The trailer was impressive you would think that the movie has so much adrenaline rush but nah, it was boring, a heavy let down from the drama version. It felt like I wasted my time with this. The actions weren't great, just a typical punch and jump, nothing more. Kim Ah Joong was fine, Ma Dong Seok was good, but Jang Ki Young really needs to improve his acting skills. He is one of the main stars in the movie yet his presence was mostly supporting at best. The whole gang didn't have chemistry and the plot isn't interesting. It's rare for me to rate a movie low but I never really enjoyed this, it was a big disappointment.

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I'm not really a fan of boss-assistant lovers but I gave this a try since I liked both leads.

I was quite surprised that the romance for this drama was slow but that's what I liked about it. You can really see the development of their relationship, there was pacing, progress from being strangers-assistant-manager-friends-mutual understanding-lovers. Through this, their love story resonates more with the audience unlike those dramas with abrupt romances. The slow romance makes the story more realistic.

The drama was good over-all but after episode 30, it becomes draggy. 44 episode is too long though for this kind of story and I fast-forwarded a lot of scenes and went to just focus on the leads story and Tao's progress as a singer, that's how I survived to watch the drama.

And I may add that the songs they used here are all good. I especially liked the song 'Expose' by Tao. You will end up liking the cute moments more because of the background ost. The whole series felt like a biography of Tao's life story as an idol and an advertisement to his musical capabilities.

Anyways, If you liked Tao and a "boss and me" type of drama, you may like this also. The story was written pretty well, the acting was all good (though I sometimes hate the gangsta outfit of Tao and Wu Xian's too simple dresses), the couple was cute and the chemistry was on point.

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It was good but the story and the pacing are quite too simple to be 'epic'. Though I must commend the director of the movie. Its really an ambitious project and they did deliver quite well with the resources they have. The cinematography is great, the CG effects were good and the cast were perfect (minus Kento's somehow forced and cringy acting).

Okay now for the acting part. Kento tried his best, one can really felt the sincerity in his acting, must be the burden of being the main man of this high budgeted movie weights him. However, it usually happens that when an actor tries too hard, it becomes unnatural. And that's what happens with Kento's acting. It is not really that hard to pull off his character though, but since he's been acting those 'prince-ly' type of character for years, the transition becomes quite difficult. Though I know, I know, he will improve. If there's a season 2 for the movie, I hope he can showcase his improvement there.

For Yoshizawa Ryo, gosh that actor is so good. I am not a fan of him so I'm never biased when I say that he has a high commanding screen presence even when he is sharing scenes with Kento. His acting is great and since he has ample screentime in this film, one who is not familiar with the movie and the leads might go into thinking that Ryo is the main lead here. His character is pretty more interesting than Shin.

Also, I hope next time, they will give Masami more lines. The girl is so pretty and badass but her character lacks the opportunity to shine.

Over-all, the film was good. Obviously a second season will be on the works considering the explosive popularity the movie has achieved. Hopefully, they will add more heart to the story and depth to the journey of our leads and battles to make it more epic and outstanding.

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This took me some time to finish. I was liking the first few episodes but got a bit tired halfway.. I have seen the original Taiwanese version #InTimeWithYou and I knew how things will turn out but I always give chances to remakes. Remaking a classic, outstanding drama could be nerve-wracking both to the artists and to the audience who loved the original version. I myself was particularly nervous at the same time excited with this Japanese version since knowing Japan, they less likely disappoint you than Korean in terms of remakes. And indeed, their version stood their ground.

It was a solid remake/drama over-all. They have followed closely the original version, unlike the Korean remake who made their own take to the story and ended up a disaster. The actors played their part really well. Though I must say that their interactions here show us that they're more than lovers than friends which I find a bit awkward to watch. In the Taiwanese, their relationship was really like those of a close friend with a clear boundary. Here, I feel like there's none. Maybe it is in the execution? And that's why I can't root for Ren the way I did for Li Da Ren.

The show for me lacked some emotional aspect compared to the original one. The highschool background story was kinda shallow and it didn't much show that Ren has a life/friends outside other than being with his family and Yo. The original version has showed family side stories which the Japanese lacked. The show is a 16-episode drama (kinda rare for a Jdrama) but the ending didn't show much sweet moments and relationship progress of the main leads. If you have ever watched the Taiwanese version, you will know why many were saying that it had one of the most satisfying endings ever. They almost dedicated 1 whole episode for the otp - from their friends to lovers to being a married couple to fighting over their principles to their daily lives as husband and wife. Maybe it has to do more of their culture? Taiwanese have a more bold approach than this Japanese remake.

