Reviews

1) The reason I watched this:

I just chose it without any thoughts. At the time, I was in "japanese dramas mood" so I watched many japanese dramas without being picky or impatient.

2) Storyline/Plot:

To start with, I am not familiar with the story since I haven't read the manga or even heard about it so this was my first time getting to know the storyline.

Positive points:

*This drama's story made me interested ever since the first 10 minutes and that's really rare to happen since I never care about first episodes because they don't make much difference yet this drama's story made me really invested in its events so waiting for the next episode was a real torture.

*Main Genres:

--->Humor: Yes, this drama was funny because it was hilarious all over, sometimes it felt like anime scenes that was funny and entertaining most of the time.
The comedy concept was present too, we get to see funny characters with funny scenes. I have to point that Nika's inside conversations were really awesome which can bring good laughter.

--->Romance: it wasn't that deep nor that light. The romance in this drama was equilibred in a way that would make you invested in the romantic development and the whole concept. The teenage love story was cool to watch since it was light enough.

--->School: The usual concept that you find in school dramas; friends, enemies, teachers, popularity, nerds and so on. I've seen many school dramas before so this wasn't something special yet Switch Girl was more enjoyable.

Negative points:

*I can't think of any, except that this drama was too damn short! They should've made it longer, it felt rushed sometimes but that didn't ruin the whole concept.

Story: 8.5/10

3) Acting/Cast:

*Nishiuchi Mariya:

I am not familiar with her as an actress, she was introduced to me through this drama and what a great introduction! I liked her acting skills and enjoyed her role in a good way. From now on, I will anticipate her new dramas.
The character was great: Nika made us sad sometimes, excited some other times and entertained most of the time.
The ON and OFF modes were really awesome, I couldn't choose since both of them were enjoyable and funny; everyone of us have that hidden side within himself yet here it was exagerated to make it look captivating and hilarious.

*Kiriyama Renn:

I only saw him in "Hana Kimi Remake" but here he was different so I didn't know what to expect yet I surprised myself by accepting his general acting and role.
The character wasn't enjoyable like Nika's but I liked it anyway. Arata's appearance was nice and great sometimes; he may sound stiff at some points but all of that was decided by the storyline so I haven't focused much on that fact.
Another point that I should mention: Arata with or without glasses didn't sound contradictory to me; it was the same character with a different look.

*Other Cast: The supporting roles were cool and well chosen even the school nerds; no complains.

*Relationships:

--->Romance : The chemistry wasn't that great because romance wasn't deep enough.

--->Nika's family: Her mother and sister were always good to look at plus their adventures as a family was always hilarious.

--->Nika's school: Friends were good and the Monkey Boss made events entertaining sometimes.

*In each episode there were new cast and that's exactly what I love about J-dramas because with different cast comes different events, there's no spinning around the same point.

Cast: 8/10
Acting: 9/10

4) The ending:

I appreciated the ending, I was glad because they haven't took it to the usual concept of hiding something yet it wasn't that special, only acceptable and cool to watch: Nice ending overall.

The ending: 8/10

5) My impression (How did it affect me):

*I realy enjoyed this drama, even the waiting for upcoming episodes was fun.
*I haven't skipped any parts and that's really rare since I am an impatient person, believe me if I don't skip parts that means there weren't any chance of getting bored (well, that could be explaned by the fact that the episode's length was only 27 minutes).

*Is this drama memorable: Yes definitely, I enjoyed it so much. Even though, I finished it weeks ago, I still remember each and every event.

My impression: 9/10

6) Overall:

*If you like funny romantic school dramas then you would like this.
*If you like girls dramas you will enjoy this.
*If you're looking for a great female lead you may actually like this.

Overall: 8.5/10.

Leia Mais

Maybe Not for Everyone, But I Really Liked It

STORY:
The show has a cool, hip vibe that I really like and that I think will appeal to those who like more mature themed dramas. Like others, I was initially interested in this show because of the BL part, but I became hooked on all of the characters’ storylines from the very first episode.

