Reviews

The rating of this drama will probably depends of the nationality and age of the viewer and not the plot itself.

This drama was funny, exciting and got emotional a lot deeper in the story line, but it was well plotted, realistic when it comes to how studying works (not like other dramas where the not so bright child suddenly becomes an ace) and regarding love. You won't know who to ship with Harumi.
Firstly I was like "NO, this isn't right" with where the plot was heading, but understanding another ones feeling, well that is indeed something totally else.
Phrases I loved from this drama:
"Isn't love enough?"
"the brain doesn't understand the meaning of the word 'NO'
and "I'm old enough to make my own choices"

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Adapted all 4 stories of Tawan & Winnie, Jaojay & Sitang, Perth & Pipim, Papie & Jaokha well

Honestly, the prologue was perfect from beginning till end. Blending all 4 stories, More and More, Be My Baby, Be My Sugar, and Be My Boo, exceptionally well for a 44 mins short film. Their acting definitely improved, and camera-work captured each scene/mood nicely. It's as if the characters themselves jumped out from the books to tell their parts. xD

Love the small little sound effects added in some scenes too. Although some background music was a bit too loud in some scenes, when the narration was going on. Or maybe that's just my device. Though that's all good, since they are still learning along the way when filming. ^^

Thank you to the whole production crew, producers, cast and author for making a masterpiece of a prologue. I can see why it wasn't going to be called pilot trailer. Be Mine the Series, will be on my watchlist for sure. Looking forward to when it comes out later this year. In the meantime, let me keep re-watching the prologue., and everything on their channel and socials, while waiting. ^_^

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A worthy Baeksang winner for Best Drama and Best Actor

Enough praises have been showered for this amazing thriller, and no wonder it’s a Baeksang winner for Best Drama and Best Actor. I feel that it’s even more amazing when this drama has an original script and not an adaptation of a novel or webtoon. Adaptations seem to be so common these days that original ideas from screenwriters have run dry. This genre is not usually my cup-of-tea and I was hesitant to watch even though I know it’s a masterpiece. I’m so glad this was assigned to me during a challenge and ‘forces’ me to witness the amazing acting of the whole cast.

Shin Ha Kyun’s award for Best Actor is so deserving. As a veteran, and mostly a movie veteran, he was perfectly casted as the “crazy” cop who was desperate to find his murdered sister’s missing body for over 20 years. Being accused of killing his sister and living a really hard life, Shin Ha Kyun was able to portray all the emotions of grief, guilt, regret, hate, and being loved by his found family. I was haunted by the evil grin and eyes he showed from time to time, but also cried for him when he’s been hurt so deeply by people close to him.

On another note, Yeo Jin Goo held his own playing opposite the amazing Shin Ha Kyun. He has grown so much as an actor and continues to amaze me whenever he’s in a serious drama. I first loved him as the young crown prince in “Moon Embracing the Sun” but really acknowledged his acting in “The Crowned Clown”. Although he is probably best known for his role in “Hotel del Luna”, I think with him being in “Beyond Evil” and playing with so many great veteran actors must be a very enjoyable process. Yeo Jin Goo’s character, Han Joo Won, might not be as multi-layered as Shin Ha Kyun’s character, Lee Dong Shik. Joo Won could be a little more emotionless but Yeo Jin Goo’s micro expressions and subtle yet emotional acting shines through. I might be more impressed by this young fella than the veterans.

But honestly, the whole cast from the found family of friends, to the villains who cause troubles, they are all amazing. The group of friends who hung out at the restaurant after work each night brings warmth to my heart. They care for and love each other, yet each harbors a secret that you will discover one by one. The villains are not cartoonish. They are so well-written that you don’t feel like you can hate them outright.

The friendship/partnership between the leads is fun to witness. Do they really trust each other as partners? Are they just using each other for their own purposes? Do they really care for each other? Is their next move to protect the partner? This drama keeps me guessing and I love both of them. I really want them to want to die and sacrifice for each other, even though you will never hear them say that out loud.

