Reviews

One of the Best

First Review!

First Thoughts! - It is really gripping! The story is well-told in a way it feels like you know more than they actually tell you. I constantly doubt myself, (is he the one? Why would she do that?). There are so many twists that I would never see coming even, it's constantly keeping you on your feet as if you blink you'll miss something important. I feel like I am trying to solve alongside the detectives, nothing is as it seems.

FINAL THOUGHTS - I HAVE just finished this drama and wow, I knew from the first episode it was going to be a crazy ride and I wasn't wrong, I found myself shocked right up to the last second I never really knew where the story was going to go the writers were definitely not predictable (except for one instance).
The emotions portrayed from the Leads were exceptional I truly felt everything they were going through. The thriller, crime, psychopath concept was really well done and very interesting. The story felt fresh and new I don't think I have watched anything quite like it.
I would 100% recommend watching it.

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Like a pack of dry cookies that are strangely addicting, even though they taste like nothing.

I know it’s a drama loved by many, but I’m sadly not in that camp. I still enjoyed it quite a lot, it just never truly moved me that much, and I think that was supposed to be the biggest selling point - how touching it is.

I think the biggest reason I did not fall in love with the drama itself is the fact I never fell in love with two main characters - Choi Woong and Gook Yeon Soo. I was indifferent about them as individuals and completely not interested in them as a pair. Something about how they were written did not click with me.

On the other hand, I adored so many supporting characters with Kim Ji Woong being easily my favorite. Both episodes focused on his point of view were in my perspective the most interesting and engaging. I know for a fact I liked him so much because I related to him in many areas, but that’s the strength of the drama - they present many unique, but realistic characters, I’m sure everyone would find one to relate to.

I’m quite sad how little they showed of NJ. There was not one scene of hers that was boring, some were quite meaningful. I appreciate how they never made her a typical toxic second female lead - her perspective on the whole situation was refreshing.

While I understand the drama portrays a lot of important life lessons that young people face - from teens to late twenties, I weirdly never connected to this presentation. Sure, there were some scenes that were memorable, but overall I don’t think I’m going to remember much after a few months.

Performances? Phenomenal from the whole cast. Exactly zero complaints. The emotional scenes were done well, the comedic bits were truly funny, not one character was miscast.

Overall, while my brain understands why many people loved this show, my heart does not follow.

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Nice aesthetics and feelings, petty outcome for 2nd lead syndrom victims

"Every life is a work of art. And it becomes complete when all pieces come together."

What started as a very heartfelt journey had a somewhat wishy-washy end - and no, I'm yes, I'm saying this because I was under the influence of the stressful second-lead syndrome. But not because he didn't get the girl - I swear!

Our Beloved Summer on a first look basis seems to have any troop to appease the typical k-drama viewer: haters-to-lovers, second lead syndrome (to some, at least), artistic shots, unjoyful and earnest quotes, and a very nice soundtrack to back it all (I'm a sucker for any Sam Kim OST, sue me!).

And it does! I fell in love immediately with it all, the way everything felt like it was worked to the detail, with both the heart and the mind. This series felt clever yet sincere. I found myself rooting for every character, even NJ who I didn't enjoy 75% of the time. They were complex, more than pretty cardboard on a screen.

However, OBS was a victim of what I like to call "The Episode 13 Curse" where, around the episode 13 (from 11-15 usually), it looses its essence. The main characters' plot was pretty much concluded, still the writers thought this kdrama clearly needed more emotional trauma and suffering (the overdone type), especially for Ji-Ung, which pissed me off. At least, from the little they developed his plot in the last episodes, they added a delicate streak to his journey. I'm still pissed, since it felt...wasted, tossed aside, so we could have 30 minutes of lovey-dovey scenes. They could've easily spared some time and level everything.

By all means, I didn't hate the main leads. They had cute chemistry, I'm just the type of viewer that enjoys the push-and-pull more than the icing on the cake, the chase more than the destination. Basically, I love to see two people getting closer, but not them being close, does it make sense? Well, still, they were adorable, and almost everyone in the series is impossible to hate. In the end, I felt like this is the type of drama that is meant not to be watched, but to be carefully appreciated. The ending was just bittersweet to me.

