Reviews

Loved it, Loved it Loved it! I could end my review there, but there is so much more about this series that I want to say. Spoiler restrictions prevent me from saying about 80% of what I, otherwise, would write, so I will comply. It's a story about hard times that, through a stroke of good luck, ill will, nefarious dealings, buckle-down hard work and even wilder twists on a well-worn theme, eventually turns out to be a morality tale that we all can be edified by.

Our Hero strives to survive under the harsh circumstance of misfortune due to his unknown parentage through hard work in the street-stall marketplace among the merchants who have adopted him as one among their 'family'. This allows him to escape the certainty of a life of crime which would have inevitably lead to his early demise. At a time he thought he had shaken the grip of the street's vicious hand, a calamity, which had nothing to do with him becomes at once the opening of a whole new world of wealth and power, as well as, a slippery path leading to his own destruction. Any lesser man would have succumbed early to the lure set before him to facilitate his fall, but not our Hero.

Love interests in conflict with his self-realized moral code, traps laid by apparent benefactors, breaches of trust at every turn and plot twists (just to keep the storyline moving) incite, invigorate and initiate --cue the fanfare-- his own unrelenting will to overcome, succeed and thrive. The odds stacked against him were indeed overwhelming, but for him, 1% is enough of a formidable alternative to the 99% of certain doom and becomes the underdog's best case scenario. Our Hero comes through with flying colors; bloody but unbowed, battered but unbroken, bruised but unbeaten.

'Big Man' reminds me of dramas I've seen before, but the portrayal the lead Actor puts in, blows ALL the others away. This was running as a currently scheduled program airing at the time I first came across it. But, as is my habit, I refused to watch until most of the episodes were posted at my favorite streaming drama venue so that I could marathon it. This is the best way to consume a series of this length so that the ep-to-ep continuity goes uninterrupted.

Action, drama, comedy, Love story, big business intrigue, seedy underworld criminal perfidy, this one has it all and never skimps on any constituent ingredient. Watch 'Big Man' and you'll agree with me, walking away after the final credits roll, saying,"Loved it, Loved it, Loved it!"; At which time, you may quote me on that...

Leia Mais

What a powerful and touching drama - I love Prince Sado now <3

Story: Based on the true story of King Yeongju & Prince Sado - a powerful display of rulers who think differently - The king cherishes power and authority over humanity and the Prince desires equality for everyone - from children of traitors, slaves, concubines and commoners. We see him come head to head with his father countless times - and I'd cheer him on every time. If you read the history of these two (which I recommend you don't) then you'll know it will be a bittersweet end. But even so, even if I did cry a bucket of tears, the end still left me hopeful of a better future to come ;)

Cast: Prince Sado (Lee Je Hoon) the son of King Yeongju (Han Seok Kyu) a honest and righteous prince with enduring principals - if he believed something was wrong he wouldn't ignore it - He has my respect for that, when some people would cave - he never did, he stood his ground even if he had to suffer immensely for it - he earned trust of his "followers" and the viewers <3 Plus he is handsome to boot^^ His eyes would captivate me when he'd speak - and the emotions displayed there were magical <3 King Yeongju a political terror if I may say so - he didn't blink if he killed someone or did wrong things - he fought tooth and nail with his son throughout the entire drama - he'd make me really mad most all the time and sometimes his discussions early on drove me up the wall - but the actor really did well in displaying his love/hate for his son. Seo Ji Dam (Kim Yoo Jung) I liked her while she lasted for 13 episodes (the older version I could care less about so I won't even mention her) she was great when she was Sado's sidekick and helped him out. When she's "older" she's just kind of there... Lady Hye Gyeong (Park Eun Bin) I didn't like her when the drama started but as time passed she grew on me and I could see the love she had for Sado (even though her love for power would sometimes speak louder). Shin Heung Bok (Seo Jun Yeong) he had a guest role when the drama started but he became the reason Sado & his father came head to head with each other - even though his time was short - he left a deep impact. The rest of the cast did a splendid job in their roles too ;)

