Complicated

I liked this show. I came to care most for its characters because the actors made them lovable, unlike the story itself, which is sloppy and muddled in its lore.

This is a fantasy romance, which are usually up my alley. However, this one could have been better had the story stuck to its own rules. What ensues are quite a lot of plot holes and overly dramatic performances. I suppose the writers are hoping you will overlook its many flaws and focus on the romance between our MCs. That is fine for some. I like my dramas to be a little better thought out and organized.

A lot is going on here. We have a young, high school aged girl who is lonely and looking to belong. We have a god/guardian who has been living in immortality since a tragedy caused him to be what he is. He is searching for his bride as she will have the power to end his long existence and give him peace. Enter grim reapers with complicated backstories and gods playing with human lives, and the story becomes a complicated mess because it doesn't stick to its own rules. Some things are never really explained and it leaves you with a lot of questions. Above all this, it's still highly entertaining and I am a sucker for a good romance, even though the first episodes exasperated me to no end. Our goblin likes to play games with the girl and their silly banter runs the gamut from idiocy to deep tenderness, once the nonsense between them is cleared away and Mr. Goblin realizes he is in love,

What makes this drama watchable despite its flaws are the beautiful actors that make up this ensemble. They are wholly believable, in the moment and completely invested in their characters. No one does this better than Gong Yoo, our handsome goblin. His expressive eyes make you feel every emotion emanating from within. His despair is our despair, his joy makes us feel warm. (Because of this ability to give himself completely to his role, Gong Yoo has won the top spot in my list of best actors in South Korea. He is also, in my opinion, the most breathtakingly beautiful man I have ever set eyes on.) There are some downright hilarious moments and clear messages of friendship, compassion, loyalty and forgiveness. The soundtrack is amazing. The songs range from typical pop pieces to some very different sounds which fit the drama perfectly. I would watch this again just to relive the dreamy spark of Gong Yoo's eyes.

Read More

I have no words to describe how much I enjoyed this drama. I am very pleased with the fascinating storyline, the beautiful score, and the biggest ensemble of exceptionally talented young performers in one production. With the exception of the first 10 to 12 episodes, this series moved very well and kept you hitting the remote for that next episode. I really was cringing during the first 10 episodes and wondered whether I had made a mistake. There were major spoilers in the beginning, and too many unexplained things were happening that made the drama silly, messy and hard to follow. Then something clicked and it took off. I was hooked with this wonderful story line about two young men from different clans, and polar opposites, who befriend each other and come together to fight evil. They jump from one adventure into another barely giving you time to catch your breath. There are courageous heroes, dastardly villains, action-packed battles, beautiful damsels who kick serious butts, and adorable children to endear you even further by swooning over their excessive cuteness.

The beautiful sets and outdoor landscapes are breathtaking, very detailed and ornate. The costumes gorgeous, and I appreciated our heroes having more than one change of clothes even if both wore mostly black (Wei Wuxian) and white (Lan Wanji). The score was the biggest hit of all. It was hauntingly melodic and expressive, reflecting the pain, joy and lighter moments in the drama.

There is no denying the importance of the storyline and how central the messages of loyalty and love are in this piece. How jealousy and hatred consumes a person and how malicious gossip can destroy lives. We feel for the main characters, we grow to love them and feel for them so deeply, that by the last episode we feel truly sorry to say goodbye. I loved the BL between our main leads. It was tastefully expressed and one, I think, important to the drama. I am glad for the decision to include it.

I am looking forward to more productions of this caliber.

Read More

My Favorite Rom-Com

I don't know why it took me so long to watch this drama. It has been on my "To Watch" list for years and I was always skipping it in favor of something else. I finally sat down to watch it and absolutely loved it--despite some of the plot implausibilities. The best part of this show is the stellar acting and strong chemistry between the main leads. I had watched both leads in previous dramas and was only mildly satisfied with those. Maybe that's why I waited.

Both leads bring a lot of heart into this drama. They are completely invested in it and in each other and I think this is what makes it work. We can sense their enthusiasm. It was interesting to see how two people from completely different backgrounds and worlds come together and rub off on each other--so to speak. He learns to loosen up and break the rules, while she learns to put others first. I love character development in dramas and this did not disappoint.

Their trusty sidekicks make the greatest ensemble of comedic talent I have ever seen in one drama. From Ri Jung Hyuk's men to Yoon Se Ri's neighbors, to Dan's mother and uncle, they all did a wonderful job balancing the heavier aspects of the drama with their light-hearted escapades. You couldn't help but love them.

