Reviews

CLOSE YOUR EYES – NOW FEEL ⏯️

DISCLAIMER: I completed this a week ago and had time to collect / sit with my thoughts so please take my opinion / review with a grain of salt as I’m not here to argue with anyone.

I also have not watched the Taiwanese version yet (but I will do so soon) It will be interesting to see if my opinion on the show will been alter / change. Anyways, this is just a my summary of the drama. I watched it completely blind with no preconceived notions.

The emotions you will experience while watching this drama cannot be replicated by reading a plot synopsis or watching a summary video on YouTube. I recommend that you watch it without looking at the spoilers or hating / comparing it to versions you've seen before. Just pretend it's a whole new drama.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Fantasy

Tropes: Time travel, time loop, doppelgängers, friends to lovers, second chance romance ,found family, friendship, transmigration (body / soul switching), soulmates.

Likes:

This drama was interesting to say the least. The cinematography was beautiful and it felt very nostalgic because it takes you back to the 90s and 2000s. The time travel plot was very well done. I thought it would be confusing but it wasn't. It was easy to understand and found myself figuring out the plot half way through. I figured the scarred man was in fact Nam Si Heon and came up with reasons how this could be possible etc. My guesses were close enough lol. Every episode had me on the edge of my seat, thinking I had it all figured out, only to be surprised by unexpected twists and turns. I had to pay close attention because of the back-and-forth storytelling, but it was worth it.

Jeon Yeo Been's performance was outstanding, especially in how she portrayed the two different characters – she was convincing in showing us (the audience) that it was in fact two different people. The especially how she shifted her personality between the characters. The way she looked at Si Heon / Yeon Jun, laughed, walked, smiled and talked – all changed with the person and the timeline.

Ahn Hyo Seop gave me butterflies and made my heart skip whenever he was on screen, he really is very handsome and I think I developed a crush while watching. Si Heon / Yeon Jun was soooo boyfriend and just the greenest flag ever, across every single timeline. I mean he did such an amazing and convincing job as he portrayed the Si Heon / Yeon Jun who longed for his love (Jun Hee) across time and space. I thought the way he could immediately tell the difference between Min Ju and Jun Hee was precious and endearing. Min Ju could not fool him and unfortunately he would never be able to return her (or anyone else’s) affections becasue Jun Hee was his one true love.

Kang Hoon proved that even without a lot of lines, one's screen presence can be pretty impactful. Also, the way he emotes with his eyes is at another level altogether.

Rowoon's guest appearance was a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed seeing him on screen even thought it was short lived.

Min Jin Woong was a very compelling villain. He nailed the psychopathic murderer / serial killer role so well. I was definitely creeped out and on the edge of my seat watching and waiting to see what his character would do next.

Dislikes:

Some aspects of the time travel phenomenon weren't entirely explained, like why there were two people with the exact same face? I also found it puzzling how Chan Yeong looked exactly like his older brother. That resemblance was truly a mystery for me but I guess it made the storytelling easier from the writers perspective. It seems like that's just how the world of 'A Time Called You' works. I did not have a problem with Si Heon / Yeon Jun and Min Ju / Jun Hee existing in the same timeline like other people. It was very understandable and if you pay close attention you won’t be confused.

What triggered me was Min-Ju’s suicide. It captured a suicidal persons thoughts perfectly but reinforced the fact that no matter what you say / do to help a suicidal person, it won’t change the fact that if someone wants to die… they will kill themselves. They have to want to live for themselves and want to heal / get better and have something to live for. I’m not saying this to be cold/heartless because I just knew a girl like Min Ju. The only difference is she'd always threaten suicide for attention (unlike Min Ju) but in actuality, being her friend was exhausting. Safe to say we're not friends anymore and she still has her depressive episodes but I’m glad I’m not around for her to trauma dump on me or act like her issues are for more important / greater than anyone else's. She used to claim other's do not understand her and that she doesn’t have the mental capacity to care about anyone but herself (at least she was self aware, but imo she was also self centered and mean spirited most of all!). I don't think it was for a lack of love or attention, because it seemed she received both, but like Min Ju she was bullied a lot in her formative years and then kept attempting to transform herself indefinitely. Unfortunately she did not realize (and still hasn't to this day) that by doing all that she was killing the person she used to be, leaving her feeling empty and full of self-hatred (much like when Min Ju claimed to be Jun Hee lol!)

