The Circumstances of Pungdeok Villa Room 304
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MATES of Poongduck
Cute litttle series, the way it should be.A quick recap - this is an almost normal length eight-episode short series that starts with a handsome chaebol Ho Joon renting a room at Jaey Yoon's apartment. Lets pretend that it is believable, and that he will live in a so so neighborhood just because of Jae Yoon's water pressure (wink wink) because who doesnt like a good shower. From being forced to live together as roommates, Jae Yoon realized that Ho Joon was to become his superior in the company where he is working hard to get a permanent position. Soon after, they will have a silly fake enemy plot wherein Ho Joon will exercise dominance at work while Jae Hoon will lord over at the apartment. And as if anyone is surprised, from being enemy they become friends, and from friends, they become lovers. The end. Gamsahabnida.
But in all seriousness, I loved how the pacing worked. The story is simple enough but the execution and the visuals felt like a regular-budgeted Kdrama. After the first couple episodes I found my self excitedly waiting for the next ones and for one month Roommates of Poongduck 304 has become my Thursday night guilty pleasure. Oh, i dont know if anyone noticed but it felt like for episodes 7 and 8 used a different camera(or frame rate) but somehow it was more cinematic.
In their second pairing, Ji Woong and Seo Bin was able to find a script and a plot that works on their strengths and I must say this is so much better than their first series together. If this is any indication, both actors are ready for stardom but my BL heart hopes and wishes they could do another one together, as partners.
Would i recommend, definitely! It is a lot better than a lot of current BLs being aired right now. If anything, I would have wished they made each episodes longer, or at least added a couple more, cause I would have loved to see more of their sweet lovey dovey moments. Would i rewatch? Already has!
PS. That kiss at the last episode is so realistic and juicy it made me blush like a high school girl. One of the best kisses in BL.
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I Feel You Linger in the Air: Uncut Version
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A Romantic Tale That Gave Birth To A Masterpiece.
I have a lot of things that I want to say about this phenomenal show, but I’ll try my best to make it as concise and spoiler-free as possible.The majestic cinematography is one of the strongest points in the series, be it in the modern day or the 1927 era. The filter or the soft bokeh effect that they put in the 1927 era gave the show an ethereal feel as if we were watching a movie set in a dreamworld, which in my opinion is a smart decision since it is told mostly from Jom’s perspective, cause literally, everyone in that time is already a ghost in the present day except Jom. It’s like putting the character’s lenses through our screen. This alone is already a brilliant way of visual storytelling!
The characters are all interesting and well-written. The acting? Outstanding! Nonkul and Bright did an astonishing job as Jom and Yai. In the first episode, we can already see Nonkul’s spectacular acting chops! His eyes alone speak of those devastating emotions that he is experiencing. In the succeeding episodes, you can feel those tantalizing romantic shivers that he feels every time Yai speaks poetry of his love to him. I would not be surprised if he wins an award for his performance as Jom. Bright’s big moments were in the later part of the story. But what amazes me is his versatility in portraying different versions of Yai. The non-verbal and verbal that he did is distinct from the other versions of the character. He did his homework excellently.
I also have to commend the supporting actors for a splendid performance! It’s great that the supporting cast had their own moments and was not left behind by the amazing leads. And did I mention that aside from the main gay couple, we also have a lesbian and straight couple? Yes, this series shows all kinds of love.
The series holds no bars in showing the ruthless treatment of the servants and women in that period. Its fearless portrayal of what happened in the past makes me realize that the series that I’m watching is a bold, unfiltered, and fiercely beautiful work of art. Despite that, it also shows that the abused and the oppressed CAN claim their power and stand up for themselves! Which makes it one of the most powerful scenes in the show.
The music and original soundtrack are magical. For some, it might not be radio-friendly, but the way the music was arranged fits the drama perfectly! Even the lyrics of the four songs featured in the show voiced the perspective and emotions of our main leads. Each note and instrument was meticulously placed to fit the scenes of the drama.
The show as a whole is heartfelt and hopeful. Especially the last few episodes which are excruciatingly beautiful, it made me dehydrated from wailing. Each second that goes by is a slow agony of the inevitable separation. The last scene makes some people confused, unless you read the novel, you will understand it. But I think it was left that way in the series to open the possibility of a 2nd Season, after all, there is so much more to tell.
The love story of Yai and Jom can be considered a one-of-a-kind timeless, classic, romantic tale that gave birth to a masterpiece.
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STORY: 8/10
I will agree with most people that the story was much better in the first half of the drama than in the final arcs. Overall, I think the progression of the story seemed steady and flowed fairly well, albeit having a few less exciting parts at various times. Watching Fu Yao really grow as a person from the young, bubbly and bit stubborn slave girl to growing her martial arts and becoming more powerful for herself to finding out her true origins and setting everything back to the way it should have been - it felt like a very natural progression for her and you really get to see her change and grow as a person - not just being told from the get go that she's a badass for whatever reasons.
The Xuan Yuan Sect arc began a bit slow, but overall I think it was a great opener to meeting these main characters. I think this was the area where I most enjoyed Fu Yao and Wu Ji's relationship because it was the most playful part. They had a somewhat common bottom line when it came to morality and making decisions, but overall they had their own views on things and were able to help each other out along the way. LOFY did a very good job in my opinion on setting up and progressing the relationship between the main couple because you really understood why they came to love each other as much as they do, whereas many dramas it just feels like they're together because someone wrote it that way, and you don't really understand how they got to that level of relationship.
