Completed
Rookie Cops
38 people found this review helpful
by Rundmz
Jan 26, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

First Disneyplus original Korean drama exceeds my expectations

This show is significant. It’s one of Disney+ first original Korean production, in which they aim to win market share over their competitors. They also managed to get the idol Kang Daniel who is well-known for his dedicated fan base in Korea to star as the male lead in his first acting stint.

Rookie Cops has a strong ensemble cast consisting of different personalities. I found it very interesting that the MBTIs of the characters were released before the show - Wi Seung Hyun – ISTJ, Go Eun Gang – ESFP, Ki Han Na – ISTP, Kim Tak – ISFP, Yoo Dae Il – ENFP among others. It’s very relatable in that we see how these different personalities react in such diverse ways in situations and makes for a fascinating study into human nature. Go Eun Kang is very likeable as the female lead. Despite my doubts about idol-actors, Kang Daniel does hold his own in this cast. He manages to have varied expressions yet he does not overact. From the first episode to the last, I can see the improvement in his acting.

I do like the plot as well. It’s not just all fun and laughter shenanigans by students. There are some intriguing threads in this show, such as the beautifully filmed very violent death scene right at the start of episode one, and I thought they did a commendable job tying everything together in only two episodes.

I found this to be a meaningful show with its memorable lines as well as study of institutional police corruption. The show stays consistent to the theme of how friends come to the rescue when all seems impossible and it was touching when ML talked about banging their heads against the wall together.

However, it was a pity that they did not go further into the ML’s family background. There were some allusions to strained relationships between the ML and his busy police commissioner father, which was in contrast to the warm dinner ML and his best friend shared with Professor Cha. I would have loved it if more time was spent developing his backstory. Instead too much time was wasted on the FL saving the day through various small incidents, and it felt unbelievable and repetitive after a while. Like really, why does she need to be in the police academy if she already has all the skills?

I thought the action scenes in the final episode saved the entire series with the right mix of plot twists, adrenaline and humour. I love it that the squad came together with a plan. I would have wished for a longer action sequence, with Kim Tak and Kang Daniel together facing their opponent in keeping with the theme of friends helping each other.

Nonetheless, the action scenes were still enjoyable. I was impressed by Kang Daniel, since he did not need stuntmen in doing those action scenes. He also showed impressive nuanced acting in the final scene with his father. I feel he has a bright future as an actor! He’s also a good kisser (which is important if he wants to do romantic scenes). Somehow, his kiss scenes are not cringey but heart-fluttering.

I would watch this show again for three main reasons. First, the chemistry of the ensemble cast is great, not just between the male and female leads but all 8 of them are very likeable and relatable. You are likely to recognise yourself or your friends in at least one of them. Second, it has some of the most meaningful lines from kdrama imbued with positivity (e.g. “humans can do anything”). Third, the cinematography is the best I have seen in kdramas. Lush green landscape panoramic shots, gritty close-up shots- it has it all. Overall, it’s an enjoyable show.

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Completed
My Girl
38 people found this review helpful
by ada airy Flower Award1
Dec 13, 2014
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
This was one of the first dramas I watched and yet, after many others seen since then, it's remained one of my favourites. As opposed to others, I loved that the writers let the protagonist's relationship really develop until anything actually happens between them. It really made their attachment believable and it really caught my heart.

Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hae really impressed me with their acting skills. I often find the childishness of the leading women in Kdramas annoying, as I feel it makes them look downright stupid, not cute. Yet Lee Da Hae's portrayal of Yoo Rin was unexpectedly endearing and funny. Lee Dong Wok was amazing in this role and he didn't play the character as too cold and arrogant, but just right.

I don't know what it was exactly about this drama that really grabbed me, but when it did, I was hooked. I usually hate extreme silliness or angst, and but for a few moments, this drama did these elements perfectly. In addition, even the secondary characters' storylines were interesting and captivating. I often find myself skipping through these plot lines, but, here, even the second male lead seemed more than just an instrument of conflict.

Overall, for me, this drama will stay as one my favourites for a long time for its simplicity, clever humour and well developed romance. Some scenes will stay in my mind forever like the orchard scene, the moving elevators or the romantic farts of Mrs In-Sun. I really recommend this drama!

