Reviews

Top 5 dramas of the year so far

A amazing lovely,heartwarming,funny drama.do not let the ratings put you off this drama!

The story revolves around do yong shik a guy who has a hard time since leaving school and is not progressing well in his life,he has no job,low self esteem,very anxious in pressure situations he bumps into his first love by chance after not seeing eachother since school she is now a doctor and treats Ed And do yong shik has ED(You know where this is going) - I’ll get to this because I think this is why it’s got a low rating which is bizarre.

What I love about this show is it so different from other k-dramas it sort of reverses roles where the male lead is the one with vunrablility and in need of help and emotional security,- it’s nice and refreshing to see because not every guy in a kdrama has to be a ceo of a major company or a smart successful confident guy,sometimes people get beaten down by the burdens of life this is just a reality and the male lead does a amazing job of portraying this and everyone of the actors are amazing!

The relationship between do shik and ru da is one of best in kdrama for me,ru da is still in love the do shik that she knew at school but she understands he has changed and is not confident with himself. Throughout the show as ru da spends more time with do shik he slowly start to gain confidence and come out of his shell abit more and it’s just really nice to watch.

Last thing i want to say is they make a comparison from the start of the show to end of the show and I loved it
Do yong shik gets invited to a dinner to eat for a reunion with his school friends,one guy keeps going on about how sunccesful he is in his job and how much he his making,do yong shik feels inferior and feels like a failure because he doesn’t have what everyone else has

Fast forward to the last part of the show he now has a job although it is only with a small company do shik is happy and satisfied with his life,he is content with what he has,the same guy tries to belittle him because he doesn’t have a big salary but he doesn’t care because that isn’t what bring do shik happiness. - my point is having success it’s not everything in life,money is not everything in life,you don’t have to strive to have so much money to be happy,it’s about finding things In your life that genuinely make you happy and no one else

Ps if your rating this low because it has references of sex and talk about more adult topics,think you need to grow up

Leia Mais

Two Is Better Than One

I'll be honest; I always get nervous with dramas that have multiple seasons. One of the reasons I ditched Western dramas was due to the multiple seasons that always made the overall show draggy and boring after a certain amount of seasons. Despite me being obsessed with Penthouse, I was still nervous for season 2 because of the slight chance it might come off as "unnecessary." Let me say that is nowhere near the case. I have loved many sequels more than the original, and Penthouse is one of them. Is it because it was half the length of season 1 or because we dived right into chaos? I might never know for sure, but I can tell you what I loved about this second season.

Story:
Everything that has happened throughout the episodes has led to some fantastic plot, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I won't spoil anything just in case, but all the twists and turns were done fantastically, and I don't think I could have imagined something different, which has usually been the case with other dramas I have watched. One thing I love is how unpredictable the plot has become. You think one thing is set in stone but then it's revealed you were the main act in a circus show, and what you thought wasn't at all what was written in stone.

Characters:
For my season one review, I mentioned how each character, good or bad, was portrayed excellently and written extremely well. The same can be said with season two. One of the things I liked about season one was how, for multiple characters, they were written so you can choose whether to dislike or like them, and that continues in season two. Of course, characters still made my blood boil, as well as the fact I shed tears throughout these fantastic episodes because of them, but I love feeling those emotions with characters. Some characters took me by surprise, good or bad. I found myself at one point hating on a character I thought I liked and liking a character I thought I hated. This season also strengthens my belief that no other actors could portray these incredible characters, or at least I cannot imagine another actor as any character.

Others:
Despite the few OST's we got, all of them were fantastic, especially Repeatedly and The Morass. I wish the season was longer, but I'm glad it at least got extended by 1 episode. It was also great that one of the best episodes, episode 12, happened to air on my birthday, so it was a fantastic birthday gift if I shall say.

Final Thoughts:
Since this is season two, those who watch it or are planning to watch it have watched season one. That being said, I'm already used to the hectic drama that comes with it, so if that's the same for you, then the drama that comes from this season won't be a surprise to you. Although I would say season one technically seems more hectic and "insane," mainly due to having more episodes," season two doesn't shy away from the hectic plot at all.

I cannot wait for season three and how hectic and great it will be. The only thing I'm sad about is one episode a week, which feels like pure torture. But overall, this season is fantastic, and if you watched and liked season one, you should most definitely watch season two.

Leia Mais

Here we have it folks - Shopping King Louie Joseon Edition!

