Reviews

Chaotic, Cringy and Unhinged But I LOVED it a lot!

Yeah so I watched The Heart Killers and I liked it. A lot. Like, way more than I should have. Clown level of obsessed.

First of all, this is a romcom that has a crime and action background story, so do not expect logic. I’m serious. Romance is THE plot. Everything else is just a build-up for it, so keep that in mind. And honestly, this is amazing!! I was completely entertained from the start to the end. I didn’t even care how over-the-top or unrealistic it was. It was just that fun.

So the story is about Bison and Fadel, two hitman brothers who run a burger shop. Yep, a burger shop. Kant, who is a tattoo artist with a criminal record, becomes a police spy to stop them from reopening his car-theft case. He’s tasked to investigate them but then realizes one of them is a one-night stand he hasn’t forgotten… Bison. So naturally, he tries his best to get close to him to get information. But the older brother Fadel is super suspicious and not having it. So Kant asks his best friend Style to seduce Fadel and take him out so Fadel would be less focused on him. Like that was the plan. And it kind of works. Somehow.

The story is quite new and unique for a BL. It is messy. Everyone is a red flag and I LOVE that!!!!! Seriously. I live for this energy.

This is a total cringe fest, and there were a lot of times I felt the embarrassment not only for the characters but for the actors too. Especially in the first half before I got used to the tone. This is not a complaint. I like me a cringe show haha. It added to the charm in a weird way. Once I accepted the show was unapologetically chaotic, I was in.

So about the characters:

Fadel: I liked him a lot. Like, a LOT. I felt like he and I have some similarities. Minus the fact that he’s a gunman obviously. I related so much to him. His thoughts were so much like mine. He had this whole "no matter how much you love someone, I just don't believe that you can completely lay yourself in front of them" mindset and I could not agree more. Love and trust are different things. He was so closed off about his feelings and thoughts. He has his walls so up, guard all the way up, and it's not easy at all to break through them. He believes in logic more than feelings. He is so INTJ. I liked his development arc too. Like, as he slowly accepts that he loves Style, he doesn’t just become a fool in love. He still is not all trusting even in love and I adore this so much.

I liked this man a lot. I don’t even know how to say it properly. Can he accept me as his sister? I want the lifestyle of not getting involved with anyone. Like??? That quote — "no matter how much you love someone, I just don’t believe that you can completely lay yourself in front of them." — has always been my motto. I wasn’t expecting to see it in a drama and it hit hard.

Style: Our unhinged crop top boy. He definitely has a style for himself. He didn’t even have to open his mouth for me to feel embarrassed. He just appeared on my screen and I got that second-hand embarrassment immediately. He is an extrovert and the word shame does not exist in his vocabulary. He is an auto mechanic and can’t resist when Kant offers him his father’s car he has been eyeing. So he goes all out to win the heart of Fadel. He annoys him a lot and keeps messing with him without even knowing he is a gunman. Like every "I’ll kill you" joke could’ve been real and he had no idea. Then the day after Fadel agrees to date him, Kant tells him about Fadel’s job and it hits him that he could’ve literally died in the woods while confessing to him. But it’s too late to back off.

I actually liked his scared reaction after that lol. And he did eventually fall for the killer but stayed unhinged. I want more characters like him. He was SO FUN. He is a diva. Every line he says is iconic. I can’t. I need a friend like him.

"You made me hit on a gunman. I could’ve made headlines: handsome man found in the woods."

Fadel threatening to kill him with a gun and Style says, "Can I buy clothes? Let me at least die in style. Handsome man with clear skin found dead in crop tops. My dad would recognize me."

And so much more!! My search history for the next years: Style iconic lines lol.

Kant: We have a tattoo artist with a dark past and a teenage brother he has to take care of alone. He is sweet but a red flag too. I liked him. I thought I’d have more to say about him but that’s really all. He didn’t have much of a story besides that and his relationship with Bison. I liked that he still did the job of getting info even though he was in love with Bison because YES!!!!! Don’t let love take the lead. He is a good big brother. Everything he did was for Babe (his brother). And I understand him a lot. He can’t just leave his brother alone because of a man.

Also, his tattoos looked fake as hell.

Bison: Literally an adorable puppy. But a bit dumb for a hitman. He was bringing out that damn gun every time like it’s his phone or something. Like?? But all this little cutie wanted was love. But a cutie can be crazy too lol. His feelings after knowing the betrayal from Kant? He went CRAZY. And it’s valid. Especially for a hitman.

