Vanilla

Perfectly palatable romance drama missing some zest.

ML is nice and cordial. He falls first bt is a more passive personality with some hidden black belly character. But overall if you are to define him as a flavor: Hes mild.

FL is one track mind and comes off as a lil clumsy. Overall she gives off a cutesy vibe. But theres something missing and I had a hard time forming a rapport with her.

The nephew/ god son: hes the gem. Truly adorable similar to his other drama. His cheekiness translates through the screen. Hes the one adding fuel to main couple's engine

Other loveline: sister's story was nice, good juxtapose to MC and also written to be linked to ML's backstory.

Overall plot and flow: Mixed reviews

The good: Started well. Desserts are beautiful and created with story and meaning. ML finally lead his own drama, he has this gentle boy next door vibe and his acting never came off obstentacious. FL is new to me, she did fine, some minor overacting.

The Hmmm: The way its written wasnt engaging. Meanin I watch a few episodes, didnt felt the need to bingewatch, watch something else and after awhile pick up when i remember. Acting wise, FL also not reciprocating enough onscreen so the im-deeply-in-love with you vibe is missing. Hence the chemistry does not come off as that strong. After you finish you realise theres nothing that memorable about this drama. Its jus vanilla, nice, kinda sweet but lacks any punch.

Read More

Reap Real Friendship

This season was markedly different from previous seasons. For one it gave a more steady environment and time for the house members. There werent too much upheaval or drastic last minute introduction.

Then coming to the people. Suffice to say dont judge a book by its cover. My initial perception of some of them were not accurate. Evyone had more sides and layers to them. Some took time to warm up. Some are so straight forward, they came off as pushy. But again only a small part of them. Everyone had lots of good points yet to be slowly seen.

The most beautiful and heartfelt are the friendships. I like how everyone is more cordial and some are extra considerate and thoughtful. Very confrontational character stresses me out and Im glad it wasnt too bad here.

The promise of romance more or less delivered. But this time around theres 1pair that I wished were more impulsive and less logical. Theres peeps who loves the feeling of falling in love. And love seeing other people find love. I count myself and Annie Yi among them. Il be back for the next season and hope the selection of cast and house members would be as awesome as this season's.

Read More

Abysmal plot; Good cast

Writer chew more than she could handle.

There were two distinct parts of the story: fantasy romance of 2 realms and palace drama. From the moment she decides to mix the two that's where disaster starts to brew. The transition from fantasy part to just historical palace defies a lot of logic. There were gigantic plotholes in how ML goes to present, how they seesaw between they can and cannot touch each other, how someone else could hear ML, how if he sleeps he can choose not to dream of her of which he would enter her realm. And then how wishing on a special lunar phenomena transports her to the past in time to see another female of the same face passing away. And she conveniently assumes her identity. The amnesia bit was ( ༎ຶ ۝ ༎ຶ ).. All this gave me a headache in digesting and then choosing to suspend the logic thinking part of my brain to continue watching.

My biggest issue was how it then became a solidly palace drama full of scheming females and inciting unrest in the backpalace and discord among the princes. Worst of the lot is Ming Hui who has a huge grudge against Ming Wei of which Xiao Wei of present shares the same face. This palace bit starts from about 1/3 in to the drama and lasted til ep 39. So I'm telling you if you dislike palace politics like me it means a lot of skipping of scenes.

As to why i still gave a solid 7.0 scoring despite my huge grievances with the drama. Its because of the cast. Both Li Lan Di and Wang An Yu are super young but sparkling in this drama. They deliver depth where possible and their banter were pleasantly cute and sweet. There's that good push pull, action reaction when you get a CP with chemistry. Its only the plot problems that cause IQ cells of Xiao Wei to dwindle when she went back into history. The last 20minutes also gave the show some bonus points.

I wouldnt recommend this drama. I started it when going through Li Lan di's pastwork and decided to give it a go. It doesnt sticks with you like Scarlet Heart does and i dont think its fair to compare.

Read More

Charming & Condensed

The writing is the bane and the boon.
On one hand its so fast paced theres no room for dillydally. On the other skipping scenes to scenes i wish for better continuity. You can say the writer is on steroids.

If you like time travel this may be your cup of tea. Despite being a budget drama, costumes and actors were on point. And despite the story being rushed the first and second third, it manage to be cohesive and deliver an emotional rollercoaster of a drama.

