Watch for the cat and the humanoid

7 Tips to Find that Door into Summer:
1. Pete the cat is adorable. I want that cat. Scratch that. I NEED that cat.
2. Pete the humanoid is equally adorable. He is more human than the human in this movie.
3. Acting kudos goes to Pete the cat AND the customer service humanoid. They are believable in their characters.
4. Expect some mind-blowing sci-fi movie? Lower it down.
5. Pete the cat is adorable. I just need to say it again.
6. Watch if you need a respite in between or after a heavy gut-wrenching drama/movie.
7. Treat this movie as if you're going to watch a super fluffy romcom/comedy.

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How to Survive a 24hours mission on the moon: The Silent Sea Method

1. You need Gong Yoo, Bae Doona and great physique (well, the actors do, I’m just pretending I can run). Be prepare to run. Run. Run. Run. And jump. Communication with Gong Yoo is a must. He’s the captain and the guy in charge. If you don’t maintain comms and do what he says, he will remind you. Bae Doona will only answer you if you have something scientific to add into the conversation.

2. Prepare to go on a mission with minimal information. Remember, you’re a good soldier. So, do what Capt. Gong say, and you will be alright. Information will only be feed to you by second and fourth episode. Fifth episode, you sort off get the full picture.

3. Get your Binge-session/marathon-session routine ready. Comfy clothing is a must. Air-conditioner/heater needs to be in working order. Don’t forget food and drinks. If you’re watching via your laptop, ensure your charger is within reach. You can also thanks to the Netflix crew to do a full release of this 8-episode drama.

4. Be thankful of the clean water you’re drinking right now. Just do.

5. If you’re not into genres of space and pseudo thriller, this not the tv series for you. If you’re into some mindless thriller fluff with fantastic cast, you may enjoy this to end 2021.

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Five Ingredients to Dine with Love

What ingredients make a foodie romance drama endearing?

Happy ending? Great chemistry between the leads? Food?

Dine with Love has those three plus two extra ingredients – a tight script and just the right amount of silly supporting characters. These five ingredients, I find, make this drama enjoyable:

1. Fabulous main couple and the actors who played them.
Gao Han Yu and Jade Cheng, breathe life into Yu Hao and Su Ke Lan, respectively. Him, the cold CEO and her, the warm PR manager. Together, they displayed a comfortable long-term couple vibe. And I was very drawn to their chemistry. Oh. I have lost count of the number of times he was shirtless!

It is worth noting that Yu Hao and Su Ke Lan are one of the most mature yet flawed characters in Chinese romance drama. Individually, each carries trauma and heavy responsibilities. It shaped them into who they are and how they handle relationships as a couple and with others.

2. Tight script
In a 16 episodes format, the writers did not stray away from themes of food, family, friendship, and forgiveness. It is also tightly focused on the main couple. All subplots are connected to Yu Hao and Su Ke Lan - illness, ex-partners, business dealings, and secondary couple’s stories.

3. Main supporting Characters
The drama contains just the right amount of silly supporting characters. They served as support and competition to the main couple and slight comedic relief. My favourite amongst them is Yu Hao’s uncle, as he is the only one that brings out Yu Hao’s childishness.

4. Food
Specifically, cooking lessons. During these lessons, Su Ke Lan shined! I want her to be my cooking teacher. She is calm, always smiling and imparts knowledge about the value of food and cooking. She also gives an egg coated fried rice recipe! Yes, I did try it, and it was yummy.

In these lessons, the couple gets to know each other. It was calm yet intimate. And Yu Hao was mesmerised and addicted to her and her food. There was a scene when he turned on his laptop camera just to see her cooking behind him. Sneaky!

5. Happy ending
It is one of the most important ingredients to any romance fan. A good happy ending requires the audience to go through anticipation, warm fuzziness, heartbreak, frustration, and finally happiness. Dine with Love did not disappoint. My heart was full when they kissed in the final scene and burst when I saw the short bonus episode. Tip – find that extra episode! You will be giddy.

These five ingredients make this drama endearing and lovable to me from episode one right through the finale. It is still a flawed production (and what story isn’t?) but it showed me how invested I was in both Yu Hao and Su Ke Lan. I would have loved to spend more time with them as a couple before the proposal and less time during their separation.