Anyway, it's ironic because thorough everything I was deemed selfish and told that I just don’t understand even though I always was encouraging, reassuring and supportive much like In Gyu. Seeing such a similar occurrence in this drama brought up a flood of emotions for me, which is why I think I felt overwhelmed then slightly irked while watching it. It was insane, especially when they showed inside Min Ju’s mind, Jun Hee trying to stop her, In Gyu pouring his heart out and trying to comfort her by lending caring / supportive worlds to then hearing Min Ju claim nobody cared about her. It was even more shocking to then see her catapult / launch herself off the building, thus killing herself (bleeding to death) and In Gyu taking the blame. I had so many mixed emotions but that very intense scene left me feeling sad and disheartened most of all. I could feel the same sense of hopelessness much like how Jun Hee felt, just being a mere bystander/watcher from that cave – not being able to do anything to help or convince Min Ju her life was worth living.

Moral of the story is choose your friends wisely, try your best and be kind always. If it’s not good enough (especially to the other person) and they don’t see the value in their life then know it’s not your fault / on you. Don’t blame yourself and go to prison for someone else’s choice or twisted wishes to be fulfilled like In Gyu. As Jun Hee said it was Min Ju's own expectations of people that made her miserable and she needed to take time for herself and take care of her wellbeing.

I wish the show explained the alternate ending better, I would’ve liked to find out exactly how In Gyu saves Min Ju on time. It would also have been nice for them to tell how Min Ju gets stuck in a cave where she see through the eyes of Jun Hee and vice versa plus how they escape from it and become the main host of the body.

I’m a very emotional / sentimental person so I did tear up while watching. If you’re the same (or worse) be sure to bring some tissues.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, each of their stories was beautiful as was the ending. Even though it’s an open and some what bittersweet ending I think it gives the viewer hope and promise of what is to come between the two main characters. While watching I felt warm seeing the kind of love that was portrayed throughout the drama. It made me feel the butterflies of a first love, the comfort of a mature love, the pain of separation and the overwhelming relief of their reunion.

The ending made me hopeful and happy, but it also made my heart hurt. I think it’s more so because of the realization that so many precious memories and relationships formed across various timelines would be lost forever, as if they never existed.

This was the kind of drama that stays with you long after you finish watching it. I still feel an ache in my heart when I think about it or listen to the OST (which by the way is just as amazing!) I think everyone who enjoyed this had that moment where they played "Gather My Tears" and tried to close our eyes and dissociate pretending we were going back in time like Jun Hee.

If this drama was a quote it would be: "In a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality – I'd find you and I'd always choose you."

It truly deserves an 8.5/10 and I will definitely be sure to rewatch it in the future, whenever "a time calls me."

If you read all this ILY! 🥹


Thanks for reading & happy watching!

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Leia Mais

Great for those unfamiliar with broader mental health issues; otherwise nothing truly new.

I finished this drama thanks to Seo Ye Ji and Oh Jung Se. If this review possibly happens to make you question watching IONTBO, I would tell you to watch it for these two incredible actors. I've been a fan of Seo Ye Ji since her Moorim School days and her talent has only become more stunning as time has passed. Oh Jung Se is a legend in my books, period. I'd also say that, if you like artistry in storytelling, IONTBO is an interesting watch. There is beautiful incorporation of various art styles weaved throughout the show, and this is one aspect that I truly enjoyed about the show. The writing is alright; certainly better than your average drama, though it still succumbs to obvious fan service (which, to be honest, I can't completely fault the writer for because Seo Ye Ji and Kim Soo Hyun are her leads—she took expert advantage of that, haha).

So, onto the not-so-great elements. As an individual with deeply personal experiences with mental health, as well as experiences with the mental health of loved ones, IONTBO ultimately is a slap in the face. It's not entirely the show's fault, truly. KdramaLand and, in general, Korean entertainment as well as entertainment internationally, are all guilty of requiring a beautifying lens on most interpretations and storytelling of the world.

Don't get me wrong, I also enjoy watching beautiful people playing roles in heart-wrenching storylines. But there is just something irreconcileable to me about the concept of beauty and mental health. I do not (at all) mean that beautiful people cannot have mental health issues or that mental health is a completely ugly thing. However, when we talk about de-stigmatizing mental and having diverse voices or representative storytelling—I could not help but think: how many people would be raving about IONTBO and its championing of mental health issues if the leads were not Seo Ye Ji and Kim Soo Hyun? If this was a representation (note: I don't mean copy or true story) of real life, how many people would truly care if this story was told? What would domestic and international reception look like if Kwon Yoon Hwa was cast, rather than Seo Ye Ji?

And so, as the show progressed a certain cliche refused to stop ringing in my head: "Nobody cares unless you're beautiful or dead". While I personally can't say that I believe this to be completely true—sadly, when it comes to most mainstream media, wherever you might be in the world, this saying often holds heavy truth.

