Easy to follow
Easy to follow. The story line is very simple. Watched it because I’m so intrigued of xing feis acting skills. I’ve watched kdramas & cdrama and a lot of story are repetitive with no eye catching acting skills but not xing fei. She does knows to cry, laugh, smile, sad, angry, scared frustrated in natural ways, that’s why I’m pulled in to watch more of her work. She doesn’t disappoint. This story is to how to overcome psychological difficulties. And she really can pull the “I’m in love with you” character no matter whom she’s paired with in non cheesy way.Esta resenha foi útil para você?
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If I could name a drama equivalent to The Handmaiden, it would be SKY Castle.
SKY Castle is a satirical drama that criticizes practices from corrupt business hierarchy to extreme parenting environments. The drama has impeccable directing, story is full of plot twists, comedy is subtle and melds well, and the cliffhangers are absolutely wild. The drama tends to often be dramatized, especially as it is a satirical work, but the underlying themes are never truly lost.
SKY Castle focuses on a person's wellbeing above all else, be it education, money, or job position. Yes, the aforementioned are important, but at what cost? Certainly not at the expense of giving up all of one's happiness or opportunity for happiness. This drama hits extra close to home and really resonates with people who relate with any of the characters' upbringings, which is fairly common amongst Asian households with views along the conservative side of the spectrum.
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As someone that grew up in an environment frighteningly similar to some of the children in the drama, these issues are very real. Some elements of the drama are definitely exaggerated, but parenting ideals are unfortunately very accurate. When I was growing up, anything not perfect was considered failure. Got a B on an exam? Unacceptable. Got an A, but it wasn't 100%? Not good enough. Actually getting perfect? No compliment, only expected to upkeep the results. It wasn't uncommon for me to experience physical abuse for disobeying anything or not achieving expectations. This type of harsh environment is displayed in SKY Castle, and it really unveils how damaging it is to a family.
Abuse shouldn't be a tolerated, period. The drama displays the issues that can arise through punishment especially, as opposed to positive reinforcement . The cycle of punishment can create a rift between a parent and child that gradually expands and expands, eventually leading igniting hatred. So many parents also project their ambitions and dreams onto their children saying it's for the best, never asking or caring what their children want. In some cases, everything works out fine; in others, the child adapts a similar perspective as the parents, and the abusive cycle repeats. In many cases, this absolutely destroys children's relationships with their parents. Often times I thought about suicide, running away from home--these options seemed better than the torture that was presented by my parents. These are serious issues that potentially tread on life and death, and it's very well highlighted within the drama.
At times it wasn't even the studying that was the most draining part of my childhood, but the fact that I felt unloved, only there to satisfy my parents' desires. Endlessly I was told to become a doctor, a lawyer, or insert whatever high paying prestigious occupation. Who cares about what I want, right? Children aren't and shouldn't be a parent's opportunity at a second chance towards their dream; they are their own people, and should be respected as so. Here's a quote that really resonated with me in the drama:
"Who cares if they acknowledge you or not? I just want to be happy."
I was also constantly compared to other children, told how I was inferior to them. "These children can do this and that; why aren't you able to?" This competitive mindset is dangerous; often parents will disregard their children's wellbeing for the sole sake of pushing them towards the absolute limit to be better everyone around them. And...for what purpose? To satisfy the parents' eligibility for bragging rights. Of all things, they push and push and push their children...for bragging rights. Does it matter that your child is smarter or more successful than other children if they're in complete agony?
My relationship with my parents to this day is completely broken. I don't tell them any of my worries and fears, what I'm doing, how I'm doing, because it's unimportant to them if I'm not 'successful' to their standards. Can you imagine being so afraid to tell your parents--who should supposedly be closest to you--anything because you will be disregarded, not acknowledged, and shamed? The characters in SKY Castle can. It's a shame that the people you should be able to lean on are the ones you're afraid of most.
"The greater your suffering, the greater your enlightenment."
This is another quote that I feel can be attributed greatly to SKY Castle on the whole. Often times it's not until you lose everything that you see all that you took for granted. With what this drama presents, hopefully people become more aware of their situations to where such tragedies needn't occur.
At the same time, the drama doesn't fail to also showcase that not everyone is capable of change. Some people, despite losing everything refuse to acknowledge to mistakes and change for the better; they are too blinded by their ego and necessity to be right. That's an unfortunate reality.
With everything previously said, I want to iterate that education is of course vital; this drama definitely isn't making a statement that education isn't needed. It's the balance of a good education with one's wellbeing. Of course, SKY Castle also attributes this not only to education, but jobs, money, titles, and backgrounds as well.
