Reviews

Excellent Mesmerizing

Goblin was my first kdrama and I regret not a second I gave to this drama . Everything is so perfect and it's amazing ..this drama.made me fall hard for kdramas but nothing can beat my goblin n grim.

This drama is a must must must watch . If you haven't watched it , you are missing a big deal !

The acting and chemistry is par excellence. Everyone is a delight to our eyes ...

I have left not a single drama of Gong yoo after this drama ...and I have watched Goblin , God knows how many times ...I started this drama after my friend emotionally blackmailed me in watching a kdrama. I started this one for 5 minutes and man ..there was no going back since . I watched it in one day and night and then three times more lol 🤣 ...
It was 3 years ago but today I am.again watching it.

Leia Mais

IS IT A MESS YES BUT IT'S MY MESS

Alot of people call out this drama beacuse of the toxic male lead but i for one think this drama was REFRESHING i had been in an endless slump watching the same type of man plastered across every single k drama the perfect understanding charismatic rich sensitive basically perfect boyfriend who is basically a god compared to u i think for me it was refreshing to see a k drama with a different type of male lead not just a photocopy put in a different body type format although i agreee he was extremely toxic and any girl should run away if they meet someone like him irl nobody can deny it was amazing to see a change a pace in the k drama world another honourable mention are the twins because they carried the backbone of which this drama was built on they completely devoured their roles i would say anyone should at least try and watch this drama with an unpredejuiced mindset

Leia Mais

Going into this drama, I was alarmed by the plot summary but proceeded anyway and wow...It was so so insightful yet painful to watch the events happening to the protagonist. The relationship between the leads is unique and everyone can have their own say about the ethics of it but it's just...everything in this drama leaves the leads in such a unique position that what may be wrong can be right. That's all I can say, it definitely takes a toll on you emotionally and the psychological factor is big for the viewer here. Yet, I still would encourage everyone to try it out, see what you make of it....

Leia Mais

A good Republican-Era drama focused more on investigative style.

Deep Lurk is yet another Republican-Era drama about Japanese, Communist, and the National Republic parties in the troubled times of the Japanese invasion of China in the late 30s and early 40s.

I typically don't like this genre, but this drama was well-made. Its plot focuses on investigation rather than the Japanese invasion, which Cdramas overly make.

There was little to no romance between the main CPs, but Cheng Yi and Ying Er acted well in this drama. They acted better in this drama, especially the emotional parts than in all the other dramas they were in.

It kept you guessing who the real Japanese spy was, but it was also predictable. The ending was not great. I was hoping that the main CP would get together and she would join the communist party with him, but it didn't show. It only shows him.

Synopsis: Set before the Battle of Changsha, this story is about unsung heroes during warfare and follows a man who learns to fight for a greater cause in his journey to find his father's killer. To occupy Changsha, the Japanese resort to using the 'black butler,' a strategic agent lurking in China for 15 years to carry out a long-planned deception. Yun Mu Zhi, a member of the underground party of the Communist Party of China, is killed while investigating the "black butler." Without knowing his father's true identity, his son Yun Hong Shen returns to their hometown of Changsha to track down his father's murderer. His father's friend and comrade reaches out to help him. Yun Hong Shen joins hands with Wen Ye Ming, a young woman impassioned by her sense of patriotism as they fight against innumerable odds. Setting aside his vendetta, Yun Hong Shen engages in a deadly game with Japanese agents to earn his countrymen a chance to win the war.

My Reviews:
1. Good acting from Cheng Yi and Ying Er.
2. The plot is good and keeps you guessing as Yun Hong Shen tries to discover who the real Japanese spy is and who killed his dad.
3. The main CP has little to no romance. It barely shows their romantic connection.
4. Overall, I enjoyed it and gave it a 7.5 rating.

Leia Mais

Plot is perfectly drawn out. Everything makes sense in the end. Rewatching is also a must since it helps better understanding of many scenes after knowing about all the plot twists and ending.

GY and KGE performance is wonderful to behold. They make you believe they are a fated couple and they make viewers want Goblin and Goblin wife to be always together. LDW & YIN performance also very commendable and their 2nd couple status complements the lead pair beautifully. Lastly YSJ is a revelation. It was amazing watching him able to match the light and heavy scenes of his senior costars.

