This review may contain spoilers
For real, my PREJUDICE is showing
I am going to be biased in this review, whether i like it or not. If youre a big KPop fan, who doesnt fantasize about the scenarios in this drama. Its a fanboy/fangirl dream come to life.Kim Kang Min played Choi Si Yeol perfectly as a member of an ageing idol group and Kevin as the almost geeky and perfectly relatable teacher Na Ae Jun. The moment the show started i am immediately transported into the shoes of Ae Jun - the slowmo moments and the cute fangirling - my heart would have exploded and i wouldnt have his self control when faced in similar situation.
Im glad that the episodes were a little bit longer than the usual KBLs and isntead of 8 we got 10 episodes. It was the perfect length to tell the story without rushing things.
The show, however, isnt perfect - first, it felt like there was a little bit of budget constraints especially when acquiring songs because this is a show about a KPop idol but there wasnt really any great song for the soundtrack. I also felt like there was a lot of missed opportunity to tell a deeper story as they glossed over the difficulties faced by idols (and their partners) especially when it comes to their personal lives.
This series also amped up my anxiety to the max. When it was revealed that Si Yeol is only using Ae Jun to exact revenge on Ji Kyusong i felt afraid for him and imagined how devastated it would be if he found out that his bias has been deceiving him. I sincerely felt that the show didnt handle that situation very well because that was some weird dark sh^t and it was downplayed as something to be forgiven easily just because "i like you first for a really long time".
What could have been an impactful romance drama became a cute, fluffy and light fantasy (yes i consider it a fantasy since i think everything is just a fantasy happening in the mind of Ae Jun) series that lacked real depth.
Dont get me wrong, Its not a bad drama but its definitely not on the level as some of the best KBLs like Semantic Error, To My Star, Bleuming and Love for Love's Sake.
Would I recommend? Yes, definitely.
Would I rewatch? Probably not.
Giving it a high 8 just because i love all of the 4 main cast. I told you im going to be biased.
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I was immediately enthusiastic. It is exciting. Intelligent. Complex. Stylish. Cinematic. Touching.
In "Secret Boutique", the boutique itself is actually not the main focus, but rather its boss. With what her boutique secretly offer she has made herself irreplaceable for the established upper circles of society .- An eye-catcher: Kim Sun-a as Jenny Jang in always exquisite, stylish fashion and with sunglasses that are extravagant in every lighting condition. She acts mostly calm, controlled, superior, with a poker face and in every situation a suitable solution to the problem.
- A joy: Go Min-si as an intelligent Baduk (Go) player and equal strategist who suddenly stumbles into Jenny Jang's team.
- A ray of hope: The fact that this KDrama lives on the many powerful female leads. Three Jaebeol ladies (!) included. The 'men' here tend to be tame shepherd dogs in the service of 'their' ladies...
I was immediately enthusiastic about "Secret Boutique". The KDrama is exciting. Intelligent. Complex. Stylish in the high-end segment. Often almost cinematic in light, colors, camera and set design. And despite all the sublime arrogance, sophistication and need for (self)control, it is also touching. Human traits are presented not only abysmal. A warming grounding in cordiality comes along with the characters around the Go player Lee Hyeon-ji.
Calling the story of "Secret Boutique" a romance wouldn't be appropriate. Feelings still play an important role - here and there and over there, too. Deep feelings no less. Nothing is shallow here. But primarily I would describe the KDrama as the exciting story of a revenge campaign. A story about the (emotional) price of such a vendetta. In addition, an intriguing story about the unfair, corrupt and criminal machinations of the greedy rich, who unscrupulously go over dead bodies, too. A compassionate story that offers insight into the very particular structure of the Jaebeol empires, which channel their power within the family (at the expense of trust, warmth and closeness). A touching story about love and loyalty. Also about how roles, norms and social structures as well as an ambitious ego hurt your own heart. In addition, the KDrama came up with a profound punchline that takes the Jaebeol worldview to the point of absurdity: the Jaebeol daughters, who are so convinced of their elitist, inherited noblesse and who consider themselves so much more valuable due to their lineage, actually do not have any Jaebeol-blood at all ... "Secret Boutique" portrays all of its drama characters in a complex, multi-faceted and tangibly human way.
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Whoever is in need of a light comedy should watch this. Expect many hilarious moments. Nagase Tomoya is very expressive, you'll most likely burst into laughter at the mere sight of him. However, expect some depth too. They handle serious matters as well: redefining one's life, learning about true love and friendship, surpassing one's limits. These are all expressed very well and they transition smoothly into and out of the humour. You'll find some very touching moments too, but that's definitely not the defining theme of the drama. It's almost entirely comical. And despite basing itself on serious matters, it manages to stay light enough to be enjoyable as pure comedy.
Acting: I was quite surprised actually. Given the obscurity of this drama I thought they would probably have a bunch of mediocre actors, but these kids are brilliant! They exceeded my expectations. Almost all of them anyway.
Music: It was SPLENDID. I fell in love with the ending theme from the very first second. And the music throughout the show is also very entertaining; it goes well with each scene and just lifts your spirits. For a pretty underrated drama, the music was exquisite. Too good to ignore. It wasn't just a soundtrack, it was a lot more powerful. In some scenes my attention was actually stolen by the music than the action.
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YES!!! KILL ME WITH CUTENESS!!
Omg how do I even explain. Everything is so amazing here. Totally love the healing vibe and the characters are so amazinggggg.Tane is totally carrying the show. Every time he is on the screen, I just wanna scream out loud. He literally has such a natural chemistry with the other two characters. Yutaka and Minoru are killing it. Currently I am just waiting for the new episode where they grow closer. They are so adorable. Yukata's awkwardness around Minoru and Tane and him slowly warming up to them is so amazing. It's nice to see Yukata finally trying to achieve happiness.
