couple and villain which will then keep you hooked to the end.

The other thing that doesn’t feel good to me is the whitewashing of the second male lead’s crimes. In the last quarter of the drama, he is suddenly depicted as a good man when he had tried to kill Jia Shang earlier for the sins of the latter’s father. The collateral damage he caused in his quest for revenge didn’t seem to bother Shi Zhen as she worked closely with him to bring down the villain towards the end.

So, there are weaknesses to the plot which are concentrated mainly in the last 10 episodes. The focus on the revenge to wrap up the story may be apt as it started out that way. But I think some parts are shortchanged in the process and it shows in how the story flowed towards the conclusion.

Not A Really Romantic Story
City Of Streamer is not a typical breezy romance drama with a lot of lovey-dovey moments like Love At Night or Why Women Love. It has a more matured and serious feel to it. The guy is hopelessly in love with the girl while the latter wants revenge against his father. So, you can already expect theirs to be a complicated relationship. There is no simple getting together because they fell in love. In fact, their actual dating life only lasts about 4 episodes out of 40 in total. Thus, this couple’s sweet moments and skinship are definitely in short supply in this drama.

What replaces a full-fledged relationship though is the yearning and suppressed feelings especially on the girl’s part due to her need for revenge. The love undertones are obvious to the viewers but it is just that you don’t get that satisfaction of seeing them throwing caution to the wind and embarking on a romance until pretty late in the drama and that also for a rather brief period.

Therefore, City Of Streamer may not fit the bill of a truly romantic tale unless love vibes and chemistry alone are enough for you to get your fill of the romance. Furthermore, some viewers might have issue with the female lead who appears rather cold at times because of what happened to her family.

A Revengeful Female Character
If you like watching a smart and independent-minded female character, you would probably be able to relate to Shi Zhen. But her past caused her to become revengeful towards the villain. Hence, she can’t let go of that need to see justice done despite how much the male lead loves her. In City Of Streamer, Jia Shang’s love for Shi Zhen is pure and sincere. He tries his best to accommodate and make it up to her.

But Shi Zhen’s love for Jia Shang is more restrained. At certain times, her hatred towards his father seems greater than the love she has for him. So, if you are looking for a sweet romance, then Shi Zhen might appear as too cold and cruel towards the male lead. But if you are watching this for the revenge plot, then Shi Zhen’s actions will become understandable.

Personally, I find her coldness went up a notch in the last quarter of the drama which is a little inconsistent with her overall character and the depth of her feelings for Jia Shang. But it is still acceptable to me though because I don’t think it will be realistic either for the character to easily forgive and forget.

Chemistry Drives The Romance
The leads’ acting is commendable in City Of Streamer. The casting and styling were done right with the female lead appearing more matured than the male which is consistent with the characters in the story. Jing Tian gives Shi Zhen an aura of confidence and modernity. She is neither too cold nor too ardent and appears to be able to strike a balance between a revengeful and caring woman at heart with her depiction of the character.

Timmy Xu plays Jia Shang well and portrays him as a wuss when it comes to love but stubborn and determined against his father. The hardened expressions and anger when interacting with his father gives viewers the impression that he is a man with a spine. But when it comes to Shi Zhen, the softened expressions and yearning in his face reveal the depth of his love for her.

Put Jiang Tian and Timmy Xu together and the chemistry is obvious on screen. The longings are expressed through their eyes and gazes. They may not have a lot of sweet moments to show off their love in the drama but their interactions are ladened with unspoken feelings and desire similar to Because of Love. In short, their sizzling chemistry drives the romance in the drama to make viewers crave for more.

My Verdict – Go Ahead And Watch!
City Of Streamer is definitely a Republican drama that is worth a watch. No doubt, there will be the usual concubines and the inferior status of women as part of the story. But it is not the focus of the drama if you are worried about watching a group of women fighting for a rich man’s attention. Instead, you will be getting revenge as the main plot with greed, murder, illicit love, and other heavy topics being present along the way. Hence, I’m not too sure if younger viewers will enjoy this as City Of Streamer is far off from the usual school romance dramas like Shining For One Thing and Our Secret.

The overall story is captivating to me and chances are you will get hooked in the beginning. The pace slows down a little around the middle but it doesn’t really feel dragged out unnecessarily. It is easy to fall in love with the male lead and there is developing maturity in his character as the drama progresses. The female lead may be colder but she is a strong character that viewers can root for. They are not many kisses to look out for but they did include a passionate one that would make you press for replay.