Music: "Erase and Erase" by The One (my favorite) & ??? by Block B

Re-watch Value: 8/10 It's very political but really draws you in - so I will re-watch this again someday - even if only to see Lee Je Hoon (Prince Sado)'s eyes <3 I LOVED his deep dark eyes - they pulled me in every time ;D

I highly recommend anyone who likes historical or political dramas to check this one out - you won't regret it ;)

Leia Mais

To me, this show was unwatchably bad. I went into it expecting some mindless romantic fun (which is a great thing, don't get me wrong). I expected melodrama, hammy acting, one-dimensional characters, etc. Unfortunately, it was like watching a bad, anti-feminist cartoon.

The only (ONLY) likable characters were the dog and Han Dong Jie. Seriously, that is it. The male lead is a self-centered sociopath that treats people, even his supposed love, like trash - even after he "reforms" and the actor portarying him constantly grimaces like a cartoon villain. The female lead, while initially likeable, seems to have no real personal goals, is incredibly immature, and allows herself and her younger brother to be (rather obviously) abused and manipulated. What is more, if she is really interested in family, love, and caring - she chooses the wrong guy by a mile!! The "Aunt" and "Uncle" come off like children. How do they even function in the world? Can they even tie their shoes?? The Grandfather (the second villain of the piece) is inconsistant. He comes off by turns as greedy, heartless jerk and a simpering fool. I just do not believe that any of them have any busienss sense at all. How did they become rich? Sure, he stole a popular formula, but how could these morons run a business? The cousin is just a second thought character that is never really developed or explored. It is too bad, because he could have been likable. The Granny's life story makes absolutely no sense. She knows a guy for a few months, nurses him, and falls desperately in love with him, but when he leaves her she makes no attempt to find him or contact him. Then she marries someone else, has his babies, etc., but never mentions or thinks about her actual husband, because she is too busy pining for a jerk that stole her family's recipe? BTW, why did she never hear about the stolen pill and then sue the pants off of the wealthy family? None of this makes sense at all, and the Granny's sanity and values are seriosuly questionable, since chooses to risk her life for a watch rather than be there for her grandkids.

Beyond all of this, the show treats herbal medicine like magic. While there are some merits to alternative medicinal practice; it isn't magic and a certified doctor is better to treat major illness than a girl raised in the woods by a love-obessed old lady that never thought to pick up a phone book to look for her long lost love.

If you want to watch idiots and terrible characters make selfish choices, abuse eachother, and degrade the concepts of family and love, this is the show for you. If not, then stay well away. Blech.

Leia Mais

I have no idea why I thought this drama was going to be a Chinese version of “Goong” one of my fav manwha turned drama. This really reminded me of Inuyasha, maybe a little romeo and Juliet. Anyway this a really pleasant historical treat. As you have already read the synopsis, this drama is packed with plotting (come on the are in a palace), love triangles, misunderstandings and trickery.
The working theory is that this chick goes back in time, inuyasha style, bringing modern ideas and a knowledge of how history will play out. I really enjoyed how the main female lead was head strong the whole time, and how she was inventive. I also really liked how it showed the two main characters loving each other and spending time together. This is one of the very first times I have ever seen a lead couple trust and be completely honest with each other- I thought it was wonderful. Get ready for a lot of overacting, fake laughter, bad hair pieces, backstabbing and just melodrama. The acting was poor for most characters but the main actors seemed to nail it.
No matter how much I liked the leading couple the plots were essentially the same as all other historical dramas. The palace maids are shady, the eunuchs need bribing and all of the concubines are scheming to get their kids ahead of the rest. The female lead kind of got annoying with her flawless trust in everyone who shook her hand getting her into situations where she nearly dies. I mean really how many times can you fall for the same tricks?
At anyrate this drama is long but it has some cool fights, and keeps you interested because it seems to move at a good pace. I only really had to skip 4 episodes and it had a really good ending that makes you want to know more. There is a lot of romance and not a lot of comedy, but it wasn’t very dark themed. Take some time and watch when you have a chance.
p.s. the lip syncing on all of the songs was just God awful- i mean really!!?
p.p.s. the fighting was really fake looking too.