Just watching our MLs slowly gravitate towards one another, as well as the secondary leads, was the best part of this drama without feeling contrived or forced. That slow gravitation is well-executed and earnest. I am also glad that it doesn't give you everything you want. I have to commend the writing team for this. This production is one I will remember fondly.

Read More

Epic Xianxia

Oh, my goodness! This drama drew mean in, chewed me up and spit me back out. I was very excited about watching this drama because it has two of my favorite male actors, Luo Yunxi and Deng Wei. I first saw Luo Yunxi in Ashes of Love and was very impressed with his performance. Over the years I often wondered if I would ever see him in another drama again and was happily rewarded with this drama. Last month, I suffered through Miss the Dragon and was rewarded with my first glimpse of Deng Wei, another incredibly gifted young actor. I was so impressed by him and to know that he would be in a drama with LYX, was a gift. The beautiful Bai Lu took my breath away. Not once did she grate on my nerves. She played the part of Li Su Su and Ye Xiwu with grace and candor. She was so genuine that I immediately found myself rooting for her. I loved the costumes, special effects and story. Unfortunately, it got repetitive and toxic towards the middle. I hoped that the series would get back on track and it did. What I felt satisfied with was how the drama played out. Some people would say they are disappointed with the ending, but I think it fit the circumstances just right. The music was lovely and the drama breathtaking. It was really a beautifully done production even with flaws. Oh, and I can't stop looking at Luo Yunxi. He is so handsome!

Read More

Watch It for the Supporting Couple

I don't know why Xanxia dramas always need a second couple to take the attention away from main leads, but I guess it's necessary to make a longer drama. I was really disappointed with this drama, first off, because there is just no chemistry between the main leads. Dylan is such a bad actor in this. He just does not look like he was enjoying himself. The one scene where he actually looked alive was with young Liuyang in the Kunlun mountain arc. Zhu XuDan is a wonderful actress and I have loved her since TMOPB, which was a great part for her as she is capable of quite a range of characters. Although, I am glad that she gets a lead here, it just wasn't as well written a part for her. I don't particularly care for Mary Sue's or grown women acting like 4 year olds and, with the exception of the lady general arc, I was mostly disappointed.

This brings us to the secondary/supporting couple who are different as night and day to our main leads. Once again we have the serious guy opposite the flighty female. But, in contrast, they were better actors. Xue Qian Xun, brilliantly played by newcomer Deng Wei, may have been a cold fish, but he was ALIVE. The lights were definitely on in that pretty head of his and when QingQing was angry at him or sad about something, he was genuinely mortified. I loved watching their banter, the stolen glances, the loving looks. This was missing between our main leads, and that was the biggest shame. Because of this, they single-handedly stole the show from Dylan and XuDan. I looked forward to the episode that would finally reveal their story.

Some of the plot lines were annoyingly predictable. I felt like I was watching rehashes from previously better-written dramas. That kind of laziness is inexcusable.

The OST was the best part of this whole production. I could listen to it all day. It was perfect for the situations and gave scenes their appropriate weight. Background music was gorgeous, as was cinematography and costumes.

The ending was sad and disappointing. After all the reincarnations and tribulations I hoped for better for the main couple. If anyone can recommend better Xianxia dramas, please leave a post in the comments.

Read More

Very engaging, but disappointing ending.

I have to say the strongest parts of this drama are the acting and writing. There are some great performances by the talented ensemble cast and the writing is very good with a few minor implausibilities. The drama is fast paced and keeps you at the edge of your seat. You grow to care for the characters and feel for them when they face tragedies. There are some strong messages of compassion and responsibility for your fellow man in the face of the most horrifying circumstances and how those circumstances changes the contestants for good or evil.

The drama seemed to be going in a good direction, but suddenly derailed with some plot twists that changed the perceptions I had already formed based on the previous episodes. I felt disappointed and manipulated. ML seemed to have a split personality. He was irresponsible and apathetic in the outside world, while compassionate and protective in the game. The over the top violence and gore may not be suitable for some viewers.. I guess it adds a certain sensationalism to the drama and attracts younger viewers given its Hunger Games qualities.

Guest performances by Lee Byung Hun and Gong Yoo give the show an even greater star power and their performances notable, albeit small. I wouldn't be surprised if this show has a second season. The last episode seems to set it up that way. However, I am not sure wether I want to continue on with this story based on its wrap up.

Read More

What a breath of fresh air from the usual Asian dramas that seem popular on Netflix and Viki. I am growing increasingly tired of silly romances between 20 somethings and wanted to watch something more heartfelt among older actors. Dear My Friends fit the bill with wonderfully talented veteran actors that kept you laughing and crying at every episode.

