PsychoBunny
USA
Intro to Korean pansori and folk tale.
Based on a Korean folktale about a young filial daughter with poor blind father, who sold herself to fishermen looking for sacrifice to the sea deity, to save her father from blindness & poverty. The deity takes pity on her when she jumps into the ocean, and returns her to the land in a giant lotus flower. Then she was taken in by the imperial couple because she resembled their dead daughter, and adopts her as their princess. The new princess throws a week of feast for the poor in hope to reunite with her father, who was still blind, poor and driven by the guilt of losing his daughter, wondered the country in despair. When they were reunited on the last day of the feast, the father hears the daughter's cry and miraculously regains his sight. Everybody lives happily after...The musical took the basic concept from the folktale and made few interesting realistic tweaks. Seeing Lee YooRi in a movie for the first time was exciting, although her role was small the character was likeable. Surprising musical talent was discovered in Kim MinJoon and Park CheulMin. Overall, the movie had nice dip into the folk music, glimpse into the Joseon era, and kept everything simple and light with happy ending. The plot could've gone darker but aside from emotionally intense pansori, it was a story about loving couple with sweet optimistic younger daughter, loyal quirky friends, and villains where justice was served.
A sample of pansori THE STORY OF SHIMCHUNG is on YouTube. Cha JiHyun sings in the perspective of the blind father, reminiscing about his daughter, towards the end, https://youtu.be/kV2OjootdNA. Although it doesn't have subtitle, you can feel the intensity of the character's emotion. It's an amazing show.
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Stephen Hopkins wannabe...
Best part of the movie were the cast. I don't know how a newbie director managed to score so many big talents, but he must have done something right. Unfortunately, he didn't do right for the actors. The movie: crap-fest.Characters were bunch of annoying whinny drama queens of untalented criminals. There was very little backstories and overspent bromance; I remember lots of smoking cigarettes. Story would've made more sense if it played out backward. Either that, maybe they are fishing for a sequel. Endless plot holes, dumb irresponsible male lead ruining people's lives, lazy research, overambitious director who should stick to directing and skip writing. Since Joon HoBong of PARASITE, all young directors think they can do both... tsk.
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Michael Bay wannabes..
I had to check if it was the same director and scriptwriter. Unfortunately, yes.The film was like a B-rated American action/horror movie with too many plot holes, overuse of CG, forgettable characters, and the male lead with no significant role throughout. Previews had most the of the plot and interesting scenes. So much expectations and big lump of crap disappointment. Story would've made more sense if it had the family of widow and her daughters as the main focus. Too much budget that they didn't know what to do with, Korea has taken three steps forward with the first film, and five steps back with the sequel. The director is still too inexperienced and overambitious. Best part of the film was the zombie extras and their performance.
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I've been detoxed from all other terrible BL!
Finally, a masterpiece film! Now I have the strength to plow through another dozens of BL vomit. Thai BL is not dead!Director's portrayal of youth and passion was told like a classic music: with stimulating taste, visually captivating, and steadily paced like ocean tide on a sunny day. I just wish they kept the same director for the sequel...
Main leads' portrayal of overwhelming teenage emotions through simple gestures and micro-expressions were refreshing and impressive than any veteran Thai actors. Oh (PP) silently seducing and teasing Teh (Billkin) or when Teh unknowingly followed Oh's every movement like a man possessed was like Siren drawing a sailor with their songs.
A must watch, and will be following the actor's future prospects with enthusiasm. Billkin's musical talent is also something to look forward to. Beautiful OST.
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Better to watch with volume turned off... and fastforward button.
Thai BL cringe warning...Actors are fresh off the street with very little training, too much make up and hair spray. There are couple of pretty faces, but none that makes strong impression in neither talent or effort. Decades from now, they can tell their children & grandchildren that they used to be an actor. Doubt you will see most of them again in future films.
Director: along with the casting director, in wrong field of work.
Script writer: reads too many yaoi manga.
Editor: questionable training.
Storyline: follows the novel pretty closely.
The original 2Moons series made it to 1/3 of the novel. 2Moons 2 basically re-filmed the original from the beginning with different cast and fast forwards to 90% of the novel. Not sure what they are going to do with the remaining 10%.... Just another promise of sequel with no means to keep. Don't get your hopes up if you are a fan. However, another made a fanfic series with few cast from the original 2Moons: Gen Y, and it's not completely hopeless. To all 2Moons film makers & wannabes, I would like to say, "You guys all failed. Get over it. Move on."