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Ok, so here we go.
Story. The storyline was pretty decent, but I sort of felt like I got the grasp of how it was going to go along when I read the summary. Ngl I skipped over a lot of stuff when the frame didn't have the leads in them and honestly I still got through the whole drama understanding what was happening. The storyline wasn't surprising or anything, it didn't have a surprise pop, in the end, the whole storyline was easily predicted just through watching the teasers for upcoming episodes. Honestly, he was looking for his grandpa and his grandpa only showed up for like a few minutes. Bruh.
Acting/Cast. Most of the actors and actresses aren't the ones you would usually recognize once you saw them and I understand they are pretty new. The male lead. This was FCC's first drama, but it wasn't as bad as I thought and it was nowhere awkward. Personally, I believe he did his best and he carried the character well, but the only thing I found awkward was the way he hugged the female lead, it wasn't sweet and it didn't give me that sweet emotion. I guess it's the actor and actresses chemistry or whatever, feel free to comment on that.
The female lead. This is CX's second drama and honestly, I felt like her first drama was better. I completely understand that her character had a calm and cold demeanor, but I felt like she didn't express that really well. I hate to, say this, but some of her expressions were repetitive, there are many other female characters who probably have the same personality as she does, but it just wasn't portrayed that well here. In addition, her character was very still and it made her look really awkward at times. Maybe this character just doesn't suit CX? Idk man.
Second female lead. I'm not going to lie I stopped paying attention to her mid-series, but her acting was really good. She portrayed the hate and ruthlessness of the character really well. I'm pretty sure the actress is pretty young in their 20s? Her drama costume did nothing to touch up her looks, instead, it made her look older and not the mature kind of old.
The main bad character. Gao Yu? He was only seen in the beginning few and his character just disappeared and came back, got defeated or whatever and that's it. Basically, this drama is like a discovery drama, in the end, there was no big evil character he had to face off or something.
Music. The music was good. The music was sung by the leads and as idols/singers, they're not bad. I love the feeling the song gave. It's very calm and pleasant.
Rewatch value. Honestly, I, myself probably won't rewatch this and tbh if I didn't watch this because of FCC and CX and I came across it, I probably wouldn't have been interested at all. Sorry, not sorry.
Overall. I mean you can try it.
Note. In addition, I am not going to lie, but the plot is pretty similar to Legend of Awakening, where the male lead is out looking for their birthright or powers or whatever and they come across many help and friends along the way. Basically, the drama is focused on the male lead's search and growth, so don't expect some sweet and romantic storyline.
xx

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The Man Who Bled Miracles

If you think you have seen every flavor of crime thriller, think again. Bloody Flower opens with a bang, or more accurately, a handcuff click. A man named Lee Woo Gyeom is arrested for kidnapping two people with disabilities. Simple enough, right? Wrong. As the investigation unfolds, it turns out he has been conducting human experiments and murdering people in the process. Seventeen victims. All with criminal records. All allegedly used as test subjects in his quest to cure incurable diseases.

Lee Woo Gyeom is a medical school dropout who boldly claims he has developed a technology that can cure everything from common illnesses to cancer. The twist is deliciously dark. Patients step forward to testify that they have indeed been cured. He promises to reveal this miracle to the world, but only if he is exempted from punishment for his human experiments. If not, he threatens to take his own life, and with him, the cure that exists only in his mind. Standing at the crossroads are a desperate lawyer who needs Woo Gyeom alive to save his daughter with a brain tumor, and Prosecutor Cha Yi Yeon, who wants him sentenced to death for the seventeen lives he took. The question lingers like a stubborn echo. Is Lee Woo Gyeom a monster, or is he humanity’s forbidden savior?

