Reviews

What a cracker!

I wasn't expecting much from this shorter C-Drama. I went into it expecting light entertainment and not much else. But what I got? Holy crap! It was a masterpiece.

I don't think I have ever actually been so invested in a milk money theft plot. I have seen them in so many dramas, but the way Yin Rui played it, her acting was phenomenal. I actually cried with her, I felt her pain, her anguish, through all of the drama. She is an amazing actress. I hope she gets more roles where she can showcase this.

The plot was confusing at times near the beginning. I couldn't understand why he wasn't able to find out what happened to her. Like, surely there were news articles, etc. But I soon forgot about that and got completely swept into the mystery.

I feel like this show will get underrated because of it being a little bit different from the norms of these types of dramas. But if people give it a chance, it's a real gem of a show. The only reason I didn't vote it 10/10 (I voted 9.5) was because I would have liked at least one more episode to spend time with the leads at the end. But, apart from that, I love everything about it.

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I am a fan of Makjang and revenge dramas, but this one has something lacking. I can't put my finger on it exactly. I wasn't emotionally invested in any of the characters except the little girl and Kang Il Ran and the drama wasn't about them. The main characters were just too boring. After a while I didn't care that much about anything except Kang Il Joo getting what she deserves. I can't post spoilers, but the ending left a lot to be desired. The characters were complex and there was pretty good development. The plot wasn't too convoluted considering the genre, but it felt like it went round and round over the same thing. I finished it because there is also something intriguing about it. I don't know if this review will be helpful because even I feel wishy washy about it. LOL

The acting is fine. Nothing to get excited over though. I'm learning to hate Cha Ye Ryeon as this is not the first crazy woman she has played as Il Joo. She is really good at it. :-)

The music is appropriate and doesn't suck.

I will never rewatch this.

There are some better Makjang/Revenge dramas out there, but this one is an okay watch.

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This is a once in a lifetime drama.

I never write reviews so bear with me but I am struggling to put into words just how beautiful this show is. Before this show I never got when people would say 'my lifes drama' but I think I get it now. When I started I was scared because 100 episodes is quite a lot and figured I would drop it halfway or I would find it boring the way I did with father is strange and makjangs ive tried. I was completely wrong. this drama was perfect in every sense of the word; casting, pacing, dialogue its hard for me to find things to hate about this drama after completing it its genuinely perfect.

STORY
While the story looks really simple and boring the way its written is so incredibly well done, there's a great blend of romance, comedy and drama that get you to become emotionally attached to every character down to the two episode cameos. The main plot focuses on the song family which includes the mother and father and their four children who each have trouble within their love lives. This is a really simplistic breakdown but the writing is extraordinary, its very deft in the way that it helps you empathize with characters, even when they're in the wrong you want to root for them and for their happiness. The truly annoying 'makjang' bits never go on very long and are always resolved amazingly. The characters see genuine growth which is very rare.. by the end of the show each and every character feels like a real person you can relate to and love. Characters in Once Again all seem human, they focus in on each and every person you see and give them real motivations and traits, the writer is extremely talented and im so thankful to her for this show. It tackles a lot of issues that you wouldn't expect at first glance and it teaches you to never be stuck in your assumptions on people (or even on the characters in the show) because everyone is capable of change for the better. At times I found myself jumping around like an 8 yr old and in others I was crying out of genuine heartache for these characters. Yang HeeSeung took a simple premise and made a masterpiece out of it.

ACTING
Stellar. literally perfect casting to the point its almost funny like I genuinely cannot imagine anyone else having played these roles. Lee Minjung and Lee Sangyeob absolutely nailed their roles and nahee has become my favourite kdrama character of all time. Lee Chohee and Lee Sangyi won everyones hearts in this show. Oh Yoonah showed amazing skill as a divorced single mother taking care of her kid while trying to find a way back onto her own feet. Oh Daehwan played his role beautifully and nailed the big brother vibe to a T... I could go on and on because everyones performances here was truly astounding it felt like watching real people and how they live their lives. Some of the older actors overacted (because this IS a weekend drama after all) but it just added to the charm because it was almost a physical generation gap and only highlighted everything beautiful about the show. the side characters were all acted PERFECTLY my personal favourites being hyosin and seoyoung~

MUSIC & REWATCH VALUE
These two aren't as important imo but nevertheless the music was so cute and all the osts make your heart feel like its about to burst with sunshine plus I just finished this show a few days ago and im already rewatching. It makes u happy seeing this family (that while I watched almost felt like my family) grow and become their best selves.

