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Completed
Shopping King Louie
139 people found this review helpful
Nov 12, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 5
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
Delicious dark chocolate is what Shopping King Louie is to me. Initially, I was thinking this was cotton candy cute but one can become sick of cotton candy quickly. The cuteness in SKL grows on you, episode by episode, and you will never get sick of it because it's just so well done!

The story seems simple and full of tropes: amnesia, chaebols, cinderella-like characters, car crashes, etc. but none of them felt melodramatic at all-especially when those cliches would usually spell out melodrama in other dramas. The drama's anchor is on the chemistry between Seo In Guk and Nam Ji Hyun and the drama knows its strengths so it focuses on that. The progression of their relationship is organic, genuine, honest, and just full of cuteness! The story isn't fast in the sense that things are always happening but the continuous character growth in the relationships is what will keep you watching. You become invested in all the characters and grow to love them- all of them. That was the draw for me.

I love this drama and its Cinderella feel. It's such an easy watch but not boring- and that's so hard to achieve, having light cuteness that's balanced by heartfelt moments

I really liked the OST especially Tiger Moth by Monsta;it's still playing on repeat.

I recommend SKL, completely if you like:
-cuteness overload, in a good way
-a well-done rom-com (actually hilarious and romantic at the same time)
-no melodrama because the writer defies all the cliches you think will happen

Shopping King Louis is one of the most pure, innocent, and heart-warming dramas I've watched in a long time. I sincerely recommend this to y'all especially if you need a little bit of Louis to lift up your spirits!

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Completed
Dr. Romantic
87 people found this review helpful
Jan 17, 2017
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 4
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim is a thought provoking and quirky drama that thrives off the strong character development and heart-pulling patient cases that are seamlessly interwoven with the main characters' own storylines.

I should say that I love medical dramas though. As an aspiring doctor, RDTK really made me think about the responsibilities of a doctor that extend past the operation room.
I began to watch RDTK because of Seo Hyun Jin but I stayed for Han Seok Kyu. Dr.Kim's complexity and romantic ideals of a character pulled me in, made me curious, and is essentially the anchor of the whole show.

What constitutes as a 'good' doctor? Essentially, the story revolves around that question that seems to have a simple answer; however, there's no real right or wrong answer and everyone has their own definition of a 'good' doctor. Philosophies and ideologies clash and it's just utterly fascinating to watch as morals are questioned and consciences are tested in the face of moral dilemmas.

Asides from the philosophical questions, hospital politics, and the emotional patient stories, the romance also holds its own in this already plot packed drama. The romance, while not at the forefront of the show, is a slow burn that keeps you wanting more, and when it finally happens, it is so satisfying. Gotta love the slow burns that are worth waiting for.

The whole cast of Doldam hospital seems like a big family. Side storylines are interesting, bromances are fun, and the verbal fights are satisfying.

Even if you don't like medical dramas, please don't pass up on this drama. RDTK is a a human drama, about human emotions, actions, and consequences. It poses interesting questions about society and humanity. I really enjoyed this unique drama that is honestly extremely different from other dramas I've watched before. If anything, at least give RDTK a try to see if it's up your alley!

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Completed
Our Times
76 people found this review helpful
Nov 21, 2015
Completed 6
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
Ahhh such a feel good movie! The plot isn't anything new but the execution was done extremely well. This movie is such a roller coaster of emotions. I definitely think many girls can relate to this movie and reminisce about their past. I loved the cliched parts actually and I thought they were authentic to what happened in many teenage girls' lives- the crushing on the popular boy, the clumsiness+awkwardness, the mean teachers, etc! The production act also made sure everything was from the 90's, the BB callers, the clothes, the food was all authentic from that time period. This is a very Cinderella feel movie, and being a sucker for those, I fell in love with the story.

Loved the cast! The actresses/actors were all cast well and they fit their characters perfectly. I especially loved Wang Da Lu. Wow, he's such a versatile actor, I feel heartbroken when he's crying and impressed by his fighting scenes. Of course, Vivian Sung portrayed the clumsy albeit a little awkward teenager very well. Dino Lee is cute too but his character was just kind of one-dimensional in my opinion. If you read my other reviews, you'll know I love Jerry Yan and I was elated to find out that he played the grown up Wang Da Lu. His scene with Joe Chen, although too short, was adorable and I wished it was longer! I admit I also screamed like a fan girl when I heard Andy Lau was playing a small role as a guest in this movie. He hasn't acted in a Taiwanese movie in ages! The star power of the three of them added to this movie too.

