Reviews

It’s a Jackie Chan movie. And it’s a silly thing, sillier than usual, even for Jackie Chan. Seriously, there are CGI hyenas in it, I kid you not. But there’s also Yang Yang, so there is that, true.

And, gosh, action stuff really suits Yang Yang. Like really. He looked and moved like a real soldier. But even though his character was a bodyguard, he sure was the damsel in distress in this movie. First, the heroine shot him with a tranquilizer by mistake in the middle of a fight so when he got her away from the bad guys, she had to take care of him and get him to safety because, well, he fell asleep. And then, when they were attacked again, he got hit over the head protecting her and they were both captured. And then, he got put into a bomb vest, just for the kidnappers’ kicks. So... yeah. I guess the filmmakers realized that Yang Yang suffered nicely. Or something.

Overall, the movie is nothing to write home about. There’s just way too much CGI. Even most of the car chases are CGI. And because of that, the most adrenaline fueled scene is the one where Vanguard comes to save Yang Yang’s character and the girl because that’s mostly genuine, old-fashioned action. Too bad, it could’ve been a good one. Oh well...

Leia Mais

Magical at times, disillusioning at times….

Initial thoughts; I came across this drama through an exchanged list with a few friends. Have always loved Ji Chang Wook but I must admit that I wasn’t entirely engaged as some of his recent works have been a bit meh. Though I was willing to give it a go after seeing a promotional video.

Tone of the show; ‘Sound Of Magic’ is very much what I’d say is a “ non offensive” show. It was sweet in parts, lightly melodramatic and angsty in others with a few cheery ( and sad) musical songs out of nowhere. Honestly I’m not saying that it didn’t go into issues and I thought that it was pretty brave of the narrative to go into some hard issues like inequality and hinting at exploitation. But it was very rarely pushed to the boundaries. Not saying that this a bad thing at all as the show was what it was. Lighthearted and occasionally dipping into some darker themes but never to the point of making viewers squirm or delivering shock. For those expecting a dark fantasy series like Hotel del Luna then you might be a bit disappointed especially as themes were rarely driven forwards.

Characters/ Acting ; I think as a lot of people in reviews have pointed out, Chang Wook’s character, the magician, was a bit disappointing. Honestly pleasantly surprised to see CW delivering an outstanding performance but his character sort of felt as though he had missing parts. I can’t say that I’m basing my judgement on the webcomic as I’ve never read it but even as a newcomer to the world of The Sound Of Magic, I have to say that the magician felt a bit lacking in charm and mystery. His character twist felt a bit sudden if I’m honest. Surprising but could’ve been built up or hinted at more.

The female lead was decent enough. The actress Choi Sung Eun wasn’t familiar for me apart from her performance in Beyond Evil but she was good. Her character felt a bit cliche if I’m honest. We’ve seen the poor girl trope so many times being branded and branded again that it can feel a bit lost amongst others. I did like the main female lead’s uncertainty and her genuine sincerity but I felt as though the narrative missed out on a lot of opportunities to explore her process of growing up too fast and coming to terms with reality as well as her mother not coming back.

The supporting lead was played by Hwang In Yeop. I’ve liked In Yeop like many since his performance in 18 Again and adored him in True Beauty. It was definitely weird seeing him play a “ good student” role aside from “bad boy” or “ delinquent bully”. Nevertheless his performance was fairly good and I definitely thought his onscreen pairing with Sung Eun was well done. His character felt a bit repressed at times. I liked the fact that the show presented the potential lover genuinely caring about the female lead and falling for her but there was a lot not talked about the supporting male lead nor understanding the female lead’s pain or struggles, or at least him coming to understand her circumstances more. His backstory was existent and even from a brief glimpse I feel as though we could understand a lot about him but could’ve been better.

There’s also the female lead’s bully who was necessary but definitely a cliche and superficial character. The ending felt a bit rushed more than anything and incomplete but the pacing was okay in my opinion just a little slow at times.

I liked the filming techniques and it did add a certain magic but there definitely could’ve been more in later episodes. The musical songs felt a bit bland. There were a few ones which were good but definitely not enough to get stuck in your head.

Overall; Decent series and fun but felt as though it could’ve been a bit more concise at times. Overall I liked it but I can say the trailer certainly made this one seem a bit edgier and provocative than it actually was in reality.

Leia Mais

The Ultimate Beer Comercial!

This Kdrama is like your favorite beer! You know why you love it, ergo you know what you're gonna get, and in that, so you won't be disappointed!

It's not extraordinary or special, but it was a fun! It's not a surprise that Kim Sejeong carried the whole show, but the side-characters were good, too!

