Reviews

I'm neither a movie person nor am I experienced in writing reviews. But I got a chance to watch this movie in Seoul today with English subtitles and really came to like it a lot, so I want to give it a try while the impressions are still fresh.

I went into the film not really knowing what it was about but being somewhat curious, since it's critically acclaimed and was received very positively here in Korea. It's even said that there were people who watched it over hundred times because they liked it so much!

To break it down, the film is about a young girl - Eunhee - living in Seoul in 1994, struggling with all kinds of problems that come with human relationships. She is the youngest of three, growing up in a somewhat disfunctional but probably quite typical family - fighting parents, a brother that hits her, a rebellious sister, who secretly dates and stays out the night against her parent's will. Eunhee rather draws manga than to study hard like her parents want her to, she has to confront unreliable friends and lovers, and overall is trying to find out how she is supposed to live her life, apart from the expectations that society confronts her with. The focus always stays on Eunhee. She is the person leading us through the year 1994.

The big reason I liked this movie so much is because I related deeply to the protagonist Eunhee. Of course a lot of things happen to her that I never experienced - some things are quite Korea-specific, for example. But then there also more universal struggles Eunhee has to face to which probably many young girls can relate to: the overall feeling of being a little lost, discovering the flaws and struggles of the people around her, learning to stand up for herself, trying to find people that accept and love her for who she is opposed to all the indifference and criticism that she grew up in, and of course fighting parents and annoying siblings.

One part that really hit home for me was when Eunhee one evening witnesses her the parents fighting, blaming each other for the misery of their children, with everything ending in violence and tears. Then, at the next day, she finds them both sitting in front of the TV in daylight, laughing together at the same jokes, as if never anything happened. Eunhee just looks at them, with a certain numbness in her expression.

Another thing the movie nailed was the multi-layered depiction of the characters close to Eunhee. The mother, father and brother all had scenes where they said something bad that made you hate them in this moment. But, at another point, you learn that even though they are wrong in many things, they after all care deeply about the two young girls in the family - even though they can't express it properly. It's not an excuse, they say and do things that are plain wrong, but you come to realize that they, like all of us, simply are imperfect humans, after all.

The movie was filmed beautifully, with the camera sometimes resting on a particular point, in order to really capture the atmosphere of the moment. A little artsy, but never over the top, just enough to deepen the impression. For the acting, I didn't discover any awkwardness. It was flawless for me (but I'm really no expert here).

If I had to criticize anything, it would the small plotline about Eunhees romantic relationship to another girl. The other girl was really sweet and the relationship cute, but it ends very abruptly in a way that made the audience go "Huh?" (- Eunhee: But didn't you say you like me? - Other girl: But ... that was last semester). Maybe they didn't had a better idea how to wrap this up.

The review is already long as it is, but I have to say it again. It was wonderful to have a movie with a protagonist that you can relate to. The movie industry is still heavily men-dominated (in Korea just like in the US), so they naturally like to tell stories about other fellow men. Meanwhile little girls are normally deemed not interesting enough to tell stories about them - especially not the quiet, struggling ones. Here I finally had a story in which I could discover some parts of myself in. I think this is why "House of Hummingbird" touched me so deeply.

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I decided to watch this purely for Sato Takeru, I had little interest in the actually story but I was pleasantly surprised at how brilliant this series was!

For me the story was nothing special, a single parent raising his child with the help of his friends. It's not a plot that stands out to me but boy how wrong I was! The story was emotional, sweet and touching for beginning to end as we see the characters grow and learn through the course of their life. I loved the setting and the time period of the plot as it wasn't something I had expected - covering the childhood and adulthood of Akira. It gives the chance to bond with the character as you watch him grow into an adult and in turn grow to love them. For me, the story was executed flawlessly, there weren't any plot holes and any questions were answered. It's a slow paced and a slice of life kinda drama but there is never a dull moment.

As mentioned I watched this for Sato Takeru he was brilliant throughout the whole series. He played his role perfectly as such a complex character, who had experienced many downs in his life, in such a simplistic and innocent manner can be down to the actor. The child actors that played Akira were also brilliant as it can be difficult to carry the same character through various people, but these actors made it feel like they were all the same person.

But as the story develop my focus turned to Uchino Masaaki. He was wonderful playing the "dumb" dad he portrayed his character beautifully and realistically I've never seen any of his dramas but he was incredibly in this! He made me cry, laugh, cry, laugh, crying and laughing at the same time! His acting draws you into the story and despite my bias towards Takeru, Masaaki brought this story to life. A round of applaus to the supporting cast as well because without them the series would lose it's spark. The support from his friends are enviable when watching it you think "wow, I want friends like him." The whole casting had great chemistry and bonding there isn't much more I can compliment on cause it was simply brilliant.

The music is very simple and nothing memorable but does well in emphasising the emotions of the characters.

