Reviews

A joy that came late

Reviewed after Episode 19

A beautiful story of mutual unrequited high school crush which gets another opportunity a decade after

Its a slow burn romance
Requires patience and a calm mindset to appreciate all the details
There is a SML arc which some viewers may find annoying in the middle episodes (he doesn't even count as a proper obstacle) but he becomes a likeable character later on in the show
There are extra clips at the end of episodes (not all) which are missing pieces to the story. Don't miss them!
The story goes back to flashbacks every now and then which can disrupt the pace and momentum and cause confusion for some viewers
Entertaining and funny without much angst like melodrama, misunderstandings, break-ups
A very grand proposal and wedding for a deserving conclusion to the title and series

Main leads story:
This story is told in a realistic way.

Secret crush:
Firstly we understand why it remained a secret crush 10 years ago- because the fl thought it was one sided and although she made preparations (gift) to confess, as a last resort before they leave school, it failed as the ML didn't show up on that day when the final year students were going on a graduation trip.
The ML also thought it was one-sided, yet he too prepared a gift to confess to her on new years eve. In the meantime, due to his parents divorce, and as his sister didn't want to go to US he had to compromise and leave with his dad. At this point he made a decision not to confess.

The Gap years:
The FL becomes a successful writer
The ML becomes an accomplished lawyer settled in the US
During these years they have grown from adolescents into adults each shaped by their own experiences

Catalyst:
When fl runs out of inspiration, she goes back to her hometown where while rummaging through her old stuff she finds her personal diary with all the notes about the ML (teen stuff like she saw him on that day feeding the orange cat, another day playing the piano etc). She decides to write this into a novel hoping to give her unrequited love a happy ending. She makes up a version for the ml and includes some fantasies in that. The book gets published, becomes successful. Then she gets accused of plagiarism. This is a crucial part of the story. Around this same time, the ML's sister, while going through some old boxes in her house finds an old phone (her brothers). She discovers some unsent drafts and after reading gets excited that her bro actually had a crush on someone and decides to make it into a story and publish it. This happens before FL's story gets published. Then people compare the two and accuse the FL of plagiarism. Then another character (fl's career rival) comes into picture, and she provokes the ML sister to sue fl legally. Sister and her classmate sue fl but somehow end up in a soup which forces them to find out the identity of the author and through some twists and turns they find out that the author was actually her brother's secret crush. Because of the trouble she was in and because she also thought maybe this was a godsend opportunity for their unrequited crush, she reveals all this to the ML and that's how he ends up in China as her lawyer.

Initial phase:
Imagine meeting your secret crush after 10years and coming to know that they are going to assist your case. The book is about him and she has included some very personal thoughts and fantasies in it. Her first reaction is to not acknowledge him. Then he plays along. This goes on for a while. In every interaction they have they discover slowly that the other knows fully well they are from the same school. She still doesn't doubt whether he knows if the story is about him.
At episode 12, when the plagiarism case ends, she notices a 'change' in his demeanor to a more caring and gentle one especially when she gets sick.
She even thinks if he is "possessed"
Whenever he tried to reveal himself , she seemed to cover it up not wanting to do it.
So the crux of the story is that they first need to reveal and accept that they are from the same school, which in turn would mean he knows that her story is about him. This happens around episode 14/15 finally. Once she discovers that, she feels exposed and embarrassed. All this while he had known her innermost thoughts and secrets about him yet played. She feels disturbed, embarrassed, and in a situation where she feels she can't face him anymore. She goes away on a holiday.


The Re-discovery:
A phase where the tension comes from the friction between who they were and who they are now. Their interactions as lawyer and client help put each other on a pedestal. They learned about each other. They need to know more. Another opportunity for the ML to go to the same town on work is 'created'. The adult romance starts when they realize the other person is flawed and human, not just the "golden" version from their memories.
This is the part of the story which drags with the SML arc and some other fillers.


Confession:
Hopefully this will happen when she finally comes to know that their secret crush was mutual, with a happy ending.

Why is it taking so long for them to confess?
So how realistic will it be if he suddenly arrives back in China and reveals/explains everything. Will she fall for him then? How can she even trust him? Besides, it is shown that ML is not very good with expressing his feelings and hence outwardly he is seen as cold and aloof. Why would she even accept him when she could see through his schemes? How long does it take for someone to "know" the other?

It is not about a single 'confession' or an 'apology' or an 'explanation' that will sort out the issues between them. It has to go through a process and hence the time.

Side stories-
ML's colleague and friend and his interactions with ML and FL's bestie are some of the brightest moments in the show
SML's track- serves as a competitor for the ML. At episode 19 we understand that he doesn't plan to confess anymore as he finds the FL accidentally fall and caught by the ML while watching fireworks 😀
Now I have to mention here that the sml arc took a U turn when it was explained that he faced his own challenges in career too alongside his personal life. But Lawyer Xu helps him restore his reputation when he is scandalized and he actually is now a friend and a guy to depend on for the main couple.
ML's sister and her classmate are an adorable fun pair to watch
Family dynamics-Ruan family were a pleasure to watch. That's exactly how parents support their children. On the other hand, Xu family have it tough. Not because one is wrong, but because it is one's principles vs one's choice. The family reunion did come after a decade. A bit too late for Xu dad but atleast it came.

The elaborate proposal scene and the grand wedding gave a befitting end to our leads love story.

Cast/acting -10
Visuals -Stunning10
BGM/OST - excellent 10
Story 9
Rewatch value 7

Leggi di Più

MUST WATCH or You Will Regret Not Watching This.

The title and plot may seem misleading at first like some random cheesy fantasy story. But it is none of that. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF MY FAVORITE DRAMAS EVER, PERIOD. I literally finished a box of tissues watching this because I kept getting so emotional watching this. This is something anyone can and should watch no matter what genre they prefer I feel. This is a warm heart touching family drama. And let me just say the actors are phenomenal, to make me cry this much takes skill. I loved the acting of each character because they portrayed everything so well, I don't think anyone could've done better. Also, every OST is really good too so another plus. I HIGHLY recommend people to give this a chance. It will touch on the hardships and sacrifices of family and the warmth this show has really hit me. It deals with many psychological things as well and it's just so sweet to watch all the relationships and the love family have for each other. Please watch this, you won't regret it. Also, when I watch dramas usually I am tapping the 10-second skip button a lot for the boring parts, but for 18 again I watched every second.