Tai Yuan arc was probably the most entertaining for me - and most people as I've read. My favorite genre for C-dramas is more imperial settings, so having that in combination with the background story of Fu Yao just made things more entertaining. At this point, the only thing that really bothered me was Yan Jing Chen and Pei Yuan story line. I could tell from the beginning that Pei Yuan was going to be one of the enemies, which is fine, but it got a bit stereotypical for me at times - blaming everything on the main girl just because the guy she likes has feelings for the other person/everything is the main lead's fault/etc. Sam with Yan Jing Chen, he made his decision over and over, but obviously regretted it every time, though still had no issues betraying Fu Yao and making the wrong choices. Everything else was great for me though. The story did well tying in the other side characters and giving them a place in the overall story.
Tian Quan arc was pretty short, so not too much bad here. The introduction of Fo Lian took me by surprise honestly, and then the crazy amazing episode with Fu Yao and Zhang Sun Ping Rong (you know which one I'm talking about). Even ? of the way into the story, there was still a good amount of rollercoastering for me - super exciting scenes and a few more subdued ones.
Tian Sha arc is probably my least favorite (and I figured it would be honestly). This was the arc where I knew that the main leads would be more support characters, but I still think that it wasn't as bad as people are making it seem. There were still important bits happening, and the relationship development for more side characters.
Xuan Ji arc brought the story full circle at this point. I think at this point it was fairly predictable what was going to happen, but at the same time, it was still fun seeing how the female run kingdom worked and bringing Fu Yao into the next high point in her life.
Final arc (Tian Quan/Qiong Sang) - I will admit that it kind of amazes me that with 66 episodes, there were still parts of the ending that felt a bit rushed. I wouldn't necessarily say it needed to be longer, but just that they needed to balance out the story a bit more. So much is going on by the final few episodes that it feels a bit like a whirlwind. But again, I'm not an expert on screenwriting so I honestly don't know which parts of the overall show they should've cut down to make things seem more balanced.
ACTING:9/10
Yang Mi - for those who've read my other reviews of Yang Mi's acting, I think she's a very hit or miss actress. TMOPB I think she excelled probably because the writing of her character was good, but still overall there were times when Bai Qian felt kind of one note to me. I think Yang Mi's portrayal of Fu Yao outshined her character in TMOPB and others - if only for the fact you get to see more personality out of her and you really see this overarching journey of Fu Yao's life. YM pulled of the mischievous, young slave at Xuan Yuan, to the more matured concubine at Tai Yuan, to really coming into her own character by the end of the first half of the drama. Overall good job.
Ethan Ruan - Normally I'd say that these types of dramas, unless the male character is the ACTUAL lead lead character, they normally get overshadowed by the female. LOFY was NOT that case. I hadn't seen anything from Ethan Ruan since Fated to Love You, but I remember loving his acting from there, so I had fairly good expectations. Ethan Ruan knocked this out of the park for me. From his first introduction, I was hooked. He was playful and flirty, but mischievous and mysterious. His character was strong and powerful, merciless when he wanted to, but kind and loving when he needed to. I'd honestly say that I'd wish he had some kind of fault to him because his character was overall too perfect in that sense (being supposedly ruthless could be a downfall, but I don't think they really showed that side of him as much as they just talked about it). But overall I think that Ethan Ruan definitely outshined Yang Mi. He had good comedic timing, he wasn't afraid to get ugly when he was angry or sad. Legit he was so into it that there are times when Fu Yao and Wu Ji are having emotional scenes, and you can see a tear drop from his face (even when the camera is just filming from behind him). I'm honestly hoping that LOFY opens up some more doorways for him in mainland China because I really wanna watch more stuff from him ASAP.
Everyone else - this review is already super long, so just quickly, overall everyone else was very good. Qi Zhen (Liu Yi Jun) was definitely a standout bad guy, just as he was in Nirvana in Fire. Superb acting and super believable villainous qualities.
OVERALL/REWATCH: 9/10
I honestly loved this drama. It's not perfect by any means, but it was memorable and exciting for the most part. It's definitely one of my new top favorite dramas. It had just enough relationship storylines along with political plots and general human growth stories. It's definitely going to be one I watch again and again. I really never got bored with it to the point of wanting to drop it. The storyline made much more sense and had much better flow than others of its type (looking at you Princess Agents) and I think that the directing and cinematography was great. Acting overall was a huge plus - especially with such a large cast, but I think everyone did a pretty solid job overall.
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An excellently written masterpiece that will make you feel intelligent.
Season 2 of Stranger follows the journey of Prosecutor Hwang Shi Mwok and Superintendent Han Yeo Jin in their relentless persuit of the truth even when everyone around them seems hella shady.If you don't remember season 1 at all, I suggest you give it a rewatch before going into this or else find a friend who is a MASSIVE stranger fan to run you through the past events like I did. Why? Because, even though S2 follows a whole new storyline, the characters are the same. There are no re-introductions as their personalities have already been established in the previous season. And this season deals with the aftermath of a lot of things that went down in the past.
I, for one watched it 3 years after finishing the first season and because of my goldfish memory, I remembered absolutely nothing. Despite that, however, the story hooked me in and kept me with it throughout.
Stranger 2 is less action focused and takes more of a philosophical note for the most part. It's a critique on the system that runs a country. It shows how power is exploited. How the media, the prosecution, the police and the conglomerates influence the very foundation of a nation and yet there is always some conflict of interest between them.