What pulled me in from the very beginning was the morally grey battlefield. Seventeen murders are not a small number. But when those seventeen victims all had criminal records and slipped through the cracks of a lenient justice system, the narrative starts playing chess with your conscience. Humanism versus justice becomes the main dish, and we, the viewers, are forced to pick a side whether we like it or not. The dark allure of this premise had me glued to my seat. It felt like watching a philosophical debate disguised as a thriller.

Up until episode four, Lee Woo Gyeom remains an enigma wrapped in a lab coat. Is he a psycho doctor straight out of a horror manual? Perhaps. He does not seem to fully grasp the moral weight of taking lives, referring to his victims more as test subjects than as people. But here is the twist in my own heart. I believe he is good at heart. He does not kill for pleasure. He kills with purpose. Twisted purpose, yes, but purpose nonetheless. His journey into human experimentation did not begin with people. It started with plants, then a goldfish, then a cat, and only then humans. There is a strange, almost scientific progression there. Add to that the revelation that there is a specific pattern among his victims, and suddenly this is less random slaughter and more calculated vengeance or perhaps justice in his own warped dictionary. The mystery only deepens.

Then there is Prosecutor Cha Yi Yeon. As someone who usually champions strong female leads, I cannot believe I am saying this, but she tested my patience. For her, the world is black and white. You kill, you are wrong. End of discussion. She does not care about the lives potentially saved by Woo Gyeom’s research. She sees seventeen corpses and that is enough. I understand her need to prove herself, especially with her father looming in the background, but her inability to listen or empathize makes her feel robotic. Even her investigative arc feels oddly written. She has a whole team, yet she does most of the legwork herself while her subordinates hover in the background holding files that rarely add impact. Her sense of justice is textbook, rigid, and at times frustratingly tone deaf. Geum Sae Rok tries, but the character feels more like a plot device than a fully fleshed out person.

In contrast, Park Han Jun is the emotional anchor of the story. Portrayed by Sung Dong Il with the gravitas of a seasoned actor, he is a father first and a lawyer second. His daughter, Park Min Seo, is dying from a brain tumor. Suddenly, justice is not so simple anymore. This righteous man who once abided strictly by the law finds himself bending the rules to save his child. His partnership with Lee Woo Gyeom is one of the most compelling dynamics in the drama. They begin as reluctant allies. One is a convicted killer, the other a man of the law. Yet slowly, through shared desperation and quiet understanding, they form something resembling trust. Maybe even friendship.

When Lee Woo Gyeom rushes, injured, to save Min Seo and says he has to save her first, I was genuinely moved. For someone accused of being a heartless killer, his concern for his patients feels real. He even appears willing to defy court orders to help her. That mutual gratitude between him and Park Han Jun creates some of the drama’s most touching moments. It is a relationship built not on legality, but on humanity.

The plot thickens further when we learn that Woo Gyeom’s cure lies in his blood. Specifically, his rare RH null blood. But this miracle comes with a cruel limitation. The more blood he donates, the more his body regenerates new blood that lacks the same healing properties. In other words, he is not an infinite potion bottle in a fantasy RPG. He is human. Fragile. Exhaustible. This revelation made me nervous. If his blood is the key, what is stopping the world from turning him into a walking laboratory?

The backstory hits like a truck in the final stretch. Woo Gyeom was once just a brilliant kid with a loving mother. An accident and his rare blood type turned him into a prime target for Chaeum, the shadowy organization behind grotesque experiments. Not only was he experimented on, but his mother was silenced after discovering too much. Chaeum’s body count stands at 223 victims. Suddenly, Woo Gyeom’s seventeen does not look like madness. It looks like retaliation. Pain breeding pain. No wonder he took drastic measures. The real monster may have been hiding in a corporate lab all along.

The final confrontation reveals Chae Jeong Su as the true psychopath, obsessed with medical breakthroughs at the cost of human lives. Watching Woo Gyeom stab his eye felt both shocking and strangely satisfying. Justice, served with a sharp object. The climax escalates quickly. Police arrive. Cha Yi Yeon stands firm. Shots are fired. In one of the most touching moments, Park Han Jun steps in front of Woo Gyeom and takes a bullet for him. A former prosecutor shielding a wanted criminal. If that is not character development, I do not know what is. Woo Gyeom is eventually shot and jumps off a bridge. For a moment, it feels like tragedy has won.

