What a sweet poster! ... Fooled me. Well, I didn't even watch the trailer. I couldn't anticipate the plot, the atmosphere; nothing. Koreans have this unhealthy habit of using same-gender romance as fanservice, and personally, I'm so sick of it. They bring the sweet part of it and forget how unrealistic that is, especially in Korea, but it's trendy. So, coming from such a harsh society, it's rare to see a realistic and brave movie regarding this matter. Lately, not only in cinematography, but also music, I've noticed more support and attention in this country. Night Flight is nothing about fetishizing homosexuality and avoiding the truth. This movie manages to show a honest reality, with striking scenes and a solid plot.
It explores the relationship between three childhood friends — Yong Joo, Gi Wook and Gi Taek. Yong Joo and Gi Wook own the plot, while Gi Taek holds a meaningful role through the story. The two of them have a complicated relationship, a kind of bitter, one-sided friendship which lacks closeness and words. This already confusing relationship they have takes a new turn when Yong Joo realizes the feelings he has for Gi Wook have been romantic for a very long time. So he walks further. And everything crashes, in a very beautiful, aching way. Don't expect sweetness, there's no such thing. At least, not how it usually looks like. Let go of your affectionate dramaland and learn to see differently. The emotions can be seen only through gestures, the way the look at each other, the way they don't when they can't see each other (but they wonder about the other) and the words they always seem to share without speaking. Both cruel and kind words. Thus, the moments they speak, the dialogue is actually complex, behind its simple words. So, it's intense and much honest. I found they personalities very pure, pained and so lonely, bearing their own heavy stories, but they choose to cope with their feelings in completely opposite ways — Yong Joo is the bright, brave and sincere one, while Gi Wook is quieter, violent and doesn't know how to express himself. I thought for a moment, given their situations, it's more expected for their personalities to have been reversed, but this way it's actually more interesting, I really like that.
The acting, with more interest in the body language rather than words, was intense and surprisingly good. I could feel their pain growing under my skin, and all it took was looking into their eyes and their messy gestures. Some scenes are still haunting me.
Given how quiet and raw the movie feels, when the music starts, it speaks emotions. Not too much, really, just the right amount of sounds to make it more touching, at the right time. Visually, there are many important details; sometimes it's bright, but mostly dark. Some shoots are serene, colorful and truly artistic, matching the emotions (love), while some are simply raw, monotone and cruel, matching the reality (pain). A very creative contrast.
Do I plan on rewatching it? Of course, probably many times. I'm typing and I can feel the urge to go back and watch some parts, but I'll stay away for a while and let it sink in. Not long, though. I can't wait to see if it's going to hurt more or less (most likely, more). Profound movies always touch deeper the second time.
Yes, it's a sad, realistic movie, with sad teenagers in love. Too young to be so damaged, yet very common. And no, the actors don't look like models, their skin isn't godlike. They look human and, also, they fight for being humans, in a world full of emotionless and harmful silhouettes. This movie shouldn't be overlooked or judged before watching. Let go of any previous disappointing experience with gay-themed movies and dwell in Night Flight. It's the kind of movie that should be watched late at night, when the mind is a little tired to analyze, and the feelings are more perceptive. Because it stains, yet it doesn't feel only painful — it's also very sweet. Beautifully tragic.
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This is the new standard for bl shows
Wow what can i even say about this show, like for the past 10 weeks I've went thru so much emotions that i couldn't believe i could exude.Tale of a thousand 1000 stars is one of the best bl shows to air this year. The cinematography, acting, music literally everything was perfection. If i was being honest when i first heard about the show i wasn't that that excited but still interested but oh wow my expectations went thru the roof. Both actors held their ground and proved they will be running gmm for years to come. Tian and phupha had so much chemistry and tension you couldn't even deal if you tried.
I honestly don't even know what else do i have to say like its just that good so EVERYONE GO WATCH
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The main actress and actor had such amazing chemistry that even after months, just hearing the song "Konayuki" by Remioromen breaks my heart. Thus being said the soundtrack is beautiful.
The reason I didn't give the rewatch value a 10 is because, despite this being a flawless drama, it's too heartbreaking for me to watch again. I would really love to, since it's my favorite, but I have never cried so much in my life. You will want to watch it again but if you are like me, you're not sure your heart can take it.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is my first movie comment. I felt compelled to write this review because many viewers and reviewers haven’t given this movie credit for how good it is primarily because they have a preconceived notion or expectation of what the movie is before watching it and feel unsatisfied at the end because they don’t fully understand it. If you think this story is a gay coming-out/love story or a horror movie the you’ve been badly misled but give it a chance and you’ll find it to be a pretty worthwhile watch.I will admit that the first time I watched it I was confused as to what happened. Much like the movie the Sixth Sense this one made you think and required you to watch it a second time. The second time around it makes more sense. This is not your conventional horror movie or a gay coming of age love story. Think of it as the reaction of the mind because of horrors that it has to endure.
