Reviews

The summary makes it sound like a serious movie, but there are also some funny moments in it as well. It is not your typical story with an emotionless assassin that tries to look cool all the time.

What I really liked about the movie was that it was told from the four hitmans perspective. Their personalities and habits were really entertaining. I really liked the fact that one of them was narrating some parts. The characters were all well shaped out and the actors did a good job portraying them.

I think this movie is worth watching because it is funny, has action and some emotional
development from the characters. The mix seems just right.

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A sequel with a personality of its own

The finale was great, maybe not completely flawless, but the wrap-up for every couple hit the right notes.

JackDean: Their reunion left me feeling conflicted, particularly regarding Jack’s reaction to Great, but that tension is exactly what made their ending stand out. You can interpret it in two different ways: either Jack has finally matured and will fiercely defend his relationship with Dean against any future threats, OR the two of them are tragically trapped in an endless, repetitive cycle of breaking up and making up.

ArnoldTua: A tiny part of me craved more drama from their storyline, but ultimately, I adored their gentle and mutually respectful dynamic. They were easily the most balanced pair of the bunch, despite the economic status differences. Even during their worst arguments, neither ever talked down to the other, something I can’t say for the other two couples.

RomeRaffy: This fiery duo started off with a bang but eventually fell into a push and pull routine. Their storyline was a mixed bag for me because I’m still not convinced Rome views Raffy as a true equal. Even after Raffy's personal growth, it feels like Rome’s judgment is always lingering over him. I really wanted to see Raffy fully step into his confidence by the end, but it never quite materialized the way I wished.

Ultimately, all three couples have their flaws, but they are incredibly endearing and easy to cheer for. Honestly, I found their dynamics much more grounded and relatable than the pairings we got in the first season. As for non-couple moments, I adored the friendship between Dean and Tua and I needed more.

Honorable Mentions: A massive shoutout to Timmy for surviving all the chaos. I also really appreciated the brief, beautifully bittersweet moment between Boston and Nick 🥲

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I was rolling on the floor watching this movie! it was so hilarious and I also cried at the last part!
The flow of the story is so perfect that you won't notice it's almost the end! I really enjoyed watching it even I am alone. My mom was staring me with weird expressions because I was like crazy laughing by all by myself.

I fall in love when Hee Chul sang in English! OMG! he really has a nice voice, so you guys out there, watch it out!!

I freakin' laughing how they mistreat Hee chul because of Young Jun!

The love chemistry between them is so natural and they really match!

Guys who love romantic comedy must watch this! It also show lessons in life so it's not wasting your time!

Anyway, it's a two thumbs up and must watch movie! I will again watch this and laugh by myself again!

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Teenage Girls & Coming of Age: How to Deal with Love, Sexuality and Friendship

This coming-of-age drama focuses on five teenage girls who have to deal with first love, the journey of discovering themselves, and their own desires. We are able to take a glimpse into their youth and the way they express new, unknown feelings and their sexual identity. They are part of a literature club at school and even though it seems embarrassing for them to talk, instead to just read about sex, they realize that they all actually are intrigued by experiencing love and sex. It's important to normalize these topics and show that such thoughts and desires are not restricted to boys/men. It is also important to note that this drama was written by a woman and directed by women.

If you are like me and enjoy entertaining slice-of-life stories, you will definitely end up liking, maybe even loving this drama. Being a teen is difficult, being a teenage girl is even more difficult – especially when it comes to love, sexuality, and friendship. Proving yourself in a world full of adults, who are also pretending to know everything can be exhausting. It can make you angry.
This is not for people, who are looking for some dramatic twists. In my opinion, the ending was a realistic way to end this drama. Honestly, it's kind of like what actually teenage life and self-discovery are, without any dramatic twists but depth and cluelessness.

What I really like about this drama is, that everyone – even when someone makes a mistake or has a bad thought – is mature enough to reflect on it. We see them admiring each other, cheering each other on. Of course, there are moments where they don't like each other. You might even get angry with a character. But these characters are able to find solutions, sometimes in a childish way and sometimes quite a mature way. They grow and learn together.
Figuring out who you are is a life long journey. I enjoyed following everyone's journey. I enjoyed the bravery and the confusion and the awkwardness of the characters. I loved witnessing their personal growth.
You can see and feel how the directors are female. No character feels flat. They all have their own problems.
These characters are vulnerable, scared, curious, and in love.

