A pleasant surprise
I personally didn't have any expectations or set any standars on what a drama should or shouldn't have if its a fantasy and maybe that and other points where the reason i enjoy it so much.(I may be changing the rates because i'm very indecisive and correcting some of my spelling and wording mistakes, english isn't my first lenguage so please have that in mind if you want to skip this review)
What i love about this drama?
1) The characterization of the protagonists Tak Dong Kyung and Myul Mang.
I never felt they were cartonish or that there was a lacK or rushed development. They felt real and the combination of good writting and an excellent acting from both parts ParK Bo Young who made you cry in every scene she wants you to cry and Seo In Guk who is able to carry a scene with just his eyes make them as individual characters and their relationship probably one of the best things of this drama and what makes it worthy of your time.
2) It felt like poetry
Quoting George Lucas "Its like poetry it rhymes' thats the way i felt about this drama. When you have an audience engage and making theories after every episode, picking up the little clues you were leaving in every episode and that those theories become true in a way that fit the story and its true with the message that the story wanted to tell just tell me its good writting. Im Me A Ri did an really good job making common tropes their own and give the story a closure that feels like poetry.
3) The messages behind every episode
I never leave an episode feeling unafected once i start to care about this characters (something that happend slowly but for me that makes it even more satisfying) i always end up either crying or thinking about the quotes and messages behind every episode. I never felt the sadness was shadowing the story it has always a message of hope and kindness.
4) The romance between the main leads
The chemistry between both actors was on point and they could carry every scene no matter what dialogue you put them through i could watch only scenes of them for hour without getting tired. Writting a story that starts with the typical 'enemies to lovers' is not a easy thing and i think the writter nailed every aspect of the main romance. It didn't felt rushed or that it was throw in my face. I understand why they both felt that way and why they made sometimes such extreme decisions. It was entretaining and then beautiful and sad it was everything i could ask for a 'fantasy' romance and more because the best part of it was how human it felt.
5) The concepts of 'life' and 'death'
I don't want to go to much into the spoiler territory but the way this show captures the personification of life and death its very unique and interesanting. For me it was never a problem how poetic both deiditys speak in fact i enjoy the scenes between them a lot. Jung Ji So as the deidity who represent life does an amazing job and it takes you to a ride of emotions that's for sure.
6) I doesn't lose it charm but it gets better
Something i was hapily surprise is how some of my favorite episodes and in my opinion the best written and acted were torwards the end. I think episode 14 for example is brilliant and it gives closure in a good moment and leaves the story a moment to breathe on episode 15.
7) The Cinematography and OST
Something i love about this drama is how the cinematography doesn't distract you or i feels like you are watching a very expensive AD. In fact the most beautiful moments are without CGI and makes you appreciate the little things in real life like leaves falling or the flowers blooming. And the OST its beautiful its melancholic and every song felt very special "Breaking Down" its probably my favorite OST in the year and it may go as one of my favorites ever from a kdrama.
Now what i dislike and i will go a little bit in to the spoiler territory but not that much:
1) The 'love triangle' between the second leads, in one aspect it doesn't really take that much of the screentime (the romance between them) so it wasn't something that it stop me from watching the whole drama. I have a few problems with one is that it felt flat, compared to the main romance and in general it just wasn't my cup of tea. I think the reason was i couldn't understand why this people were even in love to begin with, i guess we can say its sort of realistic the childish romance between Ji Na and Hyung Gyu and by episode 14 i could see what was the intention behind this storyline (about how your first love isn't always your last and about two people living with the ghost of a relationship when love is no longer there) but the execution just wasn't for me. Between Ji na and Joo Ik it just felt flat in general and compared to the main leads. The "back story" was weird and not really well written. I didn't like or enjoy the romance between them. I honestly didn't like either male characters of the love triangle for various reasons (as some people said here if i re-watch i'm defently going to skip those scenes). Thats why i'm giving a 8 in story, this should had handle better (the actors were good so this is not on them at all).
In general i love the main leads, Dongkyung family and Jina, and i enjoy every scene with those characters. I fell in love with it by episode 3 and 4 and i wasn't disappointed i cry i laugh and i loved to read people theories and see them come alive.