The title The Blue Hour is very significant to the meaning of the movie. The Blue Hour, also known as Onthakan, is the time between day and night; dream and reality; good and evil. This is where this movie lies.
My personal thoughts on what the movie means after watching it a second time. Don’t read the next section till you’ve watched the movie at least once,
The story is about Tam, a High School student who’s bullied at school and physically and mentally abused at home by his family for being gay. To escape, his mind creates an alter ego named Phum. The movie goes back and forth between Tam’s reality and dreams — hence the blue hour — with the majority of the movie in Tam’s dreams. Phum is strong, independent, self-aware and confident, traits that Tam doesn’t have. Phum essentially acts as the trigger (imagine that little devil on Tam’s shoulder) that unleashes the horrors that lie within Tam’s mind. Phum frees Tam sexually; makes him feel at peace with himself and who he is (any of their poolside chats and the rooftop scene); allows Tam to metaphorically see what his parents have taken away from him (the empty field with so much potential that became a garbage dump - Tam is accused of everything that is bad with their family, including being gay), rationalize murder to save himself (stuff that happens while he’s in the dump); and to learn how to mentally get away from it all (I think this is what the whole holding breath thing is, to be dead without being dead). The pool represents the dirty section of Tam’s mind. The random images that show up on the pool walls that look like images of people made from crap are manifestations of Tam’s problems specifically his family that keep on showing up no matter how hard he tries to remove them. Tam nearly drowning in the pool is essentially that, Tam drowning in his problems. Not sure what the meaning of Phum saving Tam from drowning means. However, after Phum saves and revives him, Tam admits that he can’t remember anything that happened - thereby admitting that he’s struggling between dreams and reality or maybe even good and evil thoughts. The gangsters, who Tam and Phum meet at the pool, are the manifestations of Tam rationalizing murdering his family and a willingness to give up parts of himself to do it - the whole negotiation and Phum listing all the things he’s willing to give up. The ending scene, Tam and Phum meet at a calm river representing Tam’s mind at peace and calm.
I too struggled with this movie at first. A second viewing with an open and objective mind will really make you appreciate the movie and its subtle complexities.
Gun and Oabnathi did a great job acting in this movie that you wanted to believe that they were “real” couple/friendship as opposed to just that little devil on Tam’s shoulder. Thats the genius of movies like this and the Sixth Sense.
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So Far, Most Re-watchable JDrama BL I've Seen
I've spent at least 6 hours of my life re-watching this drama! From Michieda Shunsuke's (Aoki) amazing facial expressions, to Fukomoto Riko's (Hashimoto) charming personality (definitely a scene stealer, it's so nice to see a strong female character like her), to Meguru Ren's (Ida) handsome face, this show finds itself ranking at the top of my list for 2021 BL's. Not to mention Suzuki Jin's (Akkun) acting - seeing him go from his more 'serious' role in Given earlier this year to something more lighthearted is a little head spinning; he has amazing range!As for the plot, there are some twists and turns in the first few episodes that had me cracking up and itching for the next episode to hurry up!
All in all, so far it's been an amazing experience to watch this show!
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I originally decided to start this drama because I was captivated by the promotional poster - I knew nothing in particular of Jo Seung Woo or Bae Doo Na, but the poster drew me in immediately: dark, exciting, and striking - a great representation of this drama. I was sold after the first episode.
While I truly love K-Dramas, I think we can all agree that a lot of them are dumbed down to a point where you don't have to truly pay attention or think about what is happening in them - everything is explained plainly, no questions asked. Even crime and mystery dramas often times overdo it with the explanations so the viewer won't have to ask themselves 'huh? what happened? why'. You won't find this here. This is a drama that will require your attention all throughout, as missing a dialogue or a glance will confuse you later, without much explanation. This is a drama that asks for your full attention, and a drama that keeps its momentum until its last minute. There is no fizzling out, no unnecessary showdowns and car chases and fist fights, no rushed endings - no, everything progresses at a smooth pace that by the end you don't even notice that it's over because you're so used to its steady progression and flow. It feels strange and sad that in the coming weeks, I won't see Pros. Hwang Si Mok and Det. Han Yeo Jin running around and taking down corruption.
