Reviews

“Idols Are Human Too ? | Must-Watch Series Review!”

This series was honestly so refreshing 😍! It really shows what people in the entertainment industry go through especially the ones we call idols. There’s so much behind the scenes backlash, pressure, and expectations and this show really brings it out. Most fans don’t realize what idols face, and this series does a great job showing that 💡. I learned so much about the world of entertainment just by watching it.
Now, the story. Song‑Yong, the lawyer, is a huge fan of the idol Kim Jae‑Yong 💖. Her love and dedication to him actually kept her going through tough times. I think many of us can relate sometimes, someone we admire keeps us moving forward. But imagine being an idol like Kim Jae‑Yong all the pressure, the expectations, and the backlash 😳. This series really shows it all, and it’s done in such a thoughtful way.
If you watch closely, you’ll see that we sometimes treat idols unfairly, forgetting they are human too. This show is a gentle reminder of that 🫶. Honestly, it’s well-paced, emotional, and very interesting. For anyone new trying it, I can tell you you’ll really enjoy it 💕.

Leggi di Più

Quality nuanced content

Listen, I'm not a fan of mini-series shows. They're usually underfinanced, undercasted and don't have enough runtime to properly explore their themes and leave an impression on the audience, I personally view it as a tool utlilised in the industry to make fast, easily consumed content similar to fast food. Nothing wrong with enjoying, fast, consumable and compromised- quality content ( I'm not one to look down on a sixteen hour c-drama where the CEO gets the gal). But it still doesn't make them into "a good memorable drama".

"Shall we have a cup of coffee?" has been my favourite mini-series in my eight years of watching and enjoying various types and styles of dramas across five different countries. Each episode goes off on a tangent, with just a hint of conflict and climax near the end ( patiently spoon fed to the audience). It's beautifully filmed and scripted with a very limited but tasteful OST. The actors weren't perfect but they knew what they were doing. They understood what the drama warranted, which made their performances so deeply enjoyable. Each episode was just a like a warm calming cup of coffee or any other drink the reader thinks to be comforting and delicious. Like a small break to take within the fast pace of life to slow down but not drouse, to savour and think. I've learned so much about coffee and I came to care about the characters. Mostly, I fell into awe of how a show can have such little going but still manage to have so much substance. I'll watch this show again, no doubt.

I also wanted to mention how I found the show. The trailer ended up in my youtube algorithm. I clicked it, thinking it was a BL a minute in. Uh. It was not. The company clarified this in the comments as well ( which was very funny to me). Actually there wasn't any romance in it at all. Which is why I didn't wanna watch it. How immersive can another cafe show be? I constantly look for immersive, dopamine boosted shows that'll distract me from my problems ( this usually ends up being romance). I'm so glad I took a chance and watched this. I also know Korea is not forgiving to mainstream actors doing LGBTQ content, so I'm glad netizens can't shit on this show. The chemistry between the actor of the cafe owner and Go-Bi was so insanely good in its inintensity, I'm sure a lot people will think it's a shame. I personally don't mind the father/son relationship they chose on. I enjoyed the amazing one on one chemistry nonetheless.

I spent a lot of time trying to think of a fault this show might have. I tried. I really did.

It's not squid games, it won't give you goose bumps and it won't put you on the edge of your seat. It's supposed to be a dreamy and sweet show, as clearly intended by the creators. It's pretty easy to gage what the show wants you to feel, and it's not trying to be like mainstream, story oriented dramas. The only thing I could think of, is that it must be niche type of content targeted to a specific audience. I don't understand the low ratings for this show, probably because I am exactly the type of viewer this show was made for. Which is why I hope more people learn about this show, and more of these niche viewers can cherish and enjoy this show.

Leggi di Più

It was NOT the cast that made this bad

I have to say up front that it was NOT the cast that made this whole drama tank - the cast was amazing and they are the only reason I stayed until the last episode. It was the WORST storyline I have ever seen and I have made note of these writers and will not watch anything by them again.