Storywise, this is amazing. I love the development and the pacing. Fluff, cuteness plus mature characters all at once.
I already have a feeling, I will rewatch it when all the episodes have aired again and again.
Overall, this is an amazing drama which deserves more attention. If you need a good smile and cute plot, this is perfect for you.
So I made the mistake of starting this too soon. I should have realized, Japanese dramas only air one episode per week. and Now I am dying for the next episode. Hopefully, there won't be too much angst cuz this is literally my comfort drama currently.
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The Best Cdrama I watched so far
Cdramas have tendency to have some toxic/red flag behaviors from some of its characters and I love how supportive and healthy all the relationships are. Hidden Love reminds me of what young first love feels like. The male lead was not only goodlooking but he also played his character well. Whenever he looked at the FL, it gave me butterflies. It was such a refreshing series that it totally on my re-watch list. Normally, with CDramas I start losing interest because of so many episodes and this is the first time that I wished it was longer.. I definitely recommend this drama!Was this review helpful to you?
This is the best adaptation of the Legend of the Condor Heroes. Many may disagree because the storyline did not follow exactly as what was written by Louis in his novels. However, this is a modern interpretation of his novels with depth added into it.
I like it that more focus is given to the evil character and explains why he became evil. I like it that more depth was given to the main character's struggles. I am a personal fan of Hu Ge. Anyone who is a lover of wuxia knows Hu Ge. In this drama, he fully and successfully depicted the character and feelings of the often honest and naive Guo Jing. I am also a fan of Yuan Hong who did a brilliant job playing the evil character. Traditionally, viewers and readers will curse Yang Kang (the evil character) for his betrayal but in this version, it actually shows why Yang Kang betrayed his family and friends and you actually will get to sympathise with him. At the end when he dies, you will feel sorry for him. In this aspect, Legend of the Condor Heroes 2003 has successfully engaged the viewers.
I love the OSTs and the meaning of the words in the OSTs. Life is full of struggles and you are often pushed to make decisions you do not want to make. Both Guo Jing and Yang Kang experience this but the difference between both is the choice they make and the strength/integrity of their characters. Who would have thought that wuxia will not only provide you action, entertainment and romance, but life's lessons as well?? Watch this. You will not be disappointed!
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This review may contain spoilers
Definitely worth watching! A painfully beautiful film.
/ Long personal interpretation of everything that played out, explain (?) / details will be further below.Everything was just stunning: cinematography, the acting, locations, to the sound in the film. It's a queer, sapphic coming-of-age story that's complex, heart-wrenching, and realistic. It shows the complexitiy of life, people, uncertainty of adolescence, what it means to grow up in the flat and the societal aspects of it. (Self-image, identity, love, dreams, social class & opportunity differences, unjust system to difficult family/financial circumstances.)
A tear-jerker filled with details to catch.
FLAT girls left a huge impression with how it was delivered. I absolutely loved how impressively detailed and layered the characters and film is for us to uncover. Every scene & dialogue meant something to the characters and it felt like I was watching real people and trying to understand them through their lens and circumstances. The film leaves room for you to think, interpret and judge for yourself, adding emotional depth and feels "human" in a way. There are reasons behind every actions, emotions and words. Meanwhile, when feelings are kept with words left unsaid without clarification, it's easy for misunderstandings and assumptions to occur– much like in real life.
The more I went back, the more I understood the characters, their reasons and the possibilities– making the film memorable although it wasn't difficult to watch. Despite the layers of struggles, dilemmas, uncertainty, and the harsh circumstances beyond their control, there was still warmth, kindness, love, dreams, and resilience. I felt for the characters but also gained a lot from them. I think how the film goes may differ with different takeaways but it's extremely well done.
The actresses chemistry was natural and endearing while the acting by the casts was incredible. Watching it on the big screen was such an experience that I kept going back to appreciate it although it had me bawling, empty and filled with thoughts. Another great film by GDH, and it easily became my favourite. A movie that lingers.
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****spoilers starts here****
(personal interpretation, but to each their own way of interpreting!)
/// Please do not read if you haven't watched it!*
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/ Feelings:
Ann has feelings for Jane. When Jane felt nothing & wasn't sure how to interpret their kiss, Ann went along. Ann confirmed her feelings and her sadness thinking it wasn't mutual. Ann could have put her feelings first but she reassured Jane for her confusion and hid her feelings instead. Ann is clear about her wants and likes, but that's not that case for Jane.
Jane's figuring out and might not know how loving someone feels like especially intimacy with how young she is, but Ann means a lot to her. Jane's happy around Ann but felt nothing kissing her– as she got close to Tong, it got her questioning. Everything switched once Jane thought Ann & Tong were a thing. Every scene with Jane upset, was because of Ann.
/ Identity:
- In an early scene, Ann casually tells Jane, “The clean one is in another bag.” (chest binder) Does Ann wear it too (?) but Ann helps Jane with laundry to keep her secret. (Jane switched the clean one with the dirty one, made sure her dad was asleep before removing it and told Tong not to tell her mom.)
- Even Jane's parents doesn't know, but Ann knows Jane.
- Jane “It's nothing, I won't wear it anymore” to Tong / was to cover it up initally-
- but, Tong reassured her > Jane continued wearing it. Someone else who understands Jane.
- Jane may have thought she wasn't a tomboy after feeling nothing during the kiss > removed the binder.