I will definitely be rewatching this series again because it's just beautifully made and well executed. For me it's a absolute gem! The story and acting ticked all the boxes for me parenthood, friendship, loss and growth through a genuine and realistic story. The bonding between friends, father and son was exceptionally beautiful. There was never a dull moment and before you know it you've already finished it and wanting more. The story was simple and geunine along with great characters and acting this is really a must watch! It makes you appreciate the things in life you take for granted.

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Very humane. Tangible. Touching, yet not maudlin. Sad, yes. But unpretentiously radiating, too.

"The Most Beautiful Goodbye" is a KDrama that consists of only 4 episodes. However, they have it all and are completely sufficient to leave their mark in the sand. We are confronted with the limits of healthcare system - when medicine no longer has a solution to offer and people are left with themselves and what they are: mortal beings. In ruthless directness, the viewers are confronted with what many people (all over the world) might at some point face in one way or another.

The family here is not particularly rich and not particularly poor. The individual protagonists are not particularly successful and have not particularly failed. Everyone lives their (South Korean) life as best they can. Not very happy and not very unhappy. With a tendency not to not be so happy. But they are actually not really unhappy either. In fact, everything could be quite nice, but everyone is just too busy with themselves. The WE becomes self-evident and rather annoying... until the day the finitude of being was knocking on the door...

However, hello-wake-up does not imply everyone starts reinventing themselves, overcoming their weaknesses and becoming better people. It does, however, force them to reflect on what they have and what they have forgotten (to love) (consciously) despite everything being taken for granted. In stumbling everyone is searching for an expression of their own feelings. At least they try to be a little bit more alert about what is going on in their life.

Very humane. Tangible. Touching, yet not maudlin. Pretty close to life. People are clumsy, speechless and helpless, as akward as it gets. It is a lesson in compassion, triggering your own experiences, when it comes to similarily unprepared being confronted with any form of (unwanted as it is) final farewell.

Sad, yes. But unpretentiously radiating, too.

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"Don't judge the book by its cover"

First let me start this review with a mini rant

The only concern I see people having with this drama is that they said it normalize pedophilia. My defense on that matter is you would only consider a person a pedophile if he/she is occasionally attracted to children which in this case she's not because she was not attracted to him because he's a child. I know most will not agree with that argument but let's say you are correct and she's a pedophile. Does this drama normalize that psychiatric disorder? BIG NO. She's attracted to him but didn't take advantage in fact she was despised the whole time, the school, students and the society. The drama won't make you feel they are romanticizing that idea. As for the matter that it might affect the thinking of underage viewers. Do those kids have parents to guide them? Then what about stories like Robin Hood, mistress protagonist, serial killer etc. are those stories being normalize just because they were made? If you are inclined to call it a trash just by reading the synopsis then I am sorry but with that kind of logic I just couldn't help but think you are DUMB.

Chugakusei Nikki portrays the forbidden love between Hijiri, a middle school teacher and Akira, one of her students. The drama follows their story for the course of several years. There will be time skip in the middle of the drama, 3 years to be exact, when Akira is 18 years of age. The characters are well written, Hijiri was portrayed really well as an inexperienced teacher, adult yet not matured, and also Akira as rebellious and confused teenager. Side characters are interesting too especially Haraguchi and Shotaro, it's also interesting to see their love story develops. Their love is somewhat similar yet different. The plot is sensitive but the drama handled it tastefully, it is nowhere near as creepy as you might think. This show is also grounded to reality in that every emotion these characters portray is very relatable. What I also like is the pacing it's very balanced which makes every episode engaging. The drama also knows how to play with our emotions. The director is just so good on how to build tension and also how to end every episode. Expect roller coaster of emotions, it's highs is wonderfully high and it's lows is absolutely devastating, there's even couple of scenes where I was on the edge of my seat and to think this drama is not a thriller.

~ A good rain chooses the right time to fall and so it falls ~
~ When it comes to spring, the rain is certainly falling ~
~ It follows the wind and secretly enters the night ~
~ While the wind is blowing, the rain continues to fall until night ~
~ And moistens everything softly, without any sound ~
~ Silently, almost making no sounds at all, it makes everything wet ~

This poem in episode 1 summarizes the whole drama. It is a metaphor to the kind of love between Hijiri and Akira, a pure love similar to dramas such as Sekachu, Endless love series, Koizora, Be with you, Heavenly Forest etc. Pure love genre if you would know is what popularizes Asian drama. It basically portrays a couple that faced many obstacles. Pure love in sense that even after so many years they still long for each other. We haven't seen this genre for quite some time and I already see upcoming dramas with similar genre. This drama will trigger another pure love era.

