Once in a very long while, the stars align to create truly transcendent art on screen. "Goblin" is an example of this, as the maturation of talented writer Kim Eun-Sook blends with nuanced directing, breathtaking cinematography and the formidable acting skills of Gong Yoo and the rest of the stellar cast.
This is great art and great television, regardless of the country of origin. That is not to minimize the South Korean expertise that created it, but simply to avoid the sometimes- backhanded compliment of "great...for a KDrama." It's just great TV, full stop.
I've watched KDramas for about a decade, and this one is the best I've seen. Highly recommended, not just for drama fans, but for all fans of quality cinematic art around the world.
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At the time, I didn't have time to watch dramas so I only watched films. This was appealing enough to give it a try.
2) Storyline/Plot:
This film's story seemed somehow special and different from any other idol or rom-com film that's why it felt appealing.
Positive points:
*The story was smooth since it combined great events and feelings together.
*The mini-stories intoduced during the film were a nice touch to avoid slow moments.
*The love story was light to the point that it would make you think that this isn't a romantic film yet the important feelings were there plus it felt like the right thing to do.
*Considering the fact that it was almost a musical film, I would say that the music was cool; not great, not bad.
Negative points:
*There was something missing in this film. They should've pushed it a little far in the middle since the story's development felt incomplete.
Story: 7.5/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*Lee Min Jung : I really loved that actress here; she knew how to deliever feelings and make good expressions. She portrayed her role well and gave a good impression as the lead lady plus she's pretty.
*Lee Jung Jin : I liked his character too, he was so mature and manly in many ways , he did his role in a good way.
*I loved the relationship between leads whether in fighting or in romance; good chemistry.
*I liked other cast plus there acting was satisfying.
Cast: 8/10
Acting: 8.5/10
4) The ending:
Even though it was a typical rom-com ending but I end up enjoying it and closing the screen with a happy face.
The ending: 7.5/10
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*I was entertained, it was fun to watch.
*I was a little surprised since I hadn't much expectations for this but I end up liking it. I just love it when a film/drama surprise me (in a good way of course)
*I wasn't bored which is enough to make me satisfied.
My impression 8.5/10
6) Overall:
*If you like rom-coms then you would like this.
*If you like musical films then you may appreciate this.
*If you like light love stories then this is for you.
Overall: 7.5/10.
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Healthy and Strong Romance, Weak Criminal Cases
If you're looking for a light, easy watch that's relatively drama-free and focused on romance, Love is All is an adorable historical romcom. The series shows how Tan Lingyin and Tang Tianyuan solve different criminal cases together, and come to love and rely on each other along the way. This relationship is extra sweet, especially when Tan Lingyin discovers that Tang Tianyuan is actually her childhood idol. While the drama has its strengths in terms of the main romance, however, it also has some of its issues in relation to its stagnant plot and storyline.I'd therefore highly recommend having a watch if you like these tropes:
♡ Healthy Romance Between a Magistrate and His Subordinate: There will be many comparisons to the relationship between Lu Yi and Jian Xia in the 2019 drama Under the Power, which I believe is accurate, as our main love line is also very natural and adorable. Both Zhang Ruonan and Zhang Haowei have incredible chemistry together, and showed how Tan Lingyin and Tang Tianyuan are not only very innocent in love, but also eventually grow to deeply care for each other. Tang Tianyuan also never uses his powers to overpower or control Tan Lingyin, but instead to help her and to encourage her to become a better advisor. Both characters thus begin with a bickering relationship, where Tang Tianyuan is more careful and strategic, while Tan Lingyin is mischievous and reckless. However, they also always consider each other’s well being and put their partner first, and have many heart-melting scenes that will make you feel “squishy.”
♡ A Focus on Women in History: The drama uses many instances to show some of the struggles that women face, especially to be respected and recognized for their work. While the historical aspects of such scenes may not be completely accurate, I did like how the show explored how Tan Lingyin’s abilities are questioned because of her gender. These conflicts are not only shown in the way the men in the drama speak about women and their roles, but also through side characters such as Zhou Zhengdao, who disguises herself as a man to work undercover in the Magistrate’s office. This is by no means a drama that deeply delves into these problems; but its attempts to highlight and incorporate some of them should be recognized.
