Reviews

In this series GREAT WARINTHORN cuteness overloaded
Especially in some episodes expressions like awwwww jaw drop
I watched every drama of GREAT
But this is on the top of the list of Great acting
And second leads are also cute specially second female lead when she uses Korean language she is very cute.
Totally i loved it.
Story is also good they had some twists and turns
Ost i loved it
The song by the main female lead is very melodious
You people will definitely want to rewatch this it's very entertaining and the romantic comedy and finally happy ending.
That's what we want right as we already have burdens in our life this show will relax you.

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all in the dressing

The "salad bowl" concept is the idea that Tokyo is a messy collection of cultures rather than some perfect, seamless melting pot. I love how this show respects that metaphor. In a melting pot, everything is supposed to dissolve into one beautiful flavor, but the Japanese monolith does not actually allow it. It is that rigid wall of culture that forces the individual parts to stay distinct, keeping their own texture because they are never fully invited in. It highlights the friction in places like Shin-Okubo or the industrial pockets of Edogawa, where the "one Japan" image meets the reality of the people it refuses to absorb. This is the actual reality of the world they built, and it defines everything from the cases to the characters.

Nao is just incredible as Mari. It is honestly hard to explain, but she just breathes this specific energy into every single line and every single scene. It is alive and refreshing. She makes the character so believable. She is a cop who actually bothers with the crumbs... the cases that the rest of the department treats as afterthoughts. I really liked that the show does not lean too hard into that tired "one cop against the world" trope. It is not that everyone else is a villain or too stupid to be believable. It is just that Mari cares about the community level cases with an intensity others do not have. She just wants to be good at her job and help the people actually trying to survive in that bowl.

I found the way the show handles Arikeeno’s and Oda's history has a level of gravity that caught me off guard. Professional survival in Japan demands a "dual life," a performance of normality that is mandatory within the police force and rigid corporate hierarchies. The 2023 Understanding Act failed by prioritizing majority "peace of mind" over actual protection, which basically sanctioned the harassment and sidelining of anyone who does not fit the mold. Because workplaces view anyone who is not a "family man or woman" as untrustworthy, a mask of conformity is required to navigate a culture of deep, persistent suspicion. Seeing how certain parts of a private life can be used as a threat makes Arikeeno’s stone-faced exterior feel like necessary armor. It is a heavy, honest look at the kind of trauma that comes from having your personal identity treated like a threat to society.

While I noticed the show occasionally uses strokes that are a bit too broad, it offers a necessary look at the real problems foreign residents face in Japan. It handles the labor market reality with actual depth. Many of these people are just looking for a better life and recognize they are helping a country that cannot keep its workforce full because of the birthrate issue and population decline. I know firsthand how wonderful and accepting most Japanese people are, so I appreciated that this isn't a blatant condemnation of the country. It is more about the friction in the system. It is a lens to give some focus.

The show gave me some truly heartbreaking tales of people trying their best to work within that system, like the elder care case. It is a sharp contrast to those who just abuse it. Even when the villain veers into a bit of a caricature or feels a little clownish, it was never enough to distract me from the weight of the story. It is the only part that feels a bit too drama-fied, but the rest of the show is grounded enough to balance it out.

The focus on language is the best part for me. It is rare to see a drama actually lean into the struggle of communication like this. The delivery was sometimes rough, but I expected that with a drama focused on language. It makes the world feel more grounded. Instead of everyone magically understanding each other, I saw the friction and the work it takes to get a point across. It makes the cases feel urgent because I could see how easily things get lost in translation.

In the end, it comes back to that salad bowl. It is a beautiful and messy collision of lives that do not always blend perfectly. Even with the rough edges and the occasional broad stroke, it is the most human look at Tokyo I have seen in a long time. It actually makes you care about the people trying to find their place in the mix.

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In my opinion Sword Dynasty is a very good series. Unfortunately it falls a little short of excellence. The casting, acting, production, and music were all very good to excellent. The choreography and cgi were decent but nothing spectacular. The story was good enough that I binged the series in a handful of days. I was always interested to continue to the next episode until it ended. However, some of the story really needed more detail and more episodes to be great. I think the ending was good for the most part even without an epic fight.

