Right away, I’ll say that this is not the goofy romcom I was expecting it to be. Although there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and lighthearted comedic scenes, this drama gets heavy at some points and definitely moves into the melodrama category occasionally. But what made this drama so amazing is that it continually challenged my expectations of the comedy genre and the difficult emotions never felt unnatural. I laughed and I cried many times and found myself re-watching scenes again and again. The dialogue was fascinating, very quotable, and definitely gave me a new outlook on love and relationships.
It's the cast and characters that really make this drama special. Not only is the acting superb, but the individual characters are very complex and unique. Mikuri, the drama's heroine, overanalyzes and missteps often, can rarely reign in her colourful imagination, and is bold as brass, but that’s what makes her endearing and I loved watching her grow. Even the most minor characters shine in this drama! Each character is so well developed in their personalities and desires that you can’t help but root for everyone to find happiness!
Definitely don’t miss this beautiful drama!
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Real definition of "Dark Comedy".
This is exactly what you call dark comedy or black humor; perfect combination of comedy elements & morbid satire. Inspector Koo, in my opinion, is also the investigative thriller of the year 2021 and I am amazed to see an immense investigative drama after a long while.Inspector Koo (구경이) got a simple yet "not so basic" storyline. The title clearly indicates about the drama being centered by single person, i.e. Inspector Koo Kyung Yi. She's an ex-cop who now works as an insurance investigator at a company after retiring from police due to a tragic incident involving her personal life. Her desire to perceive truth behind different cases is so high that she can do literally anything to get her work done. She ferociously chases down a university girl, who seems to have been connected to a serial murder case, all of them staged as either suicide or accicent.
The drama has 3 stages in total:
i) know it all but no proof.
ii) have proof but can't catch.55
iii) oh! everything is a messs.
Koo Kyung Yi (Lee Young Ae) is a crazy woman; to say it in Korean, 'michin yeoja'. Food, alcohol and gaming are what she lives for, and can go insane when not provided with them. She got severe mental health issues due to past incidents, and can be sensitive when mentioned about them. Song Yi Kyung (Kim Hye Joon) is a university student with abnormal behaviours and considered a psychopath by many. She's a dramaclub member too and her past has made her like this. She avenges victims of several incidents who have been unfairly compensated by the law, by doing what? Killing the guilty. She's also know as Ms. K.
This drama infact is a all female story and is dominated by women all over; amazing actresses playing major characters. We have here, Chief Yong Sook (Kim Hae Sook) as the chairperson of a charity foundation. Na Je Hee (Kwak Sun Young) as the team leader of the investigative team B, Director Kim (Jung Suk Yong) as Chief Yong's right-hand man, Oh Kyung Soo (Jo Hyun Chul) as an investigator in the Team B, Santa (Baek Sung Chul) as Kyung Yi's assistant, Ahn Keon Wook (Lee Hong Nae) as K's helper, etc in the major roles. These are all profound actors, and hence the acting department has done very well in the drama.
The plot development is stupendously set up in the drama and the progression is very pleasing. The first impression from the 1st episode is sooo intriguing that you'll definitely move to the next without hesitation. This is something that'll keep you hooked throughout and never ran outta substances. There are places where you might feel like the consequences might be become uninteresting, but that's where the table turns and they start over again. That's the beauty of the drama. There are several peaks in this 12 episode script and I loved how they were able to keep the moods & vibes up till the very end of the show.
I don't want to believe that the writer is actually a rookie and it's their debut script as the main jakka. Sun Cho Yi jakkanim have done a great job such a mind blowing script with a compelling plus captivating progression. The character dynamics for each and every major character is very well drawn and everyone has got a fair share of importance, I feel. You're gonna love Koo Kyung Yi, Song Yi Kyung, Santa, etc. Special mention to the cute-acting namja Santa who'll melt your heart multiple times with his acts TT. There's also a portrayal of homosexuality (gay character) for one of the major roles (won't spoil) and I am happy they didn't use it in bad light.
Director Lim Jung Heum, known for the critically acclaimed thriller drama "Nobody Knows" did take the responsibility for Inspector Koo and was able to do a fabulous job there. This is clearly evidebt from the 1st episode of the show. Screenplay management, coordination, screen-editing pacing and execution is amazingly handled and the entire crew deserves credit for it too.
The sound production department as well as the composer for this drama Kim Tae Sung needs some serious praise. Loved how the drama has so many enraging OSTs that perfectly fit the mood of the drama and were appropriately used at instances. A major part of OST album is sung by TRPP, a Korean Indie trio, known for their rock, alternative and garage elements. The songs by TRPP are "Yeah (Round and Round)", "Coming After", "Sins", "Patience", "Liars (I feel Alive)" and "Limbo".The speciality of TRPP is that are the electronic instrumentals used in their songs plus their harmonic vocal line up, which is totally visible here.
