Reviews

Love on a star!

Surprised at the negative reviews, so guess it’s one of those dramas that you either love or hate.
Well I loved it. Thought it was cute and funny. It did get a bit confusing at times but on the whole I enjoyed it. Although t was more or less expecting it to end the way it did I was also slightly disappointed. It was sort of left open as if there might be another series. I liked the music, it was kind of catchy. The FL and Ml played their parts well and I liked that the FL showed she wasn’t going to be bowed to achieve her dreams. Yes, overall it was lighthearted but think that was the intention,, it certainly cheered my days up!

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An enjoyable drama

This was a one damn good drama, the leads are pretty (which is an important thing Lol), The story plot was smooth with no serious misunderstandings or conflicts, the comedy was good and their acting is on point, I liked how they expressed the definition of doctors and nurses, I liked the teamwork and the cherishment of lives, and a very important point; the number of episodes is just right and the length of each episode isn't long which makes it un boring since I've suffered lately from the extra unnecessary no. of episodes in my dramas, it could've gotten a 9/10 but no because of the dumbness of the FL and the kind of rudeness of the ML (your typical Jdrama) but they had a good growth of character throughout the episodes so it wasn't annoying like other similar themed dramas. in conclusion, it was a delightful enjoyable show.

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Do you believe in magic!

The sound of magic is musical fantasy drama about a girl who meets a unknown and suspicious magician who make her believe in magic.
For me it's my first ever musical korean drama and the music was so so good it's feels like you are watching a Disney musical movie.
The top Tier cast and the very heartwarming story made it to the top drama of this year and ji chang wook and Hwang in yeop was "chef's kiss" personally started this drama only because of Hwang is yeop but i love the storyline.
The storyline was so fresh and new to kdrama world and the ending was so heartwarming i literally felt so many emotions after completing the drama,the female lead was also good in her role she was your typical poor girl with all the problems in her life but how magic helped her was so heartwarming to watch Hwang in yeop was a top student but has so many pains behind his all success, ji chang wook literally masters the role of a magician i am glad he picked this scrip and his story was so emotional to watch.
Recommend watch

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The misunderstandings never stop

The overall of this drama is not that bad. But it will not make me wanna rewatch it again. The storyline of this drama is really light-hearted with no deep storyline or anything but the sweet moment between the ML is almost like the shortest moment ever before another misunderstandings occur. Although their sweet moments really short, but it never fails to make it romantic which I believe the casts acting are really good. But I still hope that the storyline should be more developed and there is kind of repetition of action taken by the leads. So its kinda expected at some point which makes the drama not that exciting. The music also not that bad.

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Adventures Upon Adventures

The characters have great chemistry. Like the first part of the Lost Tomb Series, the continuations takes you on many different journey.

However, there are still too many loose ends even if there is another season. Some of the loose ends should have been tied up this season.

What is the deal with Little Brother? This is not revealed yet. Nor why is he shown as the protector of Wu Xie, What is the deal with Ah Ning and her father? What is the deal with Wu Xie's uncle?

What really happened after they "seemed" to be rescued by Wu Xie's uncle? How did Wu Xie loose his memory. And lots more.

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A short web drama with really important messages

That's how I would sum up this drama.
It's about different gender issues in real life and always ends the episode with a comforting message, giving you good advise.

While they do show clearly who's doing wrong and why this drama is not pointing fingers or using stereotypes we might expect which I truly appreciate.
Not every male being is an offender and not every feminist is a man-hating fury.
The drama deals with the negative perception of the term feminist and gives a good answer to that.

Here we have different personality types, Chae Ah is the outgoing type who has no problem speaking out when she thinks something is unfair, Ye Ji is the complete opposite being shy and introverted, worried about how speaking out could affect her social life.
I could relate to Shin Hye the most. She's feels that it's wrong of a guy to casually touch her leg while they are out drinking something with others but doesn't want to jump to wrong conclusions or misjudge anyone. She's thinking a lot before acting and also considers the other person. We get to see how she changes, learning that you have to listen to your heart and when something feels wrong it's okay to be sensitive about it and speak out.