The resolution wraps up corruption cases at lightning speed, almost too quickly, like the drama suddenly remembered it had a time limit. And then, the final twist. Just as Park Han Jun is about to discard the cure, Woo Gyeom calls. He is alive. I knew it. You cannot keep a Bloody Flower from blooming, can you?

Ryeo Un delivers an eerie yet magnetic performance as Lee Woo Gyeom. His large expressive eyes and deep voice make it easy to believe both the cold scientist and the wounded son. He walks a tightrope between psycho and prodigy, and somehow never falls. Sung Dong Il, as expected, brings weight and warmth to Park Han Jun, embodying a father pushed to his limits. The chemistry between these two is the heart of the drama. Their evolution from distrust to solidarity is memorable and deeply affecting.

Bloody Flower is not perfect. Some arcs feel rushed, and Cha Yi Yeon’s character may test your blood pressure. But if you enjoy stories that force you to question your moral compass, this one will keep you hooked. It asks a dangerous question. If a killer can cure the world, do you save him or condemn him? In the end, Bloody Flower does not hand you an easy answer. It simply lets the petals fall and leaves you to decide whether they are stained with blood or sacrifice.

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INGENIOUS PEOPLE

There wasn't only one ingenious person in this drama. Yun Xiang was the master of brilliant strategist, manipulator, thinker, a charmer, negotiator, but most all he's a loyal friend. It's all started when he came down from mountain, finishing 15 years of study and cultivation to seek justice of the dead his family and fellow 300 people of Luo village where he came from. Yuntai Sect is the organization that produce smart people around in many different aspect. A long the way Yun Xiang met friends, foes, love, understanding, trouble, challenges and happiness.

Yun Xiang & Shu Yu Nan
Yu Xiang was brilliant with strategic while Shu Yu Nan was an incredible with martial art. They both love each other, Yun Xiao broke his sect's rule by loving her. They learn to trust and depend to each other because Yun Xiang wasn't entirely open with this strategy or manipulation to Yu Nan, while she's totally in his side she felt that she's being used by him as piece of chess. Around ep 22 the trust was broken, relationship strained, heart distanced, YuNan switched side and betrayed their love. Broken heart lasted for 10 episodes full of drinking, crying and daze...thinking hard for next step forward for both. Will they back together? We'll see that on last episode...

Mo Bu Fan/Kang Qiao (Guanghui Bank, Yuntai Sect)
They both have great relationship between father and adopted son (uncle/nephew). One of the smart Yuntai student in finance and banking. He monopolize economy in town, very money oriented - everything is for profit, cutting throat to his customers, sharp tongue to Yun Xiang, lovable in concern to his nephew. He went bankruptcy for mishandling trust of an old friend, business, reputation, and money was gone. BuFan was so heartbroken when Kang Qiao died, lost in disappointment of his sect and angry to his master. So sad, he didn't see way out - he'd rather died than go on living.

Su Ming Yu/Ke Meng Lan
While Su GongZe was a young handsome heir of rich merchant, he inspired to be a wanderer in martial world, forced to learn business from his sister and family, got PTSD after the terror of killing. In love with the manager of entertainment gambling house Ke Meng Lan. Although she's great with business and very loving, her character was a boring one, killing atmosphere to few notch down. The love affair was smooth one after MingYu's sister approved with their relationship although Meng Lan didn't come from respectable background.

Jin Biao
He called himself '10 Gold Tael' hitman for hire. Very rough looking, brash attitude, soft heart and kind. He liked Meng Lan's personal maid Tian Hu and became the patron of orphanage. He struck friendship with Yun Xiang for money at first but genuinely devoted to him after they've been through together. Ep 32 he went coma of poison.