♡ A Funny and Lovely Side Cast: I was surprised by how much I liked some of the supporting characters, and how much life they added to the drama. I absolutely loved Tang Tianyuan’s brotherly relationship with Zheng Shaofeng, and how both of them worked together to pursue the women they loved. I even loved Zhu Dacong — the silly fiance who Tan Lingyin attempts to run away from, because despite the fact that he was often the “fool” in the series, he was absolutely loyal and respectful to her even when she continuously tried to get rid of him. Most of all, while our second male lead Duan Feng does not get much screen time, he was incredibly handsome as a roguish bandit and was fun to watch as well.
♡ Cute Edits and Comedic Humour: This drama uses a lot of slapstick comedy, and uses cute extra-diegetic edits (i.e. whiskers, blush, funny cutscenes, etc.) as well as techniques such as breaking the fourth wall, that add to the lighthearted tone of the series. Overall, it’s meant to be a very fluffy and humorous series, and while the comedy may not work for all watchers, it’s nice to see as a break if you are watching more plot-heavy or emotionally investing dramas at the same time.
However, there are also some things you might not like about the drama:
♥ Major Logical Inconsistencies: There is a need to watch this show with quite a healthy amount of suspension of disbelief, and to not take the drama or its events seriously. There are a lot of issues from the outset, including characters that are supposed to be incredibly smart, yet unable to see the obvious (i.e. how the drama ridiculously implies that Zhao Zhengdao is completely unrecognizable when she dresses as a man, with her disguise being apparently so effective it can fool Zheng Shaofeng — who supposedly is great at gathering intelligence — for a solid ¾ of the drama).
♥ Somewhat Ineffective Genre-Mixing: Unfortunately, I don’t think the combination of crime and comedy in this series, especially when Love is All veers more on the comedy side, worked very well together in this drama. I think the main problem is that the cases themselves seemed very inconsequential, in that nobody seemed to be at serious risk or danger at any moment. Most of all, sometimes it also seemed as if characters, while demonstrating adherence to their moral beliefs, acted in unprofessional ways or sidelined their cases for their personal life. I admit I also did find myself sometimes fast-forwarding scenes where they were discussing cases, since I found them rather uninteresting. Thus, if you’re looking for a drama that depicts the solving of intricate crime scenes with interesting and gripping stories, this is not a show for you. However, if you really want something with a focus on romance, where the crime solving is just part of the background plot and helps to minimize filler scenes, then you may appreciate these aspects more.
♥ For A “Crime-Solving” Drama, Can Be Boring To Watch: Unlike other crime dramas, where villains may be more compelling and give the impression of being “evil” or “dangerous,” this drama didn’t really ever venture into this territory. Moreover, the length of the drama seemed to be too long, considering how little time was spent on cases, and cases often felt anti-climatic rather than exciting or mysterious. I emphasize that this is a light drama that really focuses on the romance between the different characters, and it has a very fluffy tone and colour palette. Consequently, while this drama never satisfactorily builds up any moments that can be considered high-stakes or life or death for the main characters, the lack of angst may be something that you appreciate if you want something that’s less heavy to watch.
I'd highly recommend you watch this if you liked dramas with a precious romance between the main characters, and you want something that’s light and binge-able. This is a great watch if you want something to take your mind off for the day, or to unwind and smile over at how comedic and meta the series is. While the comedy certainly will not work for all viewers, and some may find aspects of the plot boring and draggy to watch, the adorable romance between the characters is sure to make your heart warm if you want to see a couple with incredible chemistry.
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"She Was Pretty" & "Pretty Li Hui Zhen" Both a Disappointment
I wanted to see if they improve the drama "She Was Pretty" but I have to say they did little improvement. I thought that in "She Was Pretty" the first 11 episode were a waste and annoying. This drama the first 20 episode were annoying and episode 29-31 was more silly foolishness of push and Pull games. This drama did not need to be 40 episodes. Li Hui Zhen (Dilraba Dilmurat) character was terrible. can they have made her more pitiful, stupid, and annoying. Her freckles seem fake, every once in awhile you can see them fading. Her facial expression were foolish and goofy looking. I Know Dilraba Dilmurat is a good actress I have seen her in other dramas. Baiha Yu (Peter Sheng) character seem so cold, harsh, and with no chemistry with neither of the lead female actress. Lin Yimu (Vin Zhang) character had great chemistry with Li Hui Zhen but it seem more friendship then romantic. I did not really believe he was in love with her. He is also a very good actor. I was hopping they change some of the story line but words might have change but still the same. I think the writer could have done better and the director could have used better direction. I found It disappointing and I skip so much because it was getting annoying. The ending was just as expected no real thrills or changes from the Korean version.Was this review helpful to you?