It made (no pun ineed) my days better. So thank you for the cast and crew (and also the fans who write so many good theories and posts) i will remember this experience forever.
In addition: I read some reviews asking why peope are giving high reviews i can't speak on everyone so i'm speaking on myself. For me the drama was Dongkyung and Myulmang and the dynamics they have with each other and with other characters that was probably a 75% of the screentime and i enjoy that (Spoilers: I loved how the MMDk relationship envolve i didn't found it rushed they become one of my favorite main relationships in kdramas i loved the found family scenes with Myulmang i love the message of you aren't alone and the scenes with Dongkyung family being there for her also the emotional scene with Jina was brilliant and they are so many i could write an essay). I think the acting was impresive i had never watch anything with PBY or SIG and i was truly moved by their perfomances and on my personal view their acting and their characters elevate the drama for me. I spend my time doing video editing since 2012 and watched a lot of media to work with and i found a lot of scenes from those characters memorable they moved me inside and make me cry when i'm not a person who cries easily. This rating system is tricky but since as i mention before i dislike the love triangle and two characters of it i'm giving to the story for now a 8 who knows maybe i change it because i'm very indecisive. But in general because all that i mention above and again the acting of PBY and SIG is why i give it a 9. But that's just MY personal opinion.
If you haven't watch the drama yet and are wondering my opinion is you should try and see it for yourself at the end of the day maybe for one person was boring for other wasn't for one person suceed their expectations and for other didn't they are just opinions.
For me just because of Dongkyung and Myulmang i was entretained for the 16 episodes and i wait for every Mon/Tues to see the episodes. They will remain in my heart more because my country still in lockdown and sometimes every day felt the same but with DAYS (i just love the tittle haha) i have something to look forward too. I hope i manage to reply those people question a little.
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Story
The story is a combination of a romantic comedy with a grain of melodrama accompanied by a revenge subplot to spice things up. Tsundere male, seeking revenge for his destroyed family, meets the naïve and gullible female lead who tries to find her impeached mother. The two are intrinsically linked and form an ill-fated relationship that develops into a deep romance – havoc, tears, cheesiness and twists ensued.
The drama, despite its 75-minute-long episodes, was extremely easy to watch, enjoyable, not too basic plot-wise and not too complicated just enough to keep things interesting. Even if it was extended I can’t say it was dragged. The plotline was well-thought out making forward steps either on story or character-development.
My favourite part of the drama was the fact that it had a something for everyone. Mainly a romance-comedy, it was heavy on romance and even if I didn’t see any particular chemistry between the leads they shared some steamy, fan-servicy kisses, they looked great together and had good synergy.
Moreover, the comedy was kinda cheesy but cute and entertaining. While lastly, my favourite part, the backstory was not new but well-written and strong, implicating families, revenge, had twists and some melodrama, good for every taste and thorougly entertaining. I sincerely enjoyed the whole thing.
Continuing, the music was sensuous even if it was regularly repeated. Worth downloading, what I mainly enjoyed was the re-arrangement of the title song to fit many different situations, dramatic scenes, comedy scenes ect.
Character development and the concept of forgiveness and selflessness drives the story and gives significant lessons to viewers.
Acting
The acting wasn’t the drama’s strongest suit but I can’t say it prevented me from enjoying it.
Liu Eugene is probably the weakest link of the chain, maybe it was her character maybe not. It was kind of annoying to watch her being that defenseless at first, also her childlike attitude didn’t help, but it was part of the character, similar characters are usual in dramaland. In some scenes I was enjoying her performances some other times she couldn't convey her feelings properly tending to fall short or overact. Not bad overall, but a bit weak.
Hong Angel excelled in being a bad bitch with anger issues, I loved her, her role was a bit limiting, and she also couldn’t cry express any other emotion other than fury to save her life. She was good though as a raging mean girl and that was why she was there.
Yang Esther is probably my favourite out of the female characters, cute, funny and badass with a misunderstood emotional side. Beautiful as well.