The story starts with a battle between the police and prosecution as they debate over investigative rights. A lot of dirty politics is involved as both the sides try to one up each other. From there on it branches out to multiple plotlines as more and more cases, mysteries and problems come to light. Nothing is handed to you on a plate. The drama gives you a serious mental workout as it forces you to pay attention to everything. Slowly but surely, all the various plotlines come together to meet and punctuate the overall message with multiple punches.
The show, like its predecessor does not bank on thrill or 'the next big moment' instead it takes its time, moving with this undercurrent of tension you can't look away from. All along, you feel like something important is happening and you just can't miss it even when there are no huge developments.
The beauty of it is that nothing that's happening is stupid. This is not a show that is trying to pretend to be complicated and fool viewers into thinking it's smart with lazy writing. It's actually fucking smart with zero plotholes as the story flows smoothly, connecting all dots as episodes progress. And it hits home beautifully as the final episodes approach and the intensity skyrockets.
However, I will say that this is not reccomended for those who like their shows easy to digest. Who don't like heavy dialogues and aren't fans of politics, debates and philosophical questions. 'Cause there is a LOT of that stuff. To the point that I actually felt productive after watching each episode. I felt my mind broaden and working overtime and I absolutely loved every second of it.
Ofcourse, with a show like this the biggest danger is of it going in the direction where it becomes clinical, preachy, dry and boring. And that's where the drama wins by using small but extremely powerful interactions between characters that does wonders to humanize everything and make you emotionally connect with these people.
Shi Mwok, our emotionally stunted prosecuter is so clueless and indifferent about feelings that it's simply hilarious and adorable. Han Yeo Jin, with her quirky personality and chill as fuck persona is extremely endearing.
We saw the camaraderie between them in season 1 and that was one of the major selling points of the show. But, in this one, for the majority of the drama our duo stands on opposite sides confronting each other and you feel rather starved for their interaction. So when it happens, it's all the more impactful.
With incredible small gestures and tiny moments they show how they care for each other. How she's still his best friend. How they are the ultimate team. How she's the only one he feels comfortable around and how they just seem to get each other. And it's absolutely glorious.
These two are badass in a very real sense. There's no posturing or camera effects or cheesy dialogues/action scenes that make their badassery known. It's the effortless good in them and their dogged pursuit of what's right, realization of their own mistakes and unimaginable strength that wins your heart.
It also helps that both the main leads have extremely natural and nuanced acting. Bae Doo Na and Jo Seung Woo just killed it. With the latter blowing your mind with the subtlety of his expressions and the former making you invested by the transparency of her emotions.
The season also explores a plethora of other characters, with their own motivations and personalities that are extremely well developed. Strong women in power. Morally grey characters who come through deliciously. The acting is outstanding across the board and the soundtrack is phenomenal.
You think the OST (an instrumental with no lyrics) is nothing special? Wait till it makes the simple act of two people talking business in an office, the most thrilling thing to ever happen to you. Simply stunning.
The show also has one of the most beautiful endings I have ever seen. It's so full of hope and warmth that it made me cry.
Even as it highlights the never ending corruption, the ugly politics that makes one feel that their country is too far gone to make a change, Stranger comforts and shows what it could be. How, in these murky waters, being true to yourself is the real power because it gives you dignity, confidence and most importantly, peace.
So all in all, I'll say that while Stranger 1 is kinda like everyone's cuppa tea as a crime/thriller, Stranger 2 is definitely an acquired taste. It's still excellent though and completely unique in its genre with masterful execution. Hopefully, some news of a 3rd season will come to save all of our souls soon enough.
So hey, if you wanna leave the mainstream behind, feel a little bit smarter after every episode and question everything you know about the system, then this show is your go-to!
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I dreamed a dream.
Winter Begonia is the Downtown Abbey of Chinese opera. To simply describe it as a BL romance would not do justice to the magnificent breadth and the depth of this unforgettable story. This drama sweeps you into the world of Peking opera of 1930s, where changing times challenge the way of life and traditions of the opera troupes. The mood of this difficult period of modern Chinese history is vividly captured in gorgeous cinematography with a muted, nostalgic, old world palette and lovingly detailed sets and costumes. The bittersweet stories of the dimensional surrounding characters puts the main relationship in brutal context; regardless of station, few have free will to follow their hearts and dreams. These were times where most life decisions are made under duress as a matter of expedience or survival. It is within this backdrop that a rare and touching affinity develops between a hard nosed business man and a temperamental Peking opera divo "dan".Warning - there may be mild spoilers in the following paragraphs.
Shang Xirui is a newcomer that takes the Peking opera scene by storm with his daring interpretation of classic operas and his ability to immerse himself in his female "dan" (旦) roles. Xirui is the ultimate drama queen - mercurial, fearless, unyielding, unforgiving, relentless, sentimental, kind and loyal - a brilliant wunderkind who is capable of both love and hate in equal fervor. Despite his theatrical genius, he is almost childlike in his simplicity towards human relationships and is not fully up to the task of managing his troupe or navigating the competitive and political headwinds of the time. This intense and multi-faceted character experiences the most growth in this drama and is incandescently portrayed by Yin Zheng. His "dan" breaths life into the Yang Guifei and other legendary beauties of Chinese history and literature in a way that rivals Leslie Cheung's iconic performance in Farewell My Concubine. That said, Chen Renxiang's (Tan Jianci) coy come hither "dan" moment was dazzling and that character's final act surely must have been written as a tribute to the movie. This is a testimony to the talent and diversity of the cast and the characters they portray in this drama.