Fadel: "We let them fall for us and then kill them. Make him believe you're crazy for him. Crazy in love, not crazy like psycho."

The way he had to specify that? LOL.

But seriously, with how Fadel and Bison killed people, they should’ve been jailed way sooner than they did. Carrying guns everywhere like it’s normal.

I don’t think I even have to talk about the chemistry because HELLO?!!!!!! It was off the charts. I will say though that I would’ve preferred some of the scenes to be just a hug or a small kiss instead of going all out, you know? But still. The tension. The vibes. The longing. All of it worked.

I really liked the scene when Fadel found out his ex didn’t leave him but was actually killed by Lily, his "mom," and Style comforts him. That moment was so good. It’s the one time Style’s quirkiness cools down and he makes sure Fadel knows that it’s not his fault. That Style would love him for who he is and stay by his side. It was soft. It was real. It was needed.

Also loved the friendship between Style and Kant. Besties for life. And Fadel and Bison, They are not blood brothers, but that bond is chef’s kiss. Total sibling energy. They’re so different but they just get each other. Gladly they’re siblings because I cannot imagine these two being friends with how opposite they are.

Anyway, I loved this show. I want more. I want chaos. I want crime. I want crop tops. I want Style quotes on a t-shirt. I want to emotionally detach like Fadel. I want more unhinged romcoms where everyone is a red flag and no one makes good choices.

I am begging for more messy, iconic dramas like this one.

Leia Mais

A simple show about a young woman navigating life. And it is a most extraordinary show.

Simplicity is one of the most confounding and elusive qualities in any context. Take a stroll through a supermarket and try to count how many brands of bottled water are on the shelf. It’s just water. They are just putting it in a bottle. But there are countless variations of it. Spring water. Sparkling water. Distilled water. That’s just some of the kinds. A product as common as an apple can be green or red and within each of those colors are multiple varieties each with their own combination of sweetness, tartness, firmness and suitability for eating raw or baking or to be used for cider or sauce. Simple things that somehow complexity mushrooms out of seemingly without end.

“Yumi’s Cells” is, on its surface, a simple show: a young single woman navigates her career and personal life. The narrative device of animated cells, each of which are responsible for a particular trait of her personality, is intermittently inserted to illuminate her inner mental and emotional processes and how they manifest in her behavior.

While the combination of animation and live action may be novel (at least in Korean dramas), that’s not at all what is remarkable about “Yumi’s Cells”. That is not to say that the animation is not terrifically entertaining. It may not be Pixar quality work, but the cells are mostly cleverly written. The dynamic between the primary logical cell and emotional cell helps keep a bit of a de facto organizational hierarchy. The cells add more than a dash of humor and some of it is in moments where a bit of lightness is decidedly welcome. Done poorly, these segments could have been dead space fillers. But they instead both advance the narrative and entertain simultaneously.

The quality of the animated scenes, however, is secondary to the live action. The production here is perhaps not award-winning, but it has a lovely OST. The photography is well done. The wardrobe, particularly with Ahn Bo Hyun’s Wung, has some standout contributions. But this is, on the surface, a simple show: a young woman navigates her career and personal life. Massive amounts of cgi and a thundering score would be woefully out of place.

As for the supporting cast, its purpose is mostly to provide scenery as Yumi and her inner cohorts navigate daily life. Lee Yoo Bi stands out a bit as Ruby. Park Jin Young is mostly in a half catatonic trance as Yu Ba Bi, but that may be by design. But this is not an ensemble show and the ups and downs of the minor characters are barely on the relevance spectrum here.

“Yumi’s Cells” has three things that shine and shine brightly. One is the editing of each episode and how it so cleverly advances the narrative. No shows, or at least very very few, proceed through time in a straight linear fashion. All feature some manner of flashbacks or time skips or possible futures. Here, although there are flashbacks, it is more that the action is revealed not in a linear sense, but in increasing magnitude of importance. But it is done in a way which does not require a viewer to have a degree in quantum physics to follow. They are simple stories, but revealed in a complex manner. The storytelling is absolutely masterful. Concealed things are revealed at the most opportune time. The pace of how the story progresses within each episode never lags. And although it is a simple show, there is an incredible amount of suspense and it is so cleverly and slowly ratcheted up to a climactic moment. It is a simple show and it simply executes brilliantly.