Lastly theres no hanging ending..much to be my delight.

Bonus theres a sequel with the same leads.

Read More

Action-packed but fail to resonate

Action with disaster of different settings, satisfactory cgi and stunts. But storyline, characther building, camaderie and emotional payoffs lacking.

I havnt reviewed a movie in a long while. Watched this on a weekend with my kids. They were entertained in the rescue scenes. The ooohs and ahhs over helicopters, blast, sinking rig, aeroplane disaster etc etc.

There is also a need for suspension of belief. Personally I dont thk in real life situation rescue missions are carried out when it is deemed too risky, jeopardising rescue mission and endangering the entire team. So in 2 of the missions i did not agree with their call and that they would be given the greenlight to go ahead realistically.

The intro of one of the rescue member (played by Wang yan lin) and his fiance/wife and also male lead (eddie peng)'s son was part of the character building and part and parcel of setting up emotional scenes in second half and the climax. However the flow as well as the lack of depth in writing fails to give the audience enough time to form emotional attachment to them. The storyline is busy from the get go, original pilot leaves, new female pilot enters with her assistant co pilot, then assistant co pilot wants to leave too... blah blah. They com and go and failed to be important to me. The cutting and editing between mission scenes to dailylife scenes were also jarring. At times it felt like two different movies with similar actors trying to mesh together. The poor execution felt like you are forced to buy in with a promise of emotional payout that never comes. Even the ending mission also felt anti climatic. I do appreciate the peptalk and highlight on courage. But that's about it.

You can watch if you are an Eddie Peng fan or if you're in for an action flick on a rainy weekend. Just dont expect too much.

Read More

Entertaining and also irritating at times

Acting: Eleanor as a FL was very natural and easy on the eye. She could emote. Shes also a great singer and i love the ost she sang. Connor was the weakest link. He was horrible in Meteor Garden that i was so shock hes headlining a new drama as the main lead but the MDL ratings push me to try. I can say he did improve but hes just mostly awkward on screen. Even if its a scene wheres he's standing or walking, he looks so ill at ease. His character was suppose to be charismatic and he just doesnt deliver. The only plus point is that you can still feel chemistry between the MLand FL.

Story: The premise was good and NuanNuan's struggle transitioning out from a failed idol group, and starting from zero into a working culture was something fresh and yet realisticaly potrays the lives of many trainees hoping to make it big and be the next star. That and the story of finding her talent in things outside of singing kept me interested. But the romance direction wasnt so good. The pace and the setting and how the leads handle themselves wasnt as enjoyable as i hope it would be. The secondary couple although visually cute but were amateurish. I keep wanting to feel more depth about everyone and yet finding little. So theres a real issue in both the writing and the directing of this drama. Han che was also not utilised properly imo.

Rewatch. Not for me.
Note for those who are sort of interested but cant be invested to watch the entirety, you can opt to watch a FMV clip, just chk on youtube. It can be sufficient and feels you didnt miss that much anyway.

Read More

I laughed, I teared up, I bawled and bawled and then I smiled. This drama has so much feels. The story, the values of family and their importance are beautifully written, crafted and potrayed to perfection by Jang Na Ra and Son Ho Jun.
I connected with the story.. it potrayed the very human side of every layman. It potrayed the changes of a relationship.. from first spark, dating, wedding, the marriage to parenthood. There's the beautiful memories and then there's the ugly fights. What we choose to remember is influenced by things we perceive. Sometimes what we perceive are also assumptions which could be wrong. I enjoy how the writer and pd takes the time to slowly unfold what happened in between until the otp reaches their breaking point.
After watching this, it reminds me to value the now. Value the good of my partner. Value my parents. Value every moment spent with my child. But mostly is the importance of communication. By the time i finish the drama i felt like I walked away with a lot. It's rare a drama makes me both pensive and appreciative. And that's why while it isnt perfect, i've decided to change the score from 9.5 to 10.