If you enjoy literature, you will also find interesting imagery. There's a lot of symbolism with the sea, lilies of the valley, the colorful paint, white - purity, freedom, and laughter, etc.
The cinematography is absolutely wonderful. The opening song is catchy and fun.
If you are already finished with this drama, I would recommend this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XDAnF6hr4Q

One of my favorite things about this drama is Momo.
I really appreciate how Momo actually is such a kind, brave and honest character. She has so many new experiences, but she is still never afraid to speak her mind. She does not appear to be the most confident person from the outside, but she has so much to offer.
I also really enjoyed the beginning of the last episode with all the chaos. It was a fun and chaotic moment.

I do wish that they would have focused more on Sugawara's trauma. I guess it's difficult to fit in that much of character development and healing in 8 episodes. She appears to be very mysterious from the outside but maybe is just better at hiding her cluelessness than other teens.

All in all, there are some things I would change and some characters I would like to put the focus on more, but I still would recommend it.

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The best version of BOF

As someone who has seen all the other remake and is a fan of the BOF franchise, I was skeptical about this version. I didn't think there was anything new they could bring to this adaptation. I was convinced it'd be just as disappointing as previous versions. But this version turned out to be the remake that renewed my love for this franchise, and give me the update that I needed from the previous adaptations. I kind of wish this version came out first so that my love and excitement would be stronger. Both the script and the directing were superb!!!

It's on brand for BOF to be cast with actors with little to no acting experience so I won't flag them too much for that. In fact I think they did better than others in previous version. Bright is such a talented actor. He's carrying the show to be honest. From watching interviews with the cast he seems like such a happy-go-lucky guy, but when Thyme is angry I believe it, when he is distraught I believe it, when he is happy, being dumb, or smitten 🥺🥺🥺🥺 (I believe it). Tu isn't doing so bad for her first drama too.

Truly, my only complaint thus far is that its coming to an end. This is the best version and the shortest.

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Not since last year's Children of Nobody has Korea produced a crime thriller that perfectly combines a great mystery, characters you care about deeply, and a wonderful emotional core that you can connect with every step of the way.

Reeling from the brutal murder of her childhood friend, Cha Young-jin (Kim Seo-hyung) becomes a detective and devotes her life to tracking down the 'Stigmata' serial killer who hasn't killed for 19 years. She is an obsessed workaholic who lives alone but has a somewhat unconventional friendship with her neighbour's young son, the 15-year-old Go Eun-ho (Ahn Ji-ho).

When Eun-ho has a terrible accident, Young-jin pursues the truth with the same determination with which she has approached her friend's murder. And in doing so, she begins to uncover the truth about what happened 20 years ago and why.

Kim Seo-hyung is transcendent in this role as the tough, ass-kicking cop with a heart full of love and empathy. Whip-smart but not cynical, she has the ability to see through people's facades to the core of who they are and provide support, care, empathy and safety to those who need it: a classical warrior fighting to protect rather than to enslave or dominate. It's through this powerful female character that the show examines what it means to be a community of adults to children who need guidance and care.

Young-jin may be grim and black-clad but her home is full of light and plants and is a safe haven for the neglected Eun-ho, forced too young into adulthood. Nobody Knows is full of abandoned, overlooked ducklings needing a mother duck to follow and its overarching question "What happens if the duck that saves them is leading them into darkness rather than the light?" is something it never loses sight of for 16 episodes.

In fact the show's Duckling scenes - children that need to be tended and cared for to grow properly just like the plants on Young-jin's balcony - are Nobody Knows' emotional core and its greatest strength. We care about these children and we want them to be saved. More importantly we care about Young-jin and the way in which the trauma and pain of her life never causes her to lose sight of the kind of person she wants to be.

Young-jin's three most important ducklings - the beautiful ray of sunshine that is Eun-ho, the brooding Ju Dong Myung (Yoon Chan-young) and the privileged but deeply unhappy Ha Min-sung (Yoon Jae Yong) - are a joy to watch as is their homeroom teacher Lee Sun-woo (Ryu Deok-hwan) who gets drawn in trying to protect his young charges.

Are people parasites or symbiotes? Do they prey on each other or build each other up? What kind of adult do you want to be? Is a question asked not just of Sun-woo but of every other adult on the show and of the audience itself.

Not to say that the show is perfect. It isn't. Stretching it to 16 episodes clearly took effort. The show relies too much on a MacGuffin and the back half gets mired in flashbacks and treasure hunts, and even gets a bit heavy-handed. But with an ending that's almost perfect, a beautiful emotional core, and quality direction that pulls you in and keeps you tethered, Nobody Knows is definitely a drama that's worth watching.