I left my personal favourite for last; Chang Marcus wasn’t only the best actor in this but also he is easily the most handsome Asian actor that has graced my laptop screen. Extremely charismatic and charming he had the arrogant, mean bastard with a soft and kind interior act down. I’ll be stalking his next projects.
The full supporting cast did alright but the drama was mainly Eugene and Marcus, even the rest of the main cast didn’t really have a prominent role in this. –also thank god no unnecessary love triangles!
Recommend/Rewatch
As it was already mentioned, behind your smile has something for everyone. Rom-com fans will definitely enjoy this; the backstory makes this good enough for people who like more serious dramas too. It is a light-hearted drama, easy watch but still interesting with a strong plot. Even if there is nothing innovative about this drama, it is cliché done right. I will never rewatch this but I can see how it can hold some rewatching quality for some viewers.
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As far as I know, there isn't a single other film/series that has polyandry in its plot.
I love how unique the story is and there honestly isn't one like it. I'm glad the advertisers and team took the show's quirk to heart when deciding the title. From the title; "Princess! You have five husbands" you already know what you're getting into when you start watching the show. The aspect of male royalty having multiple female lovers is a storyline that has been overused. It always seems like the girls just accept the fact they're sharing their husband but themselves can't so much as speak or look at another man in a normal level, so it's nice to see that scenario switched for a change; where the men are sharing their wife and they have to live in that reality as if it's normal.Overall, everything about this was fun to watch, so I would absolutely recommend this for someone who would like to watch something different from "I love you and only you, Your Highness, so please let me sleep with you after you are done sleeping with your concubines, consorts and empress! I only have you in my heart 'till death!"
This story is very subtle too, bringing this new theme with humor.
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Good news, Bad news, which do you want first?
Looking for a beautifully shot film with a grounded, human story? This is it. I went in with no prior knowledge of the historical events that inspired Good News, yet I never felt lost or disconnected, the storytelling kept me fully engaged from start to finish.Though it runs for over two hours, the pacing is deliberate and rewarding, making every moment worth it. I especially enjoyed its subtle satire — how it invites you to observe events from the outside, finding humor even in the most serious situations.
The performances were exceptional, with Hong Kyung delivering a breakout role that truly stood out. Good News is the kind of movie that lingers after the credits roll , heartfelt, sharp, and beautifully made. I’m genuinely grateful that it exists, and I can’t recommend it enough.
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an ambitious diamond in the rough, once you know what you're in for
Playboyy, I think, is something quite special. Before I get into a review though, I want to clarify what Playboyy *isn't* because I feel this show is getting a bad rap from viewers who came in with false expectations and were disappointed by the reality:This show isn't really "BL" in the traditional sense. While there is romance, it is not the focus of the show. The romantic relationships frequently take a backseat to the the personal development of characters and the relationships between friends. It is also nowhere near "an idealistic world free of homophobia" (or, as in more modern BL, a world where gay love triumphs over societal homophobia)--it is a very real and harsh world where the characters are hitting rock bottom. Finally, a lot of the NC scenes aren't *trying* to be sexy or titillating. They function as pieces of the plot and often depicting negative experiences.
I think going into the show with these expectations in mind makes it a better experience. But on with the review:
-The Full Review-
STORY:
I, personally, really loved the story of Playboyy. As someone who has experienced losing friends badly to drug addition, I found Nont's story particularly raw and effective (and, honestly, quite triggering). I thought the decision to use an ensemble cast and a weaving narrative was especially effective in creating a real sense of this disadvantaged and isolated community caused by societal prejudices. It was very satisfying to watch these narratives bump into each other, often in completely accidentally and tragic ways.
While I agree some of the story was over the top or hard to follow, I didn't find it particularly detracted from the quality of the show. I like getting a little exaggerated in my narratives and I think it fit with the highly stylized production. While it wasn't a water-tight plot, I think it was probably the strongest script in the past year in terms of really exploring the depths of the characters and their conflicts. None of the characters felt like extras or like they were leaning on tropes. Each individual had their own story to tell and had their moment to shine.