I'm really glad that SKY Castle addresses so all of these issues, and sheds light on how damaging these practices are. Having personally experienced the harsher end of this type of parenting, I don't expect my parents nor many others to change, but small steps in bringing awareness I hope at least has some degree of an impact. This is a very meaningful drama, and I hope everyone that watches it can at least gain something from watching it.
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Moving on towards the characters, cast, and acting--everyone did an absolutely phenomenal job.
This drama built and developed characters astoundingly well. Aside one certain character, I could sympathize or empathize with every character on at least some significant level. Even towards characters that I viewed in poor light, I could sympathize with. Despite me not agreeing to so many actions from various people, I could not help but admire the lengths they would go to, especially out of love. It is apparent that many of these characters aren't inherently bad people; you can see that their conscience is slowly eaten away by guilt. They are just widely driven by greed and love for their children, that their perspective is clouded in misjudgment. I couldn't hate them as people for those reasons, only their actions. I believe that is great execution of character depth and development. I've not seen a more convincing performance than from SKY Castle's cast; they were exceptional.
What allowed SKY Castle to be so successful in creating tension and shifting moods ever so flawlessly was its exquisite incorporation of music. The music complemented the brilliant directing and production of the drama. The flow of the drama was never inconsistent. Pure comedic relief scenes were few, but meshed with the drama very well through its music. Ha Jin's "We All Lie" creates a very intense atmosphere, in combination with the cliffhangers, leave you craving for more every episode.
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SKY Castle gradually garnered a massive audience as the drama progressed through its satirical portrayal of malpractices, corruption, extreme controversial conservative parenting, neglect, and more. Brilliant directing and production, engaging plot, convincing acting with a powerfully befitting soundtrack to boot. This drama is very well worth your time, further compounded if you can even slightly relate to any of the issues it brings up.
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I think almost everybody who is familiar with this story knows that there are several adaptations for it. It all started with the manga, then the anime, then the 1995 movie and then 4 drama adaptions from China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea. This version, the JDrama one is my favorite. Reasons? Here I go.
Story:
The story isn't your typical Cinderella. Yes, there's a poor girl and a rich guy and yes, he falls in love with her, but this Cinderella definitely doesn't want the charming prince to return her glass slipper. For me this story is a master piece not because of the love story, but because of its crudeness. It deals bluntly with heavy issues (even more forbidden in Japan) like bullying, rape, tolerance, corruption, class differences and the general injustice that is high school. I think this a story that every teenage girl should know of, because it says that you don't have to be anything to please a guy.Instead, you should worry about the things surrounding you and how you can make a change.
The love story is pretty good and addictive too. You have a strong female character who deals with a LOT of things throughout the story. She isn't searching for love, she has her hands already full with school and her family. She isn't pretty OR nice. Neither is she elegant or flirty. BUT, she is loyal to her friends and always defends people against injustice. She is honourable and honest, she always speaks her mind, even if it will get her in huge trouble afterwards. She's also fearless and does what most people are afraid to. Watching this now, I realize that Makino has been my role model throughout my teenage years and has helped me morph into the person I am today. I am still very far from being like her, but she's a truly inspirational character who makes me always push myself harder.
Then there's Domyouji, who is far from your perfect prince charming. To put it mildly, he's a total jerk and a bully. He's used to getting his way and everybody is afraid of him. He's a really rotten human being, if that can even be called human. But, when Makino confronts him instead of running away from him, he falls instantly in love with her. For me one of the greatest thing about HYD is seeing Domyouji slowly changing from being the monster that he was at first to a truly beautiful human being. His love for Makino makes him grow as a person, become someone kind and adorable, and he learns a little more about life, and accepts that he can't always have his way.
Acting:
All the cast does a perfect job. They made the characters from the manga come alive completely, instead of changing them. The chemistry between Inoue Mao and Matsumoto Jun is so real that I often wish they were a couple in real life while watching them, and the chemistry between the F4 is great too. They really came together as a group of friends who always have their back for each other.
The thing about this story is that you don't say: wow this person is a great actor/actress. It is the kind of awesome acting that makes you forget they're acting. It's simply natural and perfect.
Music:
The OST is really good. It's not mad good, but it's the kind of music that gets stucked in your head for several days in a row. It has been on my iPod for several years, and I sometimes use it as a ringtone from my phone.
Rewatch:
I've watched this several times and I will keep rewatching it, because I learn something new about it every time I watch it.
