A drama with a modern take on marriage and married life in general
Watching this was not as frustrating as other dramas with contract-marriage themes, mainly because the main characters were created as mature adults who are just at the right age to settle down. Contrary to the usually shy and innocent heroine, the drama featured a naive country guy named Jak Doo having to agree to a fake marriage to a materialistic Seoulite to save his cabin. It does have some twists, but as mentioned, it's not frustrating to watch. There are no cheesy moments. Heck, only four kiss scenes were done during the entire drama. There was no deep hatred between the main characters, unlike in some Korean rom-com and melodramas, partly because the characters were written as mature adults. It also featured women in today's era taking over their careers (and personal lives) without much help from men. Lastly, it gave viewers a glance at the ups and downs of long-distance relationships and compromise in marriage in terms of the career and personal lives of the two lovers. It's pretty much straight to the point, which makes it more interesting.Props to the production team for casting a team of actors to portray the characters in this project. This was not the first time for Uee to star in a contract marriage-themed drama, but compared to Hye Soo who made me cry a lot in 'Marriage Contract', Seung Joo reminded me of PD Tak Ye Jin in 'The Producers'- strong, stubborn, passionate woman. And Uee, as always did an astounding job. On the other hand, Jung Sang Hoon is quite a revelation to me. I've always seen him as a funny guy in SNL Korea, so seeing him in this drama was interesting. The character Eric Cho is a funny and genuine person, yet savage when it comes to his business dealings. Jung Sang Hoon did really well. I'm looking forward to seeing his other works.
Also, the songs are one of the very few drama OSTs that I really really love.
Overall, My Contracted Husband Mr. Oh is a drama with a modern take on marriage and married life in general. Their love story did not have a good start, but there are lots of heartwarming moments that will definitely make you smile until the end.
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An overall enjoyable experience
I really liked this drama! It started off very strong in the first half and I confess I did feel a bit frustrated by the pace of the plot in the 2nd half, but it wasn't enough to detract from my enjoyment of the series overall.the plot is very simple and has little to no angst that doesn't get resolved almost immediately which could be refreshing if you are looking to step away from all the angst filled content out there these days. the characters are fun and loveable and main couples are very sweet and endearing to watch. i always had a smile on my face watching every week and i confess i will miss watching this cute little show every Saturday.
if you're looking for something much like cherry magic (or even just a lighthearted BL), but a little different this is the show for you! it's only 10 episodes at 20ish mins per ep and it doesn't require much of a time commitment nor will it feel like one once you jump in and start watching these characters navigate through a love mix up and the hijinks that follows.
highly recommended :)
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I recomend this drama a 100% if you are looking for a good time to push your worries aside.
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"Soulmate (2023): A Work Of Art"
"Soulmate," the latest cinematic offering of 2023, is a breathtaking journey that transcends the boundaries of traditional storytelling. From the opening scene to the closing credits, the film captivates audiences with its unparalleled beauty and an extraordinary portrayal of the human experience.One of the most striking aspects of "Soulmate" is its cinematography. The filmmakers have crafted a visual masterpiece, employing incredible camera shots that elevate the storytelling to new heights. Each frame is a work of art, showcasing a meticulous attention to detail that adds depth and emotion to every scene. The cinematography doesn't just serve the narrative; it becomes an integral part of the storytelling, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
The narrative itself is a poignant exploration of the concept of soulmates, delving into the complexities of human connections and the journey to find one's true counterpart. The storytelling is masterfully executed, seamlessly weaving together emotion, humor, and introspection. The characters are portrayed with depth and authenticity, making it easy for the audience to empathize with their struggles and triumphs.
The film's beauty extends beyond the visuals to its soundtrack, which complements the emotional beats of the story perfectly. The music adds another layer to the narrative, enhancing the overall atmosphere and leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
The performances of the cast are nothing short of exceptional. Each actor brings a unique energy to their role, contributing to the film's authenticity. The chemistry between the lead characters is palpable, creating a connection that resonates with the audience.
"Soulmate" is not just a movie; it's a profound work of art that leaves a lasting impression. It's a testament to the power of cinema to evoke emotion, provoke thought, and transport viewers to a world where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. In an era of blockbuster spectacles, "Soulmate" stands out as a reminder that true cinematic magic lies in the art of storytelling, brought to life through stunning visuals, compelling narratives, and unforgettable performances. This is a film that will linger in the hearts and minds of audiences long after the credits roll.
