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This review may contain spoilers
Beautifully Packaged Angst
As much as I adore watching Bai Lu onscreen, I developed compassion fatigue in this drama. The actors were fabulous, the visuals were superb, and the music was outstanding, but my heart can't take that much angst.The Good:
• Color was a visual cast member. The sets were every color but beige, and the costuming was rich in jewel tones. The CGI was pleasing purples, teals, and blues. Even the FL's magical fulfillments left her with sparkling multi-colored eyes.
• The costume designer draped the actors in exquisite clothing and accessories. Kudos to the actresses who played their parts seemingly effortlessly in heavy wigs and ornaments, and mad respect to the actors who avoided getting impaled with all the hairpins each time they hugged the actresses. They were forever in danger of losing an eye!
• A pleasing OST enhanced the drama: the relentless "Flowers Fall Without Trace," and the plaintive "Under the Moon" and "Embrace and Never Let Go" complemented the scenes.
• I'm forever indebted to the writer for making the main couple steadfast and trusting of one another. Even when people tried to drive a wedge between them, they believed in each another.
• Ao Rui Peng's voice was dubbed by voice actor Wai Wai, and what a beautifully deep tone. I'd watch this drama just to hear that rich voice!
The Bad:
• Too much angst. Do you love that character? Well, I've got bad news. Everyone dies. Repeatedly. There's very little breathing room from one anguishing situation to the next. The only death that gave me relief was when Mo Li commented the Lanling immortal was too noisy and quieted him permanently. He was such an annoying character! It's the one time I could get behind a villain's actions.
• The ML was powerful and dynamic in the beginning, but he got relegated to a supporting role after he and the FL got together. His role changed from dangerous Demon King to being beautifully bedfast or being hugged while dying. I'm exaggerating but not much.
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Hou Ming Hao Was Riveting as a Demon
Fangs of Fortune was a found family of humans, gods, and demons fighting against outward evil and inward trauma. They came together to save the world while overcoming their internal hatred, misunderstandings, guilt, loss, and cowardice.The Good:
• Hou Ming Hao had an excellent portrayal of a sympathetic demon. His expressions were spot on and he emanated an other-worldly aura that was fascinating to watch. Then he'd switch from his commanding presence to faux-roar at Bai Jiu just to see him scream and jump for his amusement. What a nuanced, memorable character.
• I hadn't really noticed Tian Jia Rui in any previous dramas, but he could certainly cry on cue, and his tears flowed from exquisitely beautiful eyes.
• It was a visual feast: the cast, the sets, and the costumes.
• Some excellent music. The song about the bird with the broken tail traumatized me, and the fight music was equally effective.
• I generally skip the intros (after the first episode) and outros, but this had the cutest cast dances during the credits. So fun to watch the villains dance and cavort!
The Bad:
• Too many tears. I'd expect demons and demon hunters to be a bit more stoic, but they cried incessantly: when sad, when regretful, and even when eating porridge. I give it to the cast: they were all prolific, excellent criers.
• The angsty scenes were excruciatingly long to the point that they didn't ratchet up emotion but left me saying, "Die, already."
• The stupidity factor was high. When a demon hunter was reviled and hated by the public, the team thought it was a good idea to take him into the midst of a crowd. I kept thinking they couldn't be that stupid—they had to have an alternative scheme—but, no, they were that foolish.
• I hate when the villains refuse to stay dead.
• Fangs of Fortune had so much going for it, but I never really connected with it the way I should have. It was like a fabulous feast that smelled delicious and looked amazing, but it just didn't suit my taste.
For those traumatized by the ending (all of us?), please watch the special episode of the drama afterward for a bit of hope.
I added a half star for Hou Ming Hao's demon portrayal.
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A Visual Treat
Zhang Lin he and Tian Xi Wei were captivating on screen. Any other man wearing ginormous pheasant feathers could have looked Dr. Seuess-ish, but Zhang Lin He looked majestic with the feathers waving in the wind when he triumphantly entered the city on his horse. That visual may be worth watching the entire drama.The villains were mesmerizing in a unsettling, dangerous way, but they still managed to evoke enough humanity and brokenness that I couldn't help but empathize with them (but they needed to be dead, asap). I'm going to have to look for further dramas featuring Deng Kai and Lin Mu Ran.
The entire cast was excellent. I especially enjoyed the village scenes at Lin'an. The community felt authentic. I missed when action was moved from the village to other sites, because I missed Uncle and Aunt Zhao, the neighbors, and the restaurant staff. The drama suffered when it strayed from Lin'an.