At surface, Cheng Fengtai couldn't be more different from Shang Xirui. He is a charming, savvy and ruthless entrepreneur with a devil may care attitude towards danger. But underneath that devastating smile, he is the saddest, bravest character in the drama. He is someone who gave up his dreams in the name of duty and familial obligations. His was not a love match but he shares common values with his wife, appreciates her and does his best to be the man of her dreams. This character is almost too perfect - he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, tries to do the right thing and lives up to what is expected of him - as husband, father, brother, patron, friend and... soul mate. He is swept off his feet by Xirui's genius and overcome with admiration for his single mindedness in following his convictions in the face of criticism, adversity and against daunting odds. Xirui is his muse and their Shui Yin Lou is his rich man's folly where he vicariously reconnects with his long forgotten dreams and aspirations. Only Fengtai can understand and pacify Xirui when he is his most rabid, unreasonable, irascible self. Without taking away from Yin Zheng's virtuoso performance in a technically very difficult role, Huang Xiaoming's Cheng Fengtai was equally powerful and evocative. Theirs is a higher love, a bond that goes beyond words and is much more cerebral than physical. The acting is superb and the chemistry is palpable with both actors conveying emotions beyond words in their actions and the brilliant glitter of unshed tears in their eyes.
The drama itself is well paced and strikes the right balance in mood between heavy and light scenes as well as triumphs and setbacks. It is extremely well written, with many wickedly funny and witty moments and characters that subtly mock the stereotypes of those times. The story is much bigger than the two protagonists and is given weight, definition and substance by colorful surrounding characters with layers of flaws and strengths. Fengtai's wife is an awesome character; a smart and capable woman who is limited by the social strictures and biases of her time. Yet at the end, she is able to surpass the norms of the day and embrace a broader, more generous definition of qin ren (亲人) or family. Fengtai's brother-in-law is just a clownish parody of an entitled dilettante and Xirui's rivals were perhaps a tad ridiculous as villains but they serve their purpose. My favorite couple by far was the bandit and the general - they were so humorous and dangerous at the same time my only regret was we didn't get to see them spawn an army of terrifying bandits in their mountain fortress.
If I had to pick at flaws, the drama had too many melodramatic romantic plot-lets around the low social status of the performers and their forbidden liaisons that cross class lines. In the second half, so many characters were killed off that it became a bit gratuitous notwithstanding the well known brutalities of the Japanese occupation. While not as overtly heartbreaking as the tragedies, the moments of slow burn despair in the first half made a much deeper impression on me.
I will not pretend that watching this made me able to appreciate Chinese opera the way it should be appreciated but at least now I can see the beauty and appeal. When my grandma used to listen to it with a teary faraway look in her eyes, I also wanted to cry because it sounded to me like a cacophony of scalded cats. Without making a documentary of it, this drama delivered some achingly beautiful performances that captures the highlights of some of the best known classic operas and emphasizes its importance as a form of hidden social criticism and expression of the joys and sufferings of the masses. While I can't say I have become a die hard fan, I will never cringe again at the characteristically high pitched, occasionally piercingly sorrowful tunes. Indeed I may even have to confess to (somewhat) enjoying it.
This drama has one of the best endings that remains true to the book and is yet (to me) unambiguous. Fengtai and Xirui are kindred spirits zhi yin (知音) and if like Fengtai you have been listening to Xirui, then you will just know him; thus his choice at that moment in time is clear and requires no further elaboration. The future is still up to serendipity and destiny.
This is a very big and generous story that will pull you in and make you care about the many wonderful people in it and mourn the passage of time and events that have stolen their dreams. It is not perfect and falls just short of a masterpiece but it is by far the best drama I seen so far in 2020.
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A sweet love story
This was so good and as someone who already read the whole novel i can say that they really did well in keeping up with novel. Last 5-6 episodes were the best and last 2 episode are a treat for viewers. While they had to cut back lot of scenes from novel but they also adjusted some of the novel parts too well within those 30 episodes. Except the mid episodes from 15-18 all the episodes are really good.Yes while is slow paced, the novel itself is slow paced but after leads gets into relationship their is no turning back, no misunderstanding, no third wheel. so yeah last episodes are the best. Even SML doesn't feel like an annoyed character after ep 20 onwards. Best part is that they even adapted the chapters that were part of extra chapters in novel which is great.
Miles Wei as usual was awesome in acting as a fox ML🤣
Zheng He Hui Zi portrayal of Ruan Yu was also good and i cant find flaw in her acting. She acting really well.
Li Jun Xian as Liu Mao was the best crime-in partner for ML and the biggest supporter too for his love story. His acting from the start was fab 👍
Li Ge Yang as Li Shi Can also did great despite i feel quite annoyed by his character in mid episodes. But by last episodes i also felt that his character was good and he portray it quiet well. I so wanted to see him getting moved on from his unrequited love🤭.
Btw during wedding ceremony i missed the appearance of Zhou Jun, the lady lawyer and the ML co-worker/assistant. They were there in the story from start so i missed them being not part of their pre-wedding quiz & wedding time.
Anyone who want to watch will quiet enjoy it except if you have to skip then can skip those 15-20 episodes as skipping those won't make any difference to story plot.
Overall, i really enjoyed this as a cute, fluffy rom-com even though they skip some of parts of novel but still managed to cover up all characters arc. A solid 9.0 from side 🥳
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Definitely my no. 1 top bl so far; a supernatural teenage romance underrated masterpiece
(Apologies in advance for any grammatical errors, English is not my native language.)This series is a hidden gem. It is a supernatural teenage romance with hints of slice-of-life that unexpectedly gave me butterflies. Despite its melancholic tone, I still found comfort and beauty in it. This drama is deeply underrated and deserves far more recognition. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is much more than just a sad or tragic story within the BL or supernatural genre.