There aren't too many movies like this. It has a good message that should come across to everyone. Maybe the world would really be a better place then. This movie's message isn't that everyone should be real-life Superman or next Mother Teresa. However, it does remind us that the little things and decisions we make ARE important. If some little thing you do makes at least one person happier, isn't it good enough? Everyone does have that little piece of kryptonite in their brains that makes us blind and indifferent towards other people. "We can't save everyone so why should we even try?" That is a thought that so easily creeps into our heads when we are overwhelmed by all the bad things happening in this world. This movie challenges that thought and I'm happy it does so.
I give best scores to this movie and I think it deserves good ratings even if it's viewed from a more objective standpoint. However, I'll let that to someone else. As for the rewatch value: I think everyone should watch this movie at least once a year since we forget the things we learn so easily. Oh, and I'm also an official fan of Hwang Jeong Min now. Such great acting.
After watching this movie, I'll wake up tomorrow with many good intentions. I know they won't last long but if I tomorrow pick up one trash from the ground or try to make someone else happy then I think this movie has made the world already a better place. Thank you, Superman!
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This drama by no means is perfect, in fact it has many flaws with sinful number of drama cliches. There were definitely lots of holes in the plot and some situations were just downright crazy. Some of the characters' behaviours were extreme and very unrealistic.
However, unbelievably these seemingly major flaws were overshadowed by the overall story about love, friendships and family relationships. I was completely drawn into the lives of these surprisingly interesting characters. The bromance between Jin Fan and Xie Chuang is one of the best I've seen in any drama. Their chemistry was perfect and they were joy to watch. I love to know the name of the actor that played Xie Chuang because he was so good. And wow, Hawick Lau portrayed his character, Jin Fan to perfection. I am a big fan of his now.
The romance between the main couple was cute as they had good chemistry but I also found the second couple (Xie Chuang and Jin Fan's sister) adorable. The story about the corporate world was surprisingly equally interesting as the relationships between the characters.
This drama absolutely exceeded my expectations, it made me laugh, cry and actually care about the characters deeply. I normally try to avoid watching long dramas because I get bored easily but I was thoroughly entertained by all 51 episodes.
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Memoirs of May
Here are few reasons why you need to check out this drama:✨It featured one of South Korea's dark history.
This drama showed a glimpse of what happened during those years when Martial Law was implemented in SoKor. You will learn about SoKor's history during 1980s through this drama.If you are up for a background about what happened during the timeline of this drama, you might want to search: Gwangju Uprising.
✨Cinematography. Story. Acting.
I'm not really into Film Making but definitely this is one of those Kdramas with amazing Cinematography. The composition of the scenes, the color grading, the lighting. It was very pleasing. Story wise. Awesome. Back to reason number 1. I really love how they feature their History through this drama. Acting of the casts was also superb.
✨Chemistry between the two main leads.
Lee Do Hyun is definitely making a mark in the Kdrama world. I can't think of another actor that would best fit the role of Hee Tae. Go Min Si was also able to portray the role of Myeong Hee very well. I was hesitant if she could perform the role of a woman in a province during 1980s since I've only watch her in Sweet Home and Love Alarm, where she has a very strong personality. But, she was really able to pull it off. Their chemistry was overflowing. It was "kilig" watching their love story. They will also definitely make you cry.
✨Lessons about family and love.
This drama shares lessons about family and love. Circumstances revolving our family can really affect our choices in life but in the end, we still have the right to decide for ourselves. Loving someone can also be difficult and it could forever change our lives but if the other person is worth the risk, then do it.
Overall, this 12 Episode drama is worth my time. A must watch. Highly recommended. ❤️ If you haven't watched this yet, check it out. 🙂
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The focus on the absolutist self-image of the Jaeboel changes towards their very human weaknesses
"The Taste of Money" from 2012 bombards the audience with aestheticized images, a strangely bizarre stirring mixture of cynical decadence, insatiable greed and human weaknesses that even the richest of the rich don't stop at. Let's start with the moral of the story: money doesn't buy happiness. On the contrary. The more there is, the unhappier their owners get. They may be wealthy bank-wise, but humanly they are bankrupt. Maybe they can buy anything, but in fact they are (and remain) alone. Their relationships tend to be abusive, mostly cold, and rather an empty, highly polished shell.The KMovie focuses on a Jaebeol clan with a CEO, his wife, daughter and son, as well as the CEO's assistant and a filipino housekeeper.