Leggi di Più

*SLOW CLAP*

I heard so many things about I REMEMBER YOU but I was quite hesitant to watch it because it's a crime-based story. No, I don't hate crime series. On the contrary, I love it so much that my expectations are quite high when it comes to this genre. I watched this drama without expecting anything. What I did not know was I was in for a big surprise...

STORY - This reminds me a lot of the American crime drama "The Mentalist". The plot is quite similar but the details are very different.
Being a sucker for stories with genius characters, the first episode had me hooked. I had this strange hunger that was only satiated by watching the next episode, then the next and the next until I reached the end... I tried to look for major holes but the writers had really done a great job in connecting every piece of the puzzle and covering up the tiny mistakes.
This drama really stands out because despite of having Crime as it's main core, the showcasing of violence was a lot less compared to other TV series. In fact, the drama is so rich in morals, brotherly love (oh, you cannot miss this), and friendship. I never thought that a crime drama like this is possible.

If there's anything that I feel somewhat lacking is the ending. I am not saying that it's not good, but rather, I was expecting a closure. After all what the characters have been through, I think they deserved a better ending.

ACTING/ CAST - Korean actors are really good, especially in conveying their emotions through their eyes. The actors in this drama are so 'in character' that you would feel their pain, agony, fear and even happiness. Needless to say Jang Na Ra (Cha Ji An) and Seo In Guk (Lee Hyun) did a wonderful job. A special shout out is not enough for Choi Won Young (Lee Jun Ho) who's acting is so superb that I find him really scary now and Park Bo Gum (Jung Seon Ho) who was hands-down amazing. They both deserved an award.

MUSIC - I enjoyed the music very much especially the intro/title music. It gives you the mysterious detective vibe. I actually find it quite similar with the manga series "Detective Conan's" intro.

REWATCH VALUE - I think this one deserves a rewatch. It's one of the dramas that you think you want to watch from the beginning again because you want to know if you missed any details.

OVERALL: This one deserves a standing ovation.

*SLOW CLAP FADING*

I ended this drama with a heavy heart. Not because it was bad, but because it's so good that I am sure I am going to miss it.

Leggi di Più

I freely admit that I watched this Kdrama for Cha Eunwoo, first and foremost. I’m a fan, sue me. But it was also a very good drama. It started as a funny rom-com but soon it became so much more. It told the story of how Christianity first came to Korea, of vaccination and female emancipation… Very intriguing themes that you rarely see in historical Kdramas.

The relationship that I loved best was the romance between Prince Yi Rim and the female historian Goo Hae Ryung. He was 20, she was 26. He was romantic, she was realistic, even cynical. They both wanted to be free but where for her it meant being able to work and having a career, not just marrying and having kids, for him it meant literally getting out of the palace where he’s been held almost a prisoner his whole life long. It was so interesting!

And the second relationship that pushed all my buttons was the one between Prince Yi Rim and the Crown Prince, Yi Jin. Yi Jin was the closest family Yi Rim had. And for Yi Jin, his little brother was the only person in the whole world that he could really trust. He adored Yi Rim. I would go as far as saying that Yi Rim was the only person Yi Jin actually loved. And because of that, the twist with Yi Rim’s true identity hit Yi Jin so hard…

This is a really great drama that’s mainly about the meaning of family, how far you’re willing to go to protect your loved ones and how much you’re willing to sacrifice for your ambition. Both thumbs up from me!

Leggi di Più

THE BEST INTIMACY shown in a BL series with the most realistic portray of sex

I have never written a review before, but I had to do so after seeing how unreasonably harsh people were with this show. Yes, it is based on Mame's novels, but it actually brings out the best in them and improves upon them. She’s also not a screenwriter for LITA, so the series has a different feeling from her previous works. It's a rare gem with a beautiful cinematography and great acting and it's sad to see people skipping it because of the other reviews.

First of all, let me get something straight. This series is not an all green flags show. There are definitely some questionable moments, so if you're looking for a fluffy series with a perfectly healthy relashionship, this series is not for you. HOWEVER, both of the relationships portrayed in LITA only start out questionably, later on they develop into quite healthy and well communicated ones. Many people even call Pai as a walking green flag. There is also a speculated hidden dynamic in Payu’s and Rain’s relationship that would explain most of ther “toxic” moments.

Now, when reading OTHER REVIEWS and seeing this:
"TW: (non-consensual touching, homophobia, manipulation, mind games, s*a*, torture)", you’d really think LITA is some kind of twisted show. But this is where the overreaction, too harsh of a criticism and Mame's hatewagon come in play, because:

IN REALITY:
- (mind games, s*a*, torture) refer to Sky’s past. There are some flashbacks and difficult scenes in ep 13, but that’s it.
- (homophobia) refers to a comment / question made by Rain in the first episode, it happened just this once and Rain regrets saying it instantly
- (non-consensual touching) yes, this one is valid.
Still, let’s clarify it a bit - it obviously refers to Sky's past (as most of the brutal and horrible tags do). It also refers to some actions attemted by Payu to Rain, but he never actually does anything in the end. It refers to a scene where he's sniffing / butterfly kissing Rain's neck (not really touching him) and also a scene where he tries to sleep with Rain (so non consensual kissing of his neck), but doesn't after Rain refuses him (though Rain has to say it like 4 times).

Compared to what is normalized and shown in the BL industry today though, it’s laughable that it's LITA that got tagged as 'The toxic show' out of all of them. Yes, there is an obvious dose of toxicity there, but the biggest shows have all done so much worse in terms of consent, like Cutie Pie - taking advantage of a drunk person, Tharn Type - forcing yourself on somebody, Kinn Porsche - taking advantage of a drugged person, torture and so much more. Even shows that have aired recently have done much more, like Big Dragon - taking advantage of a drugged person, Ai Long Nhai - taking advantage of a drunk person, etc. And people don’t say nearly as much about them.