Overall this is an entertaining series. I think the story and main characters are actually better than a higher rated series I also liked named The Untamed. I will definitely rewatch Sword Dynasty someday and recommend it.

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I simply started watching it because I was a big fan of Lee Dong Wook as I wanted to listen to Junsu's beautiful OST at the same time (pity that the osts weren't that many!). However I don't regret it. It had many surprises.. from Jihyo and Ji Min to Jong Ho and Yoobin.

As I said, the cast was excellent. I couldn't catch a fail on their acting... It was all credible and well-done.

As for the characters... Won was really funny at the beginning and I think the drama could have been better if they added more of it at the middle of the drama. Da In was that kind of non-salt character, I didn't really like her. It was nice when she played the hate-love relationship with him but after that it was bad, she was too much of a strict/noble woman.. they had no chemistry at all, unfortunately.
However, the second main couple compensated it a lot. You can't help but fall for them.. and if you do, you'll suffer a lot. The drama scriptwriter was playing with us, I found myself holding my fists just with the thought that one of them could die. ~~~
The romance between Baek and Kkeok was also nice but very subtle for my taste.
The king and the princes were also amazing... if I was a commoner then I'd want to have fair kings like those.

The only thing that I disliked was the plot. I found it very repetitive. What on the beginning started to interest us made the drama a bit boring on the middle. The matter took a long time to be settle... I feel that the drama could have been shorter instead of wavering around the same thing over and over again.

However, this is a drama that I suggest. I started watching it yesterday and finished today because it was really good :) And it's different from others as well ^^

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So bad it is hilarious

This drama is so bad, so bad, so bad...

I am pretty sure the casting of Price Zayne went;

Ok line up

Take of your shirts

Smile

Ready set go, strip...

Fastest wins...

Some people had great singing voices
Some people had ok acting skills

Only one person in the whole drama had both... and that was probably Mikey. I am pretty sure about 90% of the laughter in the drama was real and not acting, out of embarrassment... Like are you kidding me you expect me to say this with a straight face...

The humour dirty and low... The quality of the music varies but is hilarious at times.

The sound awful, the filming awful, the dog adorable... the people adorable... the characters highly lovable... I may actually miss them all... And I hardly ever miss any characters... And the budget for bananas probably huge...

To sum it up this is not for everyone but I enjoyed it in all its terrible everything and may actually rewatch an episode or two now and then ...

Also people, it is hot in the Philippines!

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Season 2 said I will do better and it did (for the most part)!

In times when season 2 usually ends up being a disappointment, this one was actually better than its predecessor. The story was stronger, the acting by both leads improved, and their communication and chemistry were far better. The only thing that disappointed me was Shirasaki 2.0. His problem wth an inferiority complex with Hayama was almost the same or a little better if I am being nice. And I might have been okay with it, but he sort of projected on Hayama and it entirely didn't sit right with me.

Season 2 starts with Hayama and Shirasaki in their dating era when they are not working on the same set together. The narrative explores the difficulty of being in a relationship under the constant pressure and scrutiny in the entertainment industry, issues of professional ambition, jealousy and personal insecurities that arise when private relationships intersect with public careers. And for the most part, it did manage to do it.

Starting with the characters, Asami Hayama is the kind of character who feels too much but only lets very little slip through. At first glance, he is a perfect example of calm and composed and someone who has life in control. But once you dare to look past that exterior, he is fighting his own demons. His internal conflicts shape him in meaningful ways, both good and bad. While I acknowledge that he withheld emotions to a fault, however, this also gives him a certain steadiness. He isn't impulsive with emotions.

Shirasaki had its moments, but overall it was a hit-and-miss for me. Starting with the positives, his acting journey was impressive. He is new to acting world and the way he adapted and was more open to feelings than career-hardened characters was nice. What I have complaints about from him is being Hayama's boyfriend and that inferiority complex from season 1. This whole 'I need to prove myself or qualify to stand beside someone who already treasured him without conditions' didn't work for me. This race in his mind made him look fragile and insecure and in all the wrong ways.
I supported his outburst but the way it was delivered nullified the impact and effect of it. The way he projected his insecurities and made it about him rather than considering or understanding Hayama's feelings rubbed me the wrong way. I guess they say it right, words matter but so does the tone.