Many critical characters came and went as new episode brought in new development with new characters, Mo BuFan should go as 2nd ML as he has important role and most of the crisis focusing on his money/bank and the way he handled things. Every character related to him....he's a pretty good actor with much charms and difficulties in such role. All this, at the end is about rebellion to overthrow the throne initiated by Prince Fu (Yun Xiang's master). As a master of Yuntai where Yun Xiang came from, they met face to face, at the end he came up with the ingenious idea to avoid revolt and personal grudges.

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GOOD DRAMA BUT SAD ENDING FOR ME

The first sentence I want to write for this drama is "OUXIAOJIAN ... you are the character I like the most and the HERO of this drama, even though we as viewers have to lose yourself at the end of the story, but you will still live in our hearts ... forever...."

actually I want to give even more full marks to this drama because the storyline is so good and this is one of the 1980s-era dramas that I really like (considering we rarely see Chinese dramas that take stories in the era of the year at that time) but I It is very, very heavy hearted that I can only give8/10 for the whole drama because I feel very hurt and sad for losing Ouxiaojian at the end of the story. after what he sacrificed, fought for and what he suffered from the beginning of the story to the end of this drama. I really really hope the writer gives a happy ending for him ... a simple happiness for him at least to come back to MaXiaoXiao's side (although I know that will not change the story because from the beginning it was destined for MXX to end with YiDongDong who is the narrator. in this drama).at least the author can write that OXJ went far away with MXX leaving their beloved mayang street to live a life like ordinary people who are simple and happy ...remembering how deeply their love was from their childhood until they grew up. so much of their sacrifice for their love ....

although this drama ended sadly for me, but I highly recommend this drama ... a good, real, realistic storyline surrounding the lives of many families in Mayang Street ...

Timmy Xu, Seven Tan and Niu Jun Feng as the main characters really bring this drama to life with their very good acting performance, not only the main cast, the side actors also contributed their very good acting performance to this drama.

Their acting is so real, deep storytelling and naturally actually made me cry several times when watching this drama ... there were some scenes that made my heart ache a lot and my tears were running at that time ...
1. at the time OXJ cried sadly and my heart felt like it was slashed to see him so suffering (OXJ decided to choose to live a life like an ordinary person with MXX, even he had managed to win over the heart and approval of MXX's parents to bless their relationship, but the problem hit him insistently and he had to lose his grandmother because of it)
2.When OXJ sat on the stairs crying sadly because he had just lost his grandmother and had to lose MXX again (because of the misunderstanding that MXX broke their relationship), my heart felt hurt and sad when saw him crying because he had to lose the person he loved and as if so many problems have befallen him repeatedly.
and the most heartbreaking no one knows of the kindness and struggle of his life (even risking his own life) to catch criminals and is forced to disguise himself as a police spy .... everyone condemns his actions just because they see him working in a group criminals and they don't know what the purpose of it is ...and he must accept the suffering of body and soul because of this disguise.

sorry if my review dominates Ouxiaojian because he is the shining character in my eyes in this drama ...

the song in this drama is also very good and very about right for every scene ...

and if I will repeat this drama, maybe only the sweet parts of OXJ and MXX are important points for me, besides that there are side characters who are my favorite partner (XIAOBAO and ChengHaoHao), this couple is also very sweet and funny, especially xiaobao ... I really like him .... his cheerful and laughing face looks very handsome and sweet ...and I like shun zhun too, he is really a nice guy...he is one of the Mayang street people who always believe ouxiaojian.i like his character too...

overall I give this drama 8/10 rating ...

Thank you to the cast, producer, director, writer and crew for delivering this excellent drama....

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High school Action done right

I’ve been hyped about Study Group since it was first announced, and I can honestly say it didn’t let me down. It’s the kind of show that mixes high school drama with jaw-dropping action, and it does it in a way that feels fresh and exciting.

Let’s start with the fight scenes—they’re exaggerated, sure, but in the best way possible. It’s like watching a webtoon come to life. The action is intense, the choreography is slick, and the camera work keeps everything dynamic and engaging. It’s the kind of over-the-top energy that makes you want to watch again and again.