For this City Of Streamer review, I would give it a score of 7.5/10. There are weaknesses to the plot and screenwriting but they are not a serious hindrance to the overall enjoyability. Watch it for the plot and the leads’ chemistry but don’t expect a fluffy romance drama to avoid disappointment.

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the story of a relationship that isn’t over yet

Woong and Yeon Soo had filmed a documentary when they were in school, which now has gone viral. So, years after their first camera encounter, and a long time after their painful breakup, the two will have to film its sequel.

Korean Drama Our Beloved Summer is a slice of life drama about a love story that has a more realistic approach to it. The drama is well constructed, revealing the past story slowly, while the characters are dealing with their current problems and emotions. And even though the love triangle was dimmed to not work, the slice of life vibes, with a more character-driven story, gave a refreshing approach to the love story.

The latter was a bittersweet romance, with an emphasis on the melodrama and few surprises when it came to its outcome and progress.However, towards the ending, the drama started showing its weaknesses. The couple, though they were mostly connected by their teary past, they didn’t have many things in common to keep them interesting for the viewer. Also, the story got more and more predictable and had few things to offer. In the end, it was more about miscommunication than drama.

Another culprit is the fact that the series founded the story on the logging for the main couple to get together. So, after that, the drama didn’t have anything else to say, though they could have explained Woong’s family situation more in-depth compared to the brush-off that happened.

Yeon Soo used to be the best student in her class. She was raised by her grandmother and she has always been struggling to survive financially, so she learned to be tough and built a nonchallenging character. Kim Da Mi‘s comeback proves that she is a versatile actress. Woong is a quirky character who is a talented artist. He is closed up and he hardly opens up or makes friends, though he is an aloof young man. He is very emotional and sensitive.

Choi Woo Shik did a great job with his performance. Ji Woong is Woong’s friend. Due to their common name, he always lived under his shadow, though he never really envied him, due to Woong’s sweet character. Ji Woong is a lonely man who feels like he doesn’t fit in. Kim Sung Chul gave a quite emotional performance.

NJ is a famous idol who is always busy, but finds nothing to make her happy. She likes Woong, however, she gets disappointed that he doesn’t seem to be as interested in her. Roh Jeong Eui handled her character brilliantly.Sol Yi is Yeon Soo’s friend. She used to be a scriptwriter, but she quit and has opened a pub that isn’t doing so well. She is an energetic character, friendly and loyal.Park Jin Joo is dramaland’s favourite side character and she is always delightful.

The drama had a smooth OST and an enjoyable pace, that didn’t confuse with the back and forth.

My overall rating for the Korean Drama Our Beloved Summer is 7 out of 10. The drama managed to present the story in a clever, entertaining way.

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One of the biggest and most expansive hits in the South Korean cinemas, Kim Yong-hwa offers a filmic version of a wildly popular webcomic of the same name in this first half of the story. Already the second-most viewed film in South Korean film history and either nominated or winning numerous Korean Film Awards, Kim’s first installment, with part 2 due to arrive later in the year as well as a television adaptation occurring in the meantime, appears poised to explode when it arrives on American shores.

During a nightmarish building fire, firefighter Kim Ja-hong (Cha Tae-hyun, from “My Sassy Girl”) finds that he was killed in the line of duty and forced into the afterlife. Faced with three guardians, Haewonmak (Ju Ji-hoon, from “Asura: The City of Madness”) Gang-rim, (Ha Jung-woo, from “The Handmaiden”) and Lee Deok-choon, (Kim Hyang-gi, from “Thread of Lies”), he is soon put through a series of tests in order to determine his worthiness in order to be reincarnated in the next life. As the trials commence and he goes further into the afterlife, a complication emerges that puts the entire ordeal in jeopardy and must be resolved before he can pass to the other side.

Frankly, taking one look at “Among the Gods” reveals many reasons for its popularity. Writer/director Kim Yong-hwa has crafted an ingenious tale that offers plenty of enjoyable elements. The original story, laced with a fine action-based subplot featuring the escaped spirit, offers a fascinating folktale about death and the spirit after we have died. Utilizing the basic framework of a multiple-layered Hell and the spirit going through trials in each said level, the film offers a novel and enjoyable variant on those types of stories. The second storyline, about Gang-rim tracking down the escaped family-member turned renegade spirit interrupting the trial, is a stellar secondary piece.

