Reviews

This is not a fluffy BL story that is for sure. The relationship between the main leads is twisted and intense and S/M abusive. Having said that I didn't regret watching it ... it was sort of interesting thinking about the 'whys' of this strange relationship and some of the unexpected twists that occurred.

In short:
For me this movie is about love ... what is it ... who can have it ... and under what circumstances can it be ‘had’. It is a kind of fascinating melding of greek philosophy and S&M. The reason for my thinking this was the reference to Plato’s feast (the TV documentary they were watching on the TV). Maybe I read too much into that TV documentary, but for me it seemed relevant to the story.

In detail:
Plato’s Feast was kind of symposium or talk fest, where all these philosophers ate, drank and talked a whole lot of philosophical shit. In respect of the TV documentary, it particularly referred to the feast held at Agathon’s (a poet) house. At that feast, the topic of discussion was “eros” or “love”. Quite a few philosophers had their say about what they thought “love” was ... in particular:

Pausanias believed that loving attraction was not always sublime, that it could sometimes be ‘base’ because there were two kinds of love from the goddesses Aphrodite (Aphrodite was the Greek goddess associated with love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion and procreation). One kind of love was Aphrodite Heavenly and the other kind was Aphrodite the Vulgar so therefore it must follow that there were two kinds of love - heavenly love and vulgar love.

Aristophanes, on the other hand, spoke about the myth that original inhabitants of the land were androgynous i.e. they were both male and female at the same time aka the Androgyns. The Androgyns had 4 legs, 4 arms and 2 faces that looked in opposite directions. When they wanted to move, they moved on their 8 limbs like a wheel. The god Zeus didn’t like the Androgyns so he ordered Apollo to cut them into half. Afterwards, even though the Androgyns were now separated, the memory of the connection with their former half gave rise to a desire to search for their other ‘half’ in order to restore their original nature and integrity. However, this was not as easy as it seems as if they were 'wicked' the gods would 'cut' people into even smaller parts.

Anyway, given the above as a kind of background to the story, it is not surprising that the two male leads have the same sounding name Ichikawa Mitsuo … the only difference between the two is how they spell their family name "Ichikawa". One spelt it with the kanji for the number "one" i.e. "Ichikawa" / "一川" (one river). The other spelt it with the kanji for 'city' - "Ichikawa" / "市川" (city river). Is having the same name symbolic of them being each other's other half ... they are the same but different ... same coin, different sides 🤔. This is interesting as when both Mitsuo’s meet in high school … right from the beginning, you can see their two very distinct and seemingly different personalities but there was a hidden S&M kind of connection / attraction between them none the less. Since their first meeting they have 'danced' around each other ... like a pair of orbiting neutron stars that spiral ever closer together. One receives from the other, one gives to the other … one receives abuse, the other gives it … one masochistic, the other sadistic … one gets a girlfriend, the other takes her for himself ... “No. 1” Ichikawa is “City” Ichikawa’s dog and will come to his 'call'.

After high school the two Ichikawa's go their seemingly separate ways. “City” Ichikawa comes from a Yakuza (gangster) world and is a low level ‘dog’ for the Yakuza Boss. “No. 1” Ichikawa is a Systems Analysist and true to his "number" name, is brilliant on coding. They had no contact with each other until that phone call.

When “City” Ichikawa "murders" his girlfriend … the only way he can keep it secret from his Yakuza brothers, is to call his own “dog” from high school. That "City" Ichikawa still has "No. 1" Ichikawa's phone number after all these years is interesting. The rest of the story is really about the “dance” they have with each other against the backdrop of murder and the brutal gangster life … and in doing so, how they slowly grow in awareness that despite how their lives have gone, despite the predicaments they get into, they are best together ... live together, die together. They are two sides of the same coin … each is the "mint" (as in stamping) to one side of the same coin ... one has no meaning without the other ... hence "Double Mints" ... not the peppermint kind but the coin minting kind (well imo).

