Reviews

More isn't better when it comes to the number of BL couples

I imagine at least one creator behind this series thinking: "Let's throw in as many BL couples as possible. Maybe at least BL fans would find one of the couples their cup of tea."

The inclusion of Newyear and Both, a real-life couple that is semi-fictionalized here, is a symptom of this desperate attempt to make the series commercially successful. After all. the fans of their YouTube channel may be drawn to the series because of them. Never mind that their purpose in the story is really just to own a cafe that the other (mostly unrelated) characters patronize so that there is a semblance of a unified story world. The subplot of Newyear and Both is rather unimpressive as far as the creation of a series is concerned--even if they do look cute together.

The story should simply have focused on one main couple and one side-couple, namely Simai/Lukmo and Phob/MaiEak. Lukmo is an employee of the company at which the other three are interns, and the focus on just these two couples would have allowed their stories to be more developed.

Simai and Lukmo's story, while not original, is the most compelling. I think it would have been interesting if more had been shown of Lukmo's youth and the longstanding grudge he has been holding against his estranged father. More revelations of his inner world early enough would have made his uncharacteristic openness to Simai more moving. The transition to Lukmo's reconciliation with his father could also have revealed more complex emotions. For instance, how does he feel regarding his relationship with Simai when he is told that Simai is not really his half-brother. As for Simai, the actor playing this role seems to suit the role of the innocent and sweet Simai (with a dash of playfulness) very well. The story would have been more interesting if more work had been done on his struggles after being told that Lukmo is his half-brother. Surprisingly, the two new actors playing these two characters seem under-stretched in their roles.

Phob and MaiEak's story is the old story of secret one-sided love. They would have been a good secondary couple if there had been more scenes of them, such as the scenes of Phob's crush on and quiet sacrifices for MaiEak from the time they are freshmen. This is mentioned by the other characters but we don't see it for ourselves, and so we are unlikely to feel much for Phob. MaiEak's uncertain feelings towards Phob could also have been the focus rather than his (sloppily written) attempts to woo a girl in the company. The focus on his attempts to woo the girl simply makes it unconvincing that he would later start to realize that he loves Phob too--he is supposed to have felt something for Phob all these years, but it is not convincing. Adeptly executed flashbacks would have helped in the portrayal of this couple.

The other notable couple is Copy and Nampu, whose story is unabashedly ripped off SOTUS. The inclusion of this couple is unnecessary. So is the inclusion of Plawaan and Suea. Sure, more cute actors are thrown into the series, but at what expense?

If effort had simply been spent developing the Simai/Lukmo and Phob/MaiEak storylines, this could have been a rather good series. The disjointedness that results from moving from one couple to another would also have been effortlessly eliminated. To the credit of the series, at least the five couples are clearly differentiated and their stories are usually not confusing. But audiences have grown to expect more from BL.

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Watching this drama actually feels like peeking into the different stages of life for these characters. Cinematography wise, it is gorgeous and really well done. You can tell that much care was put into the lighting, coloring, and setting of each scene.

STORY: It details the lives of the two main characters and their group of friends through roughly ten episodes set in high school, ten in college, and the last ten as they start their careers. I really love how this was split because it really feels like you are with the characters as they grow and mature throughout the story. (Not sure if this will be fixed later, but the synopsis on this site is slightly incorrect). There's really no villain, rather the story is driven by time and the changes in the characters as they mature.

ACTING/CAST: I'm sure the male lead is pretty recognizable from the very popular dramas Love O2O and Guardian. The female lead, however, is relatively new to acting and she's VERY good. In fact, most if not all of the acting in this drama is really natural. Granted, they look a little too old to be playing in the first arc as high schoolers, but ignoring that fact, they really make you believe in these characters.

MUSIC: It was quite good actually. If I remember correctly, they had the leads each do a song. There was nothing I particularly loved but the songs fit well into the drama.

Overall, I think this drama is very well made and pretty underappreciated. Sure, it's a simple story, but it was definitely a good quality production.

