Reviews

The wind rises in Luoyang

2021 has not been a particularly prolific year for detective investigation and wuxia themed C-historicals. The only one that I had completed this year would be The Imperial Coroner, which was quite good for a low budget web series. There were probably a couple others that I recall encountering but nothing large-scale in terms of the budget and prominence… until Luoyang came along. This is a highly anticipated production for several reasons.

> It is headlined by Wang Yi Bo, Huang Xuan and Song Qian. WYB obviously has his immense popularity and fanbase, but I also think he is a talented actor who has much to showcase if given the right script. The critically acclaimed and award-winning HX needs no further introduction while SQ is no stranger either with a fanbase for her music productions and acting honours in recent years as well.

> One look at the source material for the adaptation tells you pretty much what to expect. The story is based on Ma Bo Yong’s eponymous novel. For those in the know, Ma Bo Yong is the author of The Twelfth Hour in Chang’an, from which The Longest Day in Chang’an is adapted, as well as The Wind Blows from Longxi which is currently being adapted to a drama.

> Ever since the teaser appeared earlier this year, expectations have been soaring, judging from social media responses and even here on MDL. I was super impressed from what little had been shown because it looked very much the top quality content that it promises to be.

Luoyang is directed by Xie Ze, who helmed Jun Jiu Ling this year as well as the high profile Yang Mi fantasy, Legend of Fu Yao. Qing Mei serves as scriptwriter, after her interesting work on The Eight last year. Principal photography took place entirely at Hengdian World Studios between November 2020 and March 2021. This iQiyi co-production is big budget which reportedly involved in excess of 5,000 sets of clothing and modeling accessories, as well as more than 15,000 sets of props. These efforts were meant to accentuate the prosperous scenes of Luoyang during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.

The story is set during the interregnum period of the short-lived Wu Zhao Dynasty, itself a part of the great Tang Dynasty. At this time the imperial capital was relocated from Chang’an to Luoyang. The fates of three unrelated individuals are intertwined as they cross paths during investigations into a mysterious murder case which puts them on a collision course with an enigmatic secret organisation that has nefarious designs on the reign of China’s only Empress regnant, Wu Zetian.

What I Liked

The production quality. Specifically the art direction, set designs, action choreography and most obviously the money well spent on the sheer numbers of extras. From the first minute of the first episode, you could tell immediately this is top-tier content. Luoyang actually resembles a real city, rather than merely a production set. The huge crowd of inhabitants walking the streets exude a metropolis feel to the bustling city centre. Although this was filmed at Hengdian, you simply couldn’t tell because the production team managed to mask the obvious very well indeed. The action sequences of the choreographed martial arts moves, the coordination of mass fighting and the frenetic street chases are absolutely superb entertainment. Meanwhile, the inner palaces and the throne room settings are gloriously opulent and majestic, thanks in large part to the visual framing of the scenes. The general appearance of this drama is reminiscent of The Longest Day in Chang’an, with the exception of a more polished colour grading and less grain in the overall visuals.

The premise and the plot. The Tang Dynasty and Empress Wu Zetian historical settings are favourites of mine. The infusion of an intriguingly extensive overarching mystery with a profoundly conspiratorial connotation and no lack of convoluted twists makes Luoyang all the more enthralling. It is complex, fast paced, eventful and unpredictable - it’s truly been a while since we had such a smartly-written mystery. The reveals are timed to perfection without letting the cat out of the bag too early or being underwhelming to adversely detract from the gripping nature of the storytelling. The story continuously builds and engages right to the climactic ending.

The main characters and portrayals. Huang Xuan plays the gritty investigator Gao Bing Zhu, the perfect ancient iteration of the hardboiled detectives in crime noirs. This is a deliciously layered and multifaceted role that suits the range and depth that he possesses. In fact, most of the powerfully emotional moments in this drama feature his scenes. Wang Yi Bo is the stoic but brilliant engineer and scion of a prominent house of imperial engineers, Baili Hong Yi (aka Er Lang). In many respects, this character is an exact replica of his Lan Wangji in The Untamed. I actually prefer his brooding interpretation here compared to the playful character in Legend of Fei where he just can’t stop smiling. Making up the dynamic trio is Victoria Song Qian’s female inner guard, Wu Si Yue. This is an interesting character who is the only one of the three leads that initially embodies the values of justice and professionalism in her conduct, whereas the other two have their own vested interests and personal motivations. It’s safe to say that Song Qian’s performance here indeed warrants the tag of strong and relentless FL.