So this for me is a love story with a twist ... and it is fascinating. Who is it that deserves love … what kind of love do they deserve … ''heavenly love vs 'vulgar love' … if the love is consensual, is one kind of love necessarily 'worse' than another kind of love 🤔 … I am not into S&M but who am I to judge what other people need in their lives so long as it is informed and consensual ... “love is love” be it ‘heavenly love’ or ‘vulgar love’. Interestingly, regardless of the type of love had between people, when it is informed and consensual, there seems to come with it a potential degree of personal 'evolution' … so in that sense can all kinds of love be 'good' love 🤔.

The ending of the movie had an air of bitter sweetness … I think they were both going to Korea knowing they would meet their deaths there … but in so doing, they would meet it together as "one". The movie is a bit of a mind f*ck ... but that is the way I see it at this point in time ... maybe if I watch it again in another year or two I might see things differently ... who knows.

Leggi di Più

beautiful drama

everything is well done in this drama, the acting, the plot, the music !
2 Korea, one kingdom, one republic, and a way to go from one to another world.
The story is very well built, when you re-watch it you see how thorough it is.
The OST is one of the best i know for a series, always a pleasure to hear.
The casting is great, the 6 main roles are absolutely perfect. The chemistry between the FL and ML is good, but also the Bromance between Lee Min-Ho and Woo Do Hwan, and the "more than friendship" relationship between Kim Kyung Nam and the FL. The prime minister is very well played as well.

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very enjoyable K-BL

Overall: there was sweetness, angst, realism and non-realism. I waffled between an 8.5 and 9 but I'm feeling generous so 9 it is. Aired on Viki and GagaOOLala (varied by country).

Content Warnings: violence off screen, punch, manipulation

What I Liked
- the premise
- acting
- sweet and cute moments
- mostly realistic relationship trajectory
- the supportive female friend
- physical affection once they were officially together
- was happy with how Ji Ho Joon handled his dad in episode 8
- production value

Room For Improvement
- wish they had told the story in linear fashion as the flash forwards and flashbacks made things unnecessarily confusing, was also kind of choppy, we'd jump from one scene to the next
- unrealistic elements (dad said to sell all the cars but he still has one? no hotel rooms in what looks like a large city?)
- was sad about the cliched lying at the end of ep 7/beginning of 8, there would have still been drama if the character had been honest

Leggi di Più

Cute short story

It's a short novel about demons and humans, the couple is very much in tune, they're cute and had good times together, the story is often funny, light, and good for passing the time. ML is that typical, more reserved protagonist, but with that fierceness that knows how to press her buttons, I got irritated with her on several occasions because she didn't see what was in her face, and she made stupid decisions, but I forgive her because she I felt like I couldn't trust anyone, I was worried about the ending, but it was satisfactory! In short, a good mini drama and a couple with a lot of chemistry.

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The premises: this is a war movie through and through.
There are no romance, no cuteness, no funny moments to draw a breath. There are no gorgeous sceneries to admire, or beautiful faces to ogle.
This movie is a punch directed at your very stomach. And yet it's so full of heart and intensity it left an indelible trace in my memory.
It's the story of a handful of Japanese soldiers left on guard of the rocky, desolate, deserted but of outmost strategic importance island of Iwo Jima. They are basically left to rotten there and eventually being slaughtered, if not by the Americans, by the obtuseness of high rank Japanese officials.

It's based on a true story, so I have no fear to spoil the plot. Many of you may already know of Iwo Jima, if only for the über-famous picture of the American soldiers planting the stars and stripe flag on a little mountain of dirt. This movie tells the same story, but from the other side of the barricade, in the literal sense of the word.
Western films tend to depict Japanese soldiers during WWII like war machines, ready to die for their country no matter what, cold and determined. Here we see the human side of them, the ultimate meaning of the film being the universality of fear, loneliness, anguish and friendship.

Outstanding acting performances by all the cast, entirely Japanese and terrific direction by acclaimed Clint Eastwood.

This is the kind of film one re-watches sooner or later. A film-library movie. You have been warned as to its content, so I recommend it with a clear conscience.