Aside from the off-putting way of endorsement in some scenes, the drama is perfect. Production aesthetics, plot and acting are all top-notch.

Leia Mais

Four Minutes to Live a Lifetime

There is a saying: "Death is a strange thing. People live their whole lives as if it doesn't exist, yet it's one of the most important reasons to be alive." We don't contemplate death for the sake of dying, but to live more profoundly. The closer one gets to death, the more one truly lives—in a way one has never lived before, the way life is truly meant to be lived.

4 Minutes conveys a message that is both simple and timeless: live a meaningful life, don't wait until death comes knocking to truly feel alive. Cherish everything in the present. Life (often hidden in the shadow of death) will always greet you with opportunities, but no one can change the past. The only thing you can change is yourself.

I honestly wonder if having read reviews and knowing the premise of 4 Minutes beforehand was a blessing or a curse. Because I knew the direction of the story, I could better understand the filmmakers' intentions, and the narrative flow felt clearer. While it sacrificed an element of surprise, the smaller details within the film were still enough to leave me reeling. Knowing that the first five episodes represented the four minutes where Great’s brain relived his life after his heart had stopped allowed me to piece together his story more clearly and better comprehend this character who is far from being purely righteous. It also made me all the more astonished by the multifaceted nature of Tyme, a character I had initially pegged as a hero.

As some reviews have noted, no character in this film is simple or innocent. Hit-and-runs, disposing of bodies, secret recordings, murder, adultery, manipulation, exploitation, schemes and conspiracies, breaking the law and denying guilt—and yet, strangely, this is what allowed me to watch the film as if I were observing a human experiment. All the sins are magnified to a level of complexity. The human mind is not a flat screen, and these are not archetypes or one-dimensional plot devices acting "righteously" because they are protagonists, or acting villainously because they are antagonists. These are people who carry sin, as people always have. They cannot wash away what they have done; every action has irreversible consequences. What they can do is purify who they are—first in their minds, which then leads to action.

The characters in 4 Minutes are profoundly, ordinarily human. Great is a coward, fleeing the consequences of his actions after an accident (regardless of whether the victim intended suicide) and not daring to report his "friend" after witnessing him commit murder. He is numb to the pain of others because he has become numb to himself. Then there is Tyme, so blinded by vengeance that his entire purpose in life is reduced to it. His path leads to a single destination, causing him to ignore everything around him—emotions, reason, and the small wonders of this life. And we have the weak, compromising, and pragmatic Korn; the broken and frenzied Tonkla; and Win—the supposed barrel of justice, who still surrenders to the one he loves (even if it was love at first sight). All of them, these spiritually flawed individuals covered in scars and past traumas, carry their regrets as they cross paths, weaving together a suffocating, insane, and unpredictably dramatic tapestry.

It's said that "red flags" and "toxicity" in fiction can bring a certain vicarious pleasure, allowing us to experience feelings we'd never want for ourselves—to hurt with the characters, go mad with them, and love as fiercely and intensely as they do. This "toxicity" is no accident; it is a deliberate narrative device used to explore deep psychological territories and create high-stakes drama. It’s strange how humans are fascinated by our own dark side, often without even realizing it. Through this toxicity, we witness psychological trauma and internal conflict, which then allows us to observe the process of redemption and transformation in each character, leading to a conclusion that achieves emotional catharsis. Naturally, what viewers want most is a fulfilling ending, to see the change in these fallen characters.

I must say, the script of 4 Minutes stays true to its course. This doesn't make the film predictable; on the contrary, it makes it more complete. The timeline is non-linear and constantly shifting—it begins with the characters' "rebirth," follows their redemption from their own perspectives, then guides us to the objective reality of a "God's eye view," and finally concludes in a "next life," a timeline where they have been wholly reborn as different people.

