Reviews

Flawed

I have such mixed feelings about this!

#1.) On the one hand, I almost recommend everyone watch this drama just for having the extremely rare representation that is an AroAce lead and discussing Asexuality. On the other hand, I have to criticize the drama for incorrectly using the term "Asexual" for its FL when it should be AroAce.

#2.) On the one hand, the Queer characters are shown to come to their own conclusions regarding their sexuality. Example: Asahi, the Pan ML, mentions how he once thought he was Gay and even uses the label "Bisexual" for a short time before settling on calling himself Pansexual. On the other hand, there was this subtle idea that Queer people should be the ones comforting and easing the guilt of others. And by having a character come out solely for the person they love, that coming out is something to do for others rather than yourself.

#3.) On the one hand, the conversations between characters about sex education and other "taboo" topics are great! On the other hand, the group of girls often will start an episode being insanely judgemental about a topic only to completely open up and be understanding by the end. I felt whiplash from the sudden shift!

I would absolutely love to cover my eyes and give this a 9/10 or even a 10/10. But there are issues here that I just can't unsee.

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Method actor in action

Surprisingly, this drama delivers great depth in the character interactions. I mean, from the title and knowing it's based on the Hollywood movie, we already know the entire story. And despite the premise, this show doesn't overdo the silly circumstantial humor, which is something I'm not fond of. Instead, it portrays deep character interactions to make the story come to life.

Many have written about the outstanding acting of Lee Do Hyun playing a man in a teenager's body. I've read interviews that mention he is a method actor. This seems spot on considering his overwhelming intensity and charisma. He fills the screen with energy and truly becomes the father's character. He steals every scene he's in, and he makes this show what it is. He is one of the most talented actors I've seen and considering how young and new he is on the k-drama scene (he is only 25 yo in this role), it is impressive!

Some reviewers have complained about the way Dae Young is treated in the story. He shoulders pretty much all the blamed for the failure of his marriage and everything that has gone wrong with his family. I agree that the writing is lacking in this area. Dae Young and Da Jung never have the chance to deeply discuss the elements of their marriage. They also don't get a chance to heal Dae Young's feelings about giving up his dreams for his family. Where the beautiful depth of interaction lies is between Dae Young and his children. They are given many opportunities to interact with each other when Dae Young becomes their teenage friend. These moments are so lovely and well done that you almost wish they could stay friends this way forever. Roh Jeong Eui and Ryeoun play Dae Young's children so well. They are a joy to watch.

There are a few other flaws as well. The biggest are the distracting sub-plots that go nowhere: the stalker, the internet troll, the car crash, and the corrupt coach. These events are silly, brief, and pointless. I believe it's mostly a writing issue, but Kim Ha Neul as Da Jung comes off as too pouty. She isn't given much to do, other than switching back and forth between strong reporter/mother to pouty woman. And disappointingly, there is a scene where a character is at a cosplay event dressed as Aladdin with slightly darker face make-up. It's racist even if the intent wasn't there.

Despite the silly sub-plots, I was OK with the tiny love triangle where Da Jung is wooed by the baseball player Ji Hoon, and supports him as he navigates issues of raising a kid on his own. However, this could have been done with more meaning and deeper conversations between the two of them. And speaking of lacking meaning, I also thought that the treatment of Da Jung as a divorcee who was a teen mom was heavy handed. It's a big missed opportunity to truly deal with the issue beyond simply going with what public opinion of her was from day to day.

I must end by mentioning Lee Mi Do who plays Da Jung's lawyer friend, and Kim Kang Hyun who plays Dae Young's friend who pretends to be his father. Both have amazing comedic talents and despite the over-the-top situations they find themselves in, they never lose empathy for their characters or go overboard with the hysterics. Instead, they balance their characters out really well. And finally, if you've seen the show, you will have noticed the set and costume designers' love of pastel colors. It was fun to see them throughout the show in the school, the office elevator, and in Da Jung's wardrobe. I'm not sure what it was meant to symbolize, but it was a fun addition.

All in all, this was a treat to watch because of Lee Do Hyun's complete transformation. Even though we know how it ends, it was a fun ride getting there.