In addition to the narrative, Yumi and Wung are not just immensely adorable, but they are painfully realistic and relatable. These are not chaebol heirs or hero cops or exorcists or genius orphans. They have anxieties and are emotionally scarred and don’t say the important things that they should say and they don’t always understand each other and they say part of what they need to say but never say the most important part of it and they hurt each other and they hurt themselves and they have all these flaws and, despite all of these things, they still find a way to intimately connect as human beings. And they struggle as two people intimately connected. It is one of the most honest depictions of a relationship in any medium.

The centerpiece of all of this is Ahn Bo Hyun as Wung and Kim Go Eun as Yumi. For Ahn Bo Hyun, this is new ground, both in terms of the personality of the character he’s playing and the magnitude of the role. If there is a theme in his previous roles, it’s testosterone with a side dish of not exceptionally intelligent. Physically, he’s not transformed beyond the hair and a few whiskers. Frankly, his impressive physique is one of the few out of place elements here. Wung is eating, hanging out with Yumi, eating and hanging out with Yumi or coding for hours on end. That distraction aside, Ahn Bo Hyun is a delight as the very left-brained, somewhat awkward but massively good natured and warm Wung. He has range. He has talent. And this is a role that suits him. Quietly, especially towards the end of this run, his depiction of a character who is lost internally but desperately trying to keep it buried is painful and lovely to watch.

As a swirling ball of earnest, bright, vulnerable and determined, Kim Go Eun is magical. She’s had no shortage of starring roles on blockbuster shows. But unlike those roles, here she’s the straw that stirs the drink. Not only that, but as the show is so deeply focused on Yumi, it is her performance that the success of the show largely hinges on. As the show delves deeper into Yumi’s character, Kim Go Eun’s portrayal grows more layered and nuanced. She hits all the notes in the emotional spectrum. She displays both speaking and physical prowess as an actor. The performance may not have a singular spectacular moment, but it is so uniformly deftly accomplished.

Separate, these two leads are wonderful. Together, they are indescribably transcendent. And the show as a result is a marvel.

Overall, it is a show - a simple show of a young woman navigating her career and personal life - that has seamlessly integrated exceptional lead performances and superb storytelling into a captivating package.

Recommended for everyone without any reconsideration, reservation or regret, as “Yumi’s Cells” is the most outstanding drama of 2021.

Leia Mais

This is a great movie to watch if you're feeling like you want something entertaining with a different story.

The story is something different. Even though time travel sometimes is a cliche, in this movie it isn't. That isn't the focus or the story and it develops nicely apart from that fact. All the characters had something you could relate to, and had something that you just HAD to love. Besides, the story has twist that while watching it I just kept thinking "what the heck? This wasn't supposed to happen here!", so it never gets tiring or boring.

The cast was great. Nishikido Ryo's acting was superb, specially if you have seen him acting in other stuff and you realize just how wide his acting is. The female lead and the little kid also did a great job, and the 3 of them together could create a feeling of a real family.

The music wasn't something special. It wasn't bad but it isn't something that I would download to listen to it all the time.

On the rewatch value I'll definitely watch it again soon because I liked it a lot.

So overall, a solid 9. I would've given it a 10 if it weren't for some stuff about the story that I didn't like and I won't mention here to spoil. Watch it, I think you'll like it :D

Leia Mais

To be a detective who not only solves cases but helps the victims and their families move on. This sums up the philosophy of the main character, Kaga, a new detective (shinzanmono) in the police department of a fictitious town.

Like most mystery story leads, Kaga is a genius who solves all mysteries that comes him way. However, what makes this drama unconventional is how each mystery and its characters are interwoven together to the main plot and how they all tie together into one long emotional journey that tugs at your heart. I enjoyed watching each episode for not only solving the mystery but also its believable characters who all have their own realistic reasons for their actions.

Another aspect I liked was how the drama plays with the setting which is something I rarely ever see in mystery dramas. Each mystery/episode was like a small trip down one of the streets of this fictitious town. Toward the last episode, I felt have explored the whole town with Kaga learning about the ordinary yet moving lives of its inhabitants living on each street.

While you don't learn much about the backstory of Kaga, I feel this doesn't take away from how great this drama was. This drama injects its own brand of quirkiness and creativity in its unique way of storytelling that is so different from the mystery dramas we are used to seeing today.

