Reviews

As a lot of reviewers have said before me, the drama ends up being a lot less about the couples you see in the earlier episodes, and more about the problems that the parents (and grandparents) cause. You do see the love stories of each couple progress, but the drama and misery other people cause for these couples tends to be the main focus.

This fact wouldn't be so terrible if there was any progress with these "bad" characters. The problem is that there isn't. In every episode, again and again and again, the same people cause the same problems with the same victims. It's like watching a car drive into a wall, reverse, drive into the same wall, reverse, drive into the same wall... until the drama ends.

Another thing I feel I should mention very quickly is that it is not a typical romance drama. The story eventually shifts towards another character, and their storyline is absolutely heartbreaking - genuinely painful to watch, at times. But sadly, the emotional "punch" of these parts are diluted by the boring, monotonous, and unchanging characters and plotlines we are given, which totally drown and drag out everything else.

Anyway - in conclusion. :) For story I have given 5, as despite the drama being boring overall, there are some really cute scenes and some incredible, heartbreaking moments - it's just a shame you have to search through a load of filler to find them. If the drama had been shortened to 25 episodes, this score would be much higher.

The actors I have given an 8. They aren't the ones who write the drama, and so for the scripts they were given each person acted out their part incredibly well. The music was well-written and really cute, but for something 50 episodes long you do need a little more variation, hence the 7. Finally, the re-watch value is a resounding 2. I would have dropped it to a 1, but as A Thousand Kisses was the very first drama I ever watched, I might dip in and out of it again for nostalgia's sake. However, that is very unlikely...

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This was a cute and funny movie that really got me laughing. I love almost anything that can make me laugh and this did a pretty good job at doing just that. I will say this movie was a little gross at times, but it wasn't something I couldn't endure. I think there were probably only two scenes in this whole movie that I didn't like, but there were quite a few good ones that made me like it. This is also definitely a type of weekend movie. One of those movies where, when you have a little extra time, can just sit back to watch the movie and have a happy feeling when it's all said and done. I think that more could've been done with the story but it kept my attention. It's not one of the best things I've ever seen, it's not the worst, but it's not regrettable.

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One word foodporn. This show was all about food and eating from ep 1 to 16 and sometimes 3 times an episode. I liked it because it dint have the crazy ex syndrome. It was all fun and friendly with a lil bit of spookiness. Dojoon was just eye candy and though he talked fast i just could stop staring and longed to see him. He was a liar, player and straight forward guy. My favorite has always been soo kyung. Her acting has always been a hilarious character like in "soul mate and agent oh". I liked how enthusiastic she was about food and eating it, she made us want to eat. The other hilarious characters were attoney kim and oh. They dint really have to do any practice, just their movements and acting made u laugh out loud. Funny by nature.attoney oh was just oblivious to the end just thinking that everyone wanted a piece of her
I dint give it a 10 coz they took too much time focusing on eating that it got monotonous also some hanging and cliché moments.
The theme music was actually weirdly good coz the lyrics is about food. (lets eat by k jun)

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I wasn’t too positive in my review of the first season of Kingdom (but not overly negative ether) after that season aired on Netflix last year. I thought it was a fine sageuk, but it didn’t connect with me as much as I wanted or do much to separate itself for all the other sageuks, except have zombies running around.

In preparation for season two however, I did re-watch season one about a week before the new season dropped on Netflix. I decided to take things slow this time, not binge watch it since I am not really a binge watcher.

Being able to watch that season one episode at a time made me like the more slow-paced story a lot more, and then immediately go into the next season the following day was incredibly satisfying.

Season two brought us straight back into the grim fate of the characters and the chaos that we were facing at the end of season two and it just kind of never slows down after that, as the story pulls us through some new and exciting parts of the story.

Although a lot more fast paced, with a lot more action and shorter episode, this season managed to still give itself time explore the characters a lot more, as well as the virus that is effecting the people and turning them into zombies. The story becomes deeper and richer with every passing episode.

Characters that I like become even more likable here, characters I didn’t like became more interesting as their action impacted the story more, and the motivations for all of them get explored a lot more, and the story just seems to expand a little and the storytelling felt a lot tighter.

People using the plague to further their political standing and seeing how greed and power impacted the whole thing was very fascinating to watch. Especially as you keep reading about the world news and the covid-19 outbreaks. Having that in the back of your mind as you were watching this was a bit surreal (at least for me).