What starts out as a relatively lighthearted theme quickly turns more serious and conflict-driven. Some of the conflicts are ones we don’t see a lot of, whereas others are more common, but for the most part all felt very organic and natural to the plot and characters. A good chunk of this drama focuses on the breakdown of relationships and ensuing aftermath, working through the pain to try to get back what was once had, so if you’re looking for a fairy tale romance, this might not be for you. Infidelity is another prominent theme in this show, which is an apparently a pretty divisive topic. But, in my opinion, infidelity isn’t always a black and white issue, and those who commit it aren’t necessarily nor automatically bad people; they can feel remorse and sometimes deserve second chances. It’s a complex issue, and I think the writers and actors did a really nice job portraying this, as they did for other grey areas in the show. The drama itself touches on a lot of difficult and unpleasant things that can happen in life and relationships in a way that feels authentic. The conclusion/resolution was short, taking up only one episode, and a bit glossed over, but I felt like all of the important points were hit and we were left with some level of closure. Compared to how in depth the conflicts were, though, the resolutions could have been explored a little bit further.

Heavy stuff aside, the plot was dynamic and interesting, and I was invested from beginning to end, which made for what felt like a quick journey: one minute I was watching episode 1, then I blinked and was suddenly at episode 12. A good sign in my book, as I clearly wasn’t bored; I can’t say that for every drama I’ve watched.

ACTORS/CHARACTERS:
I was really impressed with all of the actors. Major and minor roles were played very well, the acting felt very natural, and the characters were multidimensional (i.e., for the most part they didn't feel like stock characters). And despite some moments where I wanted to shake some sense into a few of the main ones, I liked all of them and thought that they kept the story interesting and thought provoking. Especially loved (1) the strong female leads (Am and Boom in particular, but I liked Boyo too, despite her flaws, and thought she had some noteworthy moments) and (2) gay characters who were comfortable in their sexuality and not stereotyped or exaggerated.

MUSIC:
I thought the music fit the show very well: again, young, hip, and fresh. Also, this is one of the few (perhaps only) shows where I actually don’t want to skip the theme song (and opening in general) because I like it so much.

REWATCH VALUE:
There aren’t too many dramas that I can truly say I’m interested in re-watching, but this is definitely one of them!

OVERALL
I don’t think this is for everyone, but I thought it was a really great release from GMM. I’d recommend, especially if you prefer dramas that are more serious and mature.

Leia Mais

These 6 guys are probably the hottest cast in any BL.

The story was just ok, im just glad they didnt drag the Pha&Yo getting to know stage and just summarised it in the first few episodes. Its good that they gave the other 2 team enough time to shine too. I especially ship Forth & Beam cause that guy Forth is the goddess gift to mankind :). I could watch a whole series with Forth and Beam just being cute together.

All other stuff are just your yada yada usual trope. Yes, after watching my fair share of BL, this one doesnt offer anything new.

What i probably hate most is the cliffhanger. They were slowly building up to an ending and then suddenly new conflicts are introduced at the very last episode only to not reach a climax/closure. Thats a bit lame and a bit of an insult to fans especially if the sequel is just being planned.

Rewatch just to ogle at the cute guys. Is it enough to watch the whole series? No, not really.

Leia Mais

The series overall was a good length – I mostly enjoyed the storyline, characters and pacing. Everything seemed to fit together well in the bigger scheme of things. Except.. The ending. I was let down. The drama built itself up so much that I was so excited, but the writing and execution failed me. (discussion of ending on bottom)

There were times the acting was very off, especially with Victoria, she seemed to only express sadness and Johnny could barely show any emotion on his face. The writing was sometimes sloppy, with too many unnecessary moments, so much time was wasted on the ex-friends when I wish they could've fleshed out Qianhua/Zhaosong a bit more and they glossed over the r*pe scene after it happened.. Felt like Wangxuan was an addition that wasn't necessary – they didn't even treat her character right! I liked the use of flashbacks, it was interesting to see how everything has changed from then to now. Except episode 24 - a flashback to the 80s/90s of Pipi's parents were extra weird, but I guess it was done to provide Johnny with much needed extra screentime.

Despite these flaws, I still liked the drama – throughout the series, I liked the interactions of the characters, especially the two boys and Xiaoju - which gave us the right amount of humour. The pacing was good, issues weren't dragged out and sorted in appropriate timing.


Now the ending. Felt like they completely ignored everything that happened and did a 180 on what viewer's wanted and expected. Bad writing and bad execution. Barely tied any loose ends. Awkward time jump. Like, there were mention of the south/north war - but now that he's a fox/human without powers or memories, what are the fox clan left to do? Meeting of Helan Xi and Pipi after six months was awkward and could have been executed much better.