Of the supporting characters and cast, I have to mention a number of performances that have left quite an impression on me. The veteran Yong Mei plays Wu Zetian in what has been a uniquely refreshing take on the iconic historical figure. Most depictions hitherto have been utterly colourful, fashionably stylish and, of course, hugely intimidating. Her version is understated, subtle and nuanced. Whilst the image appears less menacing and even motherly, given the twilight years of her reign, I still feel the ominous undercurrent that threatens to burst into life beneath that deadly calm exterior. Despite the limited screen presence, Zhang Li deserves credit for her portrayal of Yao Niang, particularly during one of the scenes of acting masterclass between her and Huang Xuan.

The drama features a total of six original songs in its soundtrack. My personal favourite is the contemplative ending theme by Huang Shifu, Longing of Heart. Full listing as follows:

长风送 Chang Feng Sang - 宋茜 Song Qian
心念 Longing of Heart - 黄诗扶 Huang Shifu
无关 Wu Guan - 汪苏泷 Wang Sulong
笑黄梁 Xiao Huang Liang - 李振宁 Li Zhenning
天机 Tianji - 李常超 Li Changchao
风起洛阳 Wind from Luoyang - Winky诗 Winky Poem

What I Didn’t Like

The somewhat trippy camerawork, particularly for the action sequences. The cinematography has been somewhat inconsistent in this respect, although it does progressively improve. I do understand that it is a stylistic choice in the way the fight scenes are presented, to immerse viewers into the atmospherics of the scenes. The quieter and emotional moments, on the other hand, are generally better framed.

I did not appreciate the melodramatic aspects of the plot pertaining to FL’s brother persistently attempting to marry her off or frequently constraining her investigative efforts. Likewise the story arc relating to a certain side character and his unhealthy obsession with a long-lost childhood love interest.

I need to rant about one character in particular, Liu Ran. Somehow a majority of C-historicals seem to favour this particular characterisation. The whiny, clueless, and besotted airhead who constantly annoys by ceaselessly crying out for the object of her affections. In this case, I think I’ve heard the name “Er Lang” being called out hundreds of times throughout the whole drama. Usually such characters would eventually experience tremendous growth but not so here. Her trajectory remains constant right to the end, unfortunately. However, I do not blame Song Yi for the portrayal. She could only make do with what she’s given and I know she has a lot more substance than that.

The last thing that irked me - the ending. Without spoiling it, let’s just say that while the story does achieve closure, the final outcome isn’t ideal. There is a huge room for improvement in this aspect but I fear this is as good as it will ever get for us viewers.

Final Thoughts

All things considered, Luoyang is most definitely one of the better C-drama productions and investigation themed historicals of the year that shouldn’t be missed by fans of the genre and for those interested in trying their hand at C-historicals. At only 39 episodes in length, the storytelling is brisk, intense and coherent which is very well-suited for the binge.

Leggi di Più

This was a waste of time

If this show taught me anything, it’s that you shouldn’t let ratings tell you what to watch.

Idk how it’s rated 8.1 on MDL but that convinced me to give it a try, along with the cast-I’m also from legend of yunxi so I like both actors, but I wish I had never started this drama.

First of all, the synopsis is all wrong. This show is not about a girl who sees the future. That lasted the first 2 episodes and deteriorated into something entirely useless and incoherent.

Second, this is the worst female lead I have ever encountered. I usually always give the Fl the benefit of the doubt and find the good despite all the bad but in this show, the bad farrrr outweighed the good. Not once did she trust the ML. She kept repeating the same bad behavior with the same consequences or results throughout to show-even till the last couple of episodes. How do you write a character like that? No growth at all. She talked so much about trust and the truth, but she didn’t trust her teacher/master and she didn’t trust her husband despite him repeatedly reassuring her of his innocence on numerous occasions. Also, her always spending so much time with the second male lead, in public and privately, especially after the male lead expressed discomfort about it repeatedly to her annoyed me. Like you are married-a little bit of respect towards your husband won’t kill you. There was also the issue of the blind faith/trust she had in the SML due to them knowing each other for like 5 secs when they were kids that she doesn't extend to the ML, who is...her husband. I didn’t even care if she lived or died-in fact, on some occasions, I wanted them to truly get divorced and he married the princess. Put simply, the female lead sucks, she’s awful. Her character belongs in a trash can.