For the first season I felt like I enjoyed the story more when I took things slow. It didn’t feel as fast paced as I said, or as grand as this one did. Here the stakes and the action is doubled as we go further and further into the series and I could not pull my eyes away from the screen until I had finished the whole thing (with breaks).

Also, the story there was not that complete, while this one did, while also serving us a cliffhanger. Heck, they even managed to end every episode with a mini cliffhanger, so you just wanted to keep going.

In the end the story feels like a well-crafted big action flick, no character is safe, people are betraying each other, and you can’t be sure of how it’s all going to end. Seeing the story and the action unfold before your eyes is just a joy It never stops, just like those zombies they are facing. To keep that up until the end is no easy feat.

There was a lot put into this show and it shows. The fight scenes are amazing, the costumes, the cinematography is amazing. Some of these shots were just so gorgeous to look at.

You can say that the second season of Kingdom blew all my expectations away. I was so enjoying myself. It was what I wanted season one to be, although I don’t think we could have had season two this good without the slow buildup of season one. Just a good zombie-period drama with some high stakes and actions, that still manages to make you feel things and just feel empty like some big action flick with no weight behind it.

Because when these characters slash those heads of those zombies, it feels like it matters. Not just because it’s gore and there is action and therefor it’s fun, but you feel for those characters. There is even more gore and horror in this season as there was in the previous season, but I felt like it fit with the scope of the story and where the story was at each given point. It’s just a really well made horror show. And I can’t wait to see what this show can bring us in season 3 (please, Netflix, don’t fail me now).

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As the quarantine is on-going, might as well make a review to the best Historical Chinese drama I've watched. I hardly watch chinese historical dramas as most of the time i drop it after giving it a try, but I never expected I will be so hooked watching this drama; despite it having a lot of episodes which i rarely watch unless the plot is really good. For beginners in historical genre, I think this drama is the best to watch. I'm glad that I watched this drama after lot of hesitations. No words can explain how much I love this drama. This drama influenced me in watching other historical dramas. There are a lot of characters in this drama, the character of wei wu xuan was very complex but was portrayed really well by sean xiao (xiao zhan). I also love how the character of wei wu xuan and lan wang ji was expressed in this drama. Even though some of the actors are beginners the acting of the actors in this drama was great! As for the plot, I was actually confused at first with a lot of things going on, but as I watch per episode I can't stop myself from watching as the story is very interesting having it based from a novel. 10/10 for the plot! Watching this series is actually a rollercoaster of emotions for the watchers, but I assure you that it is definitely a kind of drama that will keep you wanting for more. This drama will always have a special place in my heart, and will always be one of my favorite chinese historical dramas.

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you grow into it

It's interesting that while it looks and feels like a very fast-paced serial drama, it really is a bit of slow-burn that brings the viewer gradually into whatever is happening on the screen. A little bit of online reading up on the state of LGBTQ affairs in Thailand, this is likely one of those where we can say that, yes, it's possible that this is really how things are evolving when it comes to same-sex relationships there.

And this is a good thing - a timely drama that entertains, and also informs. This series will have a very wide audience everywhere it's shown.

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Bad Guy was sexy...but that was just it.

The first show where i thought the bad guy (SML) was really smooth and more attractive than the ML. He really did his role well and had chemistry with all his "paramours". He just had that little something extra (lol).

As for the show itself, it starts out with great momentum, but quickly gets lost somewhere along the way. Then it never really recovers. I liked/watched for the plot and was expecting a bit more of the revenge, anger, pay-back and a stronger FL who is not apologetic or too weak by the end. Instead it quickly downgraded itself to be like the rest of the other shows, with silly misunderstandings and flash backs towards the end that i thought were misplaced or did not change the story in anyway . Or even change your feelings about the characters.

Otherwise you are not missing much, its an average show that will never make it on your top list of memorable lakorns. I rated it a 7/10 and it has zero re-watch value.

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Good start but then it went downhill

Completed - 4/8/2022

The first 1/3 of the drama feels like Ancient Detective + Love and Redemption. It was fun to see our leads bickering with each other while solving crimes. However, I wouldn't say the crimes are super interesting or well-thought out. But at least the leads were fun to watch and I enjoy their characters. The drama went downhill and the lead romance becomes too cringey. Our female lead deity tries to woo our cool-headed male lead with methods that are way too cringey for my taste. Our supposedly smart ML is too hard-headed to get what FL is trying to do. Once the leads got together, the drama force-feeds us with a large dose of sugary fluffiness in one big episode. I should have known that whenever a drama does that, it means the cute romance won't last long and viewers will have to wait for a long time to see them together again.

