Love Letter is an unconventional love story. Many people say it has slow pace but in my opinion it is perfectly paced. It seems boring first (I didn't find any part of it boring) but when story starts to unfolds it won’t seem boring. Unfolding of story is great. The storyline can be a bit confusing at first but stick with it and you will be amazed by it. It is touching and sometimes it is very funny also. You can feel the true love from this film.
Nakayama Miho is wonderful in double role. Sometimes I got confused between her double roles.
Its soundtrack is melodic and perfect.
Highly recommended!! Love Letter is an earnest, pure, sentimental, and undeniably moving film. In addition you can see really beautiful sceneries of Japan.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Parallel universe and angsty love story that will make you cry a river
Time and space are illusions. Everything exists at the same time. But this story is about time travel. It's about the heroine who got to go back to her past. At first, she didn't know about the reason for multiple time travel. As soon as she realised, it's a tradegy. However, no matter what Lin beixing did, nothing's changed. The ending is different but the outcomes are same.I love the way this story developed the logical but beautiful plot though it's a sci-fi. It might be typical school love story which genius quiet boy and sloppy cute girl chasing each other, but I love the friendships that Lin beixing had whenever she travel to her past. Every story is different when every character is same. I'm cheering for Lin beixing and Zhang wansen's true love.
If you love angsty love with a very light romance and cute friendship, this is for you. But if time travel is not your alley, you can pass by this drama. This is romance drama but i promise that you will drain your eyes.
Was this review helpful to you?
TFM aired along with AOS, and I have to say it was a great choice as the two dramas compliment each other wonderfully. If AOS is intense and nerve wracking, TFM feels like a calming and soothing balm, and by itself is a leisure watch you can enjoy in a binge or one at a time.
The plot is pretty much focused and centered at one important thing: the forbidden marriage. It expands from there, and the characters built themselves around it. Their backstories are simple and the drama arcs are not so complicated.
And what's funny to me is that the next episode teaser is pretty much a whole episode summarized with bullet points! This is the perfect drama for anxious people (me) ♡
Sometimes I feel like the main casts kind of holding back (?) like the acting could be toned up a bit, but overall it's still good and enjoyable. The tension is burning, the romance and easy companionship between the leads are very sweet. The drama is good enough to keep you on your seat, but will not make you agitated and stressed out for days.
Also Kim Minju!! is so pretty!!
Overall, I would recommend this if you are looking for a simple historical romance with a slash of drama
Was this review helpful to you?
Steady story with a simple plot; not bad.
To be very honest, I assumed Imitation would be a musical Kdrama just because I saw that the major cast are all singers, but to my utter disappointment it turned out to be a drama on the life of kpop idols which casts real kpop idols. But anyways, judging as a drama, IMITATION is not a bad drama and I actually liked it even though it had nothing much to offer. I mean the plot, story and screenplay are in fact not something very new to the industry of Kdramas.STORY & PLOT:
As the synopsis says, Imitation is all about the life of Kpop idols, on individual levels as well as a group, the kpop industry, it's management and also the kpop fandom culture. The major plot involves 2 kpop groups: "SHAX", a 6yo boy group of 5 members who are well established and considered the best kpop band AND "Tea Party" a rookie girl group of 3 members who go through back to back mishaps to debut and struggle in the huge ocean-like industry of kpop. They have some past, separately and together and they help each other grow while facing odds from the management, industry happenings, media and their fans. While the 2 lead characters fall in love and go forward in their relationship secretly, they also find unsaid truth about their pasts and with the help of their fellow teammates, try to resolve it through music.
CAST & ACTING:
Well, I am not sure about others but I honestly did not expect much in regards of acting since the people casted for the major characters are either rookie actors or are with less experience in the industry. So judging from that pov, they've actually done an moderately average job playing their respective roles. SF9 Chani despite playing small roles in many dramas has actually improved a lot and I loved him the most in the drama. After him was Park Ji Yeon noona (T-ara) who is somewhat experienced
also did good in her supporting role. I have seen Jung Ji So in some other dramas and I actually like her acting. Lee Jun Young (U-kiss) and Jung Yun Ho (Ateez) as main characters were good if not more.