Story:
The series gently explores the stages of grief, and many reviews have praised how delicately this theme is handled, which I wholeheartedly agree with. Supernatural stories are not always universally appreciated, but this one portrays its fantasy elements in such a grounded and realistic way that it feels incredibly natural. It balances the real and the unreal so well, and that is where its charm truly lies.
What I want to highlight the most is the relationship between Koichi and Micchan. As an introvert, I really appreciate that it shows a healthy relationship between an introvert and an extrovert. I admired Koichi for understanding and seeing the beauty in Micchan's silence. He never rushed anything, from friendship to romance. Introverts need personal space, and I love how Koichi respected that. He never pushed Micchan and instead patiently waited for him to become comfortable. Even though it was love at first sight for Koichi, he allowed Micchan to fall in love slowly, which feels like a kind of sincere courtship we rarely see these days. Koichi became Micchan's protector and safe space. His love was so big and selfless that he always put Micchan's needs first.
Many viewers already see how ideal Koichi is with his gentleness, patience, and protectiveness, but Micchan deserves just as much appreciation. He may seem emotionless on the outside, but he is deeply compassionate. The novel shows even more of how much he loves Koichi, even years later. His eternal love, choosing Koichi every day, is proof of how strong his feelings are. Giving Koichi emotional energy just so he could function already shows how deeply he cared. Watching the person you love slowly fade away is incredibly painful, and Micchan endured that. He loved Koichi just as much as Koichi loved him.
Their relationship gave me everything I could ever want from a love story: a gentle love that feels safe, someone proud of you, someone who sees something special in you that others overlook, and a love you never expected to be returned so sincerely. It is the kind of love that feels irreplaceable, the kind that makes you feel like you are always the first choice, a love that keeps choosing you every day. It is heartbreaking that it was taken away too soon.
Acting/Characters:
Komiya and Inoue did an incredible job. Their chemistry is exceptional, and they delivered everything perfectly. Their comfort with each other, the soft and gentle intimacy, and even the smallest emotional details were beautiful to watch. Even in the intimate scenes, nothing felt oversexualized. The focus on the main couple was truly appreciated. Their expressions, chemistry, and line delivery felt so natural. There was not a single moment that felt awkward or cringe.
Setting/Cinematography:
I loved the Japanese countryside summer setting. The scenery and landscapes were beautiful and calming. Even though the weather differs from the novel, as a pluviophile I loved how important rain became in their story. It appeared in every significant moment, from their first meeting to their relationship beginning, Koichi's accident, and finally his goodbye. It felt like the rain mirrored their emotions and how their love slowly grew.
Music:
This is the best OST I have heard so far. The opening and ending songs perfectly capture their story, and I still get emotional whenever I listen to them. The background score throughout the drama was also beautiful.
Rewatch Value:
It may sound odd, but I would still give the rewatch value a 10 out of 10. I love melancholic stories, and even though this one is sad, it brings me comfort every time I revisit it.
Overall:
Even with its sad ending, the story ended in the most beautiful way possible. The final narration is one of the most painfully beautiful things I have ever seen in a drama. This is probably the best BL I have watched so far. It gave me the poetry, gentleness, subtlety, and bittersweet feeling that I always look for. It also gave me meaningful life lessons. I will always be grateful that I discovered this drama. It left me emotionally wrecked for weeks, but I do not regret watching this masterpiece at all.
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I can’t with MDL
Sometimes I just go here to support my theory that most ppl in MDL is gonna dislike a good drama. For some odd reasons, the viewers here, 90% of the time, never gets in line with my thoughts. But that’s just probably me. 😅 Often times I wonder if I even watched the same drama as everyone else. But enough of that…I’d like to start with the general theme of the drama, coming from its title itself “Royal Feast”, obviously it’s gonna be about food. For the scriptwriters to incorporate that in all issue throughout the drama is already amazing. It introduced us to Chinese cuisines and their way of cooking from back then and showed us the importance of the food department in every kingdom (as opposed to the less attention it gets in most historical dramas Chinese or Korean). And it’s true that they can be so easily implicated just by what they serve on the table as those food goes in the body of the royalties.
Zhu Zhanjin - calm, collected and wise character even from the time he was the Grand Imperial Grandson, he was more like his grandfather than his father was (hence he was the favorite). He posed as a threat to his own father after he took over the throne and it was perfectly portrayed and set by the earlier scenes. He knows his duties as an heir and duties to his wives. He sincerely wanted to create a good relationship with his consort but she didn’t want it hence his heart drifted away and found comfort in the presence of Zijin. Xu Kai did well in this character and he portrayed the three stages that he went thru from grandson to the emperor. However, if I may say so myself (someone who watched everything he had done), this is one of his easiest role. 😂 But Xu kai is Xu kai and I’m proud of him.
Yao Zijin - classy, wise, talented and just the perfect Empress material. Her character has always been composed and just (maybe except for herself, too selfless). Her love for Zhanjin is real but she’s been brought up as an Empress would be and thus how she acts. She knows he duties first as a concubine and then a noble consort, she doe what she can in her power but never goes beyond what the preceding authority before her. She knows the limitations that entails her title and have never asked for more. And when she was given power, she knows when to push through and when to fall back. She’s not frustrating, she’s wise and calculating; just like the Empress Dowager had always been beside Zhanjin’s father. She speaks forward for his sake, for the sake of others but not for her own sake for she does not want to abuse the attention she’s receiving (however, it’s one of her flaws for she has taken it quite far before she lost her voice). In this case neither her nor Zhanjin were free from blame; they both were in the wrong. Nothing to say but perfect Empress material. The actress was perfect for the role, even her facial structure is fit for the role.