Cinematography is just captivating. I love how they capture the green landscape on camera, the shot during sunset, falling rain drops, fireworks and that weird fish eye effect they always use. Those are not just gorgeous shots but also serve as a symbol to what these characters feel. That's beauty about Japanese drama, it is full of symbolism and just like what I always said, great cinematography is similar to great painting, it is not just beautiful but also captivates you, will make you move closer and examine the painting and not just say "oh this painting is beautiful". Music in this drama is just perfect, it underlines the mood and helps showing the emotions of each characters. It is a really great piece of background music. With great drama comes great ending song and "Prologue" by Uru is just like that. It's not just a great melody because if you read the lyrics it will make sense why they choose it as the ending song.

The acting is just brilliant but other than the acting, the casting needs more praise. They just casted right people for the roles, Arimura Kasumi for example, she has this cute, inexperienced image and if you watch the drama having that image made her portrayal of hijiri so effective. They also cast a rookie for the role of Akira, it a nice decision by them as it requires a certain rawness to the character. It doesn't mean Okada Kenshi is not a great actor though. He is indeed fantastic as he provides the intensity and angst to the role. They won't call him a super rookie is he is not. The side characters are also well casted, if you follow Japanese drama long enough you would be familiar with Yoshida you and Natsukawa Yui, they were both underrated actresses. Their characters played an important role to the story and they played them really well. Aside from Akira, it's the portrayal of those characters made this drama so much better.

Final episode will be tomorrow but I decided to make this review because what ever happen this drama will go down as one of the best Japanese drama I've ever seen and definitely my best Japanese drama this year. End game won't decide the rating this drama should get in my opinion because just like they said the journey is more important the than destination. More than just a drama but also an experience.

Edit
I've just watched the last episode and I don't want to spoil anything but it is indeed one of the best Jdrama ever!!!

Best Student-Teacher Romance Drama List
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/2019/10/best-student-teacher-romance-japanese.html?m=1

Check my Blog for other reviews & other JDramas stuffs. (｡◕‿‿◕｡)
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/

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Perfect soft angst.

You know that perfect angst that rather than making you feel like you want to die, makes your heart flutter? That was it.

Truth to be told, it strongly felt like every fanfic ever came to life and... it works. Pinning over each other for years, longing and wanting the other, but never taking the step forward, protecting each other, making sure the other is not hurt. All the best tags we can find in fanfics are here too. While the story is extremely simple, the directing, editing, acting, ost... everything works in such a harmonious and perfect way, I fell for the show and died a few times waiting for the next episodes to air.

Some people wished it was longer, but I honestly disagree. With this type of plot it would be hard to make a good show, which wouldn't be a cheap fan service. The storytelling here was perfect. Not once was I confused about the plot or characters' motivations. They used the screen time efficiently and showed a cohesive story from the beginning till the end. I think extending this drama could ruin it.

Tae Joo and Kang Gook are nothing alike, but that's why they work so well together. Playful and flirty Tae Joo driving the stoic and collected Gook mad. The dynamics of them, the jealousy they tried to tame... That's the highlight of the show- amazing chemistry between Gi Chan and Eui Soo.

Usually I don't pay that much attention to ost, but the songs used here were truly amazing and fitting. If I noticed them, it means they were really good :)

So why not 10, if I loved it so much?
There were a few scenes where I was not completely convinced by Gi Chan's acting (like the talk with his dad in the last episode). At times I could not connect to the emotions he tried to convey. Since the cast was small and the plot was simple, it all relied on the acting skills of Gi Chan and Eui Soo. I believed every line Eui Soo said, but felt disconnected from the few delivered by Gi Chan. What's more, I wasn't the biggest fan of how they executed the last few scenes. Not to get into spoilers, I was happy with the content, but not crazy about how it was presented and structured.

That said, I would DEFINITELY recommend watching.

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"Your voice calls to my heart"

Let me briefly explain about ML/FL....

Our Male lead is a good cook, doctor, musician, voice artist…YEP an all in one 😍😎
& Our female lead is a university student who does music for the historical genre. Her dream is to collaborate with her favorite voice dubbing artist our Male lead

♡ Here's the review: (will update after watching every episode)
What you will get to see in this drama? Here 👇

✅️ Male lead is simply awesome, He is a walking green flag <3 introvert & mature guy!! I'm falling in love with him more & more in each & every episode

✅️ He is not trying to hide his feelings for female lead, even though he is a introvert he is trying his best to start a conversation with female lead and creating a comfortable space in between them.

✅️ Female lead is the cutest 😍 her acting is soo reliastic, I never felt cringe about her acting/attitude.

