2
1
1
1
This review may contain spoilers
Some Stories Can Be Told Well in Six Episodes
Beautifully and tightly told in 6 episodes. The drama can stand alone, although I wanted it to go on, as I wanted to see what happened to Su In later. Was very pleased that Kang Woo's story had an upbeat development (hired on with the Grey team). The story was left open ended: hard-fighting Choi Jun Kyeong was shown shaking hands with a mysterious Japanese man. Reading reviews, it seems Netflix axed Season 2, which is a shame.Was this review helpful to you?
Sweet Without Being Cloying
Our Chocolate Moments was like a small, delicious chocolate presented in a pretty box. There may not be a great quantity of it, but what's there is exquisite. The acting was wonderful, and the camaraderie was warm and meaningful between people whose only initial bond was their love of chocolate. I would gladly watch a sequel to see how the newly bonded friends' lives changed.Was this review helpful to you?
More Like Eternal Suffering!
Ninety-nine percent of the suffering could have been avoided by the tiniest bit of communication, but that's drama life for you. Forget about love triangles—Eternal Love featured love dodecahedrons!Yet, for all the angst, the story was compelling, and the cast was captivating. The costumes and sets were beautiful. The CGI lacked only in the water scenes, where it was apparently fake (I can handle most fake mountain and orchard scenes, but fake moving water is so apparent). The OST enhanced the experience with poignant lyrics.
Kudos to Maggie Huang who played Su Jin, a character I loathed deeply. It was incredibly satisfying to get to the eye scene (you'll know what I mean when you watch). I had envisioned that scene and anticipated it for far too long! How gratifying when it actually happened.
Mark Chao was a new-to-me actor. He lacked the pretty boy image of many K- and C-drama leads; a masculine man was a nice change of pace. He was able to convey emotions well, even within his stoic character. As for pretty boys, they were in abundance: Gao Wei Guang with long white hair, Vin Zhang all dark and dangerous, and Yu Meng Long, Leon Lai, and Zhang He.
The series was long at 58 episodes, but it held my attention and soaked my hanky. "Tearjerker" should be added to the tags. It ended well, and I was left with a happy afterglow. Upon reflection, it's odd I felt pleased, as only about 2% of the characters had a happy ending! But they were the 2% I most cared about, so I'm good with that.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
When the Only Intelligent Character was the Serial Killer...
I had to stop watching The Girl Who Sees Scents, because everyone but the serial killer was dumb as a box of rocks. I found myself actively rooting for the killer! He had lots going for him: although he had prosopagnosia, he didn't let his disability deter him from being a success at business or serial killing; he had a killer home library (pun intended); and he was played by one of my favorite actors.The rating reflects my appreciation of the killer and his library.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Cast of Thousands and Nearly as Many Plotlines
Three friends were separated by circumstances as children. Baili Dong Jun was haunted by his friend's unjust death and in true adolescent rebellion rejected his father's guidance and sought his own way of life, even though he was coddled and much beloved. Ye Ding Zhi, whose military father won too many battles and gained too many accolades and had to be contained by the Emperor by false accusations of treason, had escaped his family's massacre and grew up on the run. Yi Wen Jun was the pawn of her sect: to gain favor and power, she was offered to the Emperor's son in marriage even though she'd been promised to Ye Ding Zhi when they were children.The Good:
• Hou Ming Hao suited the role of the dashing Liquor Diety. His exuberance, friendship, and loyalty never diminished.
• He Yu was excellent in the role of a man pushed beyond his limits.
• The camaraderie of the wuxia world was enjoyable.
The Bad:
• With so many characters (MDL says the cast had 212 members), I had a hard time figuring out who was whom and if I'd seen them before or if they were new.
• I know I'm supposed to admire Prince Langya, but he was an enabler of horrible things all coated with the false respectability of doing it for the greater good. I will allow that he held the same standard for himself, so he wasn't a hypocrite. But he was wrong. Enabling evil, even with the best of intentions, only strengthens evil and brings ruin upon the innocent.