The second male lead is even worse. He decides to go on this entire evil crusade based off secondhand info about a 10-year-old incident without verifying or questioning a single thing. Who does that? Who formulates an entire revenge plan that involves the betrayal and murder of so many innocent people without first verifying your reason? Even if he was right and that incident was what caused his mother's death, the male lead was a child then??? You're telling me the writer decided that his main villain is going to be someone who can't distinguish between a mistake made by a child and malicious murder? You will betray and murder someone who calls you uncle and has done nothing but trust you because he knocked over a candle when he was like 10?? Also, the actor’s acting was pretty bad. Maybe this role doesn’t suit him or something idk, this is my first show of his, but he portrayed zero emotions and he tried to act without moving his lips and that just annoyed me. And his obsession with the female lead due to their 5 sec childhood interaction grew tiresome really quick. Also, the way his story ended was the absolute WORST! We watched this lunatic run around for 39.5 episodes killing people in an attempt to kill the male lead over the stupidest misunderstanding, all for him to die before fully understanding how wrong he was and what he had done. Like what was that?!

The secondary couple, although cute, became annoying and repetitive promptly after because they refused to actually do anything about their relationship or make it official. This is a historical drama, how many episodes of flirting and almost kisses can there be before you freaking ask for the girl’s hand in marriage? The whole show with them flirting and fighting and no marriage. It was the same thing over and over.

And then there's the ex-friend of the female lead who became her enemy after misunderstanding the female lead's part in her father's execution. It was literally the simplest misunderstanding that could have and should've been easily resolved but it dragged the entire drama and the friend tried to murder her and it never gets resolved. Why not clear it up at the end-even if it's to make the ex-friend feel guilt and remorse for her actions? They left that unresolved.

The only character that had any growth was the annoying princess and that’s the saddest thing I’ve ever written. She grew from the most annoying person on the show, to still annoying but sorta like-able and caring.

I stayed through the drama for the male lead. While he was the typical cold ml, every so often he’d smile, smirk, or make the funniest, most ridiculous faces that just made your heart melt. He also turned into a total sugar ball around the female lead.

This show sucked. The plot was awful-I’m not even sure that there even was a solid plot to follow. The villain is so crappy that you’re more annoyed than scared of him. Every episode is a repeat of “how can we make the people in the male lead’s life not trust or believe him today about issues that are clear cut until he almost dies proving himself to them”. This is what you will be watching for 40 episodes.

I couldn’t wait for the special episodes but now that I’ve finished the show, I don’t even want to watch it cause just looking at the female lead is going to piss me off. Also, my idea of a happy ending for this show does not include the female lead. He could do so much better and be so much happier with a person who loves and trusts him. He loves her with everything, but she abuses that. My perfect ending would have been if he fell in love with someone, one of the times they were separated, and she cares about and trusted him as much he does her.

Leggi di Più

City Hunter is obviously one of the fewest well-made action dramas in South Korea.

This drama’s story centers on revenge, action, friendship and romance: the ultimate combination to create various story’s developments all the time excluding any chance for dragging or slow moments. The intense events were always present to create cliffhangers at every turn in each episode. What I appreciated the most about this drama’s screenwriting was the action and revenge departments; they were really well done in a way that will make you believe they’re the core of the drama regardless of any other subjects. I also have to refer to the masked hero theme that was used in a great way.

The acting department was actually good. Lee Min Ho can be quite stiff but that doesn’t deny that his action scenes were pretty well done. Other cast were also appreciated since they could deliver feelings especially Kim Sang Joong who portrayed the villain role in a perfect way. As for characters, I believe they were nice to follow considering the fact that their developments were quite good.

As for music, I have to give this drama’s OST credit; not only they were well chosen but they were also put at the right moment creating an enjoyable atmosphere.

This drama can be watched by those who like action dramas mixed with revenge and romance or those who like the masked hero theme and thrilling stories. However, this drama should be avoided by those who dislike Lee Min Ho or those who are looking for a light drama.

If you’re willing to watch City Hunter, get ready to throw yourself in an endless circle of intense events without a drop of slow moments.

Leggi di Più

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY THIS YEAR!

I am ecstatic that this BL was aired early this year since this is a story 22 years in the making... Well, do not take it literally. You have to watch to know what I just said. It is a nice gift for BL fans since it is packaged in a rainbow-themed wrapper, classic ribbons and a big box full of surprises!

STORY
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Is this series a euphemism to the philosophy: "Love knows no boundaries". Yes. And, it is more of transcending rather than "breaking boundaries".

More often than not, a love story does not make you think, just let you feel every scene, conversation, interaction. And this one will make you think as well; but it does not mean that it will take away the good "stuff" of a love story, actually, it even enhance it as you won't know what will happen next or in the end.