ACTING:
The acting in Playboyy is a bit hit and miss. As a stand-out star, Dech is absolutely untouchable. Nant/Nont are a monster of a roll that swings between camp, performative highs and truly raw, exposed lows, and he brought me along with him every step of the way. Really, really impressive work. Shell was a wonderful partner for him, matching him in almost every scene and developing a unique and intriguing chemistry. I also greatly enjoyed any scene with Parm and/or Aun, which always felt very grounded and warm, and was continually impressed by Korn, who managed to maintain a necessary friction between Zouey and the rest of the cast.
Beyond these actors, the performance were a little bit shakier. Some of the actors struggled with stilted line deliveries (and I don't mean the English, which I've never had a problem with) or unnatural body language. I was never quite sold on Jack/Chat or Jeffy/Fay as couples, though each actor shined in other areas (such as Chat and Korn's wonderful friendship). In particular, and unfortunately, I found Hymn took a stylized drama and crashed it into melodrama more often than he stuck the landing. That said, I still found this ensemble created a style that played to their strengths well and rarely rendered a scene ridiculous.
PRODUCTION:
Production is where this show really, really shines. The lighting is absolutely gorgeous, full of intentional color, harsh shapes, and neon texts. Each arc and couple has their own world and visual language that helps sort out the massive cast and is, quite frankly, beautiful. The highly stylized, theatrical sensibilities also help highlight the moments when humanity comes crashing in and we left very broken characters in plain framing. It's really, really beautiful to watch.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I love the costuming of this show. I think the underwear was a phenomenal way to juggle the desire for nakedness with the reality of film-making and the comfort of the actors. If you allow it to, the underwear becomes part of the style and lets the characters exist, naked and vulnerable, without becoming exploitative. I also loved the way fashion (especially Nont's) brought it's own sense of drama and feeling to the characters. Realism clearly wasn't the goal here, and this department delivered.
INTIMACY:
Finally, because it has to be talked about, I think the way the NC scenes were stylized were nothing less than brilliant. Playboyy telling a story about the human condition through sex, it is not making porn. When the characters are feeling good and feeling pleasure, the audience is allowed to find the sex scenes hot. But more frequently, the scenes depict a vast variety of other emotions. When Zouey is feeling awkward, nervous, and uncomfortable, the scenes are made awkward with clumsy blocking and...eccentric soundtracks. When characters are being hurt, the scenes are painful and brutal and shocking--escalating quickly and making you wish it would slow down or resolve to something different. It's incredibly effective.
I've been very disappointed at the way BL fans discuss sex in this show, as if the only purpose of an NC scene is to provide spicy fanservice for the viewer to get off on. The old Oscar Wilde "Everything in the world is about sex. Except sex, which is about power." definitely holds true here. For these characters, sex that is about their own pleasure is rare and the show mirrors that reality. But that doesn't make the scenes bad or "accidentally" ridiculous. It is an intentional part of the story and, in most cases, very effectively done.
In all, this isn't a show that I would widely recommend to everyone, largely on account of the seriousness of the subject matter. But I am infinitely grateful that this show exists and is pushing the boundaries of what stories are acceptable to tell in BL. I've genuinely enjoyed my time in this world, and I very much look forward to the to be continued. :)
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a funny, cute, romantic, sad and yet a chaotic show!
I really enjoyed the show. The direction, production, beautiful scenery, costumes and acting by the cast was 10/10 and so unique! Perhaps during the show I had some cultural differences (knowing that it is a drama set in the Joseon era) with respect to one of the couples, but apart from that, I liked the rest of the characters and couples that were formed thanks to our matchmakers Sondeok and Jungwoo. *SPECIAL MENTION* the intros of the characters speaking to the camera giving their opinion and point of view to the different situations made it so unique, fun and charming.The plot is interesting and in my case, captivated me from the first moment, that is why I looked forward to every Monday and Tuesday for new episodes!The first two episodes were not liked by many people but I gave it a chance, I continued watching it and thank god because it showed me that it is a good drama!
Rowoon and Yihyun showed such a cute chemistry during the show, their acting was so good and their love story it made me feel sad and curious at the same time because I really wanted to know if they would be able to be together.
