I really like Kimura's acting in this one, particularly her character development compared to the first series. I hope to see more of her growth as Kisaragi in the next instalment.
Thank you for this article. The first time I felt strange watching lab scene was CSI: "is forensics work that glamour?" Forensics deal with dead bodies, rotten flesh... all those icky stuffs, and they still look so handsome and beautiful. So not realistic. On the other hand, have you seen a lab/med scene that is close to the real lab/med work in a movie/drama (Asian and/or Western)? If you have, what movie/drama is it?
SERIZAWA IS SO CUTE! So smol! Put him alongside the other guys, and he is the smollest guy in the group. Lol. Smol Serizawa packed a mean punch, though ^^ I love seeing Yamada Takayuki's expression when he's fighting as Serizawa. He seemed delightful and excited. It was so appealing on him. Add his height in, and you got a cute and attractive Serizawa Tamao :)
Episode 1 and I'm awestruck by Fukuda Mayuko's portrayal of the young Yukiho. She was only what... 11? 12? Very impressive! I've seen her before in 2008's L: Change the WorLd and I liked her there. But I found myself liking her more in this drama, and she's even younger here! This is going to be a rough journey. But I'm in the mood for a dark, tragic drama.
P.S.: Episode 6. I've watched The Seaside Motel, Crows Zero, Crows Zero 2, GANTZ, and dele, but I think Yamada Takayuki's acting is the best in this one. My heart is breaking for almost every character. Yes, they are bad. Yes, some of them are arguably evil. But they just want to survive. They don't want to be alone. They are longing for people who are similar to them, who can accept them despite their sins, and they are willing to bear those people's sins in addition to their own sins. I think some of us might be relatable in that aspect. I'm hardening my heart to plough through the rest of the episodes.
P.P.S.: Done. It was a massive heartbreak for me. Every scene that has Ryouji silently crying and curving himself to a ball made me bawling. At first, I thought Sasagaki was the bad guy in the story. Towards the end, he was the one who wanted to save Ryouji the most, partly fuelled by his guilt for not saving the two of them in the first place. Almost like a Father who finally accept him for what he was and his crimes. I was hoping that Ryouji would take Sasagaki's offer and come clean (as well as Yukiho). But no, Ryouji's entanglement in the web of lies and crimes was too deep, and he desperately wanted to keep Yukiho's boat floating. In the end, what they've done did nothing good for them. Sasagaki's words of "I should've arrested them in the first place" hit me hard. Being arrested and atoning their crimes might salvage what's left of their souls.
Lastly: Yamada Takayuki is stellar in this drama. He successfully portrayed a fragile and at the same time determined young man in his promise to pave the way to the light for his loved one. Bravo.
First, I love Yin Zheng. And I love how he portrays Lu Li.
Second, I really like the BGM. It really enhances the atmosphere of the series. Melancholic, sombre, and wistful. There is an undertone of sorrow in every episode. It fits very well considering the type of drama.
Third, I can't wait to watch the 2nd season. There HAS to be an explanation WHY Chi Zhen survived the stabbing in the extra episode. Or was it just an illusion? Lu Li's wishful thinking? I hope they'd also tell the story of Lu Li's father's case in the 2nd episode.
Lastly, seeing a lot of Bahasa Melayu signposts in the background was really weird for me, because what I had in mind was the story's setting was in Mainland China, even though the city names are all fictional. It didn't disrupt the flow of the story per se, but I felt a bit disconnected. But maybe it's just me.
I just have to say that this man is beautiful! I love watching him in Love Me If You Dare, Original Sin and Winter Begonia. I haven't watched his other dramas/movies, but from what I see, he has a wide range of roles, and isn't stuck at one type of role/character. As Lu Li, he can be a brooding police officer with emotional baggage and sad past in Original Sin. On the other hand, as Shang Xi Rui, he can also be an immature, innocent, slightly psycho, and genius Peking opera performer in Winter Begonia, whose character underwent a tremendous character development. He also shines as Fu Zi Yu in Love Me If You Dare, being a very capable side kick and second partner to Wallace Huo's character. My next to-watch is Sparrow. I know he will not disappoint.