✅️ Both the main characters are very well written and also the environment of this drama is soo positive, FL has a great/awesome family and ML has a awesome friends/fam

✅️ Second lead couple are the cutest

✅️ no rival no jealousy ❤️

✅️ Healthy Communication in between them!! i really really loved how pure their communication is!! she is telling him how exactly she is feeling about something and he was showing his pure intentions, its soo cute soo guys 😭 Sweetness overload..now i can't sleep 😅


This is absolutely my type of romcom ❤️❤️❤️


What you don't get from this drama

❌️ cold male lead vs Attitude Female lead

❌️ Third wheel

❌️ Annoying Characters to rise our blood pressure


Maybe some of you will hate me for talking like this ,but still ..... I never able to watch a cdrama with this much of love!! Either They will drag the story or the couples have unrealistic miscommunication in between them!! But oh my god believe me guys this is not one of them!!

And the harsh truth is I started watching this drama becoz of FL (loved her in yesterday once more movie){becoz most of them r started this becoz of ML} but rn I'm falling in love with our ML, don't misunderstood my words!! I dont like him Just becoz he is a nice guy, he was literally showing our FL how much he values her!! From asking her permission if she is comfortable in adding him to her we chat to asking her if he can give her his mobile number!! DAMN THE RESPECT HE IS GIVING HER, I'M FALLING FOR THAT ...

Just completed the series guys!! I'm in tears 😭 how could everything is soo perfect here?!!? story/acting/supporting characters/osts!! everything is just soo perfect & beautiful to me!! THIS IS MY FAV DRAMA OF 2023 💞😍 THANKYOU Qiang & Sheng for making my evngs beautiful 😍 now tell me what should I do 😭😭 I don't even know why I am crying!! is it because this is ended 😭 or the ending is soo beautiful, I miss you sm everyone 💗 thankyou for making me feel like that 💖

He is giving her butterflies 🦋 she is giving him butterflies 🦋 & they both r making me experience a whole zoo 🤭💘

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Humorous & Witty

OK, I admit, I came to watch this drama because of XiaoZhan. After the drama Chenqing Ling (The Untamed), I started to search for dramas by Xiao Zhan, and this drama is one of them. (By the way, if you haven’t watched The Untamed yet, you might want to check it out.)

Initially, at episode 1, I almost gave it up because it started off as a modern-day drama, so I thought; I had expected a historical wuxia drama. But very quickly within the first episode, it moves into historical settings and I was totally hooked since then.

Accordingly, this drama is adapted from a novel whose popular author has also written many other works including Ever Night. I have not read this particular novel (Joy of Life), but I understand that it is a super long novel, and the drama adaptation is planning for a five-year 3-season run, and we are currently in season 1. Whether the following seasons would run into any unforeseeable issues is anybody’s guess (such as the change of actors etc).

In the actual novel, it is supposedly a time travel story. But because such stories (time travel) are banned in China film production (I don’t understand why China wants to stymie such creativity), the production team has cleverly adapted the story by cutting out the time travel part hence passing censorship.

I must say, unexpectedly, this drama is so good! The story is interesting. The dialogues are funny and unexpected. The play of words and homophones, puns and use of chenyu (idioms) are hilarious, and yet witty, deep, meaningful and cultured. Too bad many of these wonderful characters (Chinese words) are lost in the translation and non-Chinese native speakers may not find the dialogues as wonderful as the native speakers do. Seemingly a light-hearted drama, but when it comes to emotional moments, the director has successfully squeezed out a tear or two from me. The acting is immaculate! I love the relationship Fan Xian has with his siblings and with others whom he considers as friends; it’s deep and genuine. Unlike most actors who act in historical dramas, Zhang Ruoyun has a presence day physique making him a perfect Fan Xian as he is supposed to be a modern man; his etiquettes are simply hilarious and Zhang delivers 100%. The supporting cast is equally good, in particular Guo Qilin who plays Fan Xian’s little brother; he is adorable and amazing. I hope to see more of him. I love the opening and ending OSTs, with the ending song being sung by Xiao Zhan, another talented actor and singer.

33 episodes in, I still haven’t seen a whiff of Xiao Zhan. Nonetheless, this hasn’t reduced the enjoyment I have got out from this delightful drama. Xiao Zhan plays a supporting role and for marketing purposes, his name is being displayed or used prominently to attract attention. I can understand why the team is doing this (Xiao Zhan is currently the hottest Chinese actor in China), but I find it deceiving and I can't say I appreciate it. This drama should receive the attention it duly deserves if being marketed properly, because it is indeed a great drama.

Updates:

Finally Xiao Zhan appears at the end of episode 38. His screen time is so little that I haven't had enough time to make out of his character, and hence provide a correct assessment of his acting. Nonetheless, at the end of season 1 (episode 46), as expected, there are still tons of unsolved mysteries, new twists, plots within plots -- getting the viewers all hooked up for the next season.

If you are checking this drama out, do watch it. It’s amazingly wonderful. This is truly a wuxia story and the fighting choreography and qing gong are done beautifully. I can’t emphasize enough: it’s a MUST-WATCH!

Two thumbs up!!