Music was fantastic and contributed to my roller coaster of emotions. My favorite song was of course the theme song, A Little Happiness, by Hebe Tien. I've been playing that song on repeat ever since.

Re-watch value is high! Once they come to the USA, I'm going to try and buy a HD quality version. Movies like this always give me a warm and fuzzy feeling, so if you guys are looking for that don't miss this! (10/9)

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Completed
Love in Time
34 people found this review helpful
Aug 26, 2015
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 5
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
Cliche? Yup. Bad CGI? Definitely. But it somehow manages to pull through, maybe because I'm a huge Danson Tang fan, or I'm just a sucker for long reunited romance, which always happens in vampire stories. You're probably wondering if I'm a Twilight fan. Yes, guilty. So DO watch this drama if you liked Twilight, and if you're a Danson Tang fan (if you are then you MUST watch this drama as he is the hottest he has ever been, portraying a vampire). Watch the version with his original voice!

Plot wise, like I said earlier it's pretty cliche. Nevertheless, the execution was still decent enough and entertaining. It has all the things a drama should, a funny comedic relief actor, some good friends, an annoying antagonist, and family. I have to say, the ending isn't that great but I guess it's happy *enough*, but still left me a bit hanging. Aside from that, the romantic development was pretty fast, since it's only 9 episodes, so there's little to no dragging (which is great!). The plot really is similar to Twilight, but much better chemistry between the leads, and no sparkling vampires. The antagonist is to be expected, and that plot line wasn't that irritating. It's also set on a university campus, so I really liked how it was a campus romance.

Even though I easily fall in love with drama OST's, this drama's music was very 'ehh'. It seriously was not special, probably because I expected more, much more. Even now, I don't remember any of the songs which is rare ( if you look at my other reviews you'll see why).

Re-watch value is not that high, mostly because the only version available I could find was pretty low quality, which isn't easy on the eyes. Disregarding that though, re-watch value based on purely the drama could be high, after all it's only 9 episodes and if you like a cute but cliche vampire love story. I recommend this drama a lot; it's so unfortunate how not many people know about this drama. (8.5/8.5)

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Completed
Love Me If You Dare
99 people found this review helpful
Dec 23, 2015
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
Amazing performance. My first Wallace Huo drama! Wow, this drama seriously impressed me. I have high expectations for mystery/crime dramas since I watch a lot of American mystery/crime shows, like NCIS, which is super famous in the States. The style in this drama is different- more high-tech, gory, and psychological. I loved it!

Wallace lives and breathes his role as Bo Jin Yan. He's adorably awkward when it comes to romance, and level-headed when it comes to his job as a criminal psychologist. Wallace also plays his 'split personality'; very well, showing that he's a versatile actor. I think Sandra was the perfect cast actually. She's pretty, and yet she gives off a girl next door vibe, complementing Bo Jin Yan (Wallace) fabulously. In a way, their relationship reminds me of Edward and Bella from Twilight- cool, seemingly emotionless male lead and sensitive yet observant female lead that brings the warmth out of the male lead. In my opinion, they have great chemistry and Bo Jin Yan's cheesy lines were hilarious. I can't forget Jin Yan's love for fish. He loves to eat fish so much that it was part of the storyline-kind of cute. I actually didn't guess the ultimate Big Bad so I was shocked when the twist came out. In that respect, this drama did a great job because it kept me on my toes.

The cinematography was gorgeous as well, the fish eye lenses were a cool touch, and I loved the car, Andy. So high-tech, and hilarious-Andy's like part of the cast! The cases were interesting and not too predictable. Every case was drastically different so it didn't get boring. I especially liked it when Jin Yan does his criminal analysis because it's so interesting to listen to. The cases flowed well together and connected with one another, each case spanning around four episodes, and led up to the Big Bad storyline. Though it seemed like each case was separate, they were all ultimately connected to the Big Bad, and the drama explores the deepest aspects of human desire through the cases. All the leads had a backstory as well, lending more depth to the story, making the drama come more to life. It was a little graphic but not too intense/gory either.