On a final note – the now infamous ‘Sewing Scene’ of episode 12, is the most sensual in a Chinese romance drama I have ever watched. You are most welcome.

With love,
Lady Ajumma.

Ps. Despite the poor subbing during airing, it does not deter away from the quality of the story.

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Grand Tutor is in the house.

Dearest lovers,

How does one become a princess? Find yourself a man who calls you his princess, and you will be one!

The drama ‘Be My Princess’ tells such a tale. What a lucky girl.

He is a famous actor with fame, awards, and money, while she is a part-time actress with none of those things. Jeremy Tsui and Zhou Jie Qiong (Kulkyung) are well-matched in this older man/younger woman drama. It has been mentioned that JT tends to overshadow his female leads. Not here. ZJQ holds her own with those expressive and dramatic eyes.

Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, back to the drama. He casts her to be his female lead in his latest work, ‘Grand Chief Cabinet Minister’, despite her lack of experience. Once the filming completes, he has an accident. It caused him to retain his memories as the character of ‘Grand Tutor’. Amnesia, I tell you dear one, is still in vogue in dramaland.

And this is where the fun begins. As part of his treatment plan, all the other characters must accept him as the Grand Tutor from the Ming Dynasty. We get to see him adapting to 21st-century life, finding his role in society, and taking care of his princess. The other fun bit was watching those around him, adjusting to the new normal – his manager/best friend, the princess, his caretaker and so forth.

I do note dear one, our 21st century Grand Tutor is one sharp dresser with impeccable manners. Oh, how I wish I meet such a man.

A few grumbles from yours truly. The drama could reduce the number of amnesia episodes and a little bit more time as himself in the final quarter. I would love to see him piecing together his “lost memories” as Grand Tutor and winning back his princess. Secondly, atrocious sound effects. The feet sounds are sore to my delicate ears. They were abnormally louder and mismatched. Third, damsel-in-distress. Someone is always saving our princess. Why dear writers? Let her be worthy of that crown. Finally, is the “evil stepsister”. She is so basic, that she simply whines, screams, and stomps her feet. My drama soul just yawns. Oh? Did you know she is meant to be a university student in her early 20s? They dress her up like a total old auntie. Fire that costume person!

Should you watch this drama? For a romance lover, it is a yes. Your eyes will feast at the beauty of the leads, your feelings will get cute warm fuzziness and your brain will have a rest.

Oh, be aware dear heart, episodes 1-28 are the actual story, with episodes 29-30 seen as “bonus” where they stitched the drama our leads were filming ‘Grand Chief Cabinet Minister’.

Signing off and I’m going back to watch my favourite bits,
Lady Ajumma.

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I owe my mother another movie

I told my mother at the weekend, “Ma! Netflix released a new Filipino movie and it’s a romantic comedy”. We settled into our favourite couches and was ready for some mother-daughter time. The movie started, and we laughed. We bonded, we laughed again, and then we did not.

Why? The ending.

This story started well with Dee going back to her hometown for her grandmother’s birthday. The FL is beautiful, loves her lola (grandmother), and has a kind personality that draws people into her sphere. She rediscovered the village lifestyle and its many characters who eat at her lola’s eatery. Along the way, she reconnected with the ML, Edong, whom she knew through secondary school. They hang out, drink his coconut moonshine, smile a lot at each other and fall in love along the way.

Simple and sweet. Perfect for a relaxing weekend viewing. My mother and I laughed at certain parts, dismissed at some questionable pacing and storytelling, and gushed at the sweetness of the ML’s traditional way of courting the FL (he asked her lola’s permission to court her). It is, after all, a romantic comedy where it promises us a warm and fuzzy happy ending.

Then, the story changed its genre to a tragic romance at the final 10% of the movie. Once the movie ends, my mother and I just stared at the screen and said to each other “well, that was not happy at all”. We got up from our respective couches, turned off the tv and ate something sweet. The sweet food managed to get rid of the sour taste from the movie.

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Packing List for a Time-Merge Expedition

Please bring along the following recommendations for an enjoyable journey.

1. Only bring your essential brain function
Do not expect some in-depth murder/law/mystery genre. Leave that expectation at your front door. The romance was also a bit light but enough to placate this romance fan.