Where do I even start? The storyline started out good but what you read in the synopsis is nothing like the drama ended up being. The ML loses his male lead status for at least 70+ episodes as the drama focuses on the supporting character of Ju Hyuk - and at some point his status as supporting character changes to Main Character. Why? I have no idea who allowed that change to be made. but the story dragged on and on and on, ad nauseum, about the FL, Mi Rae, being in love with the cheating, gaslighting, abusive Ju Hyuk, who happened to be her first love. We rarely had any interactions between the two leads that were suppose to end up falling in love and having to fight for their love. The two "leads" - Kang San and Mi Rae - do not even get together as a couple until episode 91 - and the drama is only 121 episodes. The two actors did not have much chemistry - maybe due to the fact that the writers and director didn't have them interact much with each other for over half the drama. The characters that needed background stories for us to understand them more, never had them. The writers clearly hated Kang-San - the character they CREATED. They made him passive, meek, a doormat, and a pushover from ep 1 all the way through ep 121. The synopsis states he would have to fight for his love but we never truly saw that. The only time he came close is when Ju Hyuk was revealed to be the cheater that he was. That lasted about 2-3 episodes., then it was back to being the same Kang-San that had no self esteem and really came across as a loser.

Seo Joon Young tried his best with the terrible script he was given. He did pull out some really great emotional moments that you felt his pain so much as his character struggled day in and day out. SJY really is a great actor and I hope to see him get a ML role that he can sink his teeth into and show us more of his acting ability and ML status. I think he definitely could pull off a better romance drama. Give this guy a passionate, romantic role, please!

Kim Si Eun - I cant say enough good things about this young woman. She honestly stole the show and this girl has an awesome career ahead of her is she chooses to stick to acting. You loved her character Jan-Di and you hated her. From episode 1 - 121 this girl showed a wide range of talent and emotions. I cried, I yelled, and laughed with her. I look forward to seeing her in many more dramas.

I have made note of the Director as well - there were many scenes where I was left scratching my head as to what the director was trying to say in his scenes. So many scenes looked as if it was missing parts - it was jumping from one scene to the next with no continuity at all. There were some scenes that is obvious parts were cut and melded together - again, making no sense. At one point the ML saves Mi Rae from a motorcyclist and ends up unconscious in the hospital and it is said he would be in there for a while and have to wear the neck brace for a while then the next scene appears to be the next morning where he is sitting at the breakfast table with no neck brace and no cast on his arm. There was no indication there was a bit of a time skip or that it could have been a week or two later - it seemed like it was the next morning. Lots of us were like "what happened here?" This happened on several occasions. a lot of the time the video previews at the end of the episodes - scenes from those were never aired.

So I gave the cast and actors a 9.0, but I didn't want to even rate the story because I felt even any rating was too much, but it wouldn't let me leave it blank so I gave the story a 1.0 - If I could give it a negative number I would - that is just how bad the story was. Save yourself the trouble of watching.

**edited to add that Seo Joon Young won an Excellence Award -Actor in a Daily Drama for his role as Kang San, and Kim Si Eun won Best Young Actress Award for her role as Jan Di, at the 2023 KBS Drama Awards. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Leggi di Più

A very refined cat and mouse chase.

If you like watching enemy spy dramas, you can watch Peng Xiaoran and Liu Xueyi's #TV series, Unshakable Faith#. The CVB peak of this drama has broken 3. In more than ten episodes, the plot is still quite engaging, and the enemy is so dense that it keeps challenging you, which makes people try to guess endlessly. Let's talk about it briefly.

The background is the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, GJ was involved in the major secret project of water fall (submarine construction), and the plot revolves around the protection of experts, anti-security projects and sabotage, and the enemy.

Peng Xiaoran plays the female public security officer Pang Hongmei, who was not very calm at first, a little irrational, and a little underestimated the enemy's cunning, but she was good, vigilant, intuitive, and highly observant, and willing to make up for her shortcomings.