I loved Zi Yu (Andrew Yin), he is the ultimate best friend. Their bromance was fun to watch and a good comedic relief from the serious tone of the crime investigations. Xun Ran (Wang Kai) was a good second lead but the drama never really gave him a chance to be a serious romantic threat to Bo Jin Yan. Nevertheless, I admired his dedication and willpower as a cop- his acting was also spot on. The beginning was a bit slow but it was needed to set up the story. It starts rapidly speeding up after around three episodes. This drama didn't drag that much; rather, it went by quickly in 24 episodes.

The music kept me barely breathing in lots of suspenseful moments so it definitely did its job! There was a lot of orchestral music which was a nice change from usual dramas.

Re-watch? YES! I will most definitely re-watch this and so far this is my favorite Chinese drama! I recommend this drama if you're into suspense, crime scene investigations, and lots of romance. I wouldn't recommend this if you don't like romance intertwined with crime scene investigations. That said, this drama was fantastic in all respects so I recommend it to everyone. (10/9.75)

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Completed
7 First Kisses
73 people found this review helpful
Jan 5, 2017
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
I mean, how does one even review a drama like this? It's totally subjective! That said, each episode was a short 10 minutes that flew by because they were so cliche, yet so fun. Each episode featured a different star, and a different drama cliche plot line condensed into 10 minutes.

I recommend this just because it's so entertaining to watch. I especially recommend it if one of your biases is featured in an episode and odds are they probably are because what a line-up!

Story-wise, I thought Ok Taec Yeon's was the funniest and the best. Kai's noona storyline was cute as well. Subjectively, I liked Ji Chang Wook's because I'm biased and it gave me 'Healer' vibes all over again.

Music is lighthearted and the theme song is sang by Ji Chang Wook!

Like I said earlier, it's a purely fun watch so don't expect great stories. After all, didn't we all come here to see our favorite biases? I know I did!

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Ongoing 22/22
Love Cuisine
21 people found this review helpful
Jan 2, 2016
22 of 22 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
Lego Lee! I have a huge bias towards him so there was no doubt I would enjoy this drama. Love Cuisine started off strong but it did get a little draggy/repetitive towards the end. The premise was promising for the romantic development but the unexpected gem of this drama was the students' storylines. The student storylines were really cute and many of the students had huge character growth throughout the drama, especially Mai Zhi (Ben Wu). Though most of the actors are in their 20's, they pulled off the high school vibe very well and their storylines blended with the main romantic story seamlessly. The relationships developed between teacher and student, and the lessons learned from the relationship were heartwarming and easy to watch.Han Jie (Lego Lee) and Xiao Rou (Allison) are both teachers and initially they don't like each other. You know how it goes from there...

The first 1/3rd of the drama kind of felt like a prologue to the second half because the second half felt like the main story. I liked the organization of this drama and the romance developed between the leads felt subtle, smooth, and not deliberate.The drama started with a competition and the drama ends with a competition, wrapping up the drama very well with no loose ends. The drama was extended and though the extension prolonged the inevitable ending, it gave more time to fully explore the students' romantic relationships. Thus, I thought the extension did more good than bad. Most of this drama focused on the development of the romance between the leads, the daily obstacles of high school life as a high school student, and the complications that go with being a teacher/high schooler.

I seriously loved the cast. There was no annoying antagonist at all, no revenge plot, barely any love triangles, and no disapproving parents. Nita Lei was amazing in this drama; she is the best friend I never had-crazy, hilarious, and caring. Huge props to her acting. What made this drama shine were the student storylines and of course Lego's fantastic portrayal as a teacher. Han Jie (Lego) drastically changed after meeting Xiao Rou (Allison Lin. Xiao Rou also changed after being with Han Jie. Their love for one another made them change for one another.

Soundtrack was fabulous-the songs were so catchy and appropriately used.