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Cuteness Overload

I was immersed in this wonderfully wholehearted and hysterical J-BL that was just a marvel to watch. After finishing My Beautiful Man, I thought -- why not watch the other one on my list? And man, was I impressed. Now, this series is far from a cinematic masterpiece, or anything to ponder deeply about, but I always give credit to the small BLs that lift my spirit and make me wish to be engrossed in their reality. Kieta Hatsukoi is a refreshing BL, full of fun experiences, funny circumstances, surprising plot twists, a leading romance that I can approve of, and a het couple I didn't hate!

Let's Dive In!

Kieta Hatsukoi was an endearing melodramatic BL that tells the story of Aoki and an incident with an eraser that gets him in some "troubles" with the handsome and brooding Ida. Through their story, we meet other characters that help to give our leads a happily ever after. This was very wholesome and just simply cute. In each episode, you are fully into the story, falling in love with each attribute and the way the characters carry the plot along. Everything on-screen looks like it's dowsed in a dream, and yet it still holds to be realistic in such an exaggerated way. This series held up great, with noticeable character development, an easy-going plot that flowed perfectly, and one that I will treasure for a while.

Let's start with what I loved: I genuinely did not dislike a single character. Not even the ones that had the very itty-bitty amount of screen time. There was something to adore about all of them, whether it was their charm, their personality, or their small storyline, I just really enjoyed them all.

I enjoyed that the side het couple had a decent plot, and weren't there to, at any point, take down the leads. There were actually some parts where I was really interested in Aida and Hashimoto's little romance. While I think some parts were lacking, it was overall cute, very bubbly, and a nice side story.

I think I loved Fukumoto more than I think I was supposed to. I absolutely loved her performance as Hashimoto, she's so adorable, her role fit her to the T, and I hope to see her in future series. I enjoyed the leads, some things were a bit iffy, but for the most part, they both did a good job. One thing I love the most about J-dramas, in general, is the exaggerated way they profess themselves. There are plenty of moments in KH where their movements, their motions, their bodies just contrive to create this really unique work of expression. They do such an extraordinary job, each and every one of them.

The love between Ida and Aoki, while not the most intricate, is still very enjoyable to watch. We see the build-up, we watch the execution and all the beautiful moments in-between, to end with the perfectly imperfect pair that still has a lot of learning and growing to do individually. But I enjoyed that we already see that growth at the end. Aoki's problem was that he was insecure about himself, he was frightened if the outside knew who he was or who he liked, and through his own personal journey, he learns to accept his truth and that others eventually will too. Ida's problem was that in the beginning, he was a bit selfish while also being too selfless. He said yes to everything, and because of that, he was hurting the one who cared for him the most. He was comparing feelings as one, when "having fun" and "being in love" are two completing different feelings that he had to understand. It took him time, but eventually, he realized the feeling he felt when around Aoki, and was able to confess it by the end. This is the type of character development I love, the one I strive to see.

Their date out and about town was the absolute thing to die for. I loved everything about it.

Some things that could've used work: Aoki getting upset with Ida after he teases him is very odd. Nothing about the teasing even was bad, or considerably rude. They needed something to cause a bit of turf between them, but it's frivolous and throws you off on how out-of-the-blue it is. It wasn't needed, it was honestly kind of upsetting, and I just know there was a better way to handle it.

The situation between the coach and their rival team helper was kind of weird. While he never acted on her pursuits for him, the entire story was just not needed. it was to show Aoki's jealousy, which I can understand, but there was, again, a better way to handle it.

Some parts of the series were kind of slow, The first few episodes were a bit of a doozy to try to get through. I had to kind of push my way through, but eventually, at about episode 3 or 4, I started piquing my interest.

While the romance is really sweet, I think there should be some form of a kiss at the end. Instead, we get nothing, even though, in the episode before, Aoki stresses about taking the next step which is kissing Ida, and in one circumstance they almost do. I don't think intimacy is needed in a series if the actors are able to put on a great romance, however, I think a kiss is what was needed to really tie up the ending. They were having the perfect moment for it, so I do wish that was something that happened.