Leia Mais

About prince Wang So of Goryeo. A love story with wit, charm & affection. Makjang alert. Toxic, too

First of all: "Shine or Go Crazy" is a love story from head to toe with all the trimmings. Nevertheless, it is also about the dazzling historical figure of Wang So - King Gwangjong from the early hours of the Goryeo era. Thus it is a beautiful character study about the young prince, who at last became king, but who had by far not been the preferred prince of choice as far as the future throne was concerned. How did HE happen to become not only king but such an outstanding one as well - one who is NOT automatically (as so often) a jumping jack for his ministers, eunuchs and palace ladies? Who or what motivated and inspired his rather grounded, almost visionary, innovative, citizen-oriented policies?

This KDrama offers a (possible) answer to history, as well as an epic love story, playfully sprinkling disguise of origin and confusion of gender.

----------------- SIDE NOTE: --- Wang So, 4th son of Goryeo King Wang Geon, and later King Gwangjong
During his 26-year reign at the end of the first millennium, King Gwangjong laid solid foundations for the next four centuries. To this end, he introduced some popular reforms for the common people (yet unpopular among the nobility). Above all, these concerned slavery. Additionally he instituted the national civil service exam, which allowed people to serve the country according to their ability. Introduced during his reign, too, were so-called "Daebi-won" - medical centers for the free care of the poor. Finally, he secured the borders of the empire with military measures. Throughout, he consistently had to deal with opponing noblemen ... and eliminated them uncompromisingly. "Shine or Go Crazy" is a dignified multimedia monument to his rulership, that in general rather focused on the needs of his ordinary citizens than aristocracy.

The KDrama "Shine or Go Crazy" (as well as "Moon Lovers" who deals with King Gwangjong, too), offers a conclusive explanation for this King´s particular career. Whether this is historically justified by sources, I could not find out yet. In any case, Prince Wang So becomes tangible and understandable with the help of this fictional setting: The KDramas tell his story as at a young age being banished from the palace and sent to the mountains - thus hopefully avoiding a bloody prophesy from coming true. There he lived a life beyond the palace intrigues, yet close to nature and its existential everyday struggles for survival. Like that, his everyday life inevitably came quite a bit closer to that of the ordinary people of his time. This socialization in 'freedom' and largely grounded normality shaped him in a completely different way than his (numerous) direct and indirect siblings within the palace walls and thus makes him a resolute and popular monarchical free spirit. At the same time, this lays the right foundation for placing a completely unorthodox, unexpected and inspiring commoner´s love at his emotional side. Like that the fictional K-Drama helps to on the one hand understand the sharp edges of his disappointment because of parental rejection as well as his self-doubt due to his curse. On the other hand, however, this is balanced by down-to-earth experience of authentic affection and love. Historically true or not, the extrordinary historic personality of prince Wang So is painted in an impressively tangible, comprehensible way.

------------------- SIDE NOTE --- Trading at the time ---
An aspect of historical detail that's (in general rarely) brought into focus in "Shine or Go Crazy", too, is the importance of thriving international trade at the end of the first millennium. Throughout Korean history, life on the peninsula (not only, but also in KDrama) is rather isolated and self-centered. In this story, at least, business relationships with the immediate neighbors and with the rest of the world are given some space, at least to some extent.

-------------------- SIDE NOTE --- Balhae / Late Balhae
Also rarely a topic in the focus of KDrama is the Korean history BEFORE Goryeo - the time of the three kingdoms Silla, Goguryeo and Baekje. In "Shine or Go Crazy," the female protagonist is a princess from the Late Balhae Kingdom in what is now Manchuria. This dates back to one of five kingdoms that in 37 BC united to form the kingdom of Goguryeo. The first Goryeo King Wang Geon (posthumously Taejo) at his time attempted to reconquer the former territories of the original Goguryeo Empire and thus set his kingdom on proven, solid ground. Balhae being one of them, had previously fallen victim to the Para-Mongolian Kitan. Some (many) Koreans from ancient Goguryeo, who formed the ruling Balhaen elite, escaped to Goryeo - with the crown prince, the nobles and parts of the population. The female lead is set in this context (and also personally associated with an alarming (fictitious) prophecy regarding the future of her people.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Back to the (love) story between the 4th son of Goryeo King Wang Geon and the Balhaean princess, who is an independent prosperous business woman.

