Zogitt

It does get better . . trust me

This series doesn’t have a very convincing start. There is a lot to digest in the opening minutes. It does have the hallmarks of a rom-com, just a bit lopsided. A lot of that comes down to the interaction between the leads. The FL is awkward and a bit high strung when we first meet her. The ML is handsome as ever, but there is a certain weariness about him. The rom-com setup is there. The FL is sending out signals; the ML is not receiving. It all fades away like a dream.

When our leads meet again, the FL is now an accidental superstar. She was the lead in a low budget zombie slasher flick. The fact that she was in a coma for 6 months while the world go crazy about her character is macabre and delicious. Their meeting on the set of an international dating/travel show is awkward to say the least.

To say the FL is totally unprepared for her newfound fame is an understatement. She defaults to a nice grey persona. Everyone identifies her with her zombie character, Do Ra-mi and not as the actor herself.

The ML is not in a good place either. His crush is about to become his sister-in-law. The appearance of the FL only reminded him of the past.

Let's just say the drama gods have their last laughs when his crush arrives at the filming location as the new PD for the dating show. He also finds out she broke up with his brother. What does this all mean?

Into this witches' brew enters the SML. A self-centred Japanese movie star. At first, he thinks the FL is nothing more than a C grade starlet who got lucky. While the actor is handsome, he is set up to fail. There is little doubt the romantic scenes are staged. The SML eventually falls for the FL and create a love triangle . . of sorts.

The reason for the rickety love triangle is largely due to the extreme push-pull between our OTP. Their relationship is nebulous. The FL is too weak to do anything other than watch the ML wistfully. The ML kept the FL at arm's length as he has too many emotional baggage to move forward.

I suppose this is where the whole translating love motif kicks into high gear. There are so many miscommunications. It is not so much failure to launch, but failure to communicate. You can only go so far with yes/no/thank you.

All that changed when the FL's Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) came to the fore as she takes on the persona of Do Ra-mi whenever she is under stress. This allows the meek FL to let it all hang out. Minimum self-control, maximum impact. The ML is the usual target of this human tsunami. Initially, he was overwhelmed, yet he could not help but be drawn to her.

The swoon worthy moments and skinship blossoms in the last few eps once all the misunderstandings are cleared away. It is a good thing, but I think the hands of the writer is doing all the heavy lifting. It is obvious that this is the One True Way if we are to get the HEA ending. It just feels a bit too "convenient" at times.

In terms of acting, the FL did good. The meek FL role is standard issue. She shines when she morphs into Do Ra-mi. She is obviously much livelier and more emotional charged. Those are precious moments that truly lifts the show.

On the other hand, the ML feels stiff and tired for the first half of the drama. His trademark sparkle only appears after he tangles with Do Ra-mi. In that sense, she is his muse. He can finally counter her zaniness with his charm.

Now, the use of a mock dating show that doubles up as a travelogue is a double-edged sword in my book. The sceneries are beautiful and iconic. There is a feeling of chicken or the egg.

Obviously, a dating show must build up the romance. Much of it feels staged as we know the FL’s heart is not in it. It even got a little painful towards the end when the SML makes a real confession to the FL only to be brushed aside as great acting. Ouch!

While the OTP's romance is almost operatic. The 2CP is cute and much more grounded. I ship them equally. They just feel right. No endless push-pulls and dramas. What little misunderstanding was quickly resolved. Nice.

In the end, I enjoyed this show. I don’t know if the international filming locations are necessary. I’m not complaining. They are beautiful sights, but they are competing for our attention and often winning. I don’t know if we need the mock dating show to push our leads together. The role of the SML is largely wasted. They used a lot of efforts on something that has minimal impact. There is also some controversy about the actor's background.

I'm also not a big fan of the cartoon-y scenes of her traumatic past. I understand that it is viewed from a little girl's perspective and it serves a purpose. The mental illness angle feels tropey and adds little to the conversation. This series did get better, but I don't think it quite reached its full potential. Peace.