This is the best love story I have watched with a mystery as its core reason of the interaction of the two main character. Despite of having 8 episodes only, the writers did not waste time developing the plot; as every episode it puts a new layer of one's character that will keep you glued to your seat, if you are binge watching this. It will make you think "what's next?". And there are some light bulb moments that makes you utter "That makes sense", or, "Why I haven't thought of that". I bet, watching this won't be an 8-hour waste of your time.

What is also very likeable about this series is how they peel off the mystery piece by piece, layer by layer, while still being coherent and not all over the place and it did not drop a big bomb that exploded in one episode. A feat for a love story with a good deal of mystery. This may follow a similar plot like almost all love stories out there, but what it is satisfying to watch this series is the little details it showed along the way. You will ask yourself, "If I were in his shoes, would I do the same thing? Or act differently?". What should you feel or react in certain scenes. And, there are moments that it is too good that you just watch as it unfolds right in front of you without thinking anything.

Mixed it with some "crazy" friends and an uncoditionally loving mother completes the story.

And I forgot to mention, Thun says the right things at the right time! That speaks volumes about script writing.

For me, happy endings are over-rated. After all, in real life, we actually have more sad endings than the happy ones. But sometimes, there are too much sad endings happening in our lives that we need a happy ending even once in a while. So, how does this series end? Then, you have to find out for yourself and enjoy the journey!

IF this is going to be a sad ending, what you can take away from this is that not every relationship ends with sunshine and a rainbow. Furthermore, most of relationships ended with a sad one. After all, "parting is such a sweet sorrow". It teaches us to be grateful for the person we were once with. All that person taught us, created memories with and experiences shared together.

IF this is going to be a happy ending, then it reinforces the concept of "Love Rules". And we have to endure all the pain and sufferings to get what we want, what we need and be where we ought to be.

I will leave the story part of this review: Some of the best relationships require the ultimate sacrifices. It will be up to fate if we will be blessed accordingly.

As of writing, this series/drama is currently the #2 in Thailand, #1 for BL-themed in Thailand speaks very highly how this was made and loved by many.

ACTING/CAST
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Ohm Pawat's performance as Thun is nothing short of extraordinary. He definitely bring his acting to a way new level. I was impressed how he played Frame in Make It Right, specially when his acting transitioned to the second season. But this specific series, I had a greater respect for his acting skills as he brought his "A" game and considering he just 19 years of age, he will mature, get even better as years pass by.

Singto as Mes. Another stellar performance of an actor. SOTUS, SOTUS S and Friend Zone, portrayed a "serious" Singto, but in this series, his child-like acting is shinning and yet, is able to retained his seriousness when the scene demands for it. The quirkiness of his character that he plays so well is something to look forward to.

Never a moment that I felt that their, Ohm & Singto, acting is with a degree of awkwardness. But, I have seen some BTS of their scenes that most of the time Ohm is the one that is shy to act something out. Hey?! What is another take for, right?

Chimon and Sing as Prince and Khiem respectively, are great support too!

I can't wait for Chimon to have a lead role in a love story. In Our Skyy Episode 2, he can clearly carry a series, portray an 'antagonist' in "The Gifted the series" and having support roles in "My Dear Loser" and "Happy Birthday the series". Now in the up-coming series "The Blacklist", if the trailer holds true what is shows, then it is possible to see Chimon's funny, comedic side of acting. This series show just how versatile of an actor he is.

For Sing, I know he acted in Love Sick 1 & 2, but it is lackluster. Easily forgettable. Then came Slam Dance, but was not given much of exposure. He showed his support role capabilities in My Dear Loser and his potential to lead a series in "The Gifted the series". However, in this series, what is obvious is his acting as a supporting actor, but it no means that he is not up to the challenge. He is good at breaking the "ice" at the very serious moments. For me, one of the under-rate Thai actor out there as he is being stereotyped as this goofy guy who doesn't no how to get serious. But then again, he is good at it.

How do I critique an actor's skill. If he/she can still convey a mesage, an emotion despite not talking or not understanding the native language; through facial expression and body languages. But one can definitely appreciate the acting more if it coupled with a spoken words. The intonations, pauses makes what is being said together with their respective body language, but mostly facial expressions, give more meaning.

ADDENDUM, after watching the raw Ep 8 (finale):
Just when you thought that Ohm and Singto's acting could get any better than best, they actually did! They outdid themselves! Never thought that Ohm got the "moves".