----------- SIDE NOTE: --- Jaebeol, the secretive modern royalty of South Korea ---
The rich and powerful of South Korea emerged as a distinct variety in the post-war years. As a motor of progress and prosperity, they still influence social life as a matter of course - hidden, unofficially, from the background. In their hands gigantic possessions are concentrated. These are consistently maintained within the founding families. The Jaebeol clans were created as part of the autocratic governance of the early decades of the Republic and were further strengthened during the military dictatorship. The founders set the course for the economic upswing. In the meantime however they behave like the country's new nobility. They shamelessly and ruthlessly buy and bribe people at will. The remaining 99 percent of society are practically 'learned helpless' at their mercy. You have nothing to oppose to this power, which simply interferes with the legislature, judiciary and executive if necessary.
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The protagonist's family is one of the first percent of the social class, which behaves as a matter of course as royal families. Here pomp, decadence, coolness, distance, and even obscenity dominate. The highly polished, stylized aesthetic stands in deliberate contrast to a rather gloomy lighting mood. The opulent wealth almost builds an aesthetic wall that cannot be penetrated. The family members are trapped inside. Nothing can or event likes to really approach that, let alone penetrate it. It is (and remains) a strangely strange world.
The idiosyncratic cinematic narrative style contributes to this. It doesn't even try to collect all the threads at the end and close them neatly. It's as if the camera jumped in on the family story at one random point and got off at another. At the beginning, the focus is on the corrupt machinations and the almost absolutist self-image, but that changes on the track after the very human weaknesses of the individual clan members open up. Although they pretend to be untouchable, they are still vulnerable and actually want to be touched. From there it becomes a more or less satisfactory settlement with their own heart balance. 'Love' is a concept in this world that doesn't really want to fit in.
One of the key scenes: Youn Yuh-jung is shown a 64-year-old woman in an unusual candid sex scene. A disturbing effect is deliberately wanted. In a way, this encounter between young and old, between boss and employee, points out the dilemma of the story, so to speak. In this short, impressive scene, the venal world of dependencies and emotional states is turned upside down. The rich have everything and yet they don't - there is something they don't have: the feeling of being wanted, desired or even loved for their own sake.
"The Taste of Money" is a somber social study about the 1 percent that sits at the top of South Korea's social pyramid. Once again. There is an astonishing number of such startling studies in the world of film and series. But it seems even more astonishing to me that there are obviously still far from enough of them. Because nonetheless, this 1 percent still sits dazzlingly on its throne and it is still considered highly desirable within South Korean society to get as far up the pyramid as possible...
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So Ji Sub and Shin Hyun Joon, what more could a viewer possibly ask for? I’m so glad, genuinely glad that I waited 7 years to watch this! Why? Because it made me appreciate it even more than I would have back then considering that NONE of the recent dramas could ever match up to. We tend to value things more if we know it’s no longer available and is no longer easy to get by, thus I value this drama very much now.
Let me say this, a huge part of this review is dedicated to SJS's and SHJ's phenomenal performance! Because with all do respect to the very well-written story, those two wonderful men will steal you from the very first scene before the story gets to take a place! Their chemistry, is simply breathe-taking and heart-wrenching at the same time!
SJS’s trademark is his “sad eyes” and people have known it since I Am Sorry, I Love You (and what a trademark it is!) Trust me it is not easy to show such a sincere sad eyes like he does when he acts. His “sad” act, his crying scenes…he looks so damaged and destroyed it looks so real that you’d lose where you were at when you watch him act. His sincere-heartfelt act changes the “too overused” plots into a piece of art and a classic one even if it is a 10/20 years old. If you want to truly "feel" SJS, it has to be I Am Sorry I Love You and Cain and Abel.
Cho In has became my favorite character for SJS because he is a warm-hearted decent person, with cute smile and soft voice. This character has allowed SJS to show different side of him, different expressions… mixture of many expressions that I’ve seen for the first time while watching him. I loved Cho In’s kindness, naivety, innocence, sweetness, softness and vulnerability.