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Your favourite band reformed after years . . . but as a cover band?!

If you read comments about this show you will see the following reframe again and again. "I loved the first season, but . . "

Yeah, I am one of them. If you read my original review from 2021, you will see how I raved about it and gave it a 9. It was well deserved as it was like a breath of fresh air. It was low budget, a bit rough around the edges, but it was visionary and the show delivered.

I was excited when I found out there will be a S2 and the same actors are reprising their roles! Hallelujah! While the beginning of the second season looks promising, the longer I watched, the more despondent I became.

Don't get me wrong. It is not a bad show. Quite to the contrary. All the actors have matured, and the production has been given a decent budget which is put to good use. These are all good things. Any first-time viewer will have little to complain about. What triggered me goes deeper than that.

I hate to say this; the show is now just another historical melodrama. What happened to the fresh ideas and chemistry between the couples? It is like watching power couples going through their daily grind. High power, high stress, but not very relatable.

The FL is now the imperial coroner, huzzah! She is good at her job too. The ML is the respected head of the justice department. Their good friends are still there and doing important job. Both couples have been married for 3 years. It would be great if this is a quick recap before another grand adventure.

What we got instead is what I would call "a storm in a giant teacup". There is so much happening, yet it is centred on just one main plot involving a key set of “actors”. There is a lot of scheming and plotting but the antagonists are known and their motives are cliché. We watch their ghastly shenanigans unfold and then watch our leads try to solve the puzzles methodically. It sounds good on paper, right?

While our leads act well, their characters are no longer fresh. Firstly, their roles are now set in stone. Secondly, there is none of the original "will they, won't they" dynamics. They are married couples now. There is a distinct lack of skinship as well. Sure, they are loved up, but there is not a lot of intimacy. See my reference to power couples.

Thirdly, we have the crime solving. It is well crafted and mapped out with great care. I can't help but feel they went a bit overboard though. It is like a Bermuda Triangle of tropey subplots.

Never in the field of Chinese costume drama has so much happened to so few. This could have been their finest hours. (Sigh)

I'm not saying it doesn't work. We do see glimpses of its former glory in the last few eps. As a whole, it is . . predictable. It is as if your favourite band reformed after years . . . but as a cover band! :(

In the end, I don't dislike this show. It is a solid outing. I'm glad that I get to see the next phase of their lives. The bigger budget certainly gives the show a more polished look. I'm thankful that there are no break-ups nor Big White Chariot of Doom™. I just can't help but feel let down by the safe route they took.

Maybe it does mirror reality. The excitement of a new romance fades and is replaced by married life weighed down by mortgage stress and school runs. Peace.

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There is experience and then there is EXPERIENCE!

I'm late to the party, but somehow this movie popped up on my suggestion list unprompted. I'm glad that it happened. I'm years late, but who's counting. ;)

If you just take the subject matter on face value, you might think the movie will be sentimental, maudlin and full of self-pity. There are elements of each yet the sum is far greater.

The start of the movie is almost like a mirror on the reality of many disabled person. They felt like they are invisible, protected by their friends/family, struggling to establish an identity. In this case, the plights of our FL is even more intense as her mother is super protective and her manga drawing talent has been subsumed by her collaborator.

While trying to break free of her one dimensional existence, she tries her hands on drawing hentai. Her initial submission was rejected because (cough) she has no relevant experience. While her concept and drawings are good, her intimate scenes are obviously illusionary. The editor kindly suggest that she should seek some (cough) experience before submitting again.

We watch as she took the advice to heart. She tries to discover her sexuality, and to a larger extent, her place in the world. What she wanted the most is to reconnect with her estranged father.

I'm not going to spoil the movie. You really need to experience it first hand. It is not an action packed story, but the plots move along at a steady pace.