My biggest problem is that we only get 12 episodes, and we had too many storylines, like the one with the soldier boy. That could've been so much better, and honestly, it deserves its own show, but we only got like 1 episode worth of story overall, and they moved on from it pretty fast.

Not to mention the plot with our main guy and the life-saving incident. They didn't do anything with it. I'm not talking about the obvious and typical Kdrama trope, I'm talking about the reason he had to be saved. They completely ignored that!

The usual stuff, like the romance and the main plot is predictable, but if you expect something else, this isn't for you. If you watched one show like this, you know them all, but that doesn't mean you're not gonna enjoy it.

Overall, it was fun, but nothing more!

Leia Mais

Movies are built on “what ifs”

Devastating, cruel, heartaching, bleak like a domino effect of misfortune
Just like Saw and The Mist, everything would’ve been better if they worked together
But in this black cold interpretation, one bad choice, one act of unkindness, led to another bigger deeper hole

In ways no one was to blame, he was scammed and he lost everything and then some when the earthquake hit and took his family so all he had left was that empty shell of apartment
They had to kick the intruders cuz they almost killed a person
And with that power came dark responsibilities
He took his anger at the supermarket guy and I think that should’ve been the line
But that was just a spark that made the “outsiders” fear and despise the apartment ppl
For me, the most heartbreaking thing that really made me burst out crying was the “kidney” guy that hid the kids and mom, lose it and killed himself after he saw how the apartment ppl made the others who hid outsiders apologize so cruelly 😭
Then it got darker when the “outsiders” attacked and 902 was just really trying to survive and fit the narrative of the apartment ppl, they were the ones who suggested the kicking, he just wanted to grasp and survive
But dang dude went crazy when he threw the kid in the never ending hole but the way he still tried to help the rest and threw the bomb… things were just so grey…
Now minsung and myunghwa should’ve stayed cuz 902 had time to go back to the ninth floor, yet another sad symbolic way of his desperation to grasp at the last thing he “owned”, but in ways minsung was already over his limit when he didn’t help out the ppl cuz he to was just desperate to survive with his wife
And myunghwa needed to go out and show the ironic and simple way ppl beside the “cockroaches” lives, a simple act of coliving and helping each other out
Tho another plot hole was how eventho they always went out to look for food, they rarely met other ppl and never found other survivors in such a big scale
Tho the news about the crazy apartment ppl would surely make ppl try hard not to show themselves

That was honestly beautifully acted tho, every emotion, every devastation was perfectly executed

Leia Mais

This is a special so I'll be brief. I loved the drama itself, I cried even and the only regret I had on it was its ending.

Story: Great example of how uncleared misunderstandings can destroy relationships. I thought the conservative view of Koreans will prevail at the end, but sadly, it didn't. It's weird that I loved the epilogue but hated the ending.

Acting/Cast: I came across the drama because of Yin Ji Han, and was surprised Hong So Hyun is also casted, whom I also liked so I gave it a go. I loved both of them, and really, I cried because they did a good job on their roles.

Music: I don't remember any standout song or music.

Rewatch Value: It was heartbreaking for me so, no.

Overall: With all these hints, I think you get what to expect at the drama. I'm not too fond of heartbreaking romances that's why I didn't gave it a high score but it is worth watching if you have free have time to spend and of course you want a moment to fangirl over Jin Yi Han. :D

Leia Mais

Very funny, a little campy with spicy moments

I do love Max and Nat's chemistry, it's so interesting seeing them play in reversed roles and its very refreshing to see Thai BL characters switch between who is topping and bottoming especially considering the size difference with this couple in particular, I feel like this sort of dynamic is shown less in BL. I do recommend going back and watching episodes 3 and 4 of Y-Destiny just to get an idea of who the characters Sun and Nuea are before the body swap since this is a Spin off series but its definitely not needed with the way they set up these characters.
My problems with this series is with the repetitiveness of the swapping, the constant reiteration of their issues, I think maybe this series would’ve been better as a shorter 5 ep mini series. It feels to drawn out for me for what it is.

Leia Mais

I was prepared for a very angsty drama. The plot is about a young mother, Yui, whose son was kidnapped when he was 3 years old. 9 years later, she is told that his son is in an institution. Turns out, he was found a short while after being kidnapped, by Asako, who raised him like she was her real mother. So this is the story of the woman who gave him birth, the woman who raised him, and how he comes back to his real family.