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The ensemble cast is pretty delightful, and is well led by Cha Tae Hyun, who does well as always as the deceivingly bumbling but smart protagonist. His character plays off of Oh Ji Ho's straight-laced, principled character, as always. It makes for many humorous hijinks and dramatic tension and conflict. By the end of the show, I came to love every single character.
The ending credits do have some extra material to enjoy, so don't turn it off till it's really over!
An action sageuk that provides the right thrills, spills and laughs. A very enjoyable ride.
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A wonderful tale of two stars
This series is about these two wonderful stars who are bound by this intertwined fate and will take you through a beautiful journey. This gave me such a sweet beautiful feeling throughout my watch and the instant that flute music played, I was teleported to a different universe.Story
- everyone must probably know its based off of a popular thai novel of the same name. Honestly this concept is very common so story wise I wondered if ill love it at first...but then again i was super excited to see something other than college stories. Nevertheless i was wrong, the story even though is so simple it just makes you get engrossed in it. Like you do not want it to end and its fine even just seeing Tian do his daily activities with the villagers or just spend some quality time with his phupha. Now what i really liked is....the romance between the characters felt so pure and true... And the transition/falling in love did not feel too sudden or unrealistic...
Direction/Production
- Honestly I love the Director. Each scene is so well shot and doesnt look cliche tbh. I seriously dint feel like iam watching a bl drama... Instead i felt like i was watching a well shot movie. Also it shows that they took a lot of effort filming this, the cuts werent too long or too short, emotions were well portrayed and the beauty of the mountain...what can I say!
Cinematography/Aesthetics
- Yes its beautiful. The village settings...the contrast difference from the city to village, the clothings, housing and those little village routes they could show was enough to make us feel as if we had gone back to the mountains with Tian.
Actors/Characters
-Next the actors, honestly I always wanted something good to land for earth ever since i first watched water boys.. i just felt he had so much potential and god i have been waiting for this series... And yes, he broke my expectations to be honest. I mean, his character is supposed to be this strict military guy(yup they had to make him a forest ranger due to certain country stuff), so its not easy just showcasing the rough and gentle side of him and those little jealous moments, anticipation, loving and caring feels.... And talking about Phupha, I did get a bit annoyed when he just batantly judged Tian but thats understandable as well, emotions are a wicked thing, sometimes you just cant think right all the time. But yes, he is difinately a husband material
Mixxxxxx he just stole my heart, how is he a new actor. Honestly i see a lot of good fortune for him, seriously i felt Tian in him. Talking about Tian, he is seriously a well written character.... A lot like the youth today, he is righteous but within his limits
Torfun/Aye- I might have a a little crush on her over here. Her character scares me though, being kind in such a cruel world is not easy but yes, having happiness in doing little things that you love is worth it. Her undying wish and love is something that i love..
Tul/White , Dr Nam/Nam- If you want to define good friendship, include these guys. Tian and Phupha must have done some good karma to get such understanding and helpful friends. Honestly loved the actors too who made them such an important part of the story..
Subordinates
Drake/Rang, Champ/Yod, Longtae/Khaotung- omg i just love these guys... Plus i love drake and seeing him so free here made me so happy. Also, they bring that comedic relief to the show which balances the entertainment.
Villagers/Kids/Family members- the villagers and kids acting actually is on point. Not too awkward or too excited. They actually feel like they are part of that place. The parents acting felt a bit off at the very beginning but they dint get much footage so its understandable. Nevertheless i loved that dinner scene with Tian and that surprised smile on their faces.
Villians- lolool they were weird ok but fit the goon bill peefectly..
Music:
umm yes i was quick to download it. Now i usually dislike when dramas play the same back music for every other show to avoid additional costs, but thats ok cant help it. Its not easy producing stuff. But gosh the ost here is mind blowing.... Its so soothing and well timed within scenes.
Cons
hmmm except for the ranger activities and some other minute stuff like everyone blaming tian for lying while everyone at phupha unit knew about torfuns death, or how tian being a heart transplant patient climbs a damn tropical mountain within just 6 months, inhales fire smoke, runs, gets beaten up, gets stressed etc...... You get my point right. But its called drama for a reason so i dont really mind seriously...its still worth the watch
Yup it will cleanse your soul, make you cry, make you feel like to live a happy life, and will give butterflies in your heart.
