dusktildawn
This review may contain spoilers
Miles Wei is charming, did I say Miles Wei is charming because, yep....he is.STORY:
This is your typical cold male lead + optimistic female lead cohabitation romcom drama and it really reminded me of the shojou manga I really liked ages ago "Faster than a kiss" which also had the plot of a teacher who cohabitates with his student to help her since she was an orphan with no one to take them in. The difference with the manga I compared it with is that there was no little brother and that the reason of their cohabitation is because she was betrayed by her cousin and thought that the apartment was purchased by her when it was purchased by the professor. Zhang Si Nian (Miles Wei) embodied the perfect, intelligent professor who had no choice but to bring in Yun Shu (Xu Ruo Han) into his home under the pretense of being a married couple. He decided that due to his grandfather being sick and that it was his only wish for his grandson. Plus, he likes XRH so there's no problem with in-laws. Them cohabiting was really funny and although there were some cliche romcom tropes in there, it didn't irritate me. In fact, I was entertained by it. Plot wasn't all that complicated and anyone could breeze right through it.
ACTING/CAST:
I've said it earlier, Miles Wei is charming and although Xu Ruo Han apparently is a rookie in acting she had chemistry with him so well. The other casts also were interesting and everyone did their characters justice.
MUSIC:
I don't know why but so far compared to KDramas, CDrama music doesn't stick to me. Not the music, but the OST. Maybe I have yet to find an OST that I would remember for a long time.
REWATCH VALUE:
Since the drama is simple, I could watch this if I don't have anything to watch. Or maybe in between intense dramas.
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This is a coming of age drama that spans seasons of one's life. From youth to being in the real world, this drama recalls the scenes of one's youthful days. I'm glad that this didn't have that toxic love triangle story or else I would've dropped this. I liked how the story was simple and relatable and how the leads captured the story of being childhood friends. Chen Xiao Xi is head over heels with her childhood friend Jiang Chen and I'm glad that they didn't play it out like it was some secret crush. I'm glad that she gets to express her feelings openly with their other friends, Lu Yang and Jing Xiao cheering her on. Wu Bong adds character to the mix and his mere presence finally gives Jiang Chen the push he needs and that realization that he indeed is also in love with Xiao Xi. This is one of the stories that you can enjoy over and over again and even play in the background while doing something else. Sure, Jiang Chen is a jerk most of the time but you can see how fond he is of Xiao Xi despite battling with himself on how he feels about her.
A love so beautiful reminds me of It Started with a Kiss for some reason having similar stories with the female lead openly crushing with the male lead but this drama proved that it is its own entity. I enjoyed it, I really did. It was simple, easy, and funny at the same time.
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The female lead Meng Hui who is suffering from multiple personality disorder to protect herself caused from childhood trauma who entangles herself with the male lead Shen Yi who is coincidentally looking for the person he wronged as a child. I think this is sort of a story of healing and such while trying to face their past. Chemistry isn't even a question here since it was already tried and tested in the last drama they've been paired to. The story is simple and it was one of those dramas you can easily watch.
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This is a coming of age drama that spans seasons of a youth's life. Spanning from highschool-college-and work, this is how people handle the transformation in their life. I liked how they candidly expressed how young people cope with things around them as they grow older and I also liked the part that they had realized that as they grow older the people that mattered will always stay despite everything being different. This is probably one of this coming of age dramas that you would want to see to pass the time.
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This review may contain spoilers
The first time I've seen the male lead was when I saw the Chinese remake of Meteor Garden in 2018. I didn't know the Leon Leong had another drama and I was curious on how this drama would go. Plus, he would be paired up with Eleanor Lee who I heard was a natural when acting.I was about to stop watching this drama mainly because the first few episodes felt like this was another damsel in distress story where a prince on a white horse would conveniently sweep her off her feet and promise happily ever after but I then realize that it was more than that. Nian Nian at first was weak due to the fact that she was supposed to debut as a trio group in the Chinese entertainment idol scene but was then stabbed in the back when their member debuted solo instead. Both she and her friend Han Xue were betrayed by Jia Yi who they thought was on their side. And due to the fact that Han Che thought he was helping the girl he liked years back. This is one of those cases of mistaken identity and Han Che paid the price during the course of this drama. While Nian Nian thought that she lost the world, her friend Han Xue conveniently let's her stay at one of their houses (yes, she was rich) and be room mates with her brother Han Che (yes, coincidentally they are siblings and that was how the leads connected).