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Completed
Beyond the Clouds
38 people found this review helpful
Apr 9, 2014
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
“Was I deceived, or did a sable cloud / turn forth her silver lining on the night?” That familiar idiom known by all today (“Every cloud has a silver lining,”) originates from the above lines by John Milton. The intended message is clearly an optimistic one; when one says this to another, they mean for that person to seek out signs of hope in their own dark situation.

And so it goes with Beyond the Clouds, whose central theme is just this. Don’t mistake the drama for a common revenge yarn; though payback might be a driving force for many characters, it’s hard to call it “The Point.” Viewers should instead expect a classy, fatalistic romance, complete with slow-burning melodrama. Will these two deeply traumatized people fall in love despite their cruel circumstances? If they do, will a romantic connection hurt even more—or heal both, becoming their silver lining? That’s more “The Point,” and also the element that works most beautifully.

As to the revenge aspect, it’s fine if sometimes messy. I never fully believed or enjoyed the con-man angle. The “big bad” felt one-dimensional, as did his motivations, while other early villains were the same or even slightly unnecessary. That said, the dangerous atmosphere and situations created by their influence was excellent. It’s an odd combination, but it works.

Yoon Kye Sang stars as Jung Se Ro, a gentle man whose experiences have left him unpredictable and angry. This actor shines in Beyond the Clouds, handsome and magnetic. He grabbed my attention as if grabbing my head with both hands, so striking was his performance. Together with leading lady Han Ji Hye, he shared sparkling chemistry. Ji Hye enchants as Han Young Won, playing emotional and romantic scenes well. However, I often noticed her eyes open too wide too often, or glued firmly to the floor. The character can be meek on occasion, but these mannerisms were not strong choices at all.

Though I wasn't crazy about the whole con-man thing, Jo Jin Woong presents well as complicated Park Kang Jae. He’s the most believable and human of the seedy bunch, even the best connected to the main story. Tearful scenes seem to be his forte; he’s fantastic at them. A special mention is reserved for Kim Young Ok, probably the best “grandmother” actress ever. She made me cry so many times it isn’t funny.

Both cinematography and music embrace an elegant, almost classic feel. Early scenes in Thailand are a feast for the eyes, though the rest of the drama delights as well. Songs were well-chosen and interspersed to optimize emotional effect. Unlike in other melodramas, I never grew bored of any of it. Some great vocals include “Whale” (Zitten), “Sin,” (V.O.S), and “The Full Sun,” (Yang Pa).

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Completed
Love Is Deep
38 people found this review helpful
Aug 22, 2019
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 5.5
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 3.0
This drama showed some promise initially, but unfortunately became really frustrating. I watched the last half of the drama pretty halfheartedly and I can't believe how awful the last few episodes were. My reaction to the final episode was REALLY?!?!

The male main character Ning Wei Jin is a talented young surgeon, and although unexperienced with love, he is reliable, caring, and mature. I personally didn't swoon over him but he was excellent boyfriend material. I liked his relationship with his younger sister Ning Wei Xuan and his best friend Gao Ren.

The female main character Ding Ding pursues her dream of designing pet toys and I was rooting for her as she navigated the challenges of running her online shop and creating original designs. (If you love cats, you might like this drama because there's cat pillows, cat cartoons, a cat cafe, and a pet cat.) I loved her loyal, humorous best friend, Xiao Feng, who gave the BEST advice. You could always count on him to call her out on her behavior. Basically, anytime the ex-boyfriend came back into the storyline, it would cause an issue between the main leads, but they (mostly Ding Ding) never seemed to learn and grow from it. It seemed pretty hypocritical on Ding Ding's part given how she felt when she saw Ning Wei Jin with his close female friend.

Ning Wei Xuan is a really energetic, lighthearted character who relentlessly pursues her brother's best friend Gao Ren. Their scenes initially are so much fun - the highlight of the drama for me - and had me laughing out loud. However, there was a point when she really crossed the line and I no longer found her antics funny. I really wanted her to reflect over her actions and grow up a little. Also, while I loved Gao Ren, the introduction of the other doctor really showed how immature he was in comparison...

In conclusion, if you decide to give this drama a try and are tempted to drop it halfway through, I recommend dropping it.

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Completed
Padam Padam
38 people found this review helpful
Apr 21, 2022
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

A shining little diamond! An extraordinary masterpiece that touches the heart in more than one way!