While Jo Seung Woo and Bae Doo Na are not what you might call top Hallyu stars (I'd argue about BDN but anyway), as say Park Bo Gum or Jun Ji Hyun, both are top-notch well-known experienced actors that infuse their characters with life all throughout. Not only them - the whole cast is stellar and even if I try to think of one loose performance, I can't. I could hardly believe that Jo Seung Woo is the same guy who played the main in God's Gift and that Yoo Jae Myung (Pros. Lee Chang Jun) is the same person who played Do Bong Soon's father.
And, of course, I cannot fail to mention the writer, Lee Soo Yeon, who has developed two of the most unique female protagonists in K-dramas for me. One determined to stand by justice no matter what and one determined to clear her father's name no matter the price - both executed perfectly until the end with no unnecessary fluff and delving into annoying, and quite frankly degrading, romances. Not only those two but all the pivotal characters went through such believable character development, that you will find yourself attached even to the most despicable of them - not because they're handsome and an oppa but because they're human, not innocent not evil but somewhere in between, just like all of us.
I really can't think of a reason why you wouldn't want to see this drama - it's what all crime and legal dramas should aim to be, and I'm looking forward to the day I watch something that will outdo it. While some people may think it seems boring, I urge you to challenge yourself and watch the first two episodes; your brain will thank you. To me, this was a heart-racing drama that made me laugh, cry, feel disgust, and so many more emotions.
I am so excited to see what this rookie writer will bring us in the future because if it's anything like Forest of Secrets, then we'll know we have another great drama upon us.
2021 edit: Yeah, I still have not found another drama to replace Stranger as my favorite - go watch season 2 if you have not!
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The words corporate politics put me off for a while, but then I finally picked this drama because of Gung Min. I wasn't familiar with any of the other cast. Now I can't believe I was about to pass this gem off!
Here are few of the reasons why I loved Chief Kim-
-Sometimes, it doesn't require an unique plotline to make a successful drama, but what matters is it's execution. A group of people fighting against the corruption in their organisation might not seem like anything new, but Chief Kim is executed brilliantly. Not to mention, hilariously.
-I feel like, with the given plot, there could have been a lot of crazy misunderstandings, what with him being a bad person at the beginning. But the writer chose to deal with that fact in a straightforward manner, instead of going round and round in circles. I'm really thankful for that because it made it way more enjoyable.
-I really enjoyed the pacing of this show. In a typical kdrama, things go well in the start, and then around the last 5-6 episodes, everything goes wrong horribly which doesn't get resolved until the last episode. But I felt that wasn't the case with this drama. The pacing was a bit more consistent. Good and bad happened throughout the drama, not at any specific timings/ episode.
- I legit loved every interactions between every characters in the drama. Whether it may be Chief Kim & Seo Yul, Seo Yul & Ha Gyeong, Chief Kim & Myeong Su, Chief Kim & Ga Eun and any many others, each one was immensely enjoyable.
-I'm a big fan of bromances. Well, who isn't, right? The main lead, Chief Kim, is surrounded by a lot of guys. There are number of bromances going on simultaneously. My personal favorite being TQ's Psycho & Gluttonous Sociopath. They are just sooo cute!
-The chemistry between the characters is really good. Not just with the leading characters, but also between the supporting characters.
-There might not be any romance, but you can still ship two particular characters (I'm not saying who), I know I did.
-The comedy is SPOT-ON. This drama might not keep you on the edge of your seat, but it sure will have you falling off off it- with laughter!
-Last but not the least; watch out for the some drama scenes parodies. I loved them, and I'm sure you'll too. I'm not going to say which dramas, 'cause that'll spoil the fun, but they were pretty popular ones.
I'd like to end the review by saying that I'm not a drama re-watcher, but I'd gladly re-watch any episode of Chief Kim any-day! So please, give this a chance!
Happy Watching!
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Funnily enough, I almost passed by this drama and, had I not been practically forced to push the play button, I would have missed out on the best drama I've seen in my twelve years of drama watching experience. Even the fact that this is my first drama review on MDL shows how highly I think of this drama and how strongly I feel that the overall rating of #2 and popularity of #1 is completely well deserved. Healer has become my top favorite drama, dethroning my previous favorite, which had held onto the top spot for the last seven years. That's the power of Healer.