It pretty much was, you can't deny it. However, all jokes aside, I cannot deny that I immensely enjoyed watching this drama. Without a shadow of a doubt I looked forward to each episode which brightened my Monday and Tuesday evenings (which are pretty grim), as the whole drama was just sweet and oh so refreshing. I absolutely loved it. If you are wavering about this drama, please give it a go, it was amazing.

I'll actually begin my review with the acting and cast. It was lovely to see Kyungsoo as a main male lead, he pulled off the role incredibly well and proved his acting ability. I loved whenever he would get triggered by things and go "Oh hO!!" lmao. D.O. is clearly an amazing actor and that goes without saying. Nam Ji Hyun was also good, but I have to say that it felt like Kyungsoo was the one who shone between the two of them and pretty much made the drama - but I suppose it was inevitable by the way in which the show had been written. Nam Ji Hyun has proven before that she can play some stronger women roles, like in Suspicious Partner, so I thought it was alright. Jo Sung Ha was brilliant as expected but what I really enjoyed were the characters in the village! God it was so sweet that I felt like I wanted to live there at times lmao. The second lead syndrome was there for me in this one - it wasn't too much because the guy pretty much knew he had no chance from the start and didn't really make a move (unless it was to tease the crown prince) but I actually enjoyed his character and thought he was an amazing friend to the main leads. Lastly, I want to address the I know the King was annoying to some but I actually greatly enjoyed him as a character. Yes, we are seeing weak kings crop up quite often when the drama circles around a Crown Prince main lead but I felt his character was a bit more lovable. There wasn't too much fault with any of the acting.

Okay, so, the story. We can all agree, as I said earlier, it was pretty much a Joseon version of Shopping King Louie, with the rich guy with amnesia, Nam Ji Hyun (lol bless her, always having to play these roles) finding her brother- I mean it is quite coincidental but hey I still love both. I actually enjoyed the story, I didn't really skip much and I am glad that they didn't add too much seriousness and conflict as it would take away how sweet this drama actually was, but not so little that we were sitting here thinking "ugh when is something actually going to happen". The only disappointment with the story, in my opinion, was towards the end. I definitely felt that the last episode was rushed and there was too much to do - start/end a war and also get the main leads together. Moreover, I was getting a little annoyed that Hong Shim was telling the Crown Prince that she didn't want to be with him! I think that they had been through enough shit together that they really deserved each other. I genuinely have no idea why the writers decided to make us go through that bs at the end when instead we could have got some more heartwarming scenes between the main leads to finish it all off.

Moo Young's death was expected on my part. The man literally had been shot by so many arrows through the series as well as so much pain that I was surprised they didn't kill him off sooner. I definitely did not want him to die in the slightest, I liked him a lot, but I think the fact he went through so much pain and then DIED - ugh it's so upsetting. This fact was so important to me I put it in its own paragraph lmao.

The music was lovely, it fitted the series well and familiar faces, or voices I should say, popped up on some of the tracks which was a treat. It was memorable at the time in which I watched the series and perhaps if I heard them again, but nothing really stuck in my mind. It was wonderful though. What was nice was that there wasn't music in many scenes which meant that the music never felt 'overplayed'.

I probably wouldn't rewatch this drama unless I was with one of my friends and trying to get them to watch it. That being said, I've only rewatched half of one series lol.

Overall, this drama was an absolute treat, I really enjoyed it and I do hope that you did too. Thank you for reading my review and I hope I didn't bore you too much.

Leia Mais

" I'll like you alot from here on, I'll be good to you for real..." Moon Chae Won

IN SHORT:
It's an amazing humane drama with an incredibly beautiful narrative. The dialogues are so well versed they hit right into the heart! The quiet heartwarming background piano (sometimes violin mixed too) makes the past flashbacks scenes very alluring and majestic. Those first scenes (the flashbacks) are one of my top favorite bits of each episode!

The production was the definition of perfection till the drama's last breath! Kudos to Directors, Screenwriters, Composers and Actors, especially our beloved Moon Chae Won and LEE JOON GI. They did an outstanding job bringing the characters to life, Do Hyun Su's character was an especially hard one to pull, he truly deserves much love!

IN LENGTH:
The story takes it's time to develop the characters in the first few episodes, and the situation quickly escalates! You'll be surprised how much you're invested by the time the tragic strings of events begin!

The plot is about one man who wants to find the meaning of happiness for once, after dress rehearsing tragedy, in his entire life before! And a woman who wants such happiness for the man she is head over heels in love with!