Although this drama had all the tropes a romantic comedy would have, all those connections...coincidences...and such, it still entertained me. Not gonna lie, they had chemistry and it was there. Eleanor as Nian Nian was a natural and I liked the fact that she didn't stay as a damsel in distress but go on to grow as her own person despite Han Xue helping her in the process. I would hate her if she would still be whiny and moppy. The story all in all was light and they had natural chemistry. If you want to watch something light in between intense dramas then this one's for you.
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Yang Zi is a veteran actress who have starred in numerous productions and this was my first time seeing a drama with Li Zian in it.
I honestly didn't have any expectations while watching this drama, I am a little familiar with the mainland Chinese entertainment scene and I started this with the mind of just enjoying the ride. The story follows Han Shang Yan as a cold, arrogant, yet skillful e-sports player who retired early due to circumstances (pretty cliche, right?) and Tong Nian as an optimistic, popular singer/influencer who crosses paths while HSY was wasting his time at a computer shop TN works at. If you think about it the story is one whole cliche plot about families surprisingly knowing each other, the backstory, and the like but surprisingly it entertained me. The team Solo characters were people you would like to be friends with. TN's friend Yaya is that typical second lead that needs to have a partner among the *tada* male lead's friends. Unfortunately, I didn't think of Wu Bai that much since his character didn't give much of an impact as well as those from team solo. He was just like the cousin who tags along with HSY's adventures.
Over all, I really liked the drama despite all of the clichés surrounding it. Yang Zi and Li Zian had chemistry and I liked those little moments where they bicker or while TN acts sweet while HSY is mostly clueless about it. Though I'm weirded out about this kind of plot in Chinese contemporary dramas. This drama was adapted from a novel and I've read it and know that the novel has *ahem* more mature scenes than the live action but is it a requirement for the leads to be always good in everything they do? Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this though. It was one drama that I could play in the background.
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Now that's out of the way, let me just say how the the second season picks up years after the events of the first season. Prosecutor Hwang Si Mok has been assigned somewhere remote and Superintendent Han Yeo Jin has been assigned to the head office. The first season broke my heart with all the deaths surrounding it but it was needed to be done in order for the characters to grow. This season introduced new characters and gave the kind of reunion only Si Mok and Yeo Jin would have. It also depicted a plot that would put both of them at the different sides of the spectrum. It focuses on the ongoing war between who should hold the power to grant a warrant: will it be the prosecution or the police. What I liked about this is that even though Si Mok and Yeo Jin were pushed into the middle of years long fight, they still trust each other with their life. That is how they are loyal with each other. That even though both the prosecution and the police were plotting against each other both of our beloved leads still share information with one another. Every character in this season held their weight and it didn't feel like this was all on the shoulders of Doona Bae and Cho Seung Woo.
For me, romance between Si Mok and Yeo Jin isn't the most important part of the show. Heck, I will be even okay if they did not introduce any hint of romance because their relationship goes beyond romance. They will always be partners no matter the circumstances and that is what's most important.
Also, am I the only one clamoring for a third season? Please? Universe?
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Go Ara, Kim Myung Soo, and Sung Dong Il's chemistry together easily became one of my fave trios in KDramaland. They had this synergy that I liked very much. I honestly hated Go Ara's character so it means she did a good job. I also liked the fact that everyone had character development and of course that Sung Dong Il never disappoints, as usual.
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Oh Hyun Jae is a top profiler who has solved a lot of cases for the bureau during his time. He has the wits and the skills to get into the mind of a serial killer. This helps him solve a lot of tricky cases. He lost his fiancée to a serial killer and left the scene quietly and for good. Here comes, Cha Soo Young a small town detective who has the ability to remember everything she sees. Thus, the story starts when someone who had the modus of the killer OHJ has been chasing suddenly appears. They work together in order to get the peace they deserve.