There are lots of new experiences for her to take in. She encountered some shady people, but they are all decent folks. They live in the margins, but they won't take advantage of her. Is that realistic?

As if to test her determination, the FL and her impromptu helper traveled overseas. It is not easy and she went to locales with questionable infrastructures. Let's call it movie magic. Ask no questions, chingu.

In terms of acting, it is solid efforts from all involved. The star of the show is obviously the FL. If the main protagonist faces challenges, our RL actor have to climb mountains. Kudos to her and the production for making it happen.

I can ramble on, but seeing this came out in 2019, it is diminishing return.

In the end, this is a good, heartfelt movie. The sensitive subjects are handled well. There is no grandstanding nor shaming. It was a normal human story except the lead is extraordinary. Enjoy!

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Romantic historical fantasy done right!

Let me first preface this missive. I stumbled onto this show years ago. It was time before MDL and OCD review writing. I loved this show back then, but I lost it in the mist of time until a friend reminded me. (Thx @Nelly) This is not so much a review but a very belated ode to a diamond in the rough.

As a 2 hours long mini-series, it is not going to win any awards. It is probably shot in a backlot similar to the Hengdian Studios in China. It is well made but with an eye on the budget. The cast is mostly young. The production certainly punching above its weight and delivered onto us something truly special.

In Act 1, Scene 1, we find the FL in a situation familiar to many youth drama watchers. The FL is 19 and KSAT is nigh. She is aimless and despondent. Her life after KSAT is less than promising. Her mother loves her but communication broke down long ago.

When she was magically transported back to the Joseon dynasty circa 1440's. It was fight or flight from the start. At first, she survived by her wits but ends up turning the table. She discovered new motivations, made friends and even found love from an unexpected quarter. It is transformative.

Alright, let's be honest. The show plays hard and fast with history. While the key players are famous historical figures, the details and their interactions are pure fiction. Ask no questions. ;)

In that sense, the show is a rollicking romp, Joseon style. When it is fast, it is furious. When it is slow, it is reflective. I cheer on our leads as they tackle big issues. I swoon and squeal at the romantic scenes, I berated the drama gods for being so unfair to our OTP. It is quite a ride.

So many tropes are packed into such a short run-time. Thankfully, they are dealt with expeditiously. There are many highs and lows for our young leads. When you consider the drama was released in 2015, they are already talented and shows much potentials. As a matter of fact, our leads will reunite in a new drama aimed at the second half of 2025. Yay!

Is it perfect? I'd be lying if I said yes but that’s not the point. It was chef kiss for me, and that’s all that matters. I enjoyed this show immensely. I wish I can say the same for most dramas I watched in 2025. Maybe if it was 16 eps, I’d be more critical. (Moi? Citical?!)

You can just call me shallow, and leave me alone to rewatch it again. Peace!

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Short and sweet

Let's be frank. This show is basically a feature length movie chopped up into 24 bite sized episodes.

As expected, it is a low budget production. Limited sets and a small cast. However, because of its backstory, the actors are well turned out, and some of the settings are quite swanky. Our OTP certainly made a handsome couple.

As a drama set in the Republican era, there is surprisingly little political intrigue. Nay a spy to be found and the Sino Japanese War is a mere phantom menace. To be honest, other than some styling and cars they used, it could have been set in the modern era. Actually, not having modern amenities help with the plot development. ;)

Within that frame of reference, this series is surprisingly entertaining. It is fast paced and well told. There is little time for twists and turns. What intrigue there is, is quite transparent and explained away within a few scenes.

This drama is largely focused on the romance of our leads and their chemistry is undeniable. In fact, for such a short drama, its skinship quotient would put many standard length c-dramas to shame. It is still relatively tame by western standard but it certainly does not shy away from sex and violence.

As I mentioned before, the plot is straightforward. Revenge, business shenanigans and romance dominated. There is also a bonus dash of comedy. With such a short runtime, you just have to accept the plot holes and gaps in narrative logic. It doesn't matter in the bigger scheme of things. Think of it as a stage play. Each act is bracketed and well signposted. It is surprisingly coherent.