Furthermore, just realized that the director for this series also directed Our Skyy and the sceenwriter of My Dear Loser: Edge of 17.

MUSIC/SOUNDS
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Let's start with the sound effects, there are very few instances where the effects were a second ahead of the intended scene where it is meant to draw emotions. But the effects for the "WTF" moments, especially for Sing, are spot on. Sound tracks in this series I can say that they are the icing on the cake. The songs make it sweeter for the scenes or heart breaking at some. That makes the moment perfect in every sense.

The background, piano-accompanied music in the scenes will definitely make you feel more and deeper.

I will leave this portion with this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esnQ6YrKG0I

REWATCH VALUE
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Like all mystery based stories, once the mystery is solved, it is hard to rewatch it since you already know how it will end. But that does not mean that this series is anything less than remarkable.

Leggi di Più

I had an interest in Moon Chae Won's first drama as a lead actress after seeing her opposite characters in My Fair Lady and Shining Inheritance...

Story: The main focus is on this family who face difficult challenges in wake of an unfortunate life altering event. The first episode was so unpredictable and the ending of it will lead you to want to watch the next episode to see what will happen next. There are multiple storylines going on because there is a large cast so you will definitely stay interested and not get bored. My only gripe is that the romance between the main couple is kind of weak and the ending for them was kind of cheesy...

Acting/Cast: The acting doesn't blow me away but somehow I found myself engrossed in all the characters. There were so many characters that at first its hard to keep up with who's who. After I got to know everyone though I found myself rooting for everyone. I even wanted our villain (very creepy/scary) to redeem himself although it never happens.

Music: OST fits the show well. The theme song is cute & very catchy.

Rewatch Value: I liked this show so i'll rewatch it but not right away.

Overall the plot was engaging but the writers lacked focus and felt a little bit all over the place so a little tightening up with the story could of made it even better. Its positives are that its very touching and you learn a lot about close family relationships.

Leggi di Più

Wow...nicely executed, this drama really keeps you on the edge of your seat and consistently engages your emotions in a such a way that will literally have your blood start boiling and eye balls glued to the screen as you anxiously wait to see what will happen next. Furthermore, the plot of this drama, while simple in design is built with so many individuals intertwine into one big storyline, one can't help but feel over-time the complexities that arises out of such a simple course of action...



Going further, what makes this drama so engaging is that it puts the human emotions and experience of betrayal, vengeance, love, family, friendship, and money into a universal context that possibly anyone can relate to. First and foremost is the betrayal. You may have experienced in life when you felt betrayed by the very people/person who trust and admire...simply being used up and tossed aside like trash...one can't help but feel betrayed thus leading one into seeking vengeance for the pain that one has experienced...it is only justice, right? "Eye for an eye", as the saying goes...they made you suffer, you've experienced emotional pain, now they will get a taste of their own medicine...there's an interesting double karma that occurs in this drama that really makes you think, "Could there have been a better course of actions?"...



Along the way in one's vendetta, you meet people or someone who brings love and friendship into your life...your heart wavers because you begin to fall in love with this person...what will you do, when your heart betrays you as well? Will you give up your vengeance for this person?...seems like a very plausible thing to do and just forget about everything while you're still trying to complete your master plan...will falling in love mess you up?



Family is also important as well, as your action may consequently affect everyone in it...as well as those who are connected to your family...however, what if your family hides a dark secret, will it still justify for your actions and vengeance? Often in the scheme for power, it is really about about the money, the Benjamins...as greed is quite an over-powering human desire for more of everything in life...after all, money is what makes the world go round, right?...I think...well not really in my opinion but nonetheless we need it in order to survive in our current societies.



If you're not into those sappy and sad dramas...this one will be a treat for you...it's a thriller filled with twist and turns and I think blends very well with the love plot between the individuals who create a love triangle that's rather interesting to watch and see it unfold.

Leggi di Più

Cute little story! I'm surprised they got so much "skinship" around the Chinese censors and bans! Great actors with lovely chemistry (the chemistry is even more insane when off the screen). Cute script, interesting plot and plenty of funny moments. The only thing that would've made this series even more perfect for me was if the "seme/uke" relationship wasn't so strong, but at least both characters have some balls and keep challenging each other!

The drama is clearly low budget. You can tell by the costumes/props and at some point, it looks like a home-filmed thing. However! That does not subtract anything from the amount of pure substance in this piece ;)

Considering the Chinese government censors and all that, I'm very proud of what these people managed to put out!