2. Three bowls
The first part of the drama was a bit rubbish, but somehow it sprinkled enough enticement for me to click to the next episodes. By the 9th episode, the story and the interaction amongst the characters were tighter and a lot more interesting. Then it went a little strange at the beginning of the final third of the story. The writers threw in some weird ingredients to make the story “spicy”. Thank goodness that did not last.

3. Leading Strings
Shipping the two leads was a bumpy journey. However, once the screaming and them flapping about at each other’s territory stopped, the two leads calmed and managed to blend into the story's rhythm nicely.

If you need assistance during your time-merge expedition, please do not hesitate to voice your concerns either in: 1) the MDL feeds, 2) this drama’s comments section, and/or 3) your family/friends.

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Five cautions if you want to start/watch/continue this drama.

1. Chemistry. Shall I say…lack there off? I did not feel any couple vibes between the FL and the ML. It felt forced and contractual. The body language between the leads was awkward, and when they were ‘alone’, the ML’s body was facing the camera in most of those scenes. However, there were some nice chemistries between the ML and Qian Tu and, the FL’s bestie Dr Cheng Wei Lan and rich girl Xue Wan Wan.

2. Introduction of support characters. I was slightly confused during the introduction of key supporting characters such as William and the Qian brothers. It was as if the writers dumped a bag of toys in front of me and say “here there are!” in the first two episodes.

3. Lack of explanation on the exit of some characters. There were few characters where their departure from the story felt sudden. Imagine a character been skipping and dancing for three episodes, then suddenly they appear at a morgue. This scenario happened a few times where I went, “did I miss an episode??”

4. An air of superficiality. The themes of lifespan of human life, organ donations, illegal drug testing and guardianship, mashed with comedy, romance, and fantasy. Heavy topics but filmed in the typical fluffy C-drama romcom where everything is bright with super perky FL, cold-domineering ML, and comic relief between a few duos. Despite some fresh premises within the c-romance world, the writing felt loose and superficial in dealing with, and mashing the themes with the genre.

5. Many of the sets feel like relics from the 1980s. The ML’s and the Qian family homes, the hospital, the morgue, and some cars felt “outdated” and “heavy”. Heavy curtain with heavy cars.

I completed this drama for Qian Tu, the ML’s fate and to see how this drama wrapped up.

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SWOT Analysis

A business proposal without a SWOT Analysis? Sacrilege. The following are some strengths and weaknesses of the drama; and opportunities and threats to the main couple’s relationship.

◾Strengths
The casting of all characters was impeccable. Totally ship the pairing of Ahn Hyo Seop and Kim Se Jeong as the main couple; as well as Kim Min Gue and Seol In Ah as the secondary couple.

A few support characters stand out from the rest as they provide some comic relief and are such a joy to watch. Grandpa Kang, the drama-obsessed chairman, who wants to see his beloved grandson married. Jin Young Seo’s cousin, Jo Yoo Jung, the Konglish speaking and spoilt rich girl with the infamous line “You know I have no 친구 (chingu)”.

12- episode format as opposed to the current Kdrama standard of 16 episodes - it forces the story to move along at a faster rate.

◾Weaknesses
The secondary couple tends to overshadow the main couple throughout the drama. It was love at first sight for both Sung Hoon and Young Seo, and they became a couple before Tae Mo and Ha Ri. Communication between this duo was mature, and any misunderstandings were dealt with on the spot.

Kang Tae Mo is a character who knows and is good at everything. Yet, he could not discern Shin Ha Ri’s disguises at the beginning. Hmmmmm….

The usage of a time skip. I do not mind this trope, however it feels a bit of a cop-out. In a romcom, the last episode is where we get our final warm fuzziness. The time-skip in here is akin to the editors realising they have 10 minutes left in the drama but still have 40 minutes of story to tell.

A few opportunities and threats to the main couple’s relationship:

◾Opportunities
- Goobne chicken (Shin Ha Ri’s parents’ business) should bottle and sell their chicken rub. In episode 10, Kang Tae Mo tried it with his astute taste bud and liked it. If he likes it, it will be a hit!
- Shin Ha Ri’s brother can get a new phone from Kang Tae Mo. Make sure to get a new Samsung, Shin Ha Min!

