This is not a love story
Rather, this dorama is about the changing societal expectations of relationship, the roles of gender, and their interplay. Questions like what does 'to protect the woman' in a relationship or the significance of a piece of paper to define your romantic connection is discussed in modern society where nuclear family is no longer the norm. So, this is not a love story. It's a story on navigating modern relationship, both platonic and romantic. It doesn't necessarily give you an answer but it treats the audience as intelligent and invites you to ask these questions yourself. This is probably one of the most thought-provoking dorama I've watched ever that questions self-love and the relationship without shoving an answer down my throat, which I so much appreciate and recommend this.Esta resenha foi útil para você?
A story full of love-hate and a never ending mess
I love Republican Era settings and this even has Jing Tian, only the sight of Jing Tian dressed up in that style was enough to get me on for this.Talking about the plot, the overall conspiracy stuff is a mixture. Their is a revenge story going on but they also want to show the viewers about Opium consumption and it's ill effects on health and life… All the ways to trick each other are mainly related to Business stuff. So maybe some people could get bored of it, though that's a genre I enjoy… Their are many complicated family feuds (trust me MANY)… they show us struggles for freedom and dreams too. The plot twists are really strange but unpredictable too. It's quite fun to watch but not too much intriguing for your brain either.
The deeds of the main villain is a total MESS. Once I got attached to the characters and started understanding the story… what was waiting for me next door was hate, anger and frustration. Many things annoy you to death here but the story will be left with nothing without them. Anyone looking for light weight fluffy stuff, just run away. This ain't for you.
I realized the cinematography is good and those Qipao dresses, the wavy silky hairstyles keeps us reminding of that era. The visuals are definitely a very big advantage here especially because it's a long 40 episode drama so there has to be something on screen that people can focus on. Of course, in addition to this setting, Jing Tian and Xu Weizhou are the best eye candies to stare at.
Jing Tian ( as Feng Shizhen ) — Feng Shizhen is strong and smart and she knows what she's doing. Jing Tian carries out this role very gracefully. From spying secretly with the gentle look of a governess (teacher) to expressing her emotions at the right moment. I was so hooked up to her character and totally rooting for her from the beginning.
Xu Weizhou ( as Rong Jiashang ) — he is the young master of the Rong family. Jiashang is an arrogant boy and was trained in the military academy from a small age. He is capable but pretty reckless too. He seemed like a puppy in love who wants to do so much but he needs to grow big first xD. I really pitied him all the way.
It's kinda funny how Jiashang's favorite sentence in the whole drama was "please give me some more time". He said this so many times that I couldn't even count it now. He reminds me that most of the scenes between him and Shizhen were repetitive. Though I agree they had their chemistry to carry it on.
Jing Chao ( as Meng Xu An ) — he is super cunning. In the beginning he maintained a cool gesture and a strong aura around him. But his character changes a lot throughout the drama.
{ My issues with the drama…}
—•• The biggest problem here is its pacing. The drama just gets super slow that you feel like the energy is missing. No matter how the plot goes, I literally felt the urge to speed it up like 2x or 3x many times… and every incident is so connected to each other that you can't even skip anything.
—•• I have another problem with the plot which is a spoiler so in the comments section.
The songs were fit for the occasion but didn't sound so special to go to my OST playlist.
✧ Favorite dialogue — "You have to live on, to see hope and a favourable turn" ✧
As to conclude, I am quite satisfied with this drama as all I was expecting here was a good revenge story and a strong female lead, which I got… So this turned out to be a good one time watch.
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Why? Because it's a bunch of clichés thrown together with an unoriginal serial murder mystery, a dangerous mental illness that is taken as a joke, and a ridiculous love story.
Story/Plot
Pfft. Is there even a plot/story? From the first episode, you'd probably be able to predict the ending scene. There was an absence of character development and twists.
Ye Ri's DID was unrealistic, and portrayed as some sort of jest. Every aspect of it made me roll my eyes to another dimension, particularly when she "transformed".
The characters were copies of each other: bland, dense and slow. Even the killer was inadequate.
I couldn't believe in Ye Ri and Eun Ho's love, there was no build up and it seemed forced.
Acting/Cast
I have never watched a drama with U-know and Kyung Soo Jin, but it's pretty obvious to me that Kyung Soo Jin did a better job. At least she was able to play two distinct personalities. U-know could barely act out his one character.
Music
Didn't really pay attention to the music. Actually, the only time I did when Another Miss Oh's OST was playing at Ye Ri's cafe.
Rewatch Value
Um.. No. There's no reason to watch it in the first place.
Overall
Meloholic is the perfect drama to watch when you're looking to facepalm, roll your eyes and curse at utterly stupid characters that lack common sense.