• After Baili Dong Jun got the girl of his dreams, she was relegated to the role of arm candy in the drama. I wanted her to match him in terms of strategy and determination instead of sitting passively in a pretty white dress.
I couldn't decide on whether to put Yi Wen Jun in the good or bad category. I despised her even while sympathizing her predicament. Without her, there wouldn't have been much of a story, but it would have been a happier one. She was a self-centered coward, but she was a powerless pawn.
I added a half star for the character of free-wheeling, loyal Baili Dong Jun as portrayed by Hou Ming Hao. (Because he reminds me of my departed cat. Hey, it's my rating—I can be capricious.)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Abuse is Never Right, No Matter the Victim
I've watched Bai Jing Ting and Tian Xi Wei in other dramas and enjoyed them. I liked them in this drama, too (their relationship was sweet), but my pleasure was tempered by two unfortunate premises.I understand the desire to rewrite history in an heroic manner, but the sort of feminist retrofitting of rigid history undermines the actual hardships women had to endure in those times. That a handful of concubines would be allowed to undermine a society without dire consequences to themselves and their families is unreasonable.
I could accept the wish-fulfillment fantasy of sisterhood easily changing society; this isn't a documentary, after all. However, I couldn't stomach the spousal abuse. Third Prince was despised, and rightly so, for his womanizing and treating his wife and concubines as property. Yet, when he realized the error of his ways and tried to make amends, he was still treated with disrespect. It was understandable that Shang Guan Jing was resentful at her forced marriage to the 5th Prince. He was dim-witted and his mouth said things his brain didn't always mean, but that was no excuse for Shang Guan's physical and mental abuse of him. Why is it acceptable to beat a man and leave huge, horrific bruises on him? He'd grown up abused, and he accepted it gratefully from his wife. I found that extremely sad and distasteful. As much as I liked the character of the tough, feisty Shang Guan, there is never an excuse for a stronger person to beat on a weaker one, no matter the sex.
Was this review helpful to you?
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
Needed More Bald Monk
The Blood of Youth was a friendship adventure series full of the exuberance and bravado of youth.I watched Dashing Youth before this, as it is the prequel even though this was made later. I'm glad I did it that way, as I was somewhat familiar with the characters. It was sad to see some of my favorite characters diminished by loss and time. Baili Don Jun was no longer his carefree self. Sikong Chang Feng had lost his wandering spirit and grown into a capable, mature leader.
Was it just me, or did the two MLs and two FLs feel mismatched romantically? Young and sassy Sikong Qian Luo felt more appropriate with silly, outgoing Lei Wu Jie; elegant Ye Ruo Yi suited reserved Xiao Se much better. I never understood their romances, but I can say the same about couples I know in real life! Thankfully, romance wasn't the focus—brotherhood was.
I was mesmerized by the character of Wu Xin. He needed a larger part in the drama. I missed him when he wasn't part of the action. I'll have to check out Liu Xue Yi's other work. If he's that mesmerizing bald, imagine him with hair!
All in all, a fun romp in the wuxia world.
Was this review helpful to you?
That Cute Little Boy from Hikaru no Go Grew Up Well
A poor man was hired as an heiress' bodyguard. She was intrigued by his integrity and aloofness; he was drawn to her even though he thought she'd caused his family's ruin.The Good:
• The censors were asleep when this was approved! *fans self*
• The wardrobe was beautiful. It evoked the era, though it was modernized to be more stylish by today's standards. How I love the look of Chinese Republican Era dramas.
• The leads were gorgeous. Hu Yi Yao had beautifully expressive eyes. I was surprised that seductive Hao Fu Shen was that cute little boy from Hikaru no Go, all grown up.
• The leads were intelligent and didn't jump to conclusions. They also tended to give one another the benefit of the doubt, an extreme rarity in dramaland.