It shouldn't be "normal" for a woman to get stared at like a piece of meat when she's wearing a short skirt or okay for man to speak with a woman and look at her boobs all the time instead of her eyes (this really happened to me by the way and it really felt disgusting). This drama addresses such issues and that's why I enjoyed it. It's not exaggerating such situations but show them how they really are. That also includes sexual harassment against man, which is why I recommend to watch this no matter what your gender is.

To sum it up: It's a heartwarming, comforting and healing drama with funny scenes but also a lot that make you think.
For me the core message of this drama is to be considerate of each other and that's something entirely unrelated to gender.

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One Spring Night took me aback with it's poignant anecdotes and life lessons spoken from those in different positions in life. I originally had this drama on hold after the first episode because I believed it would be slow paced and boring, but I deeply regret not picking it up sooner. This is such a beautiful, gentle show that contains almost everything I could ever ask for in romance storytelling.

STORY - 10/10

The general setting of One Spring Night circulates between the love story of a woman who seems to have the rest of her life planned out for her and a man who struggles trying to make plans for himself, and the many societal issues that correspond to them falling for one another. The situations the leads placed themselves in were unlike anything I had ever witnessed before in a drama - they were so grounded, realistic, and handled that way too. It wasn't exaggerated or taken into a dramatic approach for the sake of the drama's contingency. The concept of a woman in a dying relationship and a single father who only lives for his son is one I could not have picked up simply if not for the amazing way the drama was written and directed. Alongside this, the side stories between Jeong-in's sisters became a reminder that this is what love may resort to. Love may become diluted and dark, or merely simple and fleeting, not always the shiny bright sparks and cherry blossoms that many kdramas seem to provide us.

However, the writers give us their own interpretation of such a love with the main leads in such a deep and devoted manner. While countless romance dramas and films have made me feel envious towards relationships and the usual feeling of "wanting romance in my life", this one really takes the cake. Jeong-in and Ji-ho's developing love for one another is so gentle and natural that it almost feels like slow burn. You constantly root for them to finally be happy together and individually, and you're left with the realization that this is what love is SUPPOSED to be. Forget the cheesy skinships and the inevitable heart racing moments - two people who remain devoted to supporting and loving each other despite the countless difficulties that unravel just from the thought of being together? That's what I want.

The overall reason I gave this story a 10/10 is because while the plot is not outlandish and the kind that garners attention or extra viewing points, it's a real love story with real people. It makes me feel like I'm experiencing it myself and feeling it for myself. The aesthetic that comes from such a concept served a lot for how much I loved the show, too.

ACTING/CAST - 10/10

God, where do I begin? I loved the cast so much. I initially started watching this show for it's two main leads. Han Jimin, who starred in my other favorite drama, The Light In Your Eyes, and Jung Hae-in, who I just adore in general regardless of what character he plays. Their chemistry was out of this world and added onto the realistic touch this show loved to go for. While skinship wasn't exactly as excessive as, for example, Weightlifting Fairy, they take their character's ages and personalities into consideration to develop the perfect formula of a couple in their late 20s-early 30s. Each character served a purpose in the story and almost none could really be considered an antagonist in their own sense (except for the abusive husband. He could go screw himself lol), which is what amplifies my love for this drama even deeper.

MUSIC - 9/10

I usually never listen to all of a drama's OSTs after watching, but this came as an exception. Although I finished One Spring Night several months ago, I still find myself listening to the OST every now and then. The music is so soft and calming and suits the drama perfectly. I loved the old retro feel the music gave to the show as well as how it precisely gave that sense of belonging, fear and slowness the story represented.

REWATCH VALUE - 7/10

I usually never rewatch heavy dramas, and the slow pace of this one certainly contributes to why I wouldn't prefer rewatching the entire show again. I'll certainly stick around for their adorable romance moments, though.

OVERALL - 9/10

Beautiful storytelling, a wonderful cast with a gorgeous soundtrack. If you love slow paced yet satisfying romance with touches of realism and lack of cliches, then this drama is definitely for you.