In proven KDrama style, there are subplots with their own stories and characters with their own motives, who courageously get involved in the (love) life of Prince Wang So. The political stage is intransigently characterized by malevolent power intrigues. There aren´t any scruples anywhere. Upright people hardly exist, loyalty and dependence being mixed up and confused. There's a lot of bad stuff going on everywhere. It gets pretty ´toxic´, too.

Set in this context is the affectionately and also humourously told relationship of young prince Wang So with a smart, proficient, quite self-confident lady in a double role in disguise as young man. These encounters inspire and enhance Wang So´s pragmatic world view. The dynamic between them is fun to watch - with wit and charm, since his queen of hearts is sometimes hidden behind a veil and sometimes in men's clothes. At times, Wang So has to seriously doubt his gender orientation (... not that this would have deterred him...).

Ah. Yes. The ending... Reviews I had read often blamed the ending. I was ready for the worst. Probably that was a good thing. Like that I was pleasantly surprised as I had expected even worse. In fact, whether I liked it or not, the ending made quite a lot of sense to me. (After all, this is about a historical character - the prince becomes king and has an archetypal task that is greater than himself - during his reign, Gwangjong sets the course for future generations.) Nevertheless, KDrama land even got us a little candy at the very end, too.

My criticism, however, refers to the soundtrack! Unfortunately, this is the first time I definitely have to complain! Shallow songs can have their time, I don´t mind. But in this case (at least in my acustic sound system) as soon as romantic vibes gently started to develop, an inappropriately dull, meaningless song (in my perception) acustically dominated the scene and thus insensitively destroyed each and every moment (again and again). A real shame! (I would like to hope, that this was just due to my technical device...)

Leia Mais

Homecoming

Hometown is a psychological thriller that revolves around three main characters; police detective Choi Hyung In, convicted mass murderer Jo Kyung Ho, and his estranged sister Jo Jyung Hun. The premise is based on the preliminary investigation of a murder case which escalates into the search for a missing schoolgirl and subsequently the mystery surrounding the abduction of her classmate. Both events spark an explosive chain of events with wide-reaching implications for their family, friends and the community they belong to.

Originally an OCN production, it was eventually broadcast by sister channel, TVN. Directed by Park Hyun Suk (Stranger 2) based on the screenplay by Cho Hyun Hoon. Initially credited via his pseudonym of Joojin, the screenwriter was removed from the production credits altogether once his real identity had surfaced which resulted in controversy and public backlash due to his past sexual harrasment case. Choi Seong Gwon is engaged as the composer for the drama.

What to watch out for

The story is set in 2000 with a re-telling of events taking place in 1999 and frequent flashbacks to multiple timelines in the 1980s, particularly to a terror attack on a bus terminal in 1987. The storytelling is non-linear for the most part, which utilises parallel and converging plots based on the shared narrative of the three POV characters.

The eponymous hometown refers to the fictional town of Saju which is located in Gyeongsangnam or South Gyeongsang province. Nearly all characters in this drama speak the distinctive Gyeongsang dialect, as opposed to the central dialects (Seoul or Gyeonggi) that most viewers are perhaps used to.

Elements of mystery and horror are present throughout but, rather than outright terror and fright, the drama projects an overall eerie, ominous and psychologically disturbing aura. By the time the halfway point is reached, if not earlier, viewers should be quite aware of the direction of the story.

Expect trigger warnings in the form of drug references, abuse and bullying, as well as some violence resulting in depictions of blood and gore in certain scenes.

What I Liked

I enjoyed the storytelling approach which feels distinctively neo noir in terms of the visual language, compelling dialogue and the variety of complex characters written in the screenplay. We have the hard-boiled detective who does the nitty gritty legwork, the charismatic yet sinister psychopathic mass murderer and the frantic family member of the victim. Add to that an extremely detailed worldbuilding and a whole host of intriguing side characters ranging from the questionably dubious to the downright bizarre that make their truly disquieting presence felt.

The first 8 episodes of the drama felt the most captivating for me. This is largely because of the mystery surrounding the events at play and the infusion of a rather horrific scene that reeled me in right from the start. It is also during this stage that I found myself still able to sufficiently keep track of the happenings which connect the dots to the grand scheme of things.

