Reviews

Watching this drama did feel like a special experience. This drama isn't very conventional and it certainly isn't for everyone. The plot may appear simple, but after a while, you realize very deep thought behind it about existence and self-exploration. The premise itself isn't very usual. a character you draw comes to life and discovers "God"'s world. It might sound simple but it actually makes you realize of the little happiness in life that we take for granted.

One of the most interesting aspect for me is the setting. The manga world itself is set in cheap pub, while the setting of the humans is a small village with a small community. In many instances I wondered if that setting itself if part of someone else's work. For what we think is reality is someone else's fiction. The funny thing is, every time I wonder how things would go if this event happen, or that event happen, or when I try to interpret certain things, or think of a certain solution, the drama always tend to explore these question and give me an answer. Of course there is no definite answer, just a possibility and closure.

Another aspect is the way the characters are written. There was very careful attention given to many subtle details that define each character. On the human side there's the protagonist Echizen, who is filled with self-hatred and disappointment with the world. Her journey to self discovery and appreciation was slow, but every once in a while there was a huge step forward. Other than her there is her co-workers that each has an interesting personality. Yuriko was fun, playful and very attentive. Behind her happy-go-lucky facade there is a deep scar and regret. Kiyomi is also worth mentioning, or maybe I should call her Akuma. Always angry, she doesn't seem pleasant to be around at first, when in truth she is the most heartwarming of the human characters. She just hate it when people aren't being honest as she is, making it hard for her to open her heart. She challenges her Echizen all the time, probably seeing worth in her more than Echizen sees in herself. On the manga character side there is Nakuna of course. He's an emotional lad. Always expressing himself freely. He's extremely loyal and trusting, and as innocent as a child. I could say all his manga family has the same innocence for the same reason, but not all are this trusting. Each one of them is adorable with a distinct personality.

If I were to talk about the acting, they were perfectly casted to say the least. Most note worthy is Nagase Tomoya. That guy loves to overact, but it never bothers me because he knows which role to choose that makes overacting, if not just okay, but even demanded. Aso Kumiko was also perfect. She smiles a lot, but you can detect the forced from the genuine. Kutsuna Shiori has this gift of being a very lovely despiteful person. I'm telling you that's a gift. another noteworthy is a personal favourite of mine, Okunuki Kaoru as Yuki. She's elegant and wise, but so cute when clueless. Yasuda Ken appearing as a guest in an episode was the most touching.

Overall it was a nice, light, charming, sweet comedy with a lot of heart. The setting and light used makes it perfect watch while having an afternoon tea. It may not be for everyone's liking as some may find it boring and a bit over the top, but if you look deeply, you may find an, I'll bet well hidden, gem.

Leggi di Più

First off, if you're looking for a light-hearted, funny and heartwarming drama, then this is it for you.

STORY - I personally loved most of the storyline. I really enjoyed it. It was cute, funny and just the pick-me-up if you needed it. There was just a plot in the last two episodes that I didn't like and for that reason, the rating on this drama missed that 10 mark. Still, overall a great storyline!

ACTING/CAST - This is my first time seeing Show Luo and right off the bat, he earned a spot in my favourites for this role. He was phenomenal. The differences in his characterizations of Da Lung and Xue Hai actually made me wonder for a moment if it really was the same actor that was in the drama earlier. His transformation from lovable dork to gorgeous hunk was just that good. As for Rainie Yang, it was refreshing to see her in this bad girl role and really, she did a commendable job with it! She usually has the angel look but as Bao Zhu, that was no longer the case. The secondary characters were also as good with a notable performance from Lee Wei as Xuezhang and Wu Maggie although I didn't like her character.

MUSIC - Both Rainie and Show sang songs for the drama which somehow made it even better to watch. They suited the atmosphere perfectly and really, it's a wonderful OST.

REWATCH VALUE - I give it an 8 because for me, I loved the first 10 or so episodes. The last two didn't do much for me though I did like the ending. The storyline was good and I did like seeing Show Luo's acting so there's a very good chance I will end up watching it again.