It never forgot what it was about and that's a quality reserved for only the very best of Korean television.

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A time travel mini-drama that provides a light escape

I like time travel stories with romance, so I decided to watch Lovesickness after reading the synopsis. It's quite short, where most episodes are around 10 to 11 minutes, and that includes the ending trailer.  I finished it in 2 weeknights after work.

It has both angst and comedy, so I consider it a light watch. The pacing is fast, where the plot develops quickly, so you won't feel that the story is dragging, and even if there are conflicts, it gets resolved quickly.  Since it's short and fast-paced, some plot development felt rushed. They breezed through the last episode, and the ending is open to interpretation. But as a whole, I think the drama's execution is good.

The actor that shines for me is Yan Zi Xian, who plays the male lead Xiao Chu.  He was convincing in his portrayal of the serious and feared 28 year-old Duke of Chu, and the carefree and happy-go-lucky 21-year old Xiao Chu. Not to mention he reminds me of Chen Xing Xu in his ancient costume and get-up.

Yu Yi Lei was able to show the funny, mischievous, serious, lovesick, and angsty sides of Mo An An. However, it did not leave as strong an impression on me as Yan Zi Xian's portrayal.

Since this is a romance drama, chemistry is important. I'm happy to say that the ML and FL have good chemistry.

As for production and costumes, there's nothing fancy or extraordinary, but good enough for a costume mini-drama.

Final Verdict: If you like time travel stories that you can finish quickly, that is not too serious and provides a light escape, then grab your popcorn and binge-watch this.

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I really enjoyed this show. And it is still one of my favorites.
So why did I like this? It just sounds so cliché...
Like, you know: Meeting someone through e-mails and loving him while hating the real life person yaddayadda...

Still this drama leaves a very warm feeling. It's nothing you have never seen before, that is for sure. But it provides a lot of memorable scenes and you gradually get to know and love all the characters (well, all except one... which is the "boku"guy.... He's too weird to like. Too weird... Believe me.)
And at least one character will totally surprise you at the end of the show.

Also there are some e-mail messages that I'll never forget in my whole life. Haven't forgotten them for 5 years, so I guess, I'll remember them in another 5 years too~ Some very very wonderful lines written by both of them that make you start to think about life itself and about love.

The music is not that great. But there is that once piano piece that keeps returning nearly every episode and that I loved so much.
And it actually has an important role~ But that you have to find out yourself.

The whole show is really slow paced. 12 episodes, a few e-mails and a lot of meeting-people in between. Still you don't get bored with it. Rather you want to see more of the two main characters spending some time together.

It's a wonderful romantic drama. If you want to watch something for the heart, it's a good choice. But you have to deal with the slow pace...
Enjoy it~~

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I wanted to watch this drama until the end before writing a review to see what would happen and i'm glad i did so.
The story isn't new for me since it's taken from the manga and the anime i've got to admit that i felt extremly good seeing it come to life by this great cast that couldn't be any better, i mean Siwoon and Donghae were good plus i discovered the uncredible actress Ivy Chan i wouldn't find any one better than her for this role.
The music performed by Super Junior M , Donghae and several other chinese singers was nice, i am not even into chinese language but the songs choice was great.
When i was watching Skip Beat i felt that the episodes were so fast and i always wanted more : i am still demanding a second season because i feel there's still a lot to tell and a lot for us to watch, it has been fun watching this drama.
Basically if you're skip beat fan this is a must watch!