As I did not expect Crazy Rich Asians to be the representation of all Asian stories and voices, I do not expect IONTBO to represent all voices, stories, and perspectives for mental health. That being said, if you've been around KdramaLand for a while now, you'll know that this is not the first "groundbreaking" attempt at telling stories about individuals and mental health.

Ultimately, IONTBO will be enjoyed by most, I reckon. So, all I can say is that IONTBO was nothing new for me in KdramaLand, and is certainly not groundbreaking in its explorations of mental health. Instead, it's a painful reminder of the endless habit of beautification in film and TV industries around the world.

Leia Mais

In spite of all the horror and struggle for survival, there is still room for the heart note

"All of Us Are Dead" isn't specific to South Korean culture, but it's not surprising that the story was born on South Korean soil... The story picks up on the sheer horror that South Korean youth are exposed to in the face of their brutal educational system. There, the enormous pressure to perform is higher than almost anywhere else in the world. For some, bullying is one way to reduce stress. The bullied, in turn, are doubly stressed. Other options include withdrawal, drugs, or suicide. South Korean society is largely blind and/or helpless in the face of this. The pressure to perform and, in this context, the psychological suffering of young people seems to be without alternative in view of the nationwide (and worldwide, economic) competition - a price that society has to pay in view of the greater good. And with that, the youngsters are left alone to somehow survive in this merciless world. However, this applies (perhaps not so blatantly) in a similar way to young people in many countries around the world.

This is where "All of Us Are Dead" comes in its impressive and striking way.

The original title is something like "Currently at our school", so the focus is actually on the school and their students. In fact, the horror of everyday school life, which is more existential for some and less existential for others, mutates into a horror for everyone. A troubled father wants to create a way for his suicidal son to finally stand up to his bullies. The experiment goes astray. The vicious, zombie-like virus is sweeping the entire city and beyond. Disaster control, state of emergency, martial law - the whole program is needed to get the situation under control. And here, again, the young people are left alone in their existential need.

The story telling and expression of various group and relationship dynamics between the young people represent high-end KDrama quality - intense, powerful, sensitive, excellent. Almost everything is on the table. For me, this is the strength of this KDrama and the reason why worth watching.

Besides the problems, dynamics and approaches of trying to 'master' the threatening epidemic somehow sums up what we have had to go through worldwide in the past 2 years marked by Covid. When the rules are overridden, individuals (those who happen to have something to say) rule against the backdrop of their (helpless) personalities - arbitrary or scientifically based, rational or irrational, mostly driven by fear and from a safe distance and/or on the (argumentatively) safe side. Then real quick nobody takes side of individuals anymore, the big picture being more important...

Seen in this way, "All of Us Are Dead" is a qualitatively demanding KDrama in several respects. In spite of all the horror and struggle for survival, there is still room for the heart note.

However, I would like to emphasize that the virus is turning people into flesh-eating zombies. So the abundance of screaming, rattling, biting, blood-smeared zombie scenes, which simply lack any aesthetics for the eye and ear, is part of the story, too. In general this drama is brutal. This is obviously very popular in the international zeitgeist and thus (being published on the international netflix platform) stagily staged. I would say, brutal details and zombie-screentime could definitely have been less prevailing (in order to still tell the story).

Leia Mais

A good comedy trying to be an unsuccessful tearjerker…

This drama started off AMAZINGLY!!!! I was literally obsessed with the first episodes! It was soooo hilarious!!!! I kept recording the funny scenes and sending it to friends and telling everyone to watch this 😂😂😂
I loved the drama when it was just about Seo-ri trying to get used to the new world. I never realized it but the fish out of water trope really is one of my faves 😂😂😂 The way she was talking was soooo hilarious I was laughing soooo hard I couldn’t breathe 🤣🤣😆 This actress has done such an amazing job!!! One of my highlights of the year so far! I wanna see her in more comedies!!! 😂😂😂
That scene of hers when someone made a youtube edit of her saying this one sentence over and ovet again was the death of me! I was cryingggg soooo harddddd!!!! 😂😂😂
In general in the first few episodes there were a lot footages of Seoul’s famous sights so it almost felt like a promotional travel video for Korea but in a good way. Fun to watch if you miss Korea like I do. Also her addiction to sweets and how she kept on running out of money bcs all she did was spend it on food was hilarious 😂 And the dogggg ommggg!!! 🥹🥹🥹 It was sooo cuteeee!!!! I hoped the drama had stayed in this slice of life world until the end without the numerous time travels, and past life snippets and family intrigue and murder 😕😕😕