Lastly, the drama keeps me interested and engaged throughout. From my novice eyes, I love the plot and twists. I thought initially why they let me know the murderer so early on and then I realized, there’s so much more to the story. Different side plots seem to all intertwine into the main plot. It keeps me guessing but not guessing. It’s like you know who the big bad wolf is, but you wonder how the drama is going to show you. I enjoy the showing and not telling approach. There are some pretty intense scenes and a few pretty grueling visuals (after all this is about murders).

If I am going to be nick picky, there are a few minor questions I have about the storyline. Why would Ha Joo Won pick that certain someone for the sting operation? Why her? How did he know she would be chosen? What's the commonality of all the murder victims? Is there a reason to the madness? I would have loved to know more about the backstory of the murderer and what drove him into this madness.

I am really glad I watched this, even though I might have fallen asleep watching it because I was too tired from work. It’s not the fault of the drama, but it does require my focus and attention 100% because each scene and each facial expression is important. I strongly recommend this if you are a lover of this drama, or if you are a novice like me and want to start with something amazing.


Completed: 3/1/2024 - Review #412

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Most Comical and Emotional Taiwanese styled Medical/Romcom drama!

I felt quite emotional after finishing this drama and I've got to say it's really too short for such a well made story! They indeed spent a lot of time understanding the medical and hospital industry and their culture which really reflected great when the actors are delivering their scenes.

This is what I really call an all-rounder medical drama! They did not over exaggerate how holy the hospitals are because end of day many businessmen only treat these hospitals as money making machines... If you look at the ending credits scene, you will see how many doctors and specialists they have engaged and consulted to ensure this medical drama is in its most accurate form. I'm also really glad that the FL and ML played their roles really well along with other casts that created the sometimes comical and other times serious ambiance.

For anyone hoping for some BL scenes, I'm sorry to say there isn't any of such scenes... Because it was Ah Liang's one-sided crush on Doc Ah Kui~ Still funny to see their scenes but nope they did not end up together.

What I felt really lovey dovey was how the ML kept wooing after the FL because he gave his virginity to her but ended up just to get a cold face back as they progressed to really understand each other's pain and slowly falling for each other~

Really recommend everyone to watch it! You won't have regrets watching and it's not dry like most medical dramas!

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Refreshing! Amazing ending for a lakorn!

Is it a bit too long? Yes. Is it over the top sometimes? Well, it is a lakorn so yes, of course! If you are looking for an all logical and calm storyline, where everything makes sense stay away from lakorns and watch Kdramas.
I was literally blown away, that the bad guys really had a BAD ending here. This is sooo soooo refreshing!
Normally - in lakorns - the bad guys rape, steal, kill and so on and they are almost always getting a happy end with hugs and kisses, sunshine and roses....disgusting. Here? NOPE!
Story 7/10 but with that kind of ending it is a 10/10 for me.

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Very good one

I read negatives previus reviews and i am quite surprise by thoses. After having watch about 30 BL movies or series, i can say that for a BL high school series, it's a very very good one. The acting is superb, what others criticize as a confused story line is the sort we can follow in true life, things happen, good or bad ones, one after the other ... even lucky hasard. A lot happen, the intrigue is rich but it's not confused. The atmosphere of the story is very unique, romantic and intense and not frustrating at all (compare to other no sexe bl series like Together 1 season). This production is original and deals with themes others bl series don't treat, like loving someone but taking time for accepting his body. There is no stupid cliché like "top and bottom", no guitare courses lol, no jealous girls squad. Drake and Frank composed very sensitive and credible characters who just try to slalom with social exigences and the truth of their heart. It's very sweet and interesting. Give it a try !

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I almost give up to watch this drama because of the low rate in the review of this drama. Anyway, we have different opinions and feelings on dramas we are watching. For me, I did not sleep for one night just to finish this drama and so far I love it. Maybe others are not satisfied since the age gap of the Han and Mido but I love them.  If I were to choose between  Mr. Han and Jae Hee , I will choose Han even though he is older. Before, I just don't understand Mido because  she cannot decide who to choose between the 2 but I'm glad in the end I know she still looks for Mr. Han.