BTW, I liked Adachi Rika's portrayal here. Her smile and her acting is just so sweet. Guess they were really aiming for a tamer version here since, with the Taiwanese version, Cheng You Ching was more of the aggressive and arrogant type - very typical of a LEO.

If you haven't watched the other versions of the drama, most probably, you will like this one. Though honestly, if you are a girl, you will really want to have a guy best friend if you watch the Taiwanese version than this.

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It was fun and enjoyable but nothing special. I didn't find any chemistry between the male leads and the heroine. I have nothing against the actress, she's cute and can act cute but she's too short for the main lead. Sparks aren't there for them. They're more of a sibling than lovers. The actress is cute but doesn't really have that natural "aegyo" in her. Also, at point, I thought Yokohama Ryusei's character is more solid than Yosuke's. Ryusei being a second-lead almost stolen the spotlight away from male lead Sugion Yosuke. I think it has more to do with the acting. I may like Yosuke more but I have to admit that Ryusei has more presence and is better in acting here in the movie compared to Yosuke.

Despite those issues I have with the movie execution, the show has its moments. Cinematography is good and having two ikemen guys fighting over a girl is always a pleasure to watch.

#teamSuginoYosuke

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I loved it. I have only watched a few Jdramas this year and so far this one is my favorite. I liked the plot, the over-all story and set-up was refreshing to me. The show tackles reality and societal problems particularly in workplace settings. The drama, though was more of an work environment focus, yet not a single episode bore me. It was also exhilarating to watch a show wherein two leads have great chemistry. I'm a fan of Mukai but I admit I haven't been watching most of his recent works - its not my cup of tea. This drama renewed my interest in him as an actor. And Yoshitaka is being a great actress here. I liked her since Tokyo Tarareba Musume but her acting really stands out in this show - she is very detailed in her expressions and body language here. No wonder she was awarded the best actress trophy for this. She proved to me that one doesn't need to cry heavily and star in a mega dramatic drama to showcase their acting chops. She's pretty and cute everytime she smiles. And each time she drinks a beer, I also feel like drinking some, lol.

But to be honest, I signed up for the drama because of the possible romance between Mukai and Yoshitaka. And since romance isn't the main theme of the show, its understandable that they are only showing little interactions/moments but hey, for me it was enough. I've got the ending I wanted and I'm happy. So if you're planning to watch this how, always remember this is not a Korean drama. They don't do a detour here - they lived up to the title of the drama from start to finish. They go straight to the point and what you see is what you get. No scheming and overly crying, so for those who are spoiled by the usual korean drama shenanigans, then this ain't for you.

Though I'm screaming for "I want more romance", I still thoroughly enjoyed the show. And since I love the whole casts particularly the main leads, I am being generous with my ratings.

BTW, The show also has a great soundtrack. I love love the song "Ambitious" by Superfly. The lyrics of the song is also fitting with the drama. These are my favorite lines of the song:

"I don't like now, But I'm living right now.
The future that one can easily reach won't be that easy.
Stop worrying about it, Tomorrow you'll still get up again.
Never let go of what you're longing for
You attractive adults"

"I don't like dreams, please don't hurry me.
Never give up what you are longing for,
Its so hard for you adults".

Overall, I'm positively recommending this drama.

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It was boring. To be honest, I wasn't even keen on watching this. The synopsis alone screams its going to be a usual gang-type movie. I just watched to give it a try. I liked the last movie I watched with Ma Dong Seok (The Outlaws). But this one couldn't be saved by him. I almost fell asleep watching it. The plot was predictable. and the actor playing COP was really dull and lousy, trying hard to act cool, rude and whatnot but doesn't have an ounce of charisma as a police officer. Had they casted a better actor, this movie could make a pass for me. Don't waste your time, it is not worth it 6.5/10

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To be totally honest I am quite embarrassed to say that I liked Go Go Squid in its earlier episodes. I squeezed each time the two leads were on screen. And just like everyone else, I like Li Xian aka Han Shangyan's masculine persona. I was willing to forgive the non-sensical immaturity tone of the show but you know, there will always be a limit when you compromise.

I liked it from episode 1-16. I still continue to adore it episode 17-25 but I began to question myself if I should continue watching it. From episode 26 onwards, I really really feel like dropping the show. It's no fun anymore. I began to get annoyed with the constant flashback of Han Shangyan's backstory, the uninteresting side-characters stories wherein there's just so many of them. And Hu Yi Tian being one of the main leads wasn't given enough screentime (not that I am complaining since I am not his fan, but as a team captain of the group, I think he deserves some spotlight).