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Wow, what did I just watch?? I liked the first 9 episodes. When the story seemed to be about the female lead trying to uncover the truth/get revenge using all kinds of methods and entering a partnership with the male lead, it was enjoyable. They were an even, balanced match - both smart and driven, with their own goals. I thought they were a pretty cute pair. The male lead's best friend is also a fun, kind-hearted character.

But after episode 9, the plot becomes increasingly convoluted and nonsensical. There are so many different people involved, their motives were murky (I never did understand Xia Yu Xuan), and the science fiction aspect was pretty far-fetched. From episodes 13-21, the plot just kept going back and forth with no progress, and then in episodes 22-23, the characters finally just explain everything. The final episode was disappointing; I was hoping for some fun scenes to reward me for getting through 23 episodes of ridiculousness. If you are watching for the romance, you'll be especially frustrated.

Note: On iQiyi, this drama is separated into two seasons of 12 episodes each.

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I don't know how to write a preview without being spoiler :) so i wil try to make it short.
The leads here are not typical at all , so if you are looking for cool arrogant male lead or cute naive girl , you won't get it .both lead have a weekness points in their personality have to be recognized and fixed.the silence play a role in the drama was impressive , the superpower and the blades were metaphor and choice the lead has to make
I find the story simple ,but indirect
The direction , cinmatography and the music were awesome
Lee dong wook was perfect and his expression was wow
SSK was cute but sometimes i get annoyed by her stare gaze esp.her character needed more expression
Kim kap so was perfect too
The flaws, it has a slight slow pace , the supporting characters were needed to be more contributed . the first episode was over the top .over used of flash backs at the first
.enjoy it ,thanks

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SO sweet I died!

Give this a chance! I realized MDL reviews tend to be really critical sometimes. Honestly, there are many times where I enjoyed the show despite the rating only 7. Similarly, sometimes high rated show isn't as good as it is, it's sometimes just hype.

This show is one of those gem that's UNDERRRATED but WORTH WATCHING!

Oh my gosh, the last episode, it's SO sweet, I died..lol

I love how simple this drama is.

No complicated plot twists, no overly done drama, no toxicity,- just pure, innocent, love.

There are moments we think they could have handled the situation better" But,Bear in mind, it's a youth love after all. I mean, they are still young and learning what love is about, so spare them some grace

Overall, I really enjoyed the show a lot, totally become a fan of Joong after this.

There's one open ending in last episode, but I guess that's because there's a follow-up show after that? I'm not sure, gotta check. Apart from that, as far as the main couple is concerned, its very well done.

Neat, sweet and simple lovey dovey ending :)

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Lesson on maladaptive coping mechanisms.

I don’t think I've ever watched a drama where all the main characters needed therapy more than these three. Pathological avoidance, codependency, constant need for external validation, running away from the pain and sadness - building it up inside you until it reaches breaking point. "It's just tolerance, not acceptance" - delivered in the drama in context of sexuality, but it also quite well described the way the characters were dealing with loss. Tolerating the existence of the tragic past, not fully accepting what really happened. Escaping from anything that might force them to face reality.

Daddy issues, yes - you read it well. Surprisingly, no matter how strange the relationship might have felt, I could not stop myself from being pulled in and wishing it would have a happy ending. It seemed like the only way out of hell for both In and Wang (the mom can stay in hell as far as I know).

Many people told me this drama feels more like a play, and I have to agree. Not beating around the bush - I’m not much of a theater fan. Everything is amplified and exaggerated on stage, there is not much space for subtlety as it has to reach each and every audience member. 180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us somehow managed to keep the unique feel of plays while also being more detailed and approachable about it, making me fall for the charm it possesses.

All that said, I cannot say watching this drama was an enjoyable experience - it’s not a fluff romance you can relax to after work. All the characters are painfully frustrating, but observing their actions, witnessing their regret, being pierced by the hurtful things they say and buried under even more painful silence and unspoken truth… Felt like a solid dose of life lessons. What kind of person do you want to be? One that cannot face their own guilt? One that runs away from what’s important to them, cosplaying it as self-sacrifice? Or one that stays true to themselves, fighting for what feels right, while still trying not to hurt people around them?