If SJS’ Cho In is half the reason why I loved this drama, Shin Hyun Joon ‘s Sun Woo is definitely the other half! This is the 2nd time that this man pushes me to tears (first time was in Stairway To Heaven). His portrayal of the antagonist is simply majestic and too beautiful to be put in words. Sun Woo is definitely a worthy rival of the great Cho In.
The story is very well written plot-wise and character wise. It struck me as slightly slow and scattered in the first episode, but things quickly gathered together and progressed in a way that really draws in the viewer. The characters and settings that were introduced kept things new and exciting without being overwhelming or hard to follow. I especially appreciated Young Ji because she was flawed! But not in ways I found to be cliché. She felt real to me! Which something I don’t normally see when it comes to the main female character especially this genre.
I have always for *some reason* thought that this is a revenge-themed drama but to my surprise this drama had so much more to offer other than plain revenge and for a revenge drama fan such as myself I still loved it very much, that didn't disappoint me at all, so kudos to the writer!
The OSTs are wonderful, the painful lyrics make the drama even more sad which contributes very well to the story. I loved it.
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I think a lot of people can relate to the characters in one way or the other. They are just a normal group of young adults figuring out their lives. They grow through the course of the series, each in their own way. The characters are well developed & the acting is top notch. There's no antagonist & no drama(which I like).
Personally my favourite character is Daisuke. You can't help but be drawn to him.
I will definitely rewatch this again.
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Okay, I've read the manga—and I loved it. That probably explains why I wanted to love the film too. But don't get me wrong. There are things that I loved about the film too. Yes, the actors. No doubt. I am in love with both Nana Komatsu and Masaki Suda and to me, they are the perfect Natsume and Kou. It seems like, in an hyperbolic way, that Komatsu was born to be Natsume, you know.
The cinematography is just stunning and breathtaking. And the OST. Oh god, the sounds. The sounds are of absolute brilliance. There was a scene where Suda is doing the fire ritual and I felt like the cinema was going to collapse because of the raging and roaring of the fire. The cuts are done in many angles, some in slow-motion to be more melodramatic and sentimental. Which would be fine if not for the major problem.
But get this. The film really really failed in establishing one very important thing from the beginning: Natsume and Kou's relationship.
I've read the manga so the narrative itself is pretty clear to me but honestly, if I were someone who didn't read the manga, I doubt I'd understand. Or worst, I doubt I'd believe the authenticity of their relationship.
The manga establishes their strong bond, their strong connection and their strong (almost drowning ironically) feelings for each other. But the film...okay, I get that there is so much manga material to cover in 111 minutes running time and it did feel draggy towards the end—but it wouldn't have felt that way nor would it raise eyebrows if their relationship was properly established.
What I see when I watch are just two 15-year-olds who are trying too hard to cling to each other without any strong feelings—it seem like something de factor being the both good-looking, mysterious and popular. And I felt that was wrong. Very wrong.
That is why ultimately, this love story is doomed from the start. What salvaged it is Komatsu and Suda's chemistry. Or even Komatsu and Daiki Shigeoka's chemistry. And the amazing cinematography and roaring OST. I felt like there was so much more to these characters, to Natsume, to Kou, to Otomo, to Kana—and it felt like they were just discarded.
Even Kou and Otomo's friendship just got ignored and it's such a pity because the friendship plays a major part in how the love triangle shapes itself. Kana plays a bigger role later in the manga and the film just makes her like a stock character. Otomo gets discarded after his use. And the ending is very open-ended (which I would probably not mind if they fixed the crucial element of their relationship).
I feel like roles like this fit Komatsu well. But it's truly the first role where she's done the most drama. I love her (very much) and I have a bias but I will also be honest and say that she still lots to improve because Suda overpowers her. It's not BAD deadeyefish acting, it just needs to feel...stronger, more foreful. This me saying because she has worked with a lot of Japan's top actors (like Yamaken, Kamiki, Takeru Satoh; heck she even act alongside Andrew Garfield).
Though I guess, her timid, almost suppressed acting here works well for her character because her character has to be beautiful and calm and poised even while crying...it's not heavy drama but similar to what I said to Hirose Suzu before, just because you can cry doesn't mean you need to forget how your eyes show the emotion. And Suda's eyes remind me of my chameleon actors Shota Sometani and Fumi Nikaido—they act, they speak.