No, but seriously. Find something better to watch.
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Coming to Jun Ji Hyun, she totally stole the show. I mean, I won't say she overshadowed Kim Soo Hyun exactly since he did hold his own, but her character made me laugh so much. Except this movie, I've only watched her in My Sassy Girl (best movie eveer) but these two works are enough for me to say that she's the reigning queen of Korean industry. Her style is just so irresistibly sassy (no pun intended).
I loved the side characters. Especially the guys. Hehe. Like seriously, her little bro was H-O-T. Same goes for the second lead. I loved the actor in My Daughter Seoyoung and I loved him equally here. Interestingly, he was supposed to play the psycho killer but thank the lords he didn't because he totally killed it with the lover boy character (again, no pun intended).
The music was alright for me. Overall I loved the drama and I might watch it again sometime. But there's just something that stops me from giving it a 10. Maybe it's the half-hearted ending or simply the fact that there are other dramas I'm more in love with than this one. Regardless, I would definitely recommend this drama to everyone. Especially for watching Jun Ji Hyun's awesome character :)
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Damn i hated the ending
The series plot was really good. The starting of the story actors everything was fantastic until the ending. They ruined the series for me with that ending. Not because siwat died. But they rushed the ending . It was so clear. Looked like they wanted to finsih the series at the 8th episode. 2 poeple died. Not a single soul seen crying for their loved one. Both were looking like oh yeah another death let's move on. And within 3 months they looked fine. Like what the hell bro. Make it make sense. It's not like they loved eachother like for 2 months. It was eternal and that guy didn't even grief for a minute. Tbh i cried for siwat more than khun. Damn idk how to curse the director or whoever planned this ending. Starting went so welll that they had to ruin the ending. The ending disappointed me a lot. And it's not even about siwat dying but the way they made it seem like it's not a big deal. Manh I'm so mad . Why did i even waited for a whole week just to get a forced ending. Zero satisfaction i swear. Cursed series for real.Esta resenha foi útil para você?
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When I started this drama, I thought this was a Chinese version of the Korean drama Goblin. The male lead, Baiqi, is a cold and arrogant non-human stuck in the modern, which is very similar to the Korean version. The best thing about this drama is the comedy. Each character has its own version of comedy, and I truly enjoyed every part of it, especially Yang Jian and Heiqi, the evil version of Baiqi. Yangjian is developed pretty well throughout this drama, as he goes through two phases. He first learns that all spirits are not evil since when he wakes up, he literally starts hunting spirits. He discovers this by learning what Baiqi has done as a spiritual doctor. He then learns to love Xiaoxiao, which I treat as his second phase. He initially criticizes his fellow Heaven Soldier for falling in love with a human and loses his Penghai power, but in the end, he decides to lose his power and his only chance of going home to be with Xiaoxiao. Their relationship is one of the best I have seen and is just as important as Linxia and Baiqi's relationship. The part I disliked the most was when Baiqi loses his memory, especially when this happens near the end of the drama. Memory loss is so common in dramas that it has just become an obvious route to move the story forward.
The three main characters, Yangjian, Baiqi, and Linxia all have very good character development throughout the story, and through good writing, allows me, as the viewer, to actually care about what happens in their life. The saddest part of the story is when Baiqi knows he will die if he continues to love Linxia. That part is very touching since he rather dies in love with Linxia than being separated from her.
Overall, I think this drama deserves high ratings and people should give it a chance. The music is great and the scenes/CGI are beautiful.
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we find 4 friends getting into hasty trip to drop one of them into military. but a mishap happens involving tragic turn in their lifes. so they fight, suffer, lose themselves and much more. what exactly happened? will they hang in there? will they stick together? will they be able to come out of this?
ji soo is incredible.he gave a soul stirring act here. i love all his characters in recent times. ryu joon yeol excelled in his own way. rest were really good too. the way they pictured their lifes is different to. the actors who played their parents were decent. i just love halmoni here. it was painful for me to watch her.
ending is sad, frustrating. yet i liked it. i love the way characters ended up realistically. its hard to digest. i wonder why i exactly i liked it. i love the way its not predictable. so yeah, watch this for good story packed up with great performances. its worth your time.
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Disappointing
Finally found the time to watch this one - after such high reviews. If you are expecting drama similar to Legend of Fuyao or Princess Agents - do not watch. I happen to love strong female characters and was looking forward to this drama. What I got to watch was poor acting - especially by the FL. This actress is better suited for modern dramas or where there is not much action or emotions involved. In this drama, she was supposed to be a trained warrior - there was a scene where she was being chased by soldiers and she is running to evade them - it was actually comical to see her running.The writers I believe got confused about what exactly they wanted to narrate. FL's character initially wanted revenge - she is supposed to be a strategic thinker, but I never got to see it. I found her dumb, and easily lead/manipulated.