With the guardians afraid of what it would mean to their process if word got out about the being creating a bad name for the family, this sense of urgency to stop it before the trial is affected is a great bit of suspense throughout in the race to stop it. Likewise, the film itself is simply beautiful to look at. The production design by Lee Mok-won is absolutely stellar, traversing the various places in the Afterlife and creating many memorable and lasting settings. From the sea of volcanoes where they hold a court meeting inside an active lava-flow and a waterfall-based cliff overlooking the giant grounder on the island below, to the meeting being conducted in the middle of a giant forest or overlooking a coliseum composed of jagged, massive rocks, the different locations here are impressive and manage to feature plenty of intriguing locations.

Captured beautifully by cinematographer Kim Byung-seo, ‘Along with the Gods’ features a presentation that rivals mainstream Hollywood fare with the presentation of the different worlds or the epic sense of scale generated by the action within. From massive falls and plunges to swordplay and even full-on battle scenes, this packs in a fine action quotient to manage the fantastical storyline.However, it’s really the cast and acting here that impresses more than anything. Ha Jung-woo is incredible as Gang-rim, the man in charge of Ja-hong’s trial. Initially appearing to be a strict and determined being trying to ensure the process goes smoothly, the more they uncover about his life the more he reverts back to his human persona in terms of recklessness as he tries various tactics to help Ja-hong.

The film, however, still manages to make him likable and sympathetic as they traverse the various stages due to his level-headed charisma and ability to keep his emotions in check. His right-hand man, Haewonmak is played by Ju Ji-hoon as a somewhat more reckless, but still respectful individual who clearly wants the best for Ja-hong but treats this as part of the job. Despite his importance, he doesn’t view Ja-hong as being of the deemed status bestowed upon him and tries to keep his level-headed reserve for the job in check as they continue through the trials.

However, it’s the last two who deserve special mention here. Kim Hyang-gi is phenomenal as Lee Deok-choon, the apprentice-like being to Gang-rim as she is shown the ropes of how to garner souls through the afterlife. Spunky and optimistic, she begins with an infectious attitude that doesn’t denote the ordeal ahead, but gradually becomes invested in the process. She looks genuine in her concern for Ja-hong and the boldness she displays during the latter parts of the trial add to her likability which is what really brings us to the process. Lastly, Cha Tae-hyun works wonders as Kim Ja-hong, the firefighter being shown his life before his eyes. Initially, he appears completely overwhelmed bin what’s going on, but as we get to learn the series of tragedies in his past the more emotionally invested the audience becomes. It’s a testament to his talent that the drama weighs out nicely and the finale almost becomes tear-inducing as we learn the truth about him which is what helps to sell the action so well.

Even with all these elements present, it does have a few minor flaws. The most apparent is the film’s ungodly length as the weighty running time does feel every bit the near two-and-a-half hours. The trials here really take their time, as both the guardians and the prosecutors are given full-reign to speechify in order to give their full arguments before the Superior Beings in charge of each location. These scenes really could’ve been trimmed down to the actual points in order to move the pacing up. Likewise, the secondary subplot about the vengeful spirit potentially-harming the process could’ve been dropped entirely. This injects the film with action, but in doing so also forces the film to halt the action in order to determine the cause of the spirits’ actual death. Despite the rational motivation for the vendetta, the subplot was unneeded until the very end and just adds to the overlong length of the film. There’s not a lot to say about how to integrate it, but it adds a heavy drama that makes the film feel overlong more than anything.

In the end, the film is a stellar and wholly worthwhile Fantasy/Action/Drama epic that really seems to embody what the best of South Korean cinema has to offer. It’s big-budget look and feel offers worthwhile counterpoints to mainstream Hollywood, and yet the regional twist in the storyline and attitude towards its characters, the film emerges as a fine effort for those willing to take a chance on that material or fans of Korean cinema in general, while the running time might be the only aspect that would make others heed caution here.

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An unconventional zombie series : apocalyptic devastation with high-school shenanigans

What would happen if your school was attacked by zombies? Netflix’s latest hit K-drama, All of Us Are Dead, attempts to give us a solid answer to this question, as Hyosan High School turns into a fast-sinking ship when a science experiment gone terribly wrong results in a virus-induced zombie outbreak.

