Lorrapatricia
THIS FANTASY CONCEPT IS NOT NEW but the twist and the way it was written is different.
I'm partial to Time-Fantasy dramas/films. But this is the first one I've watched where I felt that Time was the actual Star of the show and not the humans. It was a character without it having to take on human form. and that's really cool.
- The film moves from the normal, innocent childhood adventures of a 13 year old boy and girl and takes you into the nightmare of something fantastic and a little chilling, on so many levels that I'm still taken by the imagination of the writer. ! Not being great with words, if I try to explain more I'll spoil. But the two main characters go through a lot of turmoil because of the stopping of time.
Visually, I found it more profound because everything is pared down. In the beginning the film is stripped of all the white-noisy loudness and all the focus is on the story So, when they threw in the special effects it doubled the impact. During every slow-mo, my mind sped a mile a minute.
KANG DONG WON AT HIS BEST! but still felt like the second lead. Time just over powered him..heheh! I think of all the things I've seen him in. This one for me is the best. He's gotten so handsome with age too!
-The acting is the top. Child actor SHIN EUN SOO did a fantastic job, and the chemistry she had with both Lee Hyo Je (little Seong Min) and Kang Dong Won (Adult Seong Min) was great. Her intensity was solid and didn't quit even when her peer & sweetheart changed to an adult actor. She transitioned so well while remaining the same. Sounds confusing but It was amazing to watch. Oh, and not to worry, the ending falls in line with the whole story. You won't be in heaven but you won't be left wallowing in a pit either. You'll end this movie feeling like you just watched a piece of art and a damn fine film.
I gushed and went all biased with this review but that's what happens when a movie hits all my sweet spots. I'll be sure to look out for this writer in the future. I'll also be grabbing a few friends to re-watch and share this one for sure.
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This was just a seriously bad drama that I watched regardless, cringing all the way through. :/ What can I say...Statutory holiday and pouring outside? One more drama to add to MDL? ....
Maybe Yang Jin Sung did it as a favor? Though she wasn't good here either. How could she be? The male lead definitely needs an acting mentor/coach (he's an ex-boy band member) and the writing/plot? - The leads fiance dies, then he finds her doppelganger and she...Holy smokes! It's what she does and how she/the writing explains away her decision, that I find horrid. Let's see: make-up, lighting, acting, plot..poor, poor, poor and lame. Go on and see for yourself. That's what I always do.
You may disagree with me but I doubt it.
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A very well done BL drama. Don't be fooled by the poster. This one pulls no punches. Literally.
WHAT I LIKED:
SEXUAL ORIENTATION TAKES A BACK SEAT TO ACTING and is not the first thing I noticed off the bat.. You don't have to be LGBT to watch this Movie. All you need to be is an understanding Human Being and you'll appreciate what this Film sets out to relay.
It's very WELL THOUGHT OUT.
It COMPROMISES NOTHING while remaining TASTEFUL.
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ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOVES I'VE WATCHED SO FAR. Just BEAUTIFUL PURE AND PRECIOUS. This is pretty heavy and will make you cry. Not my usual fare; but the love was too too too... And among all the viciousness it just glowed continuously.
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Pure enjoyment. I marathoned this one. All 40 episodes!
NO THIS IS NOT ABOUT MAKING A WOMAN CRY. - tsk!..ridiculous title considering the drama.
THIS IS WORTH WATCHING. Really.
I passed this one over many times because of the summary.
Please know that the summary really doesn't convey how addicting and well done this drama is. Sure It's you're average FD but only in that it follows all the standards for Family Drama we've all become so familiar with.
YES TO MAKJANG! I happen to love it in my FDs :)
So much goes on in this drama I can't even start. But you won't get lost! ....and okay maybe it does go a little nuts toward the end but it holds up and rounds out so nicely!
ALL THE FEELS AND A HAPPY ENDING Give it a try!
Note: You can find it on Kissasian.com. If it's not on your favored Drama site.
The subs get all Google translatey for a few episodes but then it goes back to normal.
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Pointless Torture
JKY: Was he hoping to pull off a PBG, Encounter-esque drama, as a farewell-fer-now ? FAIL.- whats up with his manager? Why give him such a crappy script to consider? BUT..
- WORDS OF ENCRgMNT: "Never mind JKY, you're young and gorgeous, and talented. I wont remember you for this!" "NWBU - BE GONE from my mind!" PHFT!
- The right project and the right female lead and cast will put him right back on track, as soon as he gets back!