Leggi di Più

I was looking for a drama that is not just a rom com but a one that can stirred my emotions .. ALAS ! THIS WAS THE ONE !.. I just finished watching this drama and let me tell you .. this is one of my fav jap drama now :) ..

Its about a man who is forced to be a father and now living with his daughter .. This story revolves around this man ... few characters show up in his life and stays with him .. :) i love how this drama portrays gentleness and kindness in such a sweet manner..

Excellent acting from both main leads and their chemistry is very pure :) ... Another actor and character that i really liked was the young girl ... She did an outstanding job..

Another best thing i liked was the way writer captured my attention all throughout the drama.. I kept watching episodes one after the other in curiosity to what will happen next.. Story-line is very different and unpredictable .. It had me till the end ..

I liked jap dramas for how they show light and deep moments in such a simple way ... This drama touched my heart in so many places :D :D ... if you really wanted to watch something light yet deep and mature.. give it a go .. i am sure you will NOT regret it :)

Leggi di Più

I watched this Drama a while ago and there is actutually a lot to say about it. At first it is one of the most beautyfull dramas i have seen so far. The acting is great and the music matches well with the scenes. I often have the problem that historical dramas get boring after a while and I see myself skipping some dialogues in order to go on to the more "interssting" parts. In the drama Hwang jin yi however this feeling wasn't there as much as in the other so i nearly watched every second of it. The only thing I didn't like that much was the sadness that you find yourself in while watching it. There are many scenes where I actually cried and that is the reason for me not to rewatch it that many times.... But that doesn't mean that it's not worth rewatching. The dances and the acting of Ha ji won in particular are sooo outstanding and in my opinion they portrait hwang jin yi soo good that all the time you get what she stands for, fights for and how great of a women she is. For all those who are interessted in Art this is a drama that leads them back to the past to discover what being an artist means.
To sum up this drama is valuable in acting, art (costumes are great) music and dancing also the storyline is interessting. The only thing you need to prepare yourself is getting a bunch of tissues ready as it gets really emotional ;)

Leggi di Più

WHY did I watch this?

Season 2 of a series, regardless of its genre, should be reserved for a series that was highly successful and popular in its first season because of a memorable plot/storyline, solid acting, or good writing and directing, that left everyone wanting more.
Sadly, most of the series that have gotten a second season lately, especially Thai BLs, have been utterly disappointing (see for example "Love by Chance 2", "Tharn-Type season 2", "Love Area season 2", among others) as they couldn't overcome a myriad of flaws and some questionable acting and directing that left us viewers regretting our decision to watch.
Gen Y season 2 is NO exception despite what one reviewer (who has only watched 4 episodes) said about this being a wonderful show. It is NOT... Gen Y2 became 12 episodes of dull acting, bad directing, many storyline plots that were even more boring to watch and useless situations that were dealt with in usual BL fashion of not being dealt with at all. Here's why.

The storyline/plot:
This story seems to follow the concept of the original "2Moons" with Wayu (instead of Wayo), Kit and Pha remaining constants from that show and with virtually identical characters. The idea of having Wayu and Thanu as the main couple in season 2 was created by the plot of Pha leaving Wayu alone in season 1 and telling Thanu to take care of Wayu. It took all of season 1 and then nearly a third of season 2 to finally know that Pha is sick (I believe he had a sort of brain tumor judging by what Kit is reading while doing research on the disease) and is dying, so he leaves Wayu because he doesn't want him to see him like that. Really?! The love of your life and you just leave one day, ask another guy to "take care" of Wayu for you, and vanish into thin air without an explanation? So this was sinkhole #1 in the plot.

Then Kit and Mark have their own issues... the cat and mouse game Kit plays in season 1 by rejecting Mark's advances and flirting until he finally breaks his walls and accepts that he likes Mark, shift into Mark and Kit having a dull relationship (in my opinion) with Mark acting cute all the time because of how much he loves Kit and the other trying to restrain himself and control Mark's personality at the same time. And then, they drift apart when Kit applies for a scholarship abroad (one of the usual Thai BL clichés) and decides is better to take some time apart from seeing Mark to make sure both get used to living apart from each other. Really?! If I knew I was leaving to study abroad, I would have spent every single second I could possibly spend with my loved one before I had to leave, not the opposite... Kit is basically training Mark (and himself) to be alone in case he leaves but both spend countless episodes crying and sighing because they miss each other. So this was sinkhole #2.