The second half of the drama becomes a totally different drama. It feels like Ashes of Love but worse and many plot holes. Love, hate and obsession become the central story line in the middle episodes. If I am not an experienced wuxia/xianxia watcher, I might enjoy typical cliches and tropes more. But unfortunately, I watch and shake my head in boredom and frustration. I really start to lose interest in the abyss arc. I feel that should be the start of season 2.

I would recommend this drama to beginner watchers of xian xia dramas, who understand a little bit about the 3 realms but not too familiar with the tropes to be bored.

Let's see if I can summarize the tropes in bullet points:
- Love Square and persistent unrequited love
- 2ML turned evil because FL does not reciprocate his feelings, even though he has sacrificed so much for her.
- 2ML continues to blame ML because he has loved FL longer, and has been there for her. You are a newcomer who doesn't deserve her. ML gotta wait in line!
- Secondary leads who won't take "no" for an answer no matter how many times they are rejected.
- Double dose of noble idiocy = I will leave you for your sake because I love you and this is what's best for you. Who cares what you really want.
- Multiple characters believing their way is the correct way and you must do what I say. I am doing this for your own good ,even though I don't care how you feel/think

Aside from all that, the writing is quite messy and there are many plot holes.
- FL is supposed to be smart but yet she can't figure out there are demons around her. I thought she can smell demons but fails to do that many times.
- If FL can't fall in love, why break up the couple when she has ALREADY fallen in love? Isn't it too late already and worse if she's heartbroken?
- Why are the demons fighting with weapons against humans? Don't they know magic and can kill with a snap of their fingers? There's no way humans could win!
- I know our ML is smart, but is he really so smart that he knows how to re-create war weapons all by himself? He's not even a soldier but a crime investigator.

Let's end this review on a more positive note. Here's what I do enjoy:
- I like Zhang Yi Shang's acting as our female lead. I might find her character in the beginning a little too much, but she grows on me. Zhang Yi Shang is able to portray the different personalities of Duan Mu Cui well. She gives off a very different vibe when she's the General Duan Mu, compared to the happy and innocent Duan Mu Cui and depressed Duan Mu Cui. She looks absolutely stunning as well.
- Darren Chen is very pretty/handsome to look at. I like him in the first 1/3 of the drama, but not as much when he's in love and in sacrifice mode.
- Both 2ML and 2FL look great in black and evil attire. 2ML looks especially handsome, and his acting improves as his character goes darker. He's pretty meh when he's the 'good' guy in white.
- I like the BGM and the songs are not overplayed. Actually, the songs are rarely played and because of that, they are much more noticeable. Nice songs.
- Although the CGI and fight scenes aren't great, I do like the costumes, hairstyles, set designs and props of this drama. It's obviously not a high budget production but still I don't find anything too "cheap".

At this moment, I am not sure if I want to watch Season 2 or not. I don't feel a sense of urgency to know how it ends. But I might just because I like to complete my dramas. That's why I didn't drop this in the middle but somewhat force myself to continue.

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What is cheating?

The chemistry was there from the very first time and so...

First thing I want to talk about is that the answer to my initial question is very difficult:

This is a question I've had for a while as I was watching this drama and reading the discussions about it.
We can discuss it through the whole drama because over here, the FL was in a monogamous 4 years long relationship with the Second ML, they are having problems, many issues as there is no more passion between them the 2ML takes her for granted and so she communicates him that their relationship is not right, therefore she doesn't feel like marrying him.

Then she meets the ML, a sweet handsome man that is a single father, the type of man that has no time to lose into relationships. He is so confident and that makes him so attractive, but that is because he has to, life and his son taught him how to be strong and overcome everything that might come to ruin his family.

The problem between the leads is that they like each other from the beginning and they try to stop the clear chemistry plus connection they have. They also try to stop themselves due to moral, ethics and society but it seems that life is in the way. So they decide to become friends and of course feelings start to surface the FL tells the 2ML that they have to break up.

I really like the fact that they break up not because of the ML, but because of the issues they have had during their relationship. Also, the FL tried to give herself a time before she jumped into another relationship.

It seems like there is no cheating unless an emotional connection is actually consider cheating. As I said before, we can discuss it, but the FL said it a couple times "I cheated" "I'm a bitch" and is self aware of the fact that her feelings have changed in her previous relationship so they might change later on.



The second I want to highlight is the relatable characters and story:

I like the fact that in this drama they don't try to portray innocent people that cannot break a thing. There are real adults with moral issues, problems, consequences and ego.

