Reviews

Gloriously special indeed

I’ve watched quite a fair number of military-themed Chinese productions over the years which usually contain similar themes and DNA in the storytelling structure. For more recent productions, we will come across the usual suspects as far as the villains are concerned.

- Themes: New recruits’ coming-of-age at the military academy
- The DNA: think propaganda, jingoism, and a healthy dose of flag-waving at every opportunity.
- The usual villain: Being set in present times, these days its nefarious drug cartels and its associated shadowy crime organisations.

Glory of Special Forces contains the same blueprint as outlined above. But is it exactly the same as other military C-dramas or does it showcase anything new? More importantly, is it worth your precious time to check it out? My answer is a definitive and unequivocal YES. I daresay this drama is quite likely the best in the genre that I’ve ever watched, and then some.

The drama is adapted from the novel "The Special Kind of Special Forces” (中国特种兵之特别有种) written by Fen Wu Yao Ji (纷舞妖姬), a nom de plume whose actual name is Dong Qun (董群). He is an award-winning and renowned military fiction novelist who is responsible for the source materials that form the basis for the box office hits Wolf Warrior and Wolf Warrior 2.

Directed by Xu Jizhou (Rookie Agent Rouge) who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation along with Feng Ji, notable for having written Ark Peace (headlined by Chen Kun), The Weasel Grave and Decoded (one of my favourite Republican-era spy dramas). Principal photography took place from April to December 2019. Yes, this drama had been in censorship limbo for quite a while before it was finally released. The main cast reportedly underwent actual combat training under the guidance of active servicemen, the result of which is quite apparent in terms of their physical appearance and overall stunt coordination in the production.

The soundtrack features a total of 4 songs specially composed for the drama, along with various patriotic music and the original score. Liu Yu Ning participated in the project as well by contributing 2 songs.

The Book of Life 生命之书 - Liu Yuning 刘宇宁
Looking Up at the clear skies 仰望晴空 - Liu Yuning 刘宇宁
Climb 攀 - Zhang Lei 张磊
My Pride 我的骄傲 - Jin ZhiWen 金志文

What I Liked

The character-driven narrative. Yes, it’s about an army recruit’s coming-of-age who goes through hardships during training to finally make it into the elite special forces team and bring justice to the bad guys. But this young man’s journey takes on a multifaceted approach that includes themes of dealing with complicated backstories, complex family, team and relationship dynamics, as well as combat-related PTSD, along with the thrills and spills of the action and adventure. Despite the lengthy 45-episode count, not once did I feel bored or disconnected because the content is engaging that covers a wide range of interesting subject matters while the storytelling is brisk and finely balances the multitude of intersecting plotlines therein. There is a noticeable absence of unneeded fillers that tend to plague C-dramas of this length, which is always very much welcome.

The scope of characterizations. Most dramas of this nature focus purely on the leads while everyone else is neglected - supporting characters and antagonists alike. Not this show though. Although the ML drives the drama, and magnificently at that with a depth of character and strength of conviction that shines through, the rest of the characters are afforded a certain extent of the spotlight which elevates them beyond mere one-dimensional caricatures or inconsequential afterthought. The mentor(s), families, comrades-in-arms, friends, and even the villains are able to breathe life to their presence as crucial elements of the story, each with their very own character arcs that interweave seamlessly into the overarching plot.

The authenticity in the depiction of the military aspects. I’m no military expert but from years of watching such content, be it Asian or Western, there is a marked deftness to the portrayal of the special forces’ operators. In terms of the intensity of the firefights, the brutal hand-to-hand fighting and the coordinated execution of the field missions. Likewise the hightech hardware, weaponry and gadgets showcased.