CONCLUSION
This is a really special show, Ive forced like 10 people to watch it and every single person has loved it to no end. It makes you happy and it comforts you, its the ray of sun on a cloudy day. if you're wondering if you should watch I say go right for it!! its a must watch in my books and probably one of my favorites, if not my number one kdrama of all time. The 100 episodes will fly past and by the end you'll be wondering where on earth you'll find another show as great as this one.

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Ghosts playing matchmakers

It was a fun ride for sure. I think the cinematography is beautiful, I really liked the filming locations. The OST was very catchy as well. And I think the plot was well written, things connected right and made sense. The reoccurring characters had some sense of purpose, which pushed the story forward in one way or the other. The comedic aspects are nicely incorporated and fit in well with the plot.

To be honest, at some point the ghosts appeared to be good wingpeople. Whenever they annoyed or scared poor Bu Xia enough, he would run to Jiang Chi. And while I do agree that the idea that he only wants him close to keep the voices out of his head is problematic, they do address this problem and I think that’s important. Communication makes things easier (too bad it’s not Bu Xia’s strong point).

Jiang Chi & Bu Xia: The two are adorable together! They seem to be quite different from one another, but they still make a great pairing. Bu Xia might not be the best academically and can be quite awkward at times, but he is still a cutie. He is afraid of ghosts. Or at least afraid of ghosts trying to get them do their bidding. Jiang Chi is both smart and athletic, but he is also confident and goes after what he wants. And that’s Bu Xia. They start as enemies, but things quickly make a turn for the better. The two face plenty of troubles, but I do think they balance each other nicely. The two actors did amazingly and had great chemistry as well.

I really liked Bu Xia’s sister too. She was a fun character, and I absolutely loved her relationship with her brother. They teased each other but were also the person the other could count on. Always and for everything. That’s life with siblings!

The ending is kind of open, so it makes me think they might be planning for S2. At least I hope they are. I considered such an ending a possibility, but I wasn’t sure what route they will take. It might be considered finished, I guess, but to me it still feels like there is more of the story to follow. So fingers crossed for another season.  

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Stuck in time looping ...
Time travel is and will forever be a fantasy, physicists say. But fantasies can tell us more about human desires and dreams than discouraging facts.
This is what happens in "Kimi to 100 Kaime in Koi" the movie has no pseudoscience is totally without physical logic. The film expresses the common and eternally frustrated desire to turn back time as easily as restarting a clock, with a melodramatic script about to thrill.
In the same way the film has cinematic movements in height, its history faithfully reflects the unbearable truth that he (protagonist) must finally face, although he does not present this truth with much subtlety. And the types of literal mentality can disrupt the logical moments of the film's narrative, which is close to the "surreal" category but also clearly expresses the truth. Good movie!

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I accidentally came across this drama and fell in love with it in an instant and waited impatiently for more episodes to come. The last ep is not out yet, but I wanted to express my thoughts regarding this amazing drama.

This drama is based on a novel and portrays the things happening in a cardiovascular department.

If you are a fan of heroes, you will love this drama as we have a super human doctor who can save any patient by his demonic surgery skills, which seems almost impossible in reality. So, if you expect more of a realistic medical drama, you may not like it, but however, except for the portrayal of a god like doctor who is impossible to exist , all the other things in this drama are realistic as they are happening in reality in the medical field of Japan. Also, I have to say that Nino's ad libs in this drama are awesome. If you are a fan of Nino, you will definitely love this drama and will fall in love with him again and again. His portrayal of Dr. Tokai is really awesome and I wouldn't have enjoyed the drama this crazily if another actor played Dr. Tokai's role. All the actors in this drama are awesome and even the doctor who gave advices for this drama have praised them in his medical commentaries for the drama. I really love the innocent Dr. Sera, bratty nurse Nekota, enigmatic medical coordinator Kinoshita and all the other characters who are either hilarious or annoying.

I have watched all the episodes that have aired so far multiple times. I am drawn to arrogant and cool Tokai sensei who is great in using both scalpel and newest technology in operations and stops at nothing to save lives. The other thing I love is his smirk which really kills me every time he appears on screen.

I am curious about the mystery going on in this drama which has also been able to add depth to it. One can really enjoy this drama except for the hospital politics going on.