The ML had a very strong screen presence but unfortunately appeared very stiff in the scenes with FL. This could be bcoz he is too young, but he definitely is a promising actor.
Overall, I liked the actor playing Young Khan/Ashile She Er and Zhao Lusi - playing Princess Yuouyan. The actor playing Hao Du has been praised immensely @MDL but to me, he appeared constipated most of the time.
Such a waste of time watching this drama. I am amazed that this show has been so highly rated in MDL.
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Never trust mdl reviews
I'm glad that i didn't watch this show after reading mdl reviews....That's exactly what i want to recommend to people who is interested in watching this show.WATCH THIS SHOW WITH OUT READING REVIEWS POSTED HERE....Or you can just check youtube or Twitter or Instagram.....everyone is praising this show....especially acting.....besides there are many things in this show we can adapt into our lives....the dialogs in this drama hits you really hard....
Every character got their own story to tell........nobody's right or wrong in this drama....sometimes we feel like "oh...why this character did like that?" But then you feel it's just the situation that made them do that.....
I really enjoyed this drama.This is my first thai lakorn and I'm glad it is this drama ......
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Disney+ Strikes Again: [Blood Free ] Offers a Fresh and Unique Cinematic Experience
Writer - Lee Soo Yeon ( Stranger series )Production House - Disney+ ( Dominating Netflix from last year )
Actors - Ju Ji Hoon, Han Hyo Joo, Lee Hee Jun ( Versatile actors )
And the plot all these elements caught my attention to watch Blood Free.
"Blood Free" marks a compelling departure from conventional K-drama narratives, introducing audiences to a captivating new genre known as "The Blood-Free Drama." This innovative approach, spearheaded by acclaimed writer Lee Soo Yeon and produced by Disney+, offers viewers a refreshing alternative to the typical bloodshed and violence often associated with the genre. Instead, the focus is on nuanced storytelling and character-driven narratives, setting a new standard for K-drama excellence.
If you think the drama is boring after watching few episodes don't make to drop it because The story will take new side from Cultured Meat to organs transplantation that where our main lead got some small super power with unexpected events. From this is where drama went to it's peak to track the mastermind behind blast and the rival new strategic attacks starts on Blood Free. We guess who is the Mastermind who is the main villian and who are the betrayals and who are the loyalty but somewhere our predictions goes to worng a little. Keep us in suspense who are they. With the Sci-fi plot the makers never neglected the mark of the storytelling with combination scenes of Woo Chae Won & Yoon Jae Yo to make a perfect picture of the story and their character motivations, and their chemistry, to keep us root for their pair give more. And another that -- Lee Soo Yeon mark in Emotional development of her works are exceptional, because majority of story contains with the suspense and thriller or Investigation elements, so with the limited space for emotional development it's really hard to handling the balance between limited emotional development and those elements (I saw them in other dramas, not comparing but saying how the writer perfectly placed all of them equally in her works.) But we can really make tears by some characters irrespective of main characters or supporting characters in her dramas, she showed her mark again - making good emotional development with bounded characters depth ( not to spoil here, you can experience it when you watch the drama ). Some Episodes feels bit bore but i think it's common in sci-fi thriller because this drama dealing with 10 eps sometimes it will miss some actual pace. But for me it was good paced and well structured story with serious paced story narration.
Yes, The drama's serious and well-paced narrative will keep you on the edge of your seat, expertly crafting a thrilling experience that's more focused on intellectual suspense than action-packed sequences. While the action scenes may be limited, the few that exist are impactful and satisfying. However, it's the unexpected moments of humor and heartwarming camaraderie between Woo Chae Woon and Kim Ho Seung that truly shine. Their brief but poignant bromance is a masterful stroke of storytelling, leaving you with a lump in your throat and a deeper emotional investment in the characters' journeys.
QUALITY DRAMA ELEMENTS :-
1. Intricate Plot: Led by writer Lee Soo Yeon, "Blood Free" boasts an intricately woven plot that keeps viewers engrossed from start to finish. The story follows Yun Ja-yu as she navigates the complexities of saving her company while delving into political intrigue and personal backstories, eliciting intrigue and speculation about the underlying mysteries.
2. Futuristic Setting: The show's exploration of the conflict between humanity and technology offers a compelling glimpse into a future world from the present. Through advanced technology disrupting the food chain, "Blood Free" presents thought-provoking themes that resonate with contemporary environmental and ethical concerns.