Liu Xueyi is a returned mathematician Ji Danyang, a computer man, mature in appearance but a bit simple like a genius child inside, has not been defeated by the enemy, likes to be free and unrestrained, and has a rebellious psychology against Pang Hongmei's step-by-step attention. However, his mathematical ability has also helped Pang Hongmei solve some cases.
In the special enemy line, the identity of the father and daughter Bai is the core, Kan Suzi plays the second female lead Bai Hui and Ding Yongdai plays Bai Hui's adoptive father Bai Minghan. The father and daughter are constantly involved in various sabotage incidents and are invited for interrogation by the special team from time to time. Bai Hui looks like an innocent little white flower, but as soon as she comes out, some people suspect her. The father, Bai Minghan, the audience in the comments will think he is bad for a while and think he is a good person for a while. In more than a dozen episodes, the identities of the two, father and daughter, are reversed. The change of perspective of the characters that incite us is quite strong.
Pang Hongmei, Bai Hui, and Ji Danyang all have emotional lines, but the emotional lines appear after a dozen episodes, because their focus is mainly on chasing spies or taking care of the development of the submarine.
The plot is not the kind of high-energy brain-burning, nor is it strong logic, but the narrative and pacing are very well controlled, and it always keeps the audience's appetite, and it is quite delicious. If you are interested, you can check it out.
Source:
Medium shade small water
7 hours ago from Rescue Drama Super Talk
https://m.weibo.cn/status/4982818952446762

Leggi di Più

A leap away from reality - the fun kind!

What a beautifully conflicting series this was. I know I love it.. but do I? (I do).

The series follows Day and Night, two people who were born on the same Leap Day, afflicted with a curse that kills one of their loved ones every four years, on their birthday. It just so happens, that on their 20th birthday, the two people they love the most Ozone, Day's brother and Dream, Night's girlfriend, escape the curse, because Day and Night meet. The story develops from there with these four characters trying to figure out what's causing the Leap Day curse to occur and how to stop it.

This story had more plotholes that cartoon cheese, but let's be honest, we've all wanted to try that cheese. And the imagination we had about how it would be to taste that cheese was almost as fun as eating actual cheese.. this metaphor has gotten out of hand.

Simply put, this story had so many plot holes and inconsistencies, I mean, they've gone beyond the laws of physics and whatever other theories that go into complicated science to invent all that they did for the plot.
The origins of the titular Leap Day are never really explained for one thing, that concept has just existed from the beginning of time I guess, like mosquitoes. You know they're there, you just don't know how they came into existence and why anyone would possibly think they were a good idea.

Once this was revealed in episode 8 or so, I was floored. The entire plot is "why is this happening to us and how do we stop it". You've taken the why out of the equation, then you better have a brilliant how. But that was also just so.. bleh.
They just spent so much time running around aimlessly at first trying to figure out why this was happening, and once it was revealed they would never know, they spent way too much time running around aimlessly trying to figure out how to stop it. There was some development in the form of two supporting characters, who also had/have/will have the Leap Day curse, but again, every theory they were coming up with felt like extreme nonsense or something they came up with as a last ditch attempt.

I mean.. there was so much of an emphasis on Ozone's role in the story only for it to ultimately get reduced to his drawings, which apparently held enough clues to evade this curse. Based on those drawings, they came up with a truly insane plan, because the drawings were basis enough I guess. I absolutely did not like how much of their solutions were based on random guesses and theories with no proof. Much like the writers, the characters just said "Su Su!" and went for it.

And that ending? Completely wrecked me. Totally unsatisfying and left me in tears, and I was pissed. Honestly, incensed. The set up was non - existent, the reveal was so out of left field and I was enraged at the choice they made, because by no means did that make sense to me, nor was it what I wanted. Maybe it made sense, I don't know, I was just way too emotional to see reason despite the fact that all I had done for 11 episodes was try to make sense of everything.

But honestly, it was kind of.. good? Yes the entire setting (including the very basis of Day and Night's Leap Day, like the curse math was not mathing. The story said that they have one person they love die on their every birthday, and that both their mothers died giving birth to them. Ozone and Dream were supposed to be the victims of the curse of their 20th birthdays. That means, five other deaths before their 20th birthdays, but they only showed four? Constantly! Make it make sense).
Anyways.. the entire setting was complete nonsense and I have genuinely over analyzed something I enjoyed because the truth is, I enjoyed it. The lack of consistency and the gaping plot holes did make me mad each episode, but sometimes you just have to dissociate all that when you're watching and it was fun.

The story moved at a decent pace, the acting was really good and I was emotionally invested throughout the run in Day and Ozone's bond. They're one of the best pair of siblings I've come across in dramas and their bond with each other was the sweetest thing. I would watch 12 episodes of the two of them just living their lives because it was that sweet.