I think Danny Ahn (Ji Hak) is the most experienced actor in this drama but he had very less scope to perform. I was a simp for this drama because. Additional character actors like Choi Jong Ho (Ateez), Im Na Yong (IOI), Hwi Young (SF9), Kim Min Seo, Ahn Jung Hun, Park Seong Hwa (Ateez), Lee Soo Woong (Boys Republic), Choi San (Ateez), Park Yu Ri, had very less role to play and they were not actually bad but I won't judge their acting, haha.
I night actually look funny while mentioning all these names but I am a kpop hardcore multifan as well and this drama is like an eye candy for me, particularly because of my love for ATEEZ (cries under the blanket).
DIRECTION:
Not sure whether I can tell much about it but I think it was moderately average because there was no scope in the story to begin with. It's not bad but as a Kdrama fan I can't say it's something very good as well. It could have been unique if it were a musical Kdrama and they had that chance because of this huge kpop idol starcast but I think they somehow failed to utilize the resources well. But for the screenplay editing, I'd say it's okay-okay and not flawed. One episode in between (don't remember which one now) felt a bit off, like slow development but manageable.
OST and Edits:
Ummm, yeah! OSTs are good; some are catchy, some are heart touching and some are melodious but again, not something I can call very great. I am happy with the SHAX tracks though and I have grown fond of "If We Were". The bg score and OST edits in the drama are good and have been done properly. Screenplay edits and organization are okay too.
CONCLUSION:
I actually don't know what else to say because it didn't have much content either. It is a 12 episode drama with almost nothing new or unique to offer but It was at least a good watch. I won't come to rewatch it ever but it's definitely worth a one time watch. I started because of the kpop idol full starcast and thinking it would be a fun musical which it actually wasn't hence the disappointment but go ahead and watch it if you're into Ateez or a hardcore multi. At least this ended well and didn't feel rushed.
Was this review helpful to you?
Acting/Cast: Loooove the cast. Godfrey Gao is hot but his acting is not as matured as the rest of the cast. The chemistries between Godfrey and Joe and between Joe and Zhang Han were VERY good. I honestly believe that this drama is as successful as it is now mostly due to the chemistry between the leads. Will you be in team Godfrey or team Zhang Han? Which man will you cheer on?
Music: Good enough but not something I will get excited over.
Rewatch value: Minus the boring and draggy bits in between where the office and business politics kind of took over, there are parts of the drama that I would gladly rewatch anytime simply for watching the chemistry between the leads. This drama makes me a Zhang Han fan. I never thought much of him from "Let's go watch meteor shower" which was the chinese version of Hana Yori Dango. It was a complete flop. But in The Queen of SOP, he shone! Now, I want to watch more dramas with him in it! And Godfrey Gao... even though there is much he needs to learn about acting, the man is a walking hunk of yumminess. I seriously do not know how Joe Chen could ever choose between the two of them!
Overall: Good entertainment and eye-candy value but most importantly for a romance drama, the chemistry between the leads are oh-so-yummy!
Conclusion: Yes, I am raving like a young fool over some good looking blokes....but anyone who knows me know that I do not give looks that much credit in a drama anyways. My brownie points go to the chemistry between the leads. Being yummy is a bonus! Which team am I in? I'm in team Zhang Han. I always like to champion the guy who is your best friend and who had always supported you all the way. I reckon the best relationships stem from such invaluable friendship.
My advice: Watch it, but feel free to fast forward the middle parts with all the office and business politics. Enjoy!
Was this review helpful to you?
1"Our Youth" - Minase Jin
I honestly have no words. I wish I could do a cool one-liner that puts all my feelings into one, but honestly, I don't know. All I can say is "wow." This is like trying a food and knowing it'll be your favorite from the first bite. That's how I felt when I watched the first 2 episodes. I remember telling my friend, who is now watching, that I had just started this but I knew it'd be in my top 5 jbls. This is just THAT show. I lowkey haven't written a review since "The Trainee" ended (September) but I just have to for these cuties!!In a tiny sum up, the story: Minase Jin is what a parent would call "perfect," with good grades, stays out of trouble, and overall just well-behaved, that is until Hirukawa Haruki steps into his life. This entry led him to find out a pretty personal secret about Hirukawa, which brings them closer, maybe a bit too close.
What did I like? Wow, there's a lot. Shall we make a list?
1. Characters: Honestly just both of their stories alone are great, especially Hirukawas, and them coming together makes a pretty good mix.