I also really liked her next-door neighbor ☺️ That male actor has been one of my favorite second male leads. I always love the roles he plays in dramas and I really wanna see him as a male lead one day. I liked him much more than Cha Se-Gye. Not as a romantic partner for Seo-ri but just as a character in general. I would have likes to see more scenes of him and her and how their friendship evolved 😂 I also really liked how he became her manager 🤣🤣🤣 That was one of the good things of the middle part of the drama…

I would say after the Jeju episodes things went downhill for me…

When Mo Tae-hee shows up things get quite boring… There was also this one episode (8 or 9) when everything takes place in the press… scene after scene there is another news article! It all felt like I was reading twitter rather than watching a k-Drama… that was the point when I lost interest and got sleepy and bored at EVERY episode… I seriously had to force myself to finish one episode / night 🥺🥺🥺

Also I found the male lead to be VERY toxic! The way he treated FL was unacceptable for me. I would have never dated him. He only liked her when he felt loved but as soon as she did something that shattered is ego he became all aggressive… RED FLAG!!! 🚩 nope!
The kiss scenes were indeed amazing tho! And luckily he softens up in the last like 3 episodes or sth 😂😂😂
But the switch from perfect comedy to half-asses romance and family/company intrigues left me quite cold 😕 I wished the first 5 episodes back…

Another thing I didn’t like is how the FL changed from being this badass woman who took no one’s shit and always fought back (she literally beat up a dozen men to save her grandma in the first episodes), to suddenly being this weak, whiny woman who needed to be saved by the ML really rubbed me the wrong way… didn’t like it at all… And it made absolutely no sense…

The past life / reincarnation thing was interesting but a bit sloppy and confusing at times, to the point that it got boring… I feel like they wanted to do sth similar to Hotel Del Luna but they failed…

Then some things towards the end that I didn’t quite understand / had questions about:

1. What was the point of having halmoni have dementia and losing her memory?? Did it contribute to the plot? to the character development? Why? Why did it have to happen? And why did she have to die? I feel like they were trying really hard to make the audience cry but sorry it was not convincing… They should have sticked to the comedy. They did that the best tbh…

2. Why was the grandfather so mean to Se-Gye and favored Mun-Do all his life just to make a 180 turn and call Mun-Do inhumane and start prioritizing Se-Gye?? Just because he finally found a gurl? I didn’t understand that and it never got clarified…

3. The last scene of Dan-sim and the Prince running away? what was that all about? I didn’t understand…

4. Also the way she had to save him in the past but couldn’t be with him again all didn’t matter in the end anyway and they could easily bend the rules again seemed very sloppy to me… I didn’t like it that the rules were so easy to change…

5. Why did Seo-ri’s drama set bestie turn on her???? What happened that she started to hate Seo-ri? I feel like the motive here was not clear. Was it because the second FL aka the actress suddenly turned good that they needed another evil, jealous side girl??? I don’t like that approach! Why cant they all just become friends??? 🙄🙄🙄

Also the amount of hospital scenes was just insane!!! 1. he gets poisoned 2. she gets hit by a truck 3. grandpa is still in the hospital 4. halmoni has to go to the hospital too 5. Seo-ri gets drugges 6. Se-Gye gets stabbed 7. Seo-ri is in a coma … did I forget sth??? 🙄🙄🙄
Tis drama should have been just 10 episodes… then maybe it would have not become such a shipwreck in the end…

All in all, just watch the first 4 episodes for a good laugh and then drop it…

Leia Mais

The second instalment of HIStory3 for this year is a regressive detour into fan service that has neither the coherence nor the charm of previous storylines.

One thing I usually say about the HIStory series is that it does good queer stories even if it doesn't do other things right. But Make Our Days Count is not working for me at all. Which is a shame because I was looking forward to it a great deal. However nothing can hide the fact the show is badly written, poorly characterised and has nothing to say.

This story about popular and oblivious Xiang Hao Ting who falls for the studious and impoverished highschool student, Yu Xi Gu, (whom he used to bully) seems regressive - annoyingly so. HIStory1 was little but cliched Fujoshi baiting and I have been enjoying how the series has been maturing and evolving through HIStory2 and then HIStory3: Trapped, which for all its many many many many flaws was ambitious storytelling with mature leads.

Not that my issue is with the highschool setting itself but with the awful seme-uke "gay for you" nature of the main relationship and its associated stalking, harassment and abuse. I felt like the first few episodes were basically a relationship post on the "Am I The Asshole" reddit (with the overwhelming responses agreeing that yes, you are the asshole).