Leggi di Più

Unethical and Awesome

Well... dang. This extra-mini-miniseries is demented but logical and fascinating enough (for me). The ML is metaphorically on another plane, FAR AWAY from the rest of humanity. He's NOT a status or wealth-snob, but he's so powerful, rich, and unfathomably confident, that he embodies the essence of an immortal god/demon. He's a morally-grey ANTIHERO character, that is severely controlling, fierce and deadly but is also diametrically protective, loving and forgiving (toward FL and his assistant). He doesn't allow anyone to control him, even his own mean/controlling mother. His smirk/smile reminds me of a young Damon Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries but he's legitimately powerful enough to be ABOVE the law, like Klaus Michaelson, ("I AM immortal!") 😈, and he knows it. He ALWAYS has a trusting, positive, compassionate outlook of the FL's integrity and personhood - even when she betrays him out of her ignorance. The FL is understandably scared (and frustratingly) small-minded in the face of this type of larger-than-life antihero. Like the rest of us ignorant humans, she's not able to perceive the bigger picture nor find the truth. The happy ending was way too abrupt. Their chemistry was only partially explored via the ML's passionate pursuit and his (mostly forced) 💋 kisses, so the ending is the beginning of their consensual romance.

Leggi di Più

A disjointed mess with a few good scenes

This was a very strange series. The scenes of the main couple were pretty good, but there weren't a lot of them and the rest of the series was boring and made very little sense.

Lee Jun's past as an idol was so irrelevant to the plot that he could just have been a regular new office worker and it wouldn't have changed anything. He could have simply been friends with Hyun Jae and Simeon for different reasons and the plot would have been the same. I'm honestly not sure why Hyun Jae and Simeon are even considered part of the main cast when they really didn't do much. I guess they were there to serve as rivals for Choi Jun, but it didn't really work. Simeon was way too straightforward and Hyun Jae just never confessed. It was also obvious from the beginning that Lee Jun wasn't interested anyway.

There were just too many characters for no reason and as a result, they all feel really shallow. Even the two main characters don't get enough development. Why make Lee Jun an idol if you're not going to show and/or utilise any aspect of him being one? Also, we don't know anything about Choi Jun at all other than the fact that his father is the company's president (which is completely glossed over) and that his mother made him move to the US against his will. And he has a fiancée, just because? Why not, at this point.

Jun and Jun also never have a proper conversation about their past or how they feel. The bulk of their interactions comes in the shape of disjointed statements scattered over the course of 8 episodes. I feel like they REALLY needed to have a conversation after the scene at the end of episode 3/beginning of episode 4, but they just proceeded to ignore each other and focus on work until the end of episode 6. Then the last two episodes were pretty good but it took way too long for them to get to that point. Also, it might just be me, but I feel like their kid versions would have worked better if they were swapped. I actually went back to check if I mixed them up because Choi Jun comments about how Lee Jun was always cute, but in the flashbacks, it seemed like Choi Jun was the cute/passive one who got picked on. There was a bit of a disconnect there.

What I did like, however, were the cute/funny/steamy scenes between Jun and Jun. The humour was also a lot dirtier than I expected from a KBL, which was a pleasant surprise. The second half of episode 3 was particularly good, and everything after the kiss at the end of episode 6 was decent, but the series as a whole had way too much boring office filler and not enough interaction between the leads. A lot of the dialogue made very little sense and the editing was all over the place. If I were to rewatch, I'd skip everything except the Jun and Jun scenes.

Leggi di Più

chemistry and cast are perfect

The story was definitely great and it is best of April
Its starts as a sports drama and like all other drama it doesn't focus on sports ,its a sports full of love the ml was a badminton player and following some events he decided to switch to tennis where fl is now manager of an dying club,the show is all about the ml and fl supporting each other and helping other to achieve the goals and find love in between.
About the love part as know 10yrs gap is not so positively viewed in most asian countries and fl has her own concern as she thinks ml is young and it just his sudden impulse of youth on otherhand ml tries to win heart step by step and their chemistry was great throughout the show and story supported their chemistry with each step
Re-watch value is high as there are moments that make your heart flutter and some life lessons we can learn
OST Great it greatly goes well with the moments
ACTING: LEO NAILED IT SO DO ZYT and no extra drama
Go for it!!!