Which is where they absolutely get you - not through the solid plot or the incredible CGI (neither were that good), it's through those emotions you feel for the leads. You're just so invested in their attempts to fix their situation that you get as desperate as they are for a happy ending. You root for them, you cry with them, you want them to see it through.

And that's why despite all that I found the series to be lacking in, I can say it's something worth watching. As with everything, liking it or not is entirely personal preference, but if you're looking for a fresh premise, some decent story building and incredible emotional depth in a story, definitely give Leap Day a try.

Leggi di Più

The gimmick of Love O2O is that the romance follows the male lead falling in love with the female lead at first sight. The twist is that he fell in love watching her play an online game. They're both gamers and he pursues her in the game! Strangely enough it never felt like a gimmick and Love O2O was so refreshing in the aspect that despite part of the story happening in the fantasy game it was very down to earth. One of the most realistic dramas that I have had the pleasure to watch. The drama lived on the merits of it's great storytelling and characters. Making it an easy viewing experience. One that I spent most of the time with a happy smile on my face. Not to mention that cliffhangers really aren't a term I would use for the end of each episode. Instead viewers are compelled to watch for love the drama without being strung along.

Love O2O gave me a break from the tiring tropes of K-dramaland. Wei Wei and Xiao Nai seem like stereotypical leads for dramaland. Xiao Nai is the perfect and aloof male lead who seems so cold. Wei Wei . . . actually I haven't run into her character that much. She's the school's second beauty, only because of some shady stuff did she lose first, and she is used to getting confessed to a lot. Just like the male lead. She's smart and confidant. Able to handle and make her own decisions. While it seems silly that Xiao Nai falls in love with her and asks her to marry him in the game, they quickly discover each others personalities. Leading to an unshakeable trust between the two and being able to know each other so well that others' schemes can't shake their relationship. They talk immediately about issues and don't hide anything.

Xiao Nai is up front that he knew who she truly was and that he persude her. Instead of hiding it and having some stupid misunderstanding. In fact, between the leads the “misunderstandings” that usual drive me nuts in most dramas aren't present. Because they COMMUNICATE!

The leads aren't the only ones well developed. The side cast is so well done. Xiao Nai's bros are so awesome and the way they interacted left no doubt of their friendship in my mind. In fact, I was almost moved to tears at one point. What was even better was Wei Wei's friendship with her dorm mates, especially her best friend Er Xi. Now female friendships in K-dramas are something that either get benched or don't exist. Normally it's the female lead against all the other evil female characters. That's one thing I've found I like about Chinese dramas, and especially about Love O2O. Each female friend stood out. While Er Xi may be the overly cute and excitable type, I had no doubt of the friendship between her and Wei Wei. Even their fight and eventual makeup felt authentic. Watching them together was just as enjoyable as watching Xiao Nai and Wei Wei fall in love.

The parents of both characters weren't present all that much, but when they were there I bought it and loved that they had personalities. Many scenes of them meeting the parents and their reactions to their children where wonderful. I enjoyed that the villains and love rivals that where present didn't always stay conniving people. In fact, the “villains” grew and felt remorse. Reflecting on their life and actions.

That said I was slightly disappointed about Hao Mei (one of Xiao Nai's bros, AKA Mr. Beauty) and KO. Their relationship fascinated me from the get go. It was basically bromance at first sight, and I was convinced something more for KO as he hacked Hao Mei's computer. Then began to stalk and insert himself into Hao Mei's life. Before the time jump KO “back doors” (don't get dirty on me) his way into living with Hao Mei. Then they're never mentioned in the time jump what happened between the two. Er Xi and her love interest are at least given a bit of time, I felt cheated out of a very interesting story. In truth I probably never could have gotten enough of Hao Mei and KO. At least I'll always have the lovely image of KO in that suit.

I feel odd saying this but I actually found that the actor doing the aloof and cold Xiao Nai brought so much warmth to his character. I feel odd because I thought Wei Wei ended up feeling colder. It could be a big part of the director wanting to emphasize that Wei Wei changed Xiao Nai into a warm blooded male and that she was shy. However, Xiao Nai—actor Yang Yang—blew my mind with his intense kissing techniques. While Wei Wei was pretty much cold through out. I think the blurred affects were done to make Wei Wei seem passionate in the later kissing scenes. However, I never thought Wei Wei's actress did that great a job. She swooned well and did the embarrassed face stuff well. But it was often the same facial expressions over and over to convey things. Every once in a while I felt like she really fell into the role, but it never lasted long.

