The Witch Without A Twist

I am a fan of the The Witch Pt. 1 so I have been waiting the sequel for years. I am happy I finally had a chance to watch it on big screen! I followed the production journey and as the team had a copyright issue with their previous film distributor ( Warner Bros. Korea ), they had to butcher up their original The Witch stories with Jayoon as main character. Hence why I lowered my expectation for this part 2.

First of all, story wise. They basically have almost showed everything in the trailer except the ending. It is those common stories of lab victim run away, find good ally, enemies catch them, but they win after their loved one got hurt. The acting wasn't my taste, instead of embracing the characters personalities- some of their acting feels staged to me. They tried so hard to look cool. There are english dialogue in it, but it sounds so awkward. I'm sorry I am not really familiar with chinese language so I couldnt judge it. Positive side, I like a lot how they open the story and I didn't expect them to start it like that. The unique "countrified" vibe is shown again in it. The opening and the ending would be a main key for the whole franchise. Please stay until after credit, because they show post credit scenes like those marvel movies!

They casted a ton of people for side characters and cameos but they are all like a copy to each other. I was thinking "Is it on purpose they look similiar as it is a cloning stories?". I also feel like there are quite a lot unnecessary scenes, with the jokes and comedic-like scenes. I wish them to show more the bonding between "The Girl" and Kyung Hee-Dae Gil sibling. That is what I have been waiting as I read the director explaining the differences between her and previous witch, Jayoon.

I have to be honest, I am kinda disappointed with the characters building for the new witch. The director went with repeated heroine route we could find in those human experiment stories. Emotionless, no personality ( yet ), fascinated to outside world like a baby bird, and once again overpowered. But after watching, I do feel curious how he would come up with the next part and how he build her character in the future. "The Girl" is still like a white paper to me.

Action Sequences. There are quite a lot of cool awesome battle scenes and it still has that anime-like battle touch in it. They definitely improved it with their big budget. There is one fight with beautiful billboard lighting, and that is my favorite one. Unfortunately, if you are a slow watcher, you would be troubled with pt 2 fighting style because all the characters are so powerful and their fighting is so fast- blip blip - shoot - blip - slash neck - that is my description. Warning, the rating is 18+ so the killing wound part is quite explicit.

Overall, I gave it a 7.5. I think new audiences would enjoy it so much, but the previous part 1 fans like me- would be in love and hate relationship with the sequel.

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Good Premise but Bad Story Building

To be honest, I picked watching Happiness because both of the main actor, Park Hyung Shik and Han Hyo Joo. They have a great acting and I enjoy their past work. Though, I couldn't help but got disappointed by the stories and the character building this drama has.

Happiness actually has a good unique premise. It is a zombie themed drama that pour slice of life scenarios into it. It has a great opening that is linked to our current pandemic situation. This drama started by how people overcome and get used to the virus and continued on their daily life. But, a good premise need a good execution.

A story need a character to let it flow. What disappointed me the most, how poor written the characters are. Happiness has two main lead that is a former highschool mates. Both Sae Bom and Yi Hyun are shown as a strong selfless characters with no weakness. Is it wrong for them to act like that? Of course not. But as a viewer, we never get a glimpse of understanding on how both the leads grow into the person they are. There is no introduction of their past and they just suddenly show both leads as a cool detective and officer. I actually expect the drama to give background stories for the leads even if for a bit so there can be a character development and we can connect to the character growth, but nothing until the last episode.

This goes for the supporting roles as well. Each resident have different background and that can be a great foundation for the stories. But again, there is no a scene of process of building the character with depth and they are shown as frustated selfish characters just because they are trapped in quarantine. They give us a poor written villain over other poor written villain over other else poor written villain and stuck them up in one place.

How about the apocalypse setting? At first I am truly interested with the setting and I actually link the virus outbreak in the drama with the title of 'Happiness'. I thought the 'Happiness' emotion might be related on how the infected could bear the virus, but again there is no explanation. They don't give any scenes about the virus, the illegal drug, or even the symptoms.

In fact, Happiness actually casted many great actor and actress that played well with the acting that can make you stay to watch and that is my reason to finish this series. But, there is a lot of scene that against the flow of logic established by the story's plot. If you are not bothered by illogical, unlikely or impossible events, you can begin watching this drama.

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The Lineage Here Is Not Important

The importance of police and detective show is the motivation behind the character. That is one of the reason people watch this genre and for me 'The Policeman's Lineage' failed on that part. They didn't show much character introduction scene so the pacing on the first half of the movie was too fast and that made the rest duration a bit dragging.