Leia Mais

To be honest had higher expectation and currently its not meeting it! Finally like at episode 18 he confesses his love!!! It was driving me nuts that the first 15 episodes, was contemplating on dropping. I mean its only 24 episodes....

Male lead is cute but i find he is kinda slow to relationship and doesnt like to show that he likes the female lead. I mean you can just straight tell her. Female lead , is also very slow to relationships , and to be honesty nothing of her personality really stands out besides the fact that she is super strong and was once a tomboy. Thus causing the male lead to think that the person he had a crush on when he was young was a boy but it was the female lead with short hair. I kinda of find it hard to believe that if that was your crush you dont find out their name and if they are actually a boy or girl? Fast forward They meet again in University , and finally through various occasion he finds out that , she's a girl. She also has liked him for a long time. They just never had the guts to tell each other. The first 16 episodes I would summarize as "I like you but Im not brave enough to tell you face to face, not sure if you like me, miscommunications....

Others:
Second male lead is hot!!! but a playboy character. His character hopefully will change due to the female lead's best friend ( aka second female lead(
THird female is second male lead's cousin and she is a stuck up bitch, who has two faces to her. She's in love with the male lead because they grew up together. They both play piano together. she's initially a bitch but changes for the better.

Fingers crossed it will get better fast !!!!

Leia Mais

One of the most illogical romance ever

This drama just proves that the writer has never been in a relationship or in love before.

The first season started off well with the introduction of an interesting-but-yet-realistic creation of a love alarm app along with the infusion of aesthetic visual elements and the intriguing storyline stemming from the mystery of the missing creator of the app, Duk Gu. Hwang Sun Oh and Kim JoJo were made to be the main leads in this season. Despite the interesting storyline, the puppy love was undeniably weak and unconvincing. I simply couldn’t understand why Sun Oh and Jo Jo were attracted to each other. It made Jo Jo looked like an indecisive cheater. She had a boyfriend but she liked Sun Oh. Their chemistry never made sense because she couldn’t reason out why she liked Sun Oh and it completely didn’t even make sense as to why she decided to end the relationship with Sun Oh when she actually liked him. She ended the relationship by using the shield that Duk Gu gave her exclusively to download in order to lie to Sun Oh that she never liked him. It hurt Sun Oh as he did not understand the reason why it happened that way and he never got proper closure. Perhaps that’s the essence of puppy love. Nevertheless, I shipped the two because the director wanted it that way. At the end of the first season, Duk Gu was hinted to be alive, Sun Oh having a new girlfriend he did not love and Hye Hyeong courting Jo Jo. The episode ended with Sun Oh’s new girlfriend ringing her alarm for Sun Oh while Sun Oh and Hye Hyeong ringing their alarms for JoJo; signifying the love triangle. Jo Jo’s alarm didn’t ring because of the shield that conceals her feelings which was why she later desperately wanted it to be removed and was so obsessed with the findings of missing Duk Gu.

Season 2 made the whole storyline went downhill. We expect the drama and jealousy of the second leads arising from Jo Jo being honest with Sun Oh. However, that wasn’t the case. In season 2, Jo Jo decided to give Hye Hyeong a chance by giving the relationship a try even tho she did not like him. She flinched when Hye Hyeong kissed her at the beginning but let Sun Oh kissed her in the later part. This shows how confused, indecisive, and needy Jo Jo was. She looked like a lonely and needy girl that that didn’t mind dating a guy she did not like. In this season, you are going to be confused as to who you are going to ship because Hye Hyeong became the male lead of this season with greater screen time. Sun Oh became the second lead and the screenwriter decided to make Sun Oh a fool who was drunk in his family’s situation. Perhaps the screenwriter wanted to explain that his obsession for closure with Jo Jo was due to the ill relationship between his parents. In this season, Jo Jo is desperately trying to find Duk Gu so she can have her shield removed, be honest with her own feelings, and hope to ring her future boyfriend’s alarm. I thought the reason that Jo Jo wanted to have the alarm removed because she has always wanted to reunite with Sun Oh by being true to him. Because she was always triggered whenever she bumped into Sun Oh. But no, she wanted to get it removed because of Hye Hyeong. She wanted to use it to ring Hye Hyeong’s alarm so that Hye Hyeong will know how she feels about him. The ending was evident that Jo Jo chose Hye Hyeong and Sun Oh going back to his ex-girlfriend. This storyline is basically telling viewers that as long as you make an effort to love someone who loves you and treats you right, you will love them eventually. Sounds illogical right?