Read More

Writing this from memory as it was quite awhile ago i finished this drama. Sequels or second seasons are actually hard to come by in Kdramas and harder too to keep the momentum. Majority of the cast comes together again for AOY2.
Recapping by characther:
-Jin Myung):Season 1 i felt the most affected by Senior Yoon (Jin Myung) and by Season 2 i really felt shes come a long way and grown. Love it when i see her chef bf- wish we had more scenes of them together)
-Ye Eun had the most drama by the end of season 1. Season 2 shows a realistic and sometimes painful road to recovery. It's not easy being a survival and a victim of violence.
- Ji Won - the most animated housemate. We mostly saw her antics in Season1. Finally in Season 2 theres more on her story, And dont get me started on Sung Min. Both of them are adorbs and the chemistry together is really off the charts. (Praying drama Gods let them reunite in a drama again)
- Eun Jae - same character but recasted - in my opinion they should have written out EunJae and let the actress Ji Woo inhabit a new character. Its too confusing to see her as EunJae when you still have Park Hye Soo's face in mind. Further EunJae' story arc here is also the least impressive
- Jo Eun - new gal played by Choi Ah Ra - refreshing character and her backstory and her story arc with Jang Hoon (played by DOTS actor Kim Min Suk) was cute
The writer and pd maintains the mystery n intrigue vibe throughout the drama. Hwa Young also guest role in her sassy character of Kang Yi Na.
Keeping the episode capped at 14 was great. Story, flow and pacing was spot on. It was a lovely ride to check back in with the girls of Belle Époque.
* Fans wanted a Season 3 and i think chances are slim. I'm quite satisfied with how we were left off and hints of what's in the girls' future.

Read More

If you watch the previous lanling, its completely diff with the exception of character names. This is more a love story of the females past self with lanling and her new romance as her present amnesiac self with Yu wen yong.
This adaptation only inserts more of fantasy elements and looking for 2 magical items linked to Qing Shuo.
I first started watching due to many who praise the chemistry between Qing Shuo and Yu Wen Yong with the later wonderfully potrayed by Peng Guan Ying. His character seems to fill the screen more than Lanlingwang.
I find the title of this drama misleading. Thats the greatest hint/spoiler i can give you.
I would have dropped the rating to 7/10 because i did not like the ending. But for all the sweet moments of the show i maintained a 7.5. Also i fastforwarded many scene of other characters that i do not like. I always do that with long C dramas- this too doesnt escape from the need to be self edited.

Read More

It's been such a long time when I first watched ISWAK. And having recently watch the Thai version brings back memories.

Ariel Lin was such a cute actress that really make xiang Ching ooze with adorableness. It's also the first time I noticed her as an actress. Joe's character of Zi so was the aloof silent type. A great departure from when I saw him in The rose. But the best thing was our two leads have great chemistry so much that people start shipping them in real life (although she's married now)

The story follows closely to original Manga which perhaps reduce my enjoyment of the drama. Because all the comedy side is really over the top. And sometimes the actors have to do alot of exaggeration to fit into Manga theme. So this makes its less realistic. I find I only enjoy when scene are quieter and more mellow to connect emotionally.

Read More

This is not a perfect story but if you wamt an enjoyable romantic drama…look no further. This is my first Taiwanese drama for over 5years and I love being swept back to memories of teenage years bundled up with a romance novel. That's what it felt like watching it. Theres lots of sweet moments exchanging glances, starring into each other's eyes and skinship. While there's looop holes in the plotlines and really the first 12episodes were better overall i watch it for the believable romance. Great chemistry. Don't have two high expectations and just let the romantic parts sweep you off your feet.

Read More

Score: 10/10 for EP1 to 20; 6/10 for EP 21 to 27. 4/10 for EP28
To be honest to enjoy it I skip some of the storyline, I find I don't really care much what's going on on the side of the bad guy. I'm in this drama for the romcom and I don't mind a lil heartache if that's what's necessary. That's why the first 2/3 of the drama is a must watch for the fun the romance and her falling in love with him. Fast forward necessary for the last third of the drama if you are like me.

Acting: 10/10 for Janice Wu Qian;6/10 for Kim Tae Hwan;8/10 for supporting casts
Janice quite like her character in My Sunshine was so lively and unapologetic, interesting juxtaposition against tae hwan as the cold blood xue monster

Romance: fluffy ttypes with squabbles, comedic moments, sweet moments and nice skinship lol quite a bit of good kiss scenes. I find it amazing that they can generate the chemistry despite not speaking each other's language as tae hwan is being dubbed (side note I saw interviews where janice speaks to him in English and he could comprehend it enough)

I wont spoil it but i have to say i wish it was wrapped up better in ep 28... could have been best comedic romantic drama until they spoil it with that ending