If I have a quibble, it's that the huge build-up of political intrigue which drove the entire drama resolved itself in a relatively quick whimper instead of a bang. But I didn't watch the drama for the court conspiracies. I watched to see an orphan girl fight her way from poverty to success, and that was achieved.
I'm adding a half star for those pheasant feathers.
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This review may contain spoilers
Gukgeuk Is Fascinating
This is hard to rate for me. Let me list the good and bad and go from there.The Good:
• I like Kim Tae Ri, and she does a fine job here. So does the entire cast.
• The drama subverted my expectations; I never really knew where it was going.
• Jeongnyeon introduced me to pansori and gukgeuk, which I found fascinating and extremely interesting. So much so that I looked up the history of each. Pansori was storytelling with one singer and one drummer. It could be as long as EIGHT to TEN hours long. These productions were very limited; twelve are known, but only five have been passed down. Gukgeuk was an all-female performing troupe that performed pansori with costumes, acting, and sets (similar to opera), but in a shorter form more palatable to the audiences of the 1940s and 1950s.
The Bad:
• I found it hard to sympathize with Jeongnyeon when she was suffering at her worst. When your best friends beg you not to strain your voice, when your mentor warns you against overusing your voice, and common sense tells you not damage your voice, then I guess you live with the consequences when you disregard them. The drama lost me at that point, and my enjoyment decreased greatly. I'd been in Jeongnyeon's corner up to that point, even though she should have been booted out of the company numerous times for her antics (self-centered grandstanding onstage), but that was it for me. Seriously, she was an exhausting character: stubborn, strong-willed, irrational, and inconsiderate. Even so, I liked her!
• The drama subverted my expectations; I never really knew where it was going. When a drama introduces a main character early on, I expect something monumental to happen with that character. Jung Eun Chae played Moon Ok Geong beautifully—easily one of the most memorable characters of the drama—but then she just disappeared and was never heard from again. As for the ending, the bad guys won; the good guys lost. Everyone was to be scattered, and that was presented as a happy ending.
Final analysis: it's worth the watch to see the performances of gukgeuk.
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Teens Should Never Be Ghosts—Imagine Perpetual Adolescence *shudder*
Horror isn't my genre of choice, so take that into consideration. I liked the actors, the ideas, and the general set-up. However, for only 12 episodes, it wandered and squandered all that initial goodness. It bogles the mind how repetitive and non-productive a drama can become in only 12 episodes. I thought shorter dramas would fix the that issue, but it isn't necessarily so. The writing needed to be tighter. Honestly, if I'd been the vengeful ghost, this drama would have concluded in one episode. What's the point of being omnipotent if that potential is wasted?I added a half star for Kim Won Hae. He's such a versatile actor. His role touched me the most.
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The Best Thing for Pure Romantics
I realize I'm missing the romance gene, but it still bewilders me that this drama is rated 8.7. I generally need something to accompany the romance, if I'm to enjoy the drama. Pure romance is like bitter medicine to me; I need something sweet like mystery, murder, or mayhem to choke it down.The Good:
• I was interested in the bits with Traditional Chinese Medicine. I can see where Western medicine would benefit from a partnership with a philosophy that doesn't rely on harsh drugs and surgery.
• This was a pretty drama. The leads were beautiful, the scenery was attractive, and there were flowers galore. Plus, everyone had magnificent bookcases.
• The families were sweet and mostly supportive.
• The dreaded time skip actually made sense in this drama, as it was planned far in advance.
The Bad:
• TBT was slow, glacially slow. I can't even call it a slow-burn romance, because it rarely ignited. I don't think the couple got together until the 20th episode, then it wasn't long before the FL left the country and ML was left to write heartfelt letters to her.
• I don't have patience with people who aren't truthful and/or can't speak up. For heaven's sake, professional people in their 30s who deal with the public on a daily basis should be able to talk.
• The misunderstandings drove me wild, because all it took, in nearly every case, was one simple, short question to clear it all up: "Do you have a boyfriend?" "Are you a father?" That's all it takes. It's not hard, folks.
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A-peeling RomCom
I was looking for something light and funny. The Potato Lab promised laughs. What are my tots on the drama?The Good:
• Kang Tae Oh. I've viewed other dramas with him as a supporting character, but he never made an impression on me. I think I need my eyes checked: I never realized how attractive he was until now. Very charismatic. Such a spud.