Pha reappears early in this season but is to reveal he is dying. This takes Kit on a quest to save him, trying to apply for an experimental study in the US, neglecting Mark and almost everything else to save Pha. Thanu feels sad about his friend and also a bit guilty by "keeping" Wayu. And Wayu has no clue of what is happening at first, until Sandee (more on him later) reveals the truth, making Wayu feel guilty about being mad at Pha for what he thought was just Pha breaking up with him and then compensating by staying with Pha all the time at the hospital, feeling a bit angry because nobody told him about Pha's health, and then guilty again for having feelings for Thanu while Pha is dying. We had to watch nearly entire episodes of these scenarios I mentioned above and they became quite boring after a while as nothing was developing with the other couples and Wayu-Thanu-Pha kept this love triangle from dying out. Finally, Pha does end up dying (in a poorly edited scene with Pha's mother saying "he is gone", but then Wayu, Kit and Thanu going in the room to find he is actually alive, before he finally dies) which released us from watching Wayu suffer because he loves Thanu but wants to take care of Pha. So this was sinkhole #3.

Sandee is the bad guy (I guess) of this season as he tries to "fix" the couples to what he thinks is best. Thanu with Phai and then also messing with the Tong-Pok couple because Tong switched his grade with Pok's so he could be accepted in the university. Ok, I get you're angry at Tong because your grade was switched... but when Sandee confesses to Phai about what he did and then in episode 12 when he talks to Pok, he reveals the switch didn't affect either of them as the grades were identical. Really?! You went through all the mess of threatening and blackmailing Tong, being outcasted by your group of friends, having Pok beat you up a little, and for what? In the end the switch didn't make a difference! And then trying to put Thanu and Phai together serves no purpose in the series as Phai already made it clear he will not interfere in the Thanu-Wayu relationship, so what... Sandee likes Phai? Maybe... Sandee just wants to play matchmaker due to his distorted idea of what love should be (all the fate-destiny crap he and Phai talked about since season 1) Maybe... but we never know for sure. So this was sinkhole #4.

Pok and Tong have an almost toxic relationship with Tong refusing to kiss as he is "saving that for his real love"... great... but his conservative nearly puritan perspective goes to hell when both are being fuckbuddies and doing nearly everything (including the shower scene before they break up) but with Tong still refusing to kiss. They lack communication, they let Sandee influence them quite easily, they never listen to the rest of their friends and then all is solved in episodes 11 and 12 when they each find out the truth (from someone else), Sandee apologizes, and all is well in the world of Pok and Tong. So this was sinkhole #5.

Then we have the secondary characters who have nothing to do. Jack and Ko could have been the best side couple of this season as the actors worked together as a couple in "My Mate Match" but they barely get screen time with all the characters in this series. At least they have a decent and cute ending... We also have the mystery that Padbok was in this show. He was constantly fighting with Thanu in season 1 for what he thought was his friend's betrayal... but then he disappears in season 2 with the excuse of him taking care of his sick father. He briefly appears in the waste of episode when the whole cast dresses up for the mini-plays but leaves after literally 10 seconds when he sees that Thanu will be involved in the scene as well. Then in episode 12 he listens to Thanu and Wayu, then Jack and Jew confirm the story and what could have been solved in about 2 minutes of the show, ended up being solved until the last 10 minutes of the season. Not sure if Junior (the actor who played Padbok) was busy with the new BL he will lead (something called "Boxer in Heart" where he will play the main couple along with Tiger from "My Engineer" and "Top Secret Together") but his absence in this season was made even more evident by the choppy scenes he had to film to solve his problems with Thanu. The rest of the characters either play matchmakers or provide some sort of comedic relief but they barely add anything to the story. Phai more or less gives some good advice to Kit in a few episodes but nothing that good. So this was sinkhole #6.

The acting:
Sadly, most of the actors, while attractive, have fallen in the same sort of roles. Bas (playing Wayu) is stuck with the suffering damsel in distress character that needs a big strong man like Pha or Thanu to help him and all his characters have that similar feeling. Kimmon (playing Mark) and Copter (playing Kit) have fallen in the playful/flirty character (Mark) and the serious, uptight, centered character (Kit). Bank (playing Sandee) and Pon (playing Phai) were nothing like their characters from "The Moment" and "The Moment Since" where they had some soul and personality, here both were quite dull. Big (playing Pha) had mostly bed-ridden scenes in the hospital and maybe he was also focusing on his support role in "Something in My Room" (where he doesn't appear much either and his character is quite weird) but his scenes playing a sick man were forgettable. The other Bank (playing Pok) and Bonus (playing Tong) could have used some acting directions as they had some of the most intense scenes, whether having sex or arguing, in the series, but they didn't convince me much. The rest were just there.