Acting is fine, par for the course. The support cast can be a bit hammy at times but nothing outrageous. The show largely focuses on our leads and rightly so. They carry the show. It is fun to watch their flirtatious acts. Thankfully, no fake kisses or camera tricks when the going gets steamy.

Overall, it is a short and sweet drama of little consequences. Perfect for a weekend binge. Peace.

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Cringey one joke wonder

I was excited about this show because it is the same director who helmed Gaus Electronics. Gaus is zany and quirky but has hearts. One of my fav, yes please!

Spoilers! While it starts with a hint of that quirkiness, it ended up being cringey, claustrophobic and forgettable.

Ok, let's start with the good points. It is good to see the "love yourself" message in a k-drama where beauty can be skin deep. The show tries to highlight some societal issues as well. The romance of the leads is cute but more on that later. There are some comedic moments that land but . . .

And it is a big BUT because this show has issues. While setting the whole series in a rundown gym has a lot of potential, what we got is less than the sum of its parts.

On the one hand we have the worthy health and body image stories, but the delivery is inconsistent and confusing. While the show offers different perspectives, it is a zero-sum game for most involved. For instance, the regular members treat the gym like a social club. They make a mockery of any healthy living messages.

Taking a step back, the A-plot centres around the ML being a famous bodybuilder who operates a rundown basement gym. The FL wants to lost weight to make herself attractive again hence the meet cute. It is tropey but it has potentials.

Fundamentally, the ML's persona is purely based on his past achievements and that he was a preterm baby. He alternates between roleplaying He-man and a dorky gym junkie with a cheesy grin. He is earnest and honest, but he has zero EQ and he can't hold a conversation without referencing his muscles/training. It is kind of cute in the beginning but by the halfway mark, it was wearing thin . . very thin.

He does "grow" as the drama progresses, but it is contrived. Like when he realises mums of young children need more help than just having a personal trainer. We see his lightbulb moment, and he tried to help but it is largely forgotten by the next ep. That is a recurring problem. Most subplots are very transient.

While most subplots have the memory of a goldfish, the central romantic storyline is draggy. The FL fell in love with the ML fairly quickly but the ML was totally ignorant of all the signals from the FL. Honestly, if the FL doesn't have Stockholm Syndrome, she would have run away in despair. They didn't get any clarity until EP.11 and the show has to rush to dial up the fan service.

Oddly enough, the 2CP is firing from EP.1. They alternate between sex crazed and pining for each other after nonsensical breakups. I don't know their backstory and they are just there to chew up screen time. It is telling that the more I watch their antics, the less I cared.

That is a fundamental problem with this series. While it is an ensemble drama, most support roles are one dimensional.

The end of this review is nigh and it is usually where I would comment on the HEA ending but I am numb after watching it. I guess the rooftop, fully exposed, outdoor gym is their last attempt at humour. Enough said.

In the end, our talented actors are wasted in this production. It is watchable in a mindless way. It is such a departure from the cleverness of Gaus Electronics, I am beyond disappointed.

Rather than using the gym as a source of engaging human dramas, we ended up worrying about plumbing and broken equipment. Peace.

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She is a real contender

Sports centric drama is popular for good reasons. We all like to cheer on our favourite team and if they are the underdog, all the better.

In that sense, this show doesn't try to change the status quo. I suppose the old saying "don't fix what is not broken" applies. The slight deviation is the FL is now the one with the potential. We watch her journey into the world of boxing. From rank noob to becoming a pro. It doesn't mean the ML is not involved. It is just that his arc starts from a different angle and he has his own challenges that severely tested his mettle. He is weighted down by a dark past and a lot of self loathing.