The cast is, without question, absolutely outstanding. Yoo Jae Myung’s portrayal of Regional Investigation Unit’s Detective Choi Hyung In is utterly convincing. He made me believe that he truly is a seasoned yet somewhat traumatised cop, in a gripping performance that is reflective of his experience in the industry.

Likewise Uhm Tae Goo delivers a compelling depiction of convicted killer Jo Kyung Ho. This is my first time watching him and what a talent he is. The most nuanced of the main leads, his subtle interpretation of the intricately written role and the delicate articulation of his lines through a deceptively calm demeanour and soothing voice literally enthralled me into a false sense of security.

The drama also features the award-winning Han Ye Ri, fresh from making her Hollywood debut with the critically acclaimed Minari for which she garnered 4 nominations. She provides another fine performance through her captivating portrayal of Jo Jung Hyun, a woman struggling to break free from the burden of truth and her tormented past that threatens to overcome her seemingly bleak and hopeless existence.

I truly enjoyed the brilliant original score composed by Choi Seong Gwon. This is not easy listening music for relaxing with a glass of wine but the kind that elevates the sense of foreboding and completely immerses the mind into the dark and ominous atmospherics throughout. The soundtrack also features two OSTs performed in English that actually sounds more contemporary than the retro settings of the drama.

유라 Youra - Remember
문수진 Moon Sujin - Hide and Seek

What I Didn’t Appreciate As Much

As riveting and morbidly entertaining as this drama was, I would have preferred for the “supernatural” aspects to be the main focus and potential for driving the story development. This would have provided a different spin and a breath of fresh air to the genre. However, although the story takes a more familiar course, the sense of unpredictability still remains and even culminates in a rather surprising and unexpected outcome.

Speaking of unpredictability, either the rationale behind certain plot points or much-needed connecting scenes were sacrificed as part of efforts to induce viewers’ intrigue and suspense as well as, in my case, confusion. Perhaps this was also attributed to the shorter duration of the drama, at 12 episodes. A number of key events shown, particularly from episode 9 onwards, were never fully or properly explained. Without giving spoilers, let’s just say that viewers will have to formulate their own hypotheses as the story unfolds because ultimately the ending does not provide clarity for all the questions asked.

Adding to the air of uncertainty is the countless switching of timelines, sometimes captioned for viewers’ benefit but at times they occur unannounced. It certainly doesn’t help when the disparate scenes are acted by different sets of actors that I end up having to pause and rewind simply to ascertain who exactly these characters are.

Conclusion

On the whole, Hometown is a very good drama with high production quality and a top tier cast whose performances are deserving of praise. The slightly over complicated narrative, uneven storytelling, somewhat surrealistic setting and arguably lack of logical clarification particularly during the final quarter may give rise to bewilderment for some viewers, as it did for me. This perhaps hints at the drama's selective appeal, particularly for those who are fans of the genre rather than the casual watcher. Notwithstanding the issues, I still had an enjoyable (and moderately spine-chilling) time watching this absolutely binge-worthy drama.

Leia Mais

From a cold general to one who loves and cares for his wife, and their encounters

For ancient drama I give this a solid ten ! First all of it wasn't draggy at all , despite it being 30 episode.

Storyline- The daughter of the Shen family has to marry a general far away. This general is heard to be ruthless in battle, giving him the nickname Devil. The female lead ends up going in her sister place, because her sister didnt want to marry a ruthless monster. Female lead didn't want her mother to suffer so she accepted the marriage. On the way, she is met with some other tribe people, the male lead ends up saving her( she didnt know who he was atm) She and her maid makes their way to the general's house. From getting to knowing the general, to being with him on the training ground their relationship grows and blossoms.

Romance- This one had quite a lot of kissing. They are a pretty cute couple. They have good passion. It's really cute to see their love develop for one another. It is most definite that the male lead loves the female lead a lot and is very patient with her. She can be over bearing somethings but the male lead still supports her. Their kisses gets better as their relationship blossoms, which is very cute. Its quite natural, like a everyday couple. Their relationship has it ups and down.

Reason why this drama is good
Wasn't too heavily focused on one specific topic. The underlying story was the general wanted to investigate what happen to the 8th king's family. Others included the female lead and male lead in their training ground, when she goes back home to live, finding her old friend, starting up her own business and some more.