OVERALL - 9/10
Not a bad drama! Definitely recommended if you want something light and warm :)

Leggi di Più

Refreshingly Realistic Characters in a Character-Driven Story

This is my first review, but I felt I really needed to explain why this series is worth your time. Please give it a chance if anything I write about resonates with you below :)

SPOILER-FREE PORTION OF REVIEW :

PROS : You should watch this series if you are craving these items :

- realistic character portrayals (flaws, fears, trauma responses, etc.)
- healthy communication (unless it makes sense for a character’s struggle with expressing themselves due to past trauma)
- no over-the-top acting usually typical of GMMTV shows
- minimal sound effect usage beyond the few comedic beats
- JoongDunk & AouBoom’s acting is phenomenal and natural with incredible chemistry
- emotional intimacy over tons of NC scenes (there are definitely some hot kissing scenes, don’t worry, but the majority of the intimacy in this series comes from the emotional moments between characters or simple natural touches)
- a female supporting character that ISN’T the villain
- lack of a “true” villain character (except for one person, iykyk) - if we dislike a character, it’s usually because we don’t understand a character fully yet.
- character development that makes sense (mistake —> accountability —> apology —> honesty —> growth)
- character-driven story vs. plot-driven (the plot points take a back seat to the characters' relationships and personal growth)

I realize this series isn’t for everyone and that is perfectly fine, but if you are tired of overdramatic plot-lines with a frustrating lack of communication and overly-animated characters, I’d give this one a shot. Sure, there are things I’d change and there will always be critiques, but please don’t ignore this one because of the rating/reviews. It’s simple, yes, but it’s refreshingly realistic and grounded.

PRODUCTION --
The cinematography is GORGEOUS; it’s soft and dreamy, very cinematic and simple but beautiful. Pair that with a refreshing lack of sound effects and properly (but sparingly) placed music cues, and this show had me glued to the screen. Even the background music feels dreamy and relaxed. I'm happy they didn't over exhaust the GMMTV music library with the same music choices we hear over and over again. and used music that didn't overpower the emotional tone during JokeZo talks. Even the music for the NC scene was refreshingly intimate.

ACTING --
Everyone’s acting is refreshingly well-restrained. Don’t get me wrong, I love comedic relief as much as the next person, but I didn’t realize how much I was craving a soft drama storyline with natural comedy that doesn’t make them feel like over-the-top caricatures of normal people backed by sound effects.

MAY CONTAIN LOOSE SPOILERS BELOW :

DUNK (as Zo) --
After binge-watching all of JoongDunk’s projects, I feel I can credibly say that I think this is Dunk’s best-acted role. Style, from The Heart Killers was wonderfully chaotic and I’ll always love him for it, but Dunk feels so natural as Zo that I sometimes forgot he was acting. Many people don’t understand Dunk’s acting style or they expect him to be high-energy like many GMMTV leads. And when he doesn’t they blame his acting. But as someone who is OBSESSED with eye-acting and micro-expressions, I thoroughly appreciate Dunk’s acting, especially as Zo. He’s written as a character that is relatively closed-off when it comes to expressing his feelings and overthinks many situations. Maybe it's because I relate so heavily to Zo, but I was genuinely feeling everything he felt throughout the series: his anxiety with whether to trust his head or his heart first, needing time to understand his own emotions (end then not even trusting them fully when it adds something good to his life), never feeling like he lives up to standards he places on himself, being stuck in his head while blaming himself for everyone else's emotions, etc.
Dunk did wonderful playing this normal but complex character - perfect casting in my opinion.

STORY --
The dialogue doesn’t feel forced, the characters feel like genuinely real people, and the importance of good communication feels incredibly natural. After finishing the series, I can confidently say that I this series (in my opinion) is one of the most relatable and honest BL's I've seen so far. Every character is written so well; they don't feel like characters made to fill a quota for a specific plot, but like normal people with realistic character arcs, fears, and trauma responses. They structured the story to encourage us, the audience, to make snap judgements when a character made a questionable decision and then later, when they were ready, would reveal a truth that would help us understand their actions.

For example: while I would have loved for them to touch on Joke's family dynamic earlier in the series, it makes complete sense that we would only learn about it in the final episode. The writers set everything up perfectly for his character so that when we discover his family dynamic, we have an ""Ah-ha!"" moment. All of a sudden, everything made sense to me: Joke's need to help Zo feel appreciated (because Joke didn't in his own family), encouraging Zo to feel his emotions fully (while neglecting his own), and clinging hard to his relationships (for fear of losing the people closest to him). Even his ability to read emotions so well is a common trait of people who grow up in emotionally-closed-off households.

THIS is how you write realistic characters. This is how it is in real life relationships: we don't ever have all the information on those around us, we all have our limits, and nothing is black and white. These characters are so special to me because they weren't perfect. They made mistakes, sought forgiveness, and grew.

I've seen many reviews calling this series boring or lacking in plot, but honestly, I felt it was pretty much perfect. Maybe it's just where I'm at in my life, seeking comfort in knowing there are people in the world that also struggle with overthinking, masking emotions, and just wanting to make their loved ones proud, but I believe if more people approached this series with a more open mind and an empathetic heart, they'd get a lot out of it.

Leggi di Più

This is Soulful 25 (not Physical 100).