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This drama is a perfect example of a drama I was tempted to drop, but I'm so glad I didn't. I love thrillers, so I thought this drama would be right up my alley, but for me "I Remember You" was just ok at first, and a little hard to really get into in the beginning. Much of the beginning is spent revealing backstories, and establishing characters. There are also crime mysteries to be solved, and although they were interesting, they weren't very suspenseful, because bad guys and outcomes were pretty obvious, but maybe that's because I've watched soooo many suspense thrillers. The one thing that was great from the very beginning was the chemistry between Ji An and Lee Hyun. Their awkwardly romantic moments were a big reason why I wanted to keep watching. The weird thing about I Remember You is, unlike other dramas, it started to get better with each episode. The main cast is a outstanding (the supporting cast is great too), and once the characters backstories are established, the complexity of each character is revealed. That complexity is what creates the real suspense, because it's hard to predict each character's intentions, and motives. Subtle changes in expression, false smiles, and poker faces... I don't want to accidentally give anything away, but I will say that I love the duality in certain characters. I would have never guessed that psychopaths could be so sympathetic. Also, Seo In Guk's facial expressions, in particular, sparked an instant crush. For me, the best episodes were in the second half of the series, and they kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting to know how everything would be resolved. The beauty of this drama is, instead of a simple resolution, the ending just leads to more wondering, and left me wanting more. If there's a sequel, count me in! The only thing that really bothered me about this drama was the music. The general soundtrack was fine, but some songs felt very inappropriate to the story. As intensely cute as the romantic tension is, it still seemed not right to put in a fairly upbeat love song when people are getting murdered by serial killers. Overall, I recommend this drama, especially if you like psychological dramas, or crime thrillers. The romance is great, and a big part of the story, but RomCom fans should be warned that romance is not the singular focus. I think now that I know the backstory, I would rewatch this, and the beginning would be easier to follow. I would be tempted to fast forward to later scenes (like the super tense yet kinda hilarious dinner scene). So, although I didn't give this as high a score as others, It's imperfections are easily outweighed by the outstanding parts, and this drama certainly stands out from the kdrama rest.

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Ganbare!

One of the best medical dramas that I’ve seen in recent memory, this has been an absolute viewing pleasure. Not a single moment felt dull, slow or tiresome. This unequivocally goes right into my all-time favourite productions.

Tokyo MER: Hashiru Kinkyuukyuumeishitsu chronicles the events surrounding the newly established Tokyo Mobile Emergency Room (MER) medical team. This team of medical professionals comprises doctors who function as field surgeons as well as an anesthetic specialist, professional nurses and an engineering technician. Their sole directive is the rapid deployment in emergency response, usually for large scale crises involving numerous casualties, in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. The MER refers to the specialised vehicle that functions as an EMS ambulance, transport and ER where it not only houses the team and medical supplies on their missions but also a sanitized operating theatre. This set-up is an initiative by the Governor of Tokyo as part of her political campaign for the PM’s office.

This TBS production was helmed by Aya Matsuki, Shunichi Hirano (Nihon Chinbotsu: Kibo no Hito), Maiko Ouchi, and Masahide Izumi. The original screenplay was written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa, notable for having written numerous highly-rated dramas, one of which that I’ve seen and also enjoyed is Unsung Cinderella: Byoin Yakuzaishi no Shohosen. The original score was composed by Kei Haneoka, Tatsuhiko Saiki, and Miki Sakurai. The upbeat and heartening theme song, Akira was written and performed by four-member pop-rock group GReeeeN which plays during the end credit sequence. The medical and surgical procedures were guided by Kitasato University Hospital Emergency Critical Care and Disaster Medical Center.

The first Japanese drama produced for Disney+ channel, it had won a total of five awards at Japan’s 109th Drama Academy Awards (第109回ドラマアカデミー賞), including Best Picture, Leading Actor for Ryohei Suzuki, Supporting Actor for Kento Kaku, Supporting Actress for Nanao and Best Director for all four directors involved. In addition, a spin-off drama was spawned while a sequel movie is planned for 2023.

What I Loved

First, a disclaimer. I’m neither a medical expert nor do I possess extensive knowledge on the subject. Therefore I won't comment too much on the accuracy of medical procedures applied. My observations are based purely on my enjoyment of the dramatisation and depiction.

Just wow. I had a lot of excitement and fun watching this episodic procedural that focuses mainly on on-site medical emergencies and disasters, with an overarching political theme, underlying mystery and social commentary subtext on the ideals of the Japanese healthcare system. It’s evocative, provocative, inspiring, heartwarming, fascinating, intense… What a thrilling rollercoaster! The script is wonderfully crafted because it blends all the storytelling elements seamlessly to present an incredibly immersive, engrossing and pulsating viewing experience. The frantic and frenetic nature of the agency and urgency in the storytelling, the catharsis at the end of every episode that follows the suspense, tension and emotions imbued into the sheer variety of extreme emergency situations that progressively becomes more challenging as the story unfolds. Let’s not forget as well the tremendous inspiration drawn from conquering the overwhelming odds to emerge triumphant over adversity - it compels you to jump up and shout ganbare at the lifesaving heroes of the MER team!