- Jane's finding herself. (Girls school / Flat with many traditional families)
/ Alleged relationship between Ann and Tong:
Personally, the entire relationship between Tong & Ann was built on a series of misunderstandings. Considering Tong's actions, Ann's feelings for Jane and importantly my perspective of Ann & her determination. Tong had been caring, but Ann had always worked hard for money. (Laundry/Selling food/Wanting to teach English).
Some scenes/dialogues had no clear basis & felt out of place (because the characters isn't telling us).
Any interpretation lacks overall clarity as some dialogues/scenes matches with it, while others don't.
(*intentionally so, to draw our own conclusions?*)
/ Scene of Ann taking her phone at Tong's.
- Uncomfortably in Jane's perspective.
- Had Ann seen Jane inside, she would've misunderstood as well.
What did or didn't happen—up to interpretation.
Put on his shirt before letting Ann in (mannerism) = Removed when she left.
(Phone on the bed): Tong lets Ann sleep there instead of the couch? Returned after she left? Did Ann even stay over?
(Checked outside): Perhaps to avoid any potential misunderstandings? But Jane was inside. The environment is tight; it’s easy for neighbours to see & misunderstand.
- Ann didn't want to go home.
- That same night, Tong comforted Ann with her dilemmas about giving up her dreams for her family to have a home. Given her young age and all the responsibilities weighing on her, his words "You can be something much better," "You don't have to be a big sister all the time," & "It's okay"–
He mentioned, *"If you need help with anything, you can always tell me."*
Before, Tong was warm to the kids and treated Jane like his child because of their similarities.
- The sudden switch in the characters/dynamic was too abrupt to follow along without any doubts.
- The sequence didn't make sense.
- If anything else, I am assuming.
/ Jane and Ann's misunderstanding (bench)
There was tension before anything. But Ann doesn't know what Jane had seen. Instead, Ann did see Tong and Jane being close, and Jane, vice versa.
(What I do know is, Ann thinks that Jane likes Tong, while Jane is here thinking that Ann & Tong have some relationship.)
> Jane staring at her extra racket > She's thinking of Ann, not Tong.
> Ann meets Jane, while holding a new badminton racket from Tong, "knowing" that Jane likes him.
> Jane meets Ann, "confirms" their relationship after seeing Ann with a new racket from Tong.
- Ann never took anything or the racket from Jane.
- Ann thinks that Jane is upset because of Tong.
- Jane got upset & ran off; Ann chased after her.
/ More of Jane and Ann's misunderstanding (stairs)
Jane: "I thought you wouldn't date a cop?
(Does Jane know why she's upset?)
Ann: "Well, he gives me money" (he probably did)
I honestly think that Ann was masking her feelings & going off based on Jane's assumptions.
Jane: "Do you know anything about love?" (Jane, who doesn't know what love is)
Ann: "Love only matters to those with money." (Jane, Tong, or both),
"How can a person like me dare to love someone?" which Jane didn't catch.
Couldn't link Ann's replies to "for money". Instead Ann was talking about herself and how she's unworthy to love Jane.
- This was after Ann realises their differences during the phone call & her witnessing Jane "having feelings" for Tong / comparison
- "Well, he gives me money" could be a figure-of-speech to how Ann thinks that only those with money to give like Tong "can love", not meaning that they're together. Also, I truly wonder if Ann thinking that Jane "likes" Tong played a role in her reply.
/ Jane's mom noticed Ann with money
Jane: "She receives it from Tong because they're together."
Her mom: **"But he doesn't have money and even borrows from me."** ( *"All good cops has no money"* + was Ann's money solely from Tong?)
/ Jane collecting money from Tong.
*Ann's family is in need, he's happy to help make ANN's life a bit easier, just like how he's happy when he's able to take care of JANE.* (This highlighted he's helping Ann & Jane's misunderstanding)
But, Tong's helping Ann yet Jane is upset (?)
1. She think Ann and Tong are dating.
2. While Ann had never accepted any of Jane's help, she is receiving help from Tong who is struggling.
(Ann probably doesn't know about Tong's struggles while Jane always wanted to help Ann)
/ Tong gets emotional after Jane leaves; It could be his reality.
He doesn't have money for himself, let alone anyone else, not even his child. He's doing everything but it's incomparable to the stepdad who's rich. "Couldn't come because he had no money."
- But he "can do something" for the kids at the flat.
- He mentioned to Jane "They have a new family" “it’s better that way”.
(How he treats the kids, spend time & calls Jane warmly would make sense + he can't do the same for his child who's away in another province.)
- He likely have his own family/financial circumstances and reasons.
/ The interaction between Tong & Ann wasn't awkward (court)
- Tong mentioned he plans to study law for a promotion & wanted to learn English from Ann
(If Ann did receive help from him, pretty sure this is how Ann would give back)
- *The pan-out scene with neighbours gossiping about Ann and Tong from above the court*
(Looked like they were spreading rumours. Ann looked uncomfortable while Tong was questioning)
/ The rumours of Tong and Ann dating spread because of Jane.
- Ann exploded at Jane because her mom is now tying her already bleak situation down with marriage to Tong for money.
- It didn't feel like they got "caught".
(In a interview, the director mentioned about how women who lived in the flat tend to grow up believing the need to rely on men and that they're incapable to earn) But,
/ Ann didn't want to be like her friend, tied to the flat after marriage.
She mentioned: She's afraid that she'd be unable to leave; Her friend's life seemed to have stopped at the flat, unable to go to university or even come out for a game of badminton.