SHK:. - Girl your acting coach LieS. to. you! Change up. Do something.
- Hire a face massuer, loosen up those cheek muscles daily.
- How about playing a mean 마마/MAMA in a Saguek? 100%
***
This is an easy drama to review. - Save yourself, and your precious time, SKIP this or have BIG regret like we did, OR watch and suffer, like...
Best words to describe the MC: Empty, hollow, devoid of emotion, Devoid of chemistry, Devoid of passion, devoid of warmth, DEVOID periodt.
Best words to describe the story and writing: Half baked, forced, pretentious, boring, stiff, poor.
How I ttruly feel about this drama in 2 words:. Disappointed, Sorry.
Finally,
I Feel bad JKY had to finish this drama...y'know ..."Contracts 'n all" ..well at least I hope, thats how he felt inside. Pretty sure he knew there was no chemistry. Its SO obvious. CASTING! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
2.5/10. The drama thumbnail was well done.
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1. As a drama fiend I find the standard movie length way too short . 2. I don't favor true crime stories.(prefer documentary) I've never re-watched a movie so that doesn't count ....So, an 8.5 is actually super high for me because I really can't see how anyone could go wrong watching this for an hour no matter what genre you like.
This is a great movie all on it's own, but if you like Legal, then you'll love this one. It's based on a true story. Which makes it even more riveting and touching. The cast is tops notch and the acting is stellar. The writing is very straightforward. This movie is not draggy or boring anywhere.
A young man is viciously and falsely accused and loses all hope in life after his sentence until a twist of fate in a lawyers life gives the wrongfully accused an opportunity for a new trial. Sounds simple. The movie is anything but. It shows the harsh reality of police, prosecutor and judicial system corruption. Your heart will bleed and teeth will clench. It takes you high with hope, then tramples you hard. The hero lawyer is not played in a dramatic showy way, he was very human a little jaded and down trodden but with a sense of justice that's still pure. I got a really good reminder toward the end, to be careful who I let my guard down with. People you think you know well will gut you without even a good blink.
It's a good ending in keeping of course with the real story.
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I liked it because it gave me a more detailed (albeit) fictitious view into Korean politics. A lot of the other political dramas I've watched just didn't go into so many varied aspects of a "rise to power." The female lead was great. She played "strong female" really well. She was a woman who did it all. Mother, wife, teacher, girlfriend, President. Wow. How can this not be an interesting drama? Not silly President either. Her roll is smart, classy, well defined. There's no makjang here. Just good content. Watch for the absolute mayhem that broke out during the Bill voting session. It was so realistic, I wanted to watch with my mouth hanging open in shock and ROTFL at the same time. It's a well written, very well directed drama.
I believed every roll completely. The character growth of the 2nd male lead is fantastic. He was something else again. (I admit..I'm still a little twisted on how he evaded some pretty devious things he did. He was very wicked but he almost seem to have been rewarded). I'm not in total agreement with how he ended but, oh well.
The romance is deliberately low burning and (for this drama) it's completely appropriate. Trust me. It's simple, tasteful and mature. It suited very well. Whatever chemistry was needed between the OTP was there. That's all I ask for, however, the "Ajumma" label got old (no pun). He needed to just call her by name after the relationship was established.
The way this story was told was stark and real. The supporting cast are veterans and all were super! The action scenes were good and everything wrapped up nicely.
I tend to only rewatch RC or Med. dramas, so it's unlikely I'll watch this again but if you love politicals, It's very re-watchable. I would definitely encourage a watch of this drama. It's really very good.
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I have to say I have yet to encounter a more jaw dropping character than the one played by Park Shi Yeon in this drama. This character actually turned my stomach. It was so disgusting to watch really. A different type of head space was needed to pull it off really but she nailed it. Oh Yeon Soo's Character was so meek in contrast but thank God she ended on a note of strength. The husband, o God the husband was a nasty dog with absolutely no redeeming qualities. SO WHY WATCH? A Bittersweet life is worth watching for the acting and The very passionate love that plays out. But just beware of the really slow old style pace.