If strong characters all around, both male and female, are your thing, watch it. If a solid love line without stupid, nonsensical love triangles and noble idiocy break ups are your thing, watch it. If you enjoy a good action, romance, political, and gripping-the-edge-of-your-seat-intense drama, then this is definitely, definitely for you. Watch it.
The acting by the ENTIRE cast is flawless. The OST is amazing and so well suited to each scene that its played in. Healer will make you experience the widest range of emotions throughout its 20 episodes and you'll still feel like you didn't get enough. Heartwarming, touching, beautiful, intriguing, heartbreaking, action-packed, downright hilarious, and so perfect! That's Healer.
In fact, I don't think there are enough words in the world to describe Healer and the effect it has on me and this is coming from a writer. The plot was solid, the pacing was perfectly balanced while never slow, and the characters were so natural and realistic. I walked into this drama unfamiliar with the cast and walked away a fan of all three leads and then some.
If you've ever fallen so in love with someone or something to the point where your heart hurts and throbs with the pain of overwhelming emotions, then you'll understand what Healer has done to me. But, quite frankly, it would hurt more to never experience this drama than to deal with the withdrawal of a perfect in every aspect drama.
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Love is a many splendored thing.
A Dream of Splendor has rocked the staid, tired, cliché infested Chinese period drama world. It is an alluring adult romance that has set the internet on fire. It is a powerful and exhilarating story about downtrodden women who work together to stand up against feudal society. Written and directed by women, it is a story about how women survive, thrive, bond and love. The production values are astonishing, with meticulous attention to detail and appreciation for history and culture.This story is about the plight of fallen women or jian ji 贱籍 during Northern Song Dynasty. Jian ji are pariahs or outcasts; people who exist outside of the four social classes of scholars, farmers, workers and merchants and are practically slaves, beggars, prostitutes, actors, musicians or fallen people below commoner status. This status is passed from generation to generation and cannot be easily changed and the women are not considered suitable for marriage into gentry other than as concubines. Promising beauties like Zhao Pan'er and Song Yinzhang are trained from a young age in the fine arts and performance to potentially become renown entertainers to the imperial court. Too often, like Zhang Haohao they become courtesans who flourish at the most elite levels of society and are almost indistinguishable from upper class women. Many hope to marry their patrons and leave this existence behind them. This explains both Pan'er and Yinzhang's insecurities and their strong desire to shed the taint of the jian ji 贱籍 status.
The drama was mocked for its preoccupation with chastity which does not fit in with the societal norms of the day. In Guan Hanqing's famous original zaju 杂剧 or Yuan opera 赵盼儿风月救风尘 (Zhao Pan'er Flirts to Save A Harlot), both Panér and Yinzhang are courtesans. Guan Hanqing's works are known for championing the oppressed and courtesans were historically viewed sympathetically. The grace, beauty and education of legendary courtesans is often celebrated in Chinese vernacular literature. The production decided however, that Chinese audiences would not be receptive to a Song dynasty version of Pretty Woman. While some may feel this does not respect the original works, it is not important. The drama adaptation in its entirety is far from prudish and remains faithful to the spirit of the play in its criticism of the hypocrisy of traditional morality. That is all that really matters.
After crushing personal setbacks, Zhao Pan'er, Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang make a fresh start in the capital Kaifeng. They are bonded by the hardships they endure due to their low social status. They are realistic characters with flaws aplenty who make mistakes with consequences. They don't always agree and when they fight, they can be woman style mean to each other. Pan'er is a talented performer and a connoisseur of tea, tea art and famous paintings. Despite her serene demeanor, she has her own insecurities but is determined to leave her painful past to become an independent and capable business woman. She won't be bullied, is vengeful and does not hesitate to seek legal redress for injustices.
Pan'er is overprotective of the immature and temperamental Yinzhang, a rare and talented pipa player whose ability is only exceeded by her arrogance and desperation to escape her low status. Together with the feisty and loyal Sanniang, a fantastic cook and pastry chef, the three friends start a teahouse with their pooled resources and combined abilities. On the way to Kaifeng, Pan'er clashes with the Living Devil Gu Qianfan, commander of the powerful and secretive Capital Security Office and all kinds of sparks fly. Liu Yifei and Chen Xiao are the stars of the show with their thrilling, combustive chemistry and screen presence. Both actors have matured considerably and it is fair to say Zhao Pan'er and Gu Qianfan are their best roles to date respectively. Even though Yinzhang is the character that shows the most growth, Lin Yun's portrayal lacks complexity and is not empathetic. It is the weakest link among the main cast. Liu Yan's Sanniang saves the day as the best friend everyone needs with her wonderful mixture of comedic belligerence, endurance and wisdom.