Three things: 1. Never imagined I would see Liu Hao Ran and Tsumabuki Satoshi in one project. 2. I think the prequel is better than this one. 3. A crossdressing Liu Hao Ran is a beauty.
What did I just watch? It was so good, it left me with goosebumps. My senses filled with the gorgeousness of the movie. It left me dumbfounded in a good way. I just wish they make movies like this again.
Episode 46. When I thought I won't be crying buckets after Xiao Tingsheng died, NIF2 threw a curveball at me. Lin Jiu gave Xiao Pingjing a bracelet on behalf of his master, Lin Chen. Yep, you guessed it: Chiyan Army bracelet. And suddenly this... this FEELS came drowning me (more buckets please! Thank you very much). Damn you writers! I don't know whose bracelet it was. Most likely Lin Shu's. If it was, then I really really REALLY hope Pingjing's fate is brighter than Lin Shu's, and he'll be able to come back home safely to his family :'(
Huang Xiao Ming! Soooo suaaaave! He fits the Second Master role perfectly! Such a perfect older brother character as well! I'd love to have an older brother like him. Aah... just like his NIF2's Xiao Ping Zhang <3 <3 <3
On the other hand, have you seen a lab/med scene that is close to the real lab/med work in a movie/drama (Asian and/or Western)? If you have, what movie/drama is it?
P.S.: Episode 6. I've watched The Seaside Motel, Crows Zero, Crows Zero 2, GANTZ, and dele, but I think Yamada Takayuki's acting is the best in this one. My heart is breaking for almost every character. Yes, they are bad. Yes, some of them are arguably evil. But they just want to survive. They don't want to be alone. They are longing for people who are similar to them, who can accept them despite their sins, and they are willing to bear those people's sins in addition to their own sins. I think some of us might be relatable in that aspect. I'm hardening my heart to plough through the rest of the episodes.
P.P.S.: Done. It was a massive heartbreak for me. Every scene that has Ryouji silently crying and curving himself to a ball made me bawling. At first, I thought Sasagaki was the bad guy in the story. Towards the end, he was the one who wanted to save Ryouji the most, partly fuelled by his guilt for not saving the two of them in the first place. Almost like a Father who finally accept him for what he was and his crimes. I was hoping that Ryouji would take Sasagaki's offer and come clean (as well as Yukiho). But no, Ryouji's entanglement in the web of lies and crimes was too deep, and he desperately wanted to keep Yukiho's boat floating. In the end, what they've done did nothing good for them. Sasagaki's words of "I should've arrested them in the first place" hit me hard. Being arrested and atoning their crimes might salvage what's left of their souls.
Lastly: Yamada Takayuki is stellar in this drama. He successfully portrayed a fragile and at the same time determined young man in his promise to pave the way to the light for his loved one. Bravo.
Second, I really like the BGM. It really enhances the atmosphere of the series. Melancholic, sombre, and wistful. There is an undertone of sorrow in every episode. It fits very well considering the type of drama.
Third, I can't wait to watch the 2nd season. There HAS to be an explanation WHY Chi Zhen survived the stabbing in the extra episode. Or was it just an illusion? Lu Li's wishful thinking? I hope they'd also tell the story of Lu Li's father's case in the 2nd episode.
Lastly, seeing a lot of Bahasa Melayu signposts in the background was really weird for me, because what I had in mind was the story's setting was in Mainland China, even though the city names are all fictional. It didn't disrupt the flow of the story per se, but I felt a bit disconnected. But maybe it's just me.
1. Never imagined I would see Liu Hao Ran and Tsumabuki Satoshi in one project.
2. I think the prequel is better than this one.
3. A crossdressing Liu Hao Ran is a beauty.