Park Wan is a young woman with a tragic past that just wants to live a happy life as best she can. Unfortunately, her mother and her mother's friends take up much of her time. Although she sees them as an inconvenience, she soon realizes how indispensable they are to her own well being and that, despite their advanced ages, they all have rich stories to tell and impart loving wisdom with a deep sincerity.

This drama is so beautifully written that you grow to care for all the characters--strong women who have withstood all kinds of obstacles to get where they are today. Despite the lack of patience Wan has for her Aunties, she cares and respects them very much, each treating her as beloved daughter and seeking her assistance with mishaps much to her dismay.

The mother/daughter relationship is explored between young adult daughter to middle aged mom, and middle aged daughter to octogenarian mom; each relationship bringing its own painful past and hopeful future. Each woman has her own story to tell and Park Wan lovingly writes each story into her book when she at last realizes that her Aunties are the best subjects to explore her creativity.

I found myself needing a hanky with almost each episode. They made me wish these aunties were a part of my life, celebrating the beautifully strong women they are and wondering what kind of old woman I will one day become. The OST is beautiful and well put together for the situations in the drama.

I highly recommend this outstanding drama.

Read More

The Reality of an Affair

I commend the director for his ability to convey the deep intimacy this movie shares with his audience. It isn't just our MLs who have an affair. The affair is also with the viewer. They make us feel a part of this relationship and the performances, especially Yoo Gong's, are so well executed that you are placed right in the midst of their relationship. You feel the angst, the butterflies, the excitement and the passion. You want to root for them, but you know you shouldn't because to root for them is to cause pain to those innocent. So the inevitable must occur, and with it its own horrible pain.

The music was passionate and beautiful, representative of the intense feelings of the characters. The snowy landscapes were lovely, cold as it was. It gave quite a contrast to the heat created by our two lovers. They seemed their best selves when they were together, but love affairs are subject to their reality, which is what our director delivers.

Read More

I watched this film with my daughter last night and what an experience! The martial arts is out of this world, as implausible as they may be. (Even my youngest wondered why Mei's sleeves made a sound when they touched drums.) The storyline begins as one thing, establishment versus dissidence, but ends as another entirely. The twists I never saw coming which I like that in a movie. I was all set to watch a film where one side vanquishes the other, but it turns out to be something else entirely. If this is the first time watching, be prepared to be surprised. I have to admit there was some laugh out loud moments at some of the crazy stuff the MLs do. I have grown up watching martial arts films and we would always joke about how gravity just doesn't exist in these films. This one is no different. The setting is the biggest star. Gorgeous cinematography takes your breath away. The Ukrainian forest where it was filmed is magnificent, as is the bamboo forest where one of the biggest ambushes takes place.

Now for the weak plot. There are some parts of the story which I felt should have been explored. The title is House of Flying Daggers, so why does the plot barely revolve around them? Weren't they supposedly stealing from the rich to give to the poor? It's all alluded to, never shown. The movie needed them to be dealt with, yet was mostly centered around our three main leads. Grant you, this kept things more simple but it needed more substance. There is no buildup to the romance either, and I was a bit bothered by this. It was cold and then got really hot within minutes, but once it got started, it was smoking!

The OST was the best part of this production. I listened to the whole thing on Spotify today and loved the romantic ballads and moving themes. The Lovers melody is very moving and Kathleen Battle's rendition is beautiful.

Read More

The star of this drama is, beyond a doubt, Taiwan. The beautiful areal shots of its landscapes, estuaries and short visits through its agricultural, cultural, and textile resources are all cleverly intertwined with the storyline to make you appreciate the beauty of Taiwan. I certainly want to visit now, thanks to it, as well as learn more about the poet Chi-po

The drama starts off strong. We have a kind railway stationmaster who is much appreciated by his neighbors, celebrating his retirement. He has plans to take the train around Taiwan and visit places he's never been to, as well as revisit people and places he hasn't seen in years. What grabs you from the get go is this man's extraordinary kindness. How he has touched the lives of so many people as a stationmaster is amazing, and movingly played by Chen Bo Zheng. He is so warm and approachable that he makes you wish he was your Dad. When tragedy ensues, his eldest daughter makes up her mind to fulfill his dreams of travel and gets to know the man that was her father through the eyes of others. In the process, she learns to face her own demons of the past. The drama is often told in flashbacks, so we never lose the focus of the piece, which is the stationmaster's love for Taiwan and its people. He is the glue that keeps the drama running.

