Zogitt

What do you call a show with a chaotic start, a solid middle and a jingoistic ending?

This is an odd show. It has one of the most chaotic start but also a solid middle. It then ran out of puff. Becomes really jingoistic and flag waving towards the end. There is not a lot of substance to the main plot so I won't bother to dissect it. I’ll just list some pros and cons;

Pros:
• It is angst lite. There are some family issues, business shenanigans and a hint of a love triangle but nothing life or death. There is a lot of misunderstanding early on which took many episodes to clear up. While the entanglement is a bit contrived, its resolution is surprisingly well scripted and plausible.

• There is quite a bit of swoon worthy moments once the leads are official. The skinship quota is also higher than usual and quite passionate. There are no fish lip kisses nor camera tricks.

• The acting is generally good. The leads have lots of chemistry. The FL is minx like and her growth is rewarding to watch. The ML is handsome and charismatic and he turns in a solid performance. The performance from the younger cast members are more uneven but it is par for the course.

• There is a recognisable gay support character. This came as a surprise to me because for the last couple of years all BL dramas have been shelved and male characters are decidedly masculine and unambiguous.

Cons:
• The start is chaotic and a bit silly. Lots happened but achieved very little. Too many side characters are introduced in a rush which leads to more confusion. I’m not surprise if some viewers dropped the show after the first couple of episodes.

• While the romance line is nice and sweet, the main plot is a bit thin. It is mostly tropey family problems, office politics and business shenanigans. Nothing unique nor original.

• PPL, so much PPL. They are hardly subtle. A rough count has the leads catching 4 or 5 colds just so that the cold medicine can make an appearance. Ditto various cosmetics and personal grooming aids. The scene with an electric shaver was so heavily scripted that it was laughable. This extends to a parade of new cars.

• This show reminds me of Flight to You where at times it feels like a glossy promo video for the new Chinese airliner (C-919). In this case, it is the Chinese owned global positioning satellite system called BeiDou. However, it is much more patriotic and jingoistic in this show. There is even a firebrand professor who lectures us on sacrifice for the greater good and why the world needs an alterative to GPS. This also means several characters (including the antagonists!) and related subplots are sidelined to make way for it. Your mileage will definitely differ.

This show is watchable once you get past the messy start. The romantic line is swoon worthy and the leads makes the most of it. However, the last few episodes feel out of place and the propaganda is quite heavy handed. While we got the HEA ending in the end, it feels flat to me. Peace out.

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Watch a nude portrait drying is more engaging and sexier

As you would expect, the first couple of episodes were quite cute and set up the contract marriage scenario. To say the two leads are introverts is an understatement. They have low emotional intelligence and barely adequate social skills.

Contract marriage is a staple of j/k/c-dramas so it is a well worn path. There are certain expectations when we watch such a show. The journey of the OTP is never going to be easy, but it is their growing love for each other and their eventual coming together that give us the raison d’etre to watch. It is in this regard that the show left us wanting.

In terms of production and acting, they are both fine. It is up to the usual j-drama standard. The actors played their roles well enough and mostly by the book. The problem lies mostly with the script.

In essence, the writer-san want to show us a different style of marriage/relationship where the couple continue to lead independent lives and only meet up when the mood suits them. This is happening more and more with mature aged couples who have established home and a comfortable work/life routine. They don’t want to upend their lives completely just for the sake of a relationship. However, in this case, it goes beyond that, our leads just don’t know how to live with other people.

They are constantly confused about their feelings and in denial. They internalise everything and hide behind excuses even when their hearts are shouting for attention.

Misunderstanding is a given. The noble idiot card is being playing repeatedly. Almost every subplot is about failed relationship or difficult romances which undermine their house of cards. It was cute for a while, but it soon become draining and unproductive. They do get jealous when the SF/ML shows up but the effect is never consistent. Sometimes it is productive but other times they are self-destructive. Most cliché plot device that normally would bring the OTP closer together are foiled.

In the end, the lack of chemistry between the leads is the killer blow. They have the odd sweet moment but most of the time they are just awkward around each other and pushing each other away. Their relationship is just flat. The ML is a wet mop. You can’t get a rise out of him if you fill him with helium. Just about every romantic trope used is muted.

Every thread are closed with a pink bow in the last episode. Happy ending is a given. Sadly, the main love line remains anticlimactic unto the bitter end. The proposal is a damp squib and there wasn’t even a kiss to seal the deal. Of course, they live apart after they got married (sans wedding ceremony). Even when they meet up on their days off, they behave like acquaintances, polite acquaintances to be sure. There is no PDA and definitely no skinship. All the while the voiceover (FL) is telling us how much they are in love. Indeed! I’m not even going to ask if they have ever slept together. From the viewer’s point of view, there is scant reward after sitting through 10 episodes.

The Show is dull, tropey but watchable. The travelogue is nice and there are cute moments. Regrettably, the show is just not very rewarding from a viewer's perspective.