I would actually argue, that apart from the scenes mentioned above and some problematic tropes, this show does a solid job at showing us healthy relationships. We can see it the clear communication, mutual respect and also in the way they interact with each others, which brings me to:

WHY I ADORE THIS SHOW SO MUCH
This series really portrays the most realistic intimacy and sex between partners. And I’m not only talking about the NC scenes, I’m talking about the CASUALITY OF KISSES AND TOUCHES. There is no slow motion and ten different angles for a little peck. There are hugs, pecks, kisses and butt slaps, all given casually, as it should be between partners in a relationship. And when it comes to the NC scenes, they not only portray lust, but also the intimacy and love that real couples have. We can see that both parties want it - there is no 'bottom who endures sex', both people want it and enjoy it equally.

In an interview, Boss (who plays Payu) explained that he had asked Neoul (who plays Rain) how deep (when portraying emotions) can they go in the intimate scenes, to which Neoul responded with “as deep as possible”. Boss also mentioned that they wanted to portay LOVE THROUGH SEX , and that’s exactly what they did. Pai and Sky did an amazing job too. And yes, their scenes didn’t have the same kind of loving and a bit kinky intimacy as Payu and Rain, but their realshionship was also based on completly different emotions which were portrayed very well during their intimate scenes (which were wild at times).

THE PLOT
Some people say that there is no clear plot in this series, but that couldn't be more wrong. It's just that the plot is focused mostly on the development of the relationships, the plot is the relationships. Another storyline throughout this whole show is the student life. I really love that it’s taken seriously and there are actual reprocussions for failing an exam / doing badly at school for the characters. All students know that going to uni is sometimes more taxing than a full time job, especially when studying something like architecture. For Payu and Rain there is also the subplot of bike racing, for Pai and Sky there is the subplot of mental healing and trauma. But the main plot is the couples' relationship developmnet, which may not be everybody's cup of tea.

THE STORY OF PAYU AND RAIN (ep 1-7) starts out kinda questionably like I already explained, but progresses into something amazing and sweet. I especially love the character development of Rain, who gets progressively more serious and responsible about his schoolwork and confident in his relationship and needs. I love how he strats teasing Payu back and expresses his own needs for intimacy (he’s not afraid to initiate the touches / kisses) and I love how patient Payu is with him. And can we talk about how this show lets Rain discover his kink and actually acknowledges it (especially in the special episode)? It's done so casually and there is no weirdness about it, it just becomes a part of their relationship. The characters can feel a bit unreal sometimes (Rain is sweet, but kinda cartoonish at times and Payu is a bit too perfect), but it doesn't take away from the rawness and realness of their relationship.

There is a suggestion that Payu and Rain have a Dom / Sub dynamic. It was brought to light by people from the scene, who said that it’s very easy to recognize once you are in the know. To me it makes a perfect sense and adds a lot more depth to their relationship. It’s shown in some obvious and many subtle ways (like Payu saying things like “Answer me”, “Sit still”, the constant conversation around rewards and punishment, etc.) and it shows their early “toxic moments” from a different perspective. If you are interested to know more, please read my reply to Meca’s comment under this review, it’s explained in details (it contains spoilers, so beware).

THE STORY OF SKY AND PAI (ep 7 - 13) is a story of healing. We've got a flamboyant CEO Pai and a sassy but traumatised Sky, which creates an interesting dynamic. Although their first meeting is questionable and Pai turns into a lowkey stalker for a bit, when he sees Sky for who he truly is later on, he turns into the biggest walking green flag ever. The way Pai's always there for Sky, being patient with him and honestly just being happy seeing him and being with him is beautiful - as is seeing him, the playboy he is, putting Sky's need for intimacy (or lack of) before his own. We can also see how Sky slowly opens up and doesn’t see sex (or himself for that matter) as dirty anymore. I appreciate the clear communication after a misunderstanding and how Pai always double checks before doing anything with Sky, just to be super sure.

Both couples turned out to be different in the end, in a good way. Rain and Payu are the sweet, loving, but kinky daddy / baby dynamic couple, who have the most scorchingly intimate but also sweet sex. Sky and Pai are the couple who are careful to double check consent and communicate things through, but also have a high sex drive and thus end up having the wildest sex with Sky being an obvious power bottom.

OTHER THINGS I LOVED:
- The show is fast paced (because it squeezes 2 books into 1 series), but that makes it perfect. There are no unnecesary conflicts just to drag it out. It’s a fairly straightforward and nice watch.

- The ACTING. Although sometimes there were shortcomings, you would never have know that all of the 4 main actors are rookies. They did a truly fantasctic job portraying the characters.

- The cinematography is simply BEAUTIFUL.

- The SPECIAL EPISODE is a cheffs kiss, please watch it if you haven’t yet.

- The breaking of the stereotypes when it comes to sex and portray of intimacy.

- The comedic duo that Sky and Rain are, their dynamic is super cute and funny as best friends.


THINGS THAT COULD USE IMPROVEMENT:
- The sound editing, it just wasn’t right sometimes. The loudness of the music was weird at places.

- The last episode felt a bit rushed, though the special episode definitely makes up for it.

- The problems with consent (like mentioned). Payu’s and Rain’s realtionship started a bit doubtiously and it was on a very thin line from being a non-con. Though if you count in the Dom / Sub explanation of their relationship, it may not have been as non-con as it seemed, but that’s up to you to decide. And Pai’s stalkishness at the beginning also felt very abuse of power-y.

- The series has a slight unrealistic / wattpady feel to it, it’s a clear fiction.

- Some undeveloped plot lines. I really want to know more about P'Pakin and the bike races, like who is he? Does he have connections to the mafia? How did he get to know Payu?


IN CONCLUSION, if you want a clean show where everybody is a walking green flag and there is 100% consent with everything, then LITA is not for you. But if don’t mind some toxicity and can bear to see Sky’s flashbacks of his difficult and abusive past in ep. 13, then PLEASE, WATCH THE SHOW. It has so much to offer, so much sweetness, cuteness and sexiness, it would be a shame not to give it a try. The intimacy, chemisty, cinematography and acting are all excellent. It also comes with a delicious special episode as a cherry on top.