The cast is great, the twist after twist is awesome but I don't understand why this drama is underrated. This deserves the love.
I know that Jang Hyuk is incredible as expected but let me just say that Soo Young is a revelation here. I have always favored her and Taeyeon in SNSD before and I knew that she was getting acting roles here and there but this was the first time I really saw her act. I was surprised and I became a fan of her as an actress. I hope she would be given more dramas because she has the potential.
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Memorist is a drama that I would definitely love to see for multiple seasons. It had the tone of a great series similar to US' CSI or NCIS or other crime thriller drama. It also had the supernatural tone to it with the main lead having the power to look into the memories of whoever he touches. Dong Baek is the typical arrogant lead but the thing is he knows what he's doing and he knows that he is good at it which frustrates all of his team mates. I love his relationship with his team chief Goo Kyung Tan and his partner Oh Se Hoon. The addition of the reporter Kang Ji Eun made the drama like a legit multiple-season crime thriller drama. Lee Se Young as the strong-willed Han Sun Mi also gave the drama its color.
This drama is a reminder that a series can be compelling and brilliant even without the romance angle.
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I loved the fact that this drama seemed like an anthology of sorts while keeping the original plot. Wol Joo is someone in limbo, not alive yet not entirely dead. She has to fulfill her goal in order to pass on peacefully. Chef Gwi is a former chief from the afterlife who now accompanies Wol Joo in her adventures. Add Kang Bae to the mix and we have one of the perfect KDrama trios. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the three and although I already had an inkling with regards to who they really were, the story was weaved beautifully. 12 episodes seemed not enough and perfect at the same time.
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Despite all the controversies surrounding this drama with it not being suitable for the masses, there were moments were I really laughed out loud. Some parts were funny. So generally for me, it was okay. Just okay. Not mindboggling but just okay. If I would rate their acting , I would give them perfect points. It was like they wasted what JCW and KYJ could offer for the plot. I would like to see them act again in a better plot.
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At 12 episodes, this drama did not waste a minute or a scene. I do not understand though why this drama is too underrated. If people would give this a change they will find out how good of an actor is Yoon Shi Yoon and Kyung So Jin together. They depicted a couple who were separated by time and universe. I loved how intense the drama was in terms of plot and how accurate the OST is for each scene. This drama, despite introducing Do Wan's affection for Seo Kyung, wasn't romance centric. Their relationship subtly revolved around their affection for each other and the thought looming that it was doomed from the start.
I hope people get to give this a try because it was really good that with 12 episodes it made me want for more. The ending even hinted of a possible second season if given the chance.
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At first I was kind of confused with all the hate this drama is getting including the superficial romance between the leads who are from parallel universes.
Kim Go Eun has always been an amazing actress especially her character in Goblin where she really shined. I didn't have any problem on how she would carry Jeong Tae Eul as a character. That is how I trust her acting abilities. She played the bad-ass female lead so well that it convinced me that this show could survive with only her and her adventures. I was confused though at first at how moody her character was when she is in the presence of the male lead. I mean, come on girl! You can hold your own, you don't need no man. Her doppelganger Luna is a contrast of Tae Eul and this reminded me how versatile of an actor KGE is. She depicted the abandoned, hurt, and desperate for survival character so well it was too different from her main character.
Ah, yes. Lee Min Ho. I have a love-hate relationship with this actor. He portrayed the aura of a king well with his aura but I had problems with the way he acts most of the time. He played the dashing male lead so well it sometimes overshadows the emotions he should've been putting into the character. Did he make your heart flutter with his scenes? Yes. Did you think that he had the depth of the character on point? Sometimes. I don't know.
The bromance was there, not gonna lie. The story had a bit of a development but not the type where I would curse it for eternity. The chemistry between the leads was surprisingly there. What saved the drama for me is the OST. Despite the drama having plot holes, the OST saved me.
Will I recommend this drama? Maybe. Give it a try and be the one to judge.
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