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It’s very good and sweet. They’re very good at acting and the story line is well done. Also, the music goes so well with the scenes and I could listen to the music on repeat. If you’re looking for something romantic and funny to watch then I totally recommend this lakorn ?? I really liked this lakorn because Bella really acted well playing as two different characters and Pope worked hard to speak in Boran. I liked how this lakorn mainly focused on their love. I’m done with this lakorn but I honestly can keep watching it. If you want to watch with English subtitles then there is a Facebook page where they have subtitles for it. The page is called “SJDK Fan Sub”

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oh my god

Let’s keep it short and simple. This was absolutely amazing.
At first it started so light hearted and corny and I laughed at a few of the jokes but then it took this more serious turn a few episodes in. It didn’t throw me off though it just made me want to watch it more.
At first I wasn’t too sure about the main characters chemistry but as the episodes progressed I became obsessed with them. There was something about the way they interacted that had made my heart swell(speaking of this drama made me cry on multiple occasions— not because it was sad per se but it was almost bittersweet?their love was something i could only wish to have someday)
Also the soundtrack was jaw dropping— I think it was a big reason why I cried so much. Overall it was amazing and I wish I could experience love like the two main characters. Definitely recommend!!

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A dream is a wish your heart makes...

Rainless Love in a Godless Land was an ambitious Taiwanese drama that wove together romance, Amis myths, and mind-bending thoughts on truth and reality, memory and emotion. On top of all that the drama brought home humans' responsibility for the blessings of the Earth and our place in stewardship of the environment.

*No big spoilers*

"The end of the world is silent. It creeps up on you, you just don't notice."

Orad, the messenger of the chief god Kakarayan, is also the god of rain. He is helping to gather the Kawas, basically spirits of blessings, to send them back to the spiritual realm. Kakarayan is withdrawing his blessing from the planet which will result in a rainless Armageddon. Tien Ti, a local tour guide, crosses paths with Orad and for what turns out to not be the first time. Her fate and the beginning of the world's end are tied together. When Orad chooses free will over predestination it throws the Bureau of Corrections into crisis management mode.

"Behind every lie is a wish waiting to come true."

I will admit to liking the story more than the characters at times. Although there were a few heartfelt moments, much of the more meaningful romance was shown through flashbacks. A couple of the kisses were the guppy kind with eyes open and lips barely touching which felt awkward given Tien Ti's age and romantic history. Because she wasn't invested in the romance I found it hard to invest in it. Tien Ti often treated Orad hostilely, as more of a servant to do her bidding than a possible love interest. Orad kept his emotions close to his vest until he was truly faced with making every day choices that flustered him. Tien Ti would rail against being treated as special and then turn around and ask for special favors. When she was given a taste of power, she found it to be a more complicated thing than she first realized.

"What you see is the deity's will and what god sees as the truth."

Toam, goddess of the cloud, was one of the more complex characters and Alice Ko was magnificent as the morally ambiguous spirit. I found her far more compelling than Tien Ti and a more stylish dresser, too. Fali, head of the Bureau of Corrections, was another character who waffled between good and selfish. A lonely child who had been alone too long, he set into motion many of the characters' actions. Pu Hui was a fun sidekick for Orad though he was a terrible husband.

"When a lie is exposed, what happens to the lie?"

Orad and the Kawas Yaka found out that free will and making your own choices can lead you where you might or might not want to end up. There is a price to pay for freedom. Tien Ti struggled to have free will and make her own choices to alter her fate and the fate of the world. Other times, she was willing to give in to predestination. The drama also showed how emotions and memories are tied together.

"What I wish to see will become what you shall see."

I loved the OST for this drama. I thought the music fit the variety of moods perfectly and truly enjoyed the songs and background music. The drawback for me other than the subdued romance, were the travel office scenes. I didn't mind them at first when they were world building, but as the apocalypse was beginning it seemed surreal to think people were going to want to travel as the water began to dry up and pestilence hit. The use of flashbacks felt repetitive and overused at times. Tien Ti's mood swings could be exhausting as well.

"You are a wish I prayed for"

What is the difference between a lie and a wish? A lie has no future, but a wish might. What is real and what is a dream? Even scientists say it's possible our reality may be an illusion so is it really a lie if we perceive it to be real? Or is it simply a wish manifested? Rainless Love in a Godless Land twisted and turned through myth and perceived reality. I bought into the wish and the lie, hoping that both had happy endings.