◾Threats
- Grandpa Kang. Shin Ha Ri needs to put extra effort to get his approval of their relationship.
- The chef and his girlfriend. Either they want or are jealous of Shin Ha Ri
- Daddy Shin. Kang Tae Mo must have a man-to-man talk to his future father-in-law regarding the safety of Ha Ri.
- GoFood employees and netizens. Gossiping about the CEO who is dating an employee.
- Cousin Yoo Jung liking Sung Hoon.

The above SWOT is an incomplete list. What would you like to add to the above analysis?

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A classy romance drama in its own right.

I watched this drama because of Bai Lu and been a fan of hers since 'Jiu Liu Overlord'.

'Forever and Ever' is a good love story within the romance genre and it is able to stand independently without the need to watch ‘One and Only’.

And that is a big call. I have not watched ‘One and Only’ and I have no plans to. It will just break my heart. Alternatively, I read the previous reviews of 'Forever and Ever', reviews of the ‘One and Only’ show, wiki it, and so forth; to understand the totality of this couple’s journey. If you are in the same boat as me, read a few reviews to understand the nuances of Zhousheng Chen and Shi Yi’s behaviours.

The biggest reason that I completed this drama is Bai Lu and Allen Ren performances. I was incredibly impressed with Allen Ren’s portrayal of Zhousheng Chen. His little mannerisms of the socially awkward professor throughout the whole drama are gold. Bai Lu on the other hand, her Shi Yi is the embodiment of that ‘calm sophisticated lady’, and my womancrush on her is getting stronger. They were the glue of this drama.

Despite the acting prowess of Lu and Ren, there are issues I do not like such as:
- the last few episodes felt a bit rushed – from going ok to ‘huh?’,
- the loose story arc of police involvement where I even forget why he was in the show,
- the way the story glossed over Zhousheng’s work for the family,
- Shi Yi’s bloody amazing stomach for putting up with his family drama.

Highly recommended for romance drama lovers, Bai Lu and Allen Ren.

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A tacit agreement for an enjoyable fluffy romance

1. Adorkable Main Couple
The main couple is one of the most adorable, yet dorky (“adorkable”) duo in the romance genre for 2021! They started as socially inept with each other which helps to seal their friendship prior to becoming a couple. It was also refreshing to see the ML smiling towards the FL during their courtship. I also lost count the number of times the leads smiled to each other across the balcony!

2. Manageable External Relationship
No ridiculous annoying love triangles, crappy in-laws, and nasty co-workers. The relationship between the ML and the FL has no competitors. Well, there was, sort-off, but it lasted a microsecond.

3. An Actual Strong Female Lead
The FL is strong throughout the entire drama and did not change her awesomeness when she entered the relationship with the ML.

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Plothole Love

For you, who is looking for a brainless, almost-soap-opera romance drama, this is a treat. It is the kind of drama where the brain is not needed; the fast-forward button has a workout in every episode, yet, surprisingly, you are watching the next episode...

'Plot Love' has a similar feel to the 'Well-Intended Love' series, where we have the domineering CEO and his successful, awesome wife, with whom he is infatuated with. This addiction extends to nearly all key side characters. We have the evil female side characters plotting to separate FL from ML. Throw in male side characters who uses FL to hurt ML. Lastly, ML family members reject FL and really show they don't like her. That is a lot of hate for one busy lady.

If you do like this type of highly tropey fluffy romance drama, put this show in your watchlist. If you're sort-off interested, read the comments section in this drama's page as they a lot more dramatic (and funny) and you will get the gist of the story. To end this review, here are some "spoilers but not really a spoiler" to a seasoned romance drama watcher:
Happy ending - yes
Love triangles - yes
Second couple - yes
CEO ML - yes
Successful and beautiful FL - yes
Annoying side characters - yes, yes, yesssssss
Cute child - yes
ML or FL in hospital - yes
FL trip and ML save - yes
Trusted sidekicks - yes
Support actors who can't act - yes
Skinship - yes

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Just Spoiling You

What a doozy!

This is a "get the Crazy Tropes List, pick 20+ and let's write a script".

'Just Spoil You' is a short episode drama. Approximately 10 minutes of viewing time with about 1.30 minutes of intro. It contains a few characters and a ridiculous plot.