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This show is an instrument of torture sold as a comfy chair

Where shall I begin?

I'm not going to mince words. Our screenwriters love to bait us with moments of fun and sweetness and then trap us in their circle of hell. Let this be a cautionary tale for you, dear readers.

Them are fighting words, yes? Nay, I say. I threw away two drafts already because I'll be banned for using offensive languages and excessive ranting. Consider this the sanitised version. Still reading? Good!

To be fair, moment-to-moment, this drama is watchable. There are flashes of romance, growth and fan service. However, it has serious issues.

This drama looks like an idol rom-com from afar. When you combine the enemy-to-lover with the forced cohabitation trope, it should be a slam dunk. Alas, this show swam against the tide with determination.

To wit, our leads work, eat and play under the same roof. So far, so cliché. Easy win, right? Yet our OTP made no progress WHATSOEVER during the bulk of its run. The fact that our OTP looks good together and has decent chemistry made the whole situation even more baffling.

There are near kisses, near hugs, near confessions. They’d push each other away with extreme prejudice. Every. Single. Time. Then loudly proclaim they will never be together; there is absolutely nothing going on between them. You can hear me groan in frustration two doors away.

It is not just our OTP’s “relationship” that is problematic. As written, our FL is beautiful, diligent and smart. I won't dispute that, but she is a mess of contradictions as well. Not dumb enough to win the Darwin Award yet not smart enough to read the room. She reacts impulsively when she shouldn't and doesn't react when she should (mostly involving the ML). This FL's persona is diabolical. What have you done, dear writers?!

How does the FL survives in the cutthroat business world? Two words . . Male lead!

Our ML is her silent protector. He exists to coach her and to undo the worst of her mistakes. He fell for her soon after they meet. The fact that the FL ignores all his signals is mind boggling. She had a long-term BF, so she is not ignorant. If this is a xianxia drama I would have said she is some kind of rock spirit who has been cultivating in a cave!

So, after pushing through 30+ eps (help me!), I thought the HEA ending is nigh. How wrong was I! The writers hit us with the Angst Titanic™.

Not only are they pining for each other after a self-inflicted separation. She kicked him out of their shared home as soon as he confessed to her. Eh? What?! Her reasons are nonsensical to me. Does she love him or not? She is so self-centred and contrary. She stayed temperamental all the way to the end. Our writers should be sent to a re-education camp just for this crime against romance.

Of course, we ended up with more yearning and suffering. I am numb by now. The reappearance of the SML is a waste of time.

Oh, speaking of the SML (FL's ex-BF), I will just say the face swapping is sad. It ranges from passable to downright embarrassing. By the time this series was released years late, the original actor has cleared his name. Such is life!

Let's cover a few other issues while we are distracted. The 2CP (FL's BFF) is boring. They run through the usual couple issues. Fun!

The 3CP (ML's BFF) is worse. He is a mommy's boy. Naive and inexperienced to the max. He behaves like a stalker. His mum is next level. She is so controlling. Some of their scenes are cringe+. We got there in the end . . yay . .

OBTW, there are no Big Bad Antagonists. Some annoying co-workers/friends, meddling parents and typical backstabbing business shenanigans, that's about it. Most of them have their redemption, especially the SFL.

Speaking of the SFL, the pairing of the second leads is designed to fail. Their union was tenuous from the start and only becomes more strained over time. There is no rejoicing when they broke up.

In the end, this show is a letdown. The first few eps look promising. I was tempted to sloth quit mid run, but I was weak and I stayed for the small sugar hits. Then sunk-cost took over. Where is my therapy teddy?!

I won't lie. It is watchable at times. I kept hoping it will get good and we can frolic with the unicorns. It did happen in the very end. By then, I'm exhausted. Could this show be saved if it was 26 instead of 36 eps? Probably, but we will never know.

I think this is the first time I didn't drop a series with such a low score. That’s on me. Peace.

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Apex haken vs office lambs

I'm going to start at the end. ;)

The one thing that strikes me is how timeless this show is. Other than the abundance of clam shell phones and slightly outdated PC's, you will be hard pressed to carbon date this drama. It is mind-boggling to think the Japanese workplace probably hasn’t changed much in close to 20 years!

With that out of the way, let's go back to the nuts and bolts. This show is a 100% Shinohara Ryoko starrer. She is literally all dancing and all typing. She portraits an eccentric S class haken. She is utterly professional, abrasive and unyielding in her ways. You can say that she is a pioneer of work-life balance before the topic is even whispered around a Japanese water cooler.

She is highly valued by employers in the know. Any full-time employees who try to belittle her will be licking their wounds in no time. While you can say her portrayal is one-note, you do sense her inner conflicts some times when she knew her actions are hurting people she is growing fond of. Think of it as a kind of tough love. Her numerous qualifications are a little over the top, but you roll with it as a kind of series-long gag.

As I mentioned before, the office setting is timeless. Being a temp is a tough gig. Our FL does not take it for granted, but she also knows her worth and will not take any crap from her co-workers. Least of all, misogynistic power trippers.