I was expecting more romantic scenes from the leads but knowing the context (a historical drama) I really liked that their relationship was shown as two widowers hurt by the loss of their lovers but at the same time they allow themselves to love for the second time and be happy, having a beautiful, clumsy and innocent relationship.
I liked how it is a fun historical drama with its melodramatic touch but still not as structural as most set dramas. The cinematography, landscapes, and shots were very beautiful and remarkable throughout all the episodes, they showed and captured the traditions of that time very well.
So If you want to laugh and cry a lit bit, i super recommend this show! They worked so hard
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A sweet loving and emotionally mature couple with great chemistry <3.
While the plot is kind of average and basic, the drama shines through its great acting, captivating chemistry, and sweet love story😍.The male and female leads delivered such an amazing performance, breathing life into their characters. The male lead, in particular, had an irresistible charm, and his smiles were genuinely heartwarming. The female lead was adorable and portrayed her role with great emotional depth (loved how much she was mature and had a lot of common sense). Together, their chemistry was just so heart-touching (I giggled so much watching them being lovey-dovey hehe). The slow and natural progression of their romance made it feel authentic, even in such a short drama. It was refreshing to see them fall in love gradually, supporting and understanding each other without unnecessary misunderstandings.
What sets this drama apart is the emotional maturity of the main characters. Unlike many other dramas, their decisions were thoughtful and realistic. The female lead, despite her deep love for the male lead, hesitated to be with him initially because of the traditional expectations surrounding the crown prince's future. She didn’t want to share her love with concubines, and the male lead only had eyes for her and chose to love only her for eternity (my sweet babies;-;). Both of their dedication to their love is such an amazing sight that it made me want to fall in love as well. Seeing them made me love love hehe.
The drama also balanced its narrative well, focusing more on the romance than on the villains' scheming. While the villains had their moments, they didn’t overshadow the romance, which is exactly what I love and want from a feel-good fantasy romance drama. The family dynamics, especially the female lead’s loving family, added a wholesome touch.
However, the ending left a mixed impression. While the drama concludes on a happy note for the leads, the last episode spent too much time on the villains’ tragic fate. Their self-destructive end felt unnecessary and took away precious moments that could have been used to showcase more romantic, heartwarming scenes of the main couple (I want more of the main leads scenes cause I love them so much ;-;). Despite this, the acting of the villains was good, and their characters, while annoying, served their purpose well.
This drama is a delightful and addictive mini-drama, elevated by its charming leads and heartfelt performances. The costumes, makeup, and production quality added to its appeal, making it a visual treat. For fans of sweet, mature, and escapist fantasy romance dramas, this is a must-watch. I’d happily give it a 10/10 purely for the chemistry, acting, and captivating moments between the main leads.
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I gave "Athena" 8.5 stars due to the glorious cinematography (the N. Italy mountain region was awe-inspiring/a magnificent location) and because once again Cha Seung-won's performance is mesmerizing. He's an outstanding physical Bad*ss and his voice... dark seduction. The action was good (not of John Woo's caliber of course, but acceptable) The so-called love story, no chemistry between Soo Ae and JWS, wasn't remotely believable and annoyingly boring. Like I wrote earlier, I watched it for CSW, and rarely am I disappointed in his performances.
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I wish this was a J-drama
Yes, I know the title will raise an eyebrow or ten. It is intentional because while the show is good, it has issues with pacing and the quantity and quality of plot materials. Please allow me to explain.The show starts with an odd couple trope. The mother had the FL when she was still in high school, and we see flashbacks of those trying years. It helps to illustrate her struggles and how she overcame the challenges to build a life for herself and her young daughter. Overall, it is impactful and well done but you have to paste the odd bits together to get the full picture. To say the duo have a love-hate relationship is an understatement.
There is no doubt this is a female centric drama. The mum is involved in about 60% of the plots. That is fine because she is a good actor in a strong role. However, if you expect the younger FL to be the focus then you will be disappointed.
Of course, there are male leads, and they are very good actors, but their roles are firmly in support. This is particularly true for the mum's partner. He is totally devoted to her and he is the nicest guy. Our younger OTP took a long time to get going. It definitely started as a love-hate thing. This is where my remark about j-drama becomes more pertinent.