Coming to the chemistry, it was way better than Season 1 and it shines brightly in some moments. There were fewer communication gaps and internal monologues. They had their sweet soft moments where all the colours shine, whether it is attraction, fear or longing. It might be more enjoyable for me due to them being an established couple this season. I would have liked more moments of them together, digging deeper into their relationship and themselves a bit more.

Acting-wise, both the leads were really good. Nihara Taisuke, as Shirasaki benefited the most with BL under the BL concept. Komagine Kiita was good too. I enjoyed the role of Kuroki Keita, played by Natsuki Omi. Shoma was better than the previous season but we have a long way to go for him.

Production and cinematography were beautiful and clean. I liked the set design and overall, it elevated the tone of the story. I loved the close-ups and directing sequences. Another plus point from a visual perspective was the shift from their in-drama characters to their “real-life” versions (still on screen, of course xD) was surprisingly smooth.

Overall, while it is not perfect with pacing a bit slow in the middle, it was definitely an enjoyable watch. Even though the leads fumble their way sometimes, their relationship feels grounded in real human flaws. I would recommend it if you liked season 1 because it was better than that in my books!

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Secret to a Good Short Length Drama: Steal, Cheat, & Lie

I. The Good
I'm surprised that this drama is hovering at 7.8 stars at the time of review, but I'm more surprised by the ease at which I am rating this a 9 out of 10 stars. There are a plethora of good things to rave about.

The storyline is short, sweet, and compelling, told with a dash of titillating scenes. The FL is introduced as an unconcerned equal-opportunity hussy, who allows only good-looking toy boys to remain at her manor. Meanwhile, the ML graduated first class honours from bodyguard-cum-assassin training school. Quite early on, the audience are given hints that the ML is not who he says he is, but for his purposes, he introduces himself to the FL as one sibling of the pair that she'd save a decade ago. The FL is intrigued by his good looks and allows him to remain, and the first few episodes play with the question of where his loyalties lay. He ultimately proves himself loyal to the FL, whereupon she promptly devours him like a delicious snack (who wouldn't?). After the FL defeats who she thinks is the main villain, the real villains rise from the embers to steal her happiness and reveal who has been cheating and lying to her (spoiler alert: everyone). The drama does close with happy ending, so rejoice you faithless creatures.

The acting was surprisingly good. HYY (FL) was luxuriously seductive when playing the coquette, but could subtly shift her expressions and gestures to play the restrained daughter and weary human. LZH (ML) played his role as an outraged virgin, serious bodyguard-assassin, mortified ex-virgin, and shy simp with equal skill-- but I was so distracted by how he looked like Wang Hedi for most of his scenes. WTH (FL's brother) effortlessly portrayed a mild-mannered obsessive antagonist.

The makeup, costumes, and set are exquisitely gorgeous-- so much so, I'm wondering what was the budget for this drama. They were full-length-drama worthy. The theme songs were equally poignant and liable to give you stuck song syndrome.

II. The Bad (Major spoiler alert!)
The drama doesn't tie up all loose ends neatly. We never find out why the ML was so intent on killing the assassin he chased down in episode 1 (although one assumes that is who murdered Bai Chen), who is Ling Rong's father, when or why did Ya Shu join the FL's camp, or when did Zhan Yue Chi meet the FL and why is he so obsessed with her. The scenes also had minor struggles with continuity issues. For example, during their date night, the FL had run off with the lube and the ML was left holding the mask. But in the next scene, the FL is holding the mask in her left hand and dragging the ML along with her right. Cut to the next scene, and the mask is back in the ML's hand.

All these are minor issues that don't really mess with the audience's viewing pleasure. I still would have ignored these pesky details and rated this drama higher if it weren't for the ugly.