As expected, her presence stirred up a lot of tension between the full-time employees and temps. Even between the hakens there are cliques. Some of the plots are centred around cliché powerplay and group dynamics.

We are drip fed the FL's backstory as the story progresses. Bit by bit, we work out why she is so driven. To be fair, the FL hardly changed during the entire run. Nevertheless, her new co-workers are chipping away at her steely resolve. It is just not enough to alter the status quo before her contract expires.

In that sense, it is the growth of her co-workers that is the core of this show. From the meek supervisor who found his mojo, the yes-man career climber who found his backbone and the green haken who found her calling. There are many subplots that are relatable and endearing. There is even a hint of opposite attracts romance.

I was sure they will leave the ending ambiguous, yet they pulled a rabbit out of the hat to give us a possible path to a sequel. Surprisingly, one was made in 2020, but I have yet to track it down (side note, there is also a k-drama remake). Does this mean the romance of this prickly pair might blossom? ;)

One final thought. The projects tackled by her team feels plausible and realistic. This is a stark contrast to the nebulous business deals c-dramas love to use as fillers.

In the end, it is a solid j-drama. I enjoyed it. When you consider I binged it in two days, it can't be that bad. I doubt I'd rewatch it, but you can do worse if you are between S tier productions.

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Is black romance a genre?

To say that this series sailed under my radar is the understatement of the century. It was released in 2021 but I have, hand on heart, never heard of it until a friend recommended to me. Cheers, @Nelly. :)

This show hits well above its own weight. It does not compute if you look at it clinically. It is a short form drama. 8x20mins. It is closer to movie length once you top and tail the intro/outros. The production value is passable but you know it is made with a small budget. No fancy costumes or CGI anywhere. Nondescript locations adds to the . . rustic charm. You can forget about handsome idols or traffic stars. Heck, they probably have to pack their own lunch from home. ;)

On top of that, the A-plot is about as non-PC as you can get! It is loaded with triggers and very questionable moral values. Which brings us to the obvious question. How did this series ever passed the Chinese censorship?! The only other one that came to mind is Rock it, Mom! If anything, this show is darker. 

The series certainly does not mince words when it present us with the dire situations our leads are in. One no longer wants to live (as compared to wanting to die) while the other survives on a razer's edge. Both are so damaged that they consider their continued existence as some kind of cruel joke if not outright curse. That is until their paths collided one fateful night.

I am not going to give away the plot as it is not exactly original although there are some nice twist early on. The writer managed to give the story a strong beating heart and a delicate soul. It is a rough ride and a tough watch. I'm serious when I said that this drama is full of triggers. The underbelly of this dramaverse is as black as coal. You have been warned.

Thankfully, our young leads gave us their all. It could have been an idol drama of little consequence but I'm thankful that we are spared that fate. With such a short run time, the pace is fast and almost breathless at times. Nevertheless, it managed to slow down at key moments so that we can take a breath and empathise with our leads as their perspective starts to change under each other's influence. Imperceptible at first but with gathering pace as their lives become more entwined. Their growth is surprisingly organic. You knew what is on the card but when it happened your heart sings as you give thanks to the writer. Who needs corny expositions when the storytelling is on point.

To be honest, this doesn't feel like a c-drama. It could have been a t-drama or an indie project from a Nordic country. It might be a bit rough around the edges but that's part of its charm. I salute the production team. Just getting it made and pass censorship is already an achievement. It has earned a place on my rewatch list. Peace.

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"This is the Potato Lab. Not a soap opera!" Touché

This review is going to read a bit different. Let's start at the end. EP.12 is the best ep by far. While there are nice moments embedded in the previous 11 eps, the last EP is the real saving grace. Not that it is a gem of an episode but at least it has a purpose.

On paper, the premise is functional. The fish out of water trope is hardly new but the rustic setting is interesting. Our leads are news worthy. The ML's profile is undeniable after his lead role in Attorney Woo. He is still handsome and charismatic in this drama, but his role is totally different. He is a model of self control and icy professionalism. If I'm honest, it hamstrung his acting.

On the other hand, the FL is less well known but she has been in the industry for years including time as an idol in a girl band. She is attractive and has good chemistry with the ML. However, we have the opposite problem. She is personality overload. She dominates every scene and not always in a good way.

This yin yang setup should work a treat if the writer-nim allow the OTP to interact organically. Instead, they are placed in contrived scenarios time and again. There is no doubt who is the OTP but the amount of push backs, misunderstanding and confusion makes watching their journey very draining.

Their situation is not helped by the local community of ahjussi and ahjummas. They always show up when it is least convenient, and they are in your face. Then you have the cadre of "scientists" from the lab. I have not seen them do anything scientific. Their presentations are bumbling more than informative. They stumble from one crisis to another. Yes, they provide some comedic relief but that is because they are reduced to cliché caricatures.