Overall, I would highly recommend this drama to anyone who is getting tired of watching mystery dramas with essentially the same set up and is looking to try something new.

Leia Mais

A Crowd Of Three tells the story of two friends who, for different reasons, are drifting through life. They are both orphans; directionless, scarred by their pasts and unhappy w/their lot in life. This combination serves to make them both a bit volatile. The journey they set out on is where this story starts moving forward.

This movie is dark. While watching I felt the same emotions they did as their journey progressed. I was bored in points, sad, tense and wondering how and where it would end.

The acting was actually very solid. It is no secret I am a fan of Matsuda Shota. He does a wonderful job playing Kento who seems, on the surface, the calm and more sensible of the pair of boys. With his emotions being repressed and boiling under the surface like a dormant volcano. This guy can act. Kora Kengo who plays Jun as more frantic; all his emotions out there for you to see. And almost a relunctant follower who doesn't want to be left behind by the only friend he has. There were many points in this movie when I found them both hard to like.

The plot is a bit wanting. Their journey a bit abstract. The ending intense. I felt as if the writing was good but this movie has quite an "Indy film" feel and so an artistic angle sometimes negates exposition and a solid trajectory of story. This left me unsatisfied.

The music is forgettable but I don't think it was meant to be anything but background sound so I gave it a 6.

My rewatch value is low but I'm not going to express why as that might spoil a person interested in watching. If you are a fan of Shota, I say give it a try. Also, if you are a fan of gritty, independent films you may like this. I'm giving it a 7. Mostly for the two leads.

I stayed with this for the acting and for that I don't regret watching.

Leia Mais

Truly Worth!!!

My all time favorite Drama is Goblin. I would say this is the best of all the Korean dramas that I have watched.
Selection of cast is really amazing, exactly matches their characters in the drama. This is not just the leads every single role played by every cast in the drams is perfect.
Music is awesome. Both songs and the background music is too good.
Graphics was also good.
This drama includes every genre available. I can keep watching it.
Untamed is my favorite Chinese Drama and Goblin is my favorite Korean drama.
I want to thank the directors for producing such nice dramas for us to binge watch. Thank you.

I like watching dramas that come under the fantasy genre :)

Leia Mais

Decently good, but probably not every BL fan's cup of tea

The story is told reasonably well. For those who are curious about whether this is just bromance: no, it's not (but this may not mean much). The story goes that a man is in love with his his adoptive brother, but he has to get married. He is unable to consummate his marriage, but is his love even reciprocated? The story doesn't seem altogether original and may remind one of older movies like A Frozen Flower, but it does keep one guessing how the adoptive brother feels. I wish the ending had been clearer about the brother's actions though, for the revelations don't necessarily cohere with his actions.

The story is tragic and rather moving, but sometimes the camerawork seems a little amateurish. It is around an hour and it feels as though some parts of the story have been cut short for no good reason. The back stories of the wife and adoptive brother are alluded to, but more could have been revealed.

The production is fairly good overall, but it may not go down too well with BL fans today who often prefer happy endings and more show of passion to depictions of angsty, repressed homosexual desire.

Leia Mais

Movie: Queer Butterfly / Queer Movie Butterfly


Story: I think the story was quite good because it tells a different tale of what people would think the "Adult World" is like and shows it from a different perspective as well. Some people would get confused easily if you do not pay attention to the whole movie from beginning to end so you have to pay close attention to understand all the characters roles and how they play a part in the movie.

Acting: The acting I think was quite good as well. They showed most of the emotions needed (THE BEST SCENES ARE THE KISS SCENES)

Music: You would usually hear music during a kiss scene obviously since in my opinion it would just be weird hearing the noises you know. But the music was nice when played.

Rewatch: I would honestly rewatch it for only specific parts which I enjoyed the most.

FREE MOVIE (not eng subbed):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_545CVq9pA&index=1&list=LLdkNPQVCKt5mwR62PJ57G6A&t=1886s

Leia Mais

Quick and Uncomplicated Watch

I started watching this on a whim because I have been watching short(er) dramas lately and this seems to fit that category. Plus, I like shows centered around demons and all that jazz. The Fragments of Kylin was a short, mostly enjoyable watch, featuring a sweet and noble male lead, bubbly female lead, and fun side characters. I am neither amazed nor disappointed by this show because it wasn’t one of my highly anticipated ones and I wasn’t expecting much from it. While the female lead being bubbly did not bother me, I preferred her attitude and personality when she was in the demon’s realm. The Demon lord version of the female lead promised angst and pain, which I very much wanted, but sadly never got. Despite it being a lower budget show, they had some pretty costumes and even some of the CGI and OST songs were decent.