If our leads' trials and tribulations are not enough to keep your interest, the show seals the deal by doubling down on their romance. It is hardly plain sailing though. Lots of misunderstandings right from the start, hence the title. Once they confirmed their feelings, their relationship is very sweet and tender. Thankfully, with only 10 eps to play with, it didn't drag on for too long. They even managed to squeeze in a break-up but fear not, it is for the greater good. ;)

Thankfully, most support characters are engaging and have distinct personalities. This makes their scenes pop. There is a lot of wisdom and wistfulness in their lives. They are not fodder for the mill.

Coincidentally, this brings us to the unfortunate case of the SML. He is a good man but just can't hold a candle to the "bad boy" ML. He deserves a happy ending which the show hinted at in the last scenes.

Ultimately, this type of show is all about the feels and their cup runneth over. Even the antagonists are not evil for evil sake. Sure, they have their "twisted" reasons for doing harm but they also deserve a chance at redemption.

Even with a small budget and a short runtime, this punches above its weight. Sure, there are the odd cliche subplots but what drama doesn't have them? The tight script deserves a special mention though. The writer-san kept us guessing up to the dying minutes. With all the twist and turns, nothing can be taken for granted. It is quite a ride! I'll add this to my rewatch list. Peace.

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A pleasant, transient show

While a lot of j-dramas weaponise quirkiness, this drama toys with the idea. Sure, there is a hint of idiosyncrasy, it is a j-drama after all. The ML is a minimalist, while the FL is a rising Instagram influencer but neither of them are extreme examples. It is like someone googled the term and they workshopped it. The show also goes out of its way to tell us why they are like that as if we might think that it is some kind of psychosis.

Ultimately, it is more about our leads realigning themselves and meeting in the middle. That's amore, baby! ;)

It is not all plain sailing though. The ML's bumbling approach to romance is awkward to say the least. He would say one thing and acts in a different way and vice versa. The FL was one confused puppy for half the show. 

When the handsome and debonair SML shows up, things start to get more interesting but even then, the writer-san used a light touch so there are meaningful looks and wistfulness but not a lot of real angst. That is a shame because the SML is a nice guy who deserves a fair go. He just got his timing all wrong. It did drive the ML into some decisive actions and cements his relationship with the FL. 

Speaking of relationship, this show is low key propaganda. In a share house of 5, there are two weddings and one reconciliation. That reads better than any Japanese official statistics! BTW, the 2CP is an odd couple but they are cute. Just wish they have more air time.

If you think that sounds a bit tropey, you are not wrong. It is easy to watch and easy to digest. All the actors earn their keep. It is a solid production and has a pleasant OST. It just feels a bit . . . "been there, done that". Peace.

P.S. love the bonus food porn. I want that curry recipe!

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A gentle, meaningful drama and that's no lie

I really enjoyed this drama. Its gentle storytelling resonates with me. This is particularly poignant during the current turbulent times. Life is simpler in Small Town Japan, circa 1926. Of course, I can't help but think the 1930’s is just around the corner . . but I digress.

What is not simple is the FL's life. She has the cliche ability to detect lies. We get the whole audio and visual effects. It came as no surprised that she was driven out of her village with extreme prejudice when she was still a teenager.

Nevertheless, she is lucky to run into the ML at her lowest point. The ML is a gentle soul and wise beyond his age. He etches out a simple existence as a private detective in a small provincial town. He does not judge the FL even after being made aware of her special ability. Instead of rejecting her, he decides to take the FL under his wings and they slide easily into cohabitation.

Now, you would think the ML being a keen observer of people plus the lie detection skills of the FL, they would make a successful crime detecting duo. However, they still struggle to stay afloat. It certainly adds spice to their lives.

Not that there is no work for them, but it is rare and a rather eclectic mix. More importantly, the ML uses these jobs as opportunities to educate the FL about truths and lies. The world is too harsh if we see everything as black or white.

Acting is decent from the ensemble cast. The young cast did their best and the easy-going script kept them largely in their comfort zone. You can feel they had fun making the drama.