I waited almost 2 years for season 2 because I was curious if Duk Gu had actually taken his life because of a rejection. It hinted that he was alive. I thought the revelation of his disappearance was going to be way more interesting in season 2. Turns out that he has been hospitalized for 4 years and his brother was the one running his love alarm app business. Duk Gu later woke up and gave Jo Jo an armour to download so she could ring Hye Hyeong’s alarm. Yea I just wasted my time on season 2.

Leia Mais

FUNNY , CUTE

Story - Simple story with recognized GMMTV actors . There are so many scenes which were so funny and cute .

Visuals - Always great .

Cinematography - Top tier .

Music - Background music is not funny at all but annoying .

Acting - Great cast with super cool acting .

Room for Improvement- This series is same as We Are from GMMTV. They should change same types of school engineering/ medical BL series and try some new story.

Schedule - Schedule for broadcasting of this drama is definitely not good . They should air two episodes per week instead of one episode which will take six months . We have definitely not that much patience .

Leia Mais

watch until 01:39:00 ONLY!

the poster was misleading, I thought I'd see han jiwan with the precious baby but she was the adult vr ;)
basically the first half, the first hour and a half was beautiful, Park So Yi was SO AMAZING! her crying was on point and her smiles lit up the world!

the story between this unlikely "family" was cliche but so touching that I just loved watching them until suddenly she became a teen then an adult and boom the story lost it's charm ;(



suddenly right after she called him dad the writer made him get into an accident and they lost him for 10 YEARS! then one day she remembers the nickname she gave him (10 years later!) and that's how they found him! sick and locked up in a mental hospital where he couldn't function! and before his accident suddenly had a terminal disease! what ridiculous blood boiling plot move!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

then in the ending credit she was getting married and had him marry her off and called it a happy ending when he didn't even REMEMBER his name let alone talk! how heart breakingly cheap!!!!!!!!!!!

I did hope it'd be sweet and funny for a rewatch but no, just no

Leia Mais

Good premise that runs out of steam

I like morally grey protagonists and I was really excited to see Lee Dong Wook take on this role, especially after his stellar performance in Strangers From Hell. The first few episodes didn't disappoint. The story of a corrupt (but not evil) detective being forced down a more righteous path by his own split personality was an original one. However, about halfway through the drama transitioned into a typical "main character uncovers mystery from his own past" type thing which has been done to death. A lot of things were also left unexplained. While I'm ok with having some things left ambiguous, you at least have to explain enough that the story makes sense. Unfortunately, especially in the last 2-3 episodes, there was a lot left out. So while the premise was interesting, the execution didn't live up to the potential of the story.

There were some positives: The acting was pretty good from all involved. There were a few funny moments. Great OST. I liked the more lighthearted tone of it.

Overall, this would probably make a pretty good weekend binge, provided you don't think too deeply about it. On the whole though, I have to say I was slightly let down by this drama.

Leia Mais

No Plot .

This drama is the most unrealistic drama of all time. They spent a ton of money just to make it look aesthetically pleasing. Every Korean romcom has a story but this drama doesn't even have a plot.
First of all, the male lead just randomly falls for the girl. He had no reason to fall for her.
Secondly, his only character is doing romantic things for the girl. He doesn't do anything else in his life. He only keeps gifting the girl lavish things and waits for her to finish work so they can eat together. In other dramas like business proposal and what's wrong with secretary Kim the men had a life outside romance and worked hard to build up their empire. But over here, the male lead doesn't care about the hotel that has handed over to him or about anything else.
It gets annoying after a point.
He's like the typical rich boy with good fortune with no ambition or personally whatsoever.