Overall:
This is one of those dramas that for ME, is really a must. If you haven't watched it, I recommend it greatly. I don't know if you'll think of it as high as I do, but I seriously think you'll like it, what are you waiting for? :)
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THIS IS A MASTERPIECE!!
Story - For those who love the novel and dissapointed because there's no BL in this, DON'T WORRY!! The bromance is wonderful and will make you can't stop smiling. The story is rather faithful to the novel (not exactly the same tho).. they adapted many sweet scenes of LWJ and WWX.. (Trust me, they adapted almost everything except the confession scene and steamy scenes). For the additional plots, I don't have any problem with them.. it doesn't really change anything (maybe only more screentimes for minor characters like Wen Qing and Jiang Yanli).. And I think they add a new character, Xue Chonghai, to smooth the story.. It was a big question in the novel HOW DID WWX LEARN DEMON CULTIVATION? And the story about Xue Chonghai is to answer the question..This drama really has exceed everyone's expectations.. like, at first, in China, many the original novel fans can't accept the show (because there's no BL or Xiao Zhan & Wang Yibo don't have WWX & LWJ's charm, etc) and so The Untamed only got a low rating (4.8 in douban) but it keeps on increasing after the show airing.. now it has reached 8.0!! I think it proves the beauty of this show..
Acting/Cast - Both Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo did a great job in this drama!! At first, I though Xiao Zhan wouldn't suit WWX since he doesn't look like someone who talks a lot.. but I WAS WRONG.. WWX IS MADE FOR XIAO ZHAN!! And for Wang Yibo.. there're not many expressions shown by Lan Wangji here.. but I think Wang Yibo did a great job showing a cool but caring Lan Wangji~ >< The other supporting actors are new but really did a great job.. especially Yu Bin who played our little angel, Wen Ning~ like when he was stabbed, I can feel his pain too ugh.. ToT
Music - This drama has a set of beautiful songs.. the ending song, Wu Ji, sung by Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo and Yi Nan Ping are my favs.. Yi Nan Ping is a theme song for A Xian, A Cheng, and A Li.. the lyrics is so heartwrenching (I almost cried when the song was played).. and there are character songs too.. like Bu Wang sung by Wang Yibo for Lan Wangji's character song, Qu Jin Chen Qing by Xiao Zhan for Wei Wuxian's, Chi Zi by Yu Bin for Wen Ning's, Bu You by Liu Haikuan for Lan Xichen's, etc.. all of them have beautiful lyrics that tell the story of each characters.. MY EARS ARE BLESSED!!
Rewatch Value - DEFINITELY!! I can rewatch this wonderful drama again and again..
Overall - A must watch drama!! There is a complete set of genre inside.. comedy, mystery, friendship, family, romance.. >///<
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I will admit something here. I dropped this drama three times! The first time, I barely lasted 20 seconds, so maybe that doesn't count. The second time I made it a whole 5 minutes, and the third time I made it to 10. I just could not stand the lead actor. He was weird, and that laugh was so awkward, but not quite in a good way like Dokko Jin from The Greatest Love. I thought there was no way I'd watch it.
But then something really awesome happened. One of my drama besties started texting me about how amazing her new drama was, and how much chemistry the lead couple had. I scoffed when she told me it was FTLY. So I decided it would get one more shot from me before being relegated to my growing dropped list.
And thank god for that! I started it up for the fourth time, and this time I made it to when the leads met. And then I was 6 episodes in before I even realized what was happening. This weird, annoying character had somehow managed to work his way into my heart, and I was absolutely hooked. That annoying laugh? I was now looking forward to it. His weird behavior? Suddenly romantic. It was like a switch had flipped, and there was no turning back.
I hope you forgive all of that insane rambling! I swear, I do have a point! Three of my other Kdrama friends had also started and dropped this drama after the first few minutes, thinking it wasn't going to be up their alley. That makes me think there might be even more of you out there who are hesitant about this drama, and I really, really want to encourage to give it a shot!
Lee Gun is a caustic, lovable jerk. He is the quintessential CEO character, a little brash with people outside of his circle and definitely a little self-serving. Kim Mi Young is the exact opposite, known as the post-it girl because she is easy to get rid of and she admittedly has no backbone or ability to say no. They are as different as night and day, and yet when they come together they are the absolute best versions of each other.
In terms of character growth, this show is the absolute best. I don't think a single character made it through this show without maturing and changing. This drama was sad at times, and I will admit to a couple scenes that had me bawling like a baby. But even through all of the tears, it is absolutely worth it.