I definitely recommend this drama. There's barely any angst in Love Cuisine so it's a very light-hearted drama that's easy to watch. I think a lot of people didn't enjoy this drama as much as I did because the problems/obstacles felt trivial since there's no love triangles/vindictive antagonists so it became boring. However, that's what made Love Cuisine so easy to watch! If you want to laugh in every episode, watch this! (9/8.5)

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Ongoing 20/20
When I See You Again
24 people found this review helpful
Oct 11, 2015
20 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 3
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
First drama I watched that combined superb mind games that were actually unpredictable to some extent between the leads. I loved the interactions between Jasper's character (You Qian) and Jet's character (Yan Ze); both of them fighting to win with high stakes really pulled me in as the audience. The first 7 episodes or so didn't pull me in though; it was pretty cliche and the main female lead, Mandy's character (An Xi) was pretty annoying and too naive. Nevertheless, unlike many other dramas, this drama started badly but ended really well! The story became more intense and interesting to watch towards the second half of the drama. The chemistry between You Qian and An Xi got much better with each episode as well.

The cast was really awesome! I saw some of my favorite stars from previous dramas and some new faces as well! All of them portrayed their parts well, and Jasper has really improved in his emotional scenes (from Pleasantly Surprised). Jet and Jasper's character both had fantastic character development and were characters with a lot of layers/depth. Both of their characters were what made me continue watching because it was just so fascinating to understand both of them more. Of course, the OTP was cute too. Mandy and Jasper had more chemistry the second half! The side characters were great too. They were consistent with their character and it seemed like all of them had a story underneath their exterior, which was consistent with the title of this drama, When I See You Again. I liked how the director was detailed enough to give many of the characters time to tell us their story too, adding to the overall depth of the drama!

Music was very catchy so no complaints there! Not my favorite OST of all time but good enough!

Re-watch isn't that high because their were a lot of surprise elements in this drama. Thus, I think that it wouldn't be as good the second time around. However, as usual, I would go back and watch my favorite cute scenes between the leads! All in all, I recommend this drama to everyone who likes a good romantic drama and some "politics" mixed in. Of course, if you're a Jasper fan you cannot miss this drama! (9/8.5)

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Ongoing 20/20
Someone Like You
29 people found this review helpful
Jul 5, 2015
20 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
(accidentally submitted my review via the account I don't use-this is my official one) Phenomenal drama. As a whole, I was completely sucked into this drama. The plot is very melodramatic but strangely addictive. Yes, many people believe it is draggy like usual T-dramas but I think it's a personal preference. Melodramas like Someone like you are either fantastic or terrible. It was very well executed, whether the scenes, plots, actors, or the setting. Like any memorable melodramas, they make you want to visit the filming places. After watching this drama, I now want to go back to Taiwan and visit where they filmed it (Big City department store in Hsinchu, Taiwan).

The first 10 episodes were amazingly well developed and I loved watching the character development and the initial friendship between Yu Xi (Lorene's character) and Zhan Cheng (Kingone's character) when he was blind. As their friendship developed into love, they became a super compatible couple. Their kissing scenes were also very cute. I think they're a great OTP for sure. Another reason why I liked this drama so much was because of the department store rivalry scenes/element. Unlike other romance dramas where the male lead is a CEO and they don't talk much about it other than the fact that he looks great wearing suits and has a lot of money, this drama plays out the rivalry scenes. They continue with the department scene rivalry side story throughout the drama and I really enjoyed these scenes because they were intense and nerve wracking to watch and they added to character development of Zhan Cheng. It wove seamlessly into the main plot and didn't distract from the romance.

Kingone really carries this drama. His portrayal of a blind man was seriously amazing. His acting was flawless and I couldn't see any flaws in his portrayal. I wasn't initially a fan of him because I usually like idol drama actors (read my other reviews) , but his character is really the ultimate perfect boyfriend. I actually liked Lorene's acting. Although her acting seemed a little fake in the beginning, her acting got a lot better. Like I said, Kingone carried the drama and he guided her through the romantic scenes well. Many think her crying scenes were fake, but I thought it was realistic because realistic crying isn't pretty. In terms of the supporting actors, I loved William's camaraderie with Zhan Cheng, and Yu Xi's relationship with her family. The supporting couples between Zhan Cheng's sister and Yu Xi's brother was adorable, as well as William's relationship with Yu Xi's best friend. Lorene was good at her dual roles as well.

The music is so heartwarming and emotionally provoking. I think this is one of the best soundtracks as a whole for a drama. Bii did most of the soundtrack, and I liked his songs a lot. They perfectly match the tone of the drama and the scenes.