For all those who like three-dimensional life in movies and television. For all those who, apart from the clichés, are open to more complex relationships and personal development processes. For all those who want to get involved with a downright hopeless fate at the 'lower' end of the social pyramid. In this context, one should not allow oneself to be driven away immediately by punches and kicking. "Padam Padam... the sound of his heartbeat and hers" rewards with a touching love story that, by Korean standards, takes its place in an almost sensual, sensitive way.

I already got to know Jung Woo-sung in "A Moment to Remember" as an exceptional actor, enriching his encounters and relationships with an almost sensual dimension. That alone is a unique feature that contributes enormously to the quality of this KDrama.

Nevertheless, it wouldn't do justice to the story (which is wonderfully told in all instances) to reduce it to just a romance. It tells the story of an ex-con and his fellow inmate. It quickly becomes clear that Yang Kang-chil actually was innocent. And even after his release 13 years later, he is not free from that momentous act that he did not commit. Rather the real perpetrator would like to finally get rid of him for good, as he had witnessed what really happened back then. And others, too, have not forgotten or even forgiven what happened back then.

Kang-chil, on the other hand, would like to make amends for the lifetime that was unjustly stolen from him in prison. He's a simple, uneducated young man, now in his 30s, who only learned crafts in prison. His vita has taught him to engage 100 percent in the NOW. He may seem simple, yet he sees life in simple terms. However, he is quite capable of comprehending, of taking action and responsibility as well. He choses a simple, direct route. If he is happy about something today, then he gives room for this joy TODAY. Not tomorrow. And he doesn't have to weigh up whether it's ok to be happy or not. It's the same with anger. In short: he follows his heart. And there we are with the title of the KDrama: "Padam Padam". As onomatopoeia, it refers to the heartbeat (and takes up the title of a chanson by Edith Piaf of the same name).

------ SIDE NOTE --- Importance of onomatopoeia in the Korean language ---
The title "Padam Padam" also refers to the fact that the so-called onomatopoeia/onomatopoeia is of particular importance in the use of the Korean language - it is about eight times as important as in other languages. In Korean, remarkably often in narratives one can encounter the simple (yet acoustically imitated in a culture-specific way) onomatopoeic imitation of simple natural sounds. The list of everyday onomatopoeic vocabulary is correspondingly long. With this content communication is expressed more directly, more forcefully, more concretely and more immediately. "Padam Padam" therefore not only refers to the heartbeat - symbolic of the life that one wins and loses again, or for the feelings of the two lovers - but also to the special portion of 'directly conveyed, sensually experienceable feelings', which the protagonist places in all of his encounters.

A lot of heart and soul goes into the hand-picked production design, which also mostly wants to leave a consciously direct impression for all senses. (Mainly we are in the rural areas of the coastal region of South Korea.) The landscape, the sunset, the lake at night, the fireworks, etc. impress through a high degree of aestheticization. Sometimes you have the impression that you can literally smell the sweat of the well-trained young men... At other times some scenes are repulsive, ruthless, almost ugly - yet still highly sensual.

So Kang-chil is sensitive, but he's also a tough guy. He's not your usual appealing protagonist. He is peculiar, impetuous, impulsive, irritating, and also disconcerting. But he quickly grows on you in his sincere, direct and sensual way. This is actor Jung Woo-sung at his finest. His female film partner Han Ji-min can't resist the intensity that emanates from him either. It's a pleasure to watch her being drawn into his spell. (Here I can expressly praise the chemistry between the actors...) And then there is Na Moon-hee, who once again embodies the bumpy, complex and yet emotionally real (South Korean) mother-son relationship in a three-dimensional authentic way. By the way, the men here are above all punching, kicking and spitting as if it were the most natural thing in the world. That may be due to the milieu in which the story is set, but not only. Even if it seems strange to the Western eye at times, the KDrama is authentically filled with life throughout.

The story finally offers a not inconsiderable special feature as an encore for its surprising developments away from your ordinary everyday life: a guardian angel (wonderful: Kim Bum with ponytail) .

An extraordinary masterpiece that touches the heart in more than one ways!

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Completed
Hospital Playlist Season 2
38 people found this review helpful
Sep 17, 2021
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Sweet But A Little Too Slow

The first season of Hospital Playlist was so impeccable that it really set my expectations high for the second season. Hospital Playlist 2 was great but not up to par for a few reasons.