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love also be willing to let it go

It look like everyone who watch this movie a little bit confused about the story.
First, don't be confused with butterfly lovers, this movie isn't based on that folk story. Fang Hui or the director use that story for his movie but actually he want to make a trap for Lin Xi and Hesen.
It look like in the past, Fang and Lin is a couple but things not going well but Fang doesn't want to let Lin go.
Fang started to blackmail Lin and force him to be forever his actor in all his movies.
Lin meet Hesen and Hesen treat him very well and want Lin to be his lover. It make Fang angry and set a trap for Lin and Hesen by make them starring in his new movie. Fang record all Lin and Hesen activity including when they are making love. When Hesen knows about this, he really angry and try to kill Fang but Lin save him and die.
This movie is telling that if you love someone, you must ready to let it go too for your lover happiness. Trying to make it forever by your side it can be worst idea if your lover can't enjoy and not comfortable with it.
In my opinion, this movie probably shoot a long time ago but release for international via gagaolala in 2020.
The idea of this movie is good but in some point lack in execution. They can be good movie.
Honestly, I cannot rate this film as same as I rate films from other countries where the censorship is not as strict as on the mainland. I give my respect for everyone in this film because they still have the courage to make film that they want to make.

Leggi di Più

You won't know what hit you when you get to the end!

I heard this was a romantic suspense and the trailer seemed interesting so I tried this and it hit me with so many unexpected surprises by the final episodes! I thought I knew how it was going to end but it was completely different and out of my expectations.

Plot: So, so creative. You think it's the usual revenge drama since that is what the trailer and synopsis claims to be but it's not that simple. It's much more complex than just the leads getting involved into a bigger revenge plan. That's just what they want you to believe as you watch. I love how the writer uses flashbacks and Wen Ke Er's therapy session in the beginning of every episode to reveal another piece of the mystery. One by one you get to know more of the so-called truth until you realize at the end that there's a even bigger truth, the real truth about what happened that night with the security guard. The writer tied everything up really smoothly and logically with the big plot twist so that you understand how you've been duped.

The episodes were all fast paced. I am so glad it's 20 episodes and not like 40. There was no fillers. Every scene had its use. Every flashback was part of the puzzle (but don't trust everything they show you too). Also, at first, the first 3 episodes felt unrealistic with the female lead's extreme revenge schemes but later you'll find out why it makes sense as part of the bigger picture-- so don't drop it there!

Acting/Cast: I only know the male lead from Bloody Romance but he was a supporting character so I didn't pay much attention to him BUT he is good! His chemistry with the female lead was cute. And everyone was great at their roles too. They successfully embodied them. Wen Ke Er got on my nerves with her soft but kind of high pitched voice but she surprised me with her emotional scenes later on.

Music: Love the 2 songs. They are the only ones I know of and they are so fitting for this drama. The editor or whoever adds the BGM did so well in adding the OST in the most suitable scenes. I have no complaints whatsoever.

Rewatch Value: I don't usually rewatch so I just chose a random number.

Overal, good romantic suspense! It was like 80% suspense/crime/mystery and 20% romance which I felt was a decent balance. There was no cringey/fluff scenes for the romance and I felt that the writer controlled the plot development and romance progession very well. I will definitely keep an eye on the cast for future projects.

Leggi di Più

Loved it!

This is one of the best shows I have seen this year. A very good sci-fi drama with wonderful acting by the cast. I do understand some character development has not been done in a proper manner but overall you will surely enjoy it.
If we watch carefully there are small hints depicted by the director which took the story ahead beautifully. I loved the closed ending and not leaving it to the public.

This is definitely not for people who do not enjoy such genre or such concepts or want more chemistry to be shown.

Personally I loved it alot. And I do understand people have different tastes and choices. So that's alright.

Have a good watch.