This drama's greatest attraction and also its greatest drawback is the incomparable romance between Zhao Panér and Gu Qianfan. The fervent, ardent chemistry between Liu Yifei and Chen Xiao has me grinning like a giddy, lovesick fool every time they light up the screen. I love how Chen Xiao communicates passion with heat in his eyes and how his expression can suddenly turn from guarded to vulnerable to hopelessly smitten. I leapt up from my sofa and yelled "liar, LIAR" at him in the very first episode when Gu Qianfan claimed not to find Panér beautiful even as his eyes oozed with pure male appreciation. Liu Yifei's Panér is such an exquisite and feminine foil for his masculinity that it is just entrancing to watch their courtship as it evolves subtly from friction to unwelcome attraction as she slowly beguiles him with her grace, independence and soft-spoken sincerity. Yang Yang is a phenomenal director whose gorgeous and intimate camera angles enhances the thrill of their budding romance and build up in passion to the point there are moments I feel like I am invading their privacy. The drawback of course is that the story is much bigger than the love story which is too engrossing and spectacular. All the other plot threads pale in comparison.
At the point I am in serious danger of diabetes from the sugar highs, Pan'er's and Qianfan's romance gets put on ice for a number of episodes for a flimsily crafted misunderstanding. I am less dismayed than most by it, because I like to see a relationship tested for duration by challenges. While their conflict could be better conceived, the writer has fewer degrees of freedom to work with because the plot is embedded within true events and historical figures of the day. This won the praise of many history buffs who got a huge kick out of deciphering who's who and which events, as was analyzed in detail by other viewers such as @CloudA. Panér's heartbroken but enlightened insight that her father fully knew well the consequences of his actions but chose to do so anyway is a resonating fresh twist out of a tired trope. Despite their hiccup, the couple remains honest with each other about their fears and have realistic expectations that it may not be smooth sailing all the way. Du Changfeng and Sanniang's story is charming and heart warming while Chen Lian and Zhaodi's is more youthful and high spirited. I have high hopes that both Yinzhang and Chi Pan will find happiness down the road.
The digression from the main romance plot makes way for the women's story to be properly told, for their bond to mature and for them rescue each other and themselves; to be mistresses of their own destiny. The debut of their fabulous Yong'an Restaurant showcases their combined business sense, artistry and ability to innovate and is for me is the highlight of the drama. Pan'er's riveting tea art performance at the beginning is eclipsed by the extravagant and absolutely decadent dinner performance where famous paintings came vividly to life. I love how spectacularly it involves most of the supporting cast. Both the cheeky He Si and Chi Pan made me laugh and the women looked stunning. It is analogous to how this production breathes life into the famous historical works of art and literature that inspired this story.
For me, the comedy mostly misses the mark. I find Guan Yunping's (Chen Lian) more subtly hilarious brand of humor more appealing than Dai Xu's (Chi Pan) more slapstick and exaggerated approach. The actor tones it down nicely in the second half and manages make me laugh and impresses me with his acting but unfortunately that is where the plot loses momentum. This is somewhat forgivable since it is more of a character story but nonetheless they should have kept things simpler. The political aspects of the conspiracy to disgrace the empress becomes overly convoluted and leaves loose threads. Even though Ouyang Xu's final confrontation with Pan'er is well acted and satisfying, he becomes the embodiment of too many bad men and love to hate stereotypes. The interpretation of Empress Liu-E, a brilliant and powerful historical figure as a woman pushed to try to conceal her humble origins is fascinating and aligns well with the dramas feminist theme. It is well known the Emperor was aware of her background and did not care. Theirs was surely another splendid love story for the ages.
Pan'er and Qianfan's addictive chemistry and their story convinces that love is a many splendored thing. They are certainly bound for the Drama Couple Hall of Fame. Despite the disappointment in plot, which is at best worth an 8.5, I am compelled to rate this a 9.0 for the romance and for getting the important things right including the empowering themes, the originality and the director's magnificent and distinctive visual composition style.
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Unlike all the other versions (Chinese, Taiwan, Korean and Japanese), which all follow the storyline almost exactly the same, the Thai version managed to add a twist in the show without changing the original story of a smart, aloof genius guy and a cute, kind and a little dumb girl. However, this version adds more depth to the story and in my opinion more explanation which the rest did not offer.