Another facet of the military life that forms the bulk of the story is the hardcore training. Now there have been many forms of military training showcased in various dramas, most notably the recently aired Operation: Special Warfare’s harsh “Shaolin-esque hell’s camp” where bricks are smashed on participants’ heads, among other things. How true that is, we’ll never know but in this drama there is no such brutality that beggars belief, which reflects a measure of realism felt from the scenes shown. That said, there is a scene involving breathing apnea for underwater training and carving chrysanthemums out of rice grains to improve calmness and shooting accuracy…

Finally we have the cast themselves. My personal opinion - this drama could possibly be the turning point in Yang Yang’s acting career. I enjoy watching him especially in the currently airing Who Rules the World. He is definitely leading man material who possesses the charisma to light up the screen. As the ML here, however, his overall performance is more than a couple notches above and quite possibly his best ever. The level of commitment in undertaking tough preparations to literally transform himself physically into a tanned lean and mean machine to fully convince viewers he is a bona fide special forces soldier. As if that isn’t enough, he goes on to display a complete spectrum of emotions in his acting. If you’ve ever wondered how a distraught, tormented and agonising Yang Yang looked like, you can see it all here.

Despite the FL billing, Li Yi Tong actually has a smaller role as a supporting character. Nonetheless, her character of a resolute military officer is subtle, nuanced and unobtrusive. The one character that impresses me tremendously is Jiang Lu Xia who plays sniper Guo Xiao Xiao. One of the best written and depicted female soldiers ever in a C-drama. This is not a pretty face that’s shoehorned into the role of a tough-as-nails female character - she really is the real deal. In fact, she used to be a national Wushu champion before becoming a star of the much-lauded Operation Red Sea. As for the rest of the supporting cast, they generally delivered a decent account of their respective portrayals.


Perhaps Could’ve Been Better

This drama is not flawless by any means but without nitpicking, I honestly do not have major concerns on the production quality or significant complaints on the plot, both of which have exceeded my expectations in general. However I do wish there had been more action in terms of active missions and actual operations to balance out the training scenarios, in addition to a stronger and more impactful ending to the story.

Not a popular opinion perhaps, but I also wouldn’t mind having light romance added into the mix as part of the ML’s development. Not too much but enough to depict a more wholesome emotional growth in an overarching side story and to flesh out the relationship dynamics between Yang Yang and Li Yi Tong’s characters.

Despite the obvious improvements in the portrayal of the antagonists in this drama, I feel more depth could have been written into the characterization and backstory to heighten the complexity of the storytelling as well as to avoid the pitfalls of merely resorting to unsound villains with psychotic tendencies as the go-to trope.

Final Thoughts

I have thoroughly enjoyed the best military-themed C-drama as well as Yang Yang’s best performance, to date. There is much to love about Glory of Special Forces and I’m glad it delivers despite the long wait and extensive running time. This is absolutely recommended viewing indeed.

Leggi di Più

I started watching this drama nearly blind. I knew its mythology, so to speak (through the roof ratings, iconic status, etc.), but nothing whatsoever of the story. I had seen two of writer Song Ji Na's dramas prior to watching this one (A Man's Story and Legend, both much more recent than this one). And while somewhere in my mind I probably knew she wrote this drama before I started watching it, I didn't consciously realize it until a few episodes in, when I got a sneaking suspicion that it was her handiwork. So, wait for credits to roll and sure enough, there she is. She doesn't recycle stories; they all feel fresh, but there are definitely themes that appear in her work that apparently span many years.

This drama surprised me in so many ways. Despite its age, it's very watchable today. The acting was stellar all around. It felt quite natural and in a way, less staged and choreographed than many modern dramas. Seeing actors such as Choi Min Soo and Go Hyun Jung in their breakout roles would make the 24 hours of heartache worth it even if the drama was not quite as good. It is that good, though!