The drama was off to a good start but it progresses way too fast. The relationship of the main leads was given to us at a speed of light. They were already gf-bf in just about a few episodes and it felt like they haven't gone into the process, lol. Then Tong Nian's attitude became like a 'stalker' so obsess like a girl madly yet blindly in love with a handsome guy. And Han Shangyan who's still a virgin at the age of 30 is spoiling the girl too much that at times it feels like she is more of her daughter than a girlfriend.

I don't have anything to say in the acting department. Both leads delivered their roles perfectly well especially Yang Zi, she indeed suited for cutesy roles like these however, I find her character here a bit too immature at times.

Also, call me conservative but I don't like the idea of them getting married when the girl is just barely 20y/o. Oh well, it's their choice but still...

Overall, the drama was enjoyable for the first few episodes but dragged down towards the end. I believe it was purposely stretched to accommodate more episodes because as usual "business comes first". Unless you have so much free time, you may end up finishing the entire drama. It's not too bad, I can say mediocre at best. I was able to finish it though I abused the fast-forward and skip button of my laptop.

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I'm quite picky when it comes to detective, serial dramas. I only liked a few and dropped a couple. I was even hesitant to start this but knowing that No Min Woo is among the cast, it made me curious. It's been such a long time since I have watched any of his works. And since this is season 2, I supposed that this is a good drama.

So, I tried watching 2 episodes. And I liked it. Then a couple more, then No Min Woo aka Dr. K appeared then, bam, I loved it already. The series was really thrilling and nail-bitting. The only downside when I was watching this was the waiting for the new episodes. Hence, I decided to watch for season 1 just to keep me busy while waiting for the upcoming episodes. Now after I watched everything, I understand why they made it this far and why many though silently, liked the series.

I won't say much about season 1 since I am reviewing for season 2 but let me just say this, Season 2 definitely is better than season 1. Its much thrilling and the way the cases relate to one another is fascinating. The wrapped everything nicely, almost no major loopholes. However, I noticed that near the end, the main actress got lesser screen time and her character got pushed to the side with the story focusing too much on the men.

The was a big surprise to me. A pleasant surprise to be exact. So I am truly hoping for a season 3 with the whole cast and please let No Min Woo be in it.

Lastly, I let me say that this drama is one of the few wherein I really liked all the casts. From the NFS, to the prosecutor side, even to the bad people, even Oh Man Sung, haha. Their comradeship, the acting, everyone just clicks and you can see that they are enjoying their work.

I know that Baek Bum and Prosecutor Eun are the main leads here, but Dr. K rose in this drama. No Min Woo truly made an impact on his portrayal of a great doctor with a dual personality.

Overall, I truly enjoyed it. It was a very informative, thrilling, cheer rooting drama. I learned so much from the forensics I was always waiting for their opinions and result of the examination. It is my first time watching anything as close as this - you know the forensic side so its quite an eye-opener to me.

Cheers!

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I liked the Taiwanese version. So when the announcement was made that Japan will be remaking the movie, I was really excited. I didn't know the main actress but I have seen Yamada Yuki act before so I knew this will deliver. Was I right? Yes, but not entirely.

The movie was a total copycat of the original version, from the set-up to the styling. Yamada Yuki was good in his portrayal as the guy who has a childish crush to his classmate. Though Ko Ching Teng still wins in a battle of who is better, still one can tell that Yamada was a good fit for the role. The problem lies with the female lead. She's just blank and bland. She doesn't know how to carry conversations naturally. Her voice and facial expressions are really awkward. You could tell that her visibly awkward acting makes her partner awkward too, it's contagious. Well, she's a rookie, still young, and I believe she will improve with more acting gigs. Also, the chemistry between the two leads isn't there and even the friendship among men wasn't as strong compared to the Taiwanese version. The movie lacked spice, emotions, they were short to every element the original had.

Anyways, despite everything, the movie still made me feel bitter about the ending. They still made me feel the same way as I did when I watch the original version years ago. The regret and heartache, the whys... it's still there. And I guess, that alone will make you check out this version.

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I liked it. It was realistic and heartbreaking but no unlike what the title suggests, it did not make me cry a river.

Cry Me a Sad River is a Chinese movie that talks about school violence. I was hesitant to watch it at first since I don't really like to watch anything heavy at the moment but I'm glad I did and it wasn't that heavy. If you're scared and have doubts because of the title (just like me, lol) then don't. It was more of an easy watch despite the sensitive and troubling mood of the show.