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Excellent Acting and Production

This is the true story of the mother of China's First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. How close this story to the real events happened more than 2,000 years ago is anybody's guess. However, many of the main characters in the story were actual people during that time. Since this is a true story, the "real romance" parts are limited. So if you are a romance buff, you may likely be disappointed.

This drama depicted the arduous journey Hao Lan had gone to survive the various palace politics, scheming, back stabbing, both in the Zhao palace (where she was from) and Qin palace (where she was married to). She helped her son become the King of Qin, who ultimately became the First Emperor of China, unifying the various kingdoms.
The cinematography of this drama is epic, the acting is excellent, and the story is exciting. One can tell that the director and his crew put in a lot of effort into making this drama. Every detail was taken care of. Everything was done close to perfection.

I love the color palette of the scenes, especially the costumes, the interior designs and decors, and the gardens. I find myself binge watching a lot. However, having said that, I find the palace politics overwhelming, and at times, I could get pretty exhausted.

This is a serious, no nonsense drama. It can get quite dry for some people who are not into history. For me, I love history and I am especially intrigued by Chinese history.

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A mature and healthy romance that shines with its own light.

“Shine on Me” is, quite simply, a gem among romantic dramas. As a big fan of slow-burning romances, this drama is a masterful example of how to develop a relationship in a healthy, realistic, patient way, with a spicy chemistry that is built with intelligence. Although its plot does not attempt to reinvent the wheel or the genre, it stands out as one of the best romantic dramas I have seen due to its emotional depth and the quality of its characters.

The first thing I would highlight is the profile of the protagonists: both come from wealthy families, but far from the clichés of arrogance, they are humble, hard-working, educated characters with admirable moral strength. The drama does not ignore their privilege, but uses it in an interesting way to explore envy and social dynamics (as in the case of characters such as Rong or their college classmates), adding a layer of realism.

The most fascinating contrast is embodied by Zhuang Xu, a complex and tragically human character. His story with the protagonist is a painful study of opportunities lost to fear and insecurity. As the head of a humble family with serious problems, he represents those who have no privileges. However, the drama avoids idealizing him: his passive-aggressive comments, his lack of confidence, and his indecision make him a gray character, intelligent but trapped in his own self-loathing. His arc is deeply moving in the sense that you first feel dislike and anger, but at least, for my part, in the end I felt a little sorry for him.

My favorite character, without a doubt, was the protagonist's cousin. His charisma, kindness, and the fresh and natural dynamic he has with her (supported by excellent acting chemistry) bring warmth and lightness at just the right moments.

The dynamic between the main couple is the heart of the drama. Their relationship is based on mutual security, unconditional support, and communication that, although not always immediate at first, never falls into unnecessary misunderstandings. Even a potentially major conflict such as the car accident is handled with maturity, without resorting to prolonged drama.

Impeccable technical aspects: The OST is a gem that perfectly accompanies every emotion, the costumes and sets are elegant and believable, and the kisses... are a solid 10. The narrative balances family drama and college friendships vs. corporate friendships well, and although some dialogues about business strategy and organization may feel a bit dense, they are essential to understanding the couple's shared ambition: to become pioneers in solar energy, a goal that gives meaning and significance to their union.

Conclusion: “Shine on Me” is a well-rounded, emotionally satisfying, and beautifully executed drama. It offers mature romance, layered characters, a positive message about teamwork, and a love that is built with patience and respect. Highly recommended for those looking for a story that shines with warmth, intelligence, and heart. In life, there may be many loves, but only one will be the right one.

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What can I say? I loved this drama! It's, without a doubt, one of the best I've seen so far. It had me hooked from the very beginning, leaving little space for dull moments. Every time a plot twist was resolved, it only meant the beginning of another that would just keep as hooked as the one that just ended.



Some may say it's a mix of Coffee Prince, Hana Kimi and Boys Before Flowers. But to me, this falls short to the final product. Even if it uses familiar themes present in these other dramas, Sungkyunkwan Scandal's characters are different and the plot refreshing. It is too simple to describe it as a combination of the aforementioned stories, for its historical setting and character development make it stand on a whole different level. The interaction between students, the plots set about by powerful officials, the displays of affection and the scandals...it wouldn't have been the same in a contemporary setting.



And, as a plus, for all us fangirls out there, the guys in this drama are so cute...it was a joy to watch so much eye candy on screen.

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I actually started this drama when it first began airing but at that time I was distracted by other dramas (mostly Pinocchio) and gave up on it after watching only half of first episode. I picked it up again after a couple of months. 14 episodes were out by then and I remember dramathoning the whole thing in two days straight. This drama is seriously addictive and edgy. The plot is fantastically written and every ending makes you want more. And apart from the amazing action and thriller sequences, this drama has a great romance. There are no second leads annoying you but there are those terribly sweet jealousy moments. I love mysterious sexy male leads who turn clingy and cute. I can't believe the ratings for this drama weren't sky-rocketing in Korea. I really don't understand Korean preferences. They watch makjang shows one after the other but when gems like Healer turn up, they switch the channel.