Starts off with a bang, already have a kissing scene in ep 4 lol

Male lead and female lead's love for one another.

Some things that i didnt care for
- ugh hated with a passion her two annoying sisters! same dad different mom. They were quite annoying , but its very limited. I cant stand those drama who has a lot of the evil people getting their ways.

This drama surpassed my expectation. I loved it!

Leia Mais

I literally made an account just to give this a bad review. The first ten episodes are pretty standard, but there is a plot twist in episode 11 that is so freaking disturbing that it ruins the show. The male lead is literally a textbook abusive husband except that he never actually hits her (though he does physically restrain her and drag her around to the point that she is crying and bites him to try to make him let go because he won't listen to her). He financial controls her, manipulates and lies to her about huge life events with no concern for her feelings, he stalks her, and even locks her in their house and won't let her leave. All the while he is professing his love and saying its for her own good and that he wouldn't change his behavior because it brought them together. Even after she makes her feelings perfectly clear, that she needs space and respect and doesn't want him to interfere with her life, he continues his behavior behind her back! He's literally insane. I cheered when she left him because she was escaping an abusive relationship, yet for some unknown reason the writers make her forgive him and they end up together. I'm actually disgusted. For a second I thought it was going to tun into a thriller where she has to escape him and try to put her life together while he stalks her and gets crazier and crazier. It's just horrible. I wish I could give it 0 stars.

Leia Mais

I'm not going to be writing a really long review but I'm just going to say that this drama was so good! This drama made me cry, laugh, feel fuzzy in the inside! If a drama or movie made me cry, then I would rate it a 10/10! Of course there are some flaws but I really enjoyed it! The story was a bit like Love O20 with the game and stuff, the acting was really good it seamed real, music was good too, i would totally rewatch it but probably from the middle onwards.

Overall, I really recommend this drama if you love romance dramas like me. It's really hard to find a good drama that has at least good looking main leads. I hope they would have a season 2 for this drama!

Leia Mais

i just made a very quick review just to give the chaser some advertisement
because its so unpopular..or lets say one of the mdl underrated of 2012. (seen only by 40 mdl users)

Expect not to see any eye candy on here and it was evident on the poster.
I think somebody who come across w/ this drama with an impression like this..

"ooh The chaser? hmm ahjussis?"
*reads synopsis
*looks on the cast
"oops theres no hottie nevermind lol"

Oh well..anyway

for anyone who likes another revenge drama should give this a chance.
It was very relatable with emphasis on importance of living w/ family.
If i would think of a drama that shares some similarity...hmm
Think of city hunter w/o a superhero thing and the rom com stuff and add
the movie "the Crucible" not exactly but just to show some idea.

i will give you some hints on how entertaining this is
- after the 1st episode there is no break on tension or a big pause on plot,
it keeps moving in a above average pace on first 60% of the drama,
- it was so complex and every character interwind in the plot/ very well deveveloped and no weak performance.
- the politics scheme is easy to follow as it really happening on real event.

The Story: It was compelling and there is so many situations/happening in an episode w/ no dull momnets but its up to you.
Since its only 16 episodes...its not so dragging if you spot one.

The Cast/Acting: lets us not so bias if there no fave actor in it but what important is the character developement
and the performance they made. The Main villain has to be one of the great one you will see in a dramaland that isnt annoying.
The Main lead is very relatable and his character will make you symphatize w/ him greatly.

Music: entertaining as what you could expect in a tense drama

Replay: there is a part of me that even i watched this again...it isnt as entertaing as before since i got everything
from my first viewing, anyway it was a satisfying drama....w/ a fulfiliing conclusion as a whole but again its up to you =)

note: I heard this got Daesang award yay!

my other recommendation:

The Devil
Resurrection
Equator MAn
City Hunter
Giant*

Leia Mais

The actors put their heart&soul into it. Soundtrack + camera provide a unique ambience. A Classic.

"All In" is a timeless classic from the early days of KWave. Via main plot and various sidelines involved, you dive into the subculture and parallel world of back room and casino gamblers. In the course of the story, the glitter and glamor of the casino world increasingly take their place, all the way to Las Vegas.

Besides the gaming milieu, the series provides insights into the life of simple, poor young people in the late 1990s, which were shaken by the Asian crisis, and offers interesting local color. The well-established KDrama leitmotif 'Orphanage' also has its place here again. Soundtrack and camera capture the action in an atmospheric and impressive manner.