Despite the seemingly low budget for the movie, the cinematography was good and has helped the overall mood of the movie. It also came as surprising to know that all actors are newbies and this is their first project. The main actress Ren Min was incredibly outstanding. Her performance deserves to be lauded. She has conveyed properly the emotions of a girl bullied, a girl who is afraid yet took a stand, a girl who hesitates but went all out. Her actions, her facial expressions, body movements and gaze all speak and made the character more interesting yet pitiful and I feel really really bad for her. Sun Yi (Xin Yun Lai) is the man of the show. He gives light and sunshine to the dark theme of the movie. I liked how his character was caring to the female lead and doesn't get swayed by any rumors. He helps Yi Yao fight through her bullies and became her knight and shining armor. I didn't care much about the other characters so I'm only going to talk about these 2 characters.

Overall, I liked what I saw. Though I wish it was longer and didn't cut some scenes. There was a point where I thought Yi Yao was just imagining things because what the have shown are only flashbacks and tidbits of some of the more important scenes esp. the bullying part. Only if they didn't rush things, it could probably be even better. They could make it a 2+hour movie instead of 1hr & 40 min runtime.

Btw, there is a drama version of this already. It is currently airing and stars Zheng Shuang and Ma Tian Yu. I don't know if I have the guts to start it since the 50+ episode scares me, lol. The movie may be a bit short in its run time, but 50 episodes for a drama of this kind are quite long. Even though I liked the film, I'm going to have the 'wait & see' game with the drama version.

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This is one of the few dramas out there that went all out with the story (from school-to college-parting-work-meeting again-conflict-then settled with an ending). They have it phased by phased and unlike most dramas wherein conflict ended way too early - most theres like 10 episodes left and conflict ended and they have to fill it up with so many sweet lovey dovey moments, not that it ain't great, but too much sweet can cause diabetes, eeks! This drama has conflict going on that will make you still watch it until the end even though it gets tiring and cliche. I have two main problems with this drama though, the main actress' acting, and the execution of scenes and the way director cue's and cut scenes like you are still absorbing the scene and then baam, cut! If I disliked long pauses of most dramas I watched, then its the polar opposite here and to think most of those sudden cuts are the main leads. And the ending was a bit abrupt. In Love de Foudre, there were too many episodes for me, but in Wait My Youth, they lack the right length.
But I still stick out despite the bad acting and poor execution. The male lead's suits the bad boy yet a soft boyfriend type. He has a screen presence (though him and the female lead dont have that ump chemistry) and definitely one of the reason why I finished the drama aside from the story, yes the story. I love the premise of girl likes another guy and the guy likes the girl a little too late hence, the bestfriend has taken over - I have always been waiting for this kind of story.
8-8.5/10 for me

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to be very honest, this drama hits all the right button. I have never seen such drama that has a slow-homey tone yet they delivered it beautifully. First love, family, sibings relationship, friendship - they have it. I was much more drowned to the family relationship of the female lead. The delivery and story made them so relatable that sometimes, I feel like I'm watching my own life with them. I'm a sucker of "past to present" dramas especially dramas that is set up 90's to 2000s, nothing is ever sweeter than going back to the young you right? Being in school again, having classmates, crushes, the environment, the feels. And these drama made me feel it AGAIN. It was like showing me reflections and making me realize a lot of things - things that sadly, I ignored before.
Just one thing, I wish they didn't drag the drama though. The drama dragged 10episodes towards the end. That no matter how much you loved a drama at the start, you will end up getting tired watching it if what they're showing is redundancy and predictable problems and sweet moments . Thats a problem if the producer tries so hard to stretch a drama, it loses its over-all quality. I believe they could have cut the number of episodes and focused more on the reunion of the two leads. I feel like watching a new drama in the last 10 episodes.
But hey! over-all I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the first 20 episodes so much and since they made me cry a bucket (exaggerated) in some episodes (which rarely happens), then this drama made among my top list. 9/10 for me

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The whole story was something new, it's very political and an eye-opener. Before this drama, I didn't know about this whole manipulation of the so-called "stay execution". This drama opened me to a whole new idea of corruption, deceit and justice manipulation that is happening behind bars. I understand why people don't like to be in jails but to the point of harming yourself by making up a non-existent disease before? Wow, just wow.

About the drama, it was great at the start, fast-faced that has left me wondering how the heck are they going to fill in a 16 episode drama with the way things are unfolding? That's where I bet that its gonna get draggy and redundant in the somewhere in the middle and sadly, that's what happened. This has a potential in the making of a great drama, but due to lacking events, the writer keeps on circling that the last 2 episodes left rushed. Like, that's it? From episode 1-10 has full of climax but it went a bit downhill until the last episode.

But over-all, I still enjoyed it. It was the better drama among the ones being currently aired (ahem Her Private Life and My Fellow Citizens). The acting of Nam Gong Min, Dr. Seon and Lee Jun Jae and his brother was really good though the main actress, Nara needs some acting school to improve his expressions. 8/10 for me

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