After turning over his life, 18 years later in the present, he is pretty much what a perfect husband is expected to be! Doing too well to say! Everything is about to get ruined by a sudden turn of event that leads to uncovering his past! which seems to be filled up with misfortunes in more than one way!

The drama takes it's time to develop the main characters in present, while hinting about what could have happened in the past without giving too much spoiler early to fuel our adrenaline secretion, then suddenly we are thrown back to the past to only realize what actually is important is not what we were looking forward to the most! It's a whole different disheartening story that takes a creative take on self-inflicted misery, taking blame, and finding a middle ground for one's well being and happiness!

Acting is top notch! Lee Joon Gi as Baek Hee Seong is top notch! He looks totally dependable, manly and more than anything, a lovely dad! Whereas portraying Do Hyun Su couldn't be better executed! He looks so much younger now, and has a gaze that says the world about him, adorable and painfully cool in his yellow hair style!

Moon Chae Won is doing wonder with her acting! She has the kind of shaky, mellow voice that has emotions breathing out while she talks! She is an amazing actress who wonderfully fills the role of a very caring strong woman, Cha Ji Won, seeking happiness above all else for her family! She looks beautiful and mature, it's always great to see her again in a new drama!

I'm just gonna say! the music is just too perfect! From the incredibly suspenseful tracks "Flower of Evil" and "Switched Destiny" to the melo tracks "Upcoming Shadow" "Hard Relationship" to my most favorite track in this album "Cherry Blossom Kiss" which starts weird, mysterious and full of anxiety and emptiness, then it paces up to a sweeter tone then a more joyful and bright tone, which goes perfectly with Do Hyun Soo's character journey within the drama

We also have the feel nostalgic poetic piano track "Someone to Be Remembered" by Jung Se Rin (I noticed he has also composed the unbelievably beautiful track "When Mind Wants to Rest" from Naui Ahjussi)

There are only three songs on the entire album. (One of them "Psycho" by DOKO, being used only as an ending theme for the episodes and it's very catchy and goes well with the epic clifhangers.)

I have to say the remaining two are the most beautiful songs released in a drama this year! They aren't ever overused and it only plays when you really start to crave a song! They have that kinda impact!

"Feel You" by Shin Yong Jae is one of those two songs and it really deserves all the awards! Mark my words! An unexpressed love confession with lyrics beautifully wording out the feelings he has no idea sorting out for himself!
The melody is especially sad yet thrilling and makes our heart skipping beats! You can't tell what it exactly makes you feel, probably to reflect how Hyun Su can't distinguish between his own emotions, even in those moments his heart races like he is in pain!

"In My Heart" by LIM YEON is also a wonderful love poem, describing what Ji Won is feeling towards Hyun Su, and how even if her heart comes crashing down, she will face it, as long as it's love, she will be there, for her love!

I would probably re-watch this drama many times! It's that good. Tho the mystery element will be gone, it still has lots of suspense and drama to enjoy.

Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers and those who enjoy subtle romance plot-lines! A Must Watch Definitely.

Leia Mais

My Country is a bit like Six Flying Dragons, and Warrior Baek Dong Soo had a beautiful angsty baby together.

Six Flying Dragons since the story takes place in the same time period and a lot of the characters who were the main characters there and secondary characters in this one. And Warrior Baek Dong Soo that is also drama about two friends who end up fighting against each other and the sad and angsty bromance that comes with that. Yet I feel like My Country managed to be its own show despite all these comparisons.

I recognized and knew about the events that took place here, I knew where we were heading all the time. However, it did not damage the story in any for me. There was plenty of other parts within the story that surprised me.

The main story is so much more than the power of the Lee family as Goryeo changes into Joseon, which was the center story in Six Flying Dragons, but here the story of friendship and relationship between Hwi and Seon Ho is the center of it all – their love story even, if Korea had daring enough to go there. How their friendship and love for each other pulls them apart and back together and then apart again and so on. That is what draws you in and keep you there as the story goes along. That is the emotional core of the show. The politics and all of that is just the structure around it.

Each episode was over an hour in length, but all of them had a rather quicker pace, things didn’t really drag on all too much, things were rather action packed - there were some cool fight scenes in there from time to time – and it continued to surprise all the way until the end. I always found myself really engaged within the story, I was always excited about the next episode and each episode made me feel something; anger, horror, sadness, etc., which is what I'm looking for in a tv show. It really hooked me in and didn’t want to let me go, which I liked.