There’s so many characters that I can talk about but my willpower to write about each one of them is not enough so I’ll just pass on that.
I enjoyed it a lot and is the only Chinese historical drama ever that I didn’t skip through. Tbh I started this expecting to skip around Episode 17 as I usually do but I actually watched through the whole thing.
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Where to start? Hum at the beginning i thought it was just a random family Drama that i started to watch because of Im Joo Hwan and Kang So Ra.
After just the first episode i was really interested in the story and then became to love it after some more episodes.
The Cast:I love it all. The child actors were totally amazing in my opinion and i will follow them in the future.
I think every actor has portayed his/her character really well and so i could enjoy the Drama till the end.
There will be characters who will annoy you to the bones but they will make you proud in the end changing themself for the better.You will be there to see how someone can change for the people he/she loves.
I'm not Korean but i could understand what they were saying and doing without subs. The acting is really good and it will make you enjoy this Drama.
Story:
The story tells how different people become a family and have to accept each other.
They will go through dispair,pain to finally find happiness as a family.
They will come to undertsand each other and love each other like a real family should.
They will fight for love and to protect the most loved people in their lives.
Music: I really liked the music finding myself singing without realizing it.
I cried a lot and the sad music was a stab in the back making me cry more XD
One of my favourite was No Matter What They Say by Yang Mi Jin.
Why watch this Drama? It will make you feel all the emotions the characters feel,it will make you understand people more,it will teach you a lot of things you'll need in life..
If you start watching it you won't stop.
It's TOTALLY WORTH IT.
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The blurred line between right and wrong
This one took months to write because I wanted to use big words (I know...) and I watched the show 3 times before submitting.Prepare for a binge-watch session like no other, as Awaken sets a new standard for action-thrillers. This drama delivers heart-pounding suspense and electrifying action that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. This series has solidified its place as a must-watch for anyone seeking entertainment that lingers in the mind long after the credits fade.
Story:
Is it murder or suicide? It's hard to tell when it comes to the mysterious case this show throws us into. Seems like another one of those detective shows, but do not be fooled. As the story progresses, things escalate and you find yourself watching something entirely different. Buckle up, because the action-thriller show that is about to hit your screen is an absolute rollercoaster ride.
Characters:
The characters in Awaken are three-dimensional gems that shine brighter with each episode. From the brilliant and mysterious lead Do Jung Woo, who adds a touch of humor amidst the chaos, to the brooding yet brilliant FBI agent grappling with her dark past - each character evolves realistically as they face moral dilemmas and personal challenges.
Acting:
The performances in this drama are nothing short of exceptional. The cast effortlessly brings their characters to life, infusing every line with emotion and depth. Each actor's portrayal contributes to the show's gripping atmosphere. Not even a single drop of disappointment here.
Writing and Dialogue:
Now believe it or not, there is not a single show without loopholes, not even this one. Perfect writing doesn't exist, but this one is pretty close to it. The writing is razor-sharp with dialogues that keep you engaged. The pacing is expertly handled, combining heart-stopping action sequences with moments of quiet introspection that give insight into the characters' motivations. Twists and turns are seamlessly integrated, creating a narrative that leaves you craving more after every episode.
Cinematography:
The camera work amplifies the tension, capturing the energy of chase scenes and the raw emotion in the characters' expressions. The use of light and shadow enhances the show's gloomy atmosphere, immersing viewers deeper into its world.
The haunting soundtrack adds an extra layer of intensity to key moments, heightening the emotional impact.
(No, literally. I can still hear "set me free", even though weeks passed since I last watched it.)
Message:
Beneath the adrenaline-fueled action lies a harsh message: where's the line between right and wrong? It's blurred. Can you see it? Awaken doesn't shy away from exploring complex topics, giving viewers food for thought long after the credits roll.
Viewer Experience:
As a viewer, I was gripped by a sense of exhilaration that's hard to put into words. The heart-racing action, the intricate plot twists, and the genuine emotional connections between characters create an experience that is deeply moving.
Final Verdict:
Awaken is a triumph in the action-thriller genre. With its compelling characters, relentless pacing, and thought-provoking themes, it delivers a viewing experience that's not to be missed. If you're a fan of adrenaline-pumping suspense and intelligently crafted storytelling, this series deserves a top spot on your watchlist.
Beware: You'll probably lose a lot of tears.
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A eunuch of a mystery.
After Word of Honor, it is such a delight to come upon another modest production that punches above its weight - 2021 must be the year of the diamond in the rough! This charming ancient crime solving drama is meticulously well written such that the disparate plot threads are tightly linked and hold up to close scrutiny.This story is set in Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Xuanzong 宣宗. During this period, Xuanzong and his predecessors struggled to wrest back power from the hands of the eunuchs, who were erroneously given authority over the Shence army (imperial guards) to check the power of the generals who guarded the borders. The previous emperor Wuzong was not succeeded by any of his sons but by his uncle Xuanzong, whose ascent was aided by the eunuchs because he was considered more malleable. This is important background context to the story that will make the various motives and power dynamics more clear. [@Skibbies posted a more detailed historical background in the thread which I link below since she didn't review this drama herself.]