One is that the episodes this season felt very slow. I know romance is not the main focus of this drama but I also know that it's one of the reasons why the second season was highly anticipated. Everyone, including me, was eager to see how the stories of the couples will unfold. This part of the drama just seemed to drag on for too long. The romantic relationships of the other couples don't really blossom until the last few episodes. Moreover, some of the couples (*coughs* Chu Min Ha and Yang Seok Hyung) were given way too little screentime. Instead, we get an overabundance of Jang Gyeo Wool and Ahn Jung Won. I found some of their romantic moments cringeworthy even though I shipped them so much in the first season. Maybe it's just me but I felt like they lost their spark once they got together.

Another bummer for me is that the side characters that I enjoyed watching a lot in the first season got pushed aside - the twins, Yong Seok Min and Heo Sun Bin, and even Woo Ju. Yes, they're supporting characters but it felt like their roles became even more minor. Even Min Ha as a doctor and not as Seok Hyung's love interest could have gotten more screentime.

Lastly, the final episode was anticlimactic and unnecessarily long. Perhaps it’s to make up for the episodes that they missed in the earlier weeks but it was just not quite compelling despite that 2-hour running time. Also, a lot of the things that could have happened in the earlier episodes were packed into the finale as if to clearly imply that it’s over and that there will be no third season. And again, characters that I wanted to see didn’t appear that much. On the bright side, I loved hearing all the OST’s play in the drama one last time.

All that is to say, it shouldn't have taken that long for the other couples to get together. In exchange for the slow pacing, I at least wish the other couples and supporting characters appeared more in each episode.

Nevertheless, Hospital Playlist still remains to be a top-tier drama, and even though the second season was not as enjoyable for me, each episode never failed to make me smile, laugh, cry, and sing out loud.

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Completed
Silenced
38 people found this review helpful
Feb 6, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 1.0
First off, I would say that Juniko is actually lowballing it. I would give it a US rating of NC-17. AKA, 18+. If you are not an adult by legal definitions, pass this up. Read the news, don't watch the story. I have read extensively about this so I am going to add a bit about the factual accuracy of the story.

The director worked closely with the writer of the book and the victims. According to one article I read, he was too soft in the movie and that the reality was MUCH worse. He was doing his best to keep a balance between watchable and the truth.

What was shown was enough to make me physically ill. To give you an idea of my maturity? I am 22 going on 80 depending on who you talk to. This stuff normally does not phase me. I would never let my little 18 year old brother watch this. BEWARE.

Also, there are some things changed in the movie to make the teacher look a bit better than he was, please look in the discussion thread for some corrections to the movie. The only criticism I have of the movie was making the teacher look better than he was.

This movie will make you examine exactly how human you are. Victims from this case were extras in the movie. The actors were amazing and they were so good it made it hurt all the more. This is a movie to be watched with your friends: Ben, Jerry, and another human. You will not get through it otherwise. Also, Pepto might be useful.

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Completed
Parasite
84 people found this review helpful
by SNH
Nov 19, 2019
Completed 6
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 10
,,You will see the consequences of social inequity shot in such a interestingly relatable manner, it will be hard to dislike it''

Filmmaker Bong Joon Ho once again surprised us with another masterpiece named Parasite. Where powerful social satire meets tragedy. The director did a great job portraying South Korea's current views on society exposing the underprivileged slums of most modern cities and it's citizens living in completely different worlds despite staying in close proximity. You are likely to find it relatable as the themes of this story are not just localized to Korea, but all over the world. Having its fair share of global capitalism and universal materialism, Meritocracy being the biggest trope of this movie.

Now, the best way to enjoy this film is to cluelessly get into it, its charm is to watch it progress and unfold in many satisfying, unexpected ways.
You can definitely see a unique directorial vision as Parasite welcomes the audience into multi-genres and tonal shifts that mix and take its turn after every act. Pure comedy, dark comedy to heavy drama, horror, thriller, mystery, you name it. It is one of the hardest things to pull off but the director converts them smoothly without letting the audience feel indifferent to the transformation. It manages to elicit the full range of responses, making the viewer react with uneasy laughter to unexpected situations that eventually lead to disturbing events full of horror.

Now, who are the real parasites? The poor who attach themselves to the rich or the rich who suck the marrow of the poor?
Satirically, it managed to portray how we may live under the same skies, but have different views regarding life.
--
"You know what kind of plan never fails? No plan. No plan at all. You know why? Because life cannot be planned."

Success and fortune are reserved for those who deserve it, those who develop solid plans according to their talents and abilities and who execute those plans through hard work and determination. Anyone can rise to the top, but for those who cannot escape their sad reality will ultimately turn for the worse and thus start to justify their immoral backstabbing, deceit, and callousness for reasoning that can be only explained by growing up poor without support from others.