If you thought the OTP failed to launch because of a vile SML then you will be disappointed. There is a SML, but he is a sad and broken man by the time we met him. He tried to interfere, but it was ineffective and largely pointless. The SFL does not interfere with the OTP but her backstory with the SML has huge impact on the FL. Yet their relationship feels contrived. It is there and we sat through their sorry tale. Alas, I felt nothing.

BTW, I’m not going to waste bandwidth on the FL’s brother and her BFF. They are the token 2CP and chew up screentime. Interactions between the various characters are wishy-washy and emotions are painted in board strokes. There are lots of tears and shouting. Lots.

The messy and inconsistent narrative makes the show hard to get into. We might get a nice swoonworthy moment and then it is pushed aside by some self-inflicted issue within minutes. Every weak joke is balanced by a cringey moment that makes you question whether they really live in an alternate universe.

In the end, everything worked out. The ending is more like nice-ever-after rather than HEA. I give thanks that I made it to the end, but I don't know why it took 12 eps to get there. A potato is still a potato. You can just watch the first and last episodes and won't miss much. Sure, it won't make much sense but then again, neither did much of the earlier episodes. At least you get the much needed fan service and "funny" moments in a neat package. Peace.

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Everyone gets their yummy desserts

Not all makjang are made equal and I’m glad that this is a good’un in my book.

Makjang storylines, by definition, are meant to be convoluted and outrageous. While for a shortish 12 eps run, it does traipsed through many tropey plots, it is hardly a witch’s brew. I am pleasantly surprised by how well paced, coherent and logical the script is, well, once you get past the whole cancel death shenanigan.

I’ll be honest, the do-over plot device is old hat by now. Every year, there is a new crop with minor variations. This one started fairly typically. Death by misadventure and (GASP) you wake up and get another chance to get things right or in the FL’s case, exact revenge for many years of pain and suffering in the hands of her family.

There are no shortage of shenanigans, foul deeds, mental as well as physical torments. It is full on and yet it feels manageable, relatable. The A-plot needs the darker tropes to make the story work, but it doesn't take them to the extreme just to earn the torture porn badge.

Once the show established the lowest point in their lives, death will do that to you, it is a steady and engaging climb back to the top. Of course, it is never going to be easy for our leads, but they are quite a power couple. They might not be all loved up from Day 1 but their relationship is refreshingly pure and solid. While the FL thought that she is just using the ML as a stepping stone to archive her goals, the ML has other ideas.

I know that sounds bad but in fact, it is quite the opposite. While the motivation of FL’s initial actions is pure revenge, once she takes greater control of her life and learn more of the truth, their relationship changes and evolves. The show changes focus to healing and getting a second chance at life. That is so much more rewarding to watch than a show that is hellbent on Mutually Assured Destruction.

Another gratifying aspect of the show is while the antagonists knows all the dirty tricks, they are not omnipotent. Their plans are effective, even devastating at times, but our leads are not hapless punching bags. They have their wits about them and they have the measure on the evildoers. The show doesn’t jump feet first into non-sensical plots just to meter out endless pain and sufferings to our OTP.

In terms of acting, it is a definite mixed bag. The highly emotional plots and extreme situations are fertile grounds for overacting. Still, I have seen worse. They are within the realm of “normal” behaviours rather than pantomime grade performances.

In the end, I enjoyed this show very much. More because of the leads' growth and their healing journey than the revenge angle. Also, for a change, I can cheer them on without having to facepalm later because the show threw the kitchen sink at them and make them suffer for no reason other than for our “entertainment”. The last ep is purely fan service and I give thanks. It ties up all the loose ends. All key characters are given their moment in the sun (or in purgatory) so we are not left hanging. It is not award winning stuff but it is a solid production.

For some, this might be a weak example of a makjang but I will take it. There are enough troubles in the world today. I don’t usually rewatch this style of drama but I can make an exception in this case. Peace out.

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Cute, easy to watch rom-com that took the path of least resistance

The start of this show is actually the best part. The premise of an overbearing highflyer who flew too close to the sun, crash and burn to become a lowly live-in caretaker of a share house is interesting.

The fish out of water trope generated a few laughs. The injection of a FL who held a grudge against the ML sounds spicy but that's about as angsty as it got. Yes, there was a bit of payback fun and resultant character growth and healing but it is a tropey rom-com to its core so it is no surprise that the rest of the plotlines follow the well thumbed playbook.

I'm not saying that it is bad, to the contrary, it is quite light and an easy watch. The "problem" is that it doesn't push hard in any direction. The revenge plot is half hearted because the FL is too nice. The SML/SFL are too understanding and they just take the hint and move on. A bit of distraction and that's about it. The romance of the OTP is nice but not particularly passionate. Even the skinship is more coincidental than full on passionate affairs. I normally hate "angst for angst sake" type of writing but this show swings a little too far in the opposite direction.

Naturally, the ML is a changed man by the end of the show and we get the mandatory HEA ending. Totally fine and a bit of fan service but this puts it squarely in the middle of a very crowded space with little to separate it from the rest.
Worth the one time watch but hard to come back for seconds.