I've recently click and watch scenes that I love. So needless to say Rewatch value is high for selected scenes for me

Now there's buzz there would be a second season.. We shall see. Personally I thk Amazing boyfriend is a must watch C drama for 2016

Read More

A romance drama with a touch of supernatural. Weaved between a lawyer, a reporter and a policeman. It had the makings of something intriguing. The first few episodes i enjoyed and liked it. Hong Ju and her mum's relationship was a gem. The bromance between siblings Jae Chan and Seung woo was awesome as with additional bromance (some love rivalry too) between Jae Chan and Woo Tak. Then theres also my favorite ahjussi Kim Won Hae as another lovalble character Choi Dam Dong. There were however jarring things with the plot that was a problem of writing or execution with regards to Hong Ju's dreaming and reenacting of events. And how things just conveniently fall into place for the hero or the heroine to figure things out. As the drama proceeds the intrigued i had at the start waned. Suzy's potrayal of Hong ju was a hit and miss at times. Her tears of anguish when she supoosedly lost her mum- i felt nothing. Then as a romance plot i found the main otp cute but not convincing enough. And of Lee Jong Suk's calibre in bringing in chemistry with his costars.. it was lacking in this drama. I found his chemistry better with his other female stars: Lee Bo Young, Han Hyo Joo and Park Shin Hye. This drama isnt a flop but i was disppointed considering the writer and considering a fan of LJS.

Read More

Couldnt Stay On~Unfortunately

Why I started it and Why Peeps May Like this:
- if you're a fan of ZLS and wanted to see more of her works
- if you like school in historical setting
- if you enjoy a FL who has a strong character
- if you like comedic dramas

> My take is ZLS is very suited as Sang Qi. Infact I personally thk theres many resemblance to her real life character - chill, can hang with the boys, focus, frank character.

Here's why I dropped it like a hot potato
- ML's characterization is bad in my books. I cant understand how he is defined in the script. He's supposed to be worldly, refined and maybe dignified based on his knowledge, rank and position in school. Yet he comes off as immature and lacking? Is it a script thing? I felt disappointed in the ML and cant help whining about the scriptwriter- if she could take a page or just a para out of Zhou Shen Chen (of One and only), Hou Chi (from Dear Brother) or even Pei Zhao (of Maiden Holmes);
- Styling below par. If you think of Xu Kai Cheng, his good looks from Well Intended Love pops up in your mind. But he just looks odd and ill fitted in the historical setting. Given his appearance and built you would think he would give a commanding presence right? But there isnt any.
- Acting. Because the direction of the drama and comedic tones you cant exactly compare it to a lot of other dramas. But the overall feel is it seems superficial in many areas. Particularly ML, i couldnt buy into whatever he's trying to sell
- SML. Ren Hao's character started well. But if only they din screw it up as early as Ep2. It would be awesome if the tight friendship stays as friendship between FL and SML.
- The plot isnt the best. There's a problem with the execution and flow. The mystery part is poorly meshed too. I have stayed for worst honestly but I stayed for ML-FL. In this case I dont feel anything for this pairing. The feels for ML-FL here is not good. IMO the pairing here is the worst out of all ZLS dramas and you do know she has a long record of great chemistry with her costars. So i thk the script, character and plot hindered it. There dont seem to be much reason to stay on.

Read More

The format of new ghost stories in the ghost clients and cases they tackle is very nice. Some of the cases were poignant especially the abused kid had me crying.
As with korean costume makeup, the ghost were scary looking. Some scenes were gripping and not for the faint hearted when you watch it at night

What amazes me the most is the script and the writing. Heres a team of writers who knows what it wants to tell and how to tell it in 16ep. The plot when you thought was predictable as they clearly show who the antagonist was from almost the start keeps surprising you as the plot unfolds a d continues to be exciting and suspenseful to the end.

Furthermore i was surprised with Taecyeon and So Hyun. When they first announce the pairing i was worried and hesitant to watch. Surprise surprise that they were adorable together and bashful which works for their character and school student setting. So Hyun was a gem and i love her Hyun Ji who was spunky, can kickass, and super cute. Bong Pal was dorky, grumpy turned sweet. The two sidekicks were fun to watch too. Lastly Kwon Yul's acting was spot on. So eery and scary. So this is another awesome tvn drama that i didnt expect to like but in the end love it.

Read More