Leggi di Più

I almost didn’t want to write anything about this movie because I felt that I couldn’t possibly explain in words all that it made me feel but, to be honest, I feel like the current reviews on here are a major disservice to its beauty. So with my lacking self, I’ll try as much as I can to properly explain to you why this film is an absolute masterpiece and more.

If you’ve read the real history of Prince Sado, you would know that he was a horrible monster of a man. The tales are filled with his brutality. He’s one of the most controversial figures in history. A man so scarred by his father that he lost his mind along with his humanity. But this film is not about the atrocities he commited. It’s about what made him that way. What turned a bright, warm-hearted and full of life man into a madman starved of affection, who wreaked havoc wherever he went. It’s an entirely different interpretation and considerably more heart breaking. For this movie, do away with all your past knowledge of history and shatter all the preconceived notions. Because if you let it, it will move you to an extent you didn’t know was possible.

Kings cannot be fathers. Sado is essentially a story about how a King driven by his own fears and inferiority complex, destroys his son’s life. It’s about a filial son who could never win his father’s favor no matter the extent of loyalty and affection he showed. It’s about little sacrifices and huge betrayals. But most of all, it’s about how love holds no meaning when there is no understanding.

This film isn’t an easy watch. The emotional and physical abuse of such a pure--hearted man breaks your soul. There are a lot of gray areas. No concrete villains or heroes. No absolute goodness or evil. Even when you want to detest some characters, you can’t. Because the tragedy of it all is just too great.

The moment I started this film, I knew I won’t be coming out unscathed. I had a tight ball of dread firmly lodged in the back of my throat and as I continued watching, that ball quickly transformed into liquid misery and came running down my cheeks. As soon as I wiped my tears, they were replaced by more. So much so, that I just stopped wiping them at all. Halfway through, I could literally feel my cheeks burning. And my heart? I felt as if there were a thousand hammers crushing it to dust.

The funny thing is, I didn’t even watch this in one go. During one of the most intense scenes of the film, something urgent came up and unfortunately I had to put a stop to it. The only time I had, to pick it back up was an hour before I had to go somewhere. I was dressed up and had my makeup on. Only 30 minutes of the film was left and because so much time had passed since I first started watching it, I thought “oh well, now the tempo is broken, I won’t be as affected anymore. Let’s get done with it and lay my curiosity to bed”. I was wrong of course, because the moment I pressed play I was back in that horrible world- as if no time had passed at all.
I remember just staring at the screen for at least 5 minutes even after the ending credits had rolled and needless to say, my makeup was a mess. I had to do it all over again.

I know that this is an acquired taste. Nobody likes too much sad shit- excessive sobbing and you lose the emotional appeal entirely. But the thing with Sado is, even when it is over the top, it somehow feels justified and doesn’t fail to pack jarring punches one after the other. It’s disturbing and yet, simple in its execution.

After this movie was released, people invented the term “ Yoo Ah In Shi Dae” which means “Time of Yoo Ah In” or “Yoo Ah In’s Golden Age” and I honestly cannot refute it. There are no words, no expressions in which I can describe the brilliance that was his acting. This, in my opinion, is his best work ever. You can see him go the extra mile and portray an extremely controversial character in such a heart-wrenchingly sincere way that it makes you weep.
The rest of the cast hold their own. They are all spectacular. The women, The King and especially the child actors.

It’s been 11 months since I last gave out a ten rating. Usually, when I rate something I deliberate a lot about it but surprisingly whenever I give out my 10’s, I don’t think or fuss at all. It’s always spontaneous and absolute. I know there could be flaws but my heart completely overcomes any critical thinking I could have done and I have no regrets.

The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, both manic and melancholic; perfectly embodying the Prince’s life. The fusion of past and present is impeccably done. The movie caters to small details, for example: the resemblance between the the actors playing the past and present of a character is remarkable, thus increasing authenticity.

I will re-watch this. There’s no doubt about that, but only when I’m feeling particularly masochistic.
Watch this if you want to experience the cream of Korean Cinema.

Enjoy!

Leggi di Più

“One cup of coffee, five kilocalories. Equivalent to five minutes of kissing. What is the total calorie of all the kisses we shared over three years? And the calories of love?”

Kim Sam Soon is the driving force behind my love for this drama. While the other characters are also well portrayed, Kim Sun Ah essentially steals the show with her sassy and pugnacious, yet thoughtful, talented and sensitive portrayal of a broken-hearted patissier.

Although she can be fierce and unrelenting, at her core, Sam Soon is simply a woman who yearns for true love--as most people do. Does it really exist? And if we find it, can it stand the test of time? Where does the love go when we fall out of it? These doubts and questions are the driving force of this drama, and the characters of Kim Sam Soon boldly charge forward looking for the answers--despite knowing there might be consequences and pain along the way. Sam Soon in particular is truly someone who loves while leaving no room for regret. Something I find refreshing and admirable in a drama heroine.

The storyline of this drama isn’t particularly original, but what makes it sparkle are the subtleties in the writing and acting. Hyun Bin holds his own as the leading man against Sun Ah (not an easy task), and they often go toe-to-toe during heated arguments. Some of my favorite scenes involve the two of them going back and forth with killer timing. Hyun Bin also has a knack in this drama for saying much without saying anything at all.

I have a pet peeve for female antagonists in Korean dramas, as I feel they are usually the exact same girl, only played by different actresses. In this drama, however, she’s quite different... I’m not sure I can even label her “the antagonist.” Like Sam Soon, Hee Jin is also bold and unrelenting, stopping at nothing for love. Her approach is very different from Sam Soon’s and I personally don’t respect her rationale. But she’s an interesting character analysis, nonetheless.

Last point, the soundtrack to this drama is stellar! Clazziquai provides the two main themes, alternating between with the sultry "She Is" and quirky, upbeat "Be My Love." As if that's not awesome enough, the series flirts with fun French pop tunes and other melodic grooves to set various moods.