But honestly, the best part of Study Group is the friendship between the main characters. The bond they share is what makes this show so special. YGM, KSH, LJU, CHW, LJ, and their teacher aren’t just a group of people who study together—they’re a team. They have each other’s backs, even when things get crazy. There’s this genuine camaraderie that feels so real, and it’s clear that no matter what happens—whether it’s fighting enemies or stressing over exams—they’ll stick together. The way they support and challenge each other through both the ups and downs makes their dynamic so much more than just a group of characters in a show. It’s their friendship that makes everything work, and that’s the core of what made me fall in love with the series.
Even when they fight or have misunderstandings, you can always feel the underlying respect and care they have for one another. It’s not just about the action or the drama; it’s about the moments where they laugh together, encourage each other, and show loyalty. This group really feels like a family, and I loved seeing that growth throughout the series.

The villains, though? They were totally villainous—and honestly, that’s what made them so fun. They felt almost cartoonish at times, but in a way that fit the tone of the show. The exaggerated bad guys were a perfect match for the exaggerated action, and they added to the overall enjoyment, without ever feeling too serious or overdone.


And then there’s YGM’s mom. She was so good at fighting, which makes total sense since she clearly passed those skills down to YGM! It’s like “mother, like son,” right? Even though she didn’t have a ton of screen time, she really made an impact. She had this tough yet caring vibe that made her easy to root for, and I honestly wanted to see more of her in action. Her fighting skills added a fun twist, especially when paired with how protective she is over YGM.

CHW and KSH? Absolute cuties. They brought such an endearing dynamic to the group, and their interactions were always so fun to watch. They were the kind of characters you just couldn’t help but love, with their charm and little moments that made you smile. I think they were a perfect complement to the more serious or intense characters around them.

LJU and LJ were another perfect duo—always bickering but in a way that made them even more fun to watch. Their constant back-and-forth made for some of the best moments, and you could tell that underneath all the teasing, they really cared about each other. That kind of dynamic always adds so much personality to a show, and they were no exception.

Honestly, I could’ve used even more of the LJU and LHU twins. Their dynamic was fun, and I wanted to see more of their relationship unfold. There was something about their bond that felt like it had so much potential, and I was left wanting more from their storyline.

And I can’t forget about the OST. The music was so on point, especially “Pack Packers” and “Let’s Do This.” I’ve had both of them on repeat ever since. The soundtrack really added to the energy of the show, giving each scene that extra boost of excitement or emotion when needed.

All in all, Study Group is a high-energy rollercoaster that balances action, humor, and character development so well. But the friendship at the core of it all is what really makes it shine. These characters are so lovable, and their journey together—through the chaos, the challenges, and the fun—is what makes the show worth watching. If you’re into high school dramas with a wild mix of action, heart, and friendship, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

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The show's tagline, "Low Budget Action Adventure Story," foretells the hilarity that will assault your senses while enjoying this "drama." :) This series reminds me of the British sitcom "Black Adder" because of its exaggerated characters and army of guest stars. The show doesn't take itself seriously, and viewers shouldn't either.



The plot follows a ragtag team of heroes as they travel through a strange land fighting monsters (many of which are paper mache). This show has a sense of humor I have not seen in a Jdrama before. It's very random and silly on an elevated level. I found it thoroughly entertaining.



Although the characters are far from realistic, they are consistently developed and draw you into their bizarre world. The actors have wonderful comedic timing. While I"m not sure if the jokes in this drama will be as effective upon reviewing, it is definitely the type of show that would be in syndication in the US.



I gave this drama a 10 overall although the rewatch value and music were not rated highly because it is a stellar example of its genre.

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As good & thrilling as the main drama.

Moebius: The Veil, also carries the same message as the main season, The Veil. Human's own conviction of truth and righteousness is something that can either raise them high or destroy them for good. And when it comes to to loyalty, what harbours, nurtures and strengthens it is trust upon each other. The 2 episode short spin-off, had these things to convey.