Other than that we have "Up" by Hajin, "Watch Me" by SURL and "SURF" by INNI. Additionally TRPP has collaborated with Wayco and Mollo separately to remake Yeah (Round and Round). I swear to my life, there couldn't be any other song to accurately suit the drama and the mood it wanted to deliver. Music for Inspector Koo deserves 10/10.
The sense of choosing from right or wrong is the main concept of this drama. This drama reminded of this quote which I don't remember was said by the person, but it goes like, "Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.". Everyone who has their standards to differentiate between the two and in case they committ mistakez they come up with certain prenotions to defend themselves by which the whole concept of righteousness itself is wronged. Perceiving the drama from this way, Inspector Koo is secondarily a revenge game where someone tries to avenge the right by unlawful means and another who tries to stop the former because righteousness can never be achieved when you commit the same mistake.
The drama also focuses on mental health issues. Abnormal and morally dangerous personalities induced by lonliness and trauma can harm the society in many ways and the drama is yet another portrayal of that. I am happy they has also emphasized on that.
The 2 important elements of Inspector Koo are investigation and comedy. Again, thia drama is a great treat for the lovers of investigative thrillers. Although you known who the culprit is, it really takes a great effort and time to figure the situation, motive and consequences. Connecting the dots and drawing a figure is all yoh have to do and this drama did it brilliantly. There are several highs and lows in the status but what matters is the end, and I assure it was as compelling as the entire show. Many shows claiming to be of dark comedy genre actually fail to understand what dark comedy is but the writer of Koo has done a good job in doing her homework. The main source of comedy is Koo herself and anything involving her might look serious but they simultaneously make you burst into immense laughter too. Several scenes which scare you off about the consequences, also seem weirdly funny, and that's how it should have worked, I mean that's how it happened. I had a good time watching the entire show.
Overally, Inspector Koo is an amazing drama and it has also those entertaining factors. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and honestly wanted more episode tho I don't wanna complain. The basic storyline of chasing after villain is not something new but the screenwriting and plus the execution along with music surely make it a stupendous thing. It's a must watch in my opinion with high reawatch value, so definitely coming back to it.
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But back in 2001, it was bold and different and unlike any other series that came out in Asia. It was fresh and really hip. The F4 was cool and trendy with their hair and outfits. It was the usual Cinderella storyline, but it was done in a funny and heartwarming way that managed to endear most of my friends and family and literally, it stopped time back in the days. It was a phenomenal series. It literally stopped traffic and launched a "Meteor Fever". We had to go home in the afternoon early just to watch this show on television. Streaming wasn't available then. A lot of people fell in love with Shan Cai and Dao Ming Xi's love story, and how they fought against all odds to be together! The F4 characters alongside Shan Cai's friends were a good supporting cast and Dao Ming Xi's mother was convincing with her portrayal as the villain to the relationship. Dao Ming Xi's transformation from a spoiled, rich brat to a caring boyfriend was something to watch for, and gave us all the "feels"! Buckets of tears were shed.
Looking back, I was watching old clips of this series, and yes it felt like a trip back to nostalgia lane! Yes, I agree that Meteor Garden looks dated, fashion-wise and production wise. It paled in comparison to the drama series of the current. But, nothing can take back the memories! This series has spawned two popular remakes which had become huge hits as well. Lee Min Ho's Jong Pyo was made to look like Jerry Yan's character too, I've noticed and now he is such a popular star. I might be biased with this one, but this first and original version is always the best! :)
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Story/plot: -10- I heard that this storyline was very similar to a Japanese drama/manga called “Itazura na Kiss”; however, I have never watched the drama, or any of their remakes, so I am writing this review with nothing to compare it to, pretty much. With that being said, I loved the storyline of this cutesy, heart-warming drama! The cliche style of a not-so-smart girl liking the perfect guy definitely took a positive turn in this show! The transition between high school to college to adult life was pretty smooth, in my opinion, with majority of it focused during their high school years, which made it an innocent and light drama. As the story moves on to the adult life, the relationship between the main leads became more intimate, which made me squeal so many times at 2 o'clock in the morning.
Acting/cast: -10- The height difference between the 160cm Chen Xiao Xi (played by Shen Yue) and the tall 188cm Jiang Chen (played by Hu Yi Tian) made me squeal every time! Both of the main leads are decently new faces to the entertainment world, and they definitely made a good impression, on me at least haha! For her first main-lead role in a drama, Shen Yue did a spectacular job of performing the different sides and attitudes of the character, Chen Xiao Xi, from the happy, always positive high school youth to the independent grown women that Chen Xiao Xi becomes later on in the drama. NOW, LET’S TALK ABOUT HU YI TIAN! OMG, HE IS SOME HAWT STUFF! So cute, and for his first main-lead role, he played it really well! It’s hard to fall in love with someone who plays a, supposedly, cold-hearted, not caring character, but later on, we find out that the character, Jiang Chen, is pretty much the opposite! The way Hu Yi Tian smirks and acts to care for Chen Xiao Xi in the drama can make any girl's heart flutter! (I think I found my next man crush tbh) The supporting roles might have not done a whole lot, but their contribution played a huge impact throughout the whole show, and it made the drama 100X better! Nothing to complain in general, great leads, great actors/actresses, and great chemistry! :)
Music: -10- The opening song is truly the perfect fit for the drama! When I first heard it, I already loved it and how the melody matches the drama’s theme, but after reading the lyrics, it made me love the song even more! If you don’t believe me, take a look yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIKib5Bymz8 I especially love the line “wo xihuan ni pei wo kanshu fen xin kan wo tou xiao” which translates to “I like you when you’re accompanying me to read a book, distracted by looking at me, smiling quietly,” it brings back many ridiculous smiles when I watched the drama, and I can't seem to stop replaying the song in my head now!