The Bad:
• The smoking. I understand I'm supposed to think cigarette smoking is sexy, but that kiss where the ML blew his smoke into the FL's mouth made my lungs constrict. And don't get me started on the FL smoking a cigar. So utterly gross. My step-grandfather smoked a cigar for years, got cancer where he held it in his mouth, and had to have part of his lips and tongue surgically removed. Not so very sexy.
• There was no ending. Oh, they slapped a "The End" sign where the film ran out, but there wasn't an emotional payout for the viewer. All foreplay and no orgasm, if I may be so crass.
I grade on a curve when it comes to short-length series, as they don't have the budgets of the larger shows. The plot was paint by number, but, that said, the actors, wardrobe, and OST were every bit as good as some larger dramas. I wanted to remove a half star for that non-ending, but I won't.
Was this review helpful to you?
I'll Be Right Back... And I've Sneaked Away Again!
I needed a break from romance, and Mysterious Lotus Casebook supplied that admirably. There was little to no romance in this story of a jaded martial arts leader turned traveling physician turned part-time detective.The Good:
• Cheng Yi played Li Lian Hua/Li Xiang Yi, a man who was jaded by the disappointments of his past. He carried enormous self-condemnation for his youthful arrogance and judged himself far too harshly. To the same extent he condemned himself, he forgave all his betrayers. As Li Xiang Yi, he upheld justice and trusted too well those he befriended. Li Xiang Yi was a different sort of hero: he was admirable, though hardly approachable or easily likable. It took getting to know him well to understand his lies and subterfuges were protections for others, because he didn't wish to involve them in dangerous situations. And he wouldn't allow others to become close to him because of his past (not having good discernment) or his future (not planning on having one).
• Joseph Zeng played the part of the wide-eyed novice, Fang Duo Bing, well. He was naive and inept when first meeting Li Lian Hua. So gullible! The drama saw him grow from a coddled noble to a capable detective.
• Xiao Shun Yao was spectacular as the stony-faced villain, Di Fei Sheng. I especially enjoyed his character arc.
• The developing friendships of the male leads were the heart of the drama and delightful to watch.
• The anime moving the Lotus House to new locations was charming.
• Spirit Fox was a good dog. That smiling face!
The Bad:
• Li Lian Hua suffered 10 years of the ambiguity of his Senior's death. He spent those years frantically searching for his body and looking for closure. Would someone who had gone through that perpetuate that non-ending for others?
• Would someone please unharness those horses? It's like they lived in their harnesses. I felt angst over that!
The drama was open-ended. How could Li Lian Hua do that to me?! I've added a half star for Di Fei Sheng's look of annoyance whenever he dealt with Fang Duo Bing. Amused me every time.
Was this review helpful to you?
Funnier than I Hoped; More Endearing than I Imagined
I've been in a bit of a drama slump; I've been too critical of everything I see, and I'm not enjoying it much. I don't believe it's totally the fault of the dramas—I'm just in a challenging headspace and life is punching me in the gut, as it is wont to do. I thought a change of pace with a comedy might help (which is an odd choice for me, as slapstick is definitely not a favorite genre). I watched Seoul Busters, half expecting I would drop it in an episode or two.I did finish it, and I had several chuckles along the way. The story was about a misfit crime unit that got demoted into a former daycare center (complete with child-sized urinals and toilet stalls!). Their unlikely group consisted of a handsome, witless rookie; a tough, though kind, woman; a brown-nosing father of four; and an ex-boxer whose fists were more active than his brain. They were teamed up with a new captain who was quirky and aloof.
As they worked together, the captain brought out the individual good qualities of his dysfunctional team. As he said, and I agree, they had their charms. The cast felt cohesive, played off one another beautifully, and made me feel as though they had as good a time filming the drama as I did in watching it.