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The screenwriters want to teach us what love is but the Show came across as half baked and tedious

The fake marriage trope is now firmly established as a recognised genre and j-drama has done its best to invent a sub-genre whereby the marriage is between two total strangers with little or no preamble.

It can be very interesting and rewarding to see two strangers navigate living as a married couple with all the obligations and expectations from families and society. Finding love is a must and that journey of discovery is usually what sustain us and defines whether the Show succeeds. This show started on the right track but then lost its way in a maze of its own making before eventually finding the exit. The viewer is taken on a protracted run through the maze and it is frustrating when we can see the correct path before us but the protagonists always seemed to take the wrong turns.

The show is billed as a rom-com. There is the usual overacting and it has lots of romance in its plots but most of them seem to circumvent our OTP. It is as if the writers are giving us a tutorial on what true love is with lots of book examples. Unfortunately, the ML must have slept through most of it.

Time and time again, the ML was confronted with "feelings". He would get confused or misunderstood simple signals. At one stage, the FL shouted that she loves him and he replied "that's nice. What's for dinner?" (that is not what he actually said but you get my drift). The problem is that this doesn't happen once but repeatedly. The ML was berated by his friends, family and even his love rival as being dumb, idiotic and clueless. This is a person who works in advertising, well educated and pushing 30. He is not a shut-in. I can accept social awkwardness and inexperience but his behaviour is next level. Yet, at the same time, he has a long time crush on someone so he is not without feelings. While the FL was better represented, she was portraited initially as scatty, impulsive and naïve but at least she knows what love is when it hits her between the eyes. Of course the FL spent much of the show annoyed, disappointed and/or confused.

So with all the tutoring, expositions and observations of other people falling in and out of love over many episodes, you'd think our CP got the gist, right? Nope, not for 90% of the run. Even after multiple "confessions" and the donning of couple's pyjamas they still broke up on the weakest pretence. Forsooth, ye ol' curse of Failure to Communicate! The writers loved to use this device. They would have the actors interrupt other each repeatedly at key moments or an action is totally misunderstood but there is never any clarification. That is painful to watch as it was so obvious and served only to prolong their suffering and ours.

Speaking of love, there seems to be a queue of people who would fall in love with our protagonists pretty much at first sight. Random characters would be introduced for an episode or two, hit on one of the leads and sow confusion and then disappear. Why is this the only way for our protagonists to get any clarity about their feelings?

In terms of chemistry between the leads, there is a bit but there should be a lot more. The pairing just never felt 100% right. The Show tells us again and again that they are perfect for each other but I don't feel it. Friends, yes but soulmates? Kisses are rare and felt wooden. You just don't sense the passion. The herd of unicorns are MIA for this show.

Of course the ending is HEA with hints of multiple pairings. I would have prefer a show that spend a lot more time and energy showing us how the OTP falls in love and work together to sort out problems rather than standing around observing other people's love affairs and then completely botch their own. This is not a DIY car repair video after all.

There are much better examples of this genre such as "Because This Is My First Life" and "Shanai Marriage Honey".

The Show is watchable and there are funny and cute moments but it doesn't balance out the tedious bits. There is next to no re-watch value for me. Peace out.

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Delicious by name, delicious by nature!

At the core of this complex drama is the relationship of three contemporary Chinese women living and working in the same city. They are around 30 years of age and well educated. They were in the same class in high school but their trajectory after school were completely different. What doesn’t change is their very closed sisterly bond.

Each FL seemed to lead a fairly stable if humdrum life. All that changed when covid-19 hit their city. It was a stroke of genius to coincide the start of the drama with a city wide lockdown. Each vignette of their lockdown life will strike a chord with most people. The enforced closeness wore down the veneer of civility and laid bare some home truths. Only then did they realised how they are all trapped in their individual life cycles.

One lead was confronted by her husband's cheating via a very public disclosure. She knew something was amiss but decided to ignore the telltale signs as a way of self preservation. Another realised the boyfriend of several years whom she has "collected" as a milestone in her successful and thoroughly planned out life was someone she doesn't really care for. The last member of the trio had to confront the societal and familial expectation of holding down a boring 9 to 5 job while being labelled a leftover woman. The pressure to get married is relentless.

This all happened very early on in the show, so I won't call this a spoiler. The rest of the show is a skillful piece of writing and acting as the trio try to find a "new" normal after the lockdown. This meant an almost complete realignment of their views and circumstances.