The music, while unconventional, fit the mood of the drama well. Thank goodness they chose atmosphere over trendy ballads because I'm sure I would not have appreciated that as much in 2018. It got a tiny bit repetitive, but it's a minor issue. I wonder if that was a criticism they got when the show aired as well? At some point pretty late in the drama, a "new" background music appeared to soundtrack all the action scenes. (I didn't like it. It was cheesy and didn't fit with the rest of the music :P)

There are only a few other things I can think of to criticize. The wardrobe seemed odd to me. The story runs from the early 70's to the late 80's. It was filmed in the mid 90's. Throughout the drama, the clothing was basically pure 90's to my eyes. So when the real life footage shows up, it's kind of jarring that those people are actually wearing clothes of their time but the drama characters are not. It's a bit jarring. And the other criticism is that the sound effects are very dated. Cartoonish "thwaps" and "pows" abound whenever a fist fight occurs. It's kind of endearing in a way, though. :)

I won't describe the story. Even if you aren't normally a fan of politics and gangsters, you might find you like them in this context. If I had known in more detail what I was getting into, I might not have been so eager to watch, so don't let genre deter you if gangsters aren't your thing either. I was won over by the pace of the story and the compelling characters. I was impressed by the lack of common tropes. If I had any preconceived notions of what a 90's kdrama was like, I think it must have been that I expected way more cliches and the same old tired tropes that we still have even now. They had to come from somewhere, right? Well, maybe, but they didn't come from this drama. No childhood chance meetings ending in eternal love. No clear-cut, neat revenge plots. What it does have: lots of gray characters, which are my favorite kind. A surprisingly strong and articulate female lead. No easy answers, no preachiness, but lots to think about.

The intertwined lives and fates of the three main characters is what drives the story. What holds it together and gives it staying power, even today, are the timeless themes of corruption, abuse of power, and the thirst for change for the better despite so much resistance and sheer inertia. (And bringing in real life issues and events that would still have been in the fairly recent past for the audience at the time lends it that much more weight.)

Lastly, THE ENDING. I shall say no more in terms of story. But it hit me like a ton of bricks. Nicely done, show.

I cannot believe that no one has written a review for this drama! I'm not sure my review does it justice, but if you like a compelling drama and don't mind some dated effects and styles, then give it a shot.

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Thailand's Best BL to date!!!

Drop everything and go watch it now!!


~~ STORY ~~

Thailand has created a lot of BLs, but all of them have been very repetitive and easily predictable. Not Me, however is different. Not Me is mysterious, thrilling, and romantic all at the same time. There are so many twists and turns that I was left on the edge of my seat the whole time!

Unlike typical BLs that are more light hearted and romantic, Not Me is very dark and gritty. There is some romance thrown in, but the series could have gone without the romance aspect and still been a fantastic series. Not Me primarily deals with a lot of social issues and politics without getting too preachy. It also does BL without too much fan service. It's a great series in that aspect.

Not Me does have it's flaw and plot holes, but it's really irrelevant in the long run as they are hardly noticeable. If there is any big complaints about the plot, it's that the final episodes were a little too jam packed with action that story did get a little lost in the commotion. While the ending was satisfying, if you start to think about the parts of the story that got lots in the action, then you might be unsatisfied since technically the gang's fight with Tawi and Todd haven't actually ended. I do think that the series ended where it should have, sans the Dan and Yok couple. Everyone got together with their respective lovers, and got the public to start looking at Tawi's corporation in a bad light. It's really the calm before the storm type of ending where you know the fight isn't over, but it's still a satisfying ending since realistically fighting corruption is never ending.

Black & White

I am a little confused about Black and White's relationship. I understand that they are twins and that White cares for Black, but Black is confusing. At first he seems to be upset that White is back in the picture, but then he does a 180 into caring big brother. I really think that the writers really didn't put much thought into who Black's character and his motifs. Because Black's character wasn't put together well, his relationship with White wasn't as impactful as it should have been. They have a strong 6th sense where they can feel each other's pain. Utilize that in the plot!! Don't just use it in the beginning and forget about it later!