Kiss Me showed more emotions towards TenTen and not just blindly following Taliw's courting story. It showed the process of how TenTen ACTUALLY fell for her and the reason why he keeps on pushing her away which i think was a great change to the story. Furthermore, the entire flow of Kiss Me felt right and the pace was just nice. Not to mention how much chemistry our main leads have already seen in Full House Thai.
I think the two main factors why I thought this version won the others HANDS DOWN was because it answered ALL my questions for TenTen and also showed a more caring and sensitive side of him. Additionally, Taliw is also more understanding and also thinks more before she acts making her more likable and interesting. Another factor is definitely King. HE IS SUCH A CUTIE IN THIS SHOW. I usually don't like his role in the other versions as I always found him quite loud and usually does everything without much thought. However, King is such a charmer by his every move and how he is always so thoughtful and sweet towards Taliw. (To be honest, I think I have a little second lead syndrome because of him now....)
To add on to the awesomeness, ALL the characters did such a great job in their roles and every love line managed to tug a little at my heartstrings with their chemistry and how no one is really bad or hated in the show.
In conclusion, I will strongly recommend this drama to everyone. Its like the producer did everything that made Itzunara Na Kiss a success and omitted everything hateful about it. The difference made was definitely significant as the characters, especially TenTen, felt more complete and bearable in Kiss Me.
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Revolutionary
I can't even put into words the importance of this drama not only to me as an aroace person but as a whole. I have never in main stream media seen an aroace character let alone two aroace characters explored and developed in such a beautiful and caring way. I could go into extensive detail on why this drama and representation is so important but the review would incredibly long so I'll try and keep it as short and sweet as possible.The issues and also the joy in finding your aroace identity and living as an aroace in such an amatonormative world was explored so well in this drama. The exploration of Takahashi touch aversion has left me speechless, the way they handled it with such care. I've never seen touch aversion explored in the way that Koisenu Futari did and I think it will stay with me forever. One particular scene, which I won't go into detail due to spoilers, left such a massive impression on me and I think that's thanks to Takahashi Issei's portrayal and acting within the scene.
Everyone behind this drama went into it with such care and they handled everything so beautifully. You can tell that with how they explore even the hardest parts of finding and accepting your indentity and the reactions of those closest to you. It was hard to watch at times but it was necessary to see because so many aroaces experience the things that we see both Sakuko and Takahashi go through or even fear that they will go through that. So to see the hardest parts shown the way that Koisenu Futari showed us makes you realise that you're not so alone in your experiences and fears as you think you are.
What I loved about this drama the most was how I could see my own story reflected in both Sakuko and Takahashi depending on where in my aroace journey I was. I'm so grateful that this drama exists. Thank you to the writers, to the actors, to the producers, to everyone behind this drama for giving us this drama, for wanting to explore such an unrepresented identity and to do it with such love and care. This drama will stay with me forever.
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Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
136 people found this review helpful
by RandomUsagi 
2
2 Cherry Magic Memories
To say that this is a good BL is an understatement. I've been watching jdramas in 2020 and nothing captured my attention and love like this one. A late-night BL drama nobody should've noticed became an international hit.Cherry Magic (CM) summed up:
-All characters are loveable
-Has comedy but can also get emotional
-No toxicity
-Great acting from main leads
-Great opening and ending song
-High rewatch value
STORY -9.5
''Don't you know? If you're a virgin when you turn 30, you'll become a magic user.'' -Urabe
If the synopsis is kinda offputting to you then that's normal but I guarantee you that it works. The subjects are handled with sensibility and while there is a lot of comedy it works out well. The show knows how to handle emotional scenes as well as comedy.
I think with the first episode you'll see that this drama handles its story very well. What started as a weird internet legend/joke about virginity somehow ended up becoming this cute show. This is a unique lovestory and a joy to see. It brought a lot of warmth to the winter of 2020. Teaching us all to reach out to others and to love ourselves.
ACTING/CAST -10
''Do you know what that means?'' -Kurosawa
First of all the main leads. Machida Keita, actor of Kurosawa, has had around 10 years of experience in acting and has been in many Japanese shows. He was a known name in Japan before CM happened. You can see he totally immerses himself in a character and has fun with it. A lot of later scenes in the drama have been influenced by him ad-libbing/freely acting. When his character is sad, genuinely happy or faking his emotions for the sake of others then you can see it in all his body movements. He's an intriguing character to watch on screen and definitely makes rewatching the show worth it.