The characters all have different aspects to them that will be received and viewed differently due to the viewers own biases and world views. This isn't a bad thing as the movies main point is to deliver a provocative social commentary in various metaphors. And the best way to do so is to create morally questionable characters that will resemble at least one familiar person known to you.

,,Greed is inside each one of us, but the question is, how much are you willing to sacrifice for an idea of life in comfort?''
---
All in all, Parasite is a fantastic case of hard-hitting yet entertaining cinema.
And one of the best movies recently made in Korea.
Thus I will rate it 9.5/10

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Completed
My Little Bride
61 people found this review helpful
by Rourou
May 8, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
1) The reason I watched this:

I was attracted by the synopsis so I decided to give it a try.

2) Storyline/Plot:

The general story isn't complicated nor original; I saw this type of story in "Sweet 18" before yet this film's storyline was really appealing.

Positive points:

*The story was romantic but not too romantic since it focused on family too.
*It had a great combination since it was funny, cute while being a little serious
*The story's developement was amazing to follow.
*The whole adult-child love story was somehow innocent even when they lived toghether: I liked that concept.

Negative points:

There isn't, I just wished that they made this into a drama instead; it would have been perfect that way.

Story: 8.5/10

3)Acting/Cast:

It couldn't been any better even though I am not too familiar with the leads.
*The chemistry between them was somehow captivating even though it wasn't that present.
*Moon Geun Young did a great job in portraying the innocent 15 years old girl with all its sides; whether it was with her husband, her family, her school and everything else.
*I loved how Park Sang Min reacted with his little bride by trying to be the responsible adult but that didn't cut out the funny side of his character.

Cast: 7.75/10
Acting: 8/10

4)The ending:

The type of ending that anyone would like to see even though it was typical but that doesn't deny that it was fluffy.

The ending: 8/10

5) My Impression (How did it affect me):

*I was intrested in the whole concept ever since the film began, I had fun while watching it and it wasn't boring, not even the slightest bit.
*This is is a great memorable film.

My Impression: 9/10

6) Overall :

*If you like rom-coms then you must watch this.
*If you like old-young relationships then this is for you.
*If you like innocent love stories then you may like this.

Overall: 8.5/10.

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Completed
In Time with You
61 people found this review helpful
by Evony
Jul 28, 2012
13 of 13 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
Before I start I have to say I'm not a fan of Taiwanese dramas - I've watched only few of them, but even that was enough for me to think that they are not my cup of tea. So why did I watch In Time With You? Firstly, I noticed a very high score on MDL and secondly, I saw a recommendation that this drama is similar to 9 End 2 Outs, which I just finished and really liked. So I thought, ITWY, here I come!

Story. Well, the storyline of this drama may not be the most original one - the concept of two old friends falling for each other is used frequently so it's kind of hard to squeeze something new from this idea. This drama couldn't avoid some of cliches - jealousy, the return of cheating ex-boyfriend, crying in the rain, ignoring your own feelings etc., but even if those things did appear, they didn't spoil the fun of watching. Everything was happening at the right moment - nothing seemed rushed or too slow, every episode had its own charm and I didn't feel like fast forwarding even once, I enjoyed every minute of the drama. It was a bit painful watching the sufferings of poor Li Da Ren but this had its purpose and made the story more realistic.

Acting. Well, here I have to admit that I completely changed my mind about Taiwanese actors. In those few dramas I've seen up to now the acting was a bit bad - it seemed fake, exaggerated and naive but in ITWY it was the exact opposite. Every single actor played his/her part natural, like they were real characters and not just the actors. Now I can't imagine Chen Berlin playing the guy who is, let's say, cheating ex-boyfriend - he was so natural playing a sensitive, supporting best friend that I really believed he has to be like that in his pirvate life too. The same can be said about Lin Ariel - she was really convincing in her role of a strong and independent woman who knows what she wants and aims for that.

Music. I have to say that music was the first thing I noticed about this drama - it's really fitting. And the song that Da Ren wrote for You Qing? Yeah, it was perfect!

Rewatch value. That is a hard one - I loved the drama, it was really good and all, but like somebody said before, I don't know if I would bear seeing the sufferings of Li Da Ren once again. But, on the other side, the last episode was so awesomely epic that it redeemed it all; finally, we saw some of the hapily ever after and not just the happy ending!