Rewatch value: -8- I love A Love so Beautiful and I have rewatched my favorite parts more than a dozen time, but I am sorry, I can’t rewatch the whole drama from the beginning to end more than once. I am not sure exactly why, but I guess the whole drama wasn’t capturing enough for me? For the parts that I love though, I have rewatched it so many times, and I will never get bored of rewatching them!
Overall: -9- This drama truly created a great end to my 2017! The sweet, yet simple story is my cup of tea! I can’t seem to let go of this drama, it was too good and too sweet! The characters played their parts so well, the mixture of the songs and the cute relationships between the characters are too much to be given up so easily. So sad that I watched it in only 2 days! I wish I would have spent more time to savor every second!
If you are looking for a romantic, and heart-warming drama that takes place mainly during the high school life and transitions to more serious matters later on, A Love so Beautiful is definitely the drama for you! Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
Chào for Now!
Lily L.
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Stunning! A masterclass in storytelling. Deeply emotional and affecting.
Expertly filmed and acted, this Priest adaptation offers more than the average BL. It’s about love but also about survival, found family, and commitment.Here’s the premise: Wei Qian and Zhi Yuan are orphaned boys trying to survive. The older boy, Qian, joins a gang in order to earn money to feed himself and his younger sister Lili. He finds Yuan, who is around 4-5 years younger, literally sleeping in the streets. Taking pity on Yuan, Qian takes him into his home and they live together as chosen found family.
Zhi Yuan looks up to Wei Qian and will do anything to make him happy, including joining the school running club or working part time after school to contribute to the family’s income. Over time, his feelings for Qian transform from gratitude and brotherly affection into romantic love.
There is a natural progression to the way we see Yuan express his feelings for Qian. He loves him through his actions, taking care of him when he's sick or exhausted. Eventually, his feelings bubble to a bursting point and he confesses. (This isn't a spoiler because ep 1 opens with this scene, and we return to it later on.)
In contrast, Qian is singleminded in his focus on his work and family. He doesn't seem capable of romantic feelings toward anyone. It's the last thing on his mind. Yuan and Lili are the most important people in his life, and all he cares about is ensuring they are secure and healthy. This all comes to a head, however, with Yuan's confession.
Content warnings: In the first episodes, we see that these boys are dealing with harsh realities, including parental abuse (shown on screen) and homelessness. Their traumas aren’t downplayed but are sensitively represented. We need to see these scenes so that we understand where these boys are coming from and what they’re overcoming.
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In the current jdrama and overall Asian media landscape, LGBTQ+ themes aren't the best represented. There are a lot of stories created to cater to fanservice rather than representation, and it's usual to find series and audiences that can't separate the two.
This series is incredibly well crafted, which is not only a credit to the manga that originated it but to the overall adaptation and the great performances by the cast, especially the leads. Each episode is centered on a specific meal (they even tell you how to cook it!), a meal cooked and prepared at home, which connects to the intimacy and the complexity of this couple, two men in their 40s who deal with their daily lives and their very different ways to handle their identities in their respective environments.
Shiro is a lawyer, he is reticent to coming out at work or to not be hetero-passing enough in public, at the start of the series. He is out to his parents, but doesn't speak too openly about things and overall seems a bit unsure still on how to present himself. Shiro could very well be the prototype of "unwilling" you find in BL dramas, in those in which consent is never clear and someone always has to say "no" to no avail. But he is not. Shiro is certain on his feelings and his relationship, but he needs to learn how to reconcile the different parts of his life in order to feel more sure with letting others know. He cherishes his relationship and is actually the one who marks most of the pace, there is nothing in him that isn't consensual, and conversation is a big part of the drama that lets him grow as a lead.
Kenji is a stylist, he isn't embarrassed to be flamboyant and open about his identity and his relationship. He could very well be the prototype of "flamboyant" and "feminine" in dramas, but he is not. He establishes in various instances the misconceptions of gay relationships, the difference between drag and homosexuality, the elements in presentation and gender dynamics. He is very taken by Shiro and isn't afraid to show affection, but he is also filled with self doubt and needs to learn how to communicate them better throughout the series, and how to reconcile his past with his present self.