2. Chemistry? Well it's definitely there!! I don't care about what others say, there was TENSION.
3. I read other reviews, and with the cinematography portrayed, I felt extremely immersed.
4. As well from a review, the mention of waves and boats. A quote I have from the 10th episode is said from Minase Jin. "And I let the boat carrying the letter go into the sea out of my hands as the wind takes it. That letter sails into the deep sea. " Honestly, I just love the comparison.
5. The loyalty of the two..oh my gosh?? "Even if we can't get married, I will always be by your side." Haruki Hirukawa, can you be MY husband??
Honestly, to name everything I love, I'd have to go back and watch every episode and write down each and every one of my thoughts. But Our Youth has brought out a feeling in me that I didn't think many could reach.
In the later episodes I also realised they called each other by Jin and Haruki, when in the earlier episodes they called each other Minase and Hirukawa, which I found cute. The fact they do that from when their teenagers to adults? I love them. As well as how the "novel" of the letter was Our Youth. That means what we just watched was the letter, right?
Anyways!!!
The only con for me is the special episode. The fact they didn't ACTUALLY tell them they were dating made me sad, but that's okay!! Same with the marriage. Maybe someday we'll get another special episode of their marriage when it becomes legal in Japan. But for now, we can only hope!
To wrap this up, I honestly really wish I didn't have to. I'm gonna miss dreading every time I had to wait for the next episode. When I first started watching, it had 5 episodes out, and I caught up all in one. I started at 10pm (mind you, I have school) and watched every episode to catch up. Then when I found out the 5th had came out that day, I was quite sad to have to wait. But, now I can just rewatch when I'm feeling down. Anyways, I'm really going to miss these two. I know some may disagree, but I loved these two a lot. Would definitely recommend!!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Born again started as a crime thriller and ended up as a revenge story. I stopped watching it at the middle when I felt like there will be no redemption story and there will only be past repeats itself. However, the story-telling changed right after I stopped watching it. So, I continued watching it out of curiosity. I like all the redemption arcs. KSH becomes a lawyer for people wrongly accused for murders. He apologized for all the wrong doings before. CJB becomes a human and not a monster. This is with the help of JSB. His story kinda reminds me of Joker film (2019). In which, a mentally-ill man was misunderstood and was judged by the society. Only, in this kdrama, there is 1 person (or 2) who tried to understand him and also loved him. Thus, the proper ending for him. (Because you know, in the Joker film, if only Joker had that 1 person who tried to understand him, he would’ve not snapped and became batman’s ultimate villain.)
As for JSB, the character was annoying and hate-able for many. I also felt the same way as I watched the series. She cannot make up her mind between the two men. But, I remember this is a LOVE TRIANGLE. A story in which a character will be confused who he/she likes between two other characters.
On the 1980’s story, Ha Eun was clearly in love with Hyung Bin. This love made her confused of JSB’s feelings with KSH in the present because, they are reincarnation of the two lovers. In the present, JSB was drawn with CJB’s personality. He was broken and misunderstood and JSB empathized with him. These made her confused between the two men. Once, she was able to separate her feelings in the past from the present, she sorted out her feelings and chose CJB.
In the end, the story has a very good premise but, the writers was not able to follow up on it. I also think the story will be a better without the LOVE TRIANGLE arc it had. This made watchers hate the show. It has good osts. Is it rewatch-able? Depends. if you want to go back to digest each scene.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Unearthing Timeless Aroma: 'Scent of Time' – The Must See Drama of 2023
"Scent of Time" surpassed all of my expectations and proved to be an exceptional drama. From the very first episode to the last, it unfolded as a well-crafted and beautifully executed masterpiece. The show cleverly dropped hints throughout the series, keeping us engaged, and ensuring we wouldn't be disappointed when the truth was revealed that it was all just a dream.I wholeheartedly give this a solid 10/10. This drama is not only my favorite of the year, but it has also earned a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favorites. Its compelling storyline, exceptional acting, and remarkable production quality make it a must-watch for anyone who appreciates top-notch storytelling and entertainment.
I couldn't recommend this drama more highly; it's a true gem in the C-drama Land.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
RUSHED ENDING (ALMOST) RUINED THE SERIES
Big Mouth should have been an easy 9.5, but that bit - the last 10 minutes of the finale almost ruined the entire series.To be honest, this series was one of the few that i have watched and waited for every week. This is probably Lee Jong Suk's best role to date. The very first episode will snare you like a mouse to a mouse trap, and youll find yourself wanting to see and know more. It was a fantastic setup.