The first couple of episodes were painful to watch, since THAT letter was too cruel. I hated Asako, and I didn't like the boy. Actually, till the end, I couldn't figure this boy out. But on the other hand, I felt too sorry for Asako, in spite of all her many mistakes. While Yui was suffering for almost a decade for the lost of her baby boy, Asako's intentions of being a mother were mostly selfish. She wanted a son because of social pressure, because of loneliness... But still, what does being a mother mean? Doesn't it mean to love and raise the child to be someone, to be there for the child, to give him everything the child needs in order to become a better person?

While there were many painful scenes, and scenes that make you upset (like when Asako was telling Yui SHE was the one who raised Kou, SHE was the one who knew him better... thank Heavens for that slap!), there were also many light scenes, heartwarming scenes. This dorama is mostly about family, not only blood-related, but also people who are always there for support and interventions and good and bad moments.

I love the cast, specially the women. I think Sawajiri Erika may be too young to be a mother of a teenage boy, but she was dressed very homely in order to look more mature, with baggy clothes and light-to-zero make-up. Her friend, interpreted by Itaya Yuka, was excellent. She always plays the sweetest and kindest friend to perfection. I think it is her smile. But the one who deserved all awards was, for me, Koike Eiko. Her role, as the woman who raised the boy, was meant to be hateful. But her tears... oh gawd, her tears made ME tearful. For about 8 episodes I had a love-hate feelings for her, but by the end, I pitied her enormously. Poor woman, in spite of everything!

The husbands were good as well, nice sidekicks. But what impressed me the most was Nakajima Yuto. This guy has everything to play a romantic MC; he is tall, young, handsome and can act, and here again we have him, as a serious worker who should be played by someone older. WHYYYY...

The kids were ok, obviously with the least experience and you can tell, especially since the older cast is so good. Still, the boy who played Kou was adorable.

I love the OST! Very moving, and I love the EP, "Just you and I", by Amuro Namie. I am currently listening to it. The lyrics are very meaningful.

The ending was satisfying. I think this is one of those doramas that will be liked by anyone, specially those who like family genre.

The other cover is much better and meaningful that the one here on MDL.

Mini-reunions: "1 Liter of Tears", "Hotaru no Hikari", "Kounodori", "Date".

Leia Mais

Since I started to watch dramas, In Time With You has been one of my favourites dramas. I remember the first time I watched the T-drama version and how I felt about this story. It's not a perfect story, there is some flaws, but at the same time it's so poetry and has so deep meaning that I still think this story is very underrated by people who watch dramas. I think this story is the best when we talk about this kind of this situation "friends to love".
The fact is, some people misunderstand the meaning of what this story want to tell us. It's not about love or dating, but it's about friendship and how firendship is more important than love. We see that in our main characters. It's not about a guy who wants to be more than a friend. It's about a guy who likes a girl, but loves her friendship. I think the drama gives us a messange that may be hard, but we need to accept. I think others dramas that talks about this kind situation failed in develop this messange and that's why I like so much this drama.
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But talking about this version. I think is more developed than the others one, but unfortunatelly the end was not so good as the T-drama. I also think there is more good songs in the first one than in this one. And I also think Bo-lin did a better job in some scenes. But besides that, I don´t have anything more to complain. They clearly transmited what the story mean and I also think they showed us more interactions between our main leads. In this version we have a Yo less selfish and more independent. I really liked the fact that they didn´t change her work. I also like the fact that in this version they showed us more her love for Ren.
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Overall, this drama is also more mature than the others one and its also more closer than the korean one. It was my first time seeing the actor who plays Ren, but he is really good and now I'm hoping I can see more dramas with him.

I think we guys need to watch this drama, but thinking about the meaning of the title. There is a reason why the T-drama is named In time With You. And there is a reason why the japaneses prefer to translate as I don´t love you yet. Try to understand the name, before talk bad about the plot.

Leia Mais

I had seen all the popular J romance dramas and I wanted to take a break from Korean dramas for a day so I started browsing for a J drama to watch. I didn’t think I’d like this very much because it is an older drama but I read a positive review and decided to give it a chance…

Story- I absolutely loved it! It was so romantic and angsty. It has everything I look for in a good romance drama. I liked that you don’t have to wait for the main couple to start a relationship cause they start from like episode 3. There is a lot of conflict having to do with life choices though that separates them for a couple of episodes. Each episode gives a little cliff hanger which makes you want to see the next episode. The ending was awesome for the main couple but I like that all the supporting characters find their happy ending as well.

Acting/Cast- The 4 leads did a great job. They made their characters very believable. I loved Fujiki Naohito in this because it’s so different from his Hotaru no Hikari character. The main female actress that played his partner didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. I did appreciate that she had really good chemistry with Fujiki.