My Country is quite heavy on the politics, as well on the battles and blood and all that good stuff you can find in a drama such as this. This is no picknick at the park. This is a drama about men fighting their troubles and feelings away with swords, are usually covered in blood at some point in each episode, and nobody is really truly happy outside maybe the first two episodes. I am a rather simple soul when it comes to these things and My Country gave me my fix for handsome warriors in period dramas who are somehow always covered in ether blood or sweat or both.

You can pretty much predict how it ends before you get there, the story isn’t super subtle about it, but the story still takes you on a wild ride. The story sort of just gives you what it promised in the beginning, and I can respect that.

This drama gave you what it promised in the beginning, when it opens with the two main characters about to fight each other. It set the tone quite well. This is not a drama that starts as a cute and fluffy little tale in the first ten episodes and then does a switch and the last six episodes are almost a Shakespearian tragedy, as many other kdramas tend to do.

It’s not for everybody, but I rather enjoy the bloodbath, the politics, the sword fighting and all the other stuff that comes with this type of show. A bit on the heavy side, rather male-dominated or male centric story. But most stories, no matter what form they come in, kdramas or not, are sometimes rather male-centric. Having grown up oh those kinds of stories I don’t have a problem enjoying them, though over the years I have learned to be more watchful and critical over such things.

My biggest (and possibly only) gripe with this show exactly how much space the male characters took in comparison with the female characters. The females started of strong, they mattered and they had their own thing going on, but a little by little most of them kind of seemed to either die or almost disappear as we went further into the story – and I almost did not notice it until the very end, because the story had sort of swept me away from them.

I have said it before that I do not necessarily need to see female characters in these stories fighting with sword (though I do like it when that happens) and being a complete badass like Hwi or Seon Ho. But getting to see them have more influence within the story. See them give advice, solve problems, even cause problems, and in general have something significant to do within the story that helps the plot along is always appreciated. Even requested (from me).

This took place in a very male-centric world; a lot of decisions were made by men and they fought in wars and all that. But I have still seen stories that happen at a similar time, or other period dramas from Korea that seemed to achieve doing so much more with the female characters then this drama did. Like the Six Flying Dragons or even the Rebel Hong Gil Dong did (both rather male stories on their own way) for example. I know it is possible, so I expected a more from My Country then I got in that respect.

My Country isn't really a drama for the average or newbie kdrama watcher who shuns away from most sageuks and especially this one who is more on the heavier side with very little romance - but a whole lot of bromance - and political intrigue. But I do feel like it gave me my sageuk fix and I do think it could appeal to some of other people who might not be too keen on the average kdrama because of the romance and all of that. Like Tree With Deep Roots and Six Flying Dragons (even if 50 episodes us a lot).

Leia Mais

I never realized how given to fairy tales many Hollywood films were until I started watching Asian cinema.

Films from this region can be so painfully true to life, not prone to sugarcoat or providing even the narrowest of escape from the unpredictability and cruelty of human existence. There's no compromise. I don't know what to make of it. I both love it and hate it.

The Intimate Lover poignantly unveils our contrary nature as human beings. When it comes to matters of the heart, we want security and stability, but also a constant supply of that heady rush of new love, of being in love and seeing the stars in our lover's eyes. But it's impossible to attain both at the same time, with the same partner for the long haul.

So where does that leave us? Pretty much between a rock and hard a place.

To not chase that high is to commit yourself to a life of probable unfulfillment and what ifs, and to chase it would be like chasing a rainbow. You'll be going around in circles. If you leave one partner for another just to experience the high of being in love, eventually you'll end up back where you started with the same irrational need to begin the process all over again.

So really that sweet, intoxicating love we all want to experience can only last for a lifetime in our memories; and what this film imparts on us is that it's better to experience that love and end it while you're still on a high rather than let it wane from the onset of familiarity. It is the memory of this intoxicating love that will cradle us as we're delivered into the bosom of death.

It's a powerful message, if a little depressing.

All in all, though, this was a good exploration of the human condition. I think the actors did a good job, especially the female lead. I was happy to see some good physicality between the characters. None of this brushing of the lips nonsense or people who are supposed to be intimate acting like strangers around each other.

I've seen where this film has been described as "erotic". Perhaps by Asian standards, but this was just an average film to me. Explicit, yes, but erotic, not really. Because of the subject matter the film attempts to analyze they HAD to show that level of intimacy between the characters. To not do so would have been unrealistic. When you meet someone and you fall in love with them, you want to be intimate with them. Film, being a visual medium, has to show that intimacy to strengthen the story being told, otherwise the movie would have defeated its own purpose.