Overall, I gave it an 8 because this was the best written, acted and executed Taiwanese drama I've ever seen and finally I saw a a female lead who was worth my liking - not some whiny, wimpy girl, but a true woman.

And a cherry on top: nearly all the clothes (and especially shoes!) of You Qing were to die for!

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Completed
Flower, I Am!
61 people found this review helpful
Jan 6, 2012
15 of 15 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I'm extremely disappointed right now - not with the drama but with the viewers and MBC, the channel that premiered "Me Too, Flower", for cutting that one episode from the show. It made a huge difference, because I felt there was something missing by the time I finished the drama.

M2F began with the right pitch; it was extremely funny yet preserved its characters' emotional depth. It wasn't empty comedy and handled serious issues like broken families, society's shallowness, and people's materialism.

I was excited for every new M2F episode more than I was for "Man of Honor", but in the end I was surprised that MBC decided not to do the last episode because MBC Broadcast Entertainers Awards was set at the same time the last episode was supposed to air. That's frickin' brutal.

Another thing which I didn't understand is why a lot of people made a big issue out of Yoon Si Yoon looking really boyish/young for his role and how Kim Jae Won would've been more convincing. OMG, are you sure we're watching the same show? I can't imagine anybody else but Si Yoon as Jae Hee. He didn't feel like an actor playing a character, he *was* the character. Love the guy.

The writer threw me off at the end though, why all the fantasy thrown in at the end when the drama was so realistic all along? That's another thing which made me feel it was because of the last episode being cancelled.

I'm really sad because this drama, as awesome as it is, could've been so much better.

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Completed
The Glory
61 people found this review helpful
Apr 21, 2025
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 6
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

A viper's nest.

After growing up in the countryside, Zhuang Hanyan returns to the capital to claim her rightful place as the legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family. Her reception is mixed—some family members seek reconciliation, while others fiercely resist her presence. It soon becomes clear that the Zhuang household is a viper’s nest, but Hanyan is no naïve country girl. There’s more to her return than meets the eye, something her late sister’s husband, Fu Yunxi, quickly discerns. Their relationship evolves from adversarial to conspiratorial as they uncover each other’s secrets and forge an uneasy alliance.

The Glory/ 雁回时 is another in a recent wave of revenge dramas that starts with a suspenseful, addictive hook but fizzles in the second half. The reveal of Ruan Xiwen’s tragic backstory and her complex, scheming dynamic with her daughter Hanyan forms the emotional core of the drama. Unfortunately, after this peak, the narrative devolves into dog-blood melodrama, riddled with clichés, plot holes, and unconvincing motivations. Wen Zhenrong delivers a vehement, emotionally charged performance as the bitter and wounded Ruan Xiwen, anchoring the first half—but once her arc concludes, the tension noticeably deflates.

Though I typically adore ruthless, morally grey characters like Hanyan and Yunxi, their pairing falls flat. Their silent staring contests and psychological battles feel insipid, especially compared to over-the-top performances by older actors like Yu Entai's exaggerated facial contortions and whispered threats. That said, Chen Duling shines as Hanyan, balancing hidden depths with fiery resolve. Xin Yunlai, however, is stoic to the point of woodenness, though his awkward, crooked half-smiles carry a strange charm.

The biggest flaw lies in the overabundance of toxic characters with nonsensical motives. Why does Hanyan—clearly talented and resourceful—fight so hard for acceptance in such a dysfunctional family? The schemes lack payoff, the villains are cartoonishly petty, and the central "hidden treasure" subplot feels pointless (why hoard wealth with no heirs to inherit it?). The second half is a mess of twists without cohesion, and the ending—hinting at Greek tragedy but lacking the courage to commit—leaves a wishy-washy, unsatisfying aftertaste.

Yet, despite its flaws, I found myself oddly engrossed. Like a drink that starts intoxicating, turns bland, then ends bitter, The Glory is a flawed but strangely compelling ride. 7.5/10—great potential, squandered execution.

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Midnight Museum
61 people found this review helpful
by Kate Flower Award1
Apr 4, 2023
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 12
Overall 8.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

The tale of involuntary naps and ass whopping.