Leggi di Più

It was draggy till the end.

I started to watch this without any expectations thank god I did that, it was disappointing, draggy and I was frustrated till the end. It's as its name story of 'Unrequited love/loves' cause the story doesn't revolve around only one unrequited love. If we just ignored some episode there wasn't anything there I really enjoyed or liked. Definitely can say I wasted my time on this.

I really like when FLs are smart/clever I'm no fan of dumb FL at all but wait... it was the only thing I liked about her for me the FLs character wasn't that likable I found some of her actions unreasonable. Talking about ML I know he wasn't at fault from the start but I really hated him whenever he used to be misunderstood I mean man can't you trust your instincts or there's something known as communication it exists. Jiang Bai li her character development was literally dragged to few minutes of the last episode, I mean why did make her character so pathetic I know it's a harsh word but it was indeed pathetic and Ge Bi I really don't want to talk about this character. The one and the only character I liked in the whole show Ming Rui he was a show-stealer for me I really liked him.

It was a frustrating ride for me and I'm devastated now. It's really not something that can be turned out as a pleasure. It was slow-paced and I really didn't like how they just wrapped up the ending.

Not gonna recommend this for sure!

Leggi di Più

It has Comedy, good looking cast, family moments, cute little girl, romance, deceit and revenge.

I watched it 2 years ago and at the time I was 18/19.
Once me alone and then with my parents.
It is the longest drama I've watched but still 2 short.
It has the most amazing revenge plot ever in any drama! It was just 2 perfect. And my parents was really crazy about it 2.

The leading lady is beautiful, her cheating husband is HOT (lol), the guy who falls for her is sooo cute, the evil and backstabbing people around her are SOOOO killable (if u can say that).

This drama plays with all of your emotions and makes you literary wanna go inside and twist some of the characters necks. Uhmmm I would have enjoyed that. But don't worry the leading lady does that pretty well on her own. No need to help once she has started.
Damn it was satisfying. I loved the way she changed 180*. She is really beautiful. I liked it that the leading couple were young. ^^

It has 149 ep. but goddd I wish it never ended. When I watched it I was stuck 2 the comp. hour after hour. I suggest u watch it all. It is REALLY recommendable.
Plus it has a great ending. U will love it. I guaranty it.
Or else you can get your hours back. xD

Leggi di Più

Side note: Suicide Club has a sequel. It’s called “Noriko’s Dinner Table” and is indispensable for understanding this movie and the story’s complexity.

Suicide Club is being described as a horror movie and while it does contain elements which justify the classification, it shocks with an irrational absurdness rather than by depicting nightmarish events.(Gore is present but not the central attraction.)

If I were asked to describe Suicide Club in three words it would be the following: creepy, chaotic and surreal.

The actors’ performances are convincing, but as locations are changed rapidly and attention is paid to multiple characters while none is detailedly introduced, a sole character’s portrayal is of no importance.

The music is generally appropriate, but surprisingly, positively contradictious at times.
Suicide Club also contains two full-length songs, one of them as bizarre as possible.

Why should you be watching this?
Although Suicide Club was promoted as a movie on its own, it leads to more questions than answers.
It’s part of a jigsaw and can be seen as the threshold to a ridiculously witty story which unravels in “Noriko’s Dinner Table”.
I highly recommend watching both movies, while Suicide Circle serves its purpose as a foundation, it does not fail to entertain.

Leggi di Più

If you're looking for a movie where you can laugh till you cry... this definitely is the movie to watch... its funny even from the start to the very end.. Love how they make the plot story and how the characters are build throughout the movie... also love how each characters were described towards the end...
Love how Gong Myung is the crazy newbie.. he portrayed the character really well...
Also loving all the other 4 characters.. where each of them have a special trait on their own...
never judge a book from its cover... this suit how to describe each character in this movie..
Liking how the put one classic Cantonese song after the fight scene... really classic there...
Overall.. really enjoyed this movie.. it deserve an award.... good job writers and producers...
Really recommend this movie to watch.. or even a re-watch...

Leggi di Più