Coming to characters, Healer. God I love healer. I love how he's jumping around buildings and coming up with these exciting plans. I love what he does for a living and I love his little high-tech shack. I love that he's a loner. I've only watched Ji Chang Wook in Empress Ki other than this drama but I must say he is always a delight to watch.

Park Min Young. I must admit that the only reason I ever hesitated to watch this drama, it was because of Park Min Young. I've watched many of her dramas and I've generally not cared much for her roles. But it was Kim Nana in City Hunter that ticked me off. God I hate Nana. She's a bodyguard who needs a bunch of bodyguards. In fact, I think it would be better if someone locked her up somewhere far, far away until everyone's done with whatever they're trying to do. She seriously messes things up and then goes around acting cute about it. So, yeah, basically I was weary that Park Min Young is going to play a role like Nana here. But I guess 2015 is the year of Reinvention for Korean actresses (with Park Shin Hye also winning hearts for her performance in Pinocchio). Park Min Young not only did a wonderful job in this drama, her character Cha Yeong Shin was a delight to watch. There were a few times in this drama where I held my breath because I was afraid that Yeong Shin would make a terrible choice that would create a havoc and make me hate her. But she was so awesome at those points that it really made me love her character overall.

The rest of the cast was great too. My favorites were definitely ajjumma and Yeong Shin's family (her dad and the rest of the criminal staff). I really held my breath there towards the end when I had a feeling Ajjumma is going to die. My Eun Shi Kyung feels were returning to me, I was all set to cry. I'll never forget that moment of relief when I realized she will escape. Thank you writers for not killing her off. I wish they had shown an emotional reunion of mother and daughter though. The ending was just a little rushed. Or maybe it's just me never wanting Healer to end. lol.

The music was great. I have the whole album on my phone. My personal favorites are Eternal Love and When You Hold Me Tight. I like that song by Ji Chang Wook too, although I've only heard it a few times.

Overall it's a masterpiece and even though the ratings in Korea weren't all that great I'm so glad it's getting it's due on MDL (9.2 avg yay!) and other internet portals. It's doing well in China too, with Ji Chang Wook being one of the most searched Korean actors there these days. I guess a good story would always find it's worth one way or the other.

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Don't Forget Your Dream, Don't Forget Your True Self...

Master of My Own is one of those polarizing dramas where many viewers lauded the show as one of the best C-Dramas of 2022, while others criticized it for being too slow or boring. For me, I enjoyed this intelligent and inspiring show, and I think it is misunderstood and under-rated on MDL.

Instead of being a typical rom-com or other more established genres like melodrama or horror, MOMO is a "slice of life" show, which concept is much hazier but provides a different kind of enjoyment especially when the viewer can relate to the story.

MOMO's appeal for me is how well the show depicted the everyday experience, the recurring themes of family and friendship, the struggles of daily life, and the stark portrayal of the good and bad sides of human nature. I also appreciated how the screenwriter and director teased out the characters' personalities, thoughts, emotions, and motivations by effective use of good dialogue, music, meaningful gestures, and props.

The story centered around Ning Meng, an ordinary young woman working towards her dream. There is a certain maturity about this drama, as it beautifully and realistically portrayed the growth, the angst, the resolution, and ultimately the success of our FL in her personal and professional lives. Ning Meng was hardworking, optimistic, plucky, and intelligent. Through talent, effort, good luck, and lots of faith in herself, Ning Meng navigated with grace and determination through the world of capital markets and investment.

Finding love with the ML, Lu Ji Ming, along the way was the icing on the cake, but that was not the show's focus. The main couple's romance was a slow-burn one. It started with them being on unequal footing, to one of friendship, and finally culminating in a way that I found satisfying.

Our main couple's journey was engaging for me, as they went through different experiences and ended up on the same path, working towards common life goals. As Ning Meng's confidence grew, Lu Ji Ming's ego took a beating. As Ning Meng's career took flight, Lu Ji Ming's crashed. Throughout it all, both showed worthy character growth and development. In this show, the main characters' little and large struggles and triumphs were well-written, executed, and acted.

Lu Ji Ming started off as a chauvinistic jerk boss who disparaged the FL's aspirations to be an investor. Shown initially as a successful investor who obviously thought that he was superior to everyone else, it became apparent that Lu Ji Ming was a quietly generous person who cared about loyalty and principles. Still, even though he had some redeeming moments as he showed concern, advised, and protected Ning Meng in his own arrogant way, I find it most gratifying that Lu Ji Ming did not end up with Ning Meng early and easily. Our poor ML had to struggle through some humbling moments first, but Ning Meng was there to support and encourage him.