Black Pean is so dramatic, and also a bit mysterious as it will let you keep guessing on what will happen next, specially during the surgeries. I also have to say that this is not every one's cup of tea and more like a medical drama combined with mystery and a fantasy doctor. Well, that's my opinion.

Highly recommend this drama for Nino's fans and also for those who love to enjoy watching operations and of course for those who enjoy dramas with a super hero.

This is a drama that I really enjoy these days and hoping for a season 2. So, I would give 10/10 for this.

Edit- Watched the last episode too, even though I am not 100% satisfied with the ending , I loved the drama a lot and the cast too. I will really miss Tokai sensei

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An inspiring tale of entrepreneurship

What I loved most about “My Destiny” was the entrepreneurial and ambitious side woven into the story. Instead of focusing only on romance, the drama highlighted hard work, determination, and building something meaningful through persistence and vision.
Tan Song Yun gave such an inspiring performance, portraying a woman who balances emotion, independence, and ambition so naturally. Her character’s growth, resilience, and drive made the story feel refreshing and motivating. I especially appreciated how the drama showed the realities of chasing success — the setbacks, sacrifices, pressure, and personal growth that come with pursuing your goals.
It’s the kind of drama that leaves you feeling inspired to work harder toward your own dreams.
If you enjoy dramas with strong character growth, ambition, business-minded themes, and heartfelt storytelling, “My Destiny” is definitely worth watching.

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Very loosely inspired but in the mood of the book.

I'm writing this review having watched 7 of the 8 episodes and having already read the book that this drama is based on.

I will start my review by mentioning some things about the book that is a fantastic read and I recommend to read it. Jake Adelstein is the only American journalist ever hired at one of the most prestigious Japanese newspapers as a crime reporter, something that is of course an achievement by itself. Through his work as a reporter he had to deal with the whole spectrum of Japanese underworld, the Japanese mafia ( Yakuza- that it is worst as it seems than the Italian one! ) and of course with the police and all the people, the press and all other institutions, involved in this world.

In his book he mentions the most notorious of the cases that he covered as a journalist, and of course he gives a first hand account about how intertwined are the Police and the Press with the Japanese underworld.

And that is exactly what this drama is all about. It is not that much about the characters that are just some examples of the persons that Adelstein encountered in the 12 years that he worked as a journalist in Japan, but mostly a very good and accurate depiction of the attitudes, the dealings and the doings of all these people that live and operate in this particular world.

The story plot and the characters are original - inspired by the book or picked up from the book, but not so well developed in the book- but the mood is there intact. Where the book is full of information and facts as a reporter would have written them the drama is full of character development and a solid plot. So 10/10 from me for the fantastic and original in a manner of speaking writing of this script.

The production is great with the touch of Michael Mann ( the guy who produced the legendary Miami Vice and directed Collateral ). Don't ask me who is Michael Mann. Go a check out the films and dramas he has produced and directed.

I'm also impressed by the cast and all the actors participating in this drama as half of them had to learn how to speak Japanese and the rest of them to learn how deliver fluently their lines in English! They all deserve credits for their work, as we all know how difficult it is for westerners to learn Japanese and for Japanese to speak English.

So - in order to conclude without any spoilers- this is a fantastic drama with a very solid plot, great character development that you will not find in the book, and very good - and difficult due to the bilingual nature of this drama - acting.

If you haven't read the book yet do read it.
If you haven't watched this drama yet do watch it as it will put you in the mood of the book but with an original and different some how story plot.

10/10 from me for the writing and they way that the source material was used, the character development and the very good production and direction.

P.S After watching the final episode I have to say that the second season will be welcomed.

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I find this drama very original and beautiful

I only write long reviews for shows that really touched me.

First off id like to start off by saying i’ve been keeping up w this drama since it came out and it definitely peaked my interest from the beginning.

Starting, this drama it has this very “mysterious” indie vibe to it which personally i enjoy so much. The synopsis is very VERY vague and that almost made it better. It definitely started out on the slower side and they did progress the story a little too fast at times i will admit but even through all of that i consider this a top tier drama IN MY OPINION. I won’t spoil anything here but i’d like to say this drama is ART. I have cried many times while watching this series, and no it wasn’t like the oh someone died type of cry. To put it into words i have no idea why i cried it just felt very authentic, pure, and well beautiful.