I really enjoyed this show because it has such a genteel setting and promote positive messages. It is so easy to be invested in the characters and their lives. The OTP has a n easy going chemistry which is just starting to get more complicated. Their friends and associates are interesting. There are no extremely angsty situations. Yet, the plots are reasonably intricate and reflects the time and societal norms. Their world is a nice place to lose oneself for a few hours.

During my research for this review, I discovered that this series is based on a 10-volume manga of the same name (it is available in English). With so much material from the manga and a well charted plot, you'd think that more seasons would be a given. However, decision regarding live action adaptation doesn’t always play by the same rules. I can only hope. Please give us at least a second season. Pretty please?

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This is true love. You think this happens every day?

Yes, I’m very late to the party, so late in fact that I got the cleaning up duties. There are many reviews already so I’m not going to do an in-depth review but just some thoughts about this drama.

The quote above from Princess Bride summed up this drama perfectly. On the surface, it is a noona romance and our leads has good chemistry. I won’t said that they are melt your screen hot, but they have a certain charm and their skinship feels natural. Good acting and a well written role helps. One is a competent, no-nonsense career woman who just turned 30 while the other seems to be a wilful young gun who has more money than sense. However, they soon set us straight and we can see the depth in their characters. While they are not breaking moulds, the show gave them some agency. For instance, the ML, is care-free and have little interest in inheriting his mother’s business but he is a mature person who values friendship and responsibilities. He is a team player and contributed significantly. He is certainly not your typical rich playboy.

It is also nice to see the series work with the standard tropes but is not subverted by them. There are SM/FL’s but they don’t overstay their welcome and don’t do anything stupid. They are second leads in the truest sense. I appreciate that. On the flip side, the SFL is annoying but that’s her character trait and she will grow on you, IF you let her.

This level of care extends to plot development. Once again, there are some aspects that are instantly recognisable but there is usually more to them than just cut-and-paste. Yes, their path to true love is not quick nor straightforward but it is believable. Ditto, once they are official, we are not handed the HEA ending on a platter. The plot is allowed to develop organically. I'm thankful that the writer didn't throw in the last minute breakup just because she can. This is how rational people should behave. I wish more shows would take notes.

Both OST and production value are above average.

All in all, this is a good show. I wish I had watched it when it first came out. Better late than never!

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The forest is very dangerous when you miss the trees

You know some shows are a challenge to watch. Maybe the script is badly written or it is poorly made. Bad acting and/or confused direction can be a deal breaker as well. Melo Movie is none of the above, yet it is still not an easy watch. I'm sure it will test the patience of some viewers.

Our leads are all flawed and they don't wear their emotions on their sleeves. Sure, they are talented individuals but lives mostly mundane lives. They are opaque to their acquaintances. They suffer in silence as they drifting through their days.

Even though our protagonist's backstories are distinct, they share something in common. They have an unhealthy focus on details and they are very introspective. They have a narrow field of vision as if they have blinkers on. They might be in a loving relationship, but they would interpret everything from their own perspective and give scant consideration to others feelings and circumstances. This should ring alarm bells and it is ultimately (self)destructive. This brought on bouts of misplaced anger, melancholia and festering emotional wounds.

For us, this translates to a languid pace. Nothing is clean cut and it took a long time for each character to come to terms with their personal issues and, trust me, there are plenty. This means lots of pensive stares and slow panning shots in solitude. Meaningful, yes, but I can also understand why this show will not work for everyone. It is a good show, but it doesn’t have many hooks. It is as if the drama throws down the gauntlet. Do you have the patience?

Expositions comes late in the piece and can feel verbose. I have no doubt some viewers will bemoan the fact that they saw it coming from a mile away. In that sense, the show is its own worst enemy.