Aspiring young coroner Chu Chu heads to Chang'an to obtain her qualifications from the backwaters of Qianzhou. Prince An, Xiao Jinyu who heads 三法司 or Three Judicial Office is impressed by this naive and ernest young coroner's brilliant deductive insights and intrigued by her links to a missing person from a very old cold case hailing back to Wenzong's reign (Wenzong > Wuzong >Xuanzong). This leads to the uncovering of a much larger conspiracy with deep links to the past.
Although Chu Chu is the titular character, this is misleading as the character lacks complexity and gravitas. In fact, this is as much Jinyu's story as it is Chu Chu's and he is ultimately the brains who puts all the pieces together. I have some sympathy for viewers who abandoned this drama because they found Chu Chu's naïveté and simple facial expressions inconsistent with the intelligence of the character. This actress obviously has a lot of potential but in this role, was not able to convey the difference between guileless and gullible. But I put it mostly on her voice dubber, which in my opinion is the production's biggest execution error. The actress should have dubbed herself, she has the perfect voice for Chu Chu, young but not child-like. The dubber's baby doll voice especially took me out of the romance - in today's Stein age (Weinstein, Epstein), it just gives me the creeps to hear romantic exchanges between a baby doll voice and mature male voice. The way the romance is written does not get in the way of the plot, it is very sweet, intelligent and avoids the typical angst tropes but given the choice of voice dubber, I would have preferred they left it out altogether.
As a largely plot driven drama, most of the characters are relatively simple but the sum of the parts is greater than the whole because every character is smart and has something to contribute. Jinli and Lengyue are the muscle that protects the team and have insights on military and jianghu matters. Jingyi is the investigator, general dogsbody and court jester of the group. Even though the cast is obviously quite green, their collective chemistry and rapport is what makes this click. The entire drama is largely carried by this young but rather wonderful ensemble cast. If the main characters are not meaty enough, this is more than made up for by the two wickedly funny eunuchs Qin Luan and Sun Mingde. In fact, Qin Luan can give Lord Varys a run for his money and is by a wide margin my favorite, most interesting character in this drama. So don't miss out on one of the few really solid plot driven dramas out there just because one or two characters don't resonate with you.
What impresses me most with this drama is how creatively details more easily explained in a book are adapted. The autopsy re-enactments and visual presentation of hidden clues in chess matches, riddles, and ciphers convincingly portrays plot intricacies without getting mired in mind numbing detail. That said, we are not given the ability to solve any of the side cases, we just get to sit back and let Jinyu show and tell us the devil in the details.
When it comes to the overarching plot, even though all major plot points converge brilliantly with loose ends tied up nicely, it could have been better done. The mastermind is not the best, most convincing villain in the drama and I do not like how they are revealed so early on and abruptly without any hints or surprise value. Ideally we figure out their identity at the same time Jinyu does. And that is the second problem, the mastermind pretty much self combusts. This is a character that is super intelligent throughout that becomes less intelligent towards the end. When Jinyu returns to Chang'an he only has the solution to the cold case, he is far from onto who the mastermind is. Instead of accelerating their plan while hiding in plain sight, the mastermind panics and tips off Jinyu by fleeing in a way that makes no sense when they should know they can't fool Jinyu's genius coroner. This also cuts them off from their easy access to the palace which is their end goal and from then from then on, they continue to dribble clues that are easy for a coroner of Chu Chu's caliber to unravel. This makes the ending pretty much a foregone conclusion and even though the team takes some unnecessary risks in the final denouement, I didn't feel any build in suspense or a sense of imminent peril. The drama for me climaxes when they find the witch doctor and after that it is just a series of incrementally less interesting and exciting reveals. At the end of the day, they focused too much on the details supporting the sub plots and neglected the main meal.
Everything said and done flaws and all, I still enjoyed this drama immensely and am happy to strongly recommend it. I can only rate it an 8.5 because this eunuch of a mystery is missing its best parts.
A link to more detailed background history credit to @Skibbies:
https://mydramalist.com/50135-the-imperial-coroner#comment-6184389
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Plot:
The story is based on the historical character Wu Zhetian - the first and only female emperor in Chinese history. From what I have learned about that era, this drama reflects well on major events as well as some minor events. However, this drama focuses more on the romance of the main character. The pace and transition of each saga of her story is well organised.
Characters:
The chemistry between the actors/actresses are really well shown. The actors/actresses casted to portray the characters are well chosen and I cannot ask for better. The acting is well done and there was hardly any cringy acting.
Music:
The opening song really shows the strong Chinese dynasty and goes really well with the clips that are edited with it. After watching her drama, look back at the opening sequence you will feel very emotional as you look at the development of Wu MeiNiang (Wu Zhetian) and her interaction with other characters.
Overall:
This is the longest drama I've ever watched. It went far above my expectations. The makeup, clothing, movement to plot, music and characters are so well put together I don't think anything can be better. I hardly do reviews for dramas but this really worth a recommendation. My favourite part of the drama is the chemistry between Wu MeiNiang and Li ShiMin.
Sadly, the censorship which edited the clothing and scenes which were considered 'inappropriate' slightly ruined the character development and chemistry between some characters.
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This drama is amazing! That is all you need to know to start watching it. Of course, it has more then 100 episodes, but they are only 30 minutes long, so you wont really spend that much time on it.
I would like to start from the very beginning - parents story. Lets face the true: usually, its the most boring part of dramas. At first, I thought that I would skip it and go right to the actual story. But I warn you... DONT DO THIS! Story of their parents is actually really good as a stand alone story. Its sad, but amazing and really romantic. I really enjoyed it! And actors are just amazing... it has so many feels! Plus there are some really important aspects of the story and if you miss it, you will be lost later. So I will recommend you to watch fully watch it :)
As for the actually story of princess Su Baek Hyang. Again, it is amazing. From the beginning to the end, you will not feel bored. Actors are doing amazing job with every role that is given to them. I was never a big fan of Seo Woo, but she did amazing job with her villain character. And the main characters are soooo good! Main pairing is sooo sweet! Perfect!