I feel so sorry for Xi Gu who just wants to work and study and has this succession of classmates harass, bully, assault, stalk, abuse and finally sexually harass him. Also I have no idea when or why our male lead suddenly decided he liked him; the switch happened suddenly and without much preamble. The romance essentially came out of nowhere and, while I could believe that Meng Shao Fei's pursuit of Tang Yi could easily become a romantic pursuit, a bully swapping relentless harassment for wooing does not work as well. It's no surprise that Xi Gu assumes that the sudden sexual element to the harassment is merely a new ploy by the boy who has been torturing him.

Of course the other relationship is just as bad, with an older man, Lu Zhi Gang, dating a highschool student, Sun Bo Xiang . One particularly revealing (and slightly gross conversation) involves the older man denying he has a romantic interest in Xi Gu because he's far far too young - despite him being the exact age as his boyfriend. No one - even the writers who put that dialogue on the page - seem to have noticed the problem here. Bo Xiang (played with a great deal of charm and nuance by Wilson Lui, who impresses me weekly) is a physical and emotional child, treated frequently like a toddler by his so-called boyfriend . To make the whole thing worse, the writers inserted an unnecessarily graphic sex scene (unprotected sex, even!) between the two of them that, again, felt like fan service rather than a genuine narrative development.

I could argue that the relationship in HIStory2: Right or Wrong was equally as disturbing but there I felt like the show was saying something and had put some thought into the characters and the relationship. The whole thing was both wrong but also quite romantic and it was up to the audience to work out where the line was and whether they were fine with it or not.

I honestly feel like this iteration of HIStory3 was written to a formula containing things people liked about previous HIStory stories and BL generally. They don't have anything to say, they just pulled elements together as fan service. There is nothing that subtle or interesting about it. It's a copy and paste job that celebrates the worst of BL while romanticising harassment.

Worse than that, "gay for you" as a plot device has a tendency to whitewash homosexuality out of the picture, something that's both ironic and frustrating in a series that's supposed to be dedicated to queer romance stories. Writing gay love stories without the gay may be a standard element of Yaoi but that doesn't mean we're not supposed to be evolving past that. And this is where I see this series as mere Fujoshi baiting. And that is a depressingly regressive move from these particular writers.

The ending

This review has been updated following the final episode to make a spoiler-free comment about the ending. It kind of goes like this: OMFG!! No, just no. Watching this show is like watching someone dig a hole and every time you think it's as deep as it can go it turns out it can plumb new depths. Even people who liked this terrible drama hated this ending. Ponder that one for a moment.

Leia Mais

This is a light romantic comedy. It was a pleasant easy watch. It’s not a bad drama but it’s not particularly good. There are better ones with this style but I still enjoyed it. The FF button will be your best friend though.
It was a bit weird because it seemed like each couple was like out of different genres of dramas.

I needed fluff right now so I still liked it. I watched it without much thought while it was in the background.

If you want something light and fluffy you can watch without much thought you will enjoy it. There are still better ones out there.

Leia Mais

More Like A Hundred Disappointments

80s story that could have had potential but ruined by hundred dumb routes. They have promising setting, two female bus conductors at first having their own family burdens, social expectations, and dreams. Their contrast personalities give balance for their character. But the show reduce them to “love rivals” rather than an individual characters who have goals. The writer want to create story about girl friendship complexity but failed, no build up, no progress, no motivation, no solid story message. They wasted it with story being defined and revolved around the male lead and lost the unique identity they supposedly had.

Oh yes, I understand it is romance. But then they didn't show how they develop the relationship, how and why they catch the feelings bit by bit, what push them to change, how they got to be who they are. The story becomes a disconnected events rather than a cohesive journey for the main characters. All of their purposes are pulled into shadow by the romantic entanglement rather than resolved by their own growth. All these forced emotions are craps.
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A Hundred Triangles?

Alas, I find the male lead out of place from the female leads's dynamic. Whereas Yeongrye and Jonghui's opening come from down to earth household, economic hardship and gender expectation; Jaepil comes from the contrasting background. Prince on white horse? His cliche "privileged rich cold boy" introduction failed me to connect with his character in their 80s setting.

Yes, ML owns his emotional wounds, daddy issues, and bankrupt era. But the drama also seems to rely on him being the “object” that the two female leads orbit, rather than giving him enough depth to make the audience care deeply about him as more than just a romantic figure. Even his "aspiring boxer" narrative is scrapped by "heartbreak". He also got no much role for female leads's development. At least other male characters play a significant part in female leads's ambitions plot / Yeongrye asking the brother duos about law as she lacks education but she still revolve the problem on her own / Jonghui with his criminal brother side by side with Ko's siblings.