In the end, Gen Y 2 ended up being another disappointment in what is becoming a long list of disappointments now, as companies are just producing BLs because they see them as profitable or trendy but don't bother too much in terms of quality. So, yeah, avoid this season if you can.

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I didn't expect that watching this series would turn into a nightmare. The first episodes really interested me. The plot was presented in an interesting way and the acting seemed to be bearable. I thought I really made a good choice by clicking on this series. However, with more and more newer episodes, the drama started to bore me. I was less and less eager to reach for the next sections. In the middle of the series, I experienced great disappointment. The drama had nothing to offer me that would attract my attention. The series was very well thought out. The idea was excellent, but the performance was quite boring and dull. I am sorry that I have such feelings after watching this drama. Unfortunately, I didn't like the series. As far as music is concerned, there is only the leading melody, which falls into the ear, but after listening to it for a longer time, one gets bored and starts to get upset.

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Good News: Hijacked by Humor

I did not have any previous knowledge of the real-life 1970s hijacking, so when I learned that Good News is inspired by true events, I was expecting a heavy drama. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this was not only an action film but also a black comedy that leaned heavily on the satire.

The film definitely embraced the comedic genre, often following intense scenes with witty dialogue, physical humor and absurd scenarios when least expected. The back and forth between the two tones felt like a rollercoaster ride, providing enough laughs to break the previously built tension, but always maintaining an underlying sense of urgency, never allowing the viewers to fully let their guards down.

This film's bold use of unconventional music and sometimes "over-the-top" visual effects works perfectly with the narrative and makes Good News stand out among many others in this genre. Although the balance of dramatic and comedic scenes was masterfully calculated, the film's length was a significant drawback. Around the halfway point, the narrative began to drag, and a quicker pace would have improved the viewing experience.

Despite a runtime that could have been shorter, don't let the serious premise discourage you. It's a surprisingly entertaining watch, thanks to its masterful use of music and visual effects, and its clever way of blurring the line between suspense and comedy.

Overall: 4/5
Quality: 4/5
Enjoyability: 3.5/5

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m I want to say born to be Alive drama is really. really so good drama

"Born to Be Alive" is not just another drama; it is a profound journey of resilience, love, and the human spirit. From the very first episode to Episode 28, the series has consistently delivered a high-quality cinematic experience that keeps the audience emotionally invested.
​The Brilliance of Yang Zi's Performance
Once again, Yang Zi proves why she is one of the most respected actresses of her generation. Her portrayal is nuanced and deeply moving. In the early episodes, we see her character’s vulnerability and struggles, but as the story progresses toward Episode 28, her growth is remarkable. Yang Zi has this unique ability to convey complex emotions through just her eyes. Whether it is a moment of silent grief or a burst of joyful hope, she makes the audience feel every heartbeat of her character. Her dedication to the role is evident in every frame, making the character feel like a real person we want to protect and root for.
​Compelling Storytelling and Pacing
The plot of "Born to Be Alive" is meticulously crafted. It doesn’t rely on cheap tropes; instead, it builds tension and emotional depth naturally. The transition from the introductory episodes to the climax of the current arc in Episode 28 has been seamless. Each episode serves a purpose, peeling back layers of the characters’ pasts and their motivations. The themes of overcoming adversity and finding light in the darkest of times are explored with great sensitivity. It is a story that resonates with anyone who has ever faced challenges in life.
​High Production Value
The cinematography and art direction deserve immense praise. Each scene is beautifully shot, with a color palette that perfectly complements the mood of the story. The soundtrack is also hauntingly beautiful, elevating the emotional stakes of the drama. The attention to detail in the costumes and set designs shows the high production value that went into making this series a visual treat.
​Addressing the Unfair Criticism
It is disheartening to see targeted 1-star reviews and malicious comments aimed at bringing down such a high-quality production. True viewers who have followed the journey from Episode 1 to Episode 28 can attest to the excellence of this drama. The negative "review bombing" does not reflect the reality of the show's brilliance. "Born to Be Alive" stands as a testament to the hard work of the entire cast and crew.
​Conclusion
As we reach Episode 28, the drama has only gotten stronger. It is a powerful, inspiring, and beautifully acted series that deserves all the accolades it receives. If you are looking for a story that touches your heart and showcases world-class acting, this is it. Don't let the noise of the detractors distract you from this masterpiece. Highly recommended! 10/10.

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