There are so many things I loved about this. One of them were characters... They are very complex and fun to watch. Good guys are not not just "good" they have their bad side too. And vice versa. It is always fun to watch characters like this, because you never know what to expect from them!
There is also another thing. This drama does NOT have love triangle. OMG! Really... for a 100+ eps drama to NOT have a love triangle. Its like a precious jewel :D yet it still have interesting story to watch :D
About the story... its complicated :D I sometimes felt like I need to make a diagram about who is whos son and daughter :D
But who I loved the most was the main actress. SHE HAS SUCH A HIGH POTENTIAL! I enjoyed her to the bits! Perfect perfomance in every scene! She can be really funny, but also dramatic. Her character had the best development, yet she remained true to herself. I was really amazed by her acting skills! Bravo to her and every other actor and actress!
As I wrote... the story is amazing! Even if this is 100+ drama... and it has its own flaws... its perfect watch! Very entertaining and fun.
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Aí vem uma estudante do Guo Zijian
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How to Date Your Dean
I wasn’t sure to start watching this series or not because most of the comments I’ve read were not favorable. After one episode, it seemed watchable. The plot is rather simple and straightforward, the villain is revealed to the viewers very early in the story, Zhao Lusi is still Zhao Lusi – silly and cute, and the story is non-original with the-hero-gets-the-girl-and-the-bad-guy-vanquishes. In other words, it’s cliché and tropey. Nonetheless, I find Zhao Lusi’s cuteness irresistible.This is a story of a girl enters a boys-only imperial college and becomes the first ever female graduate from the college. In the process, she makes her dean fall in love with her, giving the viewers a tabooed romantic relationship of a student with a member of the school faculty. At the same time, it also tries to advocate equal educational opportunities for all girls and boys regardless of their family status.
Sang Qi (Zhao Lusi) is said to be different from all the other girls. Growing up at the frontier, she is unrestrained, playful, active and intelligent. Zhao Lusi has everything this character requires. Similar to her previous drama in “The Romance of Tiger and Rose”, Zhao Lusi’s character is still the “Sha Bai Tian” (silly, fair and sweet) character with more bravery, smartness and chivalry this time. Many viewers criticize her for playing the same type of character again and again. For me, it is of course ideal if an actor is given the chance to play a different character so that she/he can widen her/his skills and scope. But on the other hand, this type of character is what Zhao Lusi is best at, probably more so than other actors, giving viewers an excellent and natural performance here. As in most of Zhao Lusi’s dramas with similar roles, she stumbles easily, gets herself all over her man, kissing him unintentionally (or intentionally?), making him fall in love with her, and she him (roll eyes).
Yan Yun Zhi (Xu Kaicheng) is the Dean of the Imperial College. He’s good looking and has a cool demeanor. He tries to be serious but with Zhao Lusi around, who can? I quite like the Yan Yun Zhi character and Xu Kaicheng’s portrayal. However, I find his expression overly joyous as he seems to grin at Zhao Lusi all the time. This, to me, doesn’t fit his supposedly stern and solemn character very well, after all, he’s supposed to be a teaching faculty that garners respect and admiration from his students and other teaching staff. Other viewers feel Xu Kaicheng is not totally suitable for costume dramas.
Comes the antagonist, Zhuo Wen Yuan (Ren Hao) who is Sang Qi’s childhood friend when they both lived at the frontier. He is intelligent and a valedictorian in the Imperial College, at the same time he is a complex and vicious schemer. This is actually my favorite character. Ren Hao has that angelic face that can turn devilish in an instant. His acting is commendable.
My Verdict
This drama has a predictable storyline, slapstick humor, and a dog blood script. The lack of attention to details is blatant (viewers can spot production team members in the scenes, etc). The conversations are comedic. Similar to Zhao Lusi's other rom-coms, this drama is entertaining if you want something to give you a good mood and to laugh about. Don't be too critical and don't take it too seriously. It's not meant to be serious. Acting wise, both main leads and especially the villain are good. The supporting cast is good too (super hilarious).
Despite all the flaws, I have rather enjoyed this light-hearted series.
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The perfect special for Love in the Air
This is a 70 minute special which looks at both Love Sky and Love Storm stories and brings them together. I was skeptical after the previous Don't Say No and Tharntype specials but this one was well done. It was the right balance of sexy, funny, a commentary on LGBTQ+ laws etc. I would boldly say it was a perfect special. And we didn't have any of the sometimes problematic MAME tropes so, winning!Rain and Sky, classmates compare notes on their relationships and find themselves questioning certain things. They decide to go away to the beach (which Thai BL would be complete without a beach trip? Come On!) and not think or talk about their significant others. It doesn't go quite as they planned however...
This was a decent episode as we had new NC scenes and the usual misunderstandings that happen with new relationships from jealousy and friends / exes stirring trouble. It also opened the door for new stories such as Payu's boss and Pai's brother Plerng so there is more from this universe still to come.
Definitely worth a watch as it gives us the perfect closure on this story. Some may find Rain and Sky a little immature at times but I gave them the benefit of the doubt as they're still students. Lovely to see Payu and Pai giving stellar performances here.
And there will be scenes you revisit. Trust me.
Enjoy!
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