Er Xi's actress did a wonderful job and I loved the energy she brought. The other girls were great, but I felt like the males of Love O2O did the best. They interacted well together. I debated about giving the acting a 7 due to Wei Wei feeling really awkward at times, but I couldn't do it to everyone else.

Yang Yang gets a 10 for his skills in bringing Xiao Nai to life. Oh, my gosh. Some of his facial expressions slayed me. Especially when Wei Wei bit him . . . then the scene helping her dress for a wedding . . . and so many other bits!

The visuals for when the characters are the game characters were brilliant! They felt like a game and looked stunning. From the scenery to the wardrobes. There was an awkward instant where they used CGI to create a mall scene, but I bet they did it to lower costs on shutting the place down for the scene. Other than that Love O2O is a beautifully shot drama.

The music was fun and I liked how some of the sounds simulated old video game noises. While I'm not the biggest gamer I do know somethings. The music fit the drama well and had a fun light style to it. Nothing to brag about though.

This was fun and unique enough that in a couple of years I'm sure I will want to experience it all over again! Whimsical and lighthearted dramas are so hard to come by. How could I say know to smiling for 30 episodes?

Overall I think Love O2O is the perfect thing to chase away the K-drama blues. Or at least wash the stereotypes and drama tropes out of your mind. Also, a great place to introduce yourself to Chinese dramas. This isn't my first C-drama, but I've had great luck so far and Love O2O is only building my love more for them. There pacing is great and there's no dragging. Only a few slightly slower plot points such as the business world of gaming and competition against other business. (AKA a little corporate espionage drama.) Not enough to ruin it though. The cast of character are wonderful and it's not just about the romance of Wei Wie and Xiao Nai. Both the friendships of the girls and bros are wonderful and I loved that just as much as the official romance. Love O2O was a satisfying viewing experience and wrapped up nicely. It's a fun and unique time all around, and despite it all remained a very realistic drama.

Leggi di Più

A road movie in Scifi Action

Let me give this 10 because they're brave enough to offer this kind of movie. For me, this is a new kind of Korean movie I've seen so far. They give a special touch of sci fi movie which not as Hollywood presents.
Not just about a sci fi action to run your adrenaline or entertain to watch, they try to touch the heart of the audiences.

They start the movie with an intense plot, get into the middle with swing the audiences' emotions then end the movie with a twist yet reasonable decision.

The acting of two main characters are truly the power of this "heavy" movie into the enjoyable one. They got you hooked and emphatized with their stories. I expect more for some roles development and action scenes. But it could take more than 2 hours, so this should be enough.

A movie with good details, philosophical dialogues, nice CGI, proper action scenes, good timing of humor and superb acting wrap this movie into a unique one.

After watched the movie, I could't stop to think of the scenes and dialogues which somehow gave ache in my heart.
Human, life, and death. Thankful for this meaningful movie.

Leggi di Più

Putting Gong Seung Yeon and Lee Jong Hyun together again after their honey dripping time on WGM was a stroke of genius for FNC! These 2 have awesome chemistry and they are visual eye candy. Gong Seung Yeon plays a type of part she has never played before, of a vivacious, feisty, arrogant Korean drama star with anger management issues and an arrogant attitude. She pulls it off with grace and style and still manages to look pretty and cute.

Lee Jong Hyun also shows sides of his acting ability never before seen, from silent, tough Busan namja to goofy pabo, but then slips back into his Busan namja leading man image again when required.

Together, they are golden. Their dramatic scenes are great, but what surprises is how well the play the comedic, slapstick humorous parts so well. It it obvious they are totally comfortable with each other. And the kiss scenes (5) well, I needed to turn up the A/C to cool down after watching them. Full on, open lips smooching like I've seen in only a few other Korean rom/coms. It's obvious to me they brought their A game to this drama, but I believe it is because they bring the best out in each other.

The script wanders and has a tendency to get lost at times, and there is a lot of replaying of old scenes, but the goofy, quirky, off center, sometimes slightly raunchy humor surprised and delighted me. It is as if they are portraying a tongue-in-cheek parody of Korean period dramas and the actors who star in them.