Rating:

Story: 8 - I'll take two stars off for the very interesting beginning. I think the setup was nice, but it still didn't take away how boring it was. The rest is really good. I also liked the plot twist of Hashimoto not liking Ida and actually liking Aida.

Acting: 9 - Again, I really appreciated the acting, probably one of the best parts of this series. I'll take one star off for some iffy things throughout.

Music: 8 - To my surprise, I really enjoyed the music, and it was noticeably good. Meguro Ren whole sang one of the songs sounded like an angel. Very good.

Rewatch value: 1 - This was cute, but very less likely to come back and watch. Maybe some parts.

Overall, a very nice and enjoyable watch. The episodes are only about 30 minutes long, so it only took me a few days to get through. I highly recommend, as it has become one of my favorite J-BLs.

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Writing takes a nosedive after episode 6

Wow. Kim Sae Ron's DUI truly destroyed the momentum the show had built up and they did NOT stick the landing. What started off as simple, yet focused, story meandered into a laughable mess. Bringing in Siwon to serve a major role in the climax was a huge mistake. His presence earlier on the story did not warrant the role he played later on. And the other female character? The definition of deus ex machina. The production should have just bit the bullet and kept Kim Sae Ron for the last two episodes. Her role was just too significant to have been written out in that manner, and it didn't align with her character's values to fuck off to the Rome.

The cast and action sequences are really what made the drama stand out. The writing was, initially, much better than your usual K-Drama fare and didn't rely on any of the tired tropes we see in crime-thriller K-Dramas. It felt more cinematic in its nature. But the characters behaved so stupid, at times, that it just felt silly. Hyeon-ju, Gun-woo, and Woo-jin making bad decisions wasn't nearly as bad as seeing President Choi and his knifers make such obvious blunders. Those two knifers had death flags the minute they appeared on screen, but I wish their deaths hadn't been so stupid. You're a VETERAN in the business yet you're not covering your tracks when going against a HUGE gang? Dumb. The ending just emphasised everything that was wrong with the writing prior to the concluding episodes.

Should have been a BL btw. Gay subtext was crazy lol.

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I both really enjoyed this show and was really frustrated with this show. It took me a really long time to complete this drama. Halfway through I just couldn't find that spark to want to watch the next episode. I kept finding myself watching Running Man instead, always telling myself that I just needed a break or I just wanted to laugh today. But, I finally did get back to finishing this one. It was a little painful there at the end. I don't think this one will be in the re-watch list.

I'll start with a few things that I really did enjoy. I felt that the chemistry between the two leads was very real. The expressions they exchanged, their playful banter, and the way they touched one another all made me believe that they were falling in love. I had a good time watching them fall in love, it was adorable and cute and well written. I also truly appreciated the chemistry of the palace cook, Geon Lee, and the maid, Shin Mi So. They were totally adorable with Lee Seol and with one another. They were fun to watch throughout the entire show.

Lee Seol's adoptive mom, Kim Da Bok, was excellent. Though I do really like the actress, Im Ye Jin. The way she reacted to all the ups and downs of what was happening to Lee Seol and what Lee Seoul was causing to happen was amazing. It really felt like a loving mother-daughter relationship. Some of my favorite scenes are with Lee Soel and Kim Da Bok. They were just great together.

Some things that confused me with the family in general was Lee Dan. I realize that the writers were attempting to show that Lee Dan and Lee Seol did not have a good relationship in the beginning of the show, but it just felt forced. Towards the end as Lee Dan tries to provide a reason for her actions to their mom Kim Da Bok it just didn't feel real to me. It didn't flow with the story, I couldn't really believe that Lee Dan was that angry and that hateful. Also, they could not talk enough about Lee Seol's real father. However, I'm pretty sure that they never once mention her mother, at all. Did the Emperor's wife die in childbirth? If not then where was she? It was obvious that Lee Seol and her biological father were alone together in all the flashbacks. I suppose I wanted something more definitive in regards to her mother.

The political intrigue with the President, Senator, and Yoon Joo at times felt like it was just too much. I understand that they were heavily opposed to reinstating the royal family, however, for this show it felt like to much. A lot of the scenes played like a romantic comedy, and then something with the political intrigue would occur and it would feel like a melodrama. It was just too heavy for me and too much for the way the show had been written in the first few episodes. I did like story of the last Emperor, his hidden son and granddaughter. I also liked the twist in how Park Dong Jae earned his wealth and built his empire, all of that was very well written and done.