For those of you who are unsure if you want to watch it because you're not sure if you can handle the various tragedies of this drama from the summary you just read, trust me, it is worth watching. It took me 2 weeks to finally decide to watch this because I selectively pick dramas to watch since I don't like dropping dramas; I feel the need to finish a drama once I start it. I'm glad I watched this drama; after all, it has now become one of my favorite dramas. Re-watch value is definitely high. In fact, I'm re-watching it right now! If your taste is anything like mine (read my other reviews for T-dramas), you will definitely love this drama. Give it a try. You won't regret it.

***edit*** As I said earlier, I'm watching it for the second time and after watching it for the second time I came to appreciate the beautiful cinematography of this drama even more. The BTS videos were also very entertaining and showed the chemistry between the leads. I recommend watching the BTS if you fall in love with the characters like me! I'm starting to like all the characters after watching it for the second time because I can start to understand some of their actions even though some of them were unforgivable. This might sound crazy, but I think I might watch it for the third time in the future. I really hope Kingone and Lorene collaborate on a drama again! (10/9)

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Completed
Something About 1 Percent
13 people found this review helpful
Dec 12, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
Adorable! I never watched the original but the chemistry really made this drama for me regardless of some of the reservations I had while watching.

There was a few things that bothered me a little, mainly the forcefulness of the lead at times. Though I could understand that he didn't have any intentions, it just prevented me from fully enjoying some of the scenes. With that said, I could accept it more because the female lead stood up to him and didn't stand for it sometimes. The plot was straightforward, the romance was really hot and full of cuteness, and it was all in all an organic development done by a trusted formula of dislike to understanding to acceptance to appreciation and finally to love. One thing I really appreciated about this drama was that there was no misunderstandings. The couple had constant communication and talked things through!

The main leads are new to me but wow their acting is so real like it feels like they're dating, honestly, so props to their acting! Ha Suk Jin does his character so well, transforming between a lovable petulant man-child to a responsible, caring boyfriend. His character growth because of Kim Da Da's influence as a kind teacher and person (Jeon So Min) was a delight to see!

The 'villain' was almost like comedic relief, considering how utterly nonsensical her actions were.

Music was cute and fitting.

I recommend this drama! It's short enough that I want more episodes (~30-45 minutes per episode) At the same time, I feel like this is the perfect length that cut out all the unnecessary angst and filler a longer drama would have. It's short and sweet, literally! A definite watch for rom-com/ romance lovers out there. ?

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Completed
My Best Ex-Boyfriend
14 people found this review helpful
Sep 26, 2015
42 of 42 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
Unlike many viewers, I actually thought the second half of the drama wasn't as draggy as I thought it would be. Maybe because I'm used to draggy t-dramas, but I sincerely thought that this drama didn't drag. Although this is supposed to be a fashion drama, there is quite a lot of corporate politics which I surprisingly kind of liked to watch (the fashion for the girls looked great though!). Sure, the story is a little cliche, and yes, there are a lot of flashbacks, but that's what makes this drama great. The flashbacks show us a glimpse of the 'ex-boyfriend' and they were actually my favorite part of the drama.

I have no complaints about the cast at all. Viola Mi's character (Xiang Nan) was just beyond annoying as the antagonist but she is an amazing actress (this is the first drama I saw her in). Her emotional scenes were spot on and I could really feel her inner turmoil. Of course, many said Maggie Jiang was kind of cold and unemotional but I actually thought she nailed her role as a strong career woman and she had huge character development to change her previously cold exterior. Nothing needs to be said about Jerry. I always love him in dramas, but I thought this role fit him a lot more (he's really adorable when he acts immature). Last but not least, Ron Ng (I saw him in Cantonese movies before), but this is the first time I saw him in a drama, and unfortunately he was dubbed but anyone who has second lead syndrome would definitely fall in love with him. The rest of the cast were great as well. There are the accomplices, the hilarious (and gossipy) office staff, a supportive mother, a disapproving father, and two comedic reliefs in the form of Ban Jie and Da Luo!

Music was really nice, albeit a little repetitive. I liked how they used some of JJ Lin's old songs. That being said, I even downloaded the OST so I guess it's pretty catchy!