The series is filled with moments throughout the life of these two, their encounters with other characters that will widen the lens, and you can see a lot of layers of the prejudice and complications of acceptance in Japanese society and the way in which they, and other couples, deal with those. It's a series that isn't devoid of its tear-inducing moments but it's not intending to be sad, dramatic or tragic, it's a happy story, and the leads aren't used for any sort of gratuitious emotional torture.
The food is not only great, and boy do I love dramas with a focus on food, it's also increadibly heart-warming and cozy and it provides a sense of the emotion and feeling you'll see on the episode and complements the story really well. And, meanwhile, you learn how to cook it.
I also immensely appreciate the fact that the couple is over 40, it really serves to discuss things that dramas centered on relationships almost never focus on. I feel that every time a drama focuses on a couple, it's going to be all about confusion and misunderstandings until a grand over-the-top ending. This one, though, is relatable in its simplicity and emotional depth, not only for those in relationships, but also those who are not but are still figuring out ways into adulthood in a couple of generations where the landscape of expectations and reality have changed so much. It isn't just about life in a relationship or life as an LGBTQ+ person, it's also about adult life in a very fast changing social landscape.
Overall, this was a perfect blend of a drama to me, the cast made it a great watch as well (one character has an actor change mid-way because the original had medical issues, but they pulled through really well regardless), and it's definetly great as one of those dramas you can come home to and relax watching, while also having a story that is compelling and emotional at times. I don't even hesitate giving it a 10/10, something I rearely ever do, but this one did it for me.
I can only hope there is a second season or something else from it at some point.
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I gave the story a decent score, only because I think the transformation was pretty impressive, but it was still imperfect in a lot of ways. My first problem with the story was that it didn't know whether it wanted to be a romantic comedy or a melodrama. The main plot revealed a very mysterious and serious backstory, then went into these weird slapstick comedy scenes that just didn't work together. One moment there is a revenge story brewing, then the next moment we are supposed to care about a CEO's anxiety issues, and the obviously planned romance between him and an obnoxious new hire. Add to that the fact that the CEO is too mysterious to be sympathetic, and The leading lady is the most annoying person on planet earth. The only thing that got me through in the beginning were the "Another Miss Oh" cameos, but I listened to viewers who said the story gets better after episode 5. In my opinion things don't start falling into place until episode 7, and that's when I knew I would probably become a fan.
The writers do a great job of justifying the previous bad episodes while completely changing the drama into something more enjoyable. Still, even with the fixes to make it better, the flaw is in how bad the story premise is in the first place. In order to like this drama you can't dwell on how unrealistic the major event of the story is, and instead you have to just go along with the characters on this journey. The characters, and their rewrites, are what made me become a fan.
I eventually adored Yeon Woo Jin as Hwan Ki. This is, in my opinion, his best role so far. Maybe it's the fact that I relate to his shy/socially anxious character a lot, and I thought they did a good job of showing what it's like in a neurotic anxiety filled brain. I was truly impressed by how believable he was, and relatable, and empathetic, and totally unlike the ways I've seen him before. Some people may think it's too exaggerated, but I don't. I also relate to being thought of as scary and intimidating while I'm just sitting and thinking about something to myself. When it comes to his character, I think they nailed it.
He is matched with Park Hye Soo, who's character I initially hated so much that in one scene she actually gets slapped, and I wanted to applaud. She was too pushy, too obnoxious, completely self involved, and not likable in the least. I'm sure the initial point was to create an opposites attract scenario, but they left her with no redeeming qualities, which made me think that the actress was just too young and out of his league. Eventually the rewrite calmed her down, made her more charming and less annoying, and that's when I realized that Hye Soo is really quite talented. I did end up liking them together, and rooting for them to succeed, in spite of the plot making that pretty hard to do. I started to actually see chemistry between them, and although they may not be among my favorite romance duos, I thought they worked well together. Many of their romantic scenes together made me smile, and there were no closed mouth lips barely touching kiss scenes either.
My favorite amongst the rest of the cast was the silent monster staff. Once we were able to get to know their stories the office scenes became fun to watch. Their characters are comedically over the top, but still felt real and relatable. I just get excited seeing Ye Ji Won in anything now, but Heo Jeong Min was hilarious too... And I just rewatched "Another Miss Oh". My next favorite is Jang Hee Jin as Hwan Ki's first love, who was refreshingly different from what's often expected from that kind of role, and made that aspect of the story more entertaining.
The problem with Yoon Park as Kang Woo Il and Gong Seung Yeon as Yi Soo is that even with the rewrites they were still stuck in a melodrama storyline that made no sense to me, so it was impossible for them to not come across as extremely overdramatic at times. They did their best, but I cringed when that storyline would reappear. Writers did make both characters sympathetic, and saved them from becoming 2 dimensional, but their actions remained unbelievable to me, so I just preferred when they were not a major part of the story. Then there's also Lee Kyu Han who plays the ultimate buzzkill. His backstory is eventually explained too, but he kinda just pops out of nowhere at seemingly random times in the story, making it seem like he was only created to be a problem.