But I don't know why Suda looks so malnourished here. Honestly. There are times when it's so uncomfortable to watch him because I'm so afraid he'll break because you can literally see how skinny he is (yes Kou is in the book) but it looks unpleasing. I see a lot of potential in Daiki Shigeoka and the up-and-coming Mone Kamishiraishi.
Ultimately, Drowning Love (a title that actually holds a lot of significance which the film KIND OF touched on but not properly though the original Japanese title is Oboreru Knife which translates to "Drowning Knife") does try to remain a faithful adaptation but it really fails in establishing the leads' connection and relationship. It started off right away, very direct (though the dialogue is very poetic and that didn't work well because it felt like youngsters sprouting wishy-washy words) without much context or at least shape it properly later—which they didn't. It felt like a film with no goal which as romance wouldn't be a problem if you're telling a narrative though here, it felt...directionless with no clear intention. But still, I'll tell you that you will still feel some *feels* because the sounds and visuals would keep you there.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Romantic Story with Couple Goals!!
If you're looking for a series that has lots of romance with less dramatic moments, this is the series for you.It's really a feel good drama that leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside after finishing the series.
I think we all need a lover like Khabkluen or Daonuea after watching this series.
•❅✧❅✦ Story •❅✧❅✦
Daonuea has been crushing on Khabkluen since freshman year in highschool. However, it's a one-sided love on his end as Khabkluen has a girlfriend he is very committed to. After leaving to study abroad for his senior year of highscool, he returns to Thailand to start college. On the first day of the Star and Moon Competition Practice, Doanuea is reunited with Khabkluen. Daonuea hasn't really gotten over his crush, but has to room with Khabkluen during the duration of the competition. As they room together, Daonuea and Khabkluen start to getting closer together. Khabkluen is and has always been the epitome of kindness, that Daonuea can't stop his feelings even though he knows Khabkluen has a girlfriend... Or does he?
One of the best things about this series is the "Will they? Won't they?" tug of war that Daonuea and Khabkluen have throughout the series. It's not so dramatic and unrealistic that sometimes you end up shouting "Just kiss already!" at the screen. It's a light-hearted and romantic series, so there isn't any frustration while watching. Just pure romance.
•❅✧❅✦ Characters •❅✧❅✦
Daonuea x Khabkluen
Daonuea is you typical normal guy. He's adorable and funny. There isn't anything really special about him aside from his undying loyalty to Khabkluen, so there isn't much to comment on him aside from gushing over his cuteness.
However, Khabkluen, on the otherhand, is a little more stereotypical with the hot and kind popular kid troupe going for him. He also falls into the anti-social, can't really saying my feelings well, troupe that the male leads tend to have. However, something that makes Khabkluen different from the others is his his undying loyalty to Daonuea before and after their love confession. Also, his personality isn't as masculine as you would expect those types of leads to be. You can really see Khabkluen's real self after he starts dating Daonuea and I love the 180 shift in how he acts around Daonuea and other people.
On a side note, the actors who protray Daonuea and Khabkluen have so much chemistry. If someone told me they were a real couple, I wouldn't be surprised. Nothing looked fake or awkward. These two need to have more acting work, be it together or separate, because they are really great actors. I honestly would like to see them do something more dramatic just because I really think they are amazing and really need the opportunity to prove themselves as great actors.
•❅✧❅✦ Overall •❅✧❅✦
The series was amazing. I feel in love with Daonuea and Khabkluen from episode one and I never got bored as the series progressed. If you are looking for a drama-filled series, this probably isn't for you. But if you are looking for a feel-good romantic series then this is a must watch!
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Hong Kong has been producing some cool action thrillers these years. Although most of them have been trying to unsuccessfully outclass Infernal Affairs but they merit great encouragement. Cold War is one of those films.
The directors Leung and Luk didn’t waste much time in building the thrills, ever since the first minute we get a badass explosion then the five cops were kidnapped triggering the beginning of the war. What I highly appreciated about Cold War is showing the ugly relationship between the higher-ups, some real life situations such as the greed for power and the corrupted systems. Rescuing the five officials became a war to both vice commissioners and those surrounding them. But then, a sneaky conspiracy comes to light making you suspect every single character that appears on screen.
However, that doesn’t deny the weaknesses contained in this film. Unfortunately, the film became quite heavy at the middle; pacing problems made some obvious flaws to ignore. It’s mainly related to the suspense part, it didn’t make the film dull but it’s bound to make the viewer impatient to what’s going to happen next. It was a somewhat long phase to ignore it. Moreover, the ending could have been better than that. The way they ended things implies a sequel that may never come. It would’ve been smarter if they cut things cleanly.