9/4/23

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The story is great honestly, of course the main characters aren't in complete sane mind but it's the plot which is served very nicely I expected way worse when I choose to watch it and what I got is great acting, story, effects and properly set story line with explanations and no sudden rushes. Yes it is a little gore but from comments I expected more and with what I saw in movie I am completely fine with it since it isn't all over the movie, it focused more on story and relationships as well revealing each character personality which I enjoyed and could see the efforts.
All in all it is movie worth attention. It even has few twists, I enjoy this kind of movies so I expected it since I like to think deeply trough all details so people who like a little gore or heart warming moments or just some twists in general this movie is for you. It might sound weird how I mentioned heart warming moments I don't want to spoil but the movie is really nice that has all kind of moments. Friendships, love, rivalry, grudge you will see all kind of emotions here that are served well.

Sorry I am bat at reviewing without spoiling but just couldn't let this have no review because maybe some people need a push to watch this and are debating too long so if you're just considering I am here to tell it's worth your time.

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Wonderful mini-show with a sweet love story

This is such a wonderful mini-show. Even if the storyline sometimes jumps a little too much and creates a brief confusion, it makes sense after a short while. I love these stories where someone goes into a novel/manga/comic book and has to complete missions to go back.
Character wise: FL is clever and works on the missions tirelessly. ML (or 2ML in the book) is so cool and it’s obvious why FL falls in love with him instead.
Acting wise: Most of the actors are pretty good but some have a tendency to over-act a bit. That is normal for these shows with short formats. It didn’t ruin anything.
Only thing I thought was that it’s a bit too fast paced. As I am not proficient in Chinese, that is a bit of a problem because I had to slow down the speed to 0,75 and even had to pause every now and then - and I actually read English very well (my 2nd language).
Well, if you like a fast paced, funny and interesting mini-show - with a great love story to spice it up - this is definitely well worth watching.

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what can i say, it’s really good. the cast is top notch, the storyline is intense and the synopsis is captivating. “Seher” feels she can’t move past that trauma, but she accomplished so much present day which proves she was stronger than she believed.

The two characters (sheng hua and Chen Xi) are stuck in a universal boomerang where the same trauma occurs present day. this seems tragic, but the universe is trying to give them a second chance to defeat their oppressors. the promise they made as teens to give life a try until adulthood becomes the statement which provokes them to finally avenge their past and defeat that part of them that hides and allows the same trauma to repeat.


The friendships of Chen Xi is complicated but genuine at best. even though they’ve made big mistakes, they stayed by her side. that’s seriously enough to show that they do genuinely love her. (the acting from the friends, again top notch). Although Chen Xi runs away from the people in her life as a normal reaction to discomfort, she keeps an open heart for forgiveness. Her past partner, also deserves props for trying but her current partner Hao Ming/Chiang Yu was probably my favorite cast member of the show. he’s rooted in integrity, sometimes maybe to a fault, but he (just like Chen Xi’s brother) practically lives to protect her. a true “ride or die”.
the soundtrack (intro) song matches so well with the events and more so exudes the feeling of protection and love from Hao Ming who falls in love with Seher and is motivated to become a better person after meeting her. it’s truly a beautiful song and show. worth a rewatch as i’m still attached to the characters..

“don’t push yourself too hard. when you’re in pain don’t be afraid to ask for help. even if you feel stuck in the past, be good to yourself.”

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Simple Life in the Village

This drama is short and simple. It does not elicit any strong emotions, but serves a bit of humor along with warm emotions, which makes it great for those who do not have a lot of time for drama-watching, but want their fix.

Story: The main lead is omnipotent, but that is part of the drama’s charm. It’s a feel-good story about making the best of your circumstances, helping those in need, and having fun along the way. Each episode is its own mini event that is usually solved within the next seven minutes. This makes for a fast-moving series that does not linger on any one event or emotion. Blink and you miss it.

Characters: Chi Yue is an actress, who transmigrated into an old village. She believes she’s going back some time soon, so she doesn’t get attached to anything or anyone, but she can’t just watch her step children being abused or her friend suffer. She uses her knowledge of the modern world and her acting abilities to change the fate of herself, the children, and those she cares about.