Redemption, rebirth, life and death, second chances, love that saves and love that gives meaning—it is all the story of a single moment that lasts for four minutes. The entire narrative is told within this elasticity of time: Great's four minutes stretch across five episodes, the return to reality from an objective viewpoint takes one episode, Tyme's story gets one, and the final episode is for the conclusion. In my opinion, even if the film has its flaws, leaving some questions and plot holes, its narrative structure and pacing, contracting and expanding within just 8 episodes, is an incredibly impressive and commendable feat. The unique arrangement of the timeline, combined with a fresh storytelling approach for an already novel plot and theme, truly wowed me in a sea of formulaic dramas. The editing, cinematography, sound, and lighting are all polished and well-crafted. The script is well-invested, with symbolic imagery like time and the number 4 recurring with artistic intent. The narrative is compelling, and the climactic scenes are deeply emotional. Furthermore, the explicit scenes, which cater to the genre's audience, are bold and impactful, yet never gratuitous. These scenes carry their own meaning, though their "eye-popping" direction might lead some to think this is purely a "flesh-fest." For instance, the love scene between Great and Tyme during the 4-minute revival reflects their true feelings: for Great, it's the confirmation of his love in a parallel universe where he is a good person, a hero on Tyme's side, earning his recognition—this is what Great yearns for in his final moments, a chance to atone, to start over, expressing his regrets. For Tyme, it's a life not defined by the smell of blood and dust from the past, not consumed by hatred, but filled with sunshine, peace, and a gentle, melodious love. This stands in stark contrast to their lovemaking in reality, which begins with conspiracy, is stained by hatred and torment, where love never truly offers them solace.

That's my assessment of the main couple. The side couple's story is a bit harder to grasp and left me with some questions. For example, if the first part is purely Great's 4-minute dream, even if from various dream-like perspectives (first, second, third person), how could he describe in detail things he couldn't have known? Or was an omniscient narrator's voice interwoven with Great's POV from the start, penetrating all characters, inside and out, showing us reality? And how does Dome's return lead back to the present? Or are we, the viewers, also being led by an unreliable narrator—the director himself? This ambiguity and a few scattered, almost surreal puzzle pieces can make the film feel a bit chaotic. But ultimately, grounding the story in a scientific premise and exploring such a new theme is a fascinating direction, showcasing an effort to create something more than just another run-of-the-mill rom-com.

Lastly, I truly want to affirm how fortunate I feel to have watched this film on a whim, amidst a forest of criticism and some surrounding controversies. My own moral compass isn't the yardstick I use to measure a film. I want to see it from a deeper, darker, even amoral perspective—because good and evil are intertwined. To borrow from literature, as Georges Bataille suggested, when humans violate the established rules and prohibitions of organized society, they are, to some extent, marked by evil. Literature that writes about things beyond the pale of reason is considered to be writing about evil.
"Goodness is tedious, for it is bland
Goodness is trivial, for it is safe
Goodness is wicked, for it murders passion
Are you afraid of goodness?
And you?
What about you?
Have you ever been as repulsed by goodness as you are by evil?"
(translated from Mưa Nhã Nam - Nguyễn Huy Thiệp)

P/S: The actors are truly talented. To appreciate this film, you have to look past couple shipping and fan service. I'm not comparing or judging any pairings; I'm watching it as a standalone work. What attracted me and earned my highest praise was the novelty and uniqueness of the narrative above all else; the romance was secondary.

Leia Mais

Watch it now: the synopsis doesn’t give it justice, neither does the promotional image. I seriously waited weeks to watch this series. I considered h it while it was on the air and put it off. Then I was super bored and decided to just give it a try. In all honesty the title, synopsis and promotional image for the series didn’t seem that appealing to me. But my thoughts were so wrong.

I have not watched a series with this much heart and love and loyalty and a very very long time. And I am an individual that goes through series like glasses of water but this one is by far one of the finest. I

The synopsis for this should be completely rewritten as such:
When life gets hard, God can put you in the right place at the right time to get the help, the love, the support and the people you need in your corner to help you overcome it. When you think you have nothing to offer and there is nothing more in life for you these people find that not only are they people value but that there is more to life than the hardships that they have faced. They discovered that they had strength, love, friendship and so much more to fight for. Through friendship they discover love that they never saw coming, strength that they never knew and. Family they never had.

My southern interpretation ?: When I tell you this thing was good I mean it, OK. Yes I got frustrated during some moments but I could understand the reasoning behind the individual behavior that made me frustrated I could completely get it I could not be mad only frustrated that it was taken place that’s how good it was. Of course it is not without the antagonist, yes that crazy rich lady and greedy old guy but it does not surpass the good.