Bottom line, this drama is so well acted, mature, funny, thoughtful and witty that you’ll potentially see the same old drama clichés as something new and fresh! Each episode always left me hungry for more... and sometimes for a piece of cake or cookie, too! :)

Leggi di Più

Since I belong to the minority that hasn't seen Something in the Rain, I am going to review this show purely based on the story that it brought to me, regardless of what came before it.

Let's start with the story, One Spring Night tells a tale of two people who fell in love despite the whole world telling them not to. They tugged at my heartstrings with their beautiful, mischevious relationship that not only had to bear the weight of internal struggles but also had to face the societal pressures that came along with being Korean. It's as much a social drama as it is a romance story, so please go into it keeping that in mind. The cultural differences will make some decisions hard to understand but all of them make perfect sense, regardless. Jeong In and Ji Ho's slow burn romance coupled with extremely lovable side characters, realistic and fleshed out "antagonists" (though I'm not sure if I want to call them that because they weren't inherently evil, just handicapped by their circumstances, upbringing and morals). All in all, OSN offers what most dramas tend to lack these days: authenticity. It makes you feel like you're there with the characters and you grow fond of them. A beautiful, minimalist love story.

The acting is so extremely well done that I don't even feel like I'm watching Jung Hae In or Han Jimin (or any of the actors for that matter). Everyone, EVERYONE, did a brilliant job of internalizing the characters. From the minor characters to the major ones, all of them gave a very natural performance that made me think that the characters were people that could actually exist IRL. I would also like to applaud the writing and directing. There are plenty of scenes whose artistic value could be seen even through my inexperienced eyes. The drama is a treat to watch.

I also really, really loved the music. It fit really well with the setting of the scenes. Best of all, I feel like the OST wasn't used to manipulate the mood of the show which gave it an even more authentic feel. It complimented the scenes and wasn't distracting at all. They do have limited songs playing in the background but tbh I didn't mind that at all. I'll think of OSN when I listen to We Could Still Be Happy haha.

I want to add that another reason why this drama is so special is because of its exceptional secondary characters. All of them feel like you could be friends with them. They're flawed yet extremely raw and realistic. They aren't caricatures or used as a plot device to further our main couple's story but instead they power through struggles of their own. They're all very different from each other but equally endearing. This show deserves an award for creating characters like them.

Anyway, I really loved this drama and it has become one of my favourite dramas of all time!

Leggi di Più

PERFECTION

I have to admit, before watching "I Told Sunset About You" i never knew who Billkin and PP were. I did not watch "My Ambulance" and Nadao productions doesn't really make a FULL BL Series compared how frequent GMMTV makes BL Series. Thanks to MDL i saw some posts in the feeds about this show. Unfortunately this show is not on Youtube and the only way to watch this legally is either through Line TV without Subs or Vimeo which comes with a hefty price. I decided to watch the first episode in DC just to test it and if I love it, i will watch the remaining episodes in Vimeo. (which i did).

After watching Episode 1, I was really amazed that I was watching a BL series. I've never experienced this kind of quality as far as cinematography, editing and direction in a BL series. When i rate shows in MDL i have my own expectations for Asian Dramas especially with Kdramas, and i have my own expectations for a BL series (which is normally a bit lower and usually try to disregard some technicalities like editing and cinematography). After watching Episode 1, I knew that this drama would be one of my favorite BL series of all time. And i was right, after finishing the 5 episodes of ITSAY, this show becomes not only my all time favorite BL series but also one of my most favorite Asian dramas of all time.

MUSICAL SCORE - I honestly believe that ITSAY has one of the best Musical Scorings in any asian drama. As they say, music stimulates our minds and hearts. The way they used different versions of the OST "SKYLINE" depending on the mood of the scene is amazing. They also have other OST which is used perfectly on other scenes which adds emotions to the scenes. Some of the memorable scenes with perfect musical scoring are the following:

- Episode 4 - in the exchange of IG stories between Teh and Oh Aew, the BGM was building up to when Teh was crying and about to open his book to review, the BGM used keeps building up which adds suspense to the scene... then once he opened the book, there's complete silence until he burst out crying, then as soon as Teh cried the instrumental version of "Can’t Translate” added sooo much emotions in the scenes which made the audience feel more for Teh. That scene was perfection.

- The Bra scene... the BGM used when Oh Aew was removing the bra and crying... that was tastefully done and made the scene more impactful. this was the musical score they used : https://youtu.be/VcjvE7xkEnU

- The musical score they used in the trailer when Teh and Oh Aew were in motorcycle, this is one of my favorites: https://youtu.be/-gaXP7rgNE4

- Uderwater scene - need i say more?

Nadao was generous enough to share most of the original musical score tracks they used in Youtube and i have to say i fell in love listening to these tracks!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCUIsYHYpxJMwSYDxRX37w3iUjibNNQc_


CINEMATOGRAPHY - Because I'm into videography and photography, I could say that cinematography is my favorite technical aspect in a movie or drama. The cinematographer or what we call the director of photography of ITSAY carefully thought every shot, considering the angle, the camera movement and placement, the shot composition, the light and used different cinematography techniques from close ups, long shots, tracking shot, crane and dolly shots, panning to name a view. The usage of light either natural or artificial to set the vibe of the entire show and to set up the mood of a scene are so meticulously done. The cinematographer was able to capture the emotions of the actors on all of their close ups and extreme close ups especially on their heavy dramatic scenes. And most of all the cinematographer was able to show how beautiful Phuket Thailand is especially the amazing sunset shots and the underwater scenes.

I found a youtube link that compiled some of the best cinematography in ITSAY and majority of the shots selected are some of my favorites. Please watch this and be mesmerized by ITSAY's cinematography.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVKrDkDLR5o&feature=youtu.be

- The underwater scene and the sunset scenes are so magical. But some of my favorite camera shots are (1) the hammock scene in ep3. The amount of light which is almost a silhouette but you can still perfectly see the sand, see and sky is just perfection. (2) the review scenes on Ep2, the camera shots from above, below, ground level, these shots made the scenes much enticing to the viewers (3) motorbike scene in Ep2. How beautiful this shot is? The colors, the lights in the streets and while the motorbike is moving, the cinematographer has the best shot of Oh Aew and Teh's happy faces , Oh Aew raising his hands while both of them are having the best time of their lives. (4) the movement of camera on Ep4 when Oh Aew walked away from Teh. The camera did not follow Teh as he walked towards Oh Aew, but the camera just keeps moving (with PP's version of Skyline as background music) and all we can see is the wall. But as soon as camera ended the shot with the wall, we saw Oh Aew & Teh under the stairs hugging each other. How beautiful and well though of camera shot is that? clap clap!