This is definitely very overrated and not worth the hype.

Leia Mais

I spotted this drama on Viki, where it had excellent ratings and reviews, and I was excited to watch an Asian drama with queer themes as there aren't that many of them. I marathoned the whole thing, because the episodes are short and I have too much free time, and honestly I was disappointed. And more than disappointed, I was upset.

The plot has potential, and the actors are good (especially considering they're pretty much beginners), but I honestly have very little tolerance for queer storylines where every intimate interaction is more or less forced. Not forced as in 'the actors are clearly awkward about it', but forced as in 'if this scene happened in real life, it would be sexual harassment'.

I don't want to spoil anything but I think people should know this before they watch the drama, as it is content that may very well be triggering for some people. Some people will undoubtedly think I'm making this too big of a deal, but I have been sexually harassed and I don't take these things lightly. Personally, I was very uncomfortable watching the 'love' scenes of this drama, and also troubled by the fact that so many people find these forced kisses etc cute and romantic. I don't know if the creators thought kissing someone who's barely conscious or restraiting someone so you can kiss them was okay because the characters are both boys, or if it's just their opinion in general. Sadly, I've seen a similar problem with other queer storylines in Asian tv/cinema as well. I find it very concerning. There's nothing cute in forcing yourself on someone. And it's incredibly harmful to portray this kind of 'no means try harder' behaviour as normal and romantic.

If you cut out these disturbing scenes, the drama would be quite nice. The acting is good, and there are some funny moments. As the main couple was disappointing for me (not the actors; the behaviour of the characters), I found myself more invested in Bai Luo Yin's relationship with his father. Song Tao, who played the role of the absent-minded yet incredibly kind father, did a really good job. The dad was my favourite character. I also liked the classmates, Yang Meng and You Qi, though the drama definitely ended on a very confusing note re: those two.

TL;DR: this could've been a great drama, if not for the 'romantic' scenes being mainly sexual harassment.

Leia Mais

Slice of life that was just too slow for me.

First I'll say what I liked...
Great acting, diverse characters, intelligent lines (dialogue), which were brought together really well and perfectly executed.
Understated acting in a drama that contains little action or romance to fill in gaps and quite a few scenes that involved little or no dialogue, really tests an actor's abilities.
Viewers will have their own take on what this drama represented. For me, it was about regrets, being stuck in a dead-end life and reaching a point where that hits you and questions then raise their heads about what the point is and if that's it. One's own worth is even questioned.
The pace, however, killed it for me.
There are slow, gently unfolding dramas, that I have loved. I don't need murders, horror, steamy romance or laughs-a-minute. I do need SOMEthing to pull me in though.
If I had watched this drama after it aired, I would have dropped it.
Watching it air, however, I stuck with it, as 2 eps a week I could watch.
I do feel it picked up, but only in the very late episodes. The rest were like watching paint dry.
It was claustrophobic, often miserable and with some horrible characters. I couldn't stand Ki-jung, the older sister; even outside the house, where she seemed to be supposedly 'quirky'. I felt sorry for her once and that was short lived.
Tae-hoon's sister, Kyung-sun, was also repulsive ~ totally selfish and a complete martyr, who made a decision in her life and then used it to whine and bitch.
Chun Ho-jin as the father, was excellent, although I don't think he'd have had a problem learning his lines.
Lee Min-ki's character of brother, Chang-hee, was my favourite. Terribly immature in his behaviour at times, but very self-aware. I think all the father's dialogue was allocated to that character too!
The ending felt abrupt, not so much because of unanswered questions, but because I found 2 storylines really odd in how they were left. It was almost like the script writer couldn't be bothered. Perhaps they didn't know where to go with those aspects, or were trying to be life-like... which doesn't always make sense. I don't want that side of reality in a drama though, thanks, as it's just frustrating!
I don't think I chuckled, never mind laughed, once.
The title that represents what the drama portrays, is tenuous, to say the least.
I found the story and script very disappointing and it is definitely not one I would ever watch again.

Leia Mais