PS: Seriously though, dont go out alone to a mountain for counting 1000 stars. It will be super cold and not always cloud free
Hope you all like it too
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good movie with hilarious scenes!
the movie supposed to be a comedy (meaning that you should be laughing for most of the times) but for me, i did not feel that... maybe due to the fact that the movie was produced in 1999, the humor now has changed in some ways so some scene were not hilarious for me (but for everyone is different)
but for most of the times you could still giggle away :)
The movie is great representation of the society that has let down its people- school that let down/abandoned its student, parents that let down/abandoned their children. Each character has its own unique problem that can be found throughout the society nowadays (and in those times). It's a good representation of what can happen in someone's life.
The plot is quite nice as well.
The characters are well represented and the way they spend their time is hilarious (their actions come out of their character, they act receptively to their character' image) :)
for the first 10 mins of the movie, the acting was really not that captivating and good...really thought they were amateurs not real actors
but later on it really does get better, the acting really does change
throughout the movie you can also see some major stars of nowadays like Kim Suro (mr. Idol, God of study), Lee won jong (vampire prosecutor, wild romance etc etc), park young kyu, etc.
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When Fated Love is Under Attack
Nice miniseries filled with the tropes that we have come to expect. The cheating, manipulation, obsessive 'love' interest, trauma and tragedy gives a packed whirlwind of options to consider. Yet, the ML and FLs connection felt authentic and not static. The 'villains' were the norm weaved in unique ways to keep it interesting. The dynamics of the 'talent' feature was not as prominent as expected but more so a highlight. The 'extra' at the end could have been left out. However, for a miniseries its light, paced well and a solid watch.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Didn't thought I'd fall in love
I do not like bromances usually, I hate the fact that in those stories, their is only too subtle insinuation and no kisses or anything but I almost do not consider The Untamed not being one, here's why:The chemistry and acting of the actors are insane, you can truly feel the love between them, there is so much signs they love each other, especially Lan Zhan (with his headband for exemple).
Also the story is really good and I didn't see time pass during the 50 episodes, even though I usually have difficulties to finish series and also with this genra.
The costumes and settings are also stunning, I loved it! The theme songs are wonderful too and add so real immersion and emotions to the series.
The only sad point is that I watched it on Viki after seeing the traductions seemed more understandable for me than with the YouTube translation but ho god what a mistake. I had heard of the "soulmate scene' where Wei Wuxiang tells Lan Zhang who he is for him but it was transformed into "very good friend" in the Viki translation and I only realized at the end so I was waiting for it when it already had passed...Poor me, the real translation is much more meaningful so don't do the same mistake as me.
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Truly a masterpiece
What a truly great drama! At first I thought - the men in this show sure are feminine looking. By the end of the show I couldn't believe how great this show is. The amazing story, acting and music . Man oh man, the music is in a league of its own!The plot has some amazing moments that just pull at your heartstrings. Interestingly, this show gets better every time you rewatch it! Don't be scared away by the Boy Love elements. It's really subtle if that's not your thing. I'm not into BL but by the end of this film I wanted the two male leads to live happily ever after!
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This review may contain spoilers
Unrealistic, mediocre and annoying....but cute if you're bored.
It's cute, I give it that. And if you're bored and really starved for something new, go watch it by all means.Just be prepared for a whole LOT of CRINGE:
1. The absolute WORST direction I have seen in a long time (if not ever) in a BL series. The whole time I've been watching it I kept pausing the video and commenting "I can't believe how stupid and badly directed this is", but I still watched the whole thing, because at the end of the day it was cute, AND because parts of the plot felt like it was loosely inspired by the manga of the same title, which I liked when I was younger.
2. Unrealistic to the point that it made me burst out in laughter several times each episode...and not because it was funny. It was just cringey af and plain absurd. No, just no, when it comes to the credibility of the story. The script was written by a lunatic and it was just sooo bad technically, too. Most scenes were too long and 1/3 of them were unnecessary.
3. It's personal preference, but I generally am not a fan of series with (especially many) side couples. Whereas sometimes the side couples grow one me & I end up liking them a lot, here the side couples flat out annoyed me. They were taking away from the main story and I never really cared for any of them.