Yes, people may wonder if this is a Japanese version of Physical 100. Well, not at all (fortunately), in my opinion. Whereas the Korean show seems to focus in vanity, perfect bodies and ways to show off who is the strongest, here I found an exciting and heartwarming competition that goes beyond all that. It’s about 25 ex-athletes and their path bridging their successful (or not so much) past in sports into an uncertain future.

I absolutely loved this program. There are HUGE amounts of humanity and kindness, not only in the participants but in the producers as well. In the final of Physical 100 season 2, Beom Seok badly injured his knee and there is no mention about it (same as others, who I know, got hurt along the way). However, in Final Draft a person got injured and they stopped the competition right away and the recording was suspended for the day.

Viewers stretch the bond with these contestants because we watch them living and eating together, talking about their paths, families, etc. I’m so used to the social awkwardness in Korean shows when people gather around, that to feel the warmth amongst these participants from start to finish was incredibly touching and a balm for my heart.
I remember the news about the Japanese soccer team in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They were the only team that cleaned the locker room after finishing each match and when they got eliminated left a beautiful thank you note for Russia, the hosting country.

Well, that kind of respect, humility, kindness and sportsmanship are everywhere in this show. And the ending is the perfect example of that. A beautiful wrap that moved to tears, taught me a couple lessons and left me heavily craving for more.

Leggi di Più

I can't believe no one has posted a review on this amazing and underrated drama! I really believe a lot of people on MDL should give this a try.

Story
The story of this drama is about a terrorist who calls himself the Pied Piper. This terrorist is controlling people to commit and act of terror. A negotiation team is set up and the two main protagonists in this drama both lost a loved one from one such act.

The story is really great and and the drama unfolds itself with each episode. And every episode the tension is getting higher until the very end! The only reason why I'm not giving the story a 10 is that there are still side story lines I felt where not fully completed.


Acting/Cast:
Acting was great overall, there are a lot of experienced actors as well as new faces but everyone was good. Shin Ha Kyun like always was great at its role, but Jo Yoon Hee not so much and I really had to get used to her, the only drama I have seen her before was Nine Times Time Travel but eventually she didn't bother me that much.

Music:
Music was good nothing special but still pretty good

Rewatch Value:
I don't rate any drama for a rewatch

Leggi di Più

It's worth the watch!

This drama will take you through cycles of love, hate, anguish, sadness, and happiness when you're done with it. The story follows Wei Zhao (Allen Ren) as he tries to claim justice for his hometown, Yuelou. Along the way he meets Jiang Ci (Landi Li), a carefree girl who seems to always get entangled in his plans, and Pei Yan (Jeremy Tsui), a frenemy who rivals him. As schemes unfold and fate intertwines, Wei Zhao, Jiang Ci, and Pei Yan will discover friendship, love, and loss as they battle for righteousness.
The storyline was acceptable. However, I absolutely love the character build up, especially the two male leads. The characters were written very well with their own unique archs that makes me accept the actions they choose to do as the story progresses. In addition, they were both protrayed nicely by both actors. This is the first drama where I will not complain if the female lead ended up with whoever, because I like them both equally. In fact, they both used our poor female lead to an extent, hurt her to an extent, loved her deeply to an extent, and both did not end up her (but one did captured her heart). We also cannot forget our secondary characters, "villians" included. They are like icing on the cake that makes our main leads' story and character shine with sweetness.
Despite it's movie title, this drama's is not all about love (though I do enjoy the sweet interactions between Wei Zhao and Jiang Ci). You will get a touch of vengence, family fidelity, friendship, loyalty, and betrayal mashed up. Although we don't get a happy ending, we got justice at end. The drama leaves me with a sense of satisfaction that I came to accept after shedding a few tears. Will I rewatch it? Not likely. I'm not sure if I can go through that sad ending again.

Leggi di Più

Moving" - A Dynamic Tale of Powers and Personal Growth

"Moving" is a captivating drama that I recently finished, and it left me with a mixed bag of emotions. The second-generation characters in this series are a testament to versatility, both in terms of their extraordinary powers and their evolving behaviors throughout the episodes.

Bong Seok's character development was a highlight for me. His journey from shyness and fear to confidence in his powers was both relatable and inspiring. Hee Soo, on the other hand, stood out with his intelligence and kindness, never once judging Bong Seok for his initial reservations.

Gang Hoon's immense strength grabbed my attention, but I must admit that his character didn't resonate with me as much as the others.

Shifting gears to the first-generation powers of the parents, Jaa Woon's dark past and his wife's struggles added depth to the storyline. Jaa Woon's healing power was a personal favorite, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.