I must admit even though I had an idea where the movie was headed, and was okay with it, I held a small hope for a different ending. What can I say? I am a romantic. I know how life works. I know we're powerless to its whims. But I don't need to be reminded of that constantly in my entertainment. Be that as it may, however, I'm glad no one had a terminal illness. No one got hit by a truck. No one died or was dying. Thank goodness.

The ending was appropriate, poignant, but not gut wrenching. If you're in the mood for a film that will make you think and or spur an intellectual conversation afterwards, this is a good choice.

Leia Mais

Not Your Typical Drama

Adapted from a web comic 一人之下, I am Nobody (异人之下) is not like your typical drama! This drama is interesting, engaging, and funny!! The drama seamlessly blends elements of Wu Xia, superpower elements, and fantasy in a modern urban setting. It features intense battles, intriguing characters, and a mysterious plot that explores the hidden world of 异人 (outsiders - human with with qi/ powers!)

The story follows Zhang Chulan, an ordinary college student whose life takes an unexpected turn after his grandfather dead body was stolen. From that point onwards, he steps into the the Outsiders world, along the way he grow, make true friends, and also go on a journey of self-discovery!

I am Nobody plot is fast-paced, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats - it is funny and engaging making you want to know more about what will transpire. Although fast-paced, but the story still unfolds casually and unrushed, it still explains the characters, their backstories and relationship dynamics.

Other than a fresh genre, what makes I am Nobody stand out is it's well-crafted characters. Not only the main character, but the supporting characters are equally intriguing, like Feng Baobao, Wang Ye, Zhang Lingyu, and more. Each of them has their own unique powers and motivations, their character dynamics also makes the story more enjoyable! The portrayals of the characters are also conveyed realistically, each actor manage to imbues their character with the character characteristic, nuance and emotional depth, that makes it very enjoyable to watch!!

Not only that, but I am Nobody also has great CGI and also unusual editing! Most of the CGI quality is commendable, the CGI has fluid action sequences with stunning visuals that bring their powers and battles to life. In addition, the fight scenes are also choreographed with precision and creativity, showcasing a variety of supernatural powers and combat styles.

The drama has done an excellent job in capturing the essence of the source material! This drama is probably one of the best drama adapted from the web comic, it stayed true to the original essence of the web comic!You can see that there are some parts where they exactly follow the web comics, from the shots and also more!!

While I am Nobody offers an exhilarating viewing experience, it does have its share of complexities. The plot can be convoluted at times, and viewers may need to pay close attention to keep up with the ever-evolving narrative.

In conclusion, I am Nobody is a definitely must watch if you enjoy adventure and action-packed battles! With it's intriguing storyline, well-developed characters, and impressive animation, it is definitely worth watching!!

Leia Mais

Comedy thriller? yes!

Rarely can a writer successful combine comedy with mystery thriller. The genres simply don't mix well. Often, such titles suffer from Cerberus effect: they start funny, but when they turn serious halfway through, the entire setting built on comedic premises falls apart.

Fortunately, Behind Your Touch (should be touch your behind....) avoids this pitfall. While it does get more serious later, the genre transition is very fluid, and it never completely divorces itself from its comedic roots.
The funny first episodes help us bond with the characters and introduce us to the setting, so then when the serial killing starts we can actually care about people who are killed while never being quite certain who to trust and who might be the culprit.

And what a masterfully written mystery it is! Until the very final episodes, I wasn't certain who dunnit. Watching this with MDL on week by week basis was quite an experience. I pity people who will watch this drama after it already finished airing, they will miss on all the brainstorming and speculah that kept us going all this time!
But of course, they should still watch it. This is legit my favorite k-drama of 2023. I didn't expect much, in fact, I didn't even anticipate this title until it suddenly aired on netflix, and I was very, very pleasantly surprised.

For people who say that premise of touching butt to see memories is creepy: relax, it's not done in sexual way, and she does it through clothes and she just touches their buttcheeks without fingering deeper or whatever you people imagine. There is no sexual abuse or anything! Give it a chance and see for yourselves!