4. The character of Prab's friend Long irritated me to the extent that I needed to pause the video every time he appeared on the screen. Not the actor's fault, it's just a badly & unrealistically scripted series.
5. Can we talk about the music please? OMG, no, no no. The same song playing over and over again made me want to kill myself on episode 3. I understand they made a theme song, but that doesn't mean it has to play in the background during 40% of each episode. The remaining background music was so basic it felt as if it was created by a 10 year old.
6. The disturbing teacher/student side story. Creep alert! Just no, especially since it wasn't the student who was the "interested" side.
7. Lastly...the in/out of commercial panels. I mean....disturbing much! I'm not sure WHO wants to see those BOYS topless, but not me! If they were at least well-built and a little older-looking, it would still be a little cringe, but sure - give it to me. Mind you, I'm of age - and whereas I understand this is a series about teenagers - I'm not much older and it still made me extremely uncomfortable. Mostly because the actors look very young. Also the topless takes had nothing to do with the series itself that just barely contains kissing (the most innocent kind, too).
Rewatchable? Absolutely no.
Cute? Yes (only the main story IMO, tho).
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Cast: The actors did a good job on this one, and the fact that I really like the thai beauty helps a lot. It's nice to see young rising stars putting out a nice performance (couln't give it a 10 because of the annoying love interest of the lead)
Music: It really fit the mood and I enjoyed the singing as well
At the end I give this movie a 8.5, as a more objective viewer, as to how much I enjoyed watching, defenitely 9/10
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Disappointed
First, Joongdunk is one of my most favorite BL couples. They are both very handsome and talented. But the story was so bad that even they couldn’t save it. I will say that GMM always shoots in beautiful locations and has high quality visuals. But, at times, I was embarrassed for the actors because it was so awkward. There was no substantial story and the dialogue was just cheesy. And not in a good way. This seemed so forced like the writers just wrote something quick so they could be included in this series. It wasn’t fair to the whole cast. Thankfully, they have Hidden Agenda coming up and it looks promising.Was this review helpful to you?
Such a beautiful slow paced rommance
This drama is a love story that spans 30 episodes. Each episode is captivating and engaging. The drama has a gentle and refined tone, with a lot of romance and sweetness. The script is well-written, and the actors deliver excellent performances. The drama portrays a mature and realistic relationship, without any unnecessary conflicts or angst. The male lead expresses his jealousy in a cute way, while the female lead reassures him with her confidence and wisdom. This drama is a must-watch for anyone who loves C dramas, or wants to try them for the first time. The only thing I wish is that the flirting phase lasted a bit longer. But even without it, the story is perfect.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I liked it somehow but the in-laws are reaaaaaaally infuriating for a lot of parts in the series.Worth the watch but not worth a rewatch for me.
(@ Episode 8)
I’m still watching this series but I can’t help making a review on how annoying the old people are. They have such a close minded thinking. I’m starting to feel frustrated for the FL and ML. I hope it gets better after a few more episodes.
I’ve seen a lot of c-dramas where the parent in-laws are not accepting of the wife/husband, but this series take it on another level. I would have dropped this series if the FL is a not pilot and the ML is a not doctor. I prefer the scenes when it’s just the two of them or when the scenes are focused on their jobs. Thumbs up for that.
Will update my review if I get a better opinion of this. Hopefully, soon.
(@ Episode 20)
I’m still wondering why I’m not dropping this.
How thick headed is the FL’s brother? I can’t take his attitude towards his sister. It’s too much. Yes, he feels inferior to her because she’s successful and all, but there’s a limit to everything. And the father just keep on spoiling him. Ugh. It’s so frustrating.
Cross fingers, it might get better soon.
The chemistry between the FL and ML is what keeps me on watching. They are just so cute.
(Completed)
It got better towards the end which was obviously going to happen. Anyway, it was okay for me. I really loved the fluff of the OTP tho.
I work in the aviation industry so I really like watching dramas that has airplanes in it. Plus medical dramas are my weakness. FL and ML made me want to finish this series so a really big round of applause for them.
Watching this series made me think that there really are toxic people everywhere, closer than you think. Lesson to be learned from this is to make a stand. Don’t let people abuse your kindness, even if they are you’re family. It’s better for them to learn their mistakes from within rather than being ridiculed by outsiders.
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