For the acting - loved it for the majority of the show. Pond did an amazing job bringing Wang to life - I want to adopt and protect that character with all my heart. The skillful way he was able to present both youthful stubbornness, but also maturity that comes from pain he had to go through. Mam also impressed me, especially in more emotional scenes. While I did like Nike as In, and for most part I had no issue with his performance, there were moments of his line delivery that felt quite robotic, especially when compared to his co-actors.

The production and directing? Loved it. One of the aspects I appreciated the most was how some scenes played a bit longer, truly making it possible for all the emotions to settle in and have a bigger impact. The drama was both choking you with feelings and letting you breathe and take the moment for what it was, without distracting you, skipping right away to the next scene.

Overall, what a surprisingly interesting and intense watch. I feel like a lot of scenes could be dissected and have an essay written about their meaning - they just invite you to make your own judgments, reflect on the characters, their choices and how you might react in a similar situation.

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What a masterfully well done drama! From start to finish, it held my attention; brought forth the tears and definitely made you wonder: Is outcasting (bullying) really this bad? You say what about Teacher Ma, played superbly by Ko Hyun Jung? Even though at times, Teacher Ma was harsh, when you brought the situation into context and really thought about it, she really was guiding them through life and the disappointments that they would encounter. As far as the children, I will not singularly point out one in particular because they ALL EXCELLED! But then, I really wasn't surprised because most of them are on my "Child Actor to Watch" list and they did not disappoint. I think everyone should watch this: young and old but especially people with children. The attitude and reactions in relations to what goes on in the classroom was really realistic! Having been there and seen that; I know. Excellent drama; highly recommend it.

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Well thought out script

I almost missed this drama because of some people that wrote negative comments about this drama, but thank goodness I decided to watch it.

Plot/Acting/ Cast
It was well put together, you wont get bored, The FL is not the typical girl that gets bullied and doesn't stand up for herself, I really liked that the writers did not make the usual annoying FL leads that act stupid and its portrayed as cute. The ML my goodness the guy is hot I tell you (hahahaha), one thing that stood out for me was that the FL and ML had crazy chemistry.

Is this drama worth it , yes it is don't hesitate, go for it you won't regret it.

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Coming upon this film, I wasn't aware of the romantic plot line or the fact that it was based off a shojou manga until afterwards. I just kinda' sat down at my cousin's apartment and we initially watched it to kill time and boredom, but oh boy, we had no idea what we were in for: some really good stuff.

The film highly caught my interest within the first few minutes, it's got a great, unique pitch. The romantic relationship shown between the main characters was sufficient and so...realistic. This is why I was so shocked when I found out it was based off a shoujou manga - it wasn't cliche' and sappy like most shoujous. This film is an intense coming of age story that depicts more than just love and chemistry - it's about life, which is something very real; and the plot/acting stays true to that intention thoroughly.

I was very surprised with such a difference in Nounen Rena's character, it was very pleasant to see her act as a serious role, instead of her usual comedic-ditzy roles. And she held this new kind of character up to its fullest, she's good! Real good! I mean it, literally. I'm not that into the EXILE TRIBE but it was interesting to see one of the tribe, Hiroomi Tosaka act and not sing. Fun fact: he's hella' talented at both of those things. He did great and I'm kind of shocked that this role was his first acting job - I couldn't tell.

The overall art of the film was warm and touching; the music, development, transitions, and pacing was wonderfully placed.

My only warning is that you shouldn't watch this movie for the kissy-lovey dovey-doki doki attributes that most live action shoujou movies have. Like I said earlier, the film displays much more than their relationship. If you're into realistic-romantic movies, you'll enjoy this a lot.

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It is an extremely tough task to write a review about this show, since there is almost no end to all the things I would want to say about it. Simply put, out of all the dramas that I have watched, this one is on another level, all by itself. But, of course, that is far too little to even begin describing the love I have for this show.