Putting all that aside, there are some wonderful performances. PBY as the FL is solid as ever. KJW as Ko Jun is wonderful but the biggest surprise is LJY as Si-jun. I would consider this his breakout role. While he is technically the second lead to CWS, he outshines him. I just don’t feel CWS brought his A-game. For me, Si-jun feels raw and real while Gyeom is a bit flat and floaty. He needs Moo Bi to drag him screaming and kicking back to the here and now. Thank the drama gods for the swoon worthy moments. That kept me going when I start to weaver.

Am I defending the indefensible? Maybe . . I hope not! Truth be told, the show does make it hard to get into if you just want a casual watch. 2 eps in and you might still be wondering what is this all about. So rather than dragging this out, I will just say this, hang in there. Be patient. FF the slow bits if it helps but don’t give up too soon. It does get better.

BTW, the OST is lovely, and production value is solid. Peace.

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That'll do pig, that'll do

To be honest, I don’t have a great deal to say about this drama. It is quite serviceable. It is a short 10x30mins run. The A-plot is focused on office romances. To wit, we have 3 couples from different departments but in the same company. The main CP is probably the most “normal”. The other 2 have more challenges, but they are not insurmountable. It just took them longer to sort out their feelings and work through their issues.

Speaking of which, we certainly have a textbook worth of relationship issues. They are ticked off one by one by our couples. Thankfully, there are no deal-breaking revelations nor breakups. There are hiccups and a dating minefield to navigate first. Everything works out in the end.

Production is par for this type of short drama. Acting is workman like. Ditto the OST. Everything clicks together and there are no nasty surprises. Totally acceptable, if uninspired.

I have not read the manga this is based on so I can’t comment on how close to the source material this is. From my perspective, it provided me with some distractions while I wait for a new must-watch release. I certainly don’t regret the time invested even though I'm unlikely to rewatch it. If you are into romance dramas then this is a solid example and well worth a look-see.

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Maybe a little less emphasis on strange

I'm late to this series because costume dramas is not my go-to. To be honest, there are more trash than treasure in recent memory. However, they have good reasons to renew this drama for season 2 and 3.

As the show has been out for 2 years, I'm not going to do a detailed review but rather some thoughts and observations.

1) they are all pawns in the game of throne. It is done reasonably well without too much grandstanding.

2) the bromance is real. Yes, one is the brain while the other is the brawn but the junior partner is learning to use more of his brain than his muscles. Their chemistry is a highlight.

3) on the other hand, the real romance storyline is weak. It is all about reaching an understanding. Very prim and proper. There are cute moments but don't expect much in way of skinship. At least there is no second leads to complicate things. BTW, the banter at the end of the last EP between the 2CP is surprisingly wicked. ;)

4) the murder mystery side is decent. There are times when it is intriguing but there won't be any gold star for original writing. At least the A-plot is coherent rather than just a mishmash of random encounters just so that they can stumble on bodies after bodies. However . . .

5) there is an over-reliance on quasi supernatural elements. I understand superstition and folklore plays an important role in ancient China but all the crimes are committed by humans so you quickly learn to see past all the mumble jumble. Giant animals also play too big a role. They pop up whenever the show needs a set piece fight or some smoke and mirrors to distract us from a weak plot point. Which brings us to . . .

6) a heavy use of CGI but not always to good effects. The quality ranges from acceptable to laughable.

7) the River God plot was very impactful and advanced the A-plot on several fronts. Yet it has some of the worse contrivance about crocodiles. It made me facepalm.

8) similarly, the production value is a mixed bag. Most scenes are acceptable if a bit standard issue. They probably didn't invest a lot of money thinking that it will just be another idol drama. Hopefully, S2 and 3 will fair better.

In the end, I enjoyed this drama more than I expected. Even with all its faults, it is still one of the more watchable series to date and I'll definitely check out S2.

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One hell of a found family

Found family is one of the oldest tropes in a writer-nim's repertoire. It has all the ingredients for a banging meet-cute plus bonus characters development as all the complex relationships change and evolve over time.