/ Jane chasing Ann, who ran away to the pier
Jane: "You won't marry him, right?" (misunderstanding)
Ann: "Do you really like him that much?" (misunderstanding)
Jane: "I don't know, but he's not good enough for you to stop your life for him."
- Jane's piority > Ann.
- Jane tells Ann she believes in her (even though Ann is doubtful)
- Jane comforting and apologising to Ann for spreading the "news"
/ Tong & Ann, pier scene.
- Tong telling Ann to bring the kids tomorrow; he'll bring them all to the cruise. (He brought it up out of nowhere instead of clearing up their "situation". I think he knew Ann was hurting with everything and wanted to make her happy)
- Ann tells Tong she'll live with him immediately if he could give her 10m baht (Ann wouldn't have asked if they already had some sort of relationship / Her mom pressured her: "So what did Tong say about the money". )
Ann asked that for her family = giving up her way of life. Her mom still blamed her for everything in a later scene.
/ How Tong looked at Ann. He probably felt terrible for her having to bring that up and knew that she's thinking of leaving.
- Tong said something like "Don't leave me ( in Thai, it doesn't indicate 'me' ); I'm trying my best, and I need time,"
/ Tong's response could stem from his complex situation.
He knew that she wanted to leave, doesn't have the money for her to stay, wanting to help but unable to. With his situation, whereby his family left (why?) , how he's unable to provide for his family as much as he wanted despite covering shifts and really "trying his best" (in a corrupted workforce), it could trigger those replies / Ann asked for money.
With Ann's "I can't wait long" / she's gonna leave.
/He suddenly switched/ & gave her assurance instead. Told her that *"She could earn as much money as she wanted.* (Also, maybe like the importance of Ann to Jane in the flat, the kids' presence was significant to Tong. He wanted to help Ann stay, but quickly knew that with her family situation, being stucked here wasn’t what she wanted)
- Ann: "I know" (Her determination after the reassurance from Tong, and Jane.)
/ *Ann saying they broke up to her mom* (The only indicator of a 'relationship")
But with her body language, it seemed like she didn’t want to explain. No point in it— her mom wouldn't listen anyway. A way to end her mom’s ideas of pushing her to marry for money.
/ Jane & Nice painted all the names on the wall, including Tong.
(That made him seem significant. He got emotional seeing the names with all the changes at the end. If he's a bad person, they wouldn't have painted his name & why did he get emotional?)
ENDING! (aside from everything else)
- Ann's ending > hopeful or the worst.
I believe that Ann ran away to chase her dream. (She almost hung the scarf but let it free.)
I believe she is "stronger". The cruise scene symbolised how she didn't want to return to her life at the flat perfectly. To make sense, I just think she hid somewhere on the cruise avoiding Jane, as it was far out. I believe she'll manage and achieve anything once she sets her mind to it, like how she was determined to leave and did so. It is not selfish of her. I hope she's happy.
- *Jane holding the paper hat (Part time/Full Time) + the world map at the end.
- "I hope we bump into each other on a plane, because you have to take me to first class," indicating that Ann is around.
- Ann's family and Jane weren't that "sad" either, although Jane was.
1. Who hung the packet of food outside Jane's flat?
2. Tong started hanging out with other cops after the kids left. (The dialogue is honestly questionable... but I don't know the context. I want to believe in him & that promotion)
3. Ann mom, please change– Although it seems unlikely with Ann's sister taking over her role.
4. Amy grew up! (Ann's sis) Showed some time had passed with Jane's mom having the money to move out. Ann's mom debt / paid off? who did?)
5. What were Jane's actual feelings for Ann?
Was it just Ann's unrequited love? or Jane was hiding it from Ann as well halfway through? or does Jane have feelings all along but realises it after Ann left? (Based on imdb synopsis, Jane liked Ann.)
Hope Jane still appreciates simple happiness & slowly figures it out. Hope her mom understands her more.
6. Will Ann and Jane meet again?
Ann and Jane misunderstood each other and their feelings until the very end. "Love is more important than money" to "Love only matters to those with money". Although Ann almost wanted to give up everything for her family, she ended up running away to chase her dream for a change. I do feel that Ann will return once she's in a better position, at least to Jane.
7. Ann did fulfill her promise to Jane about going on the boat.
Anyway I only wish all of them well :')
- summary of Ann, Jane and Tong
/ In the comments under this review if interested! / exceeded the word count here..
Definitely rewatch it again in your perspective of the characters!
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This review may contain spoilers
Wow just wow. I finished watching this drama within a day, and all I can say is wow. I'm a firm believer that all humans are innately bad which is the main theme for this drama. The portrayal in this drama might be over the top but it conveyed the message well.
The cast did an outstanding job in playing their characters. Especially, Lee Dongwook and Im Siwan. Their smiles were so cynical that it will give you the creeps. Also, I think it was my first time to feel nauseated by watching a scene. I think I won't be able to look at raw red meat the same way again.
In all honesty, I'm still speechless as I've only finished this drama less than 20 minutes ago and the thing that is really at the top of my mind is that I need to watch or read or hear something that will make me happy. I crave for happy thoughts. That's how dark this drama is.
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Spirealm has a misunderstood happy ending
Heavy SpoilersDo watch the series, it's very good. A lot of people are saying it's a sad ending but it actually has a very good, albeit unconventional, happy ending.
Spirealm ended with seemingly “it was all a dream” type of ending but my interpretation of the ending was that Lin Jiu Shi , through the act of completing the game, “saved” the game as his childhood friend intended. “Saving” the game in this scenario, reverts all the tragedy the game has caused without erasing anything that’s happened… kind of. The way the story goes about it is a little convoluted but through picking up the themes of this story, is not indecipherable.