The acting department was downright penetrating. The versatile Leung Tony Ka Fai rocked so badly as M.B. Waise Lee, nothing less from such a high-profile Hong Kong actor. On the other hand, Aaron Kwok, who matured so well in recent years, did a marvelous performance as Sean Lau. The bickering scene between Lee and Lau at the first half is an absolute memorable piece. Charlie Yeung, Rahman Lee and the cameo of Andy Lau made this film such a good ground, acting wise.
Considering the fact that this is an action thriller, the action scenes weren’t always that well-made. But the shooting scene at the highway definitely got me; it was probably the best action sequence in the whole film. The cinematography was good enough. However, you have to keep in mind that this was Leung Lok Man and Luk Kim Ching’s debut film as directors and screenwriters. We all know how hard it is to write and direct an action thriller so both of them deserve all the encouragement.
Watch if:
-You’re in the mood for a watchable action-thriller.
-You like politics and higher-ups bickering inside crime thrillers.
-You want to see great performances by Leung Tony Ka Fai and Aaron Kwok.
Do not watch if:
-You’re expecting a great masterpiece.
-You want a flawless action thriller.
Despite its flaws, Cold War is a brave piece of work that’s bound to make you interested. It’s one of those films which make you feel that Hong Kong’s crime thriller genre is still vividly alive.
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This review may contain spoilers
Too light for a dramaland in general and but Jdrama fan. Please check this one out!
What should I say first?- Story is as thin as a recycled paper but somehow enjoyable to me. ML is really REALLY HOT (not talking about his wooden acting). I like Mook Worranit but she's so stiff on this show. What happened to your wonderful acting skill girl?
- The most interesting character who went from a villain to a cool, low-key comedic character is Mark. He's more well-rounded than FL and ML combined together with his little screen time. Kudos to Foei Patara. Excited to see him playing bisexual character in his next drama.
- I like the song especially when Mook(FL) sings it herself.
- Not bad but not so good, It's in the middle to me. If you enjoy doramas like Coffee And Vanilla or Love Phantom. Give this one a try!
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Love Destined By Fate
This might be a long-ish review, so bare with me :) for I have a lot to say about this amazing drama. While the leads are well-known and have gained popularity over time, this drama to me still feels underrated in the long term.Story:
The story progressed well in terms of introducing all the characters within the show in the beginning and seeing each of theirs unfold towards the end and how they contributed to the overall story. I really enjoyed the relationship between Myung-hee and Hee-tae and how two were each other's 'love at first sight.' The lessons learned throughout this show is another reason as to why the story is well written and how beautiful this drama is. Myung-hee's persistence and compassionate attitude into helping others really shows how strong of an individual she is. She saw the importance in her family, but the cry for help for others and decided to help those who couldn't help themselves during a time of despair which is why I really loved Myung-hee. Hee-tae risked his life for the one he loved and showed how far love can someone to, his bright personality and strong will is a reason why he deserves 'best boy' <3.
Acting/Cast:
I am so glad they casted Lee Do-hyun and Go Min-si as the leads because of their great acting, you can really see the chemistry between the two and how well it was portrayed in the show. With the other leading and supporting roles such as Lee Sang-yi and Geum Sae-rok, their amazing acting really shines in the roles and we hope to see them star in other dramas. We can't forget about the iconic Kim Won-hae (Kim Hyun-cheol) for taking a role in this drama.
Music:
The OST for this drama was really nice, for a lot of the songs were just vocals and instrumentals.
Overall:
This is amazing melodrama hopefully continues to reserve the hype it deserves. From the beautiful cinematography to the outstanding chemistry between the leads, this drama will leave you with a bunch of emotion; for it definitely did for me. From gushing over the cute romance between the two, to crying over the tragic scenes that left me heartbroken, this drama really left an impact on me. I would highly recommend this drama to someone who's beginning to watch K-dramas, for the length of the drama is perfect and has a well written story overall. This would definitely hit home if you enjoy melodramas. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the event that took place during this time. I know many friends and family lost loved ones and suffered during this time, with many victims still going missing till this day. Sending all the love towards these families that suffered the most from this event, for you will never be forgotten.
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