EDITING - the way each scenes are edited were done so well. Like how they explained in the documentaries, the emotions of the characters are very important and this should have continuity in every scene. You cannot just cry without any reason, or even if you do, in a drama the audience should understand where the emotions are coming from. One thing i appreciated in ITSAY editing is they do not resort to making flashback scenes for audience to understand what Teh and Oh Aew are thinking. This happens a lot in Kdramas. Even just some scenes which happened 5 seconds ago, the editor will resort to flashback of the same scene just for audience to know what the characters are thinking at that moment.

example:

- During the Bra Scene - the editor can insert some flahsbacks like the sensual scene in ep3 where Teh keeps touching Oh Aew's chest or the underwater scene on episode 4 where Teh still touched Oh Aew's breast. Even without showing those flashbacks, because the editing was done perfectly we would know already what was Oh Ae thinking.

- All of the coconut references. Every time Teh smells or eat coconut, the editor did not need to show flashbacks about the coconut... through the entirety of the show, we know how the coconut reminded Teh of Oh Aew.

- Episode 5 - during chinese new year and the pianist played "skyline" both Teh and Oh Aew were crying. We don't need to have flashbacks on their scenes when they were singing that song... we just felt their emotions and even cried with them.


SCRIPT/STORY - We've seen many coming of age dramas in BL series but i have to say, the way ITSAY delivered their story and message is very refreshing. The script was so good that it made us understood the characters and their decisions (which are stupid at times or very impulsive). We were reminded how young people can be confused, impulsive and give their all when they fall in love.

- When I rewatched this series multiple times, I can't help myself but praise the writer more and more. I just love how detailed the writers are. From the little things like Oh Aew always itching his back and sniffs most of the time when he was a kid, we would still see this when he grew up (Teh still scratching Oh Aew's back). From the purple bra of Tarn which Teh saw from her blouse in ep2, which was used again by Tarn to get Teh's attention in ep4. The contrast of red and purple hibuscus flower and what it symbolizes even the drawing that Tarn gave to Teh where Tarn still drew the purple hibiscus symbolizing that she's still hoping... these small details which made the series so perfect.

- But my most favorite parts are the underwater scene, bra scene of Oh Aew and the "play with my toy" scene of Teh and what these scenes symbolize (1) the underwater scene is so meaningful. The way they kiss all out under the water gave the meaning that their relationship needs to be hidden in order for them to fully express their feelings. Somewhere hidden, quiet and no one will see. But once they go back to land, everything goes back to normal where Teh is still not accepting their relationship. (2) the bra scene is so powerful on what the struggles of gay people. It's so emotional and PP did an excellent job on this scene (3) playing with the toy (sorry for the term). when was the last time you saw this kind of scene? P'Boss is so gutsy to include this scene but it was not done to make the scene arousing but to show Teh's struggle with his sexuality. If you remember, before he started "doing it" the last photo he saw was Oh Aew's in red bra. Then he started doing it and looked at the poster of the male actor and eventually cried. (is he imagining Oh Aew as the one in the poster? knowing that Oh Aew portrayed also this character when they were kids?) Teh really struggled and was confused on what's happening. It started with just sniffing Oh Aew's hair, then coconut, then coconut pen in paper, more sniffing of Teh and touching of Oh Aew's chest in ep 3 and finally kiss Oh Aew underwater ... Teh's sexual desires to Oh Aew has been growing and growing up to the point where he can't stop anymore..... and all he can do was cry after.


DIRECTION- Now let's talk about P'Boss. I have not watched "My Ambulance" yet but i love his previous work Project S: Side by Side. Watching the documentaries and how he explained the importance of the scenes, i have nothing but high respect to P'Boss. Much respect on reshooting many scenes because he's not satisfied with the post production. The way he motivated and get Billkin and PP into their characters were so spot on.



BILLKIN and PP: And for the last part, let's talk about my new favorite BL tandem: BKPP.... WOW! just WOW! did BKPP just elevated how BL actors should act? i mean, come on... both of them sacrificed so much and gave their all in this drama and we all can feel it. Both of them were so consistent in their characters from episode 1 up to the end.
The way Billkin showed his acting range in this series is crazy. We can feel all of his emotions from being confused, happy, jealous, sad, depressed... everything! he's that good! But we cannot disregard PP's acting chops. He portrayed Oh Aew's character flawlessly too. His best scenes are the bra scene, his lines whenever he talks to Teh especially on the last scene... that was really moving.

- the chemistry of this 2 is out of this world. We are not just talking about physical chemistry, but most especially their chemistry on acting.... They really help each other in showing their best emotions. I don't think this series won't be as good as it is if either of them are not casted on their roles. THEY ARE SO PERFECT TOGETHER! Let's claim it. Billkin and PP are Nadao's BL KINGS!


ITSAY just raised the bar on how BL series should be done. Having good script is not enough. Having good actors are not enough. Having good director is not enough. Having good cinematography and editing are not enough..... ALL of these components in making a Masterpiece should be in synced and this is what ITSAY did. It has everything we can ask for.

It may not be the cup of tea of others, but it's definitely not just a cup of tea, but also coffee, soda, soju and all other drinks to MANY! I have watched so many reaction videos and read many reviews and almost every one has all praises to this show.

Truly a Masterpiece, definitely a perfection. That's "I Told Sunset about You."

Leggi di Più

When I first read about this movie, I didn't quite get how romance, comedy and horror could work together. But if you watch this movie you'll see how it's possible, the genres are mixed really well!

I loved the chemistry between Sohn Ye-jin og Lee min ki, they were so cute! Moreover, the ghost in this movie was a bit scary, but the comedy! Omg!! -the comedy in this movie was good. I didn't think I would laugh, but most of time I spent pausing the movie because I was constantly laughing hard. Even in the serious scene there were some comedy and that worked just fine.