Leia Mais

JUST WATCH IT

If you’re already into the omegaverse, this is a must-watch you’ll go feral in the best way. But even if you’re new to it, Desire offers a unique sci-fi twist that makes the world intriguing to step into, to the new ones It might get a little bizarre later (we all know what the genre holds 👀) but if you’re open mindu and looking for something different, you’ll probably end up just as hooked.
It's a well-built omegaverse that finally feels true to its genre and immersive. With the added rare Enigma, tiying the dynamics to a DNA altering virus is creative, sci-fi-ish, and refreshing it makes it feel more realistic(?)

The main couple? Electric. Hua Yong is a literal orchid jade beauty! and when jealousy hits, the Enigma in him switch to a whole new personality. Sheng keeps falling for all his schemes, and honestly, same lol.

Even the kiss scenes felt sweet and natural no secondhand embarrassment here, just unexpected giggles. The side couple also brings chaos with an omega disguised as a beta, and I’m all in for that drama.

Gao Tu’s acting stood out the most so far, and while it’s still in worldbuilding mode, the pacing feels right. Only the two characters are in focus, which makes it easy to follow. Production quality? Surprisingly high. Those billionaire villas alone deserve a shoutout. You can tell they invested in detailed sets and styling. Nothing looks cheap or rushed, and even the camera work is smooth and solid.

Leia Mais

TAKE ALL MY MONEY

This is such a gem!!!! This is hands down the best GL that I’ve watched. The acting is top tier and the natural chemistry between Faye and Yoko is untouched. The acting feels very comfortable and nonscripted. I am really enjoying these little details with the directing as well!
The delivery of the script is so good. I fear that I won’t be able to move on from this drama. Anueng
must be protected at all cost!!!!!
And the side couple as well is chefs kiss. Also not to mention the plot is giving very soap opera and I’m eating it up lol. You should definitely watch!

Leia Mais

Usually i don't write reviews, but i had to do it for this movie!

I wanted to see this movie because of Lee Joon, his acting in this movie was brilliant, amazing, like let me stand up and clap, you just can't dinied that it was awesome.

i read some comments about this movie, that this movie is a mess, only beating up each other, sex and nothing more.

this movie is about how a fame can ruin a life, starting from nothing, becoming something, and in the end again starting from beginning.

if you want to see how good is Lee Joon, then you can watch it, but be ready for a lot of sex scenes and fights.

Leia Mais

Addictive Hot, Unsatisfying Mess with Irredeemable ML

Summary:

* An irredeemable ML
* Too much skinship between ML and SFL. I lost count of the, “Ohhh, no he didn’t,” moments. Seriously!
* Happy Ending (although the ML didn't deserve one) is only 15 min out of 15 episodes
* Wavering and confusing (but gorgeous I know) SML. He should have stuck with FL. I would have rated this much higher
* They went all Edward Scissorhands and cut scenes that created a hot, chaotic, disappointing post production mess
* Series is like an old wooden roller coaster ride..in the end, it will leave you dizzy with a massive headache...

I just want to say that I REALLY hate giving bad reviews. It breaks my heart to leave one for Praomook. Maybe because I'm coming off the drama high of Tra Barb See Chompoo, a series that had almost the perfect formula for a revenge to love troupe. To say I was disappointed with this one is an understatement. I wanted to love Praomook because of Pon and Bua; HOWEVER, the first golden rule in romance writing is to NEVER make the ML's character irredeemable. The second golden rule is to NEVER show more skinship between the ML and SFL. The series managed to break both rules in one agonizing, infuriating, and disastrous fell swoop.

I do think because of the slicing to get this from 22 to 15 episodes, the show skimmed over fleeting signs of some good qualities in Lan. Also, Mook was a little too aggressive and unbending in the beginning. I kept wondering when someone was going to break to begin the healing to come to the inevitable happy ending. Unfortunately, the disappointing happy ending only happened with 15 minutes left in the 15 hour series. . Toward the end, I believed it was too late to save this relationship. I sort of hoped to see Mook (who matured in the end) ride away and maybe meet up with a Thai Idol, fall in love, and have two adorable kids with a cutaway of Lan languishing on a beach somewhere reflecting on what he did wrong.

Side Note: I've actually read forums where they were rooting for Lan's BIL (played by Ta Warit Tipgomut) to succeed in killing off Lan. This is how bad his character was written. I've never seen a ML's character become so disliked before. Honestly, I just want Ta Warit to star as a ML in something like My Secret Bride. REALLY love him.

Leia Mais

My Journey to…Nowhere?

Let me start with the positive marks. This drama is seriously gorgeous when it comes to visuals, with the attention to cinematographic detail you see in movies more than TV shows. You could even put the drama on mute and still enjoy it just for how gorgeous so many shots are. This is clearly where the director’s talents lie and was my favorite part of the experience.