ON THE PERSONAL:
This drama addresses a topic that I will forever find intriguing in that there will never be an answer that will satisfy anyone. Suicide. This very young man found a reason to live but even that reason itself became more of an impetus to complete what he originally decided to do after all. (I hope that makes sense :) Suicide is very a psychologically lonely and introverted decision and that is the reason why it has such a high success rate. If a person feels cornered and feels there's no way out of his suffering/situation and most importantly if " they feel" alone in their suffering (even if the reality is otherwise) nothing can stop them. It's also culture/religion/spiritually related as well. If they feel they'll be in a better place and finally at rest or that they can come back and start all over then why not? Thank heavens I wasn't raised that way. I've been in situations that screamed overdose cure on a daily basis but in the end, I know things would be worst all round if I took the life I was given so I bite down and plunder on by watching K-dramas! hahaha! ;)
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2 years after my original viewing, I happened to click on this drama again while sifting through MDL. After a re-watch, I hopped back to my list and upgraded my rating from 7 to 8.5/10. 7? What was I thinking? Then I had the urge to watch it again. A few days later I watched it yet again then hopped back to MDL and upgraded my rating to 9.5/10. A week later while browsing, I suddenly had the urge to watch it again, then I watched it again after that. This weekend, after updating all the on-going dramas I've been watching, I watched Lovers again and came back to MDL to do a whole new review and give it my final rating of 10/10 because apparently, this drama just does it for me. It's my ideal perfect drama. The MC pairing is so endearing and emotionally powerful they are HANDS DOWN my favorite pairing of all. This is now my #1 Drama period because of it's re-watch-ability and the OTP.
IT'S A BIRTH SECRET PLOT DONE MOB STYLE but unlike a lot of these kinds of dramas, this one presents itself in a more down to earth and believable way. That's what makes it so compelling. The characters are written with maturity and we watch while every effort is made to make right choices even when they are the most difficult and heart-wrenching ones. No matter how many times I watch it, the plot twist still manages to make me say "wow" I may not be surprised like I was the first time I saw the drama but I'm still left shaking my head. It's really great stuff! Everyone plays their roll to perfection in this drama.
THE ACTION segments are really on point as well. Gang war/fight choreography is fantastic quality. The highlight for me was the land and sea battle when a rival Chinese gang captured the heroine, carrying her off in one of the escaping motor boats and the hero dashes to her rescue. ...Has me screaming every time!
LOCATIONS & CINEMATOGRAPHY are simply stunning. The way they captured a twilight ocean view from a window as our OTP finally surrender to their feelings in a tension packed hotel room scene that makes you want to peak through your fingers like a girl as you watch the sweetest most awkward romantic scene play out. They make it seem like the pair are actually sitting outside on the beach in the dark with the blue and white foam waves rolling right to their feet even as they sit on the floor together high up in the suite. Amazing camera work from inside that suite.
THE OST is one of the BEST I've ever heard throughout an entire drama. Every single vocal/Instrumental song is a perfect fit for the mood. I think two of the songs were mainstream pop hits as well and made their way to my ipod for repeated play. You'll definitely recognize when you hear.
THE CAST as a team, I can't rave about enough especially LEE SEO JIN! An actor with the ability to scream any emotion by simply being still without saying one word. We all get to watch as he achieves Kang-Jaes' character grown purely through his growing love for Mi-Joo, going from Mob boss-icy , unsmiling, unhappy reserve to the real hidden man of shyness, warmth and passion where every smile she wrings from him is gift to us. Mi-Joo alone is capable of bringing out his true feelings that he hides away from everyone else. KIM JUNG EUN's portrayal of Yoon Mi-Joo is wonderful. Her rash, impulsive "girl-next-door"ordinary looking character is a breath of fresh air that adds brightness in an otherwise dark drama. She manages to capture a hardcore loyal, serious and gruff gang man like Kang-Jae away from beautiful Park Yu-Jin without even trying or doing anything underhanded. Instead she was even willing to sacrifice her heart for the sake of doing what's right. KIM KYU RI plays the soft spoken-but-not-a-door mat, pretty Park Yu-Jin, Kang-Jae's 8 year (empty relationship) steady girlfriend who does everything in her power to hold on to the man she truly loves. I found her appropriately cloying and annoying while still finding lots of room to sympathize with her situation. Her character was just a bit too m Then to finish the square JUNG CHAN does an admirable job with Sae Yeon. A spoiled mama's boy who was given the best of everything growing up except the one thing he truly pined for - his father's love and acceptance, a thing he noted was freely given to his adopted brother from the orphanage who was not even "blood!" Jung Chan found a way to portray Sae-Yeon with dignity and class even as he pouted his way through and in his less favorable but understandable moments as he tried hard to hang on to Mi-Joo. I can't forget A big nod to the fantastic KIM ROE HA who played nasty baddy Chang Ba, the main antagonist who will make you grit your teeth just at the sight of him, ugh! He was masterful at playing a cowardly but viscious and despicable greedy gangster.