Plot is nothing but the back story of the main series, keeping Seo Soo Yeon (Park Ha Sun) at the centre. How & why she ended up in the NIS and during his mission he discovers astonishing facts about the agency and at the same time gets involved with Chang Chun Woo (Jang Moon Sung), the black agent who has been cornered by his own agency years ago. They develop a close bonding between them and the story ends with a mission and it's subsequent results.

This also is a proof of how personal greed, power trip and high ambitions ruin an organization, putting the life of people working in it, in danger. Lies, conspiracies, greed for wealth and power, etc. bring hazard to intelligence agencies like this.

The production value is again very high. The direction and screenplay are intriguing. The short yet intricate & exciting development within 2 episodes with awe-inspiring twists and revelations, truly amazed me. Action scenes and the characters' skills and performance has been delivered well, which is worth looking forward to. The writer didn't forget to showcase human emotions and psychological behaviours this time either. The melancholic elements with the shady tracks and bg scores will melt your heart.

We all craved for more because the main series has only 12 episode but thanks to this pre-planned spin-off episodes that was on the productions' mind all along, we got another treat of a superb action thriller, yet again.

Also, some were mad about Seo Soo Yoon's insignificant role in the story, but lil did we know about how significant her character was, that laid the foundation of the entire thing years before. Her character makes so much sense now. This was much needed.

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It's weird but I love it!!

Beyond Goodbye left me with an immersive feelings. Sad but longingly beautiful. If you watched this series because Kentaro's latest kdrama What Comes After Love and not a fan of sad ending, sorry to say but this series is just not for you because this is jdrama where the illness/sad troupes are pretty common. However, for me who used to this kind of ending in jdrama found the ending pretty satisfying. Keep in mind, the main focus of this drama is not romance. This drama deals with grief, loneliness, memories, longing, sacrifice and etc.

The cinematography is amazing within 3 different countries (the sea, the mountains, the coffee fields, the apple farm, the railway track) and the four seasons are shown plus with the storm, they are such breathtaking sceneries, the great and natural acting, the subtle moments, the emotions, well written scripts, marvellous casts, beautiful osts and of course the best ending song by Kenshi Yonezu.

Each of the character is so passionate, deep, complex and empathic especially the five main casts. I personally like Saeko's personality. She is ambitious, fashionable, optimistic, fun, independent yet buried her burden, deep inside her heart and only visible to others closest to her.
I can relate to Kazumasa's confusion with the heart beats for other woman other than his wife, who he loves so much. Even I as a viewer got confuse with the mixed feelings he has. He is kind, sympathetic, a very good man.
We all feel bad for Miki, a wife who trying to protect her marriage as she should. Watching her husband slowly becoming a different person, loving a thing that once strongly disliking can be devastating. She is an honest, patience and caring person.
The best character for me is Yusuke. I know, there is not much of his scene but from others' POV, we know he is a good person, goofy, simple yet deep (fireworks is the best, right?).
And lastly, Kengo, an emotional best friend, a good listener, readily to give an advice, so that none of them were hurt.

I will recommend this series to whoever like to watch from different kinds of perspective, not just from one character but all of them and understand why the characters make the decision that way. They all have flaws and make mistakes like all human do, something you can relate too.

Major spoiler after rewatch.

Hurm..I know a lot of people turned off by this series mainly because Kazumasa was indeed a married man. Is he cheating on his wife? Yes, clearly he was. Then, is this series glorified cheating? Of course not. Even he isn't married, he will also be cheating if he has a girlfriend. This is because the series intended him to has a wife.

Even if Yusuke's heart function healthily in Kazumasa's body, the series will be finish on episode 7. Kazumasa already made his decision to stay with Miki because he remembered the promise he made. To be a goofy husband and wife so that he feel that he is really healthy and alive (after he saw a sweet banter between Saeko and Yusuke). Besides, he promised maybe they could have kids in the future (clearly, they couldn't before this) and those had to be broken again. Also, he didn't wear off the ring until the end.