In terms of plot and pacing, it is a delicate dance of interweaving stories and the writer set a cracking pace. With only 20 episodes to play with and a lot of tales to tell, there is very little bloat. The lives of the three female leads pressed on ahead with scant pause for breath. The only time they slow down is when they are together, usually sharing a delicious meal or relaxing at home after work. Their conversation ebbs and flows naturally with an ease that only old friends can sustain. They knew each other so well that they don’t have to lie to each other, and they also knew when one of them is backward in coming forward. It was a joy to see how the writer used their seemingly mundane conversation to tell us their inter thoughts as well as provided a barometer of their emotional states. Some of those scenes are deliciously wicked. ;)

In terms of acting, it is very good all round. There are many characters in this drama. The leads, their ex’s, new love interests, family members, co-workers and more. Good actors filled the key roles but they are not A-listers. Even the young actress playing the daughter of one of the ML is a lively little minx. The writer gifted her with some killer dialogue, and she made the most of it.

There was no shortage of emotional scenes to test their mettle but it is not all gloom and doom. In fact, there are more genuinely funny moments than sad ones. The mood of each episode swings and changes with finesse. The FL's tackled their roles with gusto. It is cathartic to see their characters grow and heal over time.

The CP's have very good chemistry and there is a decent amount of skinship and even racy scenes. The Show did seek out its traditional rom-com root towards the end but it is a bit of fan service and I can't complain.

All in all, the show is very entertaining and rewarding but it is a thought provoking journey. It laid bare a lot of societal issues in present day China which will resonate with its target audience. Hat off to the production team for their commitment to breath life unto a challenging script. I would highly recommend this show to anyone who want something more than the artificially sweetened rom-com clones that are being mass produced right now.

P.S. You must not miss the forth wall breaking moment at the very end of the show. :) What does it signify? A sequel? That would be delicious!

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Cliché rom-com with the memory of a goldfish

First of all, apologies to all my goldfish friends. ;)
I'm ambivalent about this show. On one hand, taken moment by moment, it is light, fluffy and swoon worthy. On the other hand, the script is weak and too tropey, has pacing issues, plot holes big enough to drive through and one dimensional characters. After episode 5 until around ep. 19, I watched the show at 1.5-2x speed. I didn't skip scenes but I can't be bothered to sit through them at normal speed either.
The start of the show is way too fantastical (I didn't say it was fantastic). It all happened at breakneck speed with tropey meet-cute, accidental first kiss, cohabitation, faked illness, falling into each other's arms (repeatedly) all done and dusted by the end of episode 2. It was bordering on non-sensical. By the fifth episode, the OTP was signed, sealed and delivered. What a shame that the show then expanded all its energy on creating road blocks for the CP. Nothing new there but it was done with little finesse. The simple plots were transparent and with the ML's Super Intelligence™, he was always one step ahead of the antagonists. It might be satisfying to watch piecewise but it also reduced any tension to near zero as you knew the ML will win every time.
Speaking of antagonists, it was very claustrophobic. There are about 6 key characters (plus the usual family, best friends and close associates) but they are from just 2 families and they all grew up together and most of them have a crush/unrequited love of some one else in that group. Even with numerous rejections, the circle just goes around and around and nobody takes no for an answer.
Disappointingly, the FL felt muted. Zhao Lu Si has a lot of screen time but her character was not strong and easily manipulated. Normally, she plays the feisty, bubbly FL that throws down the gauntlet to the world but not this time. There are glimpses of that but on the whole, she was overshadowed by the ML and more suffering than dishing it out. She was totally manipulated by the ML in the early episodes, then she became his pretty partner and cheerleader. She has her own achievements but it was small scale by comparison. I think she was underutilised and frankly didn't shine.
I have no doubt many viewers will ship the OTP but my cynical eyes kept seeing the writer's hand in pushing them onto us. Creating those "moments" that will be talked about and shared.
On top of that, there were endless business shenanigans (just within the key players). Once again, very poorly constructed and involved expositions on some wicked machination and magically, the other company's shares will crash. It paints the Chinese business world in pretty grim lights, TBH. Of course, the ML came through (again and again) and made his enemies look stupid (and they were). That is why I mentioned gold fish memory as all these were done in small cycles. Confession/rejection, business gain/loss, family politics, rinse and repeat.
It got better in the last few episodes but the tone is set and it is really just a race to the finish line of closures and CP happiness.
The secondary pairings provided some relieve but they didn't do much more than that. You don't really feel invested in them.
OST was mostly happy tunes and rewatch is not really there unless you want to watch some of the CP highlights. There were some egregious PPL as well.
Like I said before, moment by moment, it is not bad but sadly, the whole is less than the sum of the parts.

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Very sweet rom com dragged down by 2OTP

I really enjoyed this drama for the simple reason that it was not dramatic. That was an odd statement to make, I know. :)
This drama was definitely not attached to reality as it matched up a male god with a slightly older goddess and they lived happily ever after. On top of that, half the show was set in a PC game world. Total fantasy but it was surprisingly good.
This is not the first show with the back drop being a game but this show did it with style. They didn't try to make the game realistic but they used it to set up some crazy scenarios. Think James Bond meets Romancing the Stone. As they technically met online, the meet-cute was done in game and there were many funny and cute moments. Unfortunately, the game scene faded away about mid show. I missed some of that surreal wackiness.