Proving that the game did all happen; there are three main points that infers this. The first, most tangible point is that, at the end of the series, LJS wakes up in the middle of the traffic. Assuming everything that’s happened after the traffic accident at the end of the series was dreamt up, it does not explain why the internet cafe boss at the beginning of the series– who’s seen the game before the traffic accident– has no recollection of LJS having played the game. The second point, if everything in the game had not happened, it would make no sense for LJS to accurately know the name of people he’s never met before. The third point, which is the most confusing one, explains one of the main themes and why the director probably chose to take this route.
One of the main themes of Spirealm is the legitimacy of the “virtual world”, where the characters have debated multiple times if everything that happens “virtually” in the game is real or not. I forgot which episode it was but, LJS in the latter part of the series pondered “If the feelings in Spirealm are more sincere than real life, what really is the difference between virtual and reality?” ( Also not a direct translation, I’m too lazy to go find the exact episode and translate it) The point of this quote is, even if the memories don’t exist anymore, the feelings and relationships that were formed during the time in Spirealm were “real” and sincere. We can see this through the way Chen Qian Li fhaving familiarity towards LJS at the end of the series, despite acknowledging that he doesn’t actually know him. This is a little more debatable but you could also argue that the differences between the depiction of the people around LJS before and after he woke up also shows the effects of the game. One could interpret Tan Zao Zao being an influencer instead of an actress as something unconsciously influenced by the events of Spirealm. While being in Spirealm, TZZ felt like she constantly had to mask herself as an actress, you could argue that her being a influencer instead of an actress in the new world as a choice she made unconsciously due to the feelings of restriction she’s felt in Spirealm. Same with instances like Chen Yi Xie watching horror movies as a hobby and Li Dong Yuan being content working as a street vendor that makes little money.
In the last scene of the show, when LJS goes back into Spirealm, he sees TZZ where she tells him “it feels like I woke up from a long dream”, referring to life outside of the game. This further emphasizes how the game is actually “real” too, since when LJS is outside Spirealm, Spirealm is referred to as a “dream”. Whichever reality they are in is the real one, so by proxy, they are both real.
Another point to consider is the relationship between LJS and RNZ. If everything was a dream, then essentially, LJS dreamed up a lifelong companion (boyfriend) in elaborate detail seemingly out of nowhere… It makes more sense if RNZ did exist, but was simply erased from existence due to the game also having been erased. The whole last arc of the story also repeatedly states that he would be erased once the 11th door was complete.
The game bringing people back to life, erasing everyone’s memory, and altering reality also seems entirely reasonable when the whole basis of the game is based on its ability to kill people and warp time. Realistically speaking, there was no real way to depict RNZ and LJS saving the game besides erasing the game completely, therefore, the erasure of everyone’s memory and the game’s existence is the intended effect of “saving the game”.
I also believe that LJS reprogramming the game essentially is the equivalent of him fulfilling his friend's wish of “restoring the game to its original state” as the game he ended up recreating was essentially the original intended game.
I believe that the ending of Spirealm was the perfect happy ending, Everyone is alive again, they get to live their life to the fullest, and in the end, LJS finishes the game where he likely decides is his new “reality” with RNZ. They all live together happily as Chen Qian Li wished for in the 11th door. This is the 12th door, LJS’s completed door of happiness.
That’s mostly all I wanted to say, I’ll probably rewatch the series when Subs (that are comprehensible) come out so I can make exact quotations and give actual episode numbers (plus there are probably more things I have missed). But for now that’s all I’ve wanted to say. I’m open to debate the ending since I feel like the ending was definitely left a little ambiguous but I feel like a lot of these things were changed from the novel with the intent of creating this ending specifically. (ex. Slight novel spoiler: TZZ being a famous and acclaimed actress in the Novel while being mildly unpopular in the series)
Add my insta if you want to talk about this show with me, it lives in my head rent free: krudy._
TLDR: Spirealm was not a dream, everything that happened got erased due to LJS completing the game. Everyone gets transported into an altered reality where they are living their happiest lives (indirectly bc of games events) and LJS reunites with everyone towards the very very end where they all live peacefully together.
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1This review may contain spoilers
Slow-Burn Pining Into Wildfire, Great Through Ep 6.
Spoilers only at bottom of review. 8 Episodes total. Finished series & updated review 10/15/23.I'm conflicted on how to rate this because Ep 2 through 6 are great, very enjoyable, and I would easily rate a 9/10. I know I'll re-watch them multiple times. But Ep 7 & 8 are cringy for multiple reasons and I would rate them a 4/10. Such a disappointment. Still, I loved most of the main couple's story so much that I've decided on 8/10 as my overall rating. When I watch again, I will likely either stop after the first scene in Ep 7, or skip to the 2nd half of Ep 8 to finish. In Ep 7 & 8 there's a good amount of affectionate skinship and a couple of emotionally charged kisses, so you could fast-forward the rest if you can't stand it.
Wonderful acting by the two leads, decent plot Ep 1-6 but ridiculous plot Ep 7-8, smooth-flowing dialogue *until Ep 7, some lovely cinematography, okay music, meh side characters.
The first episode is a bit overly goofy, and though it did get a few chuckles out of me, I was glad to see that toned down in the second episode as the character interactions and emotions became the focus.
The actors playing Yang and Phumjai are fantastic. There are a lot of sweet moments between the characters and the actor's chemistry is palpable, like magnets. They both also really nail the nuances of overlapping feelings; puting on a certain mask to others while the character's true emotions are just under the surface and still visible for the audience to see. Their chemistry and the way they interact with each other quickly drew me in and got my emotions invested. Their characters and the way they act them are my favorite thing about this series.