For a few years now, South Korean entertainment has been pushing the narrative boundaries of the zombie genre. They have deftly used it as a vehicle to explore not just present-day political and social issues (#Alive, 2020), but have also inserted the undead in their period dramas (Kingdom, 2019).

However, what makes All of Us Are Dead stand out amidst this growing list of K-Zombie content are the central protagonists in the series. The motley crew of survivors are not your gun-slinging, machete-wielding, adept zombie-killing protagonists, these are teenagers who quite literally have to grab the object nearest to them and hastily fashion a weapon out of it.

This is also where the show finds its sparingly lighter moments. Friends dole out advice on dealing with high school crushes as bloody zombies snarl in the background (!) But beyond these interactions, the series takes a massive departure from the traditional route of keeping a zombie apocalypse setting somewhat comically chaotic. Instead, directors Lee JQ and Kim Nam-su choose not to shy away from tackling the emotional weight of death and mayhem.

The best example of this is seen when the show deals with the zombification or “turning” of humans. A shot usually reserved to fulfil the horror quota is turned on its head to play out poignantly heartbreaking scenes. In place of a hastened transformation, we get a drawn-out process, in which the horror stems from the now-undead zombie reconciling with the loss of their humanity, often right in front of their classmates.

The directors do not whiplash the audience back into zombie-infested reality; instead we sit with the students in numbing grief as they lose their friends, classmates and teachers, over and over again. The heavy storyline doesn’t feel misplaced, as writer Chun Sung-il richly fleshes out these teen characters to carry forward the complex tale.

Nam On-jo (Park Ji-hu) serves as a narrative protagonist who bands together with her childhood friend Lee Cheong-san (Yoon Chan-young), her crush Lee Su-hyeok (Park Solomon), and the aloof overachieving class President Choi Nam-ra (Cho Yi-hyun) among other classmates to fight zombies and school bullies alike.

Director Lee JQ’s choice to cast actors “unfamiliar to the audience” pays off masterfully.

The makers also ensure that the layered storytelling does not come at the cost of high-adrenaline action scenes, jump scares and well-executed VFX gore. Mirroring the title sequence, the directors slowly descend the audience into a zombie-filled reality, and the series conveys the same visually. What starts off as a brightly-lit, vividly colourful school, eventually transforms into a nauseatingly dull place with the colour saturation dialed back, as the virus spreads.

When required, the filmmakers also immerse us into the zombie experience. The cinematography during the zombie-human confrontation scenes moves fast, never quite fixating on a single character, which makes for quite unsettling viewing. It is havoc heightened for the students, as well as the audience watching, as we learn along with them, who survived and who didn’t.

Another unconventional directorial choice comes in the form of how the show is paced out. With 12 episodes, each almost an hour long, the story stretches out the events of each day over multiple episodes. The material to fill this time comes from the pockets of survivors it creates throughout the city.

Though the storyline follows a core group of students trapped in high school, we are also given glimpses of a politician scrambling to escape her office; a social media influencer trying to farm the crisis for viral content; and two police officers, mismatched in their levels of courage, racing to retrieve the antidote.

These different dynamics are crafted for the series to also address multiple systemic issues. With the origin of the zombie virus itself rooted in a history of bullying, the school becomes ground zero for the show to explore social class hierarchies.

Additionally, for the senior students of Hyosan High, the zombie apocalypse does not even figure as a priority stressor. With the university entrance exams looming over, Park Mi-jin, a student, laments, “It’s impossible for me to get into college even if I live,” while practicing her zombie killing techniques.

The dynamic between how the State handles this crisis and its effect on students also serves as a microcosm for how authorities react to apocalyptic situations. Unfortunately, this is also where the plot wavers a bit. The series often attempts to pack in too much, as it stretches two separate storylines involving teenage pregnancy and sexual assault across multiple episodes. Not enough time is spent on either narrative to create meaningful conclusions or provide these characters with a kinder, more humane ending.

Ultimately, in a genre teeming with Hollywood’s undying need to provide the perfect post-apocalyptic male-hero zombie killer tale, South Korea has bravely put forth a story of survival. Oscillating between the alive and the undead, the show makes an impact by centering the fact that endurance doesn’t always mean strength, sometimes it is born out of repeated acts of kindness.

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