This is another Thai BL drama vomited out to profit from generous and very tolerant fandom by exploiting newbie actors. Thai BL is starting to fall back on quality in recent years; they'd better step up or they are going to lose a lot of fandom to countries like Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Philippine as they are quickly expanding BL market now.
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It's a collection of fujoshi-dream-come-true cliche moments with choppy story-line; too many characters acting & ranting silly, added with many many potential couples with no closure. In the end they all fade into the background.
Best part: Saint has done a remarkable job playing his character with enthusiasm & passion while leading Zee into the new world of BL drama, lol.
True that the drama wrapped up in a rush due to the virus, but lucky for some fans that rest of the story became FighterTutor focused make out-fest. The couple also end up stealing most of the spotlight away from the main couple Saifah/Zon, but I didn't mind it, lol. While the drama was a little chaotic with many many cheesy-tacky-ridiculous-cliche moments and grades school level script (but all that still funny in silly way), there's romance & passion that leaves you content in character development. In the end, I chose to remember the goods and forget the bad (fastforward button).
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Two unchanging characters are Pik and Rome, if not closer in relationship. Off aka Pik impressed me in this series with his charisma and strong bad boy presence. He bitch slaps the hell out of people like no tomorrow. Gun aka Rome is no less manly despite his pretty appearance; he's quite direct and daring. Sometimes their interaction reminds me of Kongpop and Arthit (SOTUS). And of course, pleasant surprise of Krist appearance. His role may have been smaller, but he's ever so charming. Also nice to see Sing aka Din again since LOVE SICK.
I liked the shortness of the series, and enjoyed it even more than S1. First season was all cuteness due to start of every relationship, it's new and fun. S2 continues 3 years later where all relationships hit the bump along the road, therefore not so cute. I skimmed through Emma & Porche's scene, since they were as predictable as they come. Pike & Rome was more interesting.
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Yuan Zong is like a mama bird, and Xia Yao & Yuan Ru his chicks. He obviously has a soft spot for spoiled selfish bratty type. He has sis-complex for Yuan Ru who's much younger, spoiled and kinda clueless with worst taste in man. Approaches Xia Yao, another spoiled and narcissistic rich boy at his sister's request, and ends up taking him under his wings. Xia Yao has his moments, but he's a easily likable with full blown charms and so very pretty. ^^ Hard to imagine him as kickboxing champion. Some of the plot holes include Xia Yao's buddy Xuan Dayu with questionable mentality. One miniute he's desperately seeking Xia Yao's attention, jealous of everyone around him; next minute, he practically becomes a sugar daddy to an orphan thief with tragic story. Third coupling of an ass of another buddy and his androgynous 'friend' is even more uncertain. I even liked Xia Yao's mom, who has taste for good food, good looking man, and flattery from talking bird. Yuan Ru also has her charms: determination and easy going attitude. With interesting story, fair action, and charming characters, I bet this drama would've been a mega hit if they left it at BL. Why couldn't Taiwan produced this drama? ^^;
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Never read the novel, so nothing to compare to. It was nice to see a clever heroine, and Weiyoung's wit & intelligence was admirable, but frustrating to see writers trying to maintain her heroic aspect through being a pushover. For someone of her background and tragic past, she was too passive and too reactive to her enemies. Except for the heroine, all female characters were scheming, jealous, basket-case suffering from inferiority complex. The whole world was against Weiyoung for some unknown reason, where everyone's sad outcome, their flaws, tragedy was solely due to Weiyoung's existence. Most virtuous and loyal characters were servants to their masters. Repetitive and uninteresting battles between good and bad was tedious for long 54 episodes, but main couple's charming relationship made up for some of the annoyance.
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I learned the charm of Chinese actors compare to Korean through Chung Wallace (and Chan William). Instead of pretty faces, charismatic portrayal of their characters & passion turned them into heartthrobs. Can't contribute good acting for Angelababy, but lucky for her Chinese drama often dubbed voices, and her perfect heroine character made up what she lacked.
Not many characters stood out to me, except for He Zia for his perseverance . Except for main couple, I found everyone kinda dumb and pathetic. But who cares? Finally found a happy ending that made sense, avoided plot holes, hero & heroine had passionate romance. It's was entertaining from beginning to end.