If you want a quick, easy, uncomplicated story with some funny moments, this is it. It’s perfect if you commute to work and just want some mindless fun while making sure no one talks to you.

Leia Mais

A simple fun show about a family

I came into the show, knowing that it would be a silly little slice of life family drama with the added element of a spy thriller -and that is exactly what I got. I see that the other reviews have called the character interaction is a bit cringe and silly, but that is precisely what I liked about the show. I didn’t go into expecting the most amazing acting and writing, but I still enjoyed what I got. I actually quite liked the spy stuff and in particular I thought the actress for Ms Oh was amazing! I also wanted to appreciate how they handled the foreigners and the many languages spoken! Often I find in kdramas that foreigners are always handled a bit odd especially when you can tell they’re white but you can tell they speak Korean better than they can speak English but I didn’t get that here! Personally I loved the backstory between the husband and wife, and even though I thought the child was a tad annoying at times, I still thought she was adorable and I laughed at her storyline. The only aspect of the show I didn’t care about was the Grandfathers storyline especially since it didn’t have a pay off. Oh and warning it does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger but even if it doesn’t get a season two idk it’s such a small thing that I can pretend it didn’t happen 😌

Leia Mais

He Learned to Hide His Crazy

THE UNHINGED LIVE-WATCH NOTES 📝
Let me take you on the journey that was watching this absolute fever dream:
The premise hits: Reborn revenge where the twist is HE’S the one who remembers being a psychopath and has to actively suppress his “chain women to furniture” instincts as a ROMANCE STRATEGY. Incredible. Revolutionary. This man’s entire character arc is “learn to hide the crazy long enough to get the girl.” I’m OBSESSED.
The face situation: That smirk. THAT SMIRK. Liang Si Wei looked at the camera like he knows what he’s doing to us and he’s enjoying it. Sir, this is WEAPONIZED attractiveness. This should be illegal. I need a minute. Several minutes. I need to lie down……
Unexpected production value: The MUSIC? It’s actually good? It’s HOPPIN? In a vertical drama? Someone spent budget on the soundtrack instead of just looping the same piano track for 90 minutes? I’m SHOOK.
The coconut incident: THIS MAN JUST CASUALLY USED A DIAMOND RING THE SIZE OF MY ENTIRE MORTGAGE PAYMENT TO CRACK OPEN A COCONUT. A COCONUT. TROPICAL FRUIT. He looked at this massive rock and thought “you know what this is good for? COCONUT BREAKING.” The disrespect to both coconuts and capitalism. The AUDACITY. I’m screaming. This is the most expensive fruit-opening in television history and I CANNOT.
The internal conflict: Listen, I know this is problematic. I KNOW. But when Liang Si Wei is on screen looking like THAT with THOSE ABS and THAT FACE, I found myself thinking “you know what, piano chains don’t sound SO bad.” I’m aware I need therapy. I’m AWARE. But also he can kidnap me anytime. I’m a mess. We’re all a mess. This man is dangerous and I’m volunteering as tribute.
THE BODYGUARD REVOLUTION: HOLD. THE. PHONE. This man hired a LADY BODYGUARD to PROTECT the FL? A professional! Security! Person! To keep her SAFE! Not “I’ll be jealous and possessive and that counts as protection”—actual HIRED SECURITY with TRAINING and WEAPONS! In VERTICAL DRAMA LAND where FLs get kidnapped every 14 minutes with ZERO professional security measures! This is the most thoughtful thing I’ve ever seen a vertical drama ML do! Someone get this man a trophy for “Most Likely to Understand That Professional Security Is Better Than Toxic Jealousy”! UNPRECEDENTED!
The ex-fiancé’s brain cell count: This DUMBASS had an affair with fake sister—HER FAKE SISTER—and is out here confused why she won’t return his calls. Sir. SIR. You cheated. WITH HER FAKE FAMILY MEMBER. And you’re standing there with your one shared brain cell wondering why she blocked you? The cognitive dissonance is breathtaking. The audacity is STUNNING. I want to study him in a lab.
Character development (or lack thereof): She’s a painter! How do we know? Because she painted ONE (1) painting. In ONE (1) scene. Character ESTABLISHED! Career CONFIRMED! Never mind that actual painters paint multiple things, this is vertical drama land where one prop = entire personality. She could’ve been holding a stethoscope for all the character depth it provided.
Second ML’s mobility crisis: The Second ML is supposed to be injured and on crutches. SUPPOSED to be. This man is fighting those crutches like they personally insulted his family. He can’t OPERATE them. It’s like watching someone lose a fight with inanimate objects. He’s a GOOBER. Casting said “can you use crutches?” and he said “how hard could it be?” VERY HARD, apparently. Physical comedy was not intentional but DELIVERED.