Akaso Eiji is relatively new to acting in comparison to Machida Keita and was far less known in Japan. He has been in a few shows before CM, noteably as a Kamen Rider in Kamen Rider Build. Even the mangaka from CM wasn't sure he could pull off the shy, introverted character of Adachi. However, Akaso Eiji really plays Adachi perfectly. Completely adapting to the introverted and anxious character and creating some of the most fun panicked scenes. In comparison to Kurosawa, Adachi acts much more like a manga/anime-character by constantly panicking but it makes him very cute. I'm sure anyone can fall in love with such an adorable and shy main character.
Side-couple:
The character called Tsuge is extremely entertaining, even more panicked than his friend Adachi at times. His adventures have been a joy to see, the self-proclaimed romance master never disappoints. His love-interest Minato has little screentime but is very cute as well. Them both being catlovers was also great to see as the cat Udon-chan really was a joy to see on screen.
Extra characters:
Then there's Rokkaku. This guy really makes a name for himself but all characters in this show have a good heart. His overly energetic presence was always immediately visible on screen and he has been a fun addition to the show. Fujisaki is the beloved female character and likely the best female character in all of BL. An example of how to give female characters a positive presence in a BL show. Her knowing smile and caring character really makes scenes a lot better. There's not a lot to say about Urabe but he has some character growth as well, showing that all characters have some good in them.
MUSIC -10
''I scream the voice of my heart'' - Omoinotake
I never skipped the opening or the ending of this show. Both are very nice to listen to. The opening of the show (Ubugoe/Birth) being Adachis view of the situation and the ending of the show (Good Love your Love) being Kurosawas view.
The background music really knows how to make emotional scenes hit hard. Even listening to the emotional piano music brings me back to the scenes all over again. The fun background music does its job in making the scenes seem wholesome or just an enjoyable experience.
REWATCH -10
''My heart can't take it anymore'' -Adachi
I can't even count how many times I've rewatched this show during its airing time. That's not a joke, I've been part of CM watchparties and rewatched the show myself a lot of times. I think even now that the show has ended its definitely worth rewatching to watch the great acting of the main leads or just to enjoy the experience all over again. Because this show is just that, an enjoyable experience. You can also find many hidden details if you pay attention when watching the show.
In conclusion, give the show a chance and even if the first episodes don't work for you I can assure you that you will fall in love with Adachi and Kurosawa eventually. Something widely refered to as the Cherry Magic effect.
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An utterly hilarious romcom that actually respects the intelligence of its audience
This show has all the perfect ingredients for a successful romcom:1. Acting
Leads’ chemistry on crack? Check. It’s Zhao Lusi after all, who excels in this genre. Ryan ding is also surprisingly great at being devious AND also adorable. Although sometimes QQ veers ever so slightly into annoying troublemaker territory, ZLS redeems her with lots of charm and cuteness. HS doesn't lose his brains while in love and stays true to his black-bellied roots, balancing it nicely with besottedness.
Lovable side characters? Check. The main villain isn’t even that detestable and the servants are the best I’ve seen at being loyal stans of their masters. The servants' constant bickering can even count as comic bromance.
2. Storyline
Of course, the most unique setup I’ve seen that even parodies all the usual drama tropes eg “hero saving the beauty”, "death by poisoning", etc and placing a comic spin on them. This is the first female centric drama with tongue in cheek social commentary and actually deals with the gender divide really well while still maintaining that light-hearted feel.
Fast-paced and non-draggy without unnecessary conflicts or rambling? Check. Every plot line is resolved within 2 episodes and twists and turns make for an enjoyable ride. Misunderstandings are quickly resolved and serve to push the story forward, even any short period of angst is satirized into a funny and absurd lovers' spat!
3. Production
Good music is actually not really necessary, but the sets and costumes are appealing enough to make you continue watching although it’s not the usual visual spectacle of dramatic masterpieces like other genres. This is a romcom after all! We just need the production to look sufficiently pretty and the leads will shine.
This show had me laughing through every episode from start all the way to the very end!! This rollercoaster does not lose steam and delivers all the way to a happy ending that is logically satisfactory as the only acceptable ending. It even manages to include insightful analysis of male-female relationships within the drama industry and in our modern world, which is enough meta for me to appreciate the intelligence of the scriptwriters. Even my brain cells are tickled. Watch it with your eyes and mouths wide open in joy and laughter!
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Certified Immortality Clowns
I honestly thought the title "Immortality" was clever at first but little did I know it was actually a prophecy about how long we’d be waiting for this drama to air. At this point, I feel like I’ve lived three lifetimes, reincarnated twice, and still there’s no release date.The posters are gorgeous. The cast is perfect. The hype is through the roof. And then... nothing. Just radio silence, broken only by the occasional whisper of a rumor or some vague promise of “soon.” Soon? When?! Are we measuring time in centuries now?