The friend Tag and the girl Tammy are acted well and feel like real people. I especially like how Tammy is written; I didn't like her character at first but her actions and communication skills won me over.
The brother is not acted or written well, he feels like the weak link, though his character gets slightly more likeable by the end. The other side characters are more like caricatures; over-the-top and lacking depth. Because the series is only 8 episodes, I was okay that they didn't spend a lot of time rounding these people out in Ep 1-6. But then Ep 7 & 8 relied on them more heavily and the simplistic writing and acting got annoying (especially in situations that were supposed to be serious and dire).
There are some beautiful shots utilizing space and lighting that, to me, underscored the bitter-sweet lonliness of pining. The feeling of being a part from others as you hold your thoughts to yourself.
Sometimes the background music was good, but at other times it did not fit the mood of scenes well (for example, positive major chords being played during an emotionally sad moment). It's probably not obvious enough to bug most people, but it distracted me from scenes a couple of times.
GENERAL SPOILERS:
The intimate scene at the end of Ep 6 had a similar feeling to Love In The Air nc-17 scenes, and I learned it had a similar approach: the actors improvised the scene as their characters (except for a couple of lines). It is BOTH emotional and hot, the best combination in my opinion. It feels very real. And this scene will be memorable for a couple of reasons, you'll see ;)
Ep 7 & 8: Ugh, what a way to unravel the magic. The writers, director, editors, and most of the actors created a muddled mess. There was obvious confusion about what mood/tone was the goal. On one hand, there's a very serious situation, on the other, the side characters continue their over-acted comic relief. Things that were supposed to be serious were undermined by lightheartedness or ridiculousness, and what were supposed to be feel-good moments or humorous were not because they were poorly done (& poorly timed) and ridiculous. Tension is completely disolved.
!SPECIFIC SPOILERS!:
Further frustrations with Ep 7 & 8 (I just needed to vent):
Why is it that in most BLs calling the police (or for an ambulance) is treated like an afterthought? You think you're boyfriend is kidnapped and you call and wait for your brother, your employees, and your friend to show up and ask "what should I do?"? This is so obviously unrealistic it's just lazy writing for plot contrivance trying to wring our emotions.
The older brother didn't have any savings of his own to help out instead of "being a hostage"? And neither of the brothers thought to ask their very weathly parents for a loan (instead of one of their sons being a hostage)? Get real. If the situation was as dire as the script pretends it is, something could have been worked out with the loving, supportive parents.
The creditor goes from being set up as a scary mob-like antagonist (though this is not pulled off well), to a waffling basic business man. A dire situation spearheaded by a buffoon lowers the stakes and can't hold tension (or the audiences attention).
The completely unnecessary and eye-rolling cliche of the discovery of a young childhood connection. Thankfully, it was brief and didn't have an impact on the story.
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I don't usually watch korean historical film, this was one of the exceptions since I had its DVD in one of my collections for a long time because I thought it was a historical-Wuxia Chinese film but when I found its synopsis and main actors in MDL, I decided to watch it right away even though it's Korean.
2) Storyline/Plot:
Do you love stories that would make you feel like you're watching a piece of art? This is it!!
Positive points:
*To start with, action films mixed with romance are one of the favorite genres that I like to watch and this film was just the type.
*Love through fighting was a brilliant idea that made this film's story so captivating because usually the leads are on the same side.
*The fighting scenes were nicely done; grafic effects and cinematography would make you feel like you're watching a piece of art being painted.
*The historical concept gave this film its great concept, it wouldn't be this great if it was in another era.
Negative points:
*The general presentation period didn't tell much therefore we don't get to know a lot about the leads (specially the lead male).
*The romantic story could've went a lot deeper; we haven't seen a lot on that side but that doesn't mean it was bad.
Story: 8/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*Kang Dong Won: I just love this actor because he always have unusual roles, here he was amazingly different. I usually love it when the lead male is mysterious, handsome, martial arts expert, full of karisma and I found all of that in "sad eyes" character; it was a perfectly portrayed character although he may sound very silent but he managed to deliver a lot of emotions: *Claps* I really loved him here.
*Ha Ji Won : In every drama/film, she can portray any character in a good way, here it wasn't any different; she was cool with her foolishness and manly behavior, she was the kind of strong/independent female lead plus she delivered great emotions. However, Kang Dong Won amazed me more.
*I just loved the chemistry between the leads because every scene they had together was interesting to watch; they were so cool especially in fighting scenes.
*I was right for watching it because of the lead actors: they did a great job.
*The general acting was cool and the supporting roles were acceptable.
Cast: 9.5/10
Acting: 10/10
4) The ending:
*Some people may not understand it, I would love to explain it but I would spoil it for those who haven't seen the film yet.
*Anyway, it was a great ending plus it was really logical for this type of film.
The ending: 9/10
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*I didn't get my eyes off the screen the whole time, it was really interesting to watch. I am still wondering why I haven't seen it before.
*I was really entertained; i laughed, I was excited because of the fighting scenes, I was moved by the sad emotions somehow (I don't usually get moved by any sort of sadness so this is rare).
My impression: 9.5/10
6) Overall:
*If you like action films mixed with romance then this is for you but don't expect a lot on the romantic side.
*If you like mysterious male lead/strong female lead then this is for you.
*If you like martial arts film that's full of cinematography then this is for you.
Overall: 9/10.
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Underrated fun, hilarious and sweet show!