Mi Hyen's senses power was intriguing, but I couldn't help but wish for a bit more depth to her character. The same goes for Doo Shik.

The plot, while simple on the surface with the backdrop of a North-South Korea conflict, unfolds in a way that keeps you engaged. It's a testament to the storytelling that even with a straightforward premise, "Moving" manages to entertain.

Overall, "Moving" is a series that's definitely worth a watch. The blend of diverse powers, character growth, and a unique take on a war narrative make it a compelling drama. I eagerly await the arrival of season 2 to see where the story takes these fascinating characters next.

Leggi di Più

The story of this drama is rather interesting andf as a plot rather intriguing with many things that frustrate and at the same time makje you more curious. In the beginning I watched only the first episode of this drama but because of a certain reason I got mad and stopped. However after a few months I decided to let go of my preconception and actually watch it and until now I do not regret it because it was an excellent drama. Deep questions about life were posed and at the same time you were the one who was left to answer them. This drama is definitely for mature thinking. It makes you go deeper than most dramas and it changed my whole views on life and the way we live it. In this drama, even though the teacher is supposed to be the one who teaches, it is the high school girl who gives a lesson to him. The acting in this was simply outstanding by every actor. Fujiki, aya, aoi yuu, narimiya hiroki etc. The music was calming and definitely suit it and this is a drama that can definitely be rewatched. The chemistry was also very good though at the same time the awkwardness was also there and perfectly suited. Somehow you were also becoming part of the story as you see it unfold. It made me want to be part of this drama and slap and punch various people in it.

Leggi di Più

The Sweetest Drama Ever!

Teasing Master Tagaki-san is an absolute delight to watch. This live action adaptation is reminiscent of a time when Jdoramas delivered well written and beautifully told stories, not unlike (similar to) last year’s Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san.

I found myself transported back in time to when I was a youth living in a much more simple world faced with similar experiences. Teasing one another was something that happened. Sometimes, it had the desired effect, a reaction that actually meant something, other times it was not so great.

What we have is a young couple, in all but name, sharing the common bond of enjoying each other’s company even if Nishikata was forever on the losing end of the teasing exchange.

I thought the young actors did a marvellous job. Takagi with her smiling face and Nishikata always looking dazed or confused when he had lost another exchange.

There are some beautiful moments: being with each other at the beach, reaching the shrine at the top of the hill or simply walking to and from school.

This show is worth three and a half hours of your time. I’m looking forward to the movie which is set ten years later. It has its release in Japan within the next two weeks.

Leggi di Più

A Love that Shaped Destiny: The Infinite Devotion of an Unyielding Heart

🍁THE OVERVIEW OF PLOT AND WORLD BUILDING:

Ancestral God created and divided the universe into three realms... God Realm, Immortal/Heavenly Realm and Demon Realm, where God Realm is supreme. There is also Nether World where devils are imprisoned...

There are countless gods and immortals but only four are True Gods who commands the God Realm and are responsible for management and safety of Three Realms... Zhi Yang, Tian Qi, Bai Jue and Shang Gu. They all are born from the same origin but Shang Gu is "Supreme True God" who possess the Power of Chaos and the only girl and youngest one among them, just 10,000 years old. Zhi Yang, Tian Qi and Bai Jue grew up together and have very strong bonding.

• The hierarchy of God/Divine Realm:
1. Supreme True God/Chief God of Chaos
2. Three True Gods
3. High Gods
4. Lower Gods
5. Disciple from Immortal/Demon Realm

• The hierarchy of Immortal Realm:
1. Heavenly Emperor and Empress and High Gods
2. Demi Gods
3. Senior Immortals
4. Junior Immortals
5. Other Immortals

• The hierarchy of Demon Realm:
1. Demon God
2. Demon Emperor
3. Demi Gods
4. White Tiger Clan
5. Fox Clan
6. Other Demon Clans

The drama follows the story of Shang Gu and Bai Jue and show how their deep love and relationship developed and progressed while bearing the responsibility of safety of three realms and dealing with countless hardships.


🍁KEY CHARACTERS:

🌿SHANG GU/HOU CHI (ZHOU DONG YU) : Shang Gu, the Chief God of Chaos, a mischievous and fun-loving young Goddess meant to be the Supreme True God. She was raised and spoiled by Zhi Yang, Tian Qi and Yue Mi. Despite having Chaos Origin, her cultivation and powers were weak so she was being bullied by others.. Bai Jue was tricked by Zhi Yang to being her teacher. Because of her undisciplined and arrogant personality, she despised strict and disciplined Bai Jue from their very first interaction.
Weapon - Ancient Sword
Divine Beast - Wu Huan (Five-colored Pheonix)
Residence - Pilgrimage Hall

Hou Chi, the born High God and daughter of Gu Jun. She has aloof and cold demeanour but a warm heart. Raised in Qing Chi Palace in care of Bo Xuan and Feng Ran. Her Godly powers are weak and she shows less to no improvement in cultivation, even after diligently practicing for 60,000 years. She looks like Shang Gu who died in Tribulations of Chaos.