You won't waste a second, this movie is awesome!

Leggi di Più

You know a drama’s gonna be lit when it makes you feel all types of emotions….

note: low rewatch value because watching it more than once might raise your blood pressure too much.

Save Me isn’t your average kdrama. I haven’t seen anything like it before. According to some sources, this is the first kdrama that explores the issues of religious cults. I actually started watching this drama the week before it ended, and finished all available 14 episodes in less than two days. Yes, it was that good. For many viewers, myself included, it was kinda slow in the beginning. I was hooked right from the start since each episode was gripping, but the drama didn’t warm up for me until ep 9 (yes, a bit late into the drama, but it’s totally worth it).

*claps* The cast is AMAZING. I can’t believe the actor of Dong Cheol, Woo Do Hwan, is a rookie. He’s so good. His facial expressions (his eyes!), his body language, and everything else shows exactly what he’s thinking. Definitely will be following his upcoming works. I wasn’t a fan of Seo Ye Ji, but that completely changed when I watched this drama (her voice is so rich). Taecyeon was lovely as usual, but Do Hwan completely stole the show for me. I loved the bromance between the four guys. The supporting cast also did a great job; each character had a story and helped keep me on the edge of my seat throughout the drama. btw there isn’t really a romance storyline, but definitely lots of shipping ;-)

There were a few scenes that made me a bit uncomfortable, but other than that, I absolutely loved this show. On the same note, this drama isn’t for everybody, since it tackles darker issues. I’ve been disappointed numerous times by the kdramas this year, but Save Me definitely saved the year (no pun intended). Save Me is one of my favs this year, along with Defendant, Duel, and Avengers Social Club. I don’t think I’ve been this emotionally invested in a kdrama before, and I’m sad that it has ended… will definitely miss the cast of Save Me.

The final verdict: not for everyone, but it’s an amazing drama that dives into darker topics

This is the first religious cult kdrama, so there’s nothing similar to it, but here are a few psychological dramas:
- Liar Game (kdrama)
- I Remember You
- Defendant (“Apostle Jo” is also in this one, but he’s a good guy :D)
- Mad Dog (not psychological, but stars Woo Do Hwan (!!); airs later this year)

Leggi di Più

What a difference an extra 10 minutes can make

Whether you've watched the original mini-series or if you're considering checking out this version, look no further because this is the version you should watch if you can. Why?

1) Because this version has the entire content of the original mini-series. Not a single scene or dialogue or soundtrack has been changed or omitted. So, if you watch this version you'll miss nothing from the original mini-series. The only difference for those who watched the mini-series is that you will become extremely well-versed with the opening and ending theme songs because you'd have heard them 4 times within the 4 short episodes, while in this movie they only turn up once.

2) There is a 2-minute extra scene in this Director's Cut [it's at the 1:02:06 to 1:03:58 mark] not in the mini-series which provides additional context and explanation to the decision and action of one of the main leads.

3) There is an extra 8-minute ending in this Director's Cut which isn't featured in the mini-series. The extra 8 minutes were really what the whole show needed to round it off properly. The original mini-series felt a bit too rushed and cut-short at the end and while I still loved it, the ending never really properly satisfied me. But here... what a difference an extra 8 minutes made.

Personally for me, this show is the most balanced and complete BL show I've ever seen so far. I really liked it for its adorable beginning and subsequent realistic depth of struggle. It provided an introduction to our main characters from an early part of their life, and it tracked the growth of their relationship throughout the years that followed.
The show also efficiently depicted their ups and downs, whether it be internal insecurities, societal & familial pressure to conform, and the hurt and pain of bad decisions and mistakes. It's actually a surprisingly realistic and reflective representation of the everyday normal pressures of the average LGBT person living in society.
There are also not many BL shows where one can truly visualise or see the couple really outlasting the distance but here, it's all that and more. The ending here is one of the most satisfying endings ever and it will leave you with tears in your eyes but with a smile on your face.


ACTING/ CAST
Both actors did well in their roles but I was particularly impressed with Shirasu Jin in his portrayal of Itou Akira in this show. Itou Akira had the heavier weight and the bigger character development & personal growth in the show and I'm so glad Shirasu Jin was able to wonderfully portray Akira's nervousness, fears, anxieties, worries, sadness, pain, joy and happiness (it had not escaped my notice that all of Akira's biggest smiles were for Yuki) all in the right place and time.


MUSIC
Can I just say that I LOVED the soundtrack in this show. Some scenes were made extra memorable simply because they came paired with an amazing and catchy song whose lyrics were also very meaningful and fitting for the occasion. To me, the music score was one of the best things in this film, along with the story itself.


RE-WATCH VALUE
Considering that this Director's Cut is just under 2 hours long this movie is so very easily rewatchable.
But it's ultimately the realistic, moving and heart-warming love story, and the lovely couple, that really keeps me coming back to it again and again and again.

Leggi di Più

If you have every read John Green’s Fault in Our Stars, there is a quote that states:

“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once”.

For me, this sums up most of this drama. It is watching two people slowly and then passionately fall in love with one another. The doubting if the other feels the same, the awkwardness of new love, the heart fluttering moments, and everything in between. The realism, chemistry, and gradual buildup of the relationship in the story was unlike anything I have ever experienced. It was reminiscent of the director, Ahn Pan Seok’s, previous work Secret Love Affair. Except this is less about two lost souls finding one another and more of a story of realizing the right person was someone you knew all along. Brilliant in its subtleties, this was a true example of a slow-paced romantic melodrama.

However, despite this drama’s strong beginnings, the middle could best be described as lukewarm. Muddled with repetitive plot scenarios that take far too long to resolve, around episode 9 this drama started to feel almost like a chore to watch. The chemistry was still there but the spark was missing, making what could have been my favorite romance of all time, one that I found myself barely making it to its conclusion. But despite its faults, this drama still deserves a solid 8, because it’s first 6 to7 episodes literally had ME feeling butterflies. I even wanted to tell random passersbys to watch this drama if they want to FEEEEEL what it is like for two people to fall in love. I did not think it was possible for me to feel so strongly about a drama, and for this it deserves the 8.