White x Sean

I enjoyed their relationship when White was pretending to be Black. I wish I could have seen more of Sean's relationship with Black before White started pretending to be him. I also would like to see Sean being more suspicious of "Black" and how White broke down that barrier. Without this, White and Sean seem to get romantically together a little too quickly. That being said, Sean and White are adorable together.

Yok x Dan

They are my favorite couple. I honestly want to see more of them and I want a full backstory on their relationship. While I don't want a sequel for Not Me, I wouldn't mind a spin off with these two. Dan seems to have a lot going on that I think would make for a good spin off. Similarly, Yok's issues about his mother being discriminated for being mute also hasn't been completely told. I would love to see more of them.

Gram x Eugene

I appreciate how their relationship blossomed from beginning to end. They didn't overshadow the plot, and I'm glad that Eugene wasn't portrayed as a toxic woman since most BLs portray women very toxically.

Black & Todd & White

I'm so confused over Todd. He's the mastermind behind everything, but his story isn't told properly. The entire backstory as to why Todd ordered his men to beat up Black was confusing, especially since they are supposed to be best friends. Also, Todd just forgets about White as soon as Black wakes up. Why? Is Todd in love with Black or something? Are we supposed to read between the lines?


~~ OVERALL ~~

Not Me is an amazing series. The acting was fantastic. The cenematography and music were also superb. I really appreciated how Not Me told a BL story in a genre that wasn't normal for BL stories. I want to see more of these non-student, darker genre BLs.

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A little hidden gem of 2022

I've actually never written a review before and neither have I thought that I will one day, cz I just feel lazy to, but I felt obliged to write a review about this drama, since too many are missing out on it and the ratings aren't doing it justice.

I had a blast the last 3 days watching this little gem. If I was to come across this drama or someone recommended it to me, I don't think I would have watched it since I'm not a fan of musical genre. But I'm thankful for the autoplay of youtube that made me watch it ^^
From the acting, to the aesthetics and finishing by the music, everything was on point! Once you watch it , you can't tell it's a low budget drama. 24 episodes is the perfect number for this drama. It could have been even limited to 20 but I don't mind watching my beautiful couple for an extra 4 episodes XD
The Lead Couple did a great job, I was shocked when I knew that the FL is a 2002 liner, cz she nailed it! She looked so mature and well role fitting .AND So did the ML.Their chemistry is incredible.And their relationship is one of the mature,respectful and where mutual trust reigns relationships.There weren't any misunderstandings,nor cliché romance,nor obsessive love.In Short, my definition of a successful relationship.
The second couple was so adorable as well.My favorite roles are Xin'er and the ML servant XD theyre' the best! The comedy is so good.
This drama has the fantasy effect also since the FL is a pipa (chinese instrument) player of the 21 century who went back to the Sheng Dynasty in ancient China as a pipa player as well, where she got to meet our ML who is a talent recruiter and the master of on all girls' orchestra back then. The FL had to finish the girl's will in order to come back and so the beautiful journey begins.
Overall, who ever is looking for a sweet, delightful and stress-relieving short drama to watch I highly recommend this drama ^^ You won't regret it !
PS: even though the subtitles suck but you'll get the point :D

Leggi di Più

great show but you must put yourself in the kdrama mindset

this is a really really good show..
it deals with a lot of real life issues.. no matter how old you are.. some of these things are real...

yes its true.. u probably wont like anyone in the drama for the first half of the drama.. even maybe till the 6th episode.. except the male lead and his best friend..

and even more so if your not in the kdrama mindset.. (ie suspend real life thinking.. ) then you probably would hate EVERYONE except the forementioned male lead and best friend...

but if u can get past reality (or just suspend it) and just listen to the story and see the growth of all the characters.. it really becomes a joy of self love.. self discovery and acceptance.. of who you are and what your limitations are.. whether its real or imagined..

the acting from the male lead is great.. the fl lead is decent.. was the chemistry between the two.. depends.. on how u see it.. its not lovey dovey.. and in my opinion. it shouldnt have been.. its acceptance. that.. your partner may be lacking in areas.. but.. u still consider them.. wonderful enough to be with.. as in real life

the music was good..