I wished they included more of Choi Min Jae and Park Kang Yoon's backstory from the start, so viewer could relate to their character gradually. Why Min Jae chose to spy on Park Kang Yoon? Why he prioritized on being a good cop? Why Kang Yoon justified every way to get his goal?

You don't have to worry about acting. They casted amazing actors, especially Jo Jin Woong. He is famous for playing detective character and you can trust him on that. My issue here is Choi Woo Shik. First of all, I am a big fan of him and I follow every of his work. But I don't think he suits this detective role OR his character's writing affect his acting here in this movie. The rest supporting casts are excellent on their part.

I didn't expect much from this movie so I didn't get that disappointed. There is no remarkable scene or character and I don't get attached to neither the heroine or villain. They have this 'Lineage' concept but they don't really focus on that. I think 'The Policeman's Lineage' will be better as drama than movie, where they can give every side's perspective more screentime.

Is it a good movie? Good acting yes, good story? No. It is a bit boring for mystery crime genre and there is no thrilling exciting moment for me since the beginning to ending. Watch it when you have nothing to watch anymore.

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Perfect Movie To Start New Page

If you are looking for a simple romantic story, this is for you! The director behind this movie is famous for that genre and A Year End Medley won't disappoint you. In this cold weather, we get to watch 7 different heartwarming beautiful tales from 7 different couples on Christmas day setting.

Every character here are individually interesting and has a well written background to build their personality. I thought 2 hours movie wouldn't be enough to show every character's details, we don't have only 2-3 people to introduce, but a whole 14 characters! Despite the duration, they managed to show each of their layers, goals of the couple arc, and how they are linked to one and another.

I must mention out of all the couple, my favorite couple here goes to Yong Jin x Lee Young. Such a cute mature girl with supporting boyfriend! Beside fav couple, I love all the characters plot but if I have to choose, I will pick Kang Haneul's character as the best arc! From depression to comedy and move to breaking down, what a journey from his acting! Of course all the actor & actress also delivered the plot well, but Kang Haneul is just beyond.

I love the production team took care the clothing. They are all so pretty to look at. The cinematography in this movie also well taken. What I dislike from this movie might be the soundtrack only, they use a cliche classical music *cough* canon in d *cough* and that kinda ruin the flow for me, i just wanna laugh at that part.

Anyway, this is a nice movie to start the year, I wish there will be a sequel or maybe make it into drama series instead, all the stories are interesting to watch and they still have many to reveal.

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Promising Outbreak but Questionable Ending

The premise of "All of Us Are Dead" like the korean title "지금 우리 학교는" or "Our School Now" is centered on students who tried their best to stay alive from being trapped in their school through zombie apocalypse. All of Us Are Dead has 12 episodes with 1 hour long duration. Some viewer might find the story dragging, but I didn't at all. How and why I find this drama fun and engaging? Mostly because I got to watch the story from several different perspective, desperate teen survivor, detective and his framed science teacher, also military and political government.

[ Promising Outbreak ]
Unlike most of zombie series that started with main character's everyday life and the sudden zombie outbreak, All of Us Are Dead began with the background story of the virus itself. The starting plot is around a student who get bullied and how this character developed the virus from his science teacher father who helped his own son from death. It is then unfold from his laboratory room and how the infected bring their zombie virus from inside and outside the school. I appreciated how the writer put the issue of school violence into the root of the zombie virus. The emotional story from the parents of surviving student was also my favorite. I always love how South Korean included 'heartwarming' family plot onto their series and ended it harshly for tearjerking scenes.

The story is shifted from time to time but it is all still connected into one because the school background setting is labeled ground zero for the outbreak. They blend the detective, military, and the political side into the story pretty well. We got to see the view on characters who truly wanted to help surviving people, who just wanted to save the non infected citizen, and who wanted to save their own ass on status seat even in harsh condition. Back to the main characters and their zombie battle at school. The main characters here are the surviving Hyosan Students, that funnily were all in the same class. What is the possibility of you and your classmates to survive together in zombie outbreak? This drama writer be like, "Hell yeah, 99%. It is fiction so of course there would be impossible events, what would you expect?"

[ Questionable Ending ]
It wasn't an ideal one but I didn't know a better way to end this drama. The drama has an open ending like our real life Covid-19 situation, there is no light to see the end. I must mention i noticed there is some reference on "Sewol Ferry" accident in episode 12 where the survivors are being interrogated. If you don't know about it, try google search. It was heartbreaking real life tragedy of high school students who was abandoned by the official staff and government by leaving them drowning on sinking ferry. The student victims trusted the adults too much that they had to die in the end. So the dialogue "Why did you abandon us?" and "I won't ask adults ever again, don't ask us to cooperate." hit me in the feels. Not a perfect ending of course, afterall especially in our pandemic situation, which government have done a perfect job on taking care difficult problem? None.