I want to take a moment to talk about the clothing, costumes, and outfits of this show. On one hand you look at the men and they are all amazingly dressed. The suits were sharp, well tailored, and of high quality material. Each character had their own look and it fit him well. Their hair and accessories were excellent too. Then... oh man you look at the ladies. I mean come on, what was with Yoon Joo's hair? And even worse than that, her clothing especially hurt my eyes. Lee Seol was also a victim of terrible outfits. I have no idea what the designers were thinking, but the ladies looked terrible.

My last point is Hae Young. For the first part of the show it felt like he had a separate set of writers than the last half. In the first eleven episodes he was somewhat broody and moody and a little angry. Though he was working through these issues and trying to accept his feelings for Lee Seol. Then all of a sudden he was overly sweet and cute. The actor was the same, but it was a completely different part he was playing Hae Young became like a fifteen year old young man courting his high school crush. That made it very hard for me to enjoy the end of the show. It was such a sudden shift in the lead character.

It wasn't a bad way to spend sixteen hours, but it wasn't one of my favorites. I did enjoy the story and I liked a lot of the elements, but there were more things missing for them in the end.

Noona's Ratings
Overall: 7 (rated this 3 stars on DramaFever.com)
Story/Writing: 7
Cast Actors: 8
OST: 7
Sets Costumes: 6
Feels: 7

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Stellar story-telling with excellent characters and an interesting plot. There were no filler episodes and nothing wasted my time. It had a thoroughly satisfying ending. Beautifully done. I will definitely rewatch this one to see if the clues were there that could have solved the mystery for me, but as it was, I didn't know until the show revealed it, which is great because I usually solve the mystery halfway through which really annoys me. Don't be fooled though, while the mystery was interesting, it really isn't the point here. This is a drama about characters and life choices and relationships. Definitely worth watching

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I'd be lying if I said i didn't put this drama on hold after episode 8.

The story was able to live up to its cute rom-com theme but something about it being too bland or simple bored me and made me put this on hold. It probably was the many irrelevant side characters, or maybe that really slow progress in the leads relationship that annoyed me? I don't really know. I recently just picked up this drama again because I had nothing to watch and ended up being hooked to its cute story again! and guess what? I even cried at the last few episodes because the ending was beautiful! Despite some badly written scenes like that of Dong Hyun (staff of cleaning fairy) and of other side character's, everything was wrapped up and resolved very well in the end! Clean With Passion For Now gave me a number of roller coaster feels.

The drama had a handful of sweet and fluttering moments and the cinematography for those scenes were really nice. What's even better is that there was no complicated evil mother, or stuck up heiress girl to complicate the story and add more drama. The second guy was very cool too and not obsessive possessive like other dramas I know!
But what I really like most in this drama was the lead guy's personality not being arrogant. He has good character being innocent, kind, hard working, earnest, and persistent. The lead guy having mysophobia, his struggle, development from this illness, and his funny antics was just the cherry on top and did a lot to make this drama 10x more interesting!

I really like Yoon Gyun Sang's refreshing acting in this drama and I must say that he did really well portraying his character and was a great romantic lead! Kim Yoo Jung also did well in her role acting wise, and she had good chemistry with Yoon Gyun Sang. However, I must say she isn't ready for a mature role yet. Every time she acts mature I still see her as a teenager and couldn't really take her seriously, so yes the age gap every time they kissed somehow bothered me in a way. I squeal seeing Yoon Gyun Sang kiss so greatly and then in a while I see Kim Yoo Jung I get alarmed that it looks wrong in some way. ><

Finally, I must say, I do not regret putting this drama on hold and picking it up again, because if I forced myself to finish this, I wouldn't have appreciated it the way I did now. I guess this drama is good if you're in the mood to watch something simple, light, and sweet with good actors and great acting. Therefore my overall rating for Clean With Passion For Now is 8/10!

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Let's Think!