III. The Ugly
Episode 23 is quite literally ugly, and episode 24 is storytelling ugly. We've been given beautiful scenes and seamless choreography all the way up to Episode 23, when suddenly at the last minute, utterly awful CGI rises and smashes you across the face like a sperm whale. Episode 24 doesn't explain why the ML runs off, or why he is so adamant to not return with the FL. Although he supplies a weak answer about visiting his sister, the explanation doesn't justify his strong reaction. It is as if we're missing crucial 5 minutes that the production team ultimately decided to cut out, but failed to consider how the episode appears without those scenes. They tried to fix it with the FL's response and offer, but even one line from the ML along the lines of "You know me so well" would have smoothed out the incongruous scene.

IV. Final Words
Ultimately, this drama is captivating and unputdownable. Except for the few irksome flaws, you will blast through the ~240 minutes directly and go back for seconds.

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best series ever

im having a hard time moving on from this series. the cast, songs, story and the jokes were the best. i don't think i can move on from this series hahah

I keep replaying the scene of the King and Queen. You know what, they are the best couple in Joseon Era. Whenever they collab, it has a big impact. This famous quote "king cannot live without his Queen" can be seen in this Drama. That is why I cannot find myself stop watching huhuhu It kills me. I even started reading the Chinese version of it. Thank you so much director-nim for making my year beautiful despite the COVID-19 we are facing.

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The Cringe You Give Me

This is a story about a bunch of women who at first try to come off as independent, smart and in no need of a man what so ever, and the men who are there to prove them wrong.

As it starts off all women can do it but quickly turns in to women can't do it... just to go back to woman should be able to do it but most men suck, society sucks and it is damn hard to be a women so while they do not want a knight they will need a soldier to do the legwork... Or something like that. Some of this was good, some of this was made so bad I felt like throwing a bunch of books at the writers and other parts where just meeh. As they do make an honest attempt to show the struggles many women (especially single mothers) face, but ends up becoming a celebration of the nuclear family... So if you are in to that stuff this drama is great.

The characters in this drama are pretty interesting, those who are supposed to be lovable are lovable those who are supposed to be despicable are indeed easy to hate. All have good moments, but most lovable characters also have moments of adolescent, nonsensical inconsistent annoyance except for our female lead and the kid who both are a lot more mature than the rest of the characters.

The main couple also share a bunch of bickering fun moments as well as good chemistry and great kisses. No dead fish in sight which is indeed lovely but can get to be too much at times.

The interactions with the kid are just so cute they will make you cringe. But the kid is indeed lovable and the father- son moments/outfits are some of the best in all of dramaland. The kid actually got to have a scar after his surgery unlike his father who has this AMAZING healing ability, not a scar in sight 5 years post surgery.

There is a great glass shattering scene, not very necessary but indeed lovely to watch.

Part of me loves the fact that two of the leads have an hereditary heart condition yet are portrayed as more than just a condition... competent, lovable... but the conversation and way things around the heart condition where handled brought out my inner anger, making me want to visit the glass shattering space shown in the drama.

So what can I say there is some good, a lot of bad and a whole lot of cringe... but the acting is decent, chemistry good and the story it self could have been better.

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Love in Sadness is one of those dramas that will lure you in making you want more and more as you get deeper into the story. Throughout the entire 40 episodes many different topics are hit including deep ones like obsessiveness, abuse, cheating & heartbreak. The main character Ma Ri is shown throughout the series as a weak woman but throughout the story she learns how to deal with everything causing her to evolve into a strong woman that her friends wanted her to be. Her husband Kang In Wook although a little psychotic/obsessive you will in the end start too feel some sympathy ( just a tad & the ending will hit you hard) after you learn his backstory of why he is like this. The surgeon's Seo Jung Won was a wonderful addition too since he brings out the best in Ma Ri and will do anything for her. You will learn to hate some of the side characters in this story due to their actions and in the end I still don't understand why some of them did what they did to the others but it happens in plots like this. The acting in this was amazing especially Ryu Soo Young's he did a great job portraying Ma Ri's husband and his obsessiveness. The music was okay at certain parts it didn't really resonate with me since I was more interested in the story. There is a slight rewatch value to this drama due to the emotional value but once you watch it you'll know everything that already happens so it wont be as strong.

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This show is slow paced and we sure can see that since the first episode. If we decide to keep watching, we already know what we're getting into... right?