🌿BAI JUE/BO XUAN/QING MU (XU KAI) : Bai Jue, a True God and the God of War... The origin of his powers is Immortal and Fire, so he is also God of Fire. Has a stoic, distant and cold personality... No one can match upto his wisdom and patience...and his determination and dedication towards responsibilities and love is unmatched. Bai Jue grew up cultivating hard with Zhi Yang and Tian Qi and fighting devils to protect the Three Realms. Tian Qi nicknamed him as "Ice Cube" because of his cold demeanour... Despite him being distant, he was still admired and pursued by many goddesses in God Realm.
Weapon - Tai Cang Spear
Divine Beast - Hong Ri (Fire Qilin)
Residence - Abyss Hall and Daze Mountain

When God Realm closed due to Tribulations of Chaos, Bai Jue adopted the identity of Bo Xuan and lived in the Qing Chi Palace in the Immortal Realm for almost 60000 years, hiding his True God identity and isolating himself from all others, only Gu Jun knew his true self.

Qing Mu, a aloof and reserved young immortal from North Sea of Immortal realm, whose origin is unknown and he don't like to socialize. He got fame for his powerful cultivation despite his young age of only 1,000 years, and titled as "Lord of North Sea". He looks like Bai Jue who has disappeared years ago.

🌿TIAN QI/JING YUAN (LIU XUE YI) : Tian Qi, a True God, his power origin is Demonic and Water, so he is also Demon God and the God of Water. A carefree, mischievous and fun-loving God but a little impulsive and sometimes narcissist.. haha! He and Shang Gu have similar personalities... He manages Demon Realm... Tian Qi values relationships and friendships more than anything else...and likes to arguing with Bai Jue, but in a good-natured way. He loved Shang Gu and would do anything for her, even destroy the three realms he had been protecting his entire lifetime. His friendship with Yue Mi is well known in all the three realms.
Weapon - Purple Moon Whip
Divine Beast - Zi Han (Dragon)
Residence - Everlasting Hall

Jing Yuan, the Demon Lord Zi Yue, is actually another identity/reincarnation of Tian Qi after the Tribulations of Chaos. He lived in Demon Realm in seclusion and apart from Zi Han, only Demon Emperor knew who he is in real.

🌿ZHI YANG (LI ZE FENG) : The calm and rational True God... He is incharge of the affairs of the Three realms...and the oldest one in all True Gods...
Weapon - Twin Spear

🌿WU HUAN (ZHANG JIA NI) : The low-ranked pheonix from Wutong Island, whom Shang Gu picked up as her divine Beast instead of "the Only Fire Pheonix and Pheonix Queen" Feng Yan... She used to be kind, humble and calm before but later on became an arrogant, cunning, heartless and thirsty for power.... She is one of the three Ancient High Gods of Immortal Realm and the Heavenly Empress...

🌿GU JUN (LEON LAI) : A Flood Dragon from Demon Realm.. and the only disciple of Shang Gu... He is a loyal and wise person... Gu Jun is one of the three Ancient High Gods in Immortal Realm who survived the Tribulations of Chaos... He is the master of Qing Chi Palace and former lover of Wu Huan...

🌿YUE MI (LUO QIU YUN) : The Goddess of Stars and Moon in God Realm and best friend of Shang Gu... She is wise and powerful but fun-loving Goddess and very close to all the True Gods... She was in love with Tian Qi but her feelings were not yet reciprocated...

🌿FENG RAN (ZHANG YA QIN) : The only alive Fire Pheonix and daughter of Feng Yan... A straight-forward and cleaver girl... She is the best friend and protector of Hou Chi..and attendant of Gu Jun (whom he saved from Yunlin Swamp)... She is way powerful than Hou Chi and in-charge of Qing Chi Palace in the absence of Gu Jun.


🍁ACTING AND CHEMISTRY:

Xu Kai and Liu Xue Yi's portrayal of their characters is breathtaking...

Xu Kai was great as Bai Jue and Qing Mu although I don't like Bo Xuan's part much but it was good as well. As Bai Jue, he acted well as a cold and distant God who treats everyone fairly but can silently sacrifice his all for his love, and as Qing Mu, he did amazing as a aloof Immortal who knows to pursue his love without concerning the world... Xu Kai made the two characters really different with his acting skills that you won't feel these both characters played by one single person. He made Bai Jue my favourite character...