Once again, the main character's dreams, are scrapped throughout the drama, removed, forgotten, then pulled back in last seconds just for the sake of dumb plot. Titled hundred memories then give us a whole 7 years timeskip with a minimum flashback with majority of dramatic tension still weight heavily on the male lead, who, is not given enough complexity, growth, or... good acting to justify that weight. Romance drama? Well, it is also supposed to be a youth family drama but the series fall back into hundred romance tropes.
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Not Enough A Hundred Memories, But A Hundred Cliches.

Anyway, some parts are great especially when they show Yeongrye's family dynamics and 80s economic straits through the open door bus conflicts and.... well, there isn't much arc in the dorm lmao, what else I can mention? Wait, there is another love triangles plot in the dorm! Rather than showing the fellow conductor's struggles, they chose to add another male-centered side story! Even the side character cant escape from the love triangle, sick how the writer sidelined Jeongbun's struggle and made her story all about cheater character instead of addressing pregnant without marriage issue in 80s. The ending is such a joke too, I would accept the writer's intention to push "friendship" narrative in the last minutes if they focus resolving the main conflict, the stab incident trauma between the girls, but then they pulled this foggy dream light crap and made Yeongrye scream "Jaepiiiill" !!

But really, this drama has some genuine emotional moments, especially during first half in portraying female friendship and societal pressures of eldest daughter, female labor etc.. Though it went down hill, jumped to the cliff latter part, especially with the makjang nonsense.

Overall I am disappointed. I gave it lower rating because I had high expectations with my fave starring here. I have much more to complaint especially the late 80s hair salon background setting and styling post time skip. I expected much more from both Kim Dami and Shin Yeeun. Why the hell did they accept this script? I wished the story prioritized showing the dorm characters's inner lives, ambitions, 80's conflicts, and especially more evenly. It could have been a strong 80s story. If you are looking for that, turn around! Don't get scammed like me~

Leia Mais

Whispers of Fate: A Masterclass in Visual Grandeur and Emotional Depth (10/10)

"Whispers of Fate" is a breathtaking wuxia drama that transcends the genre, establishing itself as a pinnacle of production quality and performance. Anchored by Luo Yunxi’s mesmerizing portrayal of Tang Lici (A'Li), the series is an absolute triumph that combines high-end fantasy visuals with a deeply complex and moving narrative.

The drama’s aesthetic appeal is immediate and stunning. The artistry in the costuming, especially for Tang Lici, is unparalleled. From the contrasting beauty of the black and white wig to the rich colors and intricate details of his elaborate robes, every ensemble is a work of art, enhancing the character's mysterious allure. These visuals, coupled with the truly gorgeous settings and anime-like CGI, elevate every action sequence and magical display, making the world feel expansive and alive.

Yet, the true core of the drama lies in its characters, particularly Tang Lici. Much like Tantai Jin in Till The End of The Moon, Tang Lici is a figure of immense complexity and so many layers. Luo Yunxi’s acting is nothing short of a masterclass. He seamlessly navigates the character's duality: the cunning cultivator, the composed martial artist, and, strikingly, the wild little fox with big, innocent eyes.

His ability to convey profound internal turmoil a storm of pain and doubt beneath a calm exterior is captivating. In scenes of intense emotion, like the raw, childish outbursts, his tear-filled eyes and trembling lips deliver a masterclass in human vulnerability. It truly feels as though Tang Lici was a role specially crafted for him; it's impossible to imagine anyone else inhabiting the character so completely.

The story, penned by the same author as The Lotus Casebook, weaves a compelling and suspenseful narrative focused on themes of love, power, and the high price of choices. While brotherhood and intrigue are central, the subtle, meaningful glances and nuanced expressions between the leads add a delicate, fluttering layer of romance. The supporting cast is equally strong, each member bringing their own flavor without overshadowing the central conflict.

While one might wish for slightly more natural special effects or a tighter edit in certain arcs, these are minor quibbles in the face of such overwhelming quality. "Whispers of Fate" is a drama full of beauty, smart writing, and Luo Yunxi’s truly fantastic acting. It is a must watch for fans of high end fantasy and complex character studies.