It’s gotten to the point where I check for updates daily, WAIT no, hourly, like a lunatic. I can’t even scroll through social media without being attacked by edits, fancams,and fan theories that only fuel my obsession. I’ve rewatched the same behind the scene's so many times I could probably reenact it by memory. In full costume.
I swear, if this drama doesn’t air soon, I’m going to lose it. Forget immortality, I’ll turn into a ghost and haunt the production team until they release it.
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A delightful gem worth savouring
Every year without fail, at least one C-drama historical that’s underrated and under-the-radar but utterly deserving of praise, would somehow make its appearance in dramaland. This year’s gem, undoubtedly for me, is The Imperial Coroner.If you love the detective genre in ancient historical settings, you’d love this. This drama bears a close resemblance to Miss Truth, Maiden Holmes, Ancient Detective and Young Blood, among the recent productions of this genre. Furthermore, there are other compelling reasons I’ve enjoyed this show immensely.
Why I Love It
The Tang Dynasty in which the drama is set in. Among all the ancient dynasties, this one is my favoured time period, particularly during the early to mid-Tang, because of the vibrant and thriving era of peace and economic prosperity, along with the burgeoning appreciation for fine arts and fashion. This is reflected in the bustling cosmopolitan city of Chang’an with the integration of myriads of cultures, when international trade was at its peak. This year seems to be the season of Tang with a number of dramas set in this timeline already released, notably The Long Ballad, Court Lady and Weaving a Tale of Love.
The production values of this drama. Although reportedly being low on budget, the overall quality isn’t hampered and it shows, because the money is spent on all the right places. Sometimes a drama is big budget because of the fees involved in casting big name stars. There are no A-list superstars involved here, which is just as well because what we get in return are decent cinematography, art direction, set designs (courtesy of Hengdian World Studios), action choreography, engaging direction and brisk pacing of the storytelling, as well as the blossoming talents of a young cast.
Speaking of the cast, for fans of Young Blood we get to see Su Xiao Tong again, this time in the lead role of the titular character. This young woman is worthy of top billing for this show because we get to see her showcase her expanding range in carrying this show through her character of Chu Chu. The rest of the cast are equally promising, with Wang Zi Qi’s characterization of the male lead Xiao Jin Yu particularly convincing. The supporting cast comprising Zhao Yao Ke, Yang Ting Dong, and Wang Yan Bin provide a very respectable account of their respective portrayals as members of the band of friends and team of investigators.
One of the more pleasing aspects of this production is the projection of visual designs and art. Its opening title sequence is one of the few I’ve seen that does not spoil any scenes from the show. It uses two versions, all of which feature conceptual art with a dramatic original score (as opposed to having an opening theme song). Throughout the drama, scenes of medical examination are accompanied by visual aid in the form of diagrams and title cards that provide concise explanation of the technical terms. Additionally, numerous visual representations of crime scene reenactment are added for the benefit of viewers.
The captivating plot about a gifted female coroner who works for the Imperial court in solving crimes is quite cleverly conceived. Based on the novel The Story of the Imperial Gift (御赐小仵作) by Qingxian Ya Tou (清闲丫头), the story fuses factual history with fiction, alongside some rather serious fictional dramatization. Real-life characters such as Emperor Xuanzong and the infamously powerful Eunuch faction, in addition to the Tang administrative system of the Judicial Ministry and the Censorate all form part of the overarching conspiracy that drives the story of this drama.
In comparison with some of the previously mentioned productions that are similar in nature, I honestly do think The Imperial Coroner is slightly better in terms of the execution and the storytelling. The chemistry and interactions between the various characters are more organic and positive, as opposed to some of the toxicity present in the messy love triangle and the rather “misogynistic” traits portrayed by the ML, in Miss Truth. The story progression here is much more engaging while the plotline is considerably more elaborate, in addition to the consistent writing of the FL character, when compared to Maiden Holmes. The depiction of the camaraderie between the main characters are a joy to watch and reminiscent of the gang in Young Blood and Ancient Detective.
Overall
The Imperial Coroner truly is a delightful watch that has pleasantly surprised not only me but many viewers as well, for most of the reasons mentioned earlier and perhaps some others as well. It may not be an epic masterpiece but it certainly holds its own against some of the big budget and highly anticipated C-historical productions that have been released this year. With only 36 episodes, it won’t take too much viewing time to savour this drama.
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