Not until you reached that last 10 minutes that you will realize how stupid (or incredibly smart) the creators must have thought of their viewers - that they thought they could wrap the whole 16 episodes in a few minutes. It just doesnt feel rushed, it felt like a betrayal of trust. In the risk of being spoilery, the ending felt very out of character for the main leads. After the credits rolled i have to double check if there were more upcoming episodes, because for sure they didnt just wrapped the series in less than 10minutes. Or did they?
Would it hurt to add another episode or at least extend the finale by another 30mintues?
Like i said earlier, this could be Lee Jong Suk's best role to date. Im Yoo Na was also amazing until the character wasnt. Kim Jeo Hoon is impressive as hell and gave LSJ a run for his money. Yang Kyung Won maximized his screentime until the creators relegated him into a useless minor character by the last three episodes.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
One of the best series of GMMTV !
This series just has everything in it. Horror, comedy, a bit of mystery, unexpected twists which keeps you guessing, emotional stories which will make you cry & the main attraction TayNew. This isn't a romantic series of them but bromance has been there. At first I thought there would be 12 haunting cases which need to be solved (which could have been boring). But the makers really proved me wrong in a good way. This show handled many heavy topics nicely, so just go & watch it! Actually if you ask me, I'll say this is the best show of TayNew (Plotwise).Was this review helpful to you?
This show is a remake of the popular Waterboyy movie but don't expect to get the movie just in series form. The overall feeling is really different, you'll only recognize some things from the movie, although this show brings a lot of new and interesting elements.
Acting
Different from the movie the series has other couples and straight couples in it too. And while I was mostly interested in Waii and Apo's story I caught myself watching some of the other stories too. But all for a different reason. Min and Wan as example, many people thought they were bland and didn't match well...well, I thought Min's actor was so good that I just watched his story for his acting and less because I was interested in where it goes.
As for Waii and Apo. Let me say, Apo's actor, I think New or Neww is his short name? He is really amazing. I watched him in a supporting role in SOTUS but in this show he gets all the spotlight as a main lead and I'm amazed how good he is. He really managed to show emotions just through actions, looks and his body. Not always words needed. He also gave Apo character and made him more believable.
Story and Chemistry
One thing Thai (BL) series are better in than any other shows I watch worldwide, is chemistry. Thai shows excell at that and that's one of the reasons I love them so much. So...the storytelling in this show is...strange...yea, this is one of those shows where I can say: If you didn't like the first two episodes but like shows like this, then continue watching. The first two episodes are awkward and strange and the chemistry seems forced and staged.
And then comes ep 3 and 4 and so on and suddenly there is chemistry where there was none before. Don't ask me how it happens or what is going on but it is what it is. The chemistry between the couples takes some time to bloom but when it's there, it's there and it stays. So don't worry if you don't like the first few episodes.
Unexpected...
I decided to bring up some points here, that others were disappointed in. A lot of people say that Waii and Apo's relationship is like awkward 2 eps - teasing the audience 10 eps - full on romance 2 eps. It sometimes just seems rushed and strange how fast the sentiments of the charas in the show change. Well, I don't take it too seriously. Just when they fall into full on romance, I'm like "and that's the moment when the producers had enough of their own teasing". So the storytelling is definitely not perfect in this series.
Why to watch?
Because the chemistry between Apo and Waii grows really really strong.
Because Min's actor is amazing.
Because Apo is just the right mix of cute and cheeky especially around Waii. He knows how to be sweet and is totally in love but also knows when he has to stand strong and not give in.
Because it features a really nice scene every BL fan will love.
Because it needs to get really popular for me to get a second season to watch ^.^
I don't think this review helps anyone but if it does, my pleasure :D
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Sisterhood in a man´s world. Let yourself get both annoyed & inspired by politics behind the scenes
What a wonderful power show inside out politics. Yes, it's ugly and you might want to smash right into it. Often enough and plentifully. But it also has its heart in the right place. Repeatedly. Dealing with politics may make you doubt the meaning and purpose of democracy. But it doesn't get any better without those intrepid heroes willing to stand up for a better world. One may sometimes lose faith in something like a democratic gene in people. But one can always hope and fear. The game is only over when it is over. The election is not over until the votes have all been counted.Stupendous women. On both sides of the front. And the men? Oh well. So and so. (And if many people complain about Lee Geung-young because of his scandal, he at least prefers to choose the role of the challenging guy, where one can wholeheartedly consider him disgusting...)