I was looking for a perfect drama that could introduce me to Japanese dramas. The one that wouldn't disappoint me and make the first impression a bad one. And certainly, after reading through a "2019 wrap up" article (thanks to the one who wrote it) I found - Mr Hiiragi's Homeroom, and it couldn't have been more perfect.

It was something unusual and different from what I was used to. And much more dramatic, like very dramatic at some points (for real)
The initial episodes were confusing, I was trying to wrap my mind around everything that was happening. The plot was building up and so was the mystery around it that I couldn't help but be curious about everything. I wanted to know the conclusion of it all. Why did he take his students as hostages? What is the point behind it? What are his reasons? And will the answers justify everything? Or will it be a disappointment at the end. And even though the cast overall acted brilliantly, the initial episodes seemed a bit heavy on drama, sometimes forced even, and less convincing to me for some reasons. But gradually the plot strengthened, it kept me on edge till the very end. And somehow with time it only got better and better in terms of both the plot and the characterization. There was a development with each episode. It was really emotional to see the students who were so adamant, stubborn and rebellious transforming into someone who was wise and considerate.

I thought Hiiragi was going too far with his motives, but now that I think about it, his roughness was instrumental in bringing about such a drastic change in his students. It all made sense!
The story became too good towards the end (the final episodes are my favourite)
The acting became less dramatic and more genuine with time.

The constant appeal made by Hiiragi, the emphasis on "thinking carefully" and "change". The way he promised his students that they will know his reasons made me believe in him and hold onto him. His signature phrase "Let's think!" may sound a bit lame at the beginning, but in the end one realizes its importance and symbolism.

Masaki Suda is a brilliant actor. He has acted so amazingly in the drama that I almost wish to have a sensei like him. His acting is a gem. I couldn't stop watching. He even received an award for best actor for this and it is well deserved. Nagano Mei was so cute and cheerful but also nailed the emotional scenes!

It's not a perfectly crafted drama, it definitely lacks at some places. The editing is off and not the bestest, but despite everything, the message that Hiiragi wants to convey to his students is something so important and something that people tend to overlook in present time. And for that, to know his reasons and the conclusions, it is a MUST watch. Because once you reach the point where finally you'll get your answers, you'll feel that it was worth it after all.

The drama is much more than what it really seems. It is more than a crime thriller. Even after a few days of finishing it, I can still feel the impact of Hiiragi's words. So do give it a try!

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I usually avoid family dramas at all costs. The larger the cast of focused characters, the quicker I lose interest. And god forbid there be more than one child in the show! But seriously, I have never been more impressed by a cast of child actors than I was with Stars Falling From the Sky! The children very quickly stole my heart, none moreso than Pa Rang.

When the show starts, Pal Kang is a frivolous, irritating young woman who doesn't care about anything other than landing the lawyer as her husband. This show does an amazing job of show casing her growth as a person and as a mother. My only complaint is the sheer number of times she felt the need to say that when she cut her hair in the bath house, that was when she stopped being a woman. There are some episodes where she felt the need to point that out 3 or more times! As for her male counterpart, his growth was also very interesting to watch. I definitely enjoyed just how much room the writers gave these characters to grow together.

As for the remaining cast, the nephew was hilarious, if a little too much at times. His love for Pal Kang was a welcome comedic relief though. And the three children's devotion to each of Pal Kang's potential husbands was also something that was really fun to watch. I never did end up liking the brother, Joon Ha, though. He always came off as kind of slimy, even when he was trying his hardest to be a sincere knight in shining armor. Ugh, and don't even get me started on Jae Yong. Her strict adherence to the idea that Kang Ha had to marry her absolutely, no matter what, was irritating, cause it's never given a clear motive of why. It doesn't make sense, the lengths she goes to to force Kang Ha into a relationship with her.

And this is definitely a show that ends up jumping the shark in the last episode. Majorly. Without spoiling it, let's just say, the last episode felt as if the writers were giving a big middle finger to the audience's intelligence, I have to say. Maybe if they had spent a little more time developing hte storyline they threw in in the last episode, it might have made more sense.

All in all, this show is a cute, easy watch. Nothing ground breaking or earth shattering, but fun and cute, even if you do end up wanting to punch several characters straight in the face at times.