Leia Mais

Gritty and epic

This version, out of the numerous adaptations of the same Jin Yong saga, the “Legend of the Condor Heroes”, was the least popular amongst those made in the last 30 years.

However, this review was written with the hope that this version will receive more positive attention, as it was certainly deserving of it, being an earnestly and beautifully produced, directed and performed show which did the fantastic saga justice.

Plot:
Story-wise, this was one of the most faithful to the saga in the novels. It was also relatively well-executed. Hence, the plot, story and execution were the strengths of this adaptation. However, it was not without flaws as the show focused on certain parts of the story more than others, resulting in an imbalance (as per the story in the novels). If one was not too nit-picky, that was still one shortcoming which can be overlooked.

Particularly worthy of note was the period while the story was based in Mongolia. There was more emphasis on this phase of Guo Jing’s journey in this version than there were in the others, and the care taken were admirable. If there was an absolute I dare assert with regard to the adaptations, it was that the 2003 version had the best Mongolia-based-phase out of all existing adaptations, no ifs-or-buts about it. It was truly fantastic, even with the inevitable flaws.

Cast/Acting:
There were many criticisms and controversy with regard to the casting, especially for the main leads. However, while everybody had their own preferences for actors/actresses and their interpretations of the characters, personally, I found the acting and interpretations to be solidly competent and robustly interesting. I love the Huang Rong and Guo Jing here. Both the portrayals by Zhou Xun and Li Ya Peng were impressionable and highly memorable. They left their own marks on these classic characters.

The only main issue I had was with Yang Kang and his actor, whom I thought overacted most times. Still, he did well, just not really my cup-of-yes. The rest of the cast also did excellently and left a deep impression. I particularly appreciated the presence and gravitas some of the more veteran actors and actresses brought to the secondary characters, especially the more major characters of the wuxia masters.

Action sequences/CGI:
While there were some annoying overuse of CGI, overall, I thought the usage was appropriate for the scenes they were employed in, and did not unnecessarily overshadow the more traditional kungfu moves during the same action sequences.

Cinematography:
The cinematography here was simply breathtaking, with shooting locations spanning the breadth of China from the north to the south, giving a sense of deep realism to this version that moved me. In tandem with that touch of realism, the framing used also brought out the ethereal aesthetic of a black and white ink painting in many scenes, lending many scenes a sense of immersive beauty.

This version used a palette of muted and darker colours for its scenes, lending a dirtier, grittier and more epic feel to the whole show, which really matched the wuxia genre, I thought. Not only that, it lent a tinge of tragedy and bittersweetness throughout. While the story was a somewhat positive exposition on the journey of a patriot-hero, it was also a story littered with deaths and tragedies, and I applauded the show for not shying away from this sense of sadness through its visual presentation.

Costumes:
The costumes and set pieces utilised here could be considered simple and drab, but were actually custom made for the show based on historical records and the novels, and here too, the effort to be true to its source material and historical background was clearly shown.

Music:
While the tracks used here would have their work cut out for them in topping the nostalgic impact of the TVB adaptations’ theme songs, I never once thought it paled in comparison. The opening theme song, “Heaven and Earth Are in My Heart” was a marvelously epic encapsulation of the whole ‘hero’ journey, and the ending song, “True Love is Beautiful” was a lovely sentimental ballad which could well ensnare your audio senses. The musical score employed throughout the show was also suitably impressive - compositions which were predominantly classical Chinese instrumentals - elevating the impact of many scenes.