Our male lead had everyone wanting to marry him. Yes he’s the rich guy who knows he’s rich but unlike so many of the other series that I watched this one is different. He’s a rich guy who has a heart that shows he has a heart and goes after what he what he wants without fear of judgment from others. He goes after what he wants without a care to money. He didn’t let money dictate his life for his love.

Leia Mais

I read the manga version of The Great Ruler. I was expecting some similarity in the drama, but I was blown away by the changes in the story. I love the setting of the environment and setting. The romance between Mu Chen and Luo Li is really exciting. The story is slow at the beginning, but after they introduce all the character it is when the story was so thrilling that I watched all 48 episodes in 3 days. The romance between Mu Chen and Luo Li is not overpowering as we can see the development of the side characters. My love for the manga was the same for the drama.

Leia Mais

Its better than many think! WORTH WATCHING!!

I don’t understand all the reviews either low rating. This series is a mystery-psychological series. you just need to have a brain and think while watching cause the story telling is not linear nor straightforward.

One hint: Halluzinations before death or so called “near death experiences” - showing how different decisions may result into a different future - are mixed with the true reality. Maybe different dimensions are also kinda possible but personally its too far fetched (even though it would explain why both know about the lake they have never been in reality).

It all seems confusing but in the end it’s all explained. I will not try to expain it for you. Just watch it. It’s a genius series!!

Leia Mais

Excellent story

I feel like I watched a different drama than some of the other reviewers. This story had me involved from episode 1 and that doesn't happen with every drama. It usually takes a couple episodes to decide if I will continue with a story or not.

I like fantasy, parallel universes, timelines, etc. so this didn't throw me. One of my favorite TV shows of all time is Fringe. Both leads were amazing. It was my first time to watch a drama with Lee Min-ho. Some reviewers said his performance was wooden, but isn't that because he plays a king who must not let his emotions betray his thinking? Was his character drinking in information as he was trying to assess the situation and plan his next move? The FL was perfection for sure, strong, confident, just, kind, and a complete bada$$. I loved the minimal dialogue between them at times, yet it conveyed their feelings too. A reviewer had commented that Jeong Tae-Eul turned into basically a wimp as the story progressed, how so? Late in the series after she's already in love, she fights here way out of captivity. That she is soft, emotional, & vulnerable with the man she is deeply in love with is natural. He is the same with her.

Please do ignore the negative reviews for this drama and try it on for yourself.

Leia Mais

I liked this movie!

So first of all this is a moderate budget Chinese wuxia movie about gay mermaids. I did not go into it with high expectations, and it starts off a bit confusing. But I thought the story they ended up weaving was pretty interesting!

In this story, mermaids can make special silk and their tears are pearls. They are trafficked by humans as a source of wealth as a result. And because they are enslaved and tortured to force them to produce silk and pearls, they sometimes fight back.

Because they are seen as a danger to humans, it is illegal to keep them and if someone is caught keeping one both the mermaid and the human should be executed by law.

But when Yuanshan finds the merman Yixia at the scene of a murder, for some reason he spares his life.

The plot is pretty complex, with a fight for the succession to the throne, Yuanshan's wife being a princess, her brother having a dragon beast spreading around bad dragon qi, and Yixia being so cute and irresistible. What is a minister of justice to do?

The ending is also an absolute trip.

Anyway understand this isn't a high budget movie and set expectations accordingly, enjoy the gay mermaid fun.

Leia Mais

Nice way to kill 50 minutes

Cute little baby baker Shuzo (yes, that Shuzo from TikTok and Instagram) just wants to find love but keeps inadvertently helping the guys he's crushing on with their problems by making them delicious desserts... Except they just take one bite of what he makes and then leave, which is the biggest travesty of them all. Most of them don't even thank Shuzo before they go! Shuzo's sister pretty much carries this show with her 30-second cameo's each episode. This is super short, with a run time of about 50 minutes, so if you're bored and want to look at Shuzo's beautiful face for a bit and watch him make really aesthetically pleasing food (as well as learn some fun culinary facts), this will be a good choice. However, if you're here for a profound plot or deep characters I'd advise you to pick something else. This is pure fluff that is cute and visually appealing.

Leia Mais