the support cast was fun and good.. though.. the sister.. i just wonder why they wrote her.. in.. headcount..? :)

really really good show.. yes.. it has its issues and yes in real life..what some of these characters did.. should be and would be despicable.. but.. thats why i watch kdrama.. to escape real life.. and to suspend my belief in reality for a few hours at a time

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My Two Bits:

It's not a tragedy. It's a story on
how to laugh your way through pain;
how age does matter but then again So What!
how to celebrate being Alive

It's funny, it's sexy, it's painful and it's thoroughly Satisfying. I left the room with a Happy Sigh.

Married people Shud behave like This and I want to have friends Like That!!!!

The rest is just your personal preference after you've invested in at least 4 - 5 episodes of your life.

1 from my many many Favorite Bits.... lets me make it 2:
So Nagging Can Be Sexy too :D
Check for the keys 1st :D :D

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Regrets and second chances

When we're young, we often picture our future exactly the way we want it to be. But what if one day you realize those dreams you've had never came true? Those chances you didn't take turned into regrets, and you feel like you've wasted most of your time waiting for the right moment? Well, usually that's the part where you might wanna consider therapy, but since we're in dramaland turning into your younger self sounds more like it. The premise is nothing groundbreaking, but I've a thing for time travel and second chances kind of stories. It's typically a story about personal growth and living your life to the fullest. It's an inspiring theme that has been used over and over since it gives us simple humans hope. Hope that in the end everything's going to be ok.

"Never Too Late" is a simple story with themes you can relate to no matter your own age. While the show might lack some complexity in its storytelling, it makes up for that with likeable characters and charming unlikely friendships. The first few episodes focus on each of our leads, taking enough time to establish their backstories. Personally, I think the show really benefitted from this approach, since the character development and friendships were the strongest aspect of it. While there is much to love about "Never Too Late" it does have its flaws. At the beginning of the story you might have to suspense your disbelief a bit and the storytelling feels slightly disjointed. Some episodes were oddly paced, giving insignificant and predictable scenes way too much screen time. Nonetheless, it was delightful to watch these characters grow together, and I appreciated how they balanced the different storylines.

The acting of the main cast was solid whether it was the younger or the older cast with View, Khaotung and Nanon delivering standout performances. Their acting was the most nuanced, and resembled their older counterparts. The support cast was a hit or miss, with certain acting being way too over the top, which took me out of some scenes. My personal favorites were Bomb, Phiphu and Noinae. Not only did I love these characters, I also really enjoyed the performances of the actors. 

"Never Too Late" is a light, fun and heartwarming second coming-of-age story. While not without flaws, the wonderful ensemble cast make it a worthwhile and fun take on the turning back time for a second chance in life formula. It's not a fairy tale, but life hardly ever is, and that's probably part of the reason I enjoyed it so much.

Leggi di Più

Totally bucking the trend on this review, I picked it specifically because I wanted to see more of Lee Sung Kyun's work having enjoyed her work as Baek In Ha in Cheese in the Trap, but with review scores on the low side I didn't have my expectations for the overall story too high. I guess I just have different expectations to other viewers then, because I have absolutely loved every minute of this - to the point I just binged the last few episodes, it's nearly 4am and, uhm, I need to get up for work in a too-short-while.

There are some really deep questions posed in this story. If you knew how long you had to live, would you spend that time differently? Would you want to know or not? I think it does a great job of just reminding us all to seize the day now, mend those fences, meet back up with old friends now and don't wait until your funeral for all your old school friends to get back together, do it today. If even one person comes out of watching this story and acts on that message I think it's done its job.