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We had high expectations

Certainly the drama I less appreciated from our star Kim Soo Hyun. It is not about actors’ performances, I actually was stoned by Kim Ji Won’s acting. It was a very refreshing role for her. But the story itself lacks deepness… Of course if we compare this to recent works labeled as kdrama romances, you can find worst cases scenarios which actually got better reviews than this one but how can I say… maybe high expectations were awaited here. Kim Soo Hyun’s choices used to be better. In this series even main characters reach a point where they stop to evolve. And the intrigue and vilains are not justified at any point. It’s like, let’s put a vilain to get an intrigue… on a short notice, I’d like to see our boy is something very different from what he usually plays. Maybe a vilain ? Idk.
Again my review is only subjective tho.

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If you want to cry, cry for kdramas...

If you want to cry, cry for kdramas ... I think this is a good phrase for those who like me are adept at melodramas (makjangs). And that is what happened to me (I cried a lot) when watching Lie After Lie, which I think is my first drama since it was aired by Channel A. Drama that from the beginning caught my attention by the casting and the plot. After all, how can you not get excited about a drama starring Lee Yoo Ri (from Father is Strange, Yellow Boots and Jang Bo laughs), Yeo Jung Hoon (who appears completely different from Mask's villain) and having Lee Ill Hwa as antagonist? I think this is almost impossible. And in addition, we have a synopsis that gives a sample of how far a mother can go, making me ask, how far can a lie take us? Is there a lie that is not entirely questionable? Is everything that we see that is established as truth really true? Questions that for me were gradually being answered with the plot of a mother who, due to her mother-in-law's selfishness and greed, had to serve the sentence for the death of her abusive, beating husband.

Reading the synopsis, some may think that the drama has exaggerations, super dramatic situations, but despite any impression that the script may cause, we have scenes that are far from representing any exaggeration, because even Lee Yoo Ri's cry is painful, but at the same time, restrained and the pain is not shown through scandal, but through a facial expression that denotes through the look, a look associated with an almost shaky voice shows in a subtle way the protagonist's suffering. And this mother is joined by a father, a male protagonist who represents in an exemplary way the notions that have developed about what it means to be a man who is whole, generous and welcoming, in a non-caricatural way, because Kang Ji Min also hates, he is also upset, he also gets angry, however, all these feelings are expressed in a non-violent way, in a way that does not hurt and that demonstrates the respect he has for human beings.

We see in both protagonists a sense of justice in the terms established by that definition, more than anything, what Kang Ji Min and Ji Eun Soo seek and protect what they have most precious, that is, their daughter, without resorting disloyalty nor hurting other people. And all this fight for justice we see in 16 episodes, with an agile script. Perhaps some technical flaws and use of another cliché? Yes, but these are details ...

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Must Watch: Awesome Game/Sports Drama Manga/Anime Live Action Adaptation

This incarnation of Hikaru No Go is the Chinese Live Action Adaptation of the wildly successful Japanese Manga and Anime of the same name. The anime was a masterpiece that pulled all my feelings out and left me emotionally gutted, so I had high expectations for the Drama and the producers succeeded beyond my wildest expectations. Let's quickly preface that I know little to nothing about Go, but lack of knowledge about the game will not impact your ability to enjoy this drama one bit.

The characters have been slightly changed from the anime and all of the changes have been improvements. The acting by the younger and older versions of our 2 rivals, Shi Guang (Hu Xian Xu) and Yu Liang (Hao Fu Shen) is fantastic. Juck Zhang who played Chu Ying (Sai in the Anime) disappears into his role, and manages to retain Chu Ying/Sai's childlike innocence, fun and adorableness which accounts for why Chu Ying/Sai was such a fan favorite, he's just kawaii/cute beyond all imagining and I know if I were a kid I would not mind having (and hugging) a friend like him. The extremely realistic special effects constantly remind us that Chu Ying is a ghostly figure not real.

This Drama gives a richness and depth to all who interacted with Shi Guang during the time of his "go" journey. His classmates and the people who helped start the Go club at his school. The teachers and other students at his Go Academy. The fat guy who messed with him at the Go Grading Preliminary qualifiers. Brush graffiti guy! The bath house masseuse! The Go Factory guys and boss! The crazy Monks! The struggles and friendships. All of those just leaped off the page and were just likeable and relatable.