Liu Xue Yi impressed me with his remarkable performance. Tian Qi is my favourite just after Bai Jue... and I am so grateful to makers to not turning him in "typical toxic second male lead" who is obsessive... He loved Shang Gu but knew what are the limits and when to give up...

Zhao Dong Yu was amazing as Shang Gu in the first and last arc of the story but I feel her acting plain as Hou Chi.

Zhang Jia Ni did an extraordinary job with her character.. she truly made me hate Wu Huan from the bottom of my heart that I wanted to slap her everytime.

The chemistry between leads can be considered decent and above average... I loved the chemistry between Feng Ran and Jing Jian.. it was just wonderful.
The relationship dynamics between Bai Jue and Tian Qi are very interesting and fun to watch...
Other actors also did beautiful job with their characters and are worthy to be praised...


🍁OSTS, COSTUMES AND CGI:

OSTs are pleasant and extraordinary.. these have secured the top place in my playlist. The lyrics fit the story and scenes perfectly and make me cry every time I listen to them... "A Thousand Years of Search" and "The Thought of Life" are my favourite.

"I am willing to search for thousands of days and nights; Waiting for time to meet again in your eyes..
Exchange a lifetime for a second of encounter; It would not be a pity if it can be accomplished.."
~A Thousand Years of Search

Costume are really beautiful and gives a aura of grace and divinity.
CGI is top-notch. The magic spells, the power from the divine weapon, the sets, all look real, natural and beautiful.


🍁CONCLUSION:

Ancient Love Poetry signifies the patience, dedication and loyalty in love without compromising the duties and responsibilities one has to fulfill.
The wait of sixty thousand years and dedication of Bai Jue for his love Shang Gu along with his devotion for duties towards the three realms are exceptional and heart-touching. I'm actually very tough to cry while watching a drama.. but this made my tears rolled over my cheeks, even after rewatching it many times I still feel the same heartbreak every time.

"She turned to ashes,
separated by life and death;
He protected the three realms for her..
The thought of life is still ringing in my ears;
Once again, this passion has no limits and will never be extinguished"
~The Thought of Life


🍁ENDING:

I was thinking it would be a drama with a sad ending, but the ending touches my heart. It was a beautiful happy ending that I never expected.

To be honest, it might feel a bit boring or too fact paced to many in starting and one could feel like dropping it.. but I recommend to must watch at least 8 to 12 episodes before you make the decision to drop, otherwise you'll miss a fabulous drama.
I would recommend everyone to give it a shot.

Leggi di Più

This drama literally kept me up all night! It took me a few episodes to get into it but once the story got moving I found it really enjoyable. The whole younger man, older woman is something new to me with Asian dramas so it was refreshing. I really liked the whole story. I loved all of the characters in this drama. Especially Ishida (and not bc he's played by Kamenashi Kazuya). His character is so fun loving and positive. Willing to work hard even when he's put down by others. You just can't help but love him. And Kame did an excellent job! This is the 4th drama I've seen of his and his acting is simply outstanding. When Ishida is playful and cheerful, you find yourself smiling. When he's hurt or embarrassed you feel empathy for him. When he's trying his best to succeed, you're rooting for him the whole way. He's just a big ball of positive energy so you can't help but fall in love with his character. Fujii is a really great character too. She's very career driven and when everyone else doesn't take the time to get to know the little guy, she goes out of her way to be encouraging and his number one supporter (even if he messes up and she's left to clean up the mess). They both had great chemistry with each other. The rest of the cast was really fun to watch and I never got bored with any part of the story. Overall, I thought this drama was very well done and I plan on watching it again in the near future.

Leggi di Più

Not your typical republican-era drama -- in a good way.

This is a stylish and well-produced binge watch, with a fabulous ML, and an FL that compliments him well. Unlike most republican era short length dramas, this one actually has quite a few funny and cute moments woven into it. Although its technically a revenge story, the focus is really more on the main characters' friends and family in a way that makes the journey of the ML and FL rather satisfying to watch.

The spice is not quite what you'd expect from a republican-era short, but it's still brings plenty of heat, and the kiss scenes are very very decent.

Overall I found this a well balanced show, with elements of humor, danger, action, intrigue, and sweetness. It was a little bit fluffy, and a little bit fiery. One thing it was not, was heavy. So you won't want to go into this with a super serious mindset, it's meant to be something of a light watch.

The only issue I had with it was the way the last few episodes kind of get a little bit weird. But it's not that bad, the ending is still good basically.

I enjoyed it greatly, and I'd recc it to anyone looking for a good binge as a break between longer, heavier dramas.