The story has three main "chapters" really, the first is a very happy and fluffy romance story and I think that the transition to the second "chapter" is what throws people because suddenly it's not happy anymore, it's downright depressing, it's hard to watch and there's lots of crying (on the show too, ahem) - but it has purpose. The third "chapter" is then the resolution, which I thought was really great. The conclusion needs you to take a few things at face value and not ask too many questions - but then you're watching a show where someone can see clocks on peoples bodies so let's not get too caught up in the "science".

Choi Mika, the lead character played by Lee Sung Kyun, has the weight of the world on her shoulders, I absolutely cannot understand how her character is tagged "Weak Female Lead" in the tag list for the show because she's one of the strongest characters i've seen to date. She knows when people are going to die, more than that she knows when she herself is going to die and even worse - it's not that far away, 3 months or so. Knowing any of that, let alone all of it, I think most of us would utterly fall to pieces. She's learned to accept it and start saving to help her family after she's gone and she's working to make sure she achieves her dreams before she goes. Yes, she cries a lot once things turn south, but if you can't understand why, that's a shame, it's not because of any kind of lightweight reason.

In the first "chapter" of the story, she meets Lee Do Han who she discovers can stop her clock from counting down and even better, she finds her clock starting to go up and suddenly she has a new lease on life.

I won't go any further into the story because from here on it's spoilers, but suffice to say that if you have even remotely appreciated the weight on her shoulders as the story begins, it becomes unimaginable as the story continues to unfold, and it's here that the crying starts. There's a fair bit, but I don't think any of it unjustified, everyone involved is having an insanely hard time, so it's natural to be sad about it.

In other characters - Lee Do Han (played by Lee Sang Yoon) was good but not the star of the show, which was absolutely and entirely Lee Sung Kyun. Her sparkling performance both in the drama and on the stage within the drama were a joy to watch. Songs from the musical were performed brilliantly by everyone and i'm hoping to find some of them on the OST.

In an unusual twist for me - the other point of the "love triangle" was also an absolute highlight for me. I don't normally like this kind of character at all regardless how well it's played (or love triangles themselves, for that matter) but I thought Im Se Mi completely captured the character as she descends gradually in her composure and sanity throughout the entire story until her dramatic pinnacle when her story comes to a head. I always enjoyed her scenes, even if I was verbally shouting "booo! get off!!" to the TV every time (we'll talk about my own sanity another time).

As demonstrated by the reviews, this is NOT going to be a story everyone gels with, the gear shift from the happy fluffy romance almost within 60 seconds to something entirely different will throw people off, especially how joyful that first bit is, you'll miss it and you'll feel the pain, the author does a good job of making a sky high go to a hellish low.

This is an absolute re-watch for me at some point when I start repeating shows, although it won't have as much magic and mystery the second time around I will enjoy the journey and the amazing music just as much.

Leggi di Più

Somebody left the writers keyboard in a baby's room.

I really wanted to enjoy this but......the writers lost me. So much was missing. They could have save this around episode 6 or 7. It just seemed like they really didn't want to make it worthy of us watching. I really hope they get better roles. Especially Sung hoon i hope thats correct ...the ML. Whoever suggested his last few roles must really hate him. 😒. His last few roles didn't fit him.
It was like watching a horrible accident in the making
All in all i was disappointed for the cast it got to a point were you know it must have been felt weird on set to finish.

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Fear and Paranoia, Moral Ambiguity, Identity and Ideology, Survival and Sacrifice - Nostalgia!

"Deep Lurk" serves as an intriguing exploration of a critical chapter in Chinese history, intertwining themes of loyalty, moral ambiguity, and the pervasive atmosphere of distrust that characterized the Chinese Civil War. A more nuanced critique of the drama reveals several layers of complexity that merit consideration:

Balancing Act of Historical Representation

The drama's strength lies in its ability to weave personal stories with grand historical narratives. By focusing on character arcs amidst significant events, "Deep Lurk" illustrates how the political turmoil affected individual lives. However, there is a fine line between dramatization and distortion; the portrayal of historical figures and events should stimulate audiences' understanding while retaining a fidelity to historical facts. When historical accounts are manipulated for dramatic tension, it risks oversimplifying intricate situations and potentially misinforming viewers.