The actors put their heart and soul into it. In the case of "All In" the milieu-specific ambience was supposed to appear as authentic as possible. Therefore, in advance of shooting Lee Byung-hun and Son Hye-gyo (as adults of the main protagonists) went through an intensive training program, including in a casino in Las Vegas: Lee Byung-hun concentrated on virtuosity Card shuffling techniques and the eye dramaturgy of professional players at the gaming table (he won the Grand Prize at the Baeksan Arts Awards that year, as did the drama itself). Song Hye-gyo, on the other hand, was trained as a croupier and not only convinces when she sorts the chips at a breakneck speed.

The opening scene with a helicopter over the Grand Canyon alone is reminiscent of the beginning of a blockbuster à la Tom Cruise or something similar. "All In" isn't just romance, it's also packed with plenty of action, including brawls and gunfights. It's also about friendship among men. As a milieu study of the gamer's world, it's ultimately about gangsters and mafia, too. (Perhaps it is no coincidence that "the godfather" has a guest appearance in the story: it is shown as a movie in the cinema that shaped the youth of the protagonists.) But of course it's also about great love - in the progress of the 24 episodes facing one obstacle after another - it´s makjang after all...

At the time (2003), this KDrama triggered a veritable All-In-Syndrome in South Korea. The filming locations on Jeju Island became a hotspot for fan tourism. The ratings on public television back then are legendary (at around 47 percent).

Leia Mais

That was a big waste of time

(6/10) Story: Maybe this story wouldn’t have fit into a typical 90–120-minute film; however, 46 episodes were completely unnecessary. There was excessive screen time for side characters, especially the second female lead, who sometimes took up 90% of an episode. I’m all for developing characters beyond the leads, but in most cases, there was no real development. And when there was development, another misunderstanding or miscommunication would undo any progress.

I think this could have been a 16-episode drama. I’d compare it to My Sunshine (2015), which had an extremely similar storyline but managed to tell it in 32 episodes. The only thing that kept me watching was the fact that there was nothing better airing at the time.

(10/10) Cast: I was so happy when the cast was revealed. Seeing Hans Zhang and Janine Chang reunite was awesome. The last drama I've seen with them as co-leads was The Four (2015). How unfortunate because I gave The Four a 9/10 rating but this drama was a disappointment, though it isn't the actors' fault.

(10/10) Music: Not something I really noticed or cared about. I don't think the music would bother anyone though.

(1/10) Rewatch Value: Totally not worth spending 46 hours on. Even if there is nothing to watch, this was too frustrating. But it did give me something to waste my time on which is why the overall score I've given is a 6.

Leia Mais

It's the best one I've ever watched but what a shame that it doesn't have a season 2 yet .

Like ohh my god I really can't express this , but I can't resist to write , I want to write and express my feelings about this particular series .
I swear it's the first series that made me cry like a fool .
I'm so impressed by Stay with Me; it's better than I ever imagined.

I am completely obsessed with Shu Yu and Wu Bi! The way they fell in love, fought, and found their way back to each other was pure perfection. Hands down, this is the best drama I have ever watched!

I know I’m late to the party, but I just finished this drama and I am completely overwhelmed by how deeply attached I’ve become. Wu Bi’s fierce possessiveness and jealousy made my heart skip a beat, while Shu Yu’s adorable teasing perfectly balanced their dynamic. Their love was so profound that they were truly ready to sacrifice everything for one another. The finale proved this beautifully: when the brakes failed, Wu Bi intentionally steered the car to take the brunt of the impact himself, choosing to risk his own life just to shield Shu Yu from harm. I understood Wu Bi’s devotion through every single episode. It’s hard to put into words exactly what I’m feeling right now, but watching this masterpiece was worth every second.

I’m convinced that when Shuyu said 'I love you, Ocean,' he was actually telling Wubi. It’s obvious that Wubi is the reason Shuyu moved on from Ye Wan Wing; he knew his heart belonged to Wubi all along. They were inseparable, and I’ve never seen Shuyu smile like that with anyone else. The way Shuyu changed Wubi’s life is indescribable. They were truly meant for each other, meeting at the perfect time when they needed each other most.