Once they did meet up in real life, the romance really kick started and they were so sweet and cute together. The ML was really forthright with his pursuit of the FL which was refreshing. The show did have its fair share of clichés but I appreciate that they didn't succumb to tropey pressure to break them up. Every time their relationship was tested, they resolved the issues fairly quickly and their relationship grew even stronger. So many lovey-dovey moments and they have a mature approach to skinship. They really acted like a couple in love. Swoon.

What I didn't like was the 2OTP. I understand a second and even a third pairing is the norm but this show just took a strange line with the 2OTP. Yes, they started on the wrong foot and it was definitely more hate than love but I just can't ship this CP. The 2ML was just pathetic. He came across as weak, desperate and somewhat annoying. The 2FL had so much emotional baggage that she could have opened her own storage facility! It literally took them the whole show to get together and a) there was no time left for any sweet moments with them and b) I stop caring a long time ago.

The acting from the OTP was very good. The ML has matured in age and acting ability since his "Rest Your Head on My Shoulder" days. He is handsome and he can act cute so well. No stoney face ML thanks. The FL is a professional singer and that helped to bring a lot of the singing and performance scenes to life. This also contributed to a better than average OST. They really worked on the sound track and lifted the the show. Cinematography was good and interesting, sets and costumes well above average. It was a polished product.

There was a lot of growth, healing and closure so you felt good after watching this. This positivity made it easy to rewatch it for the sweet romance. of the OTP Just fast forward the 2OTP scenes and life will be even sweeter.

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Sweet, refreshing rom-com

What a lovely, refreshing rom-com. It is almost a 9 but for the unnecessary break-up and a messy tail (see later). It is refreshing to see the cool, clever ML doing all the chasing while the FL is clever and bold but a bit clueless when it comes to dating. Not that she is ditzy, just a little innocent and happy-go-lucky. The chemistry of the OTP is very good. Not raw lust, just pure first love from two nice sweet characters. There were genuine LoL moments as well. The scientific approach to dating from the ML is sooo cute, not done for laughs like other dramas but totally in character. There are just so many cute moments during the first 2/3 of the show, it really brings on the feels. That makes the obligatory break up so much harder to take. Especially, when the reason behind the break up was so thin and weak. I'd call it poor writing, to be honest. We don't need that just to have the bitter sweet reunion later on (can't recapture the light tone for several episodes). I can do without the manufactured pain and suffering for our OTP, thank you very much. All the support casts were great. Strong characters and lively banters. One last thing, there are 27 episodes on Viki. The ending at the end of ep. 27 is not the true ending, a bit meh and half baked. The reason is that there is an episode 28 (26 mins long) on Youtube with eng sub which you must watch to conclude the series properly.

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A witches' brew that turned into banana milk

EDIT: My original review was a little rant after watching the first 12 episodes. I have since completed the series. The following is an edited version of my original review plus my final thoughts on the last 4 eps and the Show as a whole.

I start watching this show because of Park Min-young (PMY). I loved her in Secretary Kim and Her Private Life is one of my favourites. Her more recent projects have been a mixed bag.

The first few episodes got me excited. PMY was front and centre showcasing her many talents. The zany plot looks like fun! This could be the PMY starrer I've been waiting for.

However, after the promising start, the plot became quite makjang by mid way and got more so as the show progressed.
Part of the problem is that the FL is a martyr to everyone's cause except her own. She sometimes sends the wrong message to the wrong people unintentionally. She can be very straight talking or very obtuse depending on the script. No wonder we are perplexed by the hole she is digging for herself.

Madam Yoo is an opaque and unsettling character at this point. Her concept of identity and affection is totally warped. She ruined PMY’s life 13 years ago and she seems to be doing it again. It beggars one's mind when you consider the FL is 30 years old.

The 2ML is a man-child. An entitled, low EQ, ill adjusted top star. His idea of love is a crush which turned into an obsession. His earlier actions and behaviours made him unlikeable.

Parachuting the ML’s ex-wife into this witches' brew was the last thing we need. Even after ruining their marriage, she still thinks he has feelings for her, and they deserve a second chance.

I cringed when the Show drops moments of comedy in the midst of piled on angst and horrible machinations. There is an unpleasant and dissonant note to the script.

This is my impressions up to ep.12 and I was considering dropping the show.
Then ep.13 happened.

It is like the writer-nim had an epiphany and realised that the show is heading to story hell and hit the brakes. Within the span of several scenes, the Show has flipped on its axis and gone full rom-com again.

All the funny, sweet and swoon-y bits are back in the show. Almost all the characters are realigned. I don’t mean the usual redemption arc but a full rehabilitation. Madam Yoo became a caring but eccentric lady who was just misunderstood. The 2ML became an obedient son and a top business executive without a trace of his top star baggage. The ML’s ex is now his biggest supporter with no hard feelings. The list goes on. Even the main antagonist is bundled out of the way without making a fuss. It was as if nothing nasty ever happened and no serious repercussions to all concerned.