None of the positives would have been justly presented were it not complemented by the commendable production quality and technical execution. Fantastic cinematography throughout, particularly the excellent camerawork, in framing the well-choreographed action sequences, and the convincingly-guided surgical skills on display. The coordination of massive numbers of extras involved ranging from the disaster victims to the collaboration between rescuers of the fire department, police, and medical personnel. The varied set designs and special effects may not appear as high-budget or expansive in detail but are nonetheless decently manifested to convincingly encapsulate the realism of the atmospherics. Likewise the music in this production truly is on another level. I love the rousing qualities of the multifaceted dramatic score that enhances each crucial moment in the story.

There is a reason so many of the cast won acting awards - their performances in this drama absolutely justifies their accolades. My first time seeing Suzuki Ryohei, this man encompasses the qualities necessary in connecting viewers to a character they could root for. His portrayal of the ML Kitami Kota is remarkably stirring, to say the least. Altruistic, charismatic, down-to-earth yet energetic and motivational, watching him in action is simply a delight. He is undoubtedly convincing in appearance, speech and manner akin to a bona fide member of Médecins Sans Frontières - the volunteer doctors who serve in disaster and war zones.

Among the supporting cast, Nanao’s Kuramae Natsume is my favourite side character and as one of two nurses in the team, she delivers a sparkling portrayal of depth in characterization and emotional range despite the limited role. Kaku Kento’s Otowa Nao, the bureaucrat with questionable motives, provides a compelling demonstration of character development behind the persistently cold exterior and grim facade throughout the entire drama. His interactions and the hint of romance with Sato Shiori's adorably sweet Kitami Suzuka is rather endearing.

Nakajo Ayami’s Tsurumaki Hina is another supporting character that experiences massive growth in her trajectory from being an inexperienced and prejudiced resident doctor to a mature member of the MER team. Phuongchi's transfer nurse from Vietnam, the bubbly Hoang Lan Minh has poignant moments of her own as well. Their amazing camaraderie and team dynamics are indeed the captivating highlights of the show. Ishida Yuriko’s Akatsuka Azusa, the Governor of Tokyo, is worthy of mention for her version of the ambitious, driven and charming politician who has to manoeuvre the political minefield brimming with unethical, corrupt and scheming rivals.

What I Didn't Like

One significant event that transpired in the penultimate episode, Final Chapter Part 1, which I wish would have occurred differently. Although it sets up the climax for the finale, this remains the single aspect which dampens somewhat the positive vibe of the story.

Final Thoughts

Regardless of my complaint about that singular event, for the most part there isn’t much else to criticize about this drama, IMHO. Perhaps a slightly bigger budget would have provided a more cinematic feel to the visuals or higher quality production designs but for what it’s worth, it does the good things very well with a great cast and loveable characters. It not only manages to sustain my interest but injected a lot of life into the storytelling to flesh out the enthusiasm and excitement. I was emotionally invested all throughout and I believe it definitely deserves more viewership than it currently has.

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The abyss looks into you.

Escape from the Trilateral Slopes 边水往事 is a thrilling survival adventure drama adapted from Shen Xingxing's autobiographical account of his year in The Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle is a large mountainous terrain at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers and is comprised of northeastern Myanmar, northwestern Thailand and northern Laos, bordering Yunnan. Despite multiple coordinated crackdown efforts, The Golden Triangle has long been the world's largest drug producing area; initially of opium and subsequently synthetic drugs, especially methamphetamines. It is also a hot bed of related illegal activities from timbering to gambling and is a lawless place where local warlords control different territories and businesses. Names of places and people have been changed to protect the guilty so for the purposes of this drama, the Golden Triangle is Sanbianpo and the story opens in Monung, in the fictional Republic of Bomo. Meticulous research and attention to detail is evident in the world building, to the point of inventing local dialects and written languages. As impressive as this effort is, I would have preferred they staged it in the real respective Southeast Asian countries. However, unlike Hollywood, Chinese productions shy away excessively from portraying other countries and nationalities in an unflattering way. @Frost_edelweiss has meticulously documented this production and the setting in the discussion section for those interested in more details.

Shen Xing decides to skip college to join his uncle's construction company and shows up unannounced in Monung, to his uncle's dismay. He quickly discovers that Sanbianpo is no tropical paradise but a complicated, sunny place for shady people. To collect on bad debts, his uncle ventures into a conflict zone and disappears, leaving Shen Xing to hold the fort. Facing a liquidity crunch, Shen Xing borrows money from loan sharks at usurious rates to make payroll. Things snowball as desperate to find his uncle, he gets involved with counterfeiters and finds himself framed for murder. Before he knows it, he is a fugitive fleeing many different forces. He ends up indebted to Uncle Cai, a wheeler-dealer businessman who juggles the various competing forces in Sanbianpo. Thus Shen Xing becomes the patsy that Uncle Cai nonchalantly sends off on increasingly perilous missions. Before long, he is finds himself embroiled in all aspects of the Sanbianpo economy; sending provisions to drug dealers, smuggling gems, cattle farming; timbering, gambling; everything short of drug trafficking. That is Uncle Cai and his men's bottom line; the one they vowed not to cross. The story highlights how divisive the drug trade is; with some forced into it by poverty or conscription while others doggedly avoid it after losing loved ones to its trade or use.