The show did suffer from mid show drag. The pace slowed and our couples are dancing around each other in baby steps. On top of that, the show digs deep in the box of tricks and fishes out a murder mystery to fill the gap. This is why I said I wish this was a j-drama. Japanese usually do this type of female centric dramas better without having to shoehorn in unnecessary (aka murderous) side plots.
Let's call a spade, a spade. The heinous act was egregious. The poor victim is basically faceless and portrayed in a bad light. The murderer was just a shady figure in the dark. We never truly understood his motive. As soon as he is caught the plot terminates. They could have substituted any lesser crimes and still keep the plot flowing.
The use of such lazy devices is now my pet peeve. The target is always a young woman. It is mostly done to inject some (unnecessary) shock/horror. If we are lucky, it serves a purpose, otherwise it is just a momentary distraction. Of the 3 k-dramas I watched recently, this has one murder, Behind Your Touch has at least one and My Lovely Liar scored the trifecta. I don’t know how young Korean ladies can sleep peacefully at night.
If we take away the murder, we are left with a straightforward girl power motif. We certainly see good interactions between the female characters. Sisters united - will not be defeated! This extends to the unconventional ending. Yes, some are disappointed with the arrested OTP development and a lack of skinship but I can also see why they ended the show this way.
The writer used the last 2 eps to reinforce a couple of key messages. The found family you choose is more important than the family you were born into. The older ML rejected his manipulating parents, again. The sad passing of the grandma spotlights a brother who cared nothing for the old lady in life but wants her money in death. The final scene in the hotel is particularly poignant because the FL found out that the old lady actually adopted her mum so that she really is her grandmother rather than just a term of endearment.
The ML played the noble idiot card so that the FL can go back to the HQ without hindrance. It was a lie and it went down like a lead balloon. He knew it and so does the FL. The quick kiss from the FL on the day of her departure sealed the deal. He also said that he will wait for her. That is quite swoon-y without being too lovey-dovey. That's not his style.
The mum showing up at the airport was total self indulgence. She is happy to live her own life but it is a comfort to have a partner you can lean on at the same time. Win-win.
Our CP's giving each others space and respect their SO's decisions is enlightening. Yes, it wasn't quite the grand romantic gesture we had hoped, but in light of the prevailing messages, it is an appropriate and fitting finish.
Acting is solid from the experienced ensemble. OST is pleasant. Rewatch is possible but a low priority.
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The acting was submerging. Their acting really made me immerse into the mood of the scene. And the main character played two characters very well.
Music was good. There was one particular theme that stood out because it felt unique to this movie, but I feel like the soundtrack fit in pretty well.
About rewatch value... don't even ask. I know I'll be watching it second time this week again for sure.
This was one of the rare movies that I was fully satisfied with at the end in a long while. If you like historical theme with a tiny pinch of humor, watch it. Watch it now. Heck, I even got tear jerked around few times while watching it.
Why are you still reading? Go away and watch it!
You may find it here: www.kr-dramas.org/2012-masquerade
Enjoy~
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unique premise (same actors, different characters/stories)
Overall: this is not a reincarnation/time travel plot as all the stories happen in the present day. Instead, the actors play different characters in standalone plots (episodes 3 and 4 were 1 story, 5 and 6 were 1 story and then 7 and 8 tie everything together in a way). 8 episodes about 55 minutes each. Aired uncut on GagaOOLala (not Japan or South Korea) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4812/every-you-every-me-2024 & WeTVhttps://wetv.vip/play/296rso568y0ryfg/m4100yjgyjz?ptag=3_5.16.5.13870_copy ; airing cut version on YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvw0WLA6w9UQZrmUoifbNDO9S6yUS9ry7&si=JHVZI3-LAPw_9dev Note: watch after the initial end credits as some episodes have a separate plot
Episode 1 - I was a bit confused with the world building but then it made sense. I enjoyed the sweet moments, the friendship (potentially aromantic character as a bonus) and the intimate partner abuse felt realistic. Not a fan of the comedy sound effects and they could have made it a bit faster pacing-wise. Content warnings: intimate partner abuse/violence, manipulation, manhandling, past death
Episode 2 - typical cold CEO/nervous worker plot. That grandma way overstepped boundaries though her heart was in the right place. Enjoyed the sweet moments. Content Warnings: manipulation
Episodes 3 & 4 - I was going to rate this higher; however, I couldn't get into the moping/angst because they explained it much too late. Not a fan of silent simping for years and making a choice for someone without talking to them first. Liked the second couple and the supportive friends/family/coworkers. Content Warning: a major one but I'm keeping this spoiler free
Episodes 5 & 6 - there were peak visuals in this episode lol, I enjoyed the flirting and physical affection. I really disliked the invasion of privacy and the shoehorned plot with the female character. They spent too much time on the past in this episode as well. Content Warning: past death, manipulation
Episodes 7 & 8 - I'm trying to be spoiler free but I had the most issues with these episodes
Watch Suggestions
- end ep 5 at 45min
- watch ep 6 22-35:30
- skip ep 7
- watch ep 8 31 to the end)
What I Liked: I most enjoyed how the actors were able to play such different characters, the styling was great. The commentary on challenges of shipwork towards the end was also unique and interesting.