Close to the middle of the drama, the focus begins to fall more on the drama which takes more of a soap opera feel. The acting is so-so and the romance between the main leads very noncommittal. The chemistry really isn't there. The acting of the FL is very depthless at times. I just couldn't quite get a feel for who she was. She seemed closed off and boring. Her younger sister, played by Pipi Yao, was much more alive and fun. I even appreciated her unrequited romance much more than the former, as it felt more relatable. I didn't find our FL likable at all. She seems nice but very much the pushover. The drama attempts to make us believe that she grows into a stronger woman who stands up for herself, but it's half hearted and unconvincing.

Towards the end the drama seems to meander, with the weakest episodes being about the festival. It feels as if they wanted to talk about the cultural heritage of Taiwan but not sure how to work it in. In about two episodes, they brought in a bunch of new characters that didn't compliment the story in any way. However, I do appreciate the purpose of the series which at the last episode, becomes a mini documentary of climate change and how it affects Taiwan as well as the planet.

I would recommend this to travelers.

Read More

I started watching this series and really enjoyed the drama among the teenaged actors. The kids were very engaging and the young man who played the ML had a wonderful smile. They all did a great job standing up to the adult characters. The acting was very good among the adult characters but the moms were too neurotic for me. I have never seen two crazier women in my life.

The transition from teenagers to adults after the passing of 12 years felt disjointed. They didn't seem as invested in the characters as their teen counterparts. I hated that our lead male had turned into the worst kind of player, even though it was a coping mechanism to endure the past 12 years. He wasn't likable. None of the adult actors were. The moms were as crazy as ever and I felt I was losing patience with this drama. It's no wonder then that the show was cancelled and hastily wrapped up. Don't waste your time on this one.

Read More

This was a beautiful production, The set and costumes were beautifully done as were the exteriors. I was intrigued by Mulan hunting grounds for Emperor Qianlong's annual autumn hunt. Second came the acting of Zhou Xun, our ML who plays, Ruyi, Emperor Qianlong's Empress. I loved her internal turmoil and how she kept everything inside, always composed and guarded. She cried very few times in this series and when she did, it was moving. I do wish they had cast younger actors for the MLs as teenagers. Ms Zhou is in her 40s and playing a 15 year old Ruyi at the beginning of the series was an unconvincing stretch. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed with Wallace Quo's performance as they suspicious and distrustful Emperor. He portrays all the decadence and entitlement of an overly pampered and self centered individual, yet he is depthless and uninteresting.

The storyline was tedious and repetitive, going from one evil deed among the concubines to the next. At first you do feel for the young lovers but as the years wear on and each one is changed by the experiences and circumstances of their lives, the great love they have for one another is put to the test. No one wants to watch a series about the reality of a long marriage. Everyone wants the MLs to live happily ever after. Alas, the final episodes are so tragic and hard to watch that you wonder why you spent so much time on a couple that would hurt each other more often than they claimed to be devoted.

I felt dissatisfied with the drama but pleased with the aesthetic beauty of the production, some great performances by our ML, and most of the supporting cast. It was so sad, however, that I can never bring myself to rewatch this title. I was left sad and disgusted by the cruelty and ruthlessness of Emperor Qianlong.

Read More

Cute Melodrama

This was a good melodrama. Not out of this world, but engaging and heartfelt. At first I wasn't sure if I could buy the romance between our MLs. She seemed so aloof and detached. She also seemed to look at him more like a friend who amused her rather than a love interest. It got better towards the end, but it was never really a convincing relationship.

Park Bo Gum was wonderful in this. His performance as the inherently happy, unflappable, young man who sees the wonder in simple things is on point. He is so adorable you just want to be his best friend. He is almost unbelievably perfect. There were moments though that I wished he had been more selfish and more protective of his own heart. But he surprises me and shows a wisdom well beyond his years. He was well cast in this.

I didn't think this was a great vehicle for Son Hye Kyo. For some reason she was giving off some negative vibes, as if she wasn't as invested in this show. Perhaps she felt is too melodramatic for her taste. I didn't get the feeling she was all in. I am used to seeing her in much stronger roles, so having to play an abused daughter-in-law at her age, was a bit of a stretch. The storyline felt implausible that such a seemingly powerful woman would experience so much abuse in her family and professional life. The romance, yes, is all about falling in love and that love making you strong enough to face adversity, but much of her suffering is both created and alleviated by those around her more than of her facing it for herself and finding the inner strength to push back. Some of the characters don't seem to develop well at all. A big example is the ex-husband. He was the weakest character and I feel the writers could have been a little more fair to him. His storyline at first seems to be something much more important than it turns out to be. I was hoping he would be more of a helper, but sadly the script deviated from this leaving me dissatisfied.