And Saeko's made a decision not to meet Kazumasa again even though she loves him because she knew the boundary and reality of the relationship. Yes, we all hate the kissing scene but what led to that scene? Because there wasn't technically an affair between them (according to Miki), thus, having one is easier isn't it? Saeko was the one leading Kazumasa but gradually stopped herself. Then, she remembered Yusuke and reminisced herself with the memory of her and Yusuke under the umbrella which leading to the decision she made that I stated earlier. Lastly, Saeko put off the necklace with her engagement ring in order to move on and forget the tragic accident and kept the boots and umbrella instead that I believe contained both memories of Yusuke and Kazumasa altogether.

Then, we got served by episode 8 as the proper goodbye between Saeko, Kazumasa and Yusuke that I believed a significant and satisfying ending. Maybe, part of Kazumasa wanted to see Saeko but he also wanted to be fair that Yusuke's heart was dying inside his body. Last message to Saeko from Yusuke was smile and be happy which Kazumasa sincerely conveyed as they exchanged the handshakes and hugged as their last goodbye.

Again, these will be my interpretations. Do not expect the chemistry because romance isn't really a focus of this series. This is not kdrama. No chemistry chemistrying here. (Even the piggyback scene felt sad). And I didn't really know why people said the romance was forced. Maybe because Kazumasa is a married man, that's why he restrained himself?
Please, make another drama between them where they can end up together (this is their forth drama where they got sad ending..haha)

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It's complicated.

The plot twist is nice, and there wasn't a part of the 2 hours that was boring. It got everybody to feel all sorts of feelings throughout the movie. It was a bummer that one of the hottest cast wasn't the main, but it was overall a good story. Does have a little bit of violence but not as much to a point where you can't handle. It was really complicated. However, it was one of the best movies I've watched at the theatres. There were lots of ups and downs and the thing about the movie is that it shows a lot of action before they move onto the storyline. Like most of the storyline ended up being explained near the end, whilst the whole movie is just about someone making difficult decisions throughout it. It was also really fun because it was literally about 4 people, and then all these really famous people just being in the movie in and out a bit. Overall, great movie love it! REALLY recommend!

Leggi di Più

Started strong then lost steam

This started off wonderfully, with a fairly original plot and a lot of energy. I loved the interaction between Bai Lang, a restauranteur, and Xun An, a dentist. Bai Lang is terrified of dentists, and in fact suffers from serious PTSD. Until he doesn't.

We also have Alex the bartender who is pursued by the much younger RJ, who also works at the restaurant. This is quite refreshing as RJ is adorable and yet he's rather aggressive with the much larger Alex.

The story was well-written, funny, fast-paced, and full of vitality and chemistry, with beautiful and taleted actors.

Then it deflated like a sad left-over balloon a week after a party. Xun An's ex shows up and chews up an enormous amount of screentime in a dull and cliched story, Bai Lang sheds his complex personality (and somehow his PTSD, which is never heard from again), and then on top of that, it turns out Xun An's father is an abusive homophobe who beats Xun An for weeks, which causes him to draw away from Bai Lang for two episodes, which leads nowhere because Dad easily welcomes Bai Lang into the family.

Likewise, RJ has to leave and is absent for 4 episodes, so that storyline ground to a halt, although we had plenty of time for Xun An's ex to woo Bai Lang's sister.

It felt like the director really didn't want to do a BL, so he tore the partners apart so there didn't have to be too much icky gay stuff, and inserted a straight couple, which added absolutely nothing to the story. This is underscored by the series ending with a heterosexual wedding. Why? Gay marriage is legal in Taiwan! How is that not homophobic?

From the tight and focused writing of the first half, the second is a sloppy and dull mess.

I'd give the first half a 9 and the second half a 6. Do I recommend it? I guess it won't kill you to watch it, and the beginning really is delightful and the cast one of the most attractive I've seen - but prepare to be disappointed by the descent into mediocrity.

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