Overall, I really recommend it. Re-watch value is alright because at 42 episodes, it's long! However, maybe I would watch it again a few months later, but I would definitely re-watch some of my favorite episodes. If your taste is anything like mine (meaning you're used to 'draggy t-dramas'-see previous reviews) and you can stand that for the cute OTP, then you will definitely love this drama. Of course, if you're a Jerry fan like me, you can't miss out on this drama either! (9.25/8)

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Completed
The Legend of the Blue Sea
31 people found this review helpful
Jan 26, 2017
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0
I was super excited about Legend of The Blue Sea because I love mermaid folklore. So full disclaimer: I've always loved The Little Mermaid. Did LOTBS live up to its hype because of its double star power between Lee Min Ho and Jeon Ji Hyeon? Mmm...kind of?

LOTBS was a solid drama that I fully enjoyed watching week after week. Was it amazing though? Maybe not so much. I definitely enjoyed LOTBS far more than I would care to admit, as there was some lack in plot direction-sometimes the same problem would meander for a few episodes, or the villains had too much screen time not being threatening so it wasn't compelling. The villains were not that smart, plain out. They were stock and annoying to me. They didn't pose much threat and I was just not a fan, honestly. I couldn't relate to them whatsoever except for one. Lee Ji Hoon gave substance and sympathy to Chi Hyun as a character.

Now, the beginning in Spain was lovely visually and a good start to the drama. The plot of LOTBS is pretty simple: you get the mermaid on land antics, then the starting to care to actually caring relationship. It's nothing new, but I still loved watching it. It could be that Lee Min Ho is the best I've ever seen here. He's emoting well and I no longer think his acting has huge limitations because he's portraying so many different emotions here-romantic, familial, and family.
The OTP between Joon Jae and Shim Chung was cute and touching at times but I felt like it lacked a bit of something. I think there was some emotional disconnect in some scenes. As a whole, though, Lee Min Ho and Jeon Ji Hyeon had good chemistry and are visually stunning together.

The bromance was spot on! If you like bromance, then this is the drama for you. I love Joon Jae, Tae Oh, and Nam Do together. They are just too cute.

I was a little disappointed that the story became more about reincarnations, rather than mermaid folklore. The drama did drag in some spots here and there so it could've benefitted from a tighter episode count.

I liked the OST a lot! It had nice instrumentals and the theme songs were very fantastical and appropriate to the story.

LOTBS wasn't the next DOTS everything thought it was going to be. However, I did enjoy this drama a lot throughout its run. It has all the elements to be a great star-crossed lovers romance, but it just lacked the extra oomph. Despite that, I still recommend it for its light-hearted, romantic fare that veered melodramatic in the latter half, but pulled back to the fluffiness I love eventually.

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Completed
Healer
13 people found this review helpful
Apr 22, 2016
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
I didn't expect to fall for Healer but I did. Somehow all the components just worked together; the romance, the action, the intrigue, and all the emotions the characters conveyed. Healer is one of the most addicting dramas I've watched in a while, compelling me to watch episode after episode.

I'm new to the actors but they were all fantastic for me. There were no 'weak' actors at all! Ji Chang Wook was just wow. He was mesmerizing, vulnerable, the list goes on. I loved his various personas he put on as a disguise and I especially loved Bong Soo; Chang Wook played him to be so clumsy and lovable. I loved Park Min Young's character, one of my favorite heroines in a while. Shout out to Kim Mi Kyung. She was seriously amazing as the Ahjumma/skilled hacker. People love or hate Ji Tae's character, Moon Ho. Personally, I loved Moon Ho. Ji Tae played Moon Ho to be such a nuanced and faceted character that was neither 'good' nor 'evil'.

Now, the OTP. Wow, just wow. How can so much emotion be demonstrated with just a caress, a brush of the hand, and longing eyes? Somehow, Ji Chang Wook and Park Min Young are able to do that and their chemistry is just sizzling. It's palpable. It's longing. It's just plain hot. I appreciated how Yeoung Shin (ParkMinYoung) was able to stand her own (not the damsel in distress) and how she helped Jung Hoo (JiChangWook) come out from behind his mask that was Healer.

The storyline was so intricate but the web of stories blended well together. Romance didn't detract from the action, and vice versa. I enjoyed seeing how dark/dirty politics were, and the writer wrote that well, balancing it with the romance and the revenge plot. There were some episodes that were so elaborately well done that it was only near the last few minutes that everything just suddenly clicked together and made sense. Huge props to the writer of Healer-amazing!