3. Exceptional Cast: With Ju Ji Hoon, Han Hyo Joo, and Lee Hee Jun leading the ensemble, "Blood Free" benefits from the talents of versatile actors who breathe life into their characters and infuse the narrative with depth and authenticity.
4. Cinematic Excellence: The cinematography in "Blood Free" is visually stunning, complementing the intricacies of the plot and enhancing the overall viewing experience. Each scene is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of the story and evoke emotion in the audience.
5. Han Hyo Joo & Ju Ji Hoon On-screen chemistry :- Their on-screen chemistry is truly amazing! While we're still in the unknown about a potential romance plot, and there aren't any hints suggesting one, their dynamic chemistry is enough to make the drama more enjoyable and entertaining, even amidst the intense survival storyline. Their chemistry is a compelling aspect of the show, and we're loving it!"
Plot seems potential but -
• Demanding Attention: Given the complexity of its plot and thematic depth, "Blood Free" requires viewers' full attention to grasp its intricacies and appreciate its nuances. Casual viewers may find it challenging to keep up with the narrative without dedicating sufficient focus.
• Initial Impressions: As with any new series, it's essential to give "Blood Free" a fair chance beyond the first few episodes. While the opening scene sets the stage for the main storyline, the true depth and complexity of the drama unfold gradually, rewarding viewers who invest time in exploring its themes and character dynamics.
CINEMATOGRAPHY !!
The Cinematography and the graphic CGI is brilliant, i don't know how to express this experience but i really felt the same vibes with
Hollywood movie " Blade Runner 2047 " like - drak tone cinematography in first episode ( it's clearly what I felt, so this may be different to every watcher ).
And Any chances for rom :-
Perhaps there's a strong chemistry without any romance. After watching four episodes, it seems like the upcoming episode will primarily focus on the female lead's survival and the pursuit of catching the mastermind behind the bomb blast. If they introduce a romantic plot between characters with strong chemistry, it might overshadow the main plot. Given that the writer is from the "Stranger" series, it wouldn't be surprising if she follows a similar formula, focusing more on chemistry rather than romance. However, I hope she incorporates a bit of romance this time. The scenes between them just make me want to see a new romantic drama again. 😩
Finally
"Blood Free" emerges as a groundbreaking addition to the world of K-dramas, offering a compelling blend of suspense, drama, and science fiction. Through its innovative approach and thought-provoking themes, the series challenges traditional conventions and invites viewers on a captivating journey of exploration and discovery. With its stellar cast, intricate plot, and cinematic brilliance, "Blood Free" will stands as a testament to the limitless creativity of K-drama makers and promises an unforgettable viewing experience for audiences seeking something truly extraordinary. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of "Blood Free" and embark on a quest that will leave you enthralled and enlightened.
brought by :- Shinnosuke_Lee
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When Love Gets Messy and Real
I started Mr. Plankton out of pure curiosity, drawn by the title and a familiar cast. I was expecting a simple romance, maybe a guy running errands who meets a girl along the way. But I was in for a surprise—the story had far more depth than I imagined. After one episode, I couldn’t stop and ended up watching seven in a row.The story kicks off with an ending scene, leaving us to figure out how it all fits together. Instead of a typical boy-meets-girl scenario, we learn the leads are ex-lovers, both orphans, with an intense past that ended without real closure. Their chemistry caught me off guard. The lead actress usually plays cutesy roles, and the lead actor leans more toward action, yet they bring a fresh, raw connection to the screen. His character is definitely a “red flag” type, but it’s understandable given his tough background, abandoned and left to fend for himself.
Things really heat up when he suddenly returns to her life, just as she’s about to marry someone else, sparking an unexpected love triangle. While his intentions are protective (especially around her secret medical condition), he pulls her along on a road trip to find his birth father without giving her the full story. This journey is full of tension, close calls, and moments where she tries to escape before ultimately deciding to stay by his side.
One of the most touching elements is how the title, Mr. Plankton, ties to his character’s sense of identity. In a quiet but powerful moment, he compares himself to plankton—seemingly insignificant and unnoticed, like mere accessories in the vast sea. But plankton, he explains, actually sustain life in the ocean by producing oxygen, a contribution people overlook as they focus only on their sparkling glow. Through this metaphor, he sees himself as someone who may be overlooked but who still has a role and purpose, even if the world fails to see it. It’s a quietly beautiful symbol that resonates throughout the series, shaping our understanding of him as a character.
Watching their road trip was exciting, though I would have loved to see more of the female lead’s perspective on her choices, especially as she reconnects with her ex. Her impulsive decisions can be frustrating, but her backstory makes it understandable. Her ex-fiancé also surprised me; he respected her decisions and even supported her ex in the end, which added a layer of maturity to the story.