• I'm not a fan of slapstick, but I love understated throwaway lines like the FL asking the ML if he had a flashlight, and ML smirking and asking, "How many lumens?" I would have watched the drama just for that line, but I am a former flashlight fanatic (reformed now, because I've given everyone I know a handheld flashlight, keychain flashlight, and headlamp; besides everyone's phone has a light now—even my watch has a light).
• I enjoy dramas with small, tight-knit communities: they're warm and quirky. And nosy! I liked the villagers a latke.
The Bad:
• I enjoyed seeing Kim Ga Eun, but her character's relationship with the FL's brother wasn't believable to me. I liked both characters, but I didn't like them mashed together.
• Speaking of the brother, how is a 30 year old man still considered a child? When the ML tried to take him under his wing and help him run his business profitably, it was irritating that his sister undermined his efforts to grow up. I also hated how disrespectful and violent she was in dealing with her younger brother. She was living rent free in his house, eating his cooking, and benefitting from his cleaning. She needed to respect him as an adult. Yam I right?
• Why can't a K-drama end well? Why is a stupid time skip necessary? And the woman always has to improve herself. I mean, I'm in favor of self-improvement, but I implore the writers to be a bit more creative—it doesn't have to happen in every drama, for Pete's sake. At least, she didn't leave the country. The last episode had good visuals but a disjointed ending.
To re-hash, Potato Lab may not have been all that and a bag of chips, but I wouldn't hesi-tater to recommend it for someone wanting a nondemanding romcom.
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Sweet and Comforting Like a Piece of Rich Chocolate
Romantics Anonymous was short, warm, and filled with gentle lessons. The ML and FL were afflicted with psychological issues. He suffered from OCD, fear of germs, and an inability to touch or be touched by others. The FL had an intense anxiety disorder which kept her isolated from most people.The Good:
• I liked that the drama didn't throw a switch to "cure" everyone. People with mental issues are rarely healed instantly; it can take years or be a lifetime endeavor. It was gratifying to see our ML and FL learn how to cope and live more successfully even while struggling with their afflictions.
• The last episode made my heart glow. I'm talking about the scene after the competition, not the bizarre last couple of minutes.
• Chocolate. It played a nice supporting role. The visuals were mouth-watering.
• No evil villains, although there was an overbearing CEO and the mandatory relative trying to take over the company. As that's a requirement of every business in drama, and this was rather tame, I overlooked it.
The Bad:
• The second couple's story didn't resonate. It needed more development. Or less. I don't quite understand the need for a back-up couple in every drama, but if they were going to intrude, their story needed to be fleshed out.
• What the heck was that ending? Yamaguchi Kentaro and Song Joong Ki in a cameo? It didn't belong. I guess Vincenzo conquered Italy and South Korea and wanted to add Japan to his territory. Totally ruined the good feelings the drama had going and ended on a "Netflix has too much money and not enough good ideas" vibe. Cameos should be inserted earlier in a way that doesn't negatively impact the story. I didn't mind Song Joong Ki's cameo in The Queen of Tears, but this one was bizarrely random.
• Once the couple confessed, there wasn't any dating or day-to-day interactions. Saranghae, and that's the end, practically.
I awarded an extra half star for the supportive message of accepting others where they are in their life's journey and trying to help them overcome the rough spots in life we all experience.
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Breathtaking City of Macau
The star was undoubtedly the vibrant city of Macau. The cinematography was spectacular, showcasing the Las Vegas-like casino area glowing at night, beautiful seascapes with striking bridges, charming neighborhoods, and congested city streets. Add gorgeous sunsets, lush gardens, and attractive architecture; I want to visit Macau now.There was romance between two attractive couples, a friendship between a lonely boy and a career woman, and some family drama. The love relationships were unlikely to satisfy romance junkies, as the couples were rarely the focus of attention for very long. It was as if three (or four) separate stories were stitched together in a disjointed manner.
Still, the drama was pleasant and pretty, and, sometimes, that's all I need. I added a half star for the privilege of being immersed into Macau.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Solid Romance Bogged Down by Business
The leads were attracted to one another but very cautious: he'd been hurt by a bad relationship, and she'd discounted him as a playboy (which he was). Watching them overcome their initial resistance was as rewarding as their sarcastic banter with one another.The Good:
• The leads were both mature, sophisticated, and accomplished adults.