Leia Mais

The Moon truly does rise where the River is

Acting and Characters: Kim So Hyun was absolutely perfect as Pyeonggang. Na In Woo took on the difficult job of filling in On Dal after Ji Soo got dropped and exceeded all expectations. Lee Ji Hoon was the swoony SML that we grew to love and hate. Choi Yu Hwa did an amazing job portraying a cunning yet kind-hearted Silla spy. The side characters were all so lovable. Pung Gae and Jin were so cute. The Queen and Go Won Pyo were extremely well portrayed. Won (or King Yeongyang) was lovable as a teen and despised as an adult. King Pyeongwon was a character that we grew to love over the course of the show.

Plot: The plot was iffy at times but it was bearable. It didn't help that they rush a couple of episodes and write a whole new set of episodes due to the allegations around Ji Soo. Overall I think they did a really good job of sticking to the history and folktale while giving us the viewers some fanservice with that ending. They did Geon and Won (or King Yeongyang) dirty in the latter half of the show, but at least we got their true character back by the end. The "death" of On Dal was kind of unnecessary but I get why they did it. They needed to stay somewhat true to the ending of the folktale.

OST and Cinematography: OST was amazing. The soundtracks used for the battle scenes so perfectly. The main OST was lovely. The cinematography was absolutely stunning at times. One of the better cinematographies I've seen. The setting for the scenes was absolutely beautiful. The camerawork was pretty good. Overall a very well-produced show given the circumstances.

Final Score: 9/10

Leia Mais

Intense. Brutal. Yes, I recommend it. And with a heavy heart I am also considering it valuable

"Weak Hero Class 1" leaves me with mixed emotions. It is an intense KDrama, in which the young people are remarkably slow-paced, sort of numb, at times bordering on apathy. On the other hand, there are violent outbursts. Extreme. Brutal. A cruel parallel world that actually should have no place whatsoever in the everyday life of high school students!
What kind of society do we live in? It is simply too much, what young people have to go through and deal with. KDrama didn't invent it. Neither does the webtoon, the story is based on. It is a sad and scandalous reality in many schools, in many classes, in South Korea and elsewhere.

"Weak Hero Class 1" doesn't sugarcoat anything.
And it ends just the way it is... no end in sight...

I admit, I was about to drop it. Too much frustration and violence - it actually goes on and on. (Even if the 'weak hero' develops cunning, inspiring recipes to fight back... it still remains a world of violence.)
But then the relationship dynamics between the boys (and girls) are quite intense and what they go through inside and out is touching. Ultimately, it doesn't help to look away - even if it's painful to look at. In fact, "Weak Hero Class 1" is a great, impressive production. It is a disturbing inventory - disturbing because the story leaves no perspective, no silver lining, no substantial room for hope. (At most marginal sparks of light here and there.)

The largely indifferent attitude towards life that prevails in posture and movement of the young people is one thing, the massive outbreaks of violence another. Each soul seems to have long since fled its young body, so that there are only roughly apathetic youths on the move who occasionally act as numb thugs who kick helpless bodies on the ground, or vice versa. It's actually unbearable. It's traumatizing on both sides. And yet it is everyday life. This creates a very unique flow in the world of the students. In this world, one may search in vain for serious, responsible, courageous adults. They are lacking. The kids are alone in this world and have to find their way to live in it, or rather: to survive. Which side will you be on? Perpetrator? Victim? Rescuer? Spectator?

What agitates me the most in connection with "Weak Hero Class 1" is the enormous enthusiasm among der age-group of 13-17, who with this story obviously feel seen right on. This may be 'only' a fictional story, but it obviously tells the story of the youth, we (adults) usually dont´t get. Many are thrilled. In fact, I'm NOT thrilled. I'm impressed by the intensity of the production, yes. But primarily appalled by the dominance of bullying and the severity of violence among peers in everyday school life today. I am also shocked by the documented, self-evident aimlessness and helplessness of the adults. Ultimately, I am frustrated by the lack of a positive outlook and affected by such a disillusioning world of experience of the young, growing up generation.

"Weak Hero Class 1" is based on the template of a web toon and has (via KDrama) by now reached an even wider audience, especially among the 'adults', regarding bullying among schoolchildren. I appreciate that. The KDrama was released on the young streaming platform Wavve and was thus able to give plenty of dramaturgical space to the violent excesses. Maybe more than necessary? Or just right? The KDrama has a simple mission: to show what 'we' tend not to see because 'we' (adults) have no place in this parallel world of schoolchildren. And as a matter of principle, the story does not provide any answers in terms of a way out. No.
In the contrary: 'we' adults are in the pillory... What have we done (and also missed) that it could have gotten this far! Where is this going to end? What can we do about it?

Anyway, bottom line: I recommend the series. And with a heavy heart I am also considering it valuable especially for all those who call themselves adults, parents, teachers, social workers, officials in youth welfare offices, police officers, etc....
Hello, wake up!