Leggi di Più

The story of this drama is incredibly unique, at least compared to all the dramas i've seen. The Cast and Acting was terrific and as a result of both the Story and the Acting, I truly felt an emotionally attachment to the characters, and how they changed. The music also furthered my emotional attachment to the drama. While I don't like rewatching drama, Ninkyo Helper is actually a drama I believe I could rewatch, since the element of surprise enhances the story, but in general, it's not essential to making the drama interesting.

Overall, i'm giving this drama a 10, and I fell like every Jdrama fan who enjoys the Crime/Yakuza and Family genres, should watch this.

Leggi di Più

On One Hand Intrigue, Betrayal, Redemption - Other hand Democracy, Power, and Sacrifice

A MUST WATCH PERIODICAL POLITICAL THRILLER FOR EVERYONE

FIRST POINT:
Before going to my thoughts, I want to say something: I majored in political science and civics subjects and had some experience in history. I know everyone will think about what I’m trying to say about my subjects. The reason is that all of this is made for the boy who loves politics in real life, not only in dramas, movies, and shows. So, whenever I hear there’s a political drama, I always wait for them, irrespective of the cast, because complete political dramas are so rare and are used as side elements in some dramas. I watched a political thriller a long time ago, “Designated Survivor,” which was one of the major political thrillers in kdrama. It started very well but failed to impress with the last episode. Overall, it was a good political thriller without the last two episodes.
Second point:
My second point is that I became a periodical genre fan after watching some kdramas, impressed by their visuals, art, custom designs, story set-up, and mostly because I had the chance to watch the 90’s and sometimes 80's culture of Hanguk. Recently, I watched “Chief Detective 1958." I loved the drama’s 1950-60’s art and everything. 
So, I think everyone understands my two points on “Uncle Samsik” before going to talk about my thoughts. And everything I write in this review is purely based on my thoughts and what I experienced from the drama, both emotionally and critically.

A group of wealthy political members is trying to create political instability in South Korea between 1950 and the 1960s to encash that opportunity to take over the country's power into their hands and make them whatever they want. For real, there are some groups that existed in this generation too, like Deep State in the USA (this is only for reference and not intended to compare any political issues with it; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_state_in_the_United_States ). To stop them, some other people, both political and non-political, are trying to bring that group down, like the main leads, Doo Chil, Kim San, Hanrim, and some other military members. But each of their ideologies is different, but their main objective is to carry the country forward to development and keep democracy in the country. Each character clearly has a motive, trying to protect the democracy of their country.

CHARACTERIZATIONS -

In Kim San's character role, I really felt the way he used to dream about the country’s development project, “National Reconstruction Plan.” He did everything and sacrificed his life things in the way of life dedication to the nation, even sometimes breaking his ideologies to create a better country for his people. TBH, I loved Kim San's character (Byun Yo Han), even though he sometimes chose the wrong steps to form his dream project. Byun Yo Han, you did an excellent job. Pure acting masterclass, the emotions, and the way you portray his views on the nation's development are truly amazing. I hope I will see you in more dramas in the future.
Song Kang Ho is the acting pillar of this drama and a well-known veteran actor. Exceptional performance in the Samsik role; this one is the character I can’t forget easily. The director’s choice of Samsik and Kim San roles is one of the best castings done by casting gods.
The Jan Ki Joo role was introduced very well in the beginning, and I expected the same character length from her till the end since she is a journalist, but after 6 episodes, her character was only used to show, oh, she is also a character in this drama, but there is no big scope for her. This is one of my disappointments with the director.
A remarkable performance by the supporting cast and every actor’s exceptional effort made this drama a truly outstanding drama in kdrama land.

NARRATION -
Every episode is full of talkative mode more than taking action. Of course, this is political drama, so most of the scenes and most of the time are carried by the characters talkative mode, and we will expect something more than talkative only in the climax or pre-climax. This drama shows how situations can change a person and persuade him to go to any lengths to do what he wants in the political sense. Since it’s a political genre, we have to expect betrayals, allies, and foes in the way of choosing a path to take or implementing the things we have to do, both politically and geographically.
The relationships of Samsik between other character roles will meet us in different ways, like when he sometimes looks evil and good, but one thing never changes: his loyalty towards the people he trusts. There are no flaws in writing or directing.

DRAMAS BIGGEST ASSET - SCREENPLAY & STORYTELLING.
Uncle Samsik follows the nonlinear storytelling aspect, which creates dynamic storytelling by using screenplay magic elements like flashbacks, flashforwards, multiple points of view, and non-sequential structure of the story. Handling these types of elements often confuses the viewers, and I also faced the same confusion in some dramas with nonlinear storytelling, where scenes constantly jump from one time to another without much clarification, like whether it's a flashback or current running story narration. But in this drama, every scene is perfectly placed where it fits and is not given a chance for story narration confusion. Overall, a fantastic “SCREEN PLAY”.