If you've made it all the way to the end of this inane review, I hope that you will consider giving FTLY a shot. The romance, the story line, the characters, all of it combines to make an absolutely unforgettable story.
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The only valid explanation I see for Ex-Girlfriend Club's low ratings is that it doesn't have any "epic love" nor any "bad-to-the-bone villain". It is simply a heartfelt story with a generous sprinkle of fluff and hilarity, as its OST can corroborate. Although the story is unpretentious, the characters are all layered. Flawed yet lovable, the characters are more than just love interests and whatnot; each of them is his/her own person. The genuineness the characters give off is enhanced by the great acting. The cast did a flawless job, Bun Yo Han was especially shining in this drama. The ones behind the cast wouldn't have been able to find a more perfect fit for Myung Soo, even if they had tried. Not to mention how believable Song Ji Hyo and him were at acting as a couple, they were simply the cutest.
This drama, free of the usual draggy angst, can be watched over and over without losing much of its charm. To put it in a nutshell, Ex-Girlfriend Club is the perfect drama to watch if you want to uplift your current mood.
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Anyone disappointed after watching this? NOT ME.
An incredible series that GMM25 has delivered and a dangerous new standard for the upcoming series. Why? Read below. This is a longer review than usual, but this series is INCREDIBLE and therefore incredibly hard to put into only a few paragraphs. :))(Quick recommendation. Listen to this while reading: https://youtu.be/dBW9c7QS99M?list=RDdBW9c7QS99M)
The story is unique and nothing that anyone has easily come close to achieving. Political topics have a high risk of not being well received by the viewers because the pacing often becomes very sluggish and boring if it is not implemented correctly. Another danger with this trope is that romance can often feel redundant and inappropriate, thus degrading the quality of the story. Neither is the case here. Why? The answer is not very simple.
PRODUCTION
Let´s start with the production and filming/ writing of the scenes. Throughout the entire series, one can not deny the beautiful shots that were taken. Everything seems to have gone under detailed planning of how to use the natural light the best and how to film beautiful scenes at locations that don´t depend on much editing. However, one thing is certain: professionals are at work. Both in the filming and editing, but also in the individual usage and choice of music. Incomparable to other series.
Praise to Nuchy Anucha Boonyawatana, Noolek Sureechary and M Rittiktai Kanjanawiphu for the incredible screenwriting. I did not stumble across any grievous mistakes. I want to thank the creator of "Not Me”, Dem Thanutnun Vitsivakun, for creating this incredible story. She has succeeded in merging the topics of politics, injustice, LGBTQ+ and revenge to a point where you can only be amazed.
And of course, praise for the cinematographer Beat Pramett Chankrasse, who gifted us with captures of breathtakingly beautiful moments. The scenes embody the emotions of all the characters and carefully embrace them. But how are other series supposed to keep up now, mister? I have no idea.
The difficulty that this series has met was the decreased number of episodes because of budget problems. This problem was briefly felt towards the end, but the overall presentation is so brilliant that the few inconveniences can be overlooked, really!
PLOT
Black and White are twins with a powerful connection, but the two are as different as day and night. White is very dedicated to revealing the truth behind the state of his hospitalised brother, but his personality is, FORTUNATELY, too different not to cause other problems, incidents, etc. This fact is very well implemented by the writers: Without being too obvious about it they make White purposely misbehave in his role as Black. The story and its execution go hand in hand in this series.
The entire plot had so many risks in its adaptation, but the series succeeded in not getting trapped by them. On the contrary, they used this fear to create a masterpiece that will amaze everyone, probably even the people involved. The expectations were more than met.
The side stories also have their unique charm, and the introduction of a mute person just gives the overall picture that certain something of a realistic scenario that you get addicted to watching. No matter if politics, injustice, LGBTQ+, revenge or disadvantages, each topic is accurate and not exaggerated.
The female characters did not meet the cliché standards of many other series of the same genre; on the contrary, they were no tools for the story, but - and that should be the norm - they were their own masters, had their own lives and did not have any unexplainable toxic trades. All their reactions were understandable and well implemented.
The characters aren't denied their mistakes either; rather, in the series, these people try to work on their mistakes. That's what makes them so human and the series so perfect.
ACTORS
Before I get to Gun´s outstanding performance, I start with the supporting cast. The acting of all of them was solid, and no one seemed to be uncomfortable to look at. Additionally, I also want to praise whoever cast this outrageous cast. Because even smaller roles like the parents or the antagonist have proved themselves well and worked fine with the plot.