Conclusion:
This was the least pretty adaptation so far, with an intensity and realism that made it a more plodding viewing compared to other versions. However, it was the one which I thought captured most concisely the essence of the saga as written in the novels - from story, acting, backdrop, feels, props to cinematography - which was essentially a distillation of the idealisation of Confucian and patriotic values through the epic journey of Guo Jing. Hence, this version resonated deeply with me, and has remained my favourite out of all the ones I have had the pleasure to watch. It was truly a masterpiece worthy of its source material.

Choices:
If dark, gritty and epic is your cup of tea, the 2003 version is highly recommended.

If a slightly revisionist-story, specific/well-known actors/actresses and general prettiness are your preference, the 2008 version might be a good choice.

If bright, pretty, romance-weighted and ‘idol-ish’ are your preferences, the latest 2017 version would be a fine choice. This is quite a marvelous adaptation and relatively a faithful to the source material.

If a good story, wonderful acting, memorable OST, nostalgia and simple curiosity (as to why they were such beloved classics), the early-1980s TVB/HK-versions are a must.

The 1994 remake from TVB would also be a solid choice. Good performances and overall fabulous drama. (This was the series where I first fell in love with the saga and characters, and a well made adaptation which did not veer off much from the source material. Sometimes, first love doesn’t always leave the most lasting impression, and I am glad for that).

The 2024 adaptation had superb Wuxia vibes and was a relatively turbo-charged version of the saga as a whole. While there were some clear issues, it was nevertheless a highly entertaining watch. What made this adaptation special for me, however, is Ci Sha and his portrayal of Guo Jing. The 2024 version has my favourite Guo Jing and JingRong to date, and I am a fan who love all the Guo Jing and Huang Rong (also JingRong) I have ever watched.

Leia Mais

A story with strong themes, which didn't reach its full potential

The Judge Returns was a drama that caught my attention the moment I read its synopsis. I have developed a keen interest to series about law and judicial system so it goes without saying that I decided to give this one a go.

The series' start was very strong. The first two episodes were a very good setup for Han Young's backstory and eventual development. From the get-go, we get introduced to a cold judge, who delivers "justice" based on money instead of the law and ethics. We witness him at his lowest in terms of morality and yet, when his eventual death followed, I couldn't help but pity him and wish for his growth in the second chance he got to redeem himself.

This was the first time I watched Ji Sung and I can already tell that he's about to become one of my most favourite actors. He embodied Han Young and he made sure to steal the spotlight every time he appeared on the screen. You could see the fire in Han Young's eyes and his thirst for justice and fair punishment. Han Young's charismatic, charming and yet cunning personality was encapsulated perfectly by Ji Sung. I loved the way he changed his body language and the tone of his voice based on the characters Han Young interacted with, adding more layers to the various dynamics.

Park Hee Son as Kang Sin Jin was an absolute gem, from a visual and acting point. He owned this role and the authority he radiated in his scenes was unmatched. Sin Jin was a multilayered character and Hee Son did a magnificent job portraying his polarizing morality. His micro expressions andsubtle movements made Jin Sin more intimidating and unpredictable and it showed why he had so much influence. His chemistry with Ji Sung was one of the strongest aspects in the drama, emphasizing the ongoing silent battle between Han Young and Sin Jin, their scenes together were so exciting to watch and the build-up to their final confrontation made me eager to watch more.

The rest of the cast was very modest, some performances being more remarkable than others but overall, everyone delivered what was expected of them. I especially loved Tae Won Seok's role as Jeong Ho, Han Young's friend. I watched The Judge Returns before watching Bloodhounds and I couldn't believe that the ruthless bloodhound who made Woo Jin and Gun Woo's lives a hell shared the same actor with a kindhearted and supportive CEO. His versatility was very impressive and although his role wasn't very demanding in terms of emotional delivery, he stole the show whenever he would appear on screen, bringing a breath of fresh air.

The ongoing battle between good vs evil is the most prominent and yet the most complex theme in the drama. Instead of a simplified presentation of the judicial system, the writers highlighted the complexity that lays behind the scenes. There's the famous quote about justice being blind. Everyone is equal before the law and justice is ought to be served regardless of financial power, status or connections. While both sides in the drama strive for this, the means they utilize clash, resulting to a battle of deception.

On the one hand, Han Young, in search of atonment and redemption, is ready to do whatever is possible in order to ensure justice and apply the law fairly. On the other hand, Sin Jin, in pursuit of justice, bended the law and utilized power and money, thus betraying his initial goal for a justice system that will protect everyone equally. Both sides, in theory, fought for the same future, where no one will be treated unfairly. But the methods they used couldn't be any more different and thus, a great dilemma was present. Are we supposed to fight injustice with injustice? Or should we have faith in law?