If I ever watched this again it would be strictly for Yeon Woo Jin. I had a slight feeling of missing the cast when it was over, but really it's just his character that I am going to miss. I really related so much to him that I just may rewatch it someday... or maybe just clips.
About the music... There are 2 songs form the soundtrack that stood out to me, so in my opinion it was better than ok, but not much better.
Obviously I am biased against the melodramatic storyline, and more a fan of the shy boss rom com storyline, which I think saved this drama from being a major flop. Still, every aspect of the story is explained, and reexplained, and the writers seemed thorough about avoiding loose ends to the very end, which i appreciated. So yes, all questions get answered, even if the answers are hard to swallow. Also, even though some of the last episode seemed like filler, I loved the last moment, and thought it was a great way to end the story... a story who's major theme throughout is being able to express how you feel!
Overall I would recommend this drama for fans of unconventional rom coms with the warning that this story takes a loooooooooooong time to build. If you can sit through the first few episodes filled with annoying characters, misunderstandings, and over the top melodrama, you eventually get to a good story about becoming comfortable with who you are, your own style of being, and expressing how you feel, with a sweet but difficult love story as a bonus.
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The Legend of Hei Feng-Bai Xi
Truth be told, Who Rules The World (WRTW) wasn’t on the top of my list for highly anticipated dramas for 2022. But you know what? It turned out to be one of the most entertaining dramas I’ve seen for the year. Certain characters in the show even made their way into my list of all-time favourite C-historical characters as well. I’m pleased to say that WRTW has not disappointed and in fact went beyond any initial expectation I may have had going into it.WRTW is equal parts traditional wuxia, grandiose palace politics, epic warfare and romantic love that are interwoven seamlessly to create an immersive tapestry of a vivid jianghu that transcends the boundaries of the 7 kingdoms. It revolves around the relationship between two renowned martial artists, Hei Feng Xi and Bai Feng Xi, as they navigate the treacherous world of ancient politics and pugilistic rivalries teeming with characters who are hell bent on ruling the world.
The story is based on the bestselling 2007 novel Qie Shi Tian Xia (且试天下) aka Let’s Try the World which was written by prolific period-romance novelist, Qing Ling Yue (倾泠月). The production team comprises directors Yin Tao (Love and Redemption, Ancient Love Poetry, Under the Power), Yu Yonggang (Novoland: Pearl Eclipse) as well as action director/ choreographer Shi Zhanli (The Promise of Chang’an, Under the Power, Listening Snow Tower, Love and Redemption, The Legend of White Snake). Principal photography took place at Hengdian World Studios from February to June 2021. Interestingly this drama was released concurrently on WeTV international and Netflix for global audiences.
A total of 5 songs are listed in the soundtrack of the production. Liu Yuning sings the inspiring opening theme while Lai Meiyun and Tan Wei Wei contribute moving love ballads.
无双 Unparalleled – 刘宇宁 Liu YuNing
风息 Breath Of Wind – 胡彦斌 / 叶炫清 Hu YanBin / Ye XuanQing
一梦浮生 Dreams Come True – 汪苏泷 Silence Wang
孤注 Gu Zhu – 谭维维 Tan Wei Wei
如梦 Like A Dream – 赖美云 Lai MeiYun
This production has been plagued by some controversies in that the main director was purported to have left the project about halfway through filming for reasons that were not made known publicly. Additionally certain elements of the plot, whether the screenplay or the source material itself, had been accused of plagiarism. Likewise some scenes were cited to be reminiscent of other dramas. Having not read the source material for this drama, or most other dramas for that matter, and without seeing particular shows from which their scenes had been reputedly copied, fortunately my personal viewing enjoyment was not affected by the allegations in any way.
What I Liked
The elements of wuxia, politics and warfare are beautifully crafted into a memorable tale of chivalry, heroism and love amidst an extensively conceived worldbuilding of a fictional universe. Perhaps WRTW does not reach the quality levels of Nirvana in Fire, the gold standard in this multigenre, but it certainly comes close. How often do we come across productions that attempt to cover such an extensive scope without faltering miserably or, at the very least, evoke some form of endearing connection and entertainment value?
In terms of wuxia, this is one of the best for me. The variety of martial arts prowess on display as well as depiction of the jianghu with its associated clans, sects, dark arts and, of course, the chivalric values of brotherhood, heroism, and valour are all expertly embedded into this pugilistic premise. Absolutely no complaints from me in this department.
While initially lacking and slow-moving due to the uneven pacing and multitude of character introductions, the politics of the palace and the world began to exert more control over the narrative up until the finale. This is especially so once the main players have been established and viewers are able to focus exclusively on their schemes and machinations that eventually culminate in all-out confrontations and large scale warfare among them. In some ways, the overall concept and worldbuilding remind me somewhat of Game of Thrones with the premise based on various factions fighting for supremacy and dominion over the world.