Romance: Present, but also not. Ji Hong may be the Male Lead, but he has all the characteristics of a Second Male Lead. He's kind, compassionate, and always ready to help. He also has no chance whatsoever to win the Female Lead's heart. Chi Yue sees him as a friend she can rely on and that is all.

Overall, the drama was a good way to kill a couple hours. It’s a story about a woman solving her problems and taking care of her stepkids. Very cute.

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A small word of warning to potential watchers, especially the ones that love the fluffy dramas: This is the type of kdrama that delights in twisting the knife after it stabs you in the gut to prove a point. The Bridal Mask may not break you, but it sure as heck will try. There isn't a ton of comedic relief, unless you prescribe to action peppered with dark humor, and the plot tension is almost constant from the start. Fortunately for me, I'm the kind of disturbing person that likes all of that stuff, especially when it's paired with beautiful visuals and a solid OST to boot.

Story:
At its heart, The Bridal Mask pits conflicting concepts against each other in poignant ways. Themes such as the importance of identity, fate vs. choice, devotion to a cause vs. personal desires, and the need for revolution dominate the storyline. Each and every character suffers for what they believe; the story demands that they prove their loyalties time and time again, no matter what side they're on. There are occasional imperfections and the story sometimes becomes obvious, but my enjoyment didn't lessen.

As much as I love my romance stories, the true strength of The Bridal Mask is the star-crossed relationship between our antihero lead, Lee Kang To, and his childhood friend, Kimura Shunji. Their layers are explored with every major plot point, and their symbiotic link powers so many feels. It's about more than just two best friends. Their internal priorities matter. Their family ties and conflicting heritages matter. Their decisions matter.

There isn't a straight-up vanilla hero in this drama. At the beginning of the story, Lee Kang To voluntarily works for a government who oppresses his neighbors and family. He stops at nothing to get what he wants, even if it means torturing an innocent person (this includes women, y'all) for information. Japanese and Koreans alike demean him and (in some cases) torture him for his choices, and the chip on his shoulder feeds into the man he is. Even placing Kang To aside, the other leads have inner demons and misconceptions, some of them more apparent than others, and the show doesn't let these characters spiral into wasted opportunity. It absolutely brings them out to play to enhance the themes of the story. This is MY JAM.

Acting/Cast:
I had no expectations of the cast, having never met them before in other dramas, and I remember the moment it happened - the moment I knew it was true love. I lay in bed at nearly two in the morning, tears streaming down my face because of a side character - A SIDE CHARACTER - over his seemingly insignificant yet incredibly moving part in the story. And that's the kind of drama The Bridal Mask is.

The crew spare no expense in acting talent when it comes to the cast. Joo Won, Park Ki Woong, and Han Chae Ah especially shine in their parts, and the stress they must have endured is evident. Some of the scenes they pull off are incredibly difficult and draining. The supporting cast also provide the perfect setup and delivery for the plot and main cast.

I would rate this section a full 10/10 if one principal actor - Jin Se Yeon - fulfilled her role completely as a lead actress. She begins with fire and conviction, immediately catching my attention, but she doesn't quite reach the talent level the others have. This isn't her worst performance in a drama (by far), but the other cast carry her in a few scenes as we reach the climax of the story. Ueno Rie (played by Han Chae Ah) is, by far, the better of the two female leads, both in character complexity and acting talent. If you're looking for a lady badass, she'll be the one to watch for.

Music:
The Bridal Mask has an excellent soundtrack and score. My love for it could be blurred by nostalgia, but I enjoy its blend of eastern and western flavor, which carries through in the drama itself. It’s exactly the type of soundtrack and score that I look for in a drama, and the instrumentals especially are my favorite.

Rewatch Value:
I don't normally rate high-tension and emotional dramas "well" in the rewatch value category, if it can be called that. I think a drama can be better for having a low rewatch value if the message and takeaway value are long-lasting. The Bridal Mask is an exception for me, though. When I'm in the mood for angst and antiheroes, which is often, it's one of my first stops.

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