But, how about the fantasy side from the virus and zombie? Yeah like when Nam Ra jumped from high school building, they once again left us with cliff hangers. I didn't get bothered by it, but I just wished to see more depth into their characters before the ending. What I find disappointing was how they started the 'virus making' well but they unfortunately leave the 'mutant making' with full of hanging reasons. There was definitely a chance for them to show more of background stories from Half Zombie characters "The Bully Guy", "The Sexy Girl", and "The Students Pres". Unfortunately we didn't get them until the end and we only could imagine and assume by ourselves.

[ Characters... Are Dead ]
I personally really hate the romance between main characters. It is as if they tell us, we have to crush on someone to be the main characters. Will it be okay without it? of course. If only their focus is more about friendship than love story, I think it will be more moving and affecting in a good way. Like my favorite scenes from the farewell between Cheong San and Gyeong Su, On Jo and Yi Sak throwback, and also Na Yeon character development story. I also find the supporting roles are more interesting, the two archery ladies, crybaby Na Yeon, chicken part timer wannabe Gyeong Sang, the realistic Ji Min, 2nd rank student ( i forgot his name ), the brother in law guy, and more! In comparison, the four main characters are more bland than the supporting characters to me.

Is their acting good enough? At first, both female lead actress looks awkward in my eyes, but they get better each episodes when they are mourning deaths and countering difficult situation. Male leads chemistry are the best, I like their bromance and I wish to see them in other projects. All of the supporting casts and the minor roles have amazing acting and they delivered their emotion admirably. I must mention the zombie stunt are perfect, plus point on cracking bones acting.

[ Zombies... Are Alive ]
Instead of creepy or dark atmosphere, All of Us Are Dead zombies are more gory full of blood ripped flesh and average people would find it disturbing. Most of them are executed on VFX and negative side we can actually notice it because the overall bright cinematography. There would be some plot hole in their action scenes and some people could get bothered by it. Like how the heck those zombie didn't get killed from third-floor fall but immediately died from a single arrow, but I personally didn't mind it because it was all for "plot armour" and just passed it by. I myself hardly get scared with zombie genre and I find most of the zombies here are hilarious. Believe me, I laughed a lot on suitcase, traffic cone, scissors, and kindergarten zombies. I repeated their scenes for comedic relief.

[ Music... Are Splashed Everywhere ]
I don't know what to say here. I don't remember any single background music in All of Us Are Dead and I just remember all the special sound effect of tearing flesh, splashing blood, and purking. But that is what made me focus on their action and dialogue between characters.

[ Overall... Watch it When You Are Alive ]
One you can expect from south korean zombie series is their focus on survival. I like this show from episode 1 to 12. It is a fun experience to see all perspective of students victim of harsh accident trying to get into safety in school area. There are a lot of cool extraordinary action scenes when they tried avoiding the zombies. The thrilling moments and in between relief of breath are exciting for me. The overall cinematography are also excellent, they have this green color grading perfect for image's depth, contrast, and contour to support the story's atmosphere. The behind production team is top notch. I didn't read this drama webtoon because I didn't want to get disappointed like I did with Sweet Home. That was my choice and I think that was the best decision for me. Because in the end, I mostly enjoyed All of Us Are Dead from the beginning until the end.

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Game Like Advertisement Youtube Movie

This interactive film "AORB" is part of a campaign by Cass a korean beer brand to send the message "we support your decision". The campaign is about encouraging young people to challenge the existing system and make their own decisions without worrying what others would think about them. AORB as the first ever interactive youtube movie creatively use our end screen function and this creative attempt has diversified the contents offered through YouTube. It was not easy to act out different plots in a short period of time because there were multiple stories for one movie, but the plots and the casts executed it well. The whole main concept of dystopian, the narration, acting, and also the setting are all awesome one for advertisement class. We only need to spend less than 15 minutes to experience the story. So pick it up and watch it!