Starting with the opening scene illustrations, I found this drama funny and quirky. It did not feel like a big-budget production, the sets were nondescript, and the costumes were not that memorable. Still, those did not detract from the show's charm. Instead, it is ultimately entertaining, mixing cute romance, just the right amount of melodrama, and on-point comedy.I thought that the drama did well in combining romantic and "slice of life" scenes featuring the different characters with the political shenanigans in the palace and courts. It stood out for me because it was a historical drama accompanied by non-traditional touches like the gender role reversal between the main couple. In this show, the male lead played the traditionally weaker and gentler role, while the female lead was the strong one, unpolished like a diamond in the rough.
As individual characters, the leads were likable, and together, they were endearing. Hu Jiao, played by Baby Zhang, was strong and domineering, the daughter of a butcher with some impressive knife skills. She had no formal education and was blunt as well as impulsive, but she was perceptive and street smart. She was also honest, principled, and upright, just like the male lead, Xu Qingjia, played by Tong Men Shi. In contrast to A'Jiao's physical strength, Xu Qingjia can be considered a xiǎobáiliǎn or pretty-faced boy, delicate and frail. However, he was incredibly intelligent, a learned scholar who was rational and thoughtful. His level-headedness tempered A'Jiao's fiery personality.
I enjoyed the sincere and simple romance between A'Jiao and Xu Qingjia. Their love was adorably dorky. Despite being new to marriage and still trying to work through their feelings, both did not shy away from sharing their thoughts. I also appreciated their care and respect for each other, especially regarding their relationship and life goals. Even when one did not want the other to make sacrifices, they still listened to each other and understood that they wanted to protect each other. There was no noble idiocy which is a trope I find most annoying.
It was great to see A Jiao's character develop. Typically straightforward, she did not usually mince her words, but she slowly started to consider Xu Qingjia's feelings. She learned to yield, saw things from his point of view, and did not hesitate to show her admiration for his brilliance. Xu Qingjia, on the other hand, would acknowledge that even though A'Jiao's words hurt, there was truth in them. He was always sweet towards her, so giving, but he would stand up for his beliefs when it came to important matters, at the risk of being beaten by A'Jiao.
These two managed to find common ground and reveled in each other's strengths, rather than expecting each other to possess the traditional gender-related skills. When conflict appeared, it was not a test of whether it would break them up but more of a testament that their relationship was strong enough to adapt and overcome. They were partners through and through.
The second couple, Yu Niang and Gao Zheng were equally delightful, with Gao Zheng just as dorky as Xu Qingjia but more emotionally clueless. Yu Niang was another awesome female character, and along with Lin Cui, A'Jiao's best friend, and other characters, there was a message of female empowerment. Actually, both ladies and men shone in this show. I liked the sismance, bromance, and the lack of tiresome third parties or love triangles. My favorite aspect of the show was the emphasis on wholesome masculinity and strong female characters.
It was also fun to watch the dynamics of A'Jiao's family members. They were hilarious and so supportive and protective of each other. Some characters fell flat, like the villains, but the cast did fine overall. It is the first time I watched the main actors, and while they were pretty good, they do need to hone their acting skills.
Musically, the song tracks were memorable, and by that, I mean the songs were effective in evoking memories of the scenes for me. I like the closing song, sung by our main couple, Baby Zhang and Tong Men Shi, but my favorite is Guòmén (Cross the door) by Liu Fengyao. It is incredibly romantic and, when played during the scenes of the couples, heightened the watching experience for me. For posterity, I included the track list at the end of this review.
Whether you need to cure bad-day blues or just a distraction, this drama might do the trick. I recommend that you try this drama out and decide for yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4liQrjrq1M&t=547s
佟梦实&张含韵 - 春日愿 (Spring Day Wish - Tong Mengshi & Zhang Hanyun)
入梦 - 袁咏琳 (Into a Dream - Yuan Yonglin)
过门 - 刘凤瑶 (Cross the Door - Liu Fengyao)
许你清嘉 - 戴欣梦露 (Xu Ni Qing Jia - Dai Xin梦露)
牵红 - 曹璐 (Bringing Red - Cao Lu)
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This review may contain spoilers
When is a woman beautiful? When is she not (anymore)? What does it mean for love? For work?
"She was Pretty" is a true story, so they say. It's about love - of course. The first love, too. And about being a woman in South Korea. When is a woman beautiful? And when is she not (anymore)? And what does that mean for her then? For love? For work? For social life? For your self-esteem?That's what this KDrama is about.
Wanting to be beautiful as a woman is widespread. Needing to be beautiful as a woman is deeply Korean. In hardly any other country do women spend so much time on skin care and make-up. Impeccability of the personality is reflected (in the South Korean self-image) in the form of pure skin and so facial care is part of a comprehensive ideal of beauty. The KBeauty industry supplies innovative products for this. In Germany, there are an average of three to five care steps that women use for their facial care. South Korea has become known for its "10-step Korean Skincare Routine", which (should) lead to a flawless porcelain complexion in lengthy and loving detail work.
In my experience, series that deal supposedly critically with ideals of beauty, bullying based on appearance, discrimination based on aesthetic value judgments and norms tend to have a hard time. They can't really be critical since their sponsors often come from the KBeauty industry... And they can rarely present an "ugly", "repulsive" character as a protagonist if they want the viewer to identify with it and actually watch the series. The subject calls for compromises before the story can even be thought through, let alone be told. Most of the time, this results in a transformation process for the protagonist: she transforms into a beauty that men and women can no longer overlook, and as a result she at last gains (now well deserved) self-esteem.