Film (Eugene) and Lookjun (Namo) delivered two incredible performances as two female characters in a gay romance-oriented series. They acted very naturally, and one could sympathise with their portrayed roles. Especially Film was well cast for her role as Eugene. Filmshy was also doing a good job, but she didn´t have much screen time, so it´s hard for me to review it.
Let´s get to the boys. Oh. I have so much to say, but I don´t know where to start. I have never imagined Sing to ever get this kind of role, but he succeeded in any means. If you ask me, he deserves to get more main roles in series because he is such a flexible and good actor.
The leader of the garage, Gumpa, was played by Papang. Two words. Unexpected Gem. This guy did such a good job in his role. He also deserves more screentime because he is truly gifted. The same goes for Mond, who portrayed Gram. Personally, I like this actor a lot because he always managed to meet my expectations, and I love the control he has over his facial expressions.
When it comes to emotions and portrayed intimacy, First (Yok) and Fluke (Dan) were blowing my mind. I loved their shots and on-screen scenes. Everything in this series worked incredibly well together, but especially these two. After watching their sequences, I got inspired and overwhelmed by a sudden wave of motivation. I will miss them. I will miss the PAIN. THE PAIN.
There was also incomparable harmony between Gun (Black/ White) and Off (Sean), again ... but honestly, how do they do it? How crazy can one succeed in their role? The two are a great match, and I hope to see more of them in the future. Speaking of how incredible these two are, Gun deserves a special mention. He managed to draw a clear line between Black and White. Cold and warm. Physical and psychological. He was playing both twins, but you could tell them apart. Manifestly! What an incredibly good actor! Mastering a twin role alone is something many have attempted and failed, but none has been as good or compelling as Gun. Give him a huge award and lots of love and attention.
OVERALL
At this point, I´d like to cite our POP-Queen Lady Gaga:
NOT ME is “talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, (…)”. In a nutshell, this show is everything and more that the LGBTQ+ film community has ever wished for. The scenery and shots are breathtaking, the actors outstanding, and the edit incomparable. Even the use of music has been merging with the entire awesomeness of this show. Every expectation is being me, and it´s honestly nothing you should miss.
The upcoming series has a lot of work ahead if they ever want to meet this extreme standard of perfection.
Who am I lying to ... it´s impossible.
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Sweet cute and I appreciate the continued efforts!!!
Hello! I rarely review but need to remind the viewers to think like a business. We are getting a lot more lgbt content in recent years. The veteran actors, writers, directors and producers spent decades to get us to this point. This point? YES we get films, big production series, dating shows, gay couples on major Korean magazine covers AND we get multiple small studios crowd sourced for cute stories to film in a week and bring it to us. Please do not forget! I am grateful and appreciative.Please appreciate the small stuff too.
We would read this manga and be super happy. Someone spent the money to give us some visual with cute story.
I appreciate them. I appreciate how hard it was to get to this point. I look forward to the future.
The boys did a good job. They were pleasant to watch.
For me the actor playing the chef is damn gorgeous! Phew
Sure if you peel back his actions it may seem stalkerish lol but because it goes so fast he is honest immediately and it's all good. Real life gay is hard anywhere and this showed four different types of men (in one episode) and how they handle things. Was cool.
What I loved is this series is set in a gay friendly world. There was no mention or hesitation of being gay. No fear. Thai BL started doing that too and I am happy with this turn.
Anyway it is very fast, it's cute and worth our stream on legal iQIYI site.
Enjoy and if you can leave a comment for each actor. The actors (mainly Koreans) come to mdl and read our stuff!
Thanks!
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A beautiful movie with a quiet, & realistic atmosphere.
The thing I liked the most is that I watched it solely for the romance factor but it turned out to be so much more than just that, it's a message of acceptance & forgiveness, it's not full of fluff but the chemistry is still powerful, especially when they kiss or make eye contact. there's a lot of court scenes which some people might not like, but personally, I loved it, Nagisa's lawyer is a side character you can't help but be impressed with, which made me love those scenes even more. Perhaps the story might have focused on divorce issues a bit more than necessary but even that was interesting & emotional to see. At first my rating was a 9.5/10, but after rewatching this once more, I loved how it's a mature movie that focuses on adulthood issues, which is really lacking in asian lgbtq+ movies & drama's these days.. so why not a high rating?
Now may I talk about the main characters?
Nagisa, nagisa.. NAGISA!! he's the cutest character and his relationship with his daughter almost made me cry. and then when he stands next to Shun, their height difference is honestly (lol) one of the reasons I like this movie. let me not talk about how he has to look up to kiss Shun, yea, let's not.