I am pleased to see Guo Qilin step out of his comfort zone to take on this role of Shen Xing. And he delivers an acceptable portrayal overall but one that is lacking on several notable fronts. For starters, he doesn't look the part so it is a stretch to imagine he is hardy or athletic enough to survive numerous life endangering encounters. To make matters worse, it is absurd to pair him up romantically with a lanky actress like Qi Xi; even though she pulls off her role well, I cringed through that entire arc. He does a credible job humorously portraying the bewildered, naive young man who looks into the abyss and only manages to survive by sheer luck. His critical fail is in conveying what happens when the abyss looks into you. His character stays largely the same throughout and in moments of trauma, dumbfounded tends to be his default expression. This stands at sharp contrast with young actor Zhao Runnan's compelling portrayal of Guo Limin's shattering darkening and psychological downfall. What saves the day is there is fantastic rapport between the entire cast and Shen Xing's relationships with Uncle Cai, Dan Tuo, Wang Anquan, Lan Bo and even the hapless Justin seem authentic and moving enough to make me root for all of them. His enemies into besties relationship with Dan Tuo and how Dan Tuo silently looks out for him is one of the highlights of the story. Jiang Qilin is a fantastic actor and his Dan Tuo stole the show for me and is the unsung hero of the story. I also thoroughly enjoyed Jiang Qiming's hilarious portrayal of jack-of-all trades in the middle of all scams Wang Anquan as well. The villains are satisfyingly nasty and heinous; from the duplicitous Ang Tan to the viciously scary and hateful Mao Pan. While I wish they had cast a stronger character actor like a Liu Haoran as Shen Xing, the entire cast is so exceptional that their riveting portrayals paper over most of Guo Qilin's shortcomings.

The enigmatic, utterly ruthless and diabolically charismatic Uncle Cai is the lynchpin of this story. He is the most fascinating, multi-faceted character in the story. At surface, he is pragmatic, reasonable, an incredibly devout Buddhist and loyal to his wife's memory; a ruthless businessman when he needs to be but one with a bottom line. Thus he is not a villain for the sake of villainy but only when it serves his purpose; there is a utilitarian calculus involved in every action and decision. He doesn't hide who he is or what he is about but this is masked by his devoutness and humble persona and how he disarmingly switches between Cantonese, Mandarin and local dialects to best convey his sincerity. Only a highly skilled veteran actor like Francis Ng can deliver such a mesmerising portrayal. Like Shen Xing, Dan Tuo and his many followers, I was so dazzled, almost spellbound by his personal charisma that I didn't look too hard at his actions. He callously sends Shen Xing out on missions without full information but seems so wholeheartedly delighted that he survives time and again that I forget that he is the guy that tossed him in the frying pan and turned on the fire at the same time. Uncle Cai holds his cards close to the chest and never explains himself unless he has to. The drama respects audience intelligence and leaves it to the viewer to figure out how he manipulates situations and outcomes. This is a character that keeps you guessing until the end that can only be fully understood upon (multiple) rewatches.

The narrative builds to a shocking and thrilling climax and the ending is chilling and realistic. This drama has fantastic production values and movie like cinematography. It is riveting, thrilling and unpredictable from start to finish and sets a high bar future Chinese suspense and adventure thrillers. A must-watch that I am happy to rate 8.5/10.0. I knocked off 0.5 to be fair because as much as I like Guo Qilin, it is impossible to deny that the key role of Shen Xing is mis-cast. It is the dramas only real flaw.

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Of course I have to start with Kim Boong Do. All of the dramas I have watched thus far have for the most part featured the same kind of male lead character. They're rich and arrogant and self-absorbed though deep down we know they are honorable good men. The whole point of these dramas is that these men learn to care for someone more than they care about themselves and become supportive, respectful and awesome though perhaps still a little arrogant. If they were in a romance novel they'd be the classic Alpha males. The lead female characters are in a position of weakness and steadily gain power and independence.