So, I’m not gonna lie, Midnight Museum is a complete mess - from how the characters are written, through the countless plot holes and underdeveloped plotlines, up till the rushed ending. It’s entertaining though. I think it is… I honestly cannot be sure how much of my enjoyment came from all the chats, comments, posts and discussions with other mdl users. This is a perfect show to hype each other up about. (psst... I do love the show though. I sold my soul to it).

While the idea behind the plot is brilliant, the execution left a lot to desire. From the start it was an episodic type of a deal, which seemed to exist more as a promo for all the GMMTV actors and less as a means to tell a cohesive story. Not to mention the mix of supernatural, fantasy and even sci-fi theories - nothing to be explained or explored. It’s just a big bag of everything, that ends up being nothing.

I understand where they were going with the plot, but I honestly think they lacked a writer and director with experience in that genre. Midnight Museum is just not a smooth viewing experience. They did not highlight important details in the scenes, lines that were explaining connections between plotlines, hints that would make it easier for viewers to understand the whole picture. When you watch the episode, it’s hard to tell what you should focus on and what info might be useful later on.

You know what it feels like? Like watching just a middle season of a tv show - you don’t get a proper setup for the characters nor a well explained conclusion. It just felt like there should be more at the beginning and the end. All that said, the second half of the last episode was just phenomenal. Added 0.5 to my rating just because of these last 40 minutes. But it also made me truly see how much potential to be a masterpiece this drama had.

While I love Khatha and Dome for their interactions (local straight boys acting gay, if you know what I mean), and Khatha was quite a “mood” on many occasions, I don’t think I have ever seen weaker main characters than them. Dome was forced to take a few too many involuntary naps and Khatha got his ass whooped by almost every bad character. That said, this was a bromance on the level of Chinese censored gay romance and for that I am grateful.

Then we have all the supporting characters: Anthika served looks, Triphop and Bam got the “kind of competent, but not really” presentation with a 0.5% fling going on, June was there to make Khatha accept his feelings for Dome and Boon… barely existed. That’s more or less what the characters brought to the table. I think it’s kind of an achievement to have 10 episodes and not one character actually developed.

What saved all of these characters? Amazing acting. Tor and Gun did a great job and their on screen chemistry was to die for. It’s nice to see two competent actors together, because too often we watch one person carry the whole show on their backs.

Supporting cast did a great job too. Yes, I would appreciate Saiparn going one step further and exaggerating the character just a little bit more and Tay giving me a little bit more expression during some scenes, but overall, I don’t really have many complaints. I’m especially content with all the guest appearances and the quality of acting there.

The MVP award goes to Nanon though. This guy delivered probably his best performance up to date.

For the production value - it fluctuated. I was not exactly on board with the set designs. The museum felt painfully empty and not grand enough. I think the majority of the costume budget went to dress Tor, so the rest was underwhelming (especially June - the design for the dress was great, but the quality of it seemed cheap). Some special effects were nice, some were rather questionable. There is also the case of actors not being used to acting with nothing, which made the CGI elements stand out more and not feel like they were part of the picture.

Overall, entertaining mess. It had a lot of potential, but most of it was not used. They tried to pack too much into these 10 episodes so we ended up with a diluted story with little details and world building. I would highly recommend it as a group watch, because it benefits greatly from exchanging theories and hyping each other up as you watch. It’s a great memes and joke source.

That ending though. I don't think I could be more happy with all that crazy shit at the end. Exactly my type of a deal.

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Completed
Perfect and Casual
164 people found this review helpful
Oct 20, 2020
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 4
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This is your typical tropey clumsy female lead + smart/emotionless male lead rom com.
The chemistry between the leads is really there though and the story didn't get unnecessarily draggy at different parts
Like some side characters make me angry but they don't cause 5-episode-long misunderstandings if that makes sense?

so I would highly recommend anyone who is looking to consume some high-sugar drama XD

The two side couples' stories weren't as interested in my opinion but, you know, the main couple is enough to keep you watching.
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Completed
Love Affairs in the Afternoon
78 people found this review helpful
Aug 27, 2019
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
The most underrated drama this year for sure. The chemistry, the acting, the storyline, and music was all spot on. Really hit you in the feels for all the more mature viewers. It really makes you question your love life and if there is more to love than just a marriage title. No, it doesn't romanticize cheating but it shows you how a timid shut-in housewife seek love and freedom for herself and what led her to make such decisions, same goes for the guy. The main couple fell in love under the wrong circumstances and how they're judged by society and the stubborn spouses that wouldn't let them go. It's a really good slice of life drama!

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