The couple was separated for six years and met each other again for her son's medical treatment and work. The ML is the über wealthy guy who will solve everything. FL is a single mother that everyone either wants to hurt or protect. Others characters are: a child, an annoying family friend, a loyal bodyguard, a foster brother, and a manipulative mother.

Within a span of three episodes, he slapped her, she slapped him, he asked her to strip, and her child got in the car of a stranger. Other crazy tropes are:
- physical violence: slapping, pushing, grabbing, stabbing
- sexual violence: from the ML to the FL, a secondary character to the FL
- crazy mother disguised as a caring mother
- crazy family-friend-who-wants-to-marry-him-because-she-loves-him 
- a ridiculous amount of hospitalisation of the main characters

This drama makes the 'Well-Intended Love' series a masterpiece. 

And yes, girlfriends, I did finish it and fast-forward some bits because this lady is waiting for her other series to release new episodes. 

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I Ship Pam & Dino

I enjoyed this drama.

I am not familiar with Thai dramas. I am, however, a connoisseur of the romance genre. And My Dear Donovan fits into the romance category perfectly.

It is a straight-forward romance drama where you know the players at face value - good guys, bad guys, grumpy grandfather. The hurdles the lovers have to go through to test their love for each other are adequte for this 16-episode drama. 

What I like: 
- The lovers liked each other from the start, and they were revealed their feelings early part of the series.
- Chemistry between the main actors is cute enough.
- You know exactly who the bad guys are. 
- The FL - she can do crying scenes well. Her puffy nose and redish eyes. Perfection.
- The ML - Great screen presence. 

What I find meh:
- The intrigues, reasons for break-up, and family dynamics were weak. However, it provided me with reasons to fast forward bits and pieces.
- Mr Aood - the apparent 2nd ML. He is unfortunately overshadowed by the ML's strong screen presence.
- Closure of the hurdles for the couple - it felt a bit of a rush towards the end of three episodes.

For romance genre lovers. This is not an epic intergenerational drama. My Dear Donovan is a drama to watch simply for enjoyment. 

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Lost Romance first half, Found Romance second half.

It was hard for me to get into this show. I dropped this show twice, both within the second episode, and I could not understand why it is a highly rated show. I found the older He siblings and Chuchu were annoying, and their acting was below C grade at best. In addition, it was a slight challenge to delineate between the novel-land and the real world in the first few episodes. As I was starving for more romance shows (this woman needs a breather from all the latest dark kdramas!), I decided to give it a third try.

I want to see what the fuss is all about, especially from the positive reviews that I've been reading. And oh boy, I was glad I picked it up again. Episodes 10-20 were the best. The storylines was tighter and polished, as compared to the first half of the series. The two leads, Vivian Sung and Marcus Chang, interactions soared in the second half.

For you who is reading my review and finding it a bit hard to watch this show within the first few episodes, keep fast-forwarding those annoying bits and stick with the couple's journey. You will not regret it. I hope you will fall in love with the couple and how Zheng Xiao En's spunk captures the heart of both He Tian Xing and Si Tu Ao Ran. This drama has become one of my high re- romance tv shows!

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Four Men and A Beautiful Lady

I watched this show during one of the snap lockdowns, and it was a breath of fresh air. I could feel them running through the historical city of Florence, where the bite of the early cold morning smashed into my face and the anticipation of exercising as a group. I also could feel their sense of wonderment when running through the city that barely woken up and their tiredness in the early part of the night.

The four cast members had terrific chemistry together. As a group, the show demonstrates their teamwork, from cooking to stretching. Kang Ki Young and Hwang Hee personalities shined, where both of them looks like fun yet serious men, which I now keep seeing in their work. Ji Sung showed his natural leadership quality and his experience in running. The youngest member, Lee Tae Sun, sigh...the poor guy gets picked on by the hyungs in brotherly jest. Finally, the other "cast" of this show, the city of Florence, what a beauty, she gives me a bit of travelling nostalgia.

Overall, this show is pleasant viewing where the actors get to know each other outside of their work, show us Florence, provide some running tips, and camaraderie. The format is similar to 'Youn's Kitchen' and 'Three Meals A Day'.

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