While I appreciate the drama for its ambitious premise and although I recognise its qualities, unfortunately, once I was done with it, I realized that my feelings weren't as strong compared to my initial reception.

The first half always had me at the edge of my seat, I was looking forward to Han Young's redemption and his confrontation with Sin Jin. At the same time, I enjoyed the domestic moments between him and his friends, which toned down the hectic political aspects and left room for more humane interactions and bonds. The blend between comedy, action and slice-of-life was handled very well in the beginning and kept my interest more than alive.

Alas, in the middle of the road, my feelings for The Judge Returns started to change.

Once the series reached its second half, I noticed that my interest had started declining. I didn't rush to keep up with the released episodes and my attention was deteriorating in some parts. In the end, I decided to put the drama on hold and I put it off for 5 months. Now, putting a drama on hold is by no means an indicator of its quality, but once I resumed it, I understood why it failed to keep my attention.

I love slow paced stories. In fact, the majority of my favourite books, movies and series are slow paced. But while The Judge Return's pacing was not an issue for me at first, in the second half, I found the plot dragging to the point I almost considered skipping some scenes. There were some moments which felt like fillers to me and I wished that instead of them, we would get something that would contribute to the development of the characters and the story. One can handle only so many dialogues between corrupted men. The last two episodes in particular were very hard for me to watch and I almost felt relieved when I reached the end.

Aside from that, the scenes started to feel disjointed, which contributed to the slow pacing. One moment something dramatic would happen and then, the setting would change to something else. Which yes, it can work in terms of narrative but it became predictable and annoying because it ruined the flaw.

A pet peeve of mine regarding the technical aspects was the soundtrack. In thrillers, I prefer it when the soundtrack evokes some emotions and is used to create a suitable atmosphere. But in The Judge Returns, I found the usage of the main theme, particularly the opening, to be used in random moments, thus making the scenes less serious and anticlimactic. I am aware of the fact that soundtracks do not make or break a series but when it fails to deliver the best result, it can affect the viewing experience.

In addition, there were issues with the writing of some characters. Yoo See Hee started off strongly and I was looking forward to see her development both individualy and with Han Young, considering their relationship in their previous life. However, while the character was promising and while Oh Se Young did a good job portraying See Hee, the writing was underwhelming. I found her to be too dependent on Han Young and it would have been nice if the writers had explored her feelings outside of their relationship. There was room for more development and in the end, while I felt proud of her progression, I was left with a lackluster impression. Moreover, the subtle romance between See Hee and Han Young left me unmoved, I was eager to welcome it if done well but in the end, it was done poorly (not that I blame the actors, of course).

But my biggest grip was the way Kim Jina's character was written. Seriously, what was that? You have her being marketed as a main character and yet there were supporting characters which had more screen time than her. And no, I will not listen to any arguments about her being important to the story even with less screen time. A main character is supposed to be a main character and it's a shame she got sidelined. Won Jina was great and I'm sad I didn't get to see her full potential because of the way her character got treated by the script.

Another aspect that could have been handled better was Han Young and Sin Jin's relationship. It would have been interesting if we had seen more of them as "partners" because it would have added more impact to Han Young's betrayal and Sin Jin's broken trust. The scenes we got were definitely magnetic, albeit too few in my opinion. It would have also been nice if they had more exchanges of their different viewpoints (in a subtle way of course, since Han Young couldn't reveal his true beliefs). A bigger debate between them would have added more food for thought compared to what we got in the end.

The Judge Returns doesn't try to offer to the audience a utopian dream of a fair world and a justice system based on equality. Unfortunately, no justice system can be equal and accessible to everyone, at least with the current social standards. But it tries to show that it's still worth fighting for law no matter what. We shouldn't be what we sought to destroy in the name of "justice". What we should do is try to be better humans by helping those who are in need for help.

I definitely recommend The Judge Returns to people who like law series or Jisung's fans. But I don't think it's that profound to not miss it, if it's not under your randar. There are better series in my opinion which tackle similar themes in a better way, such as Pro Bono, a kdrama which became one of my favourites. I definitely do not regret watching The Judge Return but it's a pity it didn't reach its full potential in terms of writing.

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