The thing K-dramas do wonderfully is interweave universal truths and touch upon painful subjects in between comedic skits. This was no exception. There were serious topics addressed and heavy situations, but they were delivered between touching moments and warm, human experiences. Often comedies like this start light and bright and get progressively darker and uglier. This one managed to maintain a consistent tone to the end. Add that every main character was completely fleshed out and given a story arc, and this drama did things right.
What can I say about Kim Dong Wook? I kept thinking he looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place him. I finally realized the grinning goofball was the lead in My Perfect Stranger and Find Me in Your Memory. Both roles were of a quiet, repressed, and dignified man. Color me surprised to see how funny Kim Dong Wook could be! He had excellent comedic timing, as did the rest of the cast.
Side note: I was really, really hungry for good chocolate while watching this. I even looked up Dongbang Yu Bin's favorite brand, but it's not available to me. Wah!
Detective: Americans even have gun cabinets in their living rooms!
(Me: This can be true, especially with the older generation or rural folks.)
Detective: Even their dogs have guns!
(Me: LOL, no. Just no. Dogs don't have opposable thumbs!)
I'm giving an extra half star because I'm going to miss the gang.
Was this review helpful to you?
Twenty Episodes of Enjoyment; Sixteen Episodes of Drivel
I needed something sweet after watching a horror drama, and this proclaimed "sweet" in the title. I was impressed by Luo Yunxi’s performance in Till the End of the Moon. It was healing to see him in a happier, romantic role. I’ve enjoyed Bai Lu in a number of roles (she was also in Till the End of the Moon), and it was wonderful to see her paired with Luo Yunxi in a drama with a happy ending. Honestly, this drama feels like therapy after being traumatized by Till the End of the Moon.The Good:
• The leads shared a natural, playful chemistry.
• The Welsh Corgi. She wasn’t the most polished actor, but she was cute.
• Gao Han Yu delivered a nuanced performance as the most complex and compelling character.
• The male lead’s attire was exquisite. Kudos to the stylist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic3lJAn8Cek
The Bad:
• The secondary couple dragged the drama down. The female character was insufferable: a bubble-brained, overly emotional, stalker girl child. Why is this portrayed as cute for women but a glaring red flag for men? I know five-year-olds who act more mature. The male counterpart was a tech nerd who never learned to use his words. I cringed every time they appeared on screen. No shade thrown at the actors—they were playing the parts given to them.
• Noble idiocy, where great pain was inflicted in order to spare the loved one great pain. How does this make sense? And this was done even when it was life-threatening! I wish this trope would die a fiery death.
• The writer shortchanged the 2ML. He was sacrificial and underwent significant transformation, only for his arc to be discarded. His motivations remained unclear, making his choices feel like a manipulative ploy to make the ML more likable. He deserved better; all that character development was trashed.
• Once again, the FL was warned to stay away from a dangerous person, yet she ignored the man who loved her most and wanted to protect her. If you’re in a committed relationship and your partner warns you that someone has ulterior motives and is dangerous, you should listen. FL shouldn't have been wining and dining alone with another man when she'd promised to be home with the man who loved her.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Disappointing Waste of Jang-Jang
I was ready for something light and humorous, and the poster promised that. The MDL rating was low, but I often enjoy what others don't. It featured the two Jangs together—they're so natural with one another—and I couldn't understand why the rating wasn't higher. Having completed the drama, I wonder why it isn't lower!The Good:
• Jang Hyuk and Jang Na Ra are always fun to watch.
• I loved the character of Cho Tae Gu. He had put up many walls emotionally, but Min Seo kept crashing through them. Their interactions were fresh and engaging.
The Bad:
• Talk about an inconsistent tone. First, it was slapstick, then it was unremitting brutality. Kang Yu Ra was the sweet, supportive family member who always mediated and cleared up misunderstandings until they were her own. Then, she was dark, sullen, and non-communicative. The drama couldn't decide whether it wanted to be a silly comedy or a dark action thriller.
• Nothing had to make sense. No brain cells were required. In a top secret facility, someone could waltz in, kill off an important witness, and there was nary a guard, security camera, or even a lock on the door.