The supporting cast was low key and fun to watch. I prefer that they don't overtake the MLs as often is the case in some Chinese dramas. The supporting couple's careful flirtations provided a nice break from the intensity of the main couple. In general, at 16 episodes, it's a nice series to watch in between other dramas.

Read More

High School Manga Tropes in Hospital Setting

This show was a little too syrupy for my taste. I really thought I was watching a high school manga made into a TV series. The way Sakura was portrayed reminded me of every romance manga I ever read as a youngster. The character cliches were rampant in this --the silly, love-sick girl goes after the unreachable, iceberg guy, the bumbling supporting characters who befriend the main leads, as well as the benign jealous ex, competing for the ML's attention. I have seen this so many times over and over, and over again. The only disturbing difference is that here the high school drama is taking place in a hospital setting among grown men and women.

Our FL is the sweet girl cliche. She looks like a high school kid, acts like a high school kid, and when she acts extra goofy, reminds me of a deranged Easter bunny. She even has two extra long front teeth to boot! You can't help but love her and she tries really hard to make it so! Sakura is skillfully played by Mone Kamishiraishi.

Sakura meets Dr. Tendo in a street as a school girl and is so taken with him, that she decides right then and there to meet him again someday. This sets the course of her career path. It's kind of stalkerish behavior, but no one thinks it's weird and even encourage her to keep going after her childhood crush.

The only person not thrilled about this is Dr Tendo himself, played by the handsome Takeru Satoh, and our iceberg ML cliche. He doesn't have time for her nonsense and warns her off from the get-go. Here's the thing: there is no chemistry between these two. Never do I get the sense that Tendo even likes Sakura. I never believed in the romance between them for a moment because our ML doesn't have any internal monologue. He is a monotone, boring, wet blanket. Now, one might say that this is the point because Sakura is supposed to bring him out of his shell, but I never really see this happen until the last episode. It should be a subtle progression but he is so annoyed by her, nicknaming her "dimwit", that I asked myself why she even bothers. There were times when Takeru looked so bored, and annoyed, and like he hated every minute playing this role. I can't say I blame him. I would have enjoyed the drama as more a natural progression between grownups than the juvenile drama they actually went with. I think Takeru Satoh is miscast in this. He looks too serious and grown up to be doing these juvenile roles. At age 30, it's too much of a stretch.

Read More

Recommended if you liked Hidden Love

Just finished this today and I give it a solid 7 stars. I liked this despite some flaws. The strongest part of this drama was the relationship between these two young lovers, played exceptionally well by Wu Lei and Zhao Jin Mai, while its weakest was in the elements of production.

Both leads were well-cast in this romantic drama and my biggest delight was watching them playfully enjoying each other's company and slowly letting each other in. Our FL is at first suspicious of our ML since she is inexperienced and away from home. Our ML is living and studying abroad having left behind a troubled past. He is living a relatively uncomplicated life, but the appearance of this pretty young lady makes him realize how much he is really missing. We are drawn into their relationship and are made to feel a part of it---every glance, every smile, every intimate moment. I basked in this youthful love, reminded of my own relationship with my husband when we first started dating.

Centered around this love story is the sport of billiards. Both are young athletes who are competing in billiards tournaments and although somewhat interesting, (I had no idea there were so many different types of billiard games---Snooker, 6 ball, 9 ball, etc.), it often detracted from the main focus of these two lovers. Many gorgeous people abounded in the cast and the talent was underused. I think a more compelling story would have been to give some of these young people more to do than just stand there and look beautiful. One example was Dai Si. The plot seemed to be going towards a possible triangle, but instead underused her in the name of not creating conflicts. In fact, the only conflict in this drama is within our ML and his troubled past. There is very little in the way of outer forces working against them which makes for a very benign plot.

The last few episodes were weakest because they dealt more with a national billiards competition that took away much of the focus of the two young lovers, but gave the ensemble cast more screen time. I think the goal was to produce a youthful, romantic drama for a younger audience with as little conflict as possible. The lessons/message being: love your person, love your sport, love your country.

I also appreciated the on location filming in Finland and getting to see some of the snowy sites. The extras were great and it gave our main leads an opportunity to practice their English.

OST was great. Perfect mix of youthful tunes with just a touch of edgy songs for the billiards competitions. The piano score played during the couple moments was my favorite. I have already added it to my Spotify playlist.

I recommend this title for those who want something similar to Hidden Love.

Read More