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We Go Through 4 Seasons for A Reason

More mellow than a comedy-one of a kind drama that affect viewer emotionally in a marvelous way. I rarely rate romance drama with a full score or even above 8.5, but this drama made me otherwise. It reflects perfectly how my life is, especially the female lead narrative. Like the life in summer, the change from the fall, farewell for winter, and the growth of spring. I can relate to their story of pain, longing, and sincerity as if I am the one in the story. From the conflict that stop the main characters, a reason why we should sympathize and rooting for them, and how the characters change and finally getting their goals at the end. This story journey is unraveled through the theme of weather and season like a pacing stage of life, it lives up to its title "Our Beloved Summer" and the reason why I named my review, "We Go Through 4 Seasons for A Reason". Let's start~

[ Compelling Plot ]
The drama is started on the leads most memorable season, summer. It is the season where they entail the growth of love which strengthens the bond and distance between them. They start and end their journey with documentary filming, a lively concept from this drama. The unfolding between the past and the present is another 'fun' point. The stories are told from different perspectives by Choi Woong, Guk Yeonsoo and Kim Jiwoong maximized immersion in the narrative and emotions of each character. The story that was still hidden will be unfolded anew through the second half like a reversing mirror. Their past story, which encompasses the reality they face, providing a warm touching sympathy beyond laughter and excitement. They show us how real and valid the leads try to rebuild a strong relationship that can stand the test of time, by understanding the different stage of life they go through. This drama isn't only about romance, but it is also about balance between friends, lovers, family and this drama express how that could influence our lives's priority.

[ Warmful Character ]
Every season has a set of associated traits and it shows in the four main lead personalities. They are introduced like a different weather. Choi Woong is summer and Yeonsoo is winter. Both leads are a really contrast and different person with a strong similiar traits that compliment each other. Choi Woong is like the bright blue sky of summer for Yeonsoo, and she is like a warm christmas gift to Choi Woong. Jiwoong is fall by his complexity of emotions. While NJ is spring represents exciting beginning. The characters have fully-formed personality. We can imagine them as existing person as they have both strengths and flaws. Most importantly, from main leads to supporting characters they each have personal goal that determines their arc. The cast also did a great job delivering emotion in the most realistic and natural way. Good acting and good story truly can make interesting play.

[ Attention of Details ]
I found crazy little thing everytime I rewatched. Like the time-shift narrative method they used. Then the episode title that is referenced by a lot of classic movie and how it connects the two stories. The number and date details on the flashback scene. The staff also give a lot of attention to property, showing a hint of colors from both main leads, a change of hairstyle on actress, handphone version to determine era, and filming setting with words of referenced korean literature. What I like the most is decalcomanie dialogue and scenario between two main leads. These 'easter-eggs' add to the excitement of watching this drama. Throughout episode, they have hidden messages and references to other works as a little game eagle-eyed viewers can play to enhance the experience.

[ Unique Perspective ]
I must say this drama is another watching experience. Aside from eagle eyed game from easter egg they give through all episode, at the same time you can also look the perspective from their past 10 years before drama timeline by reading the prequel webtoon. While watching the drama, I strongly suggest you all to read it so you can get better understanding how the main couple grow, learn, fall in love with each other and why their reuniting has bigger chance than them moving on. The story is like two sides of same coin and if you only watch or read one of them, it might become one sided bias.

[ Impressive OST ]
The OSTs are also top one. I always think good OST are songs that make us focus what is going on the screen while still listening to it at the same time. One that remind us the scenario in the drama without having to watch it. One that is perfectly in tone with the story and our life. And for me, this drama truly has those soundtracks. When I listen to "Maybe If" I will remember the hand holding scene. "There For You" reminds me when Yeonsoo broke down into tears. "Christmas Tree" recall the kissing scenario. That is just three songs I mentioned and more soundtracks you have to discover from this drama. All of it perfectly conveys the story of the characters - their yearning, hope, heartache and the struggle to be fine despite the pain of their break up that resurfaced when they meet again.

[ Overall An Emotional Satisfying Love Story ]
Our Beloved Summer is an outstanding drama that has a message revelation that stays with me and that is the biggest reason of my high mark. This drama might have a simple premise but I promise, the story captures well beautifully and realistically complex how relationship work from various perspective. It remind us the different view between people and how to keep the harmony and discord in relationship balance of people around us. Because we know relationships are not all sunshine and rainbow! Will I recommend it? Of course yes.

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A Memorable Welcome with Asadora

I didn't know there was this type of drama before and surprised of how many the episodes are. After realizing how short the duration per episodes, I decided to pick up this series and I am really happy with my decision. Okaeri Mone is my best pick to get into Asadora world.

Like many other Asadora, Okaeri Mone followed the pattern of heroine's struggle at work started from childhood, teen, and adult. What I like the most from this series, the background character of Mone, her families, and her friends that lived through the big disaster of 3.11. There was no literal scene of the disaster, but I could imagine it as I watched a lot of documentaries and articles about Tohoku earthquake. But they really pictured really well the hard working moments, the overcoming traumas, and moving on of the victims.