Queen In Hyun's Man doesn't follow this formula. Kim Boong Do is rich and certainly very confident and he knows how to boss people about - he's a nobleman after all - but he's also very respectful and understanding of others from the very beginning. The show further humbles him by its very nature - Kim Boong Do is thrust into a world he cannot begin to understand and in which he is basically a child and at least initially wholly dependent on Hee Jin. He is not resentful of being reliant on her but is instead deeply grateful and curious about everything. And he quickly begins to learn on his own because he is incredibly smart and clever. His cleverness is the source of many of the dramas best moments as he puzzles things out and figures out fantastical ways to outwit his enemies. The world of political scheming and treachery have also made him intuitive and able to read people - their motives and the emotions behind their words. This helps him to survive in the dangerous world he lives in and it has the dreamy side effect of making him a very thoughtful lover and friend. To top things off, he's good with words and completely genuine - there is no bluster or artifice about him and it's these character traits that draw Hee Jin in and lead to her teasing him that he is player.

One of my favorite things about him also is that he has a cheeky and adorable sense of humor. Probably my two most favorite scenes in the drama are when he whips out this humor to slyly tease Hee Jin (the car scene in episode 8 and when he admits that maybe he IS a player in episode 11). And despite all the horrible things that have happened to him in his life, he is completely open to the wonder of the new world he finds himself in. He's got an adventurous and playful spirit which responds strongly to Hee Jin's impulsiveness and "passionate" nature. He also never dis-respects her or is impatient with her even when she does some immature and annoying things. He knows why she is acting that way and wouldn't dream of de-meaning or begrudging her feelings. Sigh...... As you can tell I am seriously in love with this character and we haven't even gotten to the fact that he's a martial arts bad ass melon farmer AND a big goofy nerd. Or how quirkily and boyishly handsome he is or that he's got eyes that smile. And a super dreamy voice. Yup, I've got it real bad, lol.

And I shouldn't forget Hee Jin. While much of my love for this drama is concentrated on the character of Kim Boong Do, Hee Jin is also a well developed and interesting character and she is played to perfection by actress Yoo In Na. Seriously, a really stunning performance. I fully loved the character and she had all my loyalty even though on the surface she is not the type of character who usually earns my sympathy. She's pretty, successful, impulsive and not all that interested in learning and books. She has a wall-sized portrait of herself hanging in her apartment and she boasts that she is famous because she's so pretty. Despite all that she's incredibly loveable. She's kind-hearted and generous, transparent with her feelings, adventurous and has enough self-respect not to let herself get sucked in by her obnoxious, though very handsome and famous, ex-boyfriend. As mentioned above she does occasionally act a little immature and annoying but it is always with good and understandable intent. Her chemistry with Kim Boong Do is seriously intense.

That chemistry between the leads is what I think makes this drama truly awesome. The scenes between them sparkle and feel completely natural - like you are really watching two people fall in love. They feel so right together that I didn't even once 'ship Boong Do with his servant Yoon Wol, who has had a hard life with few advantages and has loved him unrequited for years so much so that she is the reason he can travel in time. She is the type of character I would usually root for in a romance but nope, it had to be Hee Jin. Never any doubt. Did I mention the awesomeness of the kissing? The chemistry is helped along by a really soaringly romantic original sound track.

So this is a romance, plain and simple, and it succeeds so so well in this department but it ain't no slouch in the overall plot department either. The writing of the show is really great with plenty of suspense and nuances. The overall tone of the drama is light but there are many emotional twists and turns and I will admit to tears in the last few episodes. There's some lovely parallels between the historic and modern-day story that are fun to pick apart and serve to strengthen the characterizations.

In the Joseon era, Boong Do is looking for revenge but is also trying to set things right by championing the Queen who has been bullied by one of the King's consorts and pushed into exile by corrupt political machinations in the court. In the modern day story line, Hee Jin is trying to navigate her place in Korea's new "royalty" (its drama stars) and she is being bullied by her co-stars. The two "Queens" are in very similar positions so it's not surprising that Boong Do feels the need to champion Hee Jin even as he falls in love with her. There are so many connected themes and plot points that occur early on and than pay off or re-appear in surprising and interesting ways later on. It's thoughtfully and smartly plotted down to the last minute of episode 16. Perfection, really.