I’m happy that the OTP’s love line remained sweet and engaging. The ML is no longer deadpan and their growing love filled us with joy. Their skinship is heartfelt and swoon worthy. It won’t be a k-drama if we didn’t have a mini breakup but it didn’t last long and both characters grew from the experience.

The FL’s gay flatmate is sensible and sensitive. Unfortunately, he usually ended up being the punching bag. What really annoyed me though is that he is not allowed to be gay openly, he is in limbo. His sisters still harangue him and his parents considered him their failure. That is until they found out that he might become an idol singer. What kind of message is that? He is still living a lie. There is potential for greater harm to befall him once he is famous.

In the end, this Show is better than Forecast Love but the Show as a whole doesn't sit comfortably with me. The tonal shift and character rehabilitation later in the show was jarring. I’m glad that I didn’t drop the show, but it did leave me with a sour taste that is only partially remedied by the last few episodes and the sweet HEA ending.

As a fan of KMY, I loved her performance but as a jaded drama viewer I am disappointed. Her recent script choices is also concerning.

While the makjang plots took half the show to develop, they literally disappeared with the snap of a finger. Those plots were troubling and uncomfortable to watch but they were there for a reason . . . I hope. Am I short changed? It is good to end on a high note, but the path there feels inelegant and forced.

The production quality is high, but the number of PPL is also high which can be irritating. OST is good. I can’t sit through the whole show again but a swoon-y highlight reel would be nice.

I have increased the show's final score. :)

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Go hard or go home!

On paper, this show should be a slam dunk. Strong cast, interesting premise and high production value are the holy grail of any drama. This is watchable but with caveats.

The cast is the dream team. Top stars and veteran actors formed the core. The problem is that they are mostly one dimensional.

The ML is a human punching bag. He takes a lot of punishment but return them 5 folds. His boyish good looks and winning smile is his trademark. He has a very strong moral compass but he is impulsive to a fault.

The FL is smart and capable but she shows very little emotion and keeps her cards close to her chest, that is until she fell for the ML. Our leads are obviously the OTP. In fact, he has been chasing her for years. It feels a little stilted. They are cute together, I'll grant you that. It is a bittersweet romance.

The 2ML is the brain of the team. He is the FL’s ex but we know very little about their backstory. He plays it straight. The discus thrower is the standard issue gentle giant. The bumbling Captain rounds out the ensemble. He provided most of the slapstick humour. The Olympic Avengers (their words) is assembled but there is not a lot of team building. Their damaged psyche complicate things as well. It is the classic Band of Misfits.

Speaking of bumbling, the commissioner is ineptitude personified. I still have flashbacks about his role in When the Stars Gossip. (Groan)

Unsurprisingly, the antagonist stands out. He has been hiding in plain sight and is the mastermind of a Cartel of Evil (I'm getting MCU vibe). He is cold, calculating, ruthless and remorseless. He looks ordinary but some of his scenes will give you nightmares. Kudos to the actor. His interaction with the team is . . . peculiar. He could and should have taken all of them out and then take a vacay in the Bahamas. I suppose the show must go on . .

The plot is fairly straightforward. Money + Greed = Corruption. Crime pays -> do more crime. Our team are earnest but they are mostly incidental heroes. The police is inept most of the time and is always one step behind. Hence the need for our Band of Misfits.

The production value is undoubtedly high. There are a number of very elaborate fight scenes and chase scenes. They are well choreographed and creatively shot. Mr Tarantino would be proud. In fact, the whole series is somewhat Tarantino-esque.

Such elaborate set pieces work great in a feature length movie. Your senses are overloaded and you hang on for the ride. When you have 16 episodes to fill, the pacing becomes an issue. The extreme highs and lows make the show feels choppy.

This brings us to the pachyderm in the chamber. The violence is egregious. There are lots of graphical violence and many innocent people are hurt in the making of this series. The show double downs on this. The body count rises and the fights gets bigger and bigger as we build towards climax. If you are thinking of recommending this to your genteel granny then don't, just don't.

Violence is no stranger to k-dramas, just look at the popularity of Squid Game. The difference with GB and Squid Game is we know dozens of faceless extras are going to die each ep. In this case, our team are the good guys. When they get beaten up, it is personal and visceral. The sheer amount of it does desensitise us.

Regardless, this show has good bones. It can soar like Icarus but also plumbs the depth of human depravities. It throws a lot of stuff at you from the start. It is like a challenge. "Can you handle this? Are you having fun?!" The show is not interested in the middle ground. Go hard or go home!

The last 2 eps is pure fan service. Our team can do no wrong. All the baddies fall like dominoes, but with extreme prejudice. ;) There are plot holes that a Big White Truck of Doom™ can drive through but who cares.

I'm sure there is an audience out there for this show. It failed to engage me completely and that's on me. The violence is excessive. The plot is surprisingly threadbare once you pare away the window dressing. It will leave you breathless at times but it lacks depth and resonance of the best in class. Peace.

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