When I finished the last episode, I was like : !!!!!!. I felt that buzz you feel after finishing marathoning an amazing drama. However, as I began to re-watch some episodes immediately after my first run through, there were flaws that even my Healer-induced craze couldn't overlook. Honestly? The last 2-3 episodes weren't great-or at least not on the caliber of the first 17 episodes. Everything felt rushed and though the ending was good, it felt glossed over. The multiple storylines that the drama had handled with finesse thus far, couldn't be tied up in the end. Some were rashly tied up, others were untied; it just wasn't as satisfactory as I had hoped it would go. Additionally, Healer lost some of his touch near the end; there weren't as many action scenes and Yeoung Shin barely appeared... That said, don't let that deter you from watching Healer because the critiques I made are minimal compared to the overall beauty that was Healer. I had to mention them though because they did distract me from completely loving this drama since I was absorbed and in love with the first 15 episodes or so. So admittedly, I felt a bit deflated after the end.

Music was lovely! There were lots of beautiful instrumentals that captured the emotions of scenes. I especially loved I Will Protect You by Ji Chang Wook himself. He has a nice voice!

I already re-watched my favorite scenes too many times. I think the second time around, though, I might fast-forward some of the political stuff though because it's no longer suspenseful since I would know what happens, and what the secrets are.

I could honestly go on and on about this drama but to sum it up...
Seriously watch it if...
-you want to see a beautiful, supportive romance that is full of trust and heart stopping romantic scenes.
-you like seeing power struggles (dirty politics)/revenge
-eye candy! (ahem Ji Chang Wook)
-no vindictive second leads
-lots of action, kind of like Mission Impossible and Ji Chang Wook is Tom Cruise in terms of the Healer going on missions.
-references to Superman and his kryptonite-and comparing that to Healer, I thought it was it was an interesting comparison.

Be prepared to be in withdrawal after the final episode. I know I still am.

If you don't fulfill any of the above, watch it anyways because that's how good Healer is. Or just watch it for Ji Chang Wook because that's a valid reason anyways! (9.75/9)

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Completed
Go Lala Go 2
10 people found this review helpful
Dec 13, 2015
Completed 2
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 4.0
Would you choose love or your career? The cinderella story or who you really want/who actually knows you? That's basically what this movie revolves around- a woman in her 30's currently rising up in her career, the problems surrounding it, losing herself on the way, and finally finding herself in the end.

I must say- I had high expectations for this movie since it included three of my favorite Taiwanese actors, and two were the leads of one of my favorite dramas, In Time With You. While watching this movie, I kept thinking of other dramas/movie scenes that were just so similar to the scenes in this movie. Similarity isn't always a bad thing, as long as it is well executed- which in this case, wasn't. I was severely disappointed because I really wanted to love this movie. The story was lacking, with choppy execution and just didn't flow. It's basically a modern twist on Cinderella, but has nothing new. I must say that there were some cute OTP scenes between the leads definitely worth watching, which were the pros of this movie.

The character development was mediocre. There was no substance to Chen Bo Lin's character, a huge let down for me. Ariel's character had the most character growth from being insecure to a confident woman, the transformation was fun to see but nothing new. Vic's character was endearing but again, not much development either. The supporting characters just sprung out of nowhere, and felt disjointed as well. The acting itself was superb. Ariel Lin always does a fantastic job in portraying her emotions, along with Vic and Chen Bo Lin. NaNa was both cute and annoying, which was the point of her role so she was pretty good too. On a superficial note, Ariel looked gorgeous in this movie. The main problem with this movie was the story. So much star power in this movie, and yet it still couldn't shine.

Music was alright, nothing out of the ordinary.

So do I recommend it? If you're a big Ariel Lin, Vic Chou, and Chen Bo Lin fan like me, then yes go for it! I mean, when will we ever get to see the three of them together in a drama/movie again? Re-watch? I'm good, thanks. Overall, it was worth watching one time just to see the three of them together. (7/8)

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Completed
Marry Me, or Not?
19 people found this review helpful
Feb 14, 2016
15 of 15 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
Love is like a battlefield. Who will walk away victorious and who will walk away defeated? Or is there no winner in love at all? Marry me or not explores the complexities of love and the various obstacles one might face in a relationship.