Character Depth and Development

The characters in "Deep Lurk," all well chosen (FL too wooden) embody the struggles and ideologies that were prominent during the Civil War. The depth and complexity of their motivations in part reflected the harsh realities of the time. Not sure if I connected with all the characters as one should. A well-rounded portrayal allows viewers to connect with the characters' dilemmas, fostering empathy and a deeper appreciation for the consequences of their actions. If characters resort to clichés or lack credible development, this undermines the show's capacity to reflect the historical environment authentically.

Representation of Ideological Divides

“Deep Lurk”hints at the stark ideological divide between Nationalists and Communists. Not knowing the historical facts, viewers today should have a critically, portrayal of these factions presented in a balanced perspective rather than falling into black-and-white portrayals. It is crucial for viewers to grasp the motivations and struggles of both sides, as this adds a layer of realism and complexity to the narrative. Such representation can encourage discussions about the nuances of loyalty and betrayal, transcending mere entertainment to evoke thoughtful engagement with history. Having said that, I was gripped and was on Wikipedia checking the history…

Cultural and Social Context

"Deep Lurk" must also be scrutinized for its reflection of societal norms and daily life during the Civil War. How the drama encapsulates the interplay between public sentiment and personal choices can serve as a microcosm of historical realities. Showcasing the diversity of experiences, from the bravado of espionage to the quiet desperation of civilians - enhances the portrayal of wartime China. In this aspect I believe the drama fails to capture this spectrum adequately, which gave audiences a skewed understanding of historical events.

While primarily a work of fiction, "Deep Lurk" potentially reflected contemporary issues within Chinese society, such as national identity, the legacy of past conflicts, and the ongoing exploration of loyalty in an era marked by rapid change. These reflections has the ability to provoke conversations that challenge audiences to think critically about the lessons of history and how they inform the present.

My Final Thoughts

Overall, "Deep Lurk" is a multifaceted examination of a pivotal historical period in China. To garner both critical acclaim and audience engagement, the drama must carefully balance compelling storytelling with a responsible portrayal of history. By doing so, it can serve not only as an entertaining piece of art but also as an educational resource that invites audiences to ponder the complexities and consequences of the past. As viewers immerse themselves in the world of "Deep Lurk," they should walk away with not just a newfound appreciation for the drama itself, but also a deeper understanding of the historical realities it seeks to represent.

Ultimately, I believe that this drama "Deep Lurk" is a success, filmed in 2019 pre Pandemic, low budget (based on my research) editing, continuity poor in places - still evoked the emotional resonance. The sheer brutality of war, coupled with personal loss, sacrifice, and moral dilemmas, spoke to the audience on a personal level. These emotional elements to me were portrayed authentically, they elevated the narrative, ensuring that the historical context was not merely a backdrop but a living, breathing element of the story.

Loved the costumes, houses, furniture, street scenes and especially the old telephones ( which I remember) this all gives away my age!

Leggi di Più

Exceptionally disappointing

May 2025
Oh dear. Amazed I didn't drop it, but I like Kim Jung-hyun, and the rest of the cast; plus I wanted to see the outcome.

Pretty awful, sadly, with dreadful dialogue, lots of shouting, plus one of the MOST irritating, unlikeable, STUPID, FL characters ever!

The actress (whom I liked in 'My ID is Gangnam Beauty'), was pretty bad too; very unnatural and poor acting in this part.

I did like the character of Kokdu (which KJH brought to life wonderfully), and his 2 assistants (plus the actors; Cha Chung-hwa as Gak Shin looked great!)
Totally underwhelming, I've forgotten a lot already (reviewing late). Too few characters that I liked, mostly stupid humour and I don't even remember the ending, but think it was poor.