This drama certainly doubled down on this premise with the parents being saintly foster parents to a string of disadvantaged kids. This did not go down well with their own daughter as she sees her parents giving them more love and attention than their own flesh and blood. There is a lot of unspoken angst and resentment bottled up inside her. What is a little odd is that her BFF's are two of the foster daughters, so her feelings towards at least some of them are ambiguous to say the least.

As in dramas of this ilk, there are always secrets and double dealings. In this case, everyone is pulling double duties. It did not go down well when some of the secrets were revealed. I must admit that some of the twists were clever but there is a lack of finesse. You feel that the dice is loaded from the start.

To be honest, this aspect of the show leads to some of the best and worst plot developments. It gave us some surprise revelations and swoon worthy moments as well as misfires that pile on the angst and take us down several garden paths.

I suppose if you want to be brutal about it, there is not a lot left to the A-plot once we get past the cute and swoon-y start and sort out who's who after some surprise reveals. The middle section was stretched to fill in the allotted time. It leads to some odd plot developments which are quite contrived and added little of substance.

The ending was as sweet as you can expect. Every loose ends are tied up with pink bows. However, there is minimal fan service surrounding the OTP. Similar to shows of late, the 2CP seems to be more interesting and is given a lot of attention. I'm not complaining per se, but it does feel a little odd.

In the end, I enjoyed this show. The ML was the star for me. He looks cute in many scenes, and he will make you swoon. The FL is solid as ever, but I feel that she is in her comfort zone and is happy to stay there for now. The support cast, production and OST are all fine.

This is a solid series that delivers but there is not a whole lot to distinguish it from the rest of the pack. I’m happy to have watched it but I’d be hard pressed to remember it in a few months’ time. That is a shame.

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Icarus meets Mozart

This review will sound a bit arse backwards because it is a back-to-front type of drama for me. 

If I had to sum up the plot in a few words then it would be Icarus meets Mozart. This is a blessing and a curse.

Cooking is about as real as it can be from my perspective. You combine real ingredients into something that is totally tangible. Sure, there may be some smokes and mirrors when it comes to some high concept dishes but fundamentally taste doesn't lie. If a dish taste good then it is meant to be.

This series mystify the cooking process to the point that it is akin to magic. We are shown mostly typical preparations yet the results are S tier and to die for. I know you can play tricks with the flavours and textures but time and again, this is done by our untrained "amateur" ML. Even the show calls this out when one of the chef stated that a staff in his father's restaurant practiced filleting fish for 3 years before he is trusted with that task. Yet our young ML went from high school graduate to a Michelin star chef within a year (and still without any formal training). I get that he can see ingredients and recipes from a different angle (cue special effects) but things just don't add up. We have to just accept it. This pulls me out of immersion repeatedly as I try to see what is so special about the dish and how come he can create it and I can't (for obvious reasons). ;)

I'd have enjoyed the show more if his development is more relatable rather than just put down to him being the "chosen one". That is such an old trope. I would have similar problem wrapping my head around a plumber being promoted as the next genius physician in a hospital just because he knows how plumbing works.

The show did grow on me in the second half and that is largely because it moved more into character growth and their backstories. Honestly, the whole show finally makes sense in EP 9 and 10. All the ducklings line up and the motivations of many characters became transparent. It is still a bit of a stretch but at least I can accept the rationale within that paradigm. I also enjoyed the changes in the young ML as he decent into madness but it didn't last long and he was his old innocent self again. In one sense, the show became "normal" towards the end, if that makes sense.

I'll be the first to admit that this is not an unbiased review as I just finished Grande Maison Tokyo which is so good and well grounded that it makes this looks like a flight of fancy. However, if you like the male leads then you will swoon. If you like angsty dramas then you have hit paydirt. If you are looking for food porn then it can still work. The gorgeous dishes were created by a Michelin star chef IRL. I have to score this show based on my own POV and that's a reviewer's lot. Peace.

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