All in all a light-hearted piece of time slip rom-com that will have you laughing out loud in parts, and crying in others. I really enjoyed it. I hope they produce a Season 2 showing Ondal adapting to Korea in modern times. i t would be a hoot!

Leggi di Più

Not the finest show but it has it's good moments

The drama had potential. I enjoyed the cases although some of the science is questionable. The side stories are too time consuming and I found myself a bit bored during the first half. Some of the comedy was funny like the ex-wife randomly climbing a pole or the chief feeling overshadowed. But other aspects like the male leads bickering just made me wish they would get on with solving the case. This comedy style was not working for me. I was more invested in the mystery element which improves in the second half.

When it came to the actual cases, it had my full attention. I was invested. I just wish I didn't have to watch the other aspects which felt like fillers. I might be in the minority but then everyone has a different taste in comedy. The first episode was a miss for me but the subject was intriguing enough to make me want to continue. After the case of episode 6 was over, I fell asleep watching the side plot.

Around episode 7 - 8, the series really improved. The cases were good, the bickering was less, the mystery element was more and I started to enjoy the episodes. But towards the end, the series started to plateau a bit.

As for the finale, I was disappointed if I'm being fair. The second half of the finale had some nice moments, but the first half made me roll my eyes at it.

Skip the next paragraph to avoid spoilers.

SPOILERS coz I can't explain without them:
- The brain waves battle was very unscientific with poor graphics. Both male leads were under stress, that itself should have allowed some of their waves to match or to reject the results off the bat. And there was another way to beat the results. For Myung Se to trick his brain as well so they can "meet in the middle" and thus win the game. Also, what happened with Hwang Dong Woo was also a bit over the top.
- The only thing I can appreciate is the happy ending for Myung Se and So Jung's character. That was sweet.

To sum up - this series was a mixed bag where I really enjoyed the good elements and some of the comedy really made me laugh. Whereas, the bad parts bored me to sleep. If you like the actors and the comedy is more your style, you might enjoy Brain Works more than I did.

Leggi di Più

It's a Journey that will stick with me for a long time.

What an experience The Journey to Love drama was. I don't think I have ever cared so much for so many characters in a drama before like this one. Usually 4 characters at the most lol. The casting is superb. Each character was so perfectly casted and each played the role to their fullest.

What a beautiful drama about love, friendship, loyalty, revenge and power. Their acting of joy, grief, obsession, love, self-confidence, insecurity, you name it, was so so so well done. It was palpable. The music was outstanding and highlighted their good and bad moments. Perfect for the emotional toll I went through watching each scene.

Another strong point about this drama is the character development which I believe added to my caring so deeply for each of these characters. Characters I didn't like, developed into characters that I hoped would stay safe in battle. Highly recommended.

Leggi di Più

An overall fun series with a great cast that stands out for their strong chemistry

When this series was announced as a coming-of-age story, I was very excited about it because it’s been years since the last time I watched one of those and I thought it would be very refreshing. Despite some flaws, the series is overall very fun, true to its genre, and delivers what was promised, a youth story about hot-blooded police students. It also exceeded my expectations as a rom-com.

THE GOOD

# A cast with great chemistry and characters with diverse personalities:
‘Rookie Cops’ isn’t completely focused on Seunghyun (Kang Daniel) and Eunkang (Chae Soobin). Although there are specific moments where Eunkang is the bigger protagonist, both characters are constantly surrounded by their friends, who also have their own stories and moments, but when together they have a lot of funny and cute interactions. This makes the series mostly light and bubbly. The chemistry between the 8 young actors is the biggest factor that made me enjoy this series overall. In particular, actor Park Sung Joon as Daeil, shines through and is the glue of the squad.

# The kisses are swoonworthy:
Some of the best kisses I have seen on a series/drama in general. Kang Daniel was a very pleasant surprise for a first time idol-actor. If there is something nobody can question is that he is clearly a good kisser, and Chae Soobin also delivered although nobody was doubting her. Second couple also blessed us with some hot kisses.

# Fast-paced:
For some people the fast-paced plot might feel like there are parts of the story missing, but I think in general most people would prefer a story that doesn’t drag. In this case, ‘Rookie Cops’ has a main conflict that slowly builds from the beginning of the series through flashbacks, but side conflicts/cases are generally solved within two episodes.