That's why I'm not a fan of this type of series. Even if the actresses are usually very committed, perhaps because the topic is so important to them. But the story can't help it... In the end, the solution is the transformation - the ugly duckling blossoms into a pretty woman and thus causes plenty of "Aha!". That doesn't convince me personally, because the core of the problem is rarely shaken, at most it is touched on the shell.
Accordingly, "She was Pretty" is not among my favorite series. Still I like it. Why? After all, there is the male character of Shin-hyuk. He's a great guy, he's good-looking, he's got what it takes - but he doesn't act like the norm. He takes a close look behind the facades and encounters the human in the woman, not the image of the woman. And falls in love with the woman as she is (before some kind of transformation). I think we need more role models like this. In "She was Pretty" at least there is one. It's encouraging and also fun to watch Shin-huyk (refreshingly played by Choi Si-won) in his encounters with the 'Ugly Duckling'.
Of course, ugly is relative in this KDrama as always. The protagonist, Kim Hye-jin, was once one of the prettiest girls in her class and totally hip. However, she has inherited her father's skin, which is characterized by a noticeable redness in the cheek area. Also, her hair is naturally frizzy. Although this might disturb the eye of the South Korean viewers, it is actually nothing that cannot be remedied with a few interventions, if a woman wanted to. Hye-jin just doesn't want to. To her it's not worth it (also in monetary terms). Yet that's how she offends people and makes social life and professional life difficult.
She compensates for her flaws (and thus her lack of value as a woman) through hard work. At the same time, she and her goodwill constantly invite others to have her be exploited. There's a memorable scene in which she takes on the new job with a competitor. Her co-worker is what you might call pretty (at least she's done a lot to be). As a reward, she is given permission to manicure her nails during working hours and to work rather slowly (if at all). Hye-jin, on the other hand, is passed around, pushed and insulted. The ideal of beauty for women - beyond performance - thus influences hierarchies in the working world. Unfortunately for South Korea this is a widespread status quo.
With Hwang Jung-eum and Choi Si-won being in a cheerful mood and providing plenty of fun in the midst of the actually less funny social conditions, the KDrama becomes worth seeing. The exalted editor-in-chief of the lifestyle magazine, who changes her hair color and her outfit with the hour and constantly recites from Italian operas, also ensures a good mood.
Ah, yes, this Kdrama is first of all a rom(ance) with some com(edy) in search of a happy ending. Some things may be predictable, but some are not.
As far as the beauty-topic ist concerned: It´s never too far from the norm, but some socially critical echoes could still be sprinkled nonchalantly throughout the course of the story. ...Humor paves the way for serious messages...
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Watch for the wonderfully amazing kids, great OTP, hilarious rival ... BUT some caution ahead ...
There is so much to love about this drama -- the OTP pairing between Xie Binbin and Zheng Qiuhong, the most ridiculously adorable kids ever, and a rival you think you're going to thoroughly loathe, but end up finding absolutely delightful and hilarious. All of these factors make this drama worth watching.ACTING:
Xie Binbin, who is simply adorakable and was also enormously likable in Party A Who Lives Beside Me, is equally endearing here. He's not the most emotive or best actor, but you can still sense his ever-present regret over his initial motivations, all of which culminates into a moving and heartfelt speech near the end of episode 27. He and Zheng Qiuhong, who was equally fantastic in Dine With Love, have great chemistry together. The pairing is inspired and I hope to see them together again in a future drama. But it's the children who are truly revelatory. At first, they just seem like your typical adorable C-drama kids, but it's almost magical watching Zhang Yanbo and Huang Bosi together as the story unfolds and they interact like true siblings. Episode 26, in particular, is a gem. First you'll cry, then you'll laugh out loud as the kids break your heart before charming your socks off.
Yang Xue'er, who plays Tong Luoqi, is pitch perfect as the bitchy rival with the heart of gold. I'd seen her in a number of other dramas before, but this character really allowed her to shine. Some of the funniest scenes in the drama involve her and the children, and some of the most heartwarming scenes are also between her and the FL.
Finally, I was surprised by my unexpected sympathy for Qin Tian once his back story was revealed. He was a different person in the flashbacks, and credit goes to Jin Chong for his acting. Of course, it doesn't justify his actions in any way, but it made his character more interesting and nuanced -- he wasn't just some one-dimensional villain out for the usual revenge.
STORY:
There are some minor quibbles here and there that can be glossed over, but there are a few significant issues that mar what otherwise could have been a very satisfying romcom. One of the biggest weaknesses is the secondary couple. Both BFFs are perfectly fine ... and yet ... somehow bland. That blandness spills over into their equally uninspired romance, which was really the only draggy part of the drama. Far too much time is spent on a courtship that has no spark.
Another major weakness is the overall plot that drives the entire story. A key component of the "mystery" is fairly obvious within the first episode and by the mid-point, viewers have a pretty good idea as to the other elements of the mystery. And yet, more than a dozen episodes go by before some of these theories are finally confirmed. (Eg. Speaking as someone with relevant experience, how does that detail about the brother not come up even once in conversation?!) I don't mind plot predictability, but the build-up to a couple of the big reveals felt quite forced, unrealistic, and unnecessary. Not surprisingly, the plot briefly got splattered with some obligatory "dog's blood". By the time the series ended, I still had some unanswered questions as to how certain key events were even possible.
Despite these problems -- and unlike The Love You Give Me, a recent modern drama that I found extremely frustrating to watch -- Please Be My Family was still very enjoyable. At less than 30 minutes each, it's also a breezy binge. Ultimately, the strongest aspect of this drama is the main cast of genuinely wonderful characters. They really carry the show and help compensate for the storyline flaws.
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