I thought I did. I really like slow paced shows because they usually really warm my heart and they tend to be somewhat deep so I didn't even hesitate to keep watching 'A Piece of Your Mind'. I loved the acting and how the story was developing through the first few episodes, but then I started getting easily bored. Reason? There's a situation (I won't say which one to avoid spoilers) that happens at the beginning (really, at episode 2 I think) and leads to something else, and once everything seems to be over it just KEEPS APPEARING in every episode.

This drama is about healing and I understand that there has to be a recurring situation for the leads to get over, but was it really neccessary to keep bringing what happened every episode? At this point and I thought about dropping the drama, however, I was already 8 episodes in and I though I might as well finish it.

Let's talk about some of the characters. Kim Sung Gyu is an AMAZING actor, but his character, In Wook, was... dull. At the beginning it was okay, really, I liked his character and I was willing to see how he would develop. The thing is, he didn't. Again, I understand this is mainly about healing, but he didn't even make a small change until the very end.

Lee Ha Na's character, Soon Ho, was more or less the same. She didn't change, not even a little, in the whole drama. I feel like her character was put there just to twist thing up a little at almost the end of the show so it could continue for some more episodes. She really didn't add up anything to the show, she was plain and dull. We got to see a little of her personality, which was based on some ''traumatic'' experience that wasn't traumatic at all; still, no need to be a nosy ass (just like Seo Woo, if I'm allowed to say). I really didn't enjoy their characters at all, especially Lee Ha Na's

Chae Soo Bin did a really good job portraying such a nosy character (as you can see, it's already the second time I use this word to describe a character). Seo Woo was even nosier than Soon Ho, if she didn't get into someone's affairs, she wouldn't be happy. And then, when she finally seemed to be a little happier and to have everything shorted out, she had to ruin everything again.

Jung Hae In's character, Ha Won, is the only one I don't have that many complains about; even though he obviously is the one who suffered the most. He didn't make stupid choices, he knew what he wanted and he didn't make a whole world over something. He was mature. It's possibly the only character I liked (apart from Eun Joo, Min Jung and Jin Soo).

Was it that bad of a drama? The answer is no. Would I watch it again? The answer is still no. I struggled to finish it, I just wanted to finish 'A Piece of Your Mind' as soon as possible and I didn't really enjoy it at all. The problem isn't its pace since like I said before, I usually enjoy slow dramas. The problem here is that this is so badly written it's almost impossible to have a great time watching it.

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Something you should know before you watch

I've had high hopes for this movie. I didn't watch the trailer. I kinda just went into the movie blindsided. I thought it was gonna be like bloodhound the show that's how people were making to seem like in the comments but anyway, I feel like it was good actors but but in the movie, they kind of just thrown in characters and kinda expect us to know their backstory or how their attached to them and then for the action to happen at the end of the movie did it make sense to me? I feel like this movie had good potential but they kind of just threw this plot everywhere if I had to give her the rating I would give it a 4.3. I'm deducting points because there's a lot of confusion. The story is all over the place, adding people at random times ,should've went with a different plot ,and many more. I'm not gonna go all around the world and explaining it I would give this movie a shot if you're gonna watch it but personally, I just didn't like it. To be honest, I think they should've took a note from my name or ballerina but that's just my personal opinion

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If you're a classic music lover, then I strongly recommend this drama. It is, as you may have figured, a musical drama. The facts, the phrases, the music... It's all real. I also really approve of the fact that they used real musicians in the orchestra (except from the obvious faking actors, of course). Big big thumbs up!



I have to say, the conductor really really impressed me. It's hard to copy the movements of a conductor, and he did a good job. He must have suffered a lot while learning, so kudos to him!



The acting is great and believable. The drama mainly focuses on character development, but it also has moments of relationships and drama as the "obvious couple" turns out to not being so obvious after all. Despite this, you still get your solid dose of music, which makes me a happy girl.



In writing moment, I have yet to finish this, but the 11 episodes I have watched were watched in 3 days. Not many dramas manage to capture my interest like this, and I am looking forward to watch more!



*will be edited*

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