& then Shun, my heart felt for him from the first scene. Miyazawa Hio really did so well with this role, although his character is quiet & introverted, his eyes express themselves very well.
I think whoever cast those two as the main couple did one hell of a good job at it.
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Story: 11/10 (because 10/10 is just not enough!): The story is very unique for me (maybe because this was my first drama of this genre). You end up hating the stepmother/stepsister so much that you want to jump into their world, and stab both...repeatedly. What else can I say? Oh right, keep a box of tissues handy otherwise you'll be wiping away your tears using your blanket(true story!) One other thing I enjoyed about this drama is seeing how the main male lead and the secondary male lead work together to accomplish a goal greater than either of them.
Acting/Cast: 10/10 . Everyone in this cast from the child actors from the first few episodes to the adult actors were PERFECT. I had one small dislike in the middle of the drama, and that was how the main female lead cried. Yes. That's all. Later on, I got used to it and it didn't bother me at all, so it was just me.
Music 9/10: I'm actually listening to the OST as im writing this review. It's GREAT, but not a 10. It conveyed the emotion perfectly and all that, so it was good for the drama...but for some reason giving it a 10 would be unfair in my humble opinion.
Rewatch Value: 5/10: I DON'T rewatch dramas or movies 99% of the time which is why I gave it this low of a score.
Overall: 10/10 - This is a masterpiece that every Kdrama fan should watch. But keep in mind, this can cause tears even from the eyes of manly men like myself. However, sometimes while those tears are dropping, your mouth will be smiling uncontrollably.
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On my part, I can say Coffee Prince made me reconcile with Korean dramas. If I have to tell the whole, bitter truth, for some time I thought Korean could only produce melodramas, with round eyes girls pouting and arrogant dudes raising perfectly trimmed eyebrows. Until I landed on this drama.
Everything about it felt so real, by the middle I wasn't a simple viewer anymore: I was part of that group of friends. The kind of alchemy they created on screen is rarely found in dramas, because in most cases one is reminded that these people are acting. But Coffee Prince feels like they are having fun together. It reminded me of a dinner with my friends, or camping out with them.
There's a delicious special at the end of the drama, which shows some behind the scene bloopers and interviews. And it's amazing, because either the special looks like integral part of the drama, or the whole drama is like a behind the scene: the interaction between the actors stays the same. Even the make up and clothes are everyday things, not a catwalk display.
And I absolutely loved the way the issue homosexuality was treated. I loved that Han Gyul was tormented by the thought of being gay, but that he was even more so in finding out that she was a woman. Because love, betrayal and trust are universal feelings and have no connection whatsoever with gender.
The music deserves a mention too. Coffee Prince has an outstanding OST, very unusual and difficult to put into a precise musical category. Some pieces have a jazz undertone which I personally loved.
I've read some people complaining about the pace of this drama, saying nothing major happens. But a work of art, be it a movie, a drama, a novel or a cartoon isn't made only of events. It's made of style too, of images, silences, scenery, words. Thousands of love stories have been written and shown in dramas. What makes this one a delightful watch, is the ability of actors and direction to make us connect and "live" this sweet love story with the characters.
Therefore, I'm ready to recommend this show to everyone.
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We could have had it all.....
Up until ep 9 this was a solid 10/10 drama for me.... but then the last two episode happened and I don't know anymore.For the past two months this drama gave me immense joy and happiness.... maybe that's why the disappointment at the turn of events feels enormous. I wish they had taken a better, different route for the journey they set sail for.
At the end there I couldn’t even recognise the characters I came to love so much in the previous episodes. I don’t understand what the whole point of the journey was anymore. These two very different characters were healing each other and growing together towards a better life. And that journey ended at ep 9. That should have been the end.
Everything after that feels kind of pointless…. Especially the last two episodes….
I wish instead of so many time skips they had actually delved a little deeper into Mhok’s character… the trauma he had because of his sister’s death… how he didn’t want to leave Day because he was afraid of losing time with the people he loved…. I also just do not understand why he was the one who was apologising to Day when he was genuinely afraid about losing Day from his life.
“Thank you for breaking up with me”????????? Yeah no. That did not feel right at all.
I’d have preferred if Mhok and Day had an actual conversation about Mhok’s feelings and fears…. for Day to understand where Mhok was coming from. I’d have preferred if they had talked it out and then decided to do a long-distance relationship while Mhok gets to go forward in his career….
Oh well…. You can’t have it all I guess….
I would still say that it was good, well written story till ep 9. If I ever rewatch this drama that's where I would end.