Forest of Secrets has a quite typical “Who did it?” story, but it is marvelously told. Just like our main character, it starts off emotionless. However, somewhere along the path, it gains some small rays of light that, slowly but surely, pierce the darkness that overwhelms the show. It has no elements of romance or comedy to make some moments more enjoyable and it certainly doesn’t need them. The drama, from the beginning, until the very end, screams “crime” and “corruption”. At times it might seem slow, but it has this steady pace that gives a unique feel to it. It is packed with details, which are easy to omit, but if you look back at it you will see that there is much more to this show than it initially meets the eye. The attention that was given to all the small things makes you not lose focus of the story, but also the way it is composed makes you look at all the elements of the show, so that you don’t miss a single thing. It is not just a regular crime/investigation drama where you just can’t wait until the last episode for the killer to be caught. Quite the opposite, this show keeps you occupied throughout its entirety, so that you can clearly understand everything that is happening.

One of the things that I especially enjoyed is the fact that this show is unusually realistic. All the characters, both the heroes and the villains act as people would act in the real world. There is no superhero-type of behavior where someone does something that would never be done in reality, or a character who can easily outsmart everybody else. It is very down to earth, the solving of the cases is systematic, carefully planned, there are no sudden jumps made by long shot conclusions that are just there to speed up the story.

Now for the characters. They are, undoubtedly, the true gems of this drama. Everybody fits his or her role perfectly, there is not a single miscast. It makes you see only the character, and not the actor. All the characters are given a very human touch, the heroes as well as the villains. Even though our main protagonist is, for the most part, emotionless, he is not robot-like, and steadily develops throughout the story. The villains are given a lot of depth as well, which makes us even sympathize with them at moments. However, the most important aspect of all, that truly makes them all human, were their mistakes. Every single character made a mistake at some point in the show, which made this drama feel that much more real. And to top it all off, the interactions and dialogues between the two leads were simply amazing. It is what made this show produce some truly heart-warming moments, in all of its coldness. Lieutenant Han gave Prosecutor Hwang, our “emotionless” hero, a bit of heart.

The setting of the show was ideal. The dark scenes, in a usually crowded, but in the show mostly empty city, kept the thrill and the mystery present at every moment. The gloomy atmosphere gave a special chill that made everything even more dramatic. The closed, office scenes perfectly portrayed the cage which the heroes were trying to break through while searching for the culprit. Places such as the homes of the characters spoke for themselves, as they gave a huge insight into who they were, and what they were like, producing superb results. Even though it is a thriller/crime drama, it is very aesthetically pleasing, and enjoyable to watch. The cinematography is beautiful, like a fine piece of art, everything is where it should be.

I could go on and on for days talking about this show, but to sum it all up… this show was poetic. All other dramas I have seen cannot even compare to it. Through its complex characters, and sometimes painful to watch scenes, this seemingly emotionless drama, takes you on a wild roller coaster, which in the end leaves you speechless and puts a small smile on your face, just like it did to our beloved Hwang Shi Mok.

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Love Yamapi- he is so cool and believable in this roll! Erica and Manami both do well here as well . This drama is about a group of young doctors getting over their handicaps to work their dream job and fly to traumatic scenes on a helicopter. Think ER with helicopters and hot actors. The characters really worked together and the drama really left you wanting another episode; hence the specials and the season 2 offering. This drama isn't for the faint of heart - they use real technical terms show what seems to be real blood/ guts and load you up with the suspense. There is no romance- like 0- but you don't miss it. The drama teaches important stories through its characters, and each one you can relate to (except the girl playing megumi, she wasn't believable). The majority of the cast is made up of veterans that you've seen in dramas and movies before, so that's something else to look forward to.