Shuyu finally realized that he is the most important person in Wubi's life—a truth captured perfectly in Wubi's smile. Wubi did everything in his power to protect Shuyu, proving that genuine love has nothing to do with external beauty or gender. Instead, true love is built on the time spent together, mutual care, and a constant, comforting warmth. It is defined by selfless sacrifice, where a single embrace provides complete comfort, and finding joy in fulfilling the other person's wishes is the only reward that matters. ..

I never thought I could fall so deeply in love with a bromance series, but this show completely shattered the thought of mine that bromance can't compete with BL dramas. I am so incredibly grateful to the friend who recommended this masterpiece!
It’s not just a cute show that makes me blush —it resonates with me on a profound level. The scriptwriter, the director, and the lead actors deserve endless praise for bringing this majestic, outstanding project to life. You can truly see the deep meaning and immense effort behind every single frame.

It is deeply frustrating that strict censorship regulations have prevented the production of Stay With Me Season 2. As dedicated fans, we deserve a proper resolution to the story of Su Yu and Wu Bi, especially since the audience is so emotionally invested. It is well-known that the cast is eager to film the sequel, making it highly disappointing that industry roadblocks are holding it back.
While Zhang Jiongmin continues to secure roles in various new dramas, it feels unfair that his partnership with Xu Bin for this series has been completely stalled. Leaving an audience hanging for over three years is incredibly disheartening for a fandom that has supported the show from the very beginning.
I’ve actually cried over this because I am so deeply attached to their story.

What I wrote is way too short to express what it made me feel .

Leia Mais

✨Don’t ask questions. Just vibe. ✨

This drama? Absolutely ridiculous. Unapologetically over the top. And exactly what the doctor prescribed for a lazy Sunday with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream. 🍦 I mean… people casually waving guns and machetes like they're in a Spicy Telenovela: Martial Arts Edition?? I was howling.

The OST? On actual steroids. I swear the composer was like “give me ADHD in audio form” and hit export. And you know what? We vibed.

Brains? Logic? Emotional continuity? They said: “Nah, we don’t carry those in stock. But here—have some fiery chemistry and bloodstained love stares instead.” And I ate it up.

It gave me major Be Your Knight vibes, which totally tracks because apparently it’s the same director. There are certain things you expect from these dramas: chaos, slow-mo walks, inappropriate background music—and it DELIVERS. 💀

If you come in expecting Shakespeare, you’ll cry. But if you come in with a light heart and zero expectations of realism, you’re in for a wildly fun ride. I’m still wheezing at the romantic theme swelling as the leads lock eyes… absolutely soaked in someone’s blood after just wrecking a dude. Iconic. Cinematic. Absolutely unserious. 10/10 would rewatch this chaos and I'm only on episode 8 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Will update this once I finish it.

Update:
Ok, just finished this and can only say it was a good entertaining watch y’all. The drama stays consistently unhinged till the very end, and dang, I was really invested in the side couple — they had great chemistry. Too bad, cause judging by their chaotic tendencies, they were clearly doomed according to cdrama law (if you're not the main couple and have too much chemistry? yeah, you're done 💀).

Plot? Surprisingly engaging. Characters? Unfiltered madness but somehow loveable. If you’ve been around the mini-drama block, you’ll recognize half the cast — it’s basically a chaotic family reunion with more blood and fewer brain cells.

Now. THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL THEY’RE CHUGGING??? Broooo. If they had three livers each, they’d still be on life support. I just mentally replaced it with apple juice to survive those scenes, cause the real thought makes me 💀

And let’s talk about the OST (again) — it went from “Final Boss Battle” to “Haunted House on a Hoverboard” to “Cyberpunk Romance at High Noon” with zero transition. My brain was overstimulated like I was on five tabs of caffeine and a carousel ride. I’m CONVINCED they cranked the volume so high just to distract us from the unhinged lines being said.

But let’s be real, I got exactly what I came here for:

✅ Hot eye candy and surprisingly dope fighting scenes

✅ Men losing their absolute minds over women

✅ Romance and kisses (PSA: the leads only start kissing properly after ep 23 — before that it’s giving CPR dummy)

✅ Iconic supporting cast

✅ And yes, a blessed happy ending for the main couple

Was it messy? Yes.
Did it make sense? Absolutely not.
Did I have a damn good time? 100%.

This ain’t high art — it’s high chaos. And I devoured it.

Leia Mais