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As you can probably see, this drama is one of my favorites, if not number one. I've seen this drama three times, and I enjoy it every time. I could probably watch it again, today, if I had nothing better to do. Sometimes, I watch the first few episodes just for the fun of it. When I feeling down, or when I'm feeling alone. This drama is the perfect representation of what true love is, and how it should be portrayed. Yes, romcoms and comedies are good, and fun and exciting during that moment, but this type of love... it may be acted, but it still is a goal of mine to have love like that, because even I know love like that does exist, even if that one is not real.
This drama really hit everything for me. I'll try to keep the fangirl inside of me down, and be logical and realistic without giving away spoilers or anything, but it really got everything. There were so many plot twists in this story, and a lot of them weren't very original, and yet... they worked. I mean, come on, popular boy rich boy and poor girl, cancer, memory loss, pregnancy... that's just the beginning. It's like, everything you've ever seen in a drama was thrown into this one, and it WORKED. I know, I can't believe it.
I cry so many times when I watch this drama, it's definitely a tear-jerker. It's a beautiful story, one that will pull at your heart and you won't be able to stop thinking about it.
The acting was phenomenal, I think it is very underrated. Vaness Wu gets a lot of harsh criticism for his 'over acting' but I don't think there was a lot of it. I really liked his 'over acting'. When he cried... oh. my. god. I really believed it. He actually looked like he was crying, and it actually looked painful. I don't know how to put it... he looked like how a guy WOULD cry. And Addy An, she get's a lot of harsh criticism for her under-acting. I agree that sometimes she looks expressionless, but I think it had more to do with the script. Not only that, but I wouldn't say she under acted. I could see it in her eyes, in her reactions, in everything she said. Her mannerisms and subtle expressions, that's what made her character. You need to pay attention to those, it isn't in her character to look so blatantly affected all the time. Mu Cheng gets all of my respect, even if shes fictional. To me, the acting was superb, and lets not forget little Xiao Le. God is that kid going to grow up to be a super star. His acting was absolutely perfect, especially for a child. He really pulled the story together throughout the last half. Some go as far as to say the story was only held together by him toward the end, but I wouldn't go that far. With or without him, I would have kept watching, but he is such a cute little guy. Someday he'd get so tired during shooting that his dad would have to be on site. Such a strong little boy.
The romance and chemistry between the Mu Cheng and Guan Xi is tangible. I can literally almost taste it, I can feel it. It's so beautiful, it touches my heart. I know this sounds cheesy and cliche, but really, you won't find more pure love in a drama than in this. If I didn't know any better, I would assume Vaness Wu and Addy An are in love. The chemistry was just out of this world. Love really does win out in the end, that's what this drama taught me. I have to say I learned a lot from it.
Also, the people you hate in this show you'll grow to love. Along with character development in the main characters, the side characters really developed too. The side-plots in this show were interesting, too, and I found myself just as engaged in them as I was the main couple/family.
The ending of this drama is my favorite. Not just the ending with MC and GX but with everyone. The ending of this drama is also one of the reasons this drama is #1 for me. There is closure, on everything. No loose plot ends, all side plots are tied up, no questions are left, not for me at least. Everything is happy, I'm actually content at the end. No worries, no complaints, just sadness that it's over. Very bitter-sweet.
I won't lie and say that this is an easy drama to watch. There's going to be a lot of painful moments and heart-wrenching scenes, but the good in the drama sky rockets it to the top. Even when you hate someone you didn't think you were going to hate, you understand what's happening, and why their doing what their doing. The love never dies, and even in the toughest moments in the drama, they give you little moments to nibble on while you're waiting. It's a brilliant story, and I will forever enjoy it and remember it. The music alone is beautiful, I have a few songs saved and listen to them frequently, even now. In fact, this is random but I have my itunes on shuffle and ironically 'Next Stop, Happiness' just came on. How funny, must be a sign. (;
If you're looking for a refreshing, pure love story with superb acting, tangible chemistry, and every plot twist you can imagine, this is for you! I will recommend this to any person interested in dramas for the rest of my life, hah! Hope this helped people, sorry if I wasn't as rational and logical as I planned. As you can tell, I'm a fan. I have never watched a drama more than I have this. Three times through the whole thing, not counting the many times I've just watched an episode here and there that I liked. Please watch!
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The Lost Art of the Sitcom!