# Cinematography and props:
I have to mention the beautiful cinematography and post-production coloring this series has. It’s truly a stand-out, with great locations and the right angles that enhance especially the outdoor scenes, such as when Seunghyun and Eunkang are sitting by the river after a bike ride. There was also so much attention to detail when it comes to the props, in particular episode 11 features a comic version of ‘Rookie Cops’ which was specially made as a prop for the series since this is an original story.

THE BAD

# Script with several flaws:
While I think Lee Ha Na (screenwriter) did an excellent job portraying the growing bond between the main cast and the heart-fluttering romance. And the first half of the drama is mostly fun and light, her attempts to include more dark themes to make the story more meaningful and give it more depth, mostly fall short and shallow. With two-episode conflicts involving victims of bullies or gangs, in all of them I was left with the feeling that something was handled wrong or something was missing. The coincidences in this series are also so many that you would think Korea is the size of a peanut. They are beyond the typical “destiny” moments to the point of absurdity.

I did say the story is not completely focused on the main leads. However, there are times when a big chunk of certain episodes focus heavily on Eunkang, and time is wasted on showing us her parents just bickering. This wouldn't be so much of a problem if equal time was spent on developing the male lead’s story as well, or if Eunkang was a more likable female lead. However, from the beginning Eunkang shows she is the impulsive and reckless type who decides her future career following her teenage crush. She starts to (slightly) grow once she gets closer to Seunghyun as he shares some of his wisdom and calmness with her, and not only supports her but also saves her every time. Sadly, our man Seunghyun ends up being pushed to the sidelines a lot just to elevate Eunkang. Although the main conflict involves his father and him in a way, we don’t get to see enough interactions between them to better understand Seunghyun's admiration for is father, or anything about his childhood or teenage years unlike with other characters.

All that said, I think Chae Soobin herself and her chemistry with Kang Daniel are strong enough that one can ignore a lot of questionable moments her character has and enjoy the series overall and even rewatch it, at least for all the fluffy and light moments.

My biggest problem with the script however, is related to a major event that happens towards the end, which left me with a strong bittersweet feeling. I thought it was completely unnecessary, random and brought nothing to the actual progress of the story nor the final development. This is the main reason why I can’t give this series a higher score.

--------
Lastly, I wanted to give my own opinion about Kang Daniel’s acting which was commented on a lot. If you go into this series expecting a dramatic performance for the Oscars, you are going to be disappointed. This is not that type of show to begin with. Kang Daniel is quite green in the first three episodes, especially during scenes that require more emotional intensity. But as the series progresses he shows much potential and delivers great chemistry with partner Chae Soobin. His character Wi Seunghyun is not one to show excessive emotions as he is the composed, responsible and righteous type. Kang Daniel is faithful to that portrayal until the end. His cute, playful or more rebellious moments happen when he is around Eunkang or Tak (Lee Shin Young). And his most vulnerable side is only shown at the very end when faced with his father. I thought Kang Daniel did well showing the sadness and disappointment Seunghyun feels but that he tries to repress. I also have to praise how he challenged himself with many physically demanding action scenes, despite this being his first acting project.

Leggi di Più

An interesting dive into adult entertainment in Japan

At first I was critical but I wanted to watch it because Itsuki is in it. After the first episode I was hooked because of the lead character. This drama gives a very complex insight into not only the adult entertainment in Japan and how women fall into it, but also an overall oversight of society's expectations of women along with rather complex takes on different emotions. Each woman is flawed in their own way in this show, at first you might not like them at all but as it goes on you are shown more and more why they act as they do. I don't love all the characters but I somewhat came to understand them.

To my understanding the acting is really great, everyone seems authentic and they manage to explore complex emotions of their character pretty well. Some character seem totally one dimensional at first but the actors manage to bring out the inner turbulence during each story. So far my only issue with the drama is that nothing seems to be really resolved. Issues you think have been taken care of are suddenly undone off screen and a character returns back to 0.

This drama had me really involved, I cursed and felt with them, I judged and then understood somewhat. It was a journey for sure and I am sad that it only has 12 episodes. It is deeply entertaining and I recommend it to anyone who is open to learn more about the topic of adult entertainment.

Leggi di Più