The show hit the jackpot by casting Seven Tan as Ning Meng and Lin Geng Xin as Lu Ji Ming. They had great chemistry, and the dynamics between them were entertaining. Acting-wise, I am impressed. Seven Tan is a gem! Her acting as Ning Meng left a firm impression, and I was blown away by her superb performance. Lin Ge Xing clearly has the acting chops to pull off a cold to warm character like Lu Ji Ming. His expressions were on point, and in this show, in that persona, Lin Ge Xing exuded a certain charm and charisma.

I am a sucker for tall men and significant height differences between couples, and this show used it very effectively. It is not enough that Lin Geng Xin has an impressive height; the show also gave us Liu Cang as the SML.

Liu Chang's character, Su Wei Ran, got a lot of hate for being the creepy SML who could not move on past his first love's betrayal. His actions were selfish, and his desire for wealth and recognition was condemnable, but at the same time, it was relatable to real life. I had high hopes for his character development, and he did not fail me in the end. Liu Chang did well in portraying this lost soul. With his eyes alone, he showed the hopelessness and defeat that Su Wei Ran must have felt between doing the right thing and fighting his own desires, insecurities, and jealousy.

Without a doubt, the entire ensemble was great. The way the characters interacted with each other and dealt with life in general reminded me of how the people I know and I would behave in real life. The characters were nicely developed and, being adults, actually behaved like adults. None of that childish drama that the writers usually throw in to create conflicts.

I wish I knew more people like Lu Ji Ming's best friend, Ceng Yu Hang, who with his high EQ, was the "voice of wisdom" and the catalyst for many good moments between our main couple. Also, watching Ning Meng's parents, Xiao Yang and Xiao Song, and their funny interactions with our couple was time well spent. Not only that, there was a message of female empowerment with wonderful supportive relationships between Ning Meng and her best friend, her colleagues, and her boss, Shi Ying. Shi Ying was a true role model, and I would have loved to have a mentor like her.

The clothes and makeup also stood out for me because the show did not go for an idol drama feel with overdone makeup or avant-garde outfits. The actors looked normal, good-looking nonetheless, but refreshingly ordinary. I like how they styled Ning Meng from beginning to end. She looked cute in her glasses, albeit a little dowdy. It was nice to see how she naturally and realistically improved her outer beauty as she started to pay more attention, like using contacts, changing her hairstyle, and wearing more stylish outfits.

Finally, to top it off, the soundtrack was memorable for me. The way the show wove the songs and background music into the story was fitting and set the scenes and moods perfectly. Enclosed below is the link to the OST list, and I also included the link to the heartwarming song played in the background as Su Wei Ran reflected and pondered about his future.

Overall, I recommend that you try this drama out and see for yourself. Thematically for me, MOMO is a show that encapsulates life in many aspects and topics. It touches upon self-identity and personal growth, love (romantic and familial), friendship, respect and loyalty (to self, family, and principles), societal obligations and problems, the balance of power, wealth and inequality, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0ynz1wLE-k
终于可以说出那句我爱你 I can finally say that I Love You - 谭松韵 Seven Tan
寓言 Fable - 希林娜依·高 Curley G
甜蜜来袭 Tian Mi Lai Xi - 王赫野 Wang HeYe
那么多 So Much - 金玟岐 Vanessa Jin
寓言 Fable - 田园 TianYuan
那么多 So Much - 姚婷婷 Yao TingTing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGDeerbW5z8
夜空中最亮的星 The Brightest Star in the Night - 逃跑计划 Sky Escape Plan

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To start off, I just have to say that I probably rated this a little biased because I just thoroughly enjoyed it!

As other reviews have mentioned, the story is definitely your typical, cliche rich man and poor girl. But, there was something different about this story. I couldn't pinpoint it out for you, you'd have to see for yourself, but it was just so refreshing! I think the reason might be because it wasn't as stressed or emphasized. I mean yes, you can clearly see he's rich and she's just a little mere accountant's assistant, but Feng Teng wasn't a complete jerk like you see in so many other classic dramas like this, like BOF for instance.
What I liked the absolutely MOST about this drama, and the reason I think I'm so in love with it even though it was rather simplistic, is because it seemed kind of REAL to me, and there was no real hindrances. I mean of course there were problems for the main couple, and a love triangle in the beginning. But there was no character I ever truly hated, not even the second female lead in the first half. I didn't have the same pure hatred for her as I've had in other dramas, and I grew to really love her in the end. It may not have a whole ton of complex plot-twists and things like that, but it never died for me. It was 33 episodes and I finished it within days. It never dragged for me, not really, and there was just enough cute moments through out the whole show to keep me squeeling.
I swear to you, the amount of times I SQUEELED is HUGE. I can't even begin to tell you how surprised I was at how many times I legitimately squeeled and clapped my hands. I am not this type of person, but I could not suppress them!