Well, I consider the sisterhood thing being the crucial message for me in this story. Yes, there are strong, competent women, who, against better female instincts, cling to old structures and customs - in the wake of the Jaebeol clan. Yet there are those competent, motivated, witty, loyal to higher ideals women, too, who are sharing those ideals with others and walking side by side. Even if tempted and seduced they still sense what is right and wrong and act on that when in doubt. Using and abusing (interchangeable lackeys) for personal gain vs. appreciation and recognition (of brothers and sisters) are very sensitively compared here as common HR strategies and management styles.
With 11 episodes (only), Netflix slips through the story fairly quickly - only the most necessary input about the protagonists are given. However, especially the actresses don't let the story rush past you. Kudos to (in this case in particular) the heart and soul of the Ahjummas and a storytelling that, while strikingly handling the political landscape for its stringency, nevertheless spreads the complex mixture of motives, hopes and fears in a well-sorted manner.
Does the end justify the means? This age-old question apparently never ages. "Queenmaker" makes you think, but also often leaves you terribly annoyed about the way things are. The KDrama makes you angry, demoralizes, and yet: at the same time it gives hope. Strong women, a strong story, an often enough an ugly world in which, however, once again each individual contributes to the fact that it could be one way or another...
Obviously I would recommend it - if you´re in the mood for something like that. And: obviously there are no Idols and no Love Story involved. People may die, but it is no crime story. It isn´t funny, either. Nevertheless, I would say, you should check it out and let yourself get both annoyed and inspired by politics behind the scenes.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Mnet at its finest, delivering some manipulative editing.
I’m not gonna lie, this was a fascinating watch. Trying to see all the shady business and tactics Mnet delivered, seeing viewers' different reactions depending on their knowledge of the industry and how Mnet works. What a ride it was. And behind all that mess was a bunch of talented trainees who could not breathe in the wrong direction, or they will be evil edited till their elimination.This is probably the worst survival show I have seen from the production standpoint. The editing was atrocious - they gave us 10 takes of the same 2 moments from different angles and different speeds, while completely cutting out most of the performances. How can we judge the stages and trainees skills when we see the same smile or wink just repeated countless times?
Then there is the issue of evil editing. I’m not saying just exaggerating existing issues, I’m saying complete lies, like using footage from two different interviews and making it seem like they were both filmed about the same situation. Translating what foreign trainees say in a vague and misleading way to frame it as them being disrespectful. Making it seem as if teams had massive disagreements in the episode, when we could see them work just fine during the practice lives.
And I don’t even want to talk about the G versus K trainees concept - that was dumb, since the plan was to debut a mixed group. Mnet framed it as rivalry so hard, I’m not surprised Koreans went so strongly voting for Korean trainees - it seemed like a matter of pride for them with how it was presented in the initial episodes. Showing G trainees in a bad light, only “promoting” G trainees that are either Koreans just living in different countries, or been in Korea for years…
What’s more? The legal rigging votes. they knew exactly what info should be released when to make people mass vote for specific trainees out of fear of them not debuting. Just naming the 2 or 3 k-trainees’ ranks that went down - panic voting from the audience. Only showing the 3 trainees ranks based on ONLY G votes - panic voting.
All that said, I loved the kids so much. While I am sad we did not get many strong rappers, and literally barely any in the finale, I’m still more than happy with overall skills presented. Yes, some got into the show as a joke to make the public laugh, but in their case, I could see they truly put in the effort and tried to grow from this experience. The level of talent was high and honestly, one could randomly pick 9 trainees from top 18 to make a team, and every variation of it would make a strong debut.
The trainees had amazing friendships and I loved to see them support and encourage each other. We could see the most honest versions of them in the additional behind the clips mnet uploaded on youtube, and for these I am grateful.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Short Drama Full of Surprises and Fun
Although I was unsure of what to expect from this drama when I first started watching it, it really surprised me for such a short drama. There were no drags in the story and the actors did a good job with their roles. Also, the main leads had good chemistry.In this drama, the pace was fast, the humor was light, and the story wasn't boring. In three episodes, this drama managed to include interesting character development, beautiful costumes, and sweet moments between the main leads. If you are looking for a short and funny drama, I recommend this drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