It's all here. The bad, bad guys VS. the good, bad guys. The passionate romance, heavy on the chemistry. Great comic relief. The struggles of everyday living. The fight against greed and corruption and a family legacy battle that all wraps up as it should and leaves you (with the exception of one regretful loss) very very satisfied nevertheless!
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There is absolutely nothing I didn't like about this gritty little romantic drama. I LOVED IT. It's not sweet or cute although the Actors are very young. I feel the subject matter is mature enough to hold the interest of all ages. how should I describe it.....
A short BIT OF FILM GRAFFITI. ?
I admit I was completely taken off guard by this drama. Not your typical love triangle but I've come upon this premise before. Two High School Gang leading boys in opposing Gangs. One new girl from out of town. Add 1 huge twist and a tragic circumstance and you've got A DRAMA WELL WORTH THE TIME.
It's very BOLD BUT WARM. There's DEPTH too. Nostalgia formed a lump in my throat really.
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1. best guy friend likes Bestie girl from childhood
2. she takes her Bestie guy for granted and blows him off
3. so he finally finds somebody else
4. Then wouldn't you know it? Bestie girl suddenly wants Bestie guy PASSIONATELY and guess what he does?........
5. The male lead was ok. A stand up guy. :/ but I feel like his lines were all about battering me and his Bestie with how "Wonderful, exquisite and perfect" his girl was. "I was adrift for so long, now I'm finally getting married. Yay!" (:/ ugh! Gads.
6. All the chemistry was with the Bestie and there was none with the bride though the writers did their best to try to convince me there was. This guy should definitely be kissing his Bestie.
The PROBLEM with this drama is the writers make it so that I end up kinda-sorta wanted him to dump the fiance. (we don't even know her anyway) cause we feel for this lead who has done that Jackass thing that we have all done at some point and time in our lives and end up regretting terribly - take our nearest for granted until it's too late and we lose them to whoever or whatever. We want to correct that mistake through this drama ;) and as I watched (though granted, the heroine is light and fickle and so very wrong) I rooted for her :P The writers put me 65% on the antagonist's side for this one and I don't actually know why. It's an odd feeling when actually, I should be laughing her to scorn, thumping her Bestie guy on the back for "showin' her!" and congratulating the Bride on her catch.
Another MAJOR mistake the writers made was not giving the bride any depth. Because of that, she was like an intruder to me (although she technically wasn't). I found myself actually disliking an innocent person while sympathizing and also disliking the Bestie all at once for the stupidness she did in the past and present. So weird! This movie was not worth me dealing with those kinds of twisted emotions. Definitely not. :(
This would have been better as a drama series (although there are a trillion of them with this plot already). I'd prob. give it a 6 -maybe.
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WHAT I LIKED
You really need to pay attention in order to follow the relationship twisties.
- GREAT DRAMA to eat up some of your valuable time with because you have to think while you watch lol.
- OST-Gary Chaw: During the course of this drama I discovered a fantastic music artist! LOVE LOVE LOVE! Tubed and download an unbelievable video from this guy that gave me goosebumps and that was so INTENSE.
in fact all his Mvids seem to message with intensity about life. Great Poet. LOVE!
If you care to check him out just cut and paste:) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETCyOYqHXrQ
- AWSOME ENDING.
-It's a rewatch because I KNOW will have to. Even though I scored it so high.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
-mmmmm...PACE. Sometimes I felt I wanted to PUSH the story forward by force. and it made my FF finger twitchy in some places..THEN I'd have to rewind because I needed the info to continue understanding the story properly. That finger still twitched though! lol.
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Finally: JUST KNOW THAT THIS DRAMA was WORTH what my IT was and this may be the case for you as well! :)
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- I Just watched this for the 4th time!
- I hit this standard Rom-Com in my Bookmark list this morning and my lazy day perked!.
- A FAVORITE THAT LEAVES ME FEELING HAPPY. :)
WHAT I LIKED
AN EASY ROM-COM THAT HIT ALL THE MARKERS I set. The acting is great. The chemistry is great. The Cast is great. The story is light. They never keep me hanging for too long (but I'm a patient child). The story moves along making it a GREAT MARATHON watch/rewatch (while you multi-task of course) on a lazy/sick day at home.
WHAT I DISLIKED
................................This is on a permanent rewatch list now so I can't be a hypocrite. ;)
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