Drama was basically written to make Bei Jie seem awesome. He's strong, smart, possessive but passionately dedicated to the heroine, self-sacrificing & loyal to his emperor/step-brother, sympathetic to his enemies. He was called unbeatable, god of war, and most desired bachelor - possible future king. Over the top a bit? Writers tried to balance out the hero by giving heroine intelligence, courage and virtue but she was too vulnerable and delicate to fulfill that role. As the story progressed, heroine's intelligence seemed to strengthen and climb higher above everyone else, so there's that. Interactions and match of wit between the couple was a lot of fun.
It's better to not expect a masterpiece historical Chinese drama from GENERAL & I. It's just an entertaining romance story with satisfying ending where bad guys are punished and the couple end happily ever after. Political aspect is short sighted and forced, therefore okay to skip. ^^
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Overall, the show was tacky, cheesy, cliche, ridiculous, silly that it was absolutely entertaining.
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LLT is one of the most interesting Chinese drama that got me back into watching other Asian films than Korean & Japanese. LLT was the first Chinese drama that I watched from beginning to end without skipping without bordom. Also discovered many actors I will continue to monitor for their future projects, especially Cecilia & Willam. Armature Ma Marry talented and gorgeous; funny how she was portrayed in LOVE O2O as inferior beauty to the heroine while she surpassed everyone in the series. Hope to see more of her in main cast.
Complex relationships and influence between characters was fascinating. Fantasy theme was beautiful and mysterious. All characters were charming, especially the chemistry between the main hero & heroine, their dedication to each other, strength under pressure, and sense of humor in midst of danger was admirable.
Another change from old Chinese films: happy ending! ^^
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Start of it all: Golf is a stereotypical example of hormonal adolescence. Full of anger and resentment to the reality and people around him, but at the same time desperate for attention, takes everything out on the easiest target: sweet new step-brother. Also, unlike the movie, drama gave Bank abusive father backstory that earned him sympathy points with audience as well as Golf stepping up as his protector. Sometimes Bank is like a damsel in distress with a hero with shitty temper. LOL.
2016 is a followup of alternate ending from movie; again, another reason to treat the drama differently. Reunion after 8 years separation under complicated circumstance, Golf try to get back with Bank while Bank struggle with conflicting emotions between his step-bro & new fiance. Blah blah. Why do Thai writers enjoy love triangle and infidelity in relationships so much? It's been done again and again, cliche, let's move on.
My favorite character was Golf & Bank's high school friend Jeeb. Finally, a female character (other than Yuri from Love Sick the Series) I can really adore. She's the only character who brings positivity into the show, like the class clown who keeps everyone from drowning in self-pity and killing themselves. The series focus a lot on intense moments with heavy emotions; so much goes on in 12 episodes that it'll keep you focused and entertained.
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Sad that I can't read the Online Novel 'til it's translated into English, but this drama has made me very happy. Story was simple but focused in start of everything with beginning stage of relationships, characters' development & establishment. Arthit's denial was cliche but his acceptance was endearing as well as manly. He's so charming that even his temper and meanness in the beginning was hard to hate. Meanwhile Kongpob's unconventional smooth and witty (also flirty) demeanor as a freshmen was funny but sexy. He always has biggest and brightest smile when he's with Arthit. ^^
It's a smart drama where story concept is interesting to grab your attention, but focuses on characters and their interaction & influence to make it fun. Casts wrapped it up with big pink ribbon with their charm to perfect the series. I'm a sucker for happy ending.
Check out the interview between the casts. So cute. ^^
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Season 1 was start of everything: getting to know each other, the plunge into unfamiliar territory, fight for control, and adapting to new environment. Emotions were in full high with passion and excitement. Season 2 explore main couple's relationship while throwing in new challenges in another unfamiliar ground, their interactions and influence on each other. I appreciate how they stayed away from triangle romance cliche. While there are plenty of other interesting characters and additional cute couples, Kongpob x Arthit overshadows all. Especially Arthit's character developed sweetness and charm since dating Kongpob; such change & progress in a character is always fun to watch. Again, there are so many more possible events that can effect their relationship that I wish to see more!
Main & support casts, director, editors, and writer... I thank you! Please bring it back with Season 3. ^^
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