• The relationship was amazingly devoid of many drama tropes. There were love triangles, but neither allowed them to impede their love story. It was refreshing to see two adults acting like adults, trusting one another, and not allowing a wedge to be placed between them.
• I appreciated greatly that the FL gave the ML the benefit of the doubt once she was all in, and I loved that the ML trusted her to handle his infatuated admirer.
• The flirting was delightful.
The Bad:
• Investment banking and law aren't exactly riveting; there was a great deal of business in the drama that didn't interest me.
• The OST off-putting. It wasn't cohesive. The songs ranged from country/western to pop to Las Vegas lounge music.
• I expected the story to have a destination. The overriding theme was that the ML and FL worked themselves to death and neither was especially fulfilled with their jobs. I anticipated them finding new directions to take with their lives, and that didn't happen.
I added a half star for the chemistry between the couple.
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Brought to You by Short Attention Span Theatre
Who knew Cliff Notes was actually wordy and unnecessarily long? My Fake Wife has 18 two-minute episodes, none of which is developed into a comprehensive story. I empathize with the difficulty of telling a story in such small increments.I liked the actors, but the writing was hampered by 90% of the dialogue being the name of the wife, Tang Bei Bei. Tang Bei Bei!
I added a half star because I liked the protagonist's variety of masks.
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Babies... the Toughest Job You'll Ever Love
A rebellious high school kid was left with the burden of a baby claimed to be his. Although the headaches were numerous, he came to love the child and grew up in the process, realizing what his parents went through for him. Nice addition is a brilliant neurodivergent girl who fell in love with him at first sight.Was this review helpful to you?
Silly but Not Insufferable
The drama was a slapstick comedy about an out-of-favor military noble and a hostage pawn of a neighboring country. The pawn suffered from a split personality which initially drew the suspicion of the rough ML, but her elegant and kind personality captured his attention.I had to take breaks in watching, because broad comedy isn't my favorite. I'd keep coming back simply because the ML was so respectful of FL's autonomy, and that is often a rarity in Dramaland.
Added a half star because the ML insisted the FL should decide her own future. At every juncture when the 2ML wanted to protect her and prevent her from risky choices, ML would step in and champion her right to free will.
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Overuse of Filters Simulated Early-Onset Cataracts
Someone went to film school and wanted to try all the filters, light flares, bokeh, over exposure, vignettes, and out-of-focus shots. It was distracting. Too much of a good thing is still too much, and this wasn't a good thing. It's helpful when a drama uses different lighting or focus for flashbacks, and it can be effective in romantic scenes, but there wasn't a pattern or logic used that I could detect for the effects.The relationships between family and friends were more compelling to me than the romance, especially the one between brother and sister. Siblings are often depicted as adversaries in dramas; it was nice to see a supportive, loving, playfully teasing bond for a change. Also going against the trend was FL's stepfather, who was depicted as kind and caring to his stepchildren, often intervening for them with their overbearing mother.
For a drama that committed many of my least favorite tropes or devices (unbelievable amount of Time Skips, Noble Idiocy, Love Triangle, Break Up, Prolonged Unnecessary Misunderstandings, and Dumbfounded Mutism), the relationships and cute interactions kept me watching.
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They Get By with a Little Help from Their Friends
Hello, My Twenties! is a coming of age tale of young women living together in a share house. The interactions between the five women are warm and caring, with the occasional spat and temporary wars based on misunderstandings, different personalities, and the usual friction caused by living together.The giggles, friendships, and aegyo helped soften the extremely difficult topics the show presented: poverty, crushing guilt, violence, prostitution, murder, sexual harassment, and all sorts of trauma. K-dramas have the unique ability to present darkness with a gut punch but follow it with a warm human hug. Some could grumble that each trouble was presented simply and solved readily, but the drama was only 12 episodes long (and 14 for the second season), and it wasn't meant to be overly melodramatic or realistic. Let's face it: if a handful of women suffered all that under one roof, the Belle Epoque should have been burned to the ground as a cursed house! Instead, the focus was on endurance and survival by relying on one's self but by being willing to accept help and support from others.
It's unfortunate that the first character the viewer was introduced to was Yoo Eun Jae, who was the most bland and trying character. Thankfully, characters Song Ji Won and Kang I Na were captivating. Park Eun Bin was pure effervescence as Ji Won; I need to watch more of her work.
The OST is especially appropriate for the drama, following the highs and lows of youth with bouncy songs interspersed with slow, reflective music.
I added a half star for Park Eun Bin and the OST.
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