Enjoy it!

p.s. the sequel is just as good.

p.s.s. love the tsundere yamapi

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Shopping King Louie is literally the definition as to why I watch Korean dramas and I don't waste any more time on American TV shows. No, Shopping King Louie was not a "mature" watch, nor was it particularly unique. But the qualities it does possess are what make it perfection. Louie came from a wealthy family, so sure, he was spoiled, but he was far from a "bad" person. Actually, from the very first episode, he was extremely likable. Louie *was* humbled quite a bit due to everything he experienced while having amnesia, but it only made him a better-rounded person, it did NOT change him from a "bad" person to a "good" person, because he was already a "good" person. Bok Shil was so genuine and kind, but not to the point of frustration for the viewer. The romance between Bok Shil and Louie was innocent, sweet, and developed at a natural pace.

The side characters were all extremely likable, even Marie. The way the "greedy" family member is resolved truly broke my heart and how it was handled couldn't have been done better in my opinion.
The last episode had me in tears because it was heartbreaking and touching at the same time. I didn't expect everything to tie together the way it did in the end, but I'm so glad the writers had the forethought to wrap everything up the way they did.
There are no loose ends and I didn't find any plot issues that usually leave me questioning things. Everyone got an ending and the pacing was superb.

*And* EVERY SINGLE EPISODE HAD ME LAUGHING MY BUTT OFF. Which only added to the quality of the drama.
"Tiger Moth" by MONSTA X was an amazing OST and I keep listening to the original version as well as the acoustic because they're just so lovely to listen to!

I've seen Seo In Guk is some other dramas, such as Reply 1997, and while I adored his bashful and introverted character in Reply 1997, his silly and innocent character portrayal (completely different, mind you) was hilarious and expertly represented.
The only real memorable drama I remember seeing Nam Ji Hyun in was Suspicious Partner. Personally, I think she did a better job portraying such a kindhearted soul in Shopping King Louie than she did as an attorney in Suspicious Partner. Even though she really did do well in Suspicious Partner, I think I prefer the performance she made here.
This is definitely a drama I will rewatch in the future. I especially found the comedic moments to be so incredibly hilarious! Whenever Louie screamed usually due to a bug, would make me laugh out loud! His scream and high pitched voice when screaming was just sooooo funny!

My rating for Shopping King Louie is a solid 10/10 with absolutely NO reservations.
I would highly recommend the K-drama, Cinderella and the Four Knights as an equivalent to Shopping King Louie.

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A Story with Great Potential… That Completely Falls Apart

With such actors and an intense historical setting, this drama had everything it needed to become a truly powerful story.

The core idea is fascinating — a brutal conflict between royal brothers fighting for the throne. Then, we have a modern woman who travels back in time after being betrayed by her boyfriend… only to repeat the exact same mistakes. Instead of learning or evolving, she falls for another man who is already had a wife just because he was nice to her. Meanwhile, the man who truly loves her — Wang So — changes for her, gives her his heart, and proves he is worth far more than the one she chooses first.

Her actions only make everything worse. She interferes so much with the flow of history that countless people die because of her presence. And when she finally realizes who she truly loves, she runs away from him instead of trusting him until the end. She dies far from him, leaving him alone, broken and miserable.

They even have a daughter that Wang So barely knows exists. He suspects the truth but is never given a real chance to confirm it.

In the end, the story feels incredibly unfair to the main male character. He promised he would find her again, but he ends up living a life full of pain after her death.

There is no satisfying explanation, no emotional closure, and definitely no happy ending. The narrative becomes confusing and disconnected, leaving many unanswered questions. Instead of feeling moved, I felt no real connection to the drama at all.

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heartwarming slice of life series

Overall: this series really gets you in the feels. Aired on GagaOOLala, 10 episodes total about 20 minutes per episode. Has a 1 episode spin off. It is based on a manga which I purchased on Amazon and read (and it stayed pretty close to the source material).

Content Warnings: past bullying, trauma

What I Liked
- the intro/outro songs
- sweet moments
- the cooking
- slice of life vibe
- that kid is adorable and the dad is super supportive
- Minoru seeking out communication
- production value

Room For Improvement
- not a fan of some of the exaggerated expressions, many series based on manga have a character like this but it doesn't feel right in the live action adaptation
- too many flashbacks
- wish we got some/more romantic attraction signals from Yutaka
- went too quickly from daytime to nighttime in episode 8 during a short story

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