Ultimately the one aspect of the story that impresses me the most is the romance. One of the most wholesome and charming love stories that I’ve ever come across in a C-historical. It helps immensely that both leads are extremely likeable both in real life and in the depiction of their respective characters here. No silly misunderstandings, childish petulance, toxic vibes whatsoever. Just as it should be between two heroic jianghu protagonists amidst countless adorable and lovely moments indeed.
As far as the technical execution is concerned, for me the positive takeaways would be the production design which maximises the gorgeous features of Hengdian World Studios in both the opulent indoor sets and lush greenery of the outdoor shooting scenes. Cinematography, choreography and special effects are quite decent, for the most part. I’m thankful that the fight scenes in particular are presented on point without the jittery camerawork and overreliance on slow-motion, repeat cuts or fast cut editing.
The martial arts choreography is simply stunning and showcases some of the most spectacular wire-works (wire-fu) in recent memory. It might appear a bit much to some but personally I love it. Also worth mentioning is the battle scenes between large armies towards the tail end of the show. Despite being mostly CGI, the end result is reasonably rendered and, most importantly, not substituted with animation or even skipped over but is shown in its entirety.
With regards to the cast and their respective characterizations, WRTW wouldn’t be the same without the leads, Yang Yang and Zhao Lu Si. The stellar supporting cast particularly Xuan Lu, Lai Yi, Zhang Feng Yi, Lee Wai Han, Zong Feng Yan and Wang De Shun provide a memorable account of themselves in making this production work as well.
I know that Yang Yang has drawn some flak for his performances in the past but having seen him in the recently concluded Glory of the Special Forces where he delivered possibly his best work to-date, I think he deserves more credit than he’s given. The role of Hei Feng Xi / Feng Lan Xi suits him very much indeed. He has this ability to blend intensity and seriousness with warmth and tenderness as well as a dash of charm and sophistication, which adds depth to his version of the brooding, intelligent and lonely hero of this story.
The same goes for Zhao Lu Si who, despite her expertise in rom-coms, is actually quite versatile and here she showcases some range as well as a more serious side. She still has that comedic timing but as the carefree Bai Feng Xi and the more regal Feng Xi Yun, we get to experience different facets to her characters. The biggest draw in the show is obviously their romance. Whether as royalty or jianghu pugilists, the chemistry between the two absolutely sizzles to set the screen aflame. I cannot imagine anyone else embodying the roles of “Hei Feng- Bai Xi of the rivers and lakes” as well as they have done.
Amongst the supporting characters, my personal favourite include Xuan Lu’s Feng Qi Wu who shares a strong bond with Bai Feng Xi where at one point I was actually shipping them as a lovable GL pairing. It’s refreshing to observe a healthy friendship between two female characters for a change instead of the usual destructive rivalry for affections. Lai Yi’s Huang Chao is another strong character that’s worthy of mention. His connection to the leads prove intriguing where despite no love lost between them, they continue to regard one another with mutual admiration and respect.
What Fell Short
I think the transition of directors midway through production possibly caused a discernible change in the quality of direction and editing during the second half of the show. This in turn affected the flow of the storytelling because certain scenes feel somewhat disconnected while the last 8 or so episodes are a little rushed. That said, most C-historicals tend to sprint towards the finishing line with a flurry of events and activities within the final few episodes, although this could be attributed to censorship-induced post-production editing.
For obvious reasons, most of the focus is on Yong-zhou and Qing-zhou, two of the 7 kingdoms in the story. There are some highlights of Ji-zhou and You-zhou, and the initial spotlight on Dong Empire, the ruling kingdom and the seat of power itself. I would have liked to see more backstory or development in the lesser mentioned kingdoms as well as the other mysterious sects of the jianghu. At 40 episodes, it’s near impossible to fit everything and everyone, which is unfortunate as some of the minor side stories and subplots actually appear interesting and thus worth exploring.
Because of the rushed nature of the final arc, the potential for the main villain’s origins and motivations are largely glossed over in favour of the ultimate showdown. I think this dimension of the antagonist’s profile deserves at least a couple of episodes to allow the gravity of his villainy to sink in with viewers.
The FL’s identity reveal is a bit of a letdown personally for me. It should have been more sensational and shocking to everyone involved but it turned out to be a lowkey affair after all.
I feel the need to rant on one of the martial arts clans, the Tianshuang Sect. I’m not sure how they are written in the original novel or if it is meant to be a running joke but the members of that sect, along with their leader/elder/founder, are quite laughable indeed. Without spoiling, let’s just say that these folks are better off managing a zen spa or soup kitchen rather than actively attempting to partake in conspiratorial activities.
Final Thoughts
WRTW ranks amongst the better recent releases of C-historicals and wuxia productions. It hasn’t reached the gold standard that is NiF but is somewhere slightly lower, perhaps at a similar level to The Long Ballad. Objectively it’s an 8.5 but for the sheer enjoyment factor and memorable performances of the leads, I’m bumping this up to 9. This is recommended viewing for fans of the genre.