As someone who grew up watching classic American sitcoms, Rak Diao is a like a favorite warm blanket, or a comfortable old chair. Three years ago if you'd told me I would be addicted to a sitcom from Thailand, I would have looked at you like you were crazy, but here I am singing the praises of a show that has become a weekly treat for me.I was three episodes in when I found out it was a "Y" or "BL" sitcom, and was impressed at how cleverly the bromance and "BL" aspects were woven into a classic sitcom format. This show provides a lighthearted and whimsical break from a lot of the heavier BL dramas that seem to be everywhere right now.
The show may initially turn folks off due to it having a laughtrack instead of a live studio audience, but don't forget it was filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many shows had to either shutdown, or enact sweeping restrictions to keep in production. This show gets big props for being able to do this.
The cast is very lovable, especially the two titular characters Rak (played by Earth Thanakrit) and Diao (played by Win Songsin). These two are relatively new to the entertainment industry, but man do they have a ton of chemistry on screen, as well as presence! For BL fans, both are absolutely handsome for sure, but their real appeal is their awesome performances. To be so young, they are doing some fantastic dramatic and comedy work!
Ask any soap actor or sketch comedy actor and they will tell you that comedy is HARD, mostly because you need to not only be a great actor, but you also have to have great timing. All the cast has great comedic timing and chemistry with each other, even the supporting cast.
Week to week, hilarity ensues as the two main characters rivalry kicks into high gear. Though this is not a typical BL, it does contain several tropes found in BL, but they are so expertly embedded into the sitcom format that they feel natural. Don't worry, there is no accidental "dead fish kiss", lol! (EDIT: Sorry, spoke too soon...there is one).
-Enemies to lovers/bros
-Dutiful brother/son
-Meddlesome sister/mother
-Flirty same sex innuendo/situations
As I mentioned before, I was a fan of classic American sitcoms. This show hits all the marks of one with absolutely funny moments, some somber and thoughtful moments, and some dramatic moments. The cast and crew handles them beautifully. In terms of a BL, it seems to be a 'slow burn' between the two main characters, where each week, they get closer and closer and do not realize that they are falling for one another.
Those expecting realistic sex scenes or anything like that may be disappointed, but the show does have many little romantic and sexy moments that will make your heart race and you will be rooting for the two characters to get together. All of this is still done perfectly in the context of a sitcom...just masterful.
So I would recommend BL fans who are looking for a whimsical break from the heavy stuff to check this out. Don't let the laugh track turn out off...it becomes a non-issue by the third episode. Grab some snacks on your favorite comfy spot and just relax and laugh! The music is also fantastic! You will find yourself humming or singing the themesong, and even the show's background music is beautiful and fits every scene.
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A Charming, Low-Stress Watch
A classic "long-term, secret, mutual crush" story that provides comfort and nostalgiaPlot and Premise:
The story follows Ruan Yu (Zheng He Hui Zi), who leaves her stable job to become a full-time author. When her novel is accused of plagiarism she crosses paths with her high school crush, Xu Huaisong (Miles Wei Zheming), who is now a brilliant intellectual property lawyer. The drama follows them as they defend her work, reconnect, and navigate their long-buried feelings.
What's Great:
• The Chemistry: Miles Wei and Zheng He Hui Zi's chemistry is naturally attractive with sweet interactions.
• The Vibe: It has an "old CDrama" feel; easy to watch. Comfortable, and not overly angsty.
• Light-Hearted Comedy: It is genuinely funny, particularly in the banter between the leads and the supporting cast.
• Main Couple Dynamic: Both leads are appealing, and the "slow burn" approach allows their relationship to feel earned.
• Cinematography: High quality production with a visual style that highlights a sweet, romantic, and "fairy-tale-like" ambience. The camera frequently employs close-ups to capture their emotional expressions during moments of vulnerability and romantic tension. Care and attention have been paid to framing and lighting.
• Music: A variety of romantic and emotional tracks performed by popular artists to emphasize the developing bond between the leads.The background music in the drama often utilizes instrumental versions of the main themes to highlight specific moods. The sound effects for humorous scenes have been fantastic.
What Could Be Better
• Pacing: Is slow, particularly around the middle, often relying on fillers rather than advancing the plot.
• Plot Familiarity: The story is somewhat predictable, relying on familiar tropes rather than introducing high-stakes originality.
Overall Experience:
"You Are My Fateful Love" is a solid 8.5-9/10 for lovers of romance. While it may not break new ground, it succeeds in providing a heartwarming "slow-burn" love story. It's perfect for a weekend binge if you don't mind a slower, character-driven story over high-octane plot developments.
Recommended for those seeking a cozy, low-melodrama watch, but perhaps not for those seeking tight plot progression or intense conflict.
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