Room For Improvement: because I didn't see a key aspect of them as an established couple, it was difficult for me to root for them. The non linear storytelling at the end of episode 6 thru 8 made things needlessly confusing. They didn't actually show what didn't work, so I'm not convinced everything has been resolved and it won't happen again. The time jump felt like a cliche way to resolve the conflict.
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It was incredible watching Sakamoto Ryoma from childhood to his death, seeing him grow and lose the naivety of his younger years to become the man that history came to know him as. And the fact that this man, who lived only a century and a half ago, achieved so many things before turning 30 is just mind-blowing. He lived for his cause and worked for Japan to become a stronger, more modern country so it would not fall a victim to imperialism.
Ryoma lived in the turbulent period at the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate's rule, the time at which Japan finally revoked its closed country policy because of pressure placed on it by the United States's then president. In the aftermath of such a decision, the country was split into those who supported the Shogunate's decision to open the country to foreigners and those who wanted to expel the foreigners at all cost.
You could just imagine the kind of unrest spreading in Japan during those hard times when Ryoma was in his early twenties.
One of the great things about this drama (and all Taigas as it seems) is the travelogue at the end of each episode, which shows the real places that some of the events occurred at, as well as extra information about the characters, so you end up with a well-rounded picture of the setting and characters. Don't worry about getting lost in all the historical details; the English subtitles done by izumisano are the best that I've seen ever. Terms are explained clearly and the translation notes are very helpful.
Also, the narrator of the story, Iwasaki Yataro, is the lifelong friend of Sakamoto Ryoma and they have one hell of a complex friendship.
Ryoma is someone who inspires all kinds of feelings upon meeting him: admiration, respect, love, fear, envy, hatred, jealousy. All those who meet him can't help but feel something strong towards him, be it positive or negative. That's the kind of man we're talking about here. And Yataro, who came from humble origins and later became a wealthy businessman who eventually founded Mitsubishi never got over his inferiority complex when it came to Ryoma. He was never able to escape his shadow.
It's truly fascinating to see admiration, love, and envy on his face every time he looked at Ryoma. It's a complicated mix of emotions and it feels so real that I have to just kowtow to Kagawa Teruyuki for his intensity and powerful personification of such a difficult character. We see Yataro curse Ryoma many times, claim to hate him but his eyes betray him every time.
Yataro's my favorite character and I don't think that would have been the case had a lesser actor taken the role. Kagawa deserved those three awards he'd earned for the role. I have to include here that he was the only actor from 'Ryoma Den' who had gotten any awards at all.
I have so much more to say about 'Ryoma Den' but I don't want to spoil anything. Yes, the camerawork was a bit messy sometimes (shaky camera, awkward up-close shots of faces) and there was this annoying meowing sound running in the background of the most serious scenes, but I could overlook these minor things when I look at the full picture.
'Ryoma Den' overwhelmed me at times to the point where I got tears in my eyes from being so filled with emotion.
Such a drama should not be missed.