Overall, Mr. Plankton was an engaging watch. I even teared up during the lead’s breakdown about his illness and his struggle with feelings of abandonment and unfairness. The ending is simply a return to the opening scene, but it’s beautifully done but bittersweet, leaving me pensive. This drama isn’t something I’d watch twice, as it really makes you think about love, loss, and purpose. But it’s definitely worth watching once, especially if you’re ready for a fresh, emotional take on love and closure.
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Money is the villain, life is the battlefield
It's a cinematic slow burn but with very heavy tone and high intensity of pressure, it never stops right there, it keeps digging deeper and deeper as new hell unfolds. An ultimate fucked up business with humanity's worst shit painted in such gruesome yet classy way of storytelling, extremely nail biting trauma in every scene pushing the limits of tolerance. The right or wrong is so muddy in here everyone using evil means to survive this dogfight, where money is the villain, life is the battlefield, and human never ends a happy ending.Esta resenha foi útil para você?
Overall this one is a lightweight sageuk residing in the comedy genre with a slice of sketchy corruption. That pretty much describes it all.
Tastes usually differ, especially with rom-coms and it always depends on what the viewers expect of it. Since this one also belongs to that genre, the drama delivered that part well enough if you want to enjoy something lighthearted (even though I myself didn't feel that much emotion between the leads because it felt rushed to me).
My complains about the story are that the corruption plot staggered alot in the middle and the story didn't seem to move forward at all - while the finale seemed very rushed again. The villains were shallow and only loosely defined. And I really wish that they had given the (current) queen more depth - I don't mean some excursion into the past that justifies her actions but more sides to her character in the present. She was so lopsided. I would have liked to see if she indeed genuinely cared for the prince, for example.
Other than that I enjoyed the side characters quite alot. They were essential for the comedy part and did a really good job. I also loved the costumes, the colors and the music in this. And they even had some really pretty and artistic scenes, especially in the beginning.
Despite my own divided impression on this, I would still recommend it to people who look for a lighthearted romance with a side plot that doesn't put them into much agony. If you still can't decide whether to watch it or not then try to imagine putting historical costumes on modern day people and throw them onto a sageuk stage. You have fancy cafés, a manicure salon and all the values people nowadays cherish.
(btw, I can't compare this to its original since I haven't seen that one)
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As expected , this Japanese movie can be viewed as weird and it is not for normal audiences. However, I find the movie very engaging not only because of the “actions” of the main character but also the possible psychology of a prostitute.
It is a hard to talk about the world of prostitution but it explains why some people get into that act. I am not sure how close this movie to reality but it got into me in terms of how deep the main character thinks.
Some people might find this movie very disturbing but I hope they will focus on the message and human perspectives on sex and its connection to emotions.
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To start honestly, I was not so sure I was going to watch this drama, as lately I was all for youth dramas and was avoiding watching dramas with adult (over 25) actors, that is why I didn't watch it while it was airing... You know what? I am glad I didn't watch it while it was airing, this is one of those dramas that need to be devoured, that put you in the mood of this drama. While I was watching it, I didn't want to watch anything else, I haven't watched the aired episodes of the dramas I am currently watching, I just DIDN'T CARE~! This drama deserves all the positive and wonderful reviews I have read and much more. I am honestly in love with this drama, with the cast, with the characters, with the story. It presented me with absolutely wonderful moments, with a lot of smiles and laughter out loud, with a lot of cringingly cute moments... and much more.
At first it may seem you are going to watch a drama about adults who are finding their ways to deal with their lives - you'll be quite wrong, this is a drama about men who are finding ways to become the adults mentally while their bodies are already adult, their mind is absolutely childish, they are spontaneous, sometimes hysterical, will give a man their business card to call them next time the man decides to touch their woman, by claiming the woman's all body parts belong to them, will hit the car before them (their beloved car, by the way) if they think the owner of the other car is talking to intimately with their beloved woman, they'll reject a woman they love if they think their friendship will be affected by the relationship, they will abandon the most important meeting and fly to their friend's help, they will cry with tears out loud if their friend is in shock and can't cry for himself, they'll shout 'Do you wanna die? I love you! Into my arms!', will propose every day with presents if the woman they love doesn't answer positively... they will make you absolutely adore them and their friendship~ how can they not?
The cast has done a brilliant job, and I wouldn't want to point them out separately. I am fascinated with every character that has been created in this drama, the most real, funny, humanly, childish and at the same time adult characters, I promise I'll be rewatching this one not once.
Absolutely recommended~!
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