As for the acting, I'm not sure. This was actually my first Chinese drama, I'd never explored the C-dramas before, but I think I just might now. I dabble more with Korean and Taiwanese dramas.
Zao Zanilia was absolutely adorable. She took a silly, ditsy character and turned her into a complex, three-dimensional real human being. Typically characters like Shan Shan are annoying, and their lack of passion (and a back-bone) usually irritate me to no end. Zao Zanilia (and the scrip writers) gave Shan Shan an edge; she may not have always screamed and fought, but she had her own way of dealing and handling these situations.
Zhang Han was, of course, sizzling HOT. I was actually wavered by him when I first started watching the show. He's one of the cutest actors I've seen, I'm not sure why. To be honest, my only shallow complaint is that his legs are just so skinny. But maybe that's a Chinese trend or is typical? I'm not sure, I'm not proficient in this area, like I've said before I haven't seen any others. His acting was pretty on par, my only complaint there is a sometimes lack of facial expressions. Although it wasn't in his character to be so blatantly affected, or to show it, but still. I swear his eye brows never moved... but he was still cute, none the less.
As for the supporting actresses and characters, they all did swell. I was engaged in their stories as much as the main couple, even if they didn't get a whole lot of show time (because this story was more focused on the main couple - which I really liked actually).

The music wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing either. There is a song or two that I think I'm going to download though, very cute, and they were definitely put in the right places. They weren't too extremely loud or annoying, either. Which was nice!

To be honest, I want to start rewatching it RIGHT NAO. I like this too, and hate. It's contradicting I know... I haven't felt this way about a drama in a LONG time. It was so heart-warming and just so cute, I mean I think this is probably the cutest drama I've seen in a long time, and not cute in an over-the-top, annoying way. The story was smooth, never slow, never fast, just a steady pace that drew me into the characters and into their world. I'm still reeling now... I don't want it to be done, I think I might cry... WAHH~ ;3;

Overall, because I was so absolutely in love with this drama, I have given it a 10. I know, it lacks a lot of things a normal 10 drama should get, but for me, I'm giving this one a 10 not because of the technicalities, but because of how I feel. Not many dramas can make me feel this way, but this one has accomplished just that, so I must tip my hat to this drama. I'm glad my first Chinese drama wasn't a bad experience!

I whole-heartedly recommend this drama to those looking for a refreshing, cute, innocent drama that's not over-the-top or annoying, but has just the right amount of serious matter, realistic relationship hindrances, and lots of fun and laughing! I can't help but to feel like I haven't said enough, that I'm missing something... but this is long enough!
Just. Watch. It. :D

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Amazing Romance with Adorable Alien and Hot Man

This is absolutely an adorable drama. Light-hearted, cute, simply makes one laugh out loud for the silliness.

Wan Peng, playing the role of the alien girl, Chai Xiao Qi, looks like your next door neighbor's daughter with uneven teeth. It is precisely this look that makes her so adorable, pure and authentic. As an alien from another planet, she has never experienced love as we humans do on earth. All she's aware of works in high tech systems and codes. So while on earth, she is super sensitive to opposite hormonal beacons and strongly attracted to them. Despite being an alien, she is kind, upstanding and fair. New to me, but I must say Wan Peng is such an excellent actress and she nails the role perfectly. She is simply natural and convincing.

The male lead, Hsu Thassapak, plays the character Fang Leng. Appropriately named, Fang Leng is very good looking, cold and emotionless, with a loving heart for his little half brother. When their paths cross, the events that followed Chai Xiao Qi the alien and Fang Leng are hilarious, sweet and sexy. Also as a new actor to me, Hsu Thassapak is extremely good looking and hot with a perfect physique. Every move he makes is simply elegant and classy. He is such a wonderful actor and I'll be watching out for his new dramas.

Fang Leng has an unflattery name of being a casanova or a playboy, as he has a condition of not remembering or recognizing any women he dates after a rainstorm. Gradually, unaware of his own emotions, Fang Leng falls in love with Xiao Qi. Despite his condition, he does not forget Xiao Qi.

And for Xiao Qi, her goal is to retrieve her transponder so that she can return home to her planet. But no one can control love, not even for an alien; she falls for Fang Leng. She is tormented - to leave her love or stay and be away from home forever.

I love the relationship between Fang Leng and Xiao Qi, both caring for each other but at the same time, trying to hide their concerns for each other. I also love the relationships between Fang Leng and his little brother, and Fang Lie with Xiao Qi.

And of course, there are the antagonists, Fang Leng's employee, his ex-girlfriend, his step-mom and step-mom's brother. However, whatever schemes they come up with trying to hurt either Fang Leng or Xiao Qi, somehow, one way or another, the schemes are never successful.

Oh, have I mentioned the CGI tortoise? It's so adorable and well done.

This is a lovely drama to watch to help with my withdrawal syndrome from "The Untamed". Great chemistry. Must watch.

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