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A true soap opera in every sense

Gets a seven on pure entertainment. Everything that can happen, happens in this show. Literally every week I came back to ride this crazy train and I was still surprised by the storyline.

First, the story. It's entertaining but... not very good. Storylines are only there to keep you watching. There's nothing deeper than that, even though some of the topics are actually quite heavy. As for the characters, only a handful are without sin lol. Most characters you switch back and forth from liking to not liking. The women playing Tawan and Orn were perfectly over-exaggerated for this kind of series. The grandmas, Rut, and Cheewin were also good. For the young people, I'm on the fence. They did a good enough job, but they don't seem as natural in these kind of roles tbh.

Now on to the music. Krist's vocals for the opening song are nice, though I'm not sure I'd listen to it outside of the show. I enjoyed Aye's ending song better. To me she's the OST Queen and I love all of her songs. Absolutely beautiful vocals.

To conclude, this is not the kind of drama I would watch again. Once you know what's going to happen, it's not fun anymore. I do recommend it if you're in the mood for something just absolutely crazy even up to the very end of the final episode.

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I'd give it a 9 just because I got to see Haruma at the beginning of his career, hearing Haruma's adorable voice when he was still so young is enough for me (I highly recommend it, if you're a fan of Miura Haruma) but I should give a decent review anyway.

If you're looking for one of those simple calming Japanese movies that make your heart content, then this is probably your movie.
I'm not sure, but I think that you would appreciate this movie a lot more, if you have surfed before or if you like surfing, because that's what the movie is all about. Nevertheless, the movie did make me want to surf, because that's how beautiful and well executed it was. It's a movie that totally absorbs you into Summer atmosphere! I also liked how you can really feel Taiyo's heartfelt fresh love for surfing and how cute he was being serious about it. All the surfing aside, the three best-friends are pretty fun to watch, how should I say it...It's like, you feel like you want enjoy the summer with them too, or something like that. For the story I gave it a 7 because the actual events were a bit overdone, but I still enjoyed watching it. Over all, I say give it a try and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did!

Note: Make sure you keep watching after the credits in the end ;)

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rape is not romance.

I found it interesting there were three concurrent mistress arcs playing out inside; aftermath (ML's parents), resolving (SFL's parents) and current (main couple). And, please - This is a drama, visuals, and details matter. The moment the main couple legally married, the second female lead became the mistress, and her role began.

With its ramped up vicious 'team second female lead' - Rape did nothing to move this story forward that a 'real-romantic-moment' wouldn't have done. Even, a drunken one-night-stand for the newlywed couple would have been easier to accept. The male lead does acknowledge he 'assaulted her' - Underwhelming, as that was.* Do notice, the word 'rape' was omitted (by the writer) and he didn't admit it to the female lead. Just, acquiesced an apology to his mistress and her toadies. This had all the elements for a crazy, socially dated, but fun character-driven series. But, that one moment of rape culture, voided it. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

*note: When responding to the second female lead and her minions screaming accusations of purposeful seduction for pregnancy:
FL: "I was sexually assaulted by him."
SFL & team: "minutes of FL shame throwing."
ML: "Pehn (SFL), I'm sorry." (underwhelming,)
[ep 23, 36:48]
(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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maybe when we are 0.01 cm away from someone, we can be 0.01 cm away from falling in love

"If memories could be canned, would they also have expiry dates? If so, I hope they last for centuries."

Once I read this Wong Kar-Wai quote and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since and it was something like this:
“We all need stories. What happens in our daily lives changes our stories..”

Chungking Express was so unbelievably good as I expected, I feel so full but at the same time so empty. Wong Kar-Wai really knows how to make a story about longing, this movie unlocked an emotion in me that only a few could and I'm sure every person who has watched this probably found the slightest detail to relate to. This left me thinking about life, the amount of people we cross paths with, that one person that comes into our minds at the most random times, that one song that we listened to on repeat but got sick of it but especially, the memories we made and will make that last a lifetime.
Once you get introduced to Wong Kar-Wai 's work that's when your most beautiful moment in life will start because even though you might not have anything going for you right now, you will have these movies.

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