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This review may contain spoilers
I watched this movie more than 2 years ago. The reason why I suddenly feel the need to write a review is because I believe it has been wronged in more than one respect. First, the badly written synopsis which focuses on irrelevant details and gives the impression this were a depraved movie of some sort - which is not.
Second, because I have a very hard time understanding why anyone should watch a movie well knowing it deals with incest and then complain about the fact that it portrays such a delicate and offending issue. It's like eating at a sushi bar and then refusing to pay because one doesn't like raw fish.
The main theme of this movie is two biological siblings loving each other. This is not a spoiler, as it is clearly stated in the synopsis. If you think you can't face the issue and are disgusted by the idea, I suggest you simply don't watch it.
On the other hand, if you can confront the matter of an adolescent being obsessed with his sister, this movie deals with it in a delicate, far from vulgar way. It is very well acted and stresses upon the internal - we may call it infernal too - struggle of the male lead to overcome his obsession.
It's a slow film which doesn't play on events as much as it tries to depict the battle between reason and passion. It is not a romantic movie by any means either, and yet there's a sweetness surrounding some of the scenes which goes beyond the mere issue of this being a wrong sort of love.
I can't remember the music, hence the non-committal mark.
Among all the movies I like to rewatch, this is certainly not on the top of my list. However, it is a brave movie which I believe deserves at least some fair mentioning.
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First of all , watching this movie be prepared to see any kind of obscenity and odium could be found in society ! in other words , this is an extremely bitter social melodrama with a very sharp and harsh way of protesting to the current problems of -not only Korean- but also the world's teens and youth !
I've read somewhere that director of this movie , has made it after seeing a CCTV video of a young boy crying before killing himself ! Knowing the fact that this story has a high chance of being a true one , gave me an special unforgettable feeling while watching this movie.
The best thing about the story is that it's not specifically for Gay people or any other special group of human beings , I think It's the story we all can relate !
We all can feel how much we've changed during our puberty and some of us have changed so much that looking back at our childhood , It's very hard for us to recognize if we're the same person or not !
Actors are amazing ! It was really interesting for me to see how this older actors could greatly transfer the feelings of being a teen that you can hardly believe they're in their 20's !
Background music was good and dramatic ...
And the ending ... Wow ! that's when you want to stand up and clap in tears ! (which I did :D)
anyways , this is surly one of the best and moving social movies I've ever seen !
I'm sure it will stuck in my mind for a long long time ... I've already seen it 2 times in one day cause at the first time I was really in a SHOCK seeing that much violence , that I could hadly get the massage of movie !
I'm glad that It was choosen by the international film festivals as well , It's great to see how Korean Cinema Industry is getting more and more known by the world , and I think this movie a MUST SEE for all people !
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To start off, I want to make one thing clear. Before watching 'EXO Next Door' I wasn't a fan. I did not listen to their songs or follow them on any kind of social media. I'm using the word 'wasn't' right now because thanks to this show I'm a fully integrated fan. These boys blew me away with their charm, wit and acting in 'EXO Next Door' in a way that i was not bodily prepared for. I now own half of their songs and have a merchandise mug on the way from freakin' KOREA! Now this all happened in the span of a week. Which, when I think about it makes me concerned for my mental wellbeing. But I won't talk about that, back to the review.
I watched this show out of curiosity and boredom and ended up enjoying it 'till the very end. The romance between Chanyeol and the lead actress didn't really interest me, I was more focused on the hilarity that was Sehun's friendship with her brother. What surprised me most about this was that the acting wasn't as horrid as I was expecting it to be considering their profession is singing/dancing.
Story is as predictable as can be. The question 'What would happen if my favorite band lived next door' was answered with a gift from heaven for a fangirl.
Though i must say. My favorite character by far was the lead actress' brother. His bromance with Sehun made my heart flutter and brought tears to my eyes from laughter whenever they interacted.
So, to be frank. I started this show being handed a romance. I left this show holding a bromance.
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Story | A regular high school senior is struggling in school with tests and college expectations building on her shoulders. One day while on her way to take a test that will "determine the rest of her life", she became able to transport to a different era through the rain. She then enters the Joseon era and encounters a whole new set of problems. Nothing new but for some reason, it's something I don't really get tired of.
Cast | I'm so happy to see Kim Seul Gi in a main role! I've only see her in a few things and adored her unique acting. She gave her character such a refreshing feel. Not sure how others will feel, but nothing about her acting was at all annoying and I quite loved how it was different than the typical main actress. Oh Doojoon. I really need to watch more of his works. He did a lot better than I had expected and in my opinion, I thought he showed perfect emotions in his face, which is pretty big for me. Him and Seul Gi were great together! Again, I wasn't expecting much but their chemistry clicked right away and I enjoyed every second of their screen time together. Their relationship developed so naturally I really can't praise them enough. Supporting cast was great too. Ahn Hyo Seop was a little awkward but his character clicked perfect with Seul Gi's as well and I enjoyed his character.
Music | There were a few songs that were used for this drama, I believe Kim Hyung Joong sang for this special and I enjoyed all the songs used.