I’ll end it here by saying check out this drama regardless of ratings, form an opinion of your own, and well enjoy (i know i did and i’m sad to be writing this review because it means the series has come to an end) TO WRAP IT UP AMAZING 🥹🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

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I held off on this drama when it was first airing but caught up right before the final episode was aired. I was iffy about this since I really loved the Taiwanese version but I was surprised at how much I actually liked this.

Most people know this story so I won't bother talking about the plot.

My only complaint about this version is the pace during certain episodes and the ending. The first 10 episodes moved fairly quickly to me. Not in a bad way though. It kept me wanting to stay up longer to watch another episode. But episode 11-15 moved slowly. Everyone (well those who have seen the other versions) knew what was coming and I felt that the drama was just dragging on.

The ending, I was expecting too much. I was slightly disappointed to be honest. I felt like a lot was left on in the last episode.

I enjoyed the cast. Kotoko's character wasn't as annoying as all the other versions thankfully. Naoki was calm cool and collected, I liked how Yuki played him. The family was cute. Naoki's mom is always one of my favorite characters. Kotoko's friends were extremely entertaining too.

Overall, I really liked this version. Hoping for a second season or a special but I would definitely recommend this to those who have seen the other versions and aren't sure about this one.

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Basically, this is a typical J-drama. You can tell by its messages: never give up, pursue your dreams, and value the friendship.

What makes this drama special are for sure the setting and the story. There're not so many drama dealt with Antarctic, right?
But for me personally, the casts were more special. They were all stunning!! Yes, all the casts, including the dogs. I have no idea how the director, or whoever, had the dogs acted perfectly for this drama. Their facial expressions were just awesome!! I mean it. Not to mention their bonding with the "real" casts. It was precious!

I recommend this drama to those who love Japanese spirit, those who love a heart-warming story, those who love beautiful scenery, those who love dogs, and last but not least, those who love Takuya Kimura ^^

ps: I suppose this is the most costly J-dramas ever!

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Clichê bem feito, química absurda e cenas marcantes

Confesso: entrei em Top Form sem grandes expectativas. A premissa do veterano carismático ameaçado pelo novato promissor já foi usada até demais no mundo dos BLs, e eu achei que seria mais uma daquelas histórias recicladas com um casal bonitinho e cenas mornas. Mas, felizmente, eu estava errada. A série realmente faz jus ao burburinho que tem causado, e em vários momentos, entrega até mais do que promete.

Desde os primeiros episódios, fica claro que a química entre Jin e Akin não é brincadeira. A tensão entre eles é elétrica, o tipo de coisa que não se ensaia, acontece. A forma como os dois personagens se provocam, se medem e se desafiam acaba sendo muito mais envolvente do que qualquer enredo mirabolante. E quando a rivalidade começa a se desfazer e dá espaço a uma relação mais intensa (e sim, bem mais física), a série acerta de novo: a transição é natural, e você acredita em cada passo, cada toque, cada olhar demorado.

Agora, preciso falar da cena do mel. Sim, aquela cena!!! Já vi muita coisa em BL, cenas quentes, forçadas, lindas, embaraçosas, mas essa foi uma das mais bem executadas que vi nos últimos tempos. Ela é ousada sem ser vulgar, sensual sem cair no exagero, e ainda serve de virada narrativa. Depois dela, a dinâmica entre os dois muda completamente. O clima fica mais íntimo, mais cru, mais honesto. E o mérito não é só do roteiro, mas também da direção, que soube filmar desejo com elegância, e dos atores, que entregaram tudo ali.

Mas nem tudo são flores. Alguns diálogos soam ensaiados demais, especialmente quando tentam explorar os bastidores da indústria do entretenimento, há momentos em que parece que os personagens estão lendo um release institucional. Além disso, os coadjuvantes são, na maior parte do tempo, decorativos. Dava pra dar mais profundidade àqueles que orbitam o casal principal, mas a série prefere focar exclusivamente nos dois protagonistas, o que não é exatamente um problema, mas deixa o universo da história um pouco vazio.

Mesmo assim, Top Form não decepciona. É o tipo de BL que sabe o que está entregando: tensão, romance, desejo e dois protagonistas com tanta química que até as brigas têm carga erótica. A série não reinventa nada, mas executa tudo com segurança e estilo. E olha, se vier uma segunda temporada e com mais cenas como a do mel, já pode colocar no topo da minha lista.

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When Fairy Tales Meet Modern Media; Perfectly.

When fairy tales meet modern media perfectly. If that is not a good enough hook then I do not know what is, or if my words will persuade you in any manner more.