• I don't believe even one set-up was ever brought to completion. Even Grandpa's love life wasn't resolved. Obviously, they were planning on a second season that never materialized. The viewer was left hanging with absolutely nothing resolved.
I added a half star for the character of Cho Tae Gu. Kim Nam Hee made an unlikable character sympathetic.
Was this review helpful to you?
Should be Watched by ELFs and ELF Wannabes
I can't claim to be a Super Junior fan, as I'd never heard of them before I became enthralled with K-dramas. I'm sure this documentary means much more to their fans, but I found it interesting, also. I initially watched it to learn more about the lives of trainees, how they work, and why they're chosen to debut. Little of that occurred, but I still found it fascinating how Super Junior came to be and how ground-breaking they were at the time.I recognized Choi Si Won (Jackson!) from his acting roles, and it was fun to see how cute he was back when he was a pup. They were all adorable as younglings.
I thought the documentary would focus more on how the members got together and bonded, but it mostly hit the highlights of the group's career. It was a puff piece meant for their fans' enjoyment, so many things were glossed over. I had to use a search engine to discover why Lee Teuk's father and grandparents all died at the same time (murder-suicide). And the members that left the group weren't mentioned by name or their reasons for departure. That's okay. A love letter to their fans doesn't need to address the painful stuff.
I did learn that Super Juniors' fans are called ELFs: Ever Lasting Friends. I'll add a half star for all the sweet vibes I felt between fans and Super Junior.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good Actors and Fast Action, All Splattered with Blood
Warning, Gentle Viewers: graphic violence and gore ahead, but the title didn't promise a frothy love story.The Good:
• I really like Lee Dong Wook, even when he's playing an emotionless killer. He's not a cruel killer. I'm making excuses for him!
• Park Ji Bin gave me chills with that baby face of psychotic sweetness. Fun fact: that cherubic face is 31 years old! Another fun fact: He played Geum Jan Di's little brother in Boys over Flowers 17 years ago.
• Geum Hae Na's action scenes were amazing. I asked AI if she did her own scenes: "Geum Hae-na performed most of her own action scenes in the Disney+ series A Shop for Killers. She underwent intense, lonely high-intensity training to master grappling and other combat techniques, which resulted in her gaining 3kg of muscle mass. Her physically demanding performance, which included scenes where she reportedly vomited from exhaustion, earned her a Best Supporting Actress Award at the 3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards."
• I appreciated seeing some actors who looked like average people: short, old, plain, etc.
• I wasn't sure if this went in The Good or The Bad list, but the action was nonstop and the tension was unrelenting. I had to take breaks in order to handle it. I'll put in The Good, as I wasn't bored.
The Bad:
• Disney+ offers the drama only in dubbed form. It's weird and offputting. The dialogue sounded like it was written by AI without a full charge of electricity.
• The drama didn't end; it just stopped. That's regrettable as my introductory offer on Disney+ runs out before the second season arrives. I prefer binging seasons, because I tend to forget quickly, but I don't mind waiting if there is a viable conclusion at the end of each season. This left so many things hanging. What will happen with Babylon? What happened to Jin Man? With his intelligence and survival skills, I never bought things went down the way we were told. Please, let it be a diversion tactic and not stupid writing. At this point, we don't even know who is left alive. This was not a complete drama—it was a prelude.
• I would have expected Jung Jin Man to have prepared his niece better or that she would have adapted better. I'm thinking season 2 will see her character develop. Buckle up, Buttercup.
Now I'm off to watch something sweet and soothing. I had a mistaken perception that Disney+ would be princesses and unicorns, but it's violence, darkness, and blood, at least where the K-dramas are concerned. Now that I know they don't offer all K-Dramas with subtitles, I don't need to renew my subscription when it runs out.
I reserve the right to add an extra half star if the second season answers my questions.
Was this review helpful to you?