The second thing I can applaud is the cast, who all performed their roles to the best they could as the characters are written. I have to give special mention to Ryan Cheng who was so perfect in his role as Gong Shang Jue that unfortunately the others, even though they were good, were eclipsed by his performance. But really it is on a scale of “pretty good” to “excellent” with no major weak points in acting.

The story starts off exciting in its first episodes with a great focus on Yun Wei Shan being sent on her mission amongst the potential brides, but is soon dragged down to an extremely slow pace it suffers from until the end of the drama. Most episodes follow the same formula of going around in circles, with too much exposition and endless conversations (that were so whispered it was sometimes hard to hear over the background tracks) only to finish up on a cliffhanger to keep you hooked in, and then do the same the next episode. The show often gets lost in flashbacks and forgets to move forward in the present timeline leading to a feeling of “is anything actually happening?” throughout the middle of the drama.

As for the characters, some arcs are better than others. Many have complained about the frustrating arc of the ML character Gong Ziyu who takes a very long time to catch up to speed with the plot, appearing not just trusting and naive but oblivious to a degree that strains belief, only to develop very abruptly in a way that wasn’t convincing. But even worse is the characterization of the FL as Yun Wei Shan, who gets overshadowed by the Gong men family drama and rarely feels like the lead of the show she is supposed to be. For many episodes she plays the role of sidekick to accompany ML on his three trials, so he can grow into his position as Sword Wielder. By the end it feels her character and the Wufeng side of the story got a background seat to the story of uniting the Gong men against a common enemy. Despite being lead it feels as though Yu Shu Xin is not given her time to shine.

As for the plot, instead of presenting a focused mystery that builds with suspense and ends on a satisfactory note, the story gets tangled in its own web of its too many suspects and possibilities, leaving the audience to overcompensate and come up with theories that had way more depth than the show provided, such as the theory that Zi Yu was playing a big long con, or that Gong Zi Shang had more sinister involvement beyond her over-the-top comic relief role. The writer relies too hard on cliffhangers for his own good, so much so that he can’t stop himself from including one even at the last minute. An open ending works for some dramas but here it leaves a bad taste. Aside from the Gong men coming together and Ziyu becoming sword wielder, nothing has really changed and it seems implied the terrible cycles we started with will only continue…YWS’s potential sacrifices didn’t amount to much and in the end the writer lets her fate become another unsatisfying mystery.

To sum it up, this is a beautiful but slow watching experience that lacked focus and didn't end up having the depth I hoped. I doubt a Season 2 would happen but if it did I can't say for sure I'd be interested in watching.

Leia Mais

So...if I start this review by saying I'm giddy in love with Park Shi Hoo would you roll your eyes, call me a fangirl and stop reading? You would? Well, then I'm not going to say it! Hey! Stop hovering your mouse over that unhelpful button and keep reading! I've have lots more to say about this Amazing show.

This drama started out with a lot of comparisons to Romeo and Juliet. It does have the element of two people who fall in love in spite of their family's bitter rivalry. But where the two part company is that in Mr. Shakespeare's original work you don't really get very much back story about why the Capulet's hate the Montague's. You simply know they hate each other and that the love between Romeo and Juliet is forbidden. In The Princess' Man you get a big sweeping story and you know exactly what odds are stacked against these two. They should have called this... "The Princess' Man and Her Father's Single Minded Drive to Be the King!"

The Princess' Man is packed full of action and revenge, sword fighting and battles to the death! What I'm saying is...This drama isn't just for women or those looking for a well told love story. If you are a person who prefers action, you need to know there is a perfect balance of badassery as well as a lovely and sweeping romance.

The acting in this show is stellar. I can't think of a single character in a single moment that had me cringing or thinking they were wrong for their part. Park Shi Hoo is wonderful and forgetting what I said up there...He is actually wonderful in everything he does so I wasn't surprised. Moon Chae Won is luminous as Sae Ryung. She pulls in a great performance. I loved her character's bravery and steadfastness. The plot kept me guessing until the very end and I love that I was never bored watching this show!

There is a lot going on, plot wise, and it is told to us by a writer with real story telling ability. I say that because I was also kept interested by the side character's stories as well. They were an intrinsic part of the tale, perfect satellites to the main characters and plot. I wanted to know their fates as well as the main couple's.