I highly recommend this show. Well-written, well-acted and well-produced, this show leaves you craving more. With episodes averaging 77 minutes long, it will not be over quickly. Once you get invested it will keep you on the hook, at least it did to me. This show holds dear to my heart and completely surpirsed me with the level of fantasy, drama, and romance that it encompasses. Not only did it do all that well, but it was all-around a brilliant piece of art produced by modern media. The show enlightens those of the fairy tales and history of the country whilst also encapsulating a sweet and melodramatic romance that leaves your heart aching for more.

'Goblin: The Lonely and Great God' is one of those shows that pop up once in a while that proves the mastery of crafting shows. With such a brilliant cast, story, and production in its belt, it is no surprise that this show was and is a masterpiece. The cinematography along with the soundtrack adds to the beauty of the show. Furthermore, it is no wonder the value and popularity of it, either. It proves the level of craftmanship media production involves and how fairy tales meet modern media in a manner that not only engrosses viewers but enlightens those ignorant of the history and tales of a country.

It proves that any old folktale can be reimagined and adapted to the screen for a wider audience. That with the right people with the right skills at the right time it can produce a work of magic.

The show centres around a girl, Ji Eun Tak, who can see ghosts and is the self-proclaimed 'Goblin's Bride' who can end his eternal existence on Earth. Kim Shin is the god/goblin that became immortal after his tragic demise in Goryeo (where he was an unbeatable general of the military). The Goblin's life remains a bleak existence as he watches all those he retains a relationship with - die, for that is his punishment. The simple task of returning the Goblin to ash by removing the sword turns convoluted and messy with the emotional bond the pair develop. Neither can comprehend the harsh reality that seeks them nor the involvement of past enemies that push them together and make the once-simple task an almost impossibility.

The development of the story and the characters intertwine in a manner that suits the title of a fairy tale. Neither production, writing, or casting of the show was skimped upon - everything was done to an extremely high standard. Along with the side characters, that can often get pushed so far to the side that there is no point in their being, in Golbin that is not the case. We meet three very emotionally empathetic characters that hook the viewer almost as tightly as the main two do; Sunny, Yoo Duk Hwa, and the Grim Reaper. It is the progression of all story beats, minor plots, and the development of the side characters that really step the show up a level.

This show when I first went to put it on was not something I thought was going to be brilliant. I thought it was going to be a bog-standard fantasy/drama/romance like most others you see. After the first episode, I still was not convinced - mainly due to the long length of the show and the slight information dump that it gave. But once I persevered I fell in love with it.

Golbin left me in tears of joy and sadness. It satiated a craving for a good quality romance that I had not been able to find in a long time. If any show deserves blind faith it is this one.

In one word this show is ART. It deserves to be seen even by those who wish to criticise it. I have many bits I could criticise and fault, as with anything. As a writer myself, I can see minor parts that should have been developed and whatnot, but even so, this show was one of the best-written pieces of work I have seen in a long time. It reminds me of why I began writing in the first place and what type of writer I want to be.

So if you have the time or the craving for a good show, give it go. It was the perfect piece of media for me. And it might just be for you as well. You never know until you try.

Tee.

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a cultural reset if you ask me

Short, sweet and beautiful are the first words that pop in my mind if someone where to ask me my thoughts on this drama.

The story as simple as it is still manages to keep your interest but is easy to watch, something that i greatly appreciate. nothing felt out of place or rushed out like most short korean bls, in reality it didn't even feel short. I truly enjoyed myself from start to finish. I find simple and honest stories like this very charming.

The characters are all fairly well written, especially the mcs, everyone plays a part on the story but it didn't feel like anyone was there just to move the plot forward (at least from the important characters). there were also times i whole heartedly laughed at their interactions, expected from korea tho. the acting fairly good too !!

The love between the mcs felt gradual and natural, seojoon is like a little golden retriever and jiwoo is like a grumpy cat, a perfect pair imo. their dynamic is adorable and i loved all of their scenes together, even the upsetting ones. the chemistry is definitely there too, truly makes you think about how lonely and sad you are lmao.

im not really one to talk about the technical side but i can humbly say that it was also filmed beautifully and the ost was really good as well.

i don't really have anything bad to say about this, except that maybe there are a scene or two we could live without and that i got confused like once while watching but it was something very minor so like who cares.

an amazing step up for korea too ;D

12000% gay peep approved !!

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