Mone is a well written heroine that I have met so far. I relate so much to her emptiness, her failure, and getting back strength to move forward in a realistic way. Her times in Tome as forestry worker teach me how we as human, have to give back something to nature as they give a lot to us. The drama explain the nature well, how the sea, the sky, and the mountain linked to each other as one and we have to keep it in harmony. The learning doesn't stop there but still goes on until the end by every supporting characters in the drama. What I like the most beside that is the job of weather forecaster in Japan. I actually first watch this series for the romance, but Mone's urge to study and work as weather forecaster made me stay. By watching Okaeri Mone, I noticed Japan is 10 times ahead in disaster warning system than my country lol.

For the romance, I really love how the ML is written, how the character can push the heroine and how they respect each others time and space. Beside that, the supporting characters are also interesting and have depth. Every roles that went through the same event but had different overcome stories and how they supported each other. From episode 1 until 120, you can tell each characters development as if you grow with them.

I hope more people find Asadora and come to watch it, especially Okaeri Mone. There are many good dialogues to empower people in life and you learn a lot from it! The production team also did a really good job to shoot beautiful scene of nature's environment and you will get healed by those.

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How Well Goverment Take Responsibility on Disaster?

Nihon Chinbotsu Kibo no Hito is a modern day take on the original novel Japan Sinks by Sakyo Komatsu. Just like in the novel, tectonic shifts in the Eastern hemisphere are attributed to a series of earthquakes that sinks Japan into the ocean. Through this adaptation, we get to see the perspective of the big disaster from government, scientist, media and large companies. This drama is about how big figures will overcome the obstacles and protect their dearest country Japan from collapsing. The earthquake isn't the main focus of this drama and if you come expecting for "natural disaster", you will probably be disappointed.

The acting aren't top notch but for me they are good enough for the plot. I must say I love how the characters are written as dedicated person to their job. I watched a lot of articles & documentaries resolving the great Tohoku Earthquake and that is how I see Japanese people, take responsibility of their actions in work and life despite having a big disaster. Furthermore, we can see the main character's different back stories and how they protect their loved ones while on their job position, plus points from me!

I just hope they invest more in the story from the earthquake victim pov, so the viewer can feel the tense of being in the big disaster. Anyway, I find this drama interesting every episode and I never get bored. This story is a real eye open to appreciate whats happening in the moment because you never know what the future brings or who and what you will gain and lose in life. Also a story to respect scientist and their knowledge in disaster science predictions. Will I recommend it for you to watch? Yes, give it a try!

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Brilliant Thrilling Story with Phenomenal Acting

Beyond Evil is a compelling incridible story that keeps you guessing. The plots are so unpredictable well-written. There is easter eggs in every episode and we can see them get revealed in a good pacing.

They casted a great actors & actress that played a phenomenal acting. Both the main and supporting characters have back stories to support their purpose in the mysterious plot. I must say every characters in Beyond Evil are important and significant for the story line. Shin Ha Kyun one of the main actor, won the Best Actor award from the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards for his role. At first I came watching this for Yeo Jin Goo, but Shin Ha Kyun surely catched viewer's attention especially mine.

The cinematography was dark, creepy, and perfect for the story. The OST add so much atmosphere and match the characters and story perfectly. I must mention the promotional poster, as a designer I really love the idea! It captures how the two main characters are like a set of twin that slowly merge together.

While I can understand some people find the show confusing and dragging, I had nothing to dislike from this series. Beyond Evil is surely an outstanding heavy thrilling story for psychological drama fans like me.

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Hilarious Yet Heartwarming Dating Show

Two genre to describe this show : FAMILY SITCOM x ROMANCE

The concept is one of a kind, the casts are all unique, charming, and true to themself because their siblings are there. Everything feels like family sitcom, full of comedic relief, nothing stressful so far, and what is more special it is so heartwarming and moving that we get to see family stories, their hardship and cirsumstances. What is more fun we get to see variety of sibling relationship and their dynamic. Their "Blind Date" game/mission is also exciting as we can see the sibling become their own sibling's cupid or maybe... matchbreaker in the future? Because family can be accepting or act otherwise for our love ;)

One more good thing I want to mention is the panelists! They are all so funny and have witty comment. I feel like watching with friends while listening to their views. I hope they don't change any of them, I love the current panelists's dynamic so much.

This is my first time giving review while it is airing because I think this show deserve more attention, I laugh so much entire episode and cry for their family reveal. If you are looking for refreshing dating show with uncommon theme, come to watch this series!

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