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This film is written and directed by Na Hong Jin, the maker and the co-writer of the mega-successful thriller “The Chaser”; he even brought back the two main leads from the 2008 film. I am slowly becoming a fan of the director and I will eventually watch everything he did or will do.
So let’s talk about the film; it’s practically a wronged-man thriller style of story. There’s also a slice of the Korean life and society displayed in moderate amounts. For starters, the title “The Yellow Sea” is the passage between eastern China and western Korea peninsula which leads us to “Joseon tribes” the Korean people who settled in eastern border between China and Korea after the World War II, they have closer relationship with North Korea but they often immigrate to South Korea due to the growing economy. Joseon clan people are unwanted by everyone, they’re poor, desperate and often viewed as criminals and thugs. Our two main leads belong to those people.
The story of the film is engaging with lots of suspense and intriguing questions that will be answered in the most unexpected ways. The storytelling is divided into four major segments that narrate the protagonist’s life in details. On one hand, the first two parts were a set up to explain the characters, the main event and the motives but it also throws little hints. On the other hand, the last two parts contained more complications and excessive speedy events. I must admit that I enjoyed the latter half better; it’s not that the first half wasn’t interesting but the second part outclasses it.
The Yellow Sea is a violent film with gory scenes and bloody killings; there are explicit cutting scenes but for me, it wasn’t extreme gore. It’s at the same level as “The Chaser” and “The Man from Nowhere” and falls a little behind compared to “I Saw the Devil”. But that’s a bit insignificant, what really matters in this film are the exciting chasing scenes, the survival spirit and the suspense to find the truth.
Now if I have to list the shortcomings, I will only mention the exaggerated length that bothered me. Two hours and a half is overlong, I would’ve given this an easy 9 if it was a little shorter.
As I mentioned above, the main actors are the ones from “The Chaser” with reversed roles. It’s no secret that Ha Jung Woo is my favorite young Korean actor, the man is so suited for big screen acting and he keeps drawing me in each time I see him. And what makes me appreciate him even more is the fact that he knows how to choose great roles. Then there’s Kim Yoon Suk a veteran Korean films’ star that knows how to make his character feel so vivid and alive. The acting department is simply top-notch; everyone did what they had to do.
The characters, on the other hand, are hateful; there’s no hero here. Our protagonist is not a saint, he makes many immoral decisions and floats between the good and the bad sides but that doesn’t really matter because you will find yourself rooting for him to reach the end line, the guy is a freaking survival machine. As for the villain, he is one of the best I ever saw; he’s vivid, smart and strong. He makes you thrilled every time he appears on screen. The rest of the characters will make you feel unsympathetic towards them but they add a great taste to the story.
The cinematography is intense, dark, amazing and most of all very well fitting. But the camerawork troubled me a little in some of the chasing scenes where Na Hong Jin decided to use the “unsteady camera” technique; those scenes were an uneasy watch to be honest.
Watch if:
-You admire Korean thrillers because this is one of the best.
-You like “chase” films.
-You like the director and the main cast.
Do not watch if:
-You dislike gory films but this isn’t excessively bloody.
-You’re looking for an easy watch.
The Yellow Sea is an interesting view of some of the Korean society slices mixed with suspense and crime. It’s absolutely one of the better Korean thrillers.
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Anyways... this movie is just pure amazing! It seems cliche how the Kenji uses Athena to make his EX-GF Athena (a girl with the same name lol) jealous with the nerdy girl. Despite the cliche story, its actually surprising how it all turns out. The twists it had at the end just made me bawl my eyes out!!!
I had been a bit stressed from school and I DECIDED to watch the movie (bc you know netflix likes to take down stuff and add... so I wanted to see it before it happened.) The movie just broke my heart in half and I couldn't stop crying when it got towards the end.. man.... those tears wouldn't stop flowing down my cheek! I could be over dramatic right now.. but this may seem your typical love story... (yes it is...) but the way it happens is just... "wow.... I wasn't expecting that..."
When you (telling the person reading this..) have a CHANCE.... WATCH IT!!.... also keep a box of tissues near by.. I don't wanna spoil anything bc it ruins the whole point....
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