Rewatch | Most definitely. Only 2 episodes and I loved every second of it. I already want to go back and rewatch it again.
Overall | Why can't Korean dramas always be this easy to watch?! Minimal drama but still enough to push the story along without anything feeling dragged out. The first episode felt like I had already watched 7 episodes of a regular Korean drama and was extremely content. I'm sad because this special was only 2 episodes but I'm happy because I wouldn't want this to be dragged out to 16 episodes..maybe. I honestly wouldn't mind more episode with Doojoon and Seul Gi. Maybe I'm just too big of a sucker for romance dramas. This is a very easy drama to get through and it's perfect for days when you don't feel like watching your "Currently Watching" list but also don't feel like start another 20-24 episode drama.
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2
2Intimate, empathetic and observant slice-of-life story
The simplicity of "Blueming" really enabled the show to focus on more serious topics such as insecurities, loneliness, and self-doubts. It's simple, raw and the dialogues are written with such authenticity that it makes it really easy to relate to the characters. It was refreshing to see how mundane their struggles were, and I loved how this show "normalized" pain. Not only that, but it doesn't judge its characters for the feelings they have. Quite a few of us might have felt that our pain isn't worth mentioning and I like how it acknowledges that no matter what you're going through, your feelings are valid. I also appreciate how they didn't give us the usual perfect main leads, instead the characters and dialogues are written with such empathy that it made the story feel genuine.The romance is quite uneventful and I think the story benefits greatly from it. There aren't any grand gestures or declarations, instead you can see them slowly opening up to each other. It's clear they found someone they can be vulnerable with and not fear being judged. I thought their bond and the growing trust was realistically portrayed, proving you don't need a full-length show to convincingly build up a relationship.
Fitting for a story about film students, the cinematography is beautiful. It utilizes lighting and shadows to create atmospheric shots that added an artistic feel to the show. Moreover, it was rather clever that they used filming techniques they talked about in class during one of the episodes. Both lead actors seemed pretty comfortable in their roles and managed to portray the awkwardness and growing attraction quite well. The performances were rather understated, which was fitting for the story. The little touches between them and their body language felt natural and intimate. Once again, the simplicity of it all made it feel realistic and authentic.
"Blueming" is a subtle and quiet depiction of everyday struggles that will tug on your heartstrings. Some dialogues felt so familiar, and I think that's why the story resonated with me. It's a story that lingers in your thoughts, and some conversations were so well-written I could write an essay about it. It may not be perfect in all aspects, but it manages to observantly tell a story of mundane struggles in an engaging and touching way.
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A lighthearted, warm and sweet drama
The overall feel is very positive. The setting is warm and natural, the acting is natural, and the characters are wonderfully designed. Especially Miles delivers a stellar performance, both in terms of acting and looks. His little expressions and subtle gestures are lively and natural and the stark contrast in his character comes across as completely seamless. Zheng He Huizi is pretty and expressive. Their chemistry is amazing! Many details of the plot are handled very realistically. The supporting cast is also great; and their acting is very natural. The plot also has some lighthearted humor. The series is both visually appealing and hilarious overall. Pacing is good. The novel is well written and most of the script has followed it which is a big plus!Final review: Engaging story, stunning visuals and great acting. The dual timeline concept successfully created and executed.
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Story-The story is about how the drama world functions, it tries to highlight the differences and similarities between dramas and real life. In the romantic part it's completely different from any kdrama that I've ever seen. So to give you an idea, the leads are exes, so it isn't about how they fall in love, but rather how real couples relate. I loved it because it was a completely realistic story and the kind of romance that shows is completely mature, as opposed to you typical romcom. Also I love that the story isn't only about their relationship. It really shows how the drama business function, and I loved the stories of the supporting characters, specially Uhm Ki Joon and Seo Hyo Rim's. I love that throughout the drama you can see all kinds of love, and that the main idea it that sometimes reality is way better.
Cast-Hyun Bin and Song Hye Kyo are like the bomb together, they have so much chemistry that at some scenes I thought the whole thing was gonna explode. I wasn't surprised at all when I found out they announced they were a couple in real life two months after the drama, I mean, you could totally see it through the screen. I loved Son Hye Kyo's evolution from Full House to Worlds Within, it shows she really grew as an actress and left behind her innocent self. The supporting actors where all really great, and each really had a chance to shine at least in an episode.
Music-The olnly thing that wasn't perfect in here. It wasn't bad but it wasn't anything special. Actually, it resembles a lot to My Girl's OST.
Rewatch Value-Definitely will rewatch it soon, I loved it, specially the cute scenes that make your heart melt.
Overall-This is a great drama, I recommend it for anyone, it has everything from romance (a lot), to comedy, family, friendship, drama and simply life.
I really loved this drama and I hope that through this review I can encourage at least a person to watch it. If you ever read this and because of this start watchingt this drama, please send me a message or leave a comment on my profile, it would mean a lot to me.
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