I do not recommend this, sadly. Not even the wonderful Kim Jung-hyun could save it!

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I picked this one out of all 12 U-Prince stories because of the colorful main characters: the hippy and the geek.
The story is about how Mel Be, a science geek gets dumped by her boy friend who is also a science geek. His reason for his break up was that they were too much alike.
Hippy witnesses the break up and comes to talk to Mel Be and asks for her Beatles T-shirt as he's a fan of the band. After that Mel Be decides that she wants to prove whether her ex-boy friend was right about dating similar people by asking Hippy, a singer who is quite the opposite of her, to date her for five days in exchange of the shirt.

This is a great story about falling in love with the 'seemingly wrong guy' in college.
The five days are full of trips and stories that is full of fun and drama that just touches your heart.
And the way they meet and fall in love is believable and touching.

The songs were actually really written and produced by Kun the main actor in real life which makes them even more meaningful.

Loved it!

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I've a love-hate relationship with this one

Loves:
1. The character, Shi Lei, is such a darling. He's one of those "straight guys" who fall in love with men that are common in BL, but I like how honest and cool he is about it. No silly gay panic moments
2. The cat in the cafe
3. The allusions to The Little Prince

Hates: The sheer wasted potential:
1. First of all, the side couple is really cute together. There are hints regarding Zhao Gang's past (which cause him to be hesitant to commit to a relationship for fear of being hurt), but that's where it stops. The side story could have been more moving and the side couple taken more seriously, but the potential went down the drain.

2, The story of the main couple is also not developed properly. The story actually starts off pretty well. But it fails by the time the fake crisis comes in. It is more than just hinted that Yu Zhen has been through a sad relationship, which serves as the main obstacle between him and Shi Lei. But it just doesn't add up. So he got into a serious accident while trying to get to his boyfriend who was leaving the country, and that was the end of their relationship for some reason. The accident, which is made to seem important, doesn't seem so important in the end. And it is not convincing that this guy would just end up imposing some ridiculous singlehood rule at the workplace.

4. The fake crisis: Yu Zhen's ex-boyfriend suddenly turns up, seemingly to win him back. By the end of Episode 11, however, it is obvious that there isn't time to develop the plot in this direction, so there's only one predictable direction for the plot to take: the ex-boyfriend is really here to help Yu Zhen and Shi Lei get together. I was hoping to be proven wrong, but I wasn't.

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Have you ever watched a show that's so bad, its good? Well, this is the show for you! This show has miraculously captured a whole nation, including a large group of Chinese Otakus glued to their computers voting for their biases (stop watching the show, yall creepy). You get to watch half of the cast, likely younger than you, "dancing" and "singing" (debatable). The first two episodes are an absolute gem, Yang Chaoyue, in particular, is an untapped treasure.

Story
Oscar-winning story! It is about the tale of 1 Former-Exo Tao and 101 girls competing. You can watch Tao "amazing" hosting skills, which include half-assed praises, confusing monologues, and untimely comments.
As the story progresses, you start to see alliances: the foreign group, the 25 & older group, the girls that stayed on for no reasons, the popular girls who have slightly above-average capabilities...

Acting/Cast
I do not know you would call them actors, but they were entertaining! Each contestant is hand carved for their role. When you watch this show you have to keep in mind these people were chosen for their talents.

Music
The music inspired me! I now truly believe even me, who get 10% on the tone-deaf test, can become a singer. My bar for music has altered, I now praise any singer who knows when to start singing a song.
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Conclusion
For reference, I actually heavily enjoyed the show, watching it every week and voting almost every single day (as a female college student). The show had a handful of good singers and like 3 good songs.
In addition to the show itself, I highly recommend watching the ?? ??101 showcase, which truly displays the top 22 talents! In the end, my ultimate bias became the sound crew! Pick the sound crew!
This show lets you believe you can do anything if you set your mind to, as long as your face is above-average.

- Love, someone who was heavily addicted to the show for no reason!

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