ONE OF THE BEST EPISODE EVERY MADE IS KDRAMA -
Specially talk about the 14th epic episode—to me, it's one of the best episodes ever made in a kdrama because it was based on the real events of South Korea in the 1960s called the April 19th Revolution ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Revolution ). The representationalism in the 14th episode showed how that revolution happened. Here,  I’m bowing to the director because the way he brought the historical change movement to us is really breathtaking and a spectacular episode.

My Only Disappointment:

1) NO big scope for Jan Ki Joo's character role even though it has potential and failed to use her character's professional job Journalism in the story changing way. Usually, Journalism vs. Politics is the greatest El Clásico in nature, but the director is mainly focused on bringing political momentum and ignores journalism. But I’m not saying he completely left the journalism point, but he used it in a narrow way to move some scenes forward; even in the scene about Ballot Box being stolen, there is no strong focus on the press. 

2) ENDING:
After watching the first episode, I got an idea about the ending but never expected this type of ending. I know it’s good for writers to write off a main character in periodical or historical dramas. But the director of Uncle Samsik made a very bold move in the ending. I don’t know about others who watched this drama or what their opinions were on the ending, but to me, it’s one of the most disappointing endings in the kdrama. The basic element of every drama is that good is the winner over evil, but I don't know what the director is trying to say with that type of ending; I think he wants to say, “No matter how hard you try to change the country or bring down powerful, evil political figures, there is no turning back; you will only suffer losses and states that the outcome may not be favorable; the effort may result in personal sacrifices or negative consequences of what is going on now.”.
I don’t want to talk more about the ending; watch and take your own opinion, but personally, I’m disappointed.

Leggi di Più

really cute BL with amazing chemistry

There's not one Korean BL drama out there that I haven't watched, and let me say, out of all the ones that were released recently, To My Star is the best drama in terms of kissing. Hands down. I sound like such a pervert omg... deja vu to another review just like this rip... But for real though, that last kiss in TMS was superb!

STORY
Is it just me? When you talk about Korean production in the film/drama industry, don't you kind of get this feeling of not getting disappointed? Like, in a way, you know that no matter what happens, you're just really going to enjoy whatever's made? Pretty sure it's not just me. Thus, I have a special place in my heart for Korean BLs, and I know none of them will completely disappoint me. Exactly what happened with TMS. There's this interesting plot of a cook and an actor somehow finding themselves living together in the same house. One's closed-off and throws out cold-city-man vibes while the other's more outgoing and cheery. Introvert vs. extrovert, basically. There's not much story that can be told within nine 14-16 mins episodes, and there were some secrets and hidden tales that weren't talked about, but given what we have, it was pretty well done. I was just really, really glad we got a happy ending :")

CAST/ACTORS
The first thing I look at when watching romance dramas is the chemistry between the characters. Not gonna lie, first time watching it, I couldn't feel it. I didn't see the chemistry at all. But boy, oh boy, you know what they say, don't judge a book by it's cover because, for a series, the first few eps are basically a cover to a book. You've gotta give it time for it to develop properly, even if it's a short series. Slow and steady wins the race, for real. So come episode 3, you can already sense their chemistry. It's so natural, the way they act with each, I'm beginning to think maybe they're close friends in real life. Did you guys know? Both these actors acted together in 'Tale of the Nine-Tailed' It was such a good Kdrama ;-; Maybe cause they've acted together before in a way, you can somehow feel their closeness on TMS, too. When they smile at each other, the fluff and cuteness simply overwhelms me omg. AND THEY HAVE SUCH BEAUTIFUL SMILES!

SONG
You know how sometimes when you're so focused on watching something, you forget about the song that's playing in the background? Yeah, me. So, I'm not sure if any of them were playing in the drama itself, but I looked it up, and I could only find one. And I think you guys should really listen to it.

NewKidd - 《Left Hand》

--------------------------------------------
I don't think I'll ever grow tired of watching Korean BLs, and I'm so glad TMS became a part of the growing list of really good BL dramas out there. With a happy-ending, too! Can you believe that? I don't know why, but maybe because I've been watching BLs for a very long time and the ones in the past would break me with their sad endings, so in a way, I always expect sad endings? But I think nowadays, BLs have started to "grow up", leaning towards giving us those well-deserved, happy endings, and I've got nothing but praises for that!

Thank you 'To My Star' for gifting us with an endearing and lovely series, and an EXCELLENT last-episode kiss!

Leggi di Più