And then there's the time travel which can be tricky to pull off. Boong Do's adaptation to the modern world is done really well and is a blast to watch while he at first must rely on the somewhat unreliable Hee Jin to orient him.
“When I listen to you, it seems as though the reason for everything in this world is to enable kisses. What kind of lustful world is this?” HEE!
Because he's so smart and curious, he starts to reason things out himself and this is equally fun to watch. It's clear how he uses the skills he had to develop in his much more treacherous time of origin to help him adjust relatively quickly to modern times.

The mechanism of travel is also dramatic and interesting and ends up playing a major part in the story on several different levels. The talisman is powerful but also unpredictable and fragile. The show does not shy away from investigating the ramifications of messing around with time but it is also not a slave to it. It's the perfect mix. There is some controversy about the resolution at the end but I for one thought it made perfect sense (as long as we're accepting the concept of magic to begin with:) and was a lovely and well-prepared ending.

FINAL VERDICT: This is a well-written and plotted romantic-comedy-fantasy that is bound to give your heart some flutters with the chemistry of its lead couple and the well chosen actors that play them. Watch it. Now. You won't be sorry. Unless you hate romance.

Leggi di Più

Very funny with a sweet romance

If you watch this, watch it for the great comedy and sweet romance. Don’t expect much from the storyline or the characters and you’ll enjoy it more. The plot isn’t very realistic so you have to shut off your brain and just enjoy it for what it’s worth and not over analyze things.

Storyline
The basic premise of the drama is cute and interesting. It could have been such a great drama if it had been executed properly. But there are three mistakes they made that lowered my rating. First, the main leads don’t know each other’s true identities which is cute and funny. But they decided to take this plot line and drag it out way too long which was both annoying and unrealistic. One characters true identity is revealed halfway through the drama. The other characters true identity isn’t revealed until almost the end (episode 20). No one with even half a brain is going to believe that. It just wasn’t believable at all.
Second, they introduce too many characters and subplots. Not only was it confusing trying to remember each new character and their problems, but it made it feel like the drama had lost its focus and didn’t know where it was going. There was the twin sister and older brother and their issues. Then there was the ex girlfriend and all her problems. Then there was the FL’s parents and their backstory of divorcing and raising the twins separately. Then there was the grandpa and all of the flashbacks of him manipulating the family. Then there was the FL’s guy friend that was in love with her sister and causing all types of problems for everyone. Then they threw in another romance between the main leads best friends. There was just too much going on which diluted the story.
Third, there were just way too many cliche drama tropes used. There was the jealous ex causing problems, an overbearing disapproving parent, lots of accidental kisses, twins switching places, forced cohabitation, etc. There wasn’t much that was exciting or new or different about this drama.

Romance
The romance was perfect. The main leads had tons of chemistry. The numerous kisses and skinship made the romance sizzle. I especially liked how the ML tossed the FL over his shoulder and carried her off numerous times. She’s so tiny it seemed like she weighed nothing to him. I don’t know why but I find stuff like that very romantic. I also liked how they fought to stay together and made compromises when needed. It was nice to see the main leads together as a couple throughout a good deal of the drama. There were so many romantic moments with them cuddling on the couch, snuggling together in bed, holding hands, etc. If you’re looking for a drama with lots of romance and skinship then this is the drama for you.

Comedy
The comedy in this drama was absolutely hilarious. I was constantly laughing out loud while watching it. In the beginning it’s almost pure comedy with one laugh after another. I wished the comedy had kept on nonstop throughout the drama. But midway through the drama the angst and melodrama sets in and the comedy is there but it’s not a constant thing anymore. It’s present but it’s not the central focus like it was in the beginning. But overall I give this drama a high score for its comedy.

Final thoughts
I give high scores to the acting, comedy, and romance in this drama. If they had just stuck to the romance and comedy it would have been so much better. But lately, Chinese dramas have been starting out as fluffy romcoms then they turn into full melodramas increasing the angst the further you get into the drama. Im not a fan of this trend of switching genres from romcom to melodrama midway through the drama. I’m not saying this is overly melodramatic or angsty. Most problems get resolved fairly quickly. But there was just too much going on and most of it was unnecessary and didn’t enhance the storyline. So I deducted stars because of the unrealistic storyline that dragged out the hidden identities for way too long, because there were too many side plots that did nothing to enhance the storyline, and because it wasn’t original and had way too many cliche drama tropes. If you’re looking for something light and fluffy and you love a good laugh and a sweet romance then you should like this drama. It’s nothing amazing but it’s still pretty cute. I won’t be watching it again but it made me laugh a lot and sigh over the sweetness of the romance so I’m glad I watched it.

Leggi di Più