Let me sum up why you should watch this show in one sentence. The Princess' Man has an extremely well done and balanced combination of incredible acting, writing, directing and amazing cinematography.

I felt the music was a perfect fit for feel of the drama. There was only one song piece that felt a little overplayed. This show was so well crafted otherwise, I feel like I'm nitpicking but the music is my one 9 vote in a sea of 10's. I will watch this Lovely Show again. I can't recommend this highly enough!

Leia Mais

A Heart Healing Romance Among Beautiful Mountains, Where Love, Freedom & Fate Unite Two Hearts

There is something incredibly exciting about discovering a BL that feels completely different from anything else out there, and A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills’ Dream delivered that feeling from the very beginning. With 16 full length episodes, a rarity in the BL world, I was already excited to start this series on GagaOOLala. But I never expected to become this invested. From the opening moments to the very end, I was completely hooked. Even the title itself is unforgettable, but what makes this BL truly special is just how unique, ambitious and different it feels.

What immediately sets this series apart is its breathtaking setting. Instead of the usual busy city backdrop, the story takes us through lush green mountains, endless tea fields, peaceful forests, and stunning natural landscapes. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. Every frame feels carefully composed, almost like a painting, and the scenery creates such a peaceful, refreshing, almost magical atmosphere.

The romance is just as captivating. Qinglang comes from the glamorous world of fame, while Changyang is a free spirited tea farmer who belongs among the mountains. Their completely different lifestyles create such an interesting dynamic, and watching them slowly grow closer feels incredibly natural.

And the chemistry between these two is EVERYTHING. Their interactions feel effortless, warm, and genuine. Changyang is especially lovable. He cooks for Qinglang, feeds him, lets him use his lap as a pillow, and constantly takes care of him. He is the definition of boyfriend and husband material. From his cute and gorgeous looks to the way he treats Qinglang like a princess, he is basically the perfect man. Honestly, if I had Changyang as my boyfriend, I would turn from straight to gay in a heartbeat.

But what really made me fall in love with this series is the writing.

In Episode 3, after Qinglang kissed Changyang, he asked, "Do you like men?" Changyang did not answer yes or no. Instead, he simply replied, "Is it important?"

Then in Episode 4, Qinglang asked again, "Do you like men?" This time, Changyang answered, "Is your name Men?"

There is so much meaning hidden in those few words.

If Qinglang's name were "Men," then the answer would be yes. Changyang was not saying he likes men in general. He was saying that the only person he likes is Qinglang. That is the beauty of poetic writing. Sometimes a single sentence can carry the weight of an entire love confession without ever directly saying it.

And then they kiss. That kiss scene is honestly one of the most beautiful BL kisses I have ever seen. Instead of showing the kiss directly, the series captures their shadows moving across the ocean waves. The water seems to carry the moment across the shore, creating something incredibly artistic and romantic. I have seen plenty of creative kiss scenes, but I had never seen a shadow kiss executed quite like this. It was beautiful and unforgettable.

This series reminds me that great romance is not built on kisses alone. Sometimes it is in the words left unsaid, the meaning hidden between conversations, the small gestures, and the emotions that slowly build between two people.
And speaking of kisses...

If you are watching on GagaOOLala, STAY AFTER THE CREDITS! There are additional scenes at the end of the episodes that you absolutely do not want to miss. Episode 4 even has a post credit kiss by the car overlooking that stunning lake.

Also, make sure you watch the additional Small Theater version on GagaOOLala because WOW. I genuinely do not think I have ever watched a BL with this many kissing scenes. I binge watched all 15 episodes and these two were basically kissing nonstop. It is crazy, hot, intense, and I am completely obsessed. 😭

Another thing I cannot stop talking about is the cinematography. Almost every shot looks like it could be turned into wall art. The camera angles, scenery, lighting, and background music all give the series such a distinctive identity. I have watched so many BLs, but the visual style here genuinely stands out.

Even something as simple as a car driving up a mountain road, filmed from a distance against those enormous green landscapes, becomes incredibly memorable. Every frame feels intentional.

Not only is the title long and unique, but A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills’ Dream has also given me an engaging story, beautiful music, strong performances, breathtaking cinematography, and a romance that feels both sweet and deeply emotional.

It has such a unique atmosphere that makes it stand out from other BLs airing right now. If you love slow burn romance, gorgeous scenery, poetic dialogue, meaningful little gestures, and couples with undeniable chemistry, please put this one on your watchlist. ❤️

Leia Mais