The story also had themes of times changing, and the necessity to adapt and change with the times or get left behind. They showed the slow decline of Go's popularity waning over a decade as the public lost interest in a difficult game to learn or play, less tuition centers, gaming centers closing and without the new blood or something to spark interest it will become an even smaller niche hobby than chess. For the game to continue flourishing, there needs to be new blood, which needs to be trained. The baton needs to be passed on. People choose to play or quit for all kinds of real life reasons, that are fully explored in a direct yet sensitive manner.

I can't say enough good things about this show except you should watch it. The story, characters, acting, VFX, OST (listened to the ending song all the way through every episode) all are impeccably done. At the ending I understood why the original mangaka (manga author) posted that he approved of the live action adaptation, high praise indeed coming from what is probably the world's harshest critic on this topic. He was satisfied, and having finished this, I'm also satisfied that I've watched and enjoyed this masterpiece.

P.S. I would not turn down more episodes but alas the live action ended where the manga story ends so there's no more content to adapt.

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I was watching this drama while it was still airing. For me the episodes are not enough. The action, thrill, twists, i love all. Krystal did really well here. She pulled off the badass, tomboyish but at the same time beautiful side. The bromance.. speechless. It's such a great drama, their targets, good. Thumbs up. I've already rewatched it and yeah, i finished it till the end.

The story just flows smoothly, and it would be so great if they gave krystal more action. Lee si eon here sure stood out. He is funny, weird, genius, but not annoying. The strong guy, well, is very cute. The chemistry between the four is just so cute. There's a spark, there is a sibling relationship. I kind of wanted romance but, sadly, none. You should have add some even just a little, but if they did, hell, this'll be very great.

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Discovering love amidst all the insecurities of teen years.

After reading comments and reviews I wasn't so sure if Utsukushii Kare was worth watching or not, luckily I gave it a try and i fell in love with this story and the way it is told.
Hira is awkward and easily bullied, but despite appearances and his own idea about himself he is absolutely not week and has an innate pride in wanting to stay in his role of servant for Kiyoi. Based on what is socially succesful he has a low opinion of his personality and ability to deal with others, yet he pursues his passion for Kiyoi relentlessly, blind to anything else beside his wish to be around the other boy. When Hira first meet Kiyoi, the boy incarnates an ideal perfection that is so beyond Hira he doesn't even see him not a real person. Hira is so set in his way that despite loving Kiyio and thinking the world of him he fails to notice the other boy feelings and keep misinterpreting his actions.
Kiyoi on the other hand, has the perfect life apparently. He is gorgeous, he is popular and admired by all schoolmates, he sits on top of the school hierarchy and yet he is obviously drawned by Hira. Without even knowing, Hira brings forth Kiyoi's vulnerability, his need of being truly seen and cherished for who he is beyond the perfect picture appearance. His emotions towards Hira confuses him and hurts him, especially when Hira seems to only be interested in admaring him form afar while never really wanting him.
Like most teenagers overwhelmed by emotions they hurt each others because they don't know how to communicate and watch past the maelstrom of personal insecurities. The process of seeing them grown up throught their struggles is what makes this story very sweet and tender.
As for technical aspects Japan never let down when it come to quality in BL productions: directing, cast, acting, writing are all top notch creating a real gem of a drama.

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Very Boring

I placed a spoiler alert at the end of this review.

I usually wait for the movie version before I write a review, but this could not wait. This series was very underwhelming. The storyline used for the series was nothing new or exciting. This is not a bad thing if it had a great script. Unfortunately, this was not the case because it had too many weak elements. The main culprit is the lack of communication between all the characters. Using misunderstandings as a story element is nothing new, but this series takes it to a ridicules level. Another problem was very little to no character development with the whole cast, exception with Seon Ho. See spoiler alert at the end of this review for more information. The acting was ok, but nothing groundbreaking. The cinematography was good, but there was a weird editing choice in episode 7 that affected the mood for the next scene. It does have cool opening credits.

Random Notes:
This is one of those series you can wait to watch until you have some time to kill and have nothing better on your must watch list.

******Spoiler Alert******

I appreciate they did not use the “gay for you” story element. It was very refreshing that they had Seon Ho question his sexuality. After all, there are more than two types of sexuality.

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