The first few episodes felt forced, like the director was trying to make the scenes unique by switching rapidly between past, present, and imagination scenes. By the 4th episode, however, I was hooked. The editing became much more smooth and the transitions between the different scenes started to make more sense towards to plot. The double meaning of the title is true to the plot- b*tchy women and the 'must marry' woman. The story explores both themes.

Story: The whole revenge plot in the first half of the drama was refreshing and definitely something new to watch. It set up many misunderstandings that while on the surface seem to be obstacles for the sake of having obstacles (in other words, 'dragging'), the misunderstandings were very uniquely directed and slowly revealed the characters' inner thoughts/motives. The interactions between Huan Zhen (Alice) and Hao Meng (Roy) of calling each others bluff were hilarious and full of chemistry. I loved watching Huan Zhen and Hao Meng's journey of falling in love.

Alice Ke and Roy Chiu finally collaborate again and their chemistry is still spot on! I find it hard to compare Marry Me or Not to Office Girls because the characters they portray are completely different. If Office Girls had a more chaste and cute vibe, Marry Me or Not is like the mature and sizzling version. I think Alice's acting was more natural in Office Girls but her crying scenes have improved immensely in Marry me or Not. Roy Chiu hasn't changed a bit; his crying scenes still get to me. The directing and cinematography in this drama was gorgeous and the date/deep talk scenes were so different than the norm. No cliche stuff here in that regard!

The supporting cast was great, no complaints at all. The office cast was adorable but didn't really stand out to me. Sheng Nan (Joanne Tseng) and Hao Meng's (Roy Chiu) sibling love was done so well and I loved how their relationship was portrayed. Many viewers disliked Sheng Nan but honestly I don't know how I'll act if I was so in love like she was. She's the perfect example of love can make you blind and do stupid things. But because of that, her character was so real that you could relate to her and that made her character come to life. The parents of Hao Meng and Huan Zhen (Alice Ke) were stark contrasts. One was in an 'unloving' relationship while the other was very much in love. Their respective marriages were a form of symbolism for the different kinds of romantic love and the director used that to set up the main plot between Hao Meng and Huan Zhen. Now, the other male lead, Qian Yao (Harry Chang), is the most 'evil'; character in this drama. Nevertheless, I still liked him and Harry portrayed this faceted, flawed character well.

Amazingly, there were no seriously vindictive second leads at all in this drama. Rather, their worst enemy was themselves and their pride. For those of you out there that didn't like this drama as much as I did, I do think that connecting to the characters in a drama really helps the relatability of a drama. Unfortunately, there are still some family problems in this drama but it doesn't detract from the drama- it actually unveils more understanding. I think a huge part of this drama was understanding the different forms of love and also understanding yourself when you're in love. Honestly, this drama taught me so many life lessons and although there were a few bumps along the way plot-wise, I still think this drama showed a lot of heart. Dramas like this, with lots of inner monologues, are hard done well because they can get boring but not only does Marry Me or Not keep them interesting, but they add so much to the episodes. Seriously, I cried too many times.

Music: The soundtrack was well rounded. There are lively upbeat songs, and super emotionally wrecking songs. A little something for everyone. I loved this soundtrack, even for my high drama ost standards. My favorites are Lost Heartbeat and the song sang by Joanne Tseng, also known as Sheng Nan in the drama! I listened to the soundtrack so much that I started to notice the lyrics for many of the songs correspond with the plot perfectly and describe many of the characters really well.

This drama kind of reminded me of the famous T-drama, In Time With You, not just because Li Da Ren (Chen Bo Lin) cameoed for a small part but also because this drama is more about mature, thoughtful, retrospective, love, not innocent fluffy young love. The monologues and self reflection scenes were also very reminiscent of some In Time With You scenes, but definitely still different. I wholeheartedly recommend this drama even for those people who don't like T-dramas because this drama felt completely different from the usual T-dramas I watched. Since I already re-watched a few episodes, I would assume the re-watch value is high! I most definitely recommend this drama for those romantics out there (like me!) and those looking for a incredibly well done drama that feels very fresh and has fantastic acting all around. (10/9.5)

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