Leia Mais

Now If you are looking to watch something light and refreshing this is the drama for you.

The drama itself was a pretty good drama, not one of the best I've seen but I did enjoy watching it. Its one of those dramas you have to keep watching to like.

I really enjoyed the acting, characters were really unique and entertaining to watch. I mean you get to see both No Min Woo and Park Ki Woong play completely different roles from what we are used to and on top on that they sing >< .....I just loved the music. The songs were really fun and catchy.

Any who definitely recommend if you are in the mood of watching a light romantic/comedy.

P.S NO this drama does not have anything to do with the first Full House but the name.

Leia Mais

Framing Weiyoung

Repetitive, boring, there may not be words that better describe Princess Weiyoung. Even a story based on conspiracy, betrayal and a hint of melodrama cannot abuse an appeal in this way. Okay, the protagonist is chased, she has many enemies, but is it necessary to use the framing tactics all the time? Didn't the writers realize that the protagonist being framed almost every episode tires the viewer, even those who like "tricks"? My discontent is huge that I refuse the biggest episode 34, which was the last one I saw, sad because the story seemed promising.

EDIT:

I finish the drama but my opinion remains the same

Leia Mais

FLUFFY VAMPIRES

I never thought id say this but this is probably the fluffiest vampire romance ever . If you want an easy to watch, easy to finish romance then this is for you.

This is an 8 - 16minutes episodes (which is really about 14 if you cut out the cheesy opening and closing credits) series with nothing but cute guys and fluffiness. Seriously. before watching the finale i had to rewatch the first episodes because i forgot about the events in them. Its a story about a vampire "family" living together with a normal human.

I love fluffy and light shows and i really iiked the series, however, to be quite honest, there is so much to be desired storywise. The vampire lore was so thin i wondered why they have to be vampires. I almost always ask why, for the love of god, does Koresn BL industry insist on being this short - the limited screentime allowed very little story and character development. It may have been better if it was released as a binge or compiled as a movie but i still think the plot is too thin to really make an impact.

Its pretty obvious the entire series has limited budget and that its possible the entire series may have been shot on a day or two.

The saving grace of the series are the main actors - Yu SIn and Park Dong Ju are real cuties and they did really well as Ju Won and Dong Ha considering the fact that they are almost brand new to acting and what limited material they have. I already loved Lee Tae Hyung from Match Play and its really good to see him in another BL i just hoped the series used him more. I specially loved the acting in the end of episode 7 between Ju Won and Seon Jay, with that alone id say Yu SIn has a pretty bright acting future ahead.

The other couple is mostly used for comedic relief and their kiss at the last episode was so fake i wonder why the series felt the need to add it to the story.

So would i recommend? Definitely. Would i rewatch? Im not entirely sure. Its a good and light series but its also quite forgetable i dont think id remember it after a month. Overall im giving it a strong 8 mostly for the cast and the entertainment value.

Leia Mais

Hoping for a season 2!!

Since im a huge fan of JU JING Yi, im super bias here, i liked the drama overall and enjoyed it HAHAH although it wasnt the best!! Still enjoyed it.

Firstly, the starting part, ju jing yi is abit too outstanding for being a maid? Like make up and everthing but i understand because shes the mainlead and should be more outstanding, just found it abit funny hehe.

2nd, the plot of romance was too rushed i got abit confused, they didnt declare they liked each other and suddenly they kissed and make out if im not wrong a few moments ago they were just master and student? Nonetheless still watched it because im a fan of XIAO JU!! ^.^

3rd, they had 3-4 different lives i think and all had the same ending which is very sad though, why can’t the male lead do something different and not kill FL. Anyways still love both of their acting HAHAH i love their chemistry :) hope they will act again in another drama or season 2. Wished the director and writer could have not rushed the plots and everything :((

OST - my heart aches everytime i listen to the OST.. the lyrics relates so much to the drama, ju jing yi voice is just so mesmerising and you can actually feel her emotions from the song.. which makes me 10000times more emotional 😭😭 but still the song slayed love it! Do LISTEN TO the song even if yall dont really like the drama MUAHAHA

Ending was very confused and upsetting 🥲 I hope there will be a season 2 to continue where the left us wondering what actually happened.. WISHED THEY GAVE US A GOOD ENDING BUT QUITE DISAPPOINTED THEY DIDNT HAISS, im guessing the director wants us to assume and imagine the ending however we like? PLEASE GIVE US season 2 and i will forgive your confused ENDING SIR/mdm! hehe

Leia Mais