Music- There is a lot of music played but I didn’t care for it.

Rewatch- I would definitely watch this again in the future when I'm in the mood for a J romance.

Overall Love Revolution is a romance drama for a more mature audience that I definitely would recommend.

Leia Mais

Really cute, original story in the fairy tale genre. The initial idea is good.

A charming and fresh take on the fairy tale genre, this story is truly delightful and has an intriguing premise that instantly captures your attention.

Stellar Performances Shine Bright
Chae Jong Hyeop deserves endless praise for his portrayal. His ability to convey profound emotions for the female lead (FL) makes the romance feel incredibly real and intense. His natural warmth, bright smile, and expressive acting breathe life into the character, making it impossible not to root for him. Not to mention, his cooking skills on-screen, especially with traditional Korean dishes, add an endearing layer to his character.

Having followed his work, I’ve also enjoyed his role in The Castaway Diva, a stunning musical drama, and his memorable appearance as Na-bi's chef friend in Nevertheless. His versatility continues to impress with every project.

A Unique Blend of Cultures
The fusion of Korean and Japanese cultures in this series adds a special charm. Hearing the mix of both languages was refreshing, giving the story a unique identity that sets it apart. This cross-cultural collaboration enriched the overall viewing experience.

A Mixed Approach to the Female Lead
While Mizuki Yamashita performed her role with sincerity, her character’s excessive shyness often felt at odds with her age and professional responsibilities. At times, her reserved demeanor was frustrating and made it harder to connect with her.

It’s evident that the actress herself has a vibrant and outgoing personality, as reflected in her polished appearance, stylish outfits, and well-maintained nails. A more confident, modern portrayal would have elevated her character and complemented the storyline better.

This portrayal of overly timid women seems to be a recurring trope in Japanese dramas, which may resonate culturally but feels outdated and less appealing to broader audiences. Hopefully, future seasons can address this by giving female characters stronger, more assertive roles.

Supporting Cast and Future Prospects
Taishi Nakagawa also stood out with his solid performance, and the cast as a whole brought depth to the story. While the series is enjoyable as is, there’s definite room for improvement. A second season with more dynamic character arcs and a well-thought-out progression would elevate it to even greater heights.

Overall, this drama offers a unique mix of romance, cultural flavors, and heartfelt performances, with Chae Jong Hyeop as the undeniable highlight. It’s worth watching for the warmth and chemistry between the leads, even if the storyline could benefit from a more modern perspective.

Leia Mais

'Beyond the Clouds' is definitely one of the smartest melodramas ever made. It's a shame that it is so underrated and went unnoticed by so many. I really think it is really worth a watch. My weekly dose of watching this drama shall definitely be missed.

What is great about this drama is how even though it has a lot of cliches in it, it still somehow manages to stand out in the melodrama genre. Surprisingly- this drama has a real plot and as I started watching it, it sucked me in completely. This is one of those dramas that is better enjoyed if marathoned through. Week after week, the curiosity about how things would unfold kind of waned. I am really not good with patience and this drama required too much of it.

Although the plot is slow and not overly dramatic as some other dramas, it has an addictive vibe to it. I think this drama was perfectly paced upto episode 8-9. The middle was kind of boring and dragging for me but the last two episodes were solid. They totally redeemed the drama in my eyes because I had been worried about how things would turn out.

The main characters in this drama seem interesting at first, but ironically the lead pair fades in comparison to the second leads. My favourite character in this drama was Kang Jae. He was a bad guy with a conscience, an anti-hero, a guy in need of love and a great hyung. I loved the complexity of his character and Jo Jin Woong did an excellent job of playing him. As for Yoon Kye Sang even though I liked his acting, it went over the top at times. Han Ji Hye was pretty but had no variation in her expressions- she always had the same, sad, "damsel in distress" face. Her character was written well but too bad she could hardly do justice to her role.

There are a lot of touching moments in this drama. It teaches you a lot about life, love and family. It raises a lot of questions about morals and shows how greed can destroy people's lives. I think that was a pretty interesting take on the whole story. It also makes you think of loyalty and human psychology which was rather cool!

There is murder, romance, deceit, revenge, lies, betrayal and friendship- all in this drama. It has enough of everything to keep one entertained. If you like romance, there is enough of that too. Maybe not as overwhelming as in some other dramas but I was quite satisfied with it. :)

I have to give props to the OST of this drama. It's brilliant and I've been listening to some songs every day now and still don't get bored. Every single song is memorable. I think this drama has one of the best OSTs ever.

I think it's a good drama to watch if you're looking for something different. :)

Leia Mais