Overall, I recommend it, but mostly the first nine episodes. After that, you could probably skip to the finale and be just as satisfied.

Leggi di Più

Enjoy the crazy ride.

This drama is just like it's title "Mystic". Never have I ever watched any drama which could actually play with parallel worlds!
Honestly speaking, I started watching this drama beacuse of Hwang Jung Eum and my love for Fantasy genre. I wasn't a huge fan of Yook Sung Jae nor Choi Won Young since I hadn't watched any of their dramas before. So, I was a bit skeptical.

The story was all about a pricky woman who operates a food tent at night so anyone (dead or living) can visit and grab a drink with the owner and then she can appease their grudges through entering their minds by giving them a special drink.
As the story progressed, it got me hooked everytime! I literally craved for the next episode. It soon became a story about some extraordinary people with some extraordinary capabilities trying to help out both ordinary and mystic beings. The characters were so diverse and well played by each and every actors/resses.

Hwang Jung Eum playing Weol-ju (the main character) was so different from her other characters she has ever played. Her character was written in so depth, we could actually feel those emotions. More matured, understanding, comedic, lively, passionate, etc! Being a spirit aged 500 yrs, under a grave punishment in the human world, the pop-up bar was set up as a place to help spirits let go of their problems and solve their grudges patiently to fill her quota to solve up to 100,000 grudges in order complete her mission.

I actually love that I came with an expectation of a bit weird love story between a supernatural woman and a younger guy. But NO, this was truly an Exception! Instead, I got two crazy spirits who are practically married but denying their feelings, and an adorably awkward part timer who's spiritual visions are widened! They together really made a hilarious little family.

Every episode is fun, and there’s a lesson we takeaway each time we watch it. Almost always we become jealous of people who have more capabilities than us, but this shows that knowing and having that much can get very lonely too. I had never expected the story to be so deep and at the same time so heart-warming and touching!
Each and every episode holds a mystery which unfolds just nicely. It totally delivers the heart wrenching and heart warming stories in a not over dramatic way. I actually liked that they didn't focus much on romance but human life itself which is perfect for what is going on in this world today. I cried and laughed every single episode!

The growth of attachment between the trio which eventually strengthened was so sweet to watch. How quickly did Kang Bae got attached to Weol-Ju and Chief Gwi? Kang Bae being upset and distracted awaiting their return even when he was with his girl was just priceless!

Best Things I loved in this drama:
● The first thing I got very attached to in the beginning of this drama was it's Music. The OST "Dive" totally has those 'Mystic' vibes. The orchestra Background score and the sound effects in each episode is so Amazing!
● HWANG JUNG EUM LOOKING GORGEOUS than ever! How amazing does she looks in that hanbok (Korean traditional dress)?
She looks so pretty. Her costumes were killing! Her transformation has indeed surprised me this time.
● YOOK SUNG JAE TURNING CUTE TO SEXY IN NO TIME! His expressions were priceless!
● CHOI WON YOUNG'S AMAZING ACTING!
● Hwang Jung Eum and Choi Won Young's ENGLISH.
● Yook Sung Jae's adorable side.

☆Overall - This drama is something I needed desperately! It's full of magic, love and laughter.
*This maybe not a drama which everyone will like, but it was perfect for me!

The only disappointment is that the drama is too short. Anyways, a complete enjoyable drama which is fun to watch. I would definitely re-watch it someday :)

Leggi di Più

This is such a phenomenal drama, it is truly one of a kind. If you're left unsatisfied after finishing dramas, thinking to yourself if only the writers made better choices, or if only the characters were better developed … then you should give this drama a try. Everything about this drama is AMAZING; it has a mind-blowing screenplay with incredible characters, not to mention its great directing and cinematography. (the action in this drama is top-notch, and the war in the later episodes was impressive beyond imagination!)

At First glance, this might look like another revenge drama, but it is much more than that. The goal of the main characters is not to infect pain and suffering on the ones who have done them wrong, and it's not to simply right the wrongs, but to do so while making the ones who've committed the wrong realize the gravity of their actions. In a sense, this is the hardest route to take for correcting what has been wronged, people don’t want to be reminded of their dark past, and even more to accept their faults. Nevertheless, the reason why I love this drama so much is exactly this, the main characters, although they’ve literally been through hell, are not out there for revenge nor to make themselves feel better, but they’re trying to reveal the truth.

The plot is complicated and very intelligently written. There are 54 episodes, but I have to say there is no dull moment. The story has many layers and builds up on its episodes, becoming more and more intense as the episodes go by; we watch the characters execute their plans and try to overcome all the foreseen and un-foreseen obstacles in the most magnificent way possible.

In my opinion there are two main characters, Mei Chang Su and Prince Jing.
Mei Chang Su is the most intelligent character that I’ve ever came across in a drama. For achieving his goals, he uses his knowledge to manipulate people to do exactly what he wants them to do, without them even realizing his involvement! Despite his ingenious and composed personality, he carries the deepest sadness inside him, and that is what gives him the greatest determination for concluding his goals.
Prince Jing is the moral barometer of the story. He is bold and true to himself, he values his loved ones more than anything, and he’s willing to do anything to protect them. That said, he would never go against his moral code, he is a constant reminder for Mei Chang Su (and us the audience) that they should never be untrue to themselves. His bold and strong character attracts capable people to him enabling him to have true leadership characteristic.

This duo is the best I’ve ever seen anywhere, their relationship is so endearing to watch and their personalities compliment each other so well. Just having them both on screen was enough to make me give up everything I was planning to do for the rest of the day and give my undivided attention to this drama.

Another thing that I really like about this drama is that the other characters are all intelligent as well, which makes us understand why they were in power to begin with and why they’ve been successful so far. This point makes watching the main character manipulate these smart and sneaky characters much more enjoyable

This drama is for the intelligent, for the ones who are willing to sit through long conversations and enjoy putting the pieces of the puzzle together, for the ones who understand that sometimes no matter the cost one has to fight for what is right. (sorry for the long review! if you made it this far, that means you're interested!! give it a try, you won't be disappointed!)

Leggi di Più