I love the relationship between the three sisters and their mom, females bonding, protecting each other like real family. Even if each one of them have very different point of views in society, their love is there to protect and help one another.

The 2ML was really annoying by how obsessed he was with the FL, just because of status and ego he was willing to do anything just to go back to his ex and get her. Sadly this is something that actually happens in real life, many times you don't love someone you just live how they boost your ego and how they give you status in society.

I love how they speak volumes about our patriarchal society and how hypocritical law is when we talk about about domestic violence, is very relevant to educate people properly in these topics.

The ML's friends are amazing, they are honest and kind, supportive and each one have a story to tell.



The third main thing is:

Acting, the main actors had an amazing chemistry that made me feel all fluff any time I saw them together, I was wishing to have something like that.


The fourth thing:
Scenery and music: Jesus I looooove it. I'm gonna download every single song is played over here. That's all.
Also, the title makes sense at the end because of the scenery, is so romantic I can't.


Finally, I recommend this drama for people that like strong healthy love relationships but are not judgemental, if you are into slice of life, healing, type of drama, this is for you.

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Highschool romance drama? or existential dread?

I went into this drama with no knowledge of what it was about whatsoever. I had heard an idol i know about, Woongki, was part of the cast. I thought, hey lets check it out, go in with no expectations, enjoy it for entertainment only. Then! i was thrown in head first into reflecting on what is happiness and what must one do to make themselves, or others, 'happy'! And i am not mad about that toss, to be honest i am thoroughly and happily surprised about how much i enjoyed this drama to this extent. Casting? amazing. Cinematography? some of the best in the space (up there with icons like Eighth Sense). Script? Heartwrenching.

Highly recommend, definitely a way to start BL shows in 2024. Other countries, step up! Korea is making waves in this space!

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A convoluted mess that even the handsome faces look confused

The poor leads are buried in this convoluted mess of a story, which is made worse by appalling editing choices and weak direction. No matter how good your actors are, which they just passably so, they look confused at times by the illogical decisions made by the characters. The villains are poorly cast, all coming off as caricatures with OTT acting. If the editor or director is reading this, please understand that what you may think is smart, such as multiple cliff-hangers and flashbacks, are just gimmicky devices that frustrate and alienate the audience. What is worse, these flashbacks don't even reveal any particularly smart twist or plot device. Do learn how to narrate a good story, for starters.

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A masterpiece

What to say... this drama was just a masterpiece !!!
It was my very first lakorn and I'm not disappointed at all, I just took a little bit of time to settle myself into the language but honestly it is perfect.

Regarding the scenario, don't expect a romance, each episode tells a different story (except the ep 6-7 & 12-13 which are connected episodes) with different characters except Nanno and the similarity is that it takes place in high schools. I absolutely loved the fact that it was several stories in one drama and the concept of punishing bad people. It shows their real themselves and give them a sanction depending on how serious their actions were. I appreciated all the episodes although there are some I loved a lot and some other a bit less.

My top 5 :
1st : ep. 2
2nd : ep. 8
3rd : ep. 11
4th : ep. 5
5th : ep. 4 and ep. 12-13

About the actors : choosing Kitty as Nanno was a very good choice, she plays magnificently this character. I heard mixed opinions about her artificial laugh but it didn't bother me because I think they asked her to laugh like this on purpose because she is not really human and we can see her ''devil's daughter'' side. All the actors of each episodes were playing well too, I had a little firm favourite for Best Ekawat Niratvorapanya who plays TK in the ep. 8.

Trivia : each episode have been made by a different director and all the stories told are miscellaneous news item that really happened in Thailand's schools.

In conclusion this a super lakorn, I recommmend it at 100% ;)

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Stunning martial arts

The YouTube trailer for Snow Tower showed a lot of martial arts promise, and after seeing it, I decided to try Snow Tower out. One episode in, and I knew that I was going to watch Snow Tower from the very first episode down to the bitter end, 55 episodes later. That being said, I will review Snow Tower along these parameters: martial arts, storyline, plotting, characterization.

Martial Arts

The martial art depicted in Snow Tower is extremely reminiscent of the martial arts scenes of the old wuxia martial arts dramas from the eighties to the mid to late nineties; hard, brutal, stunningly choreographed, and breathtakingly executed. From the female characters, to the male leads, it is easy to see what makes this series to stand out amongst its fans.

Snow Tower martial arts and fight scenes are lethal and fast, breathtaking and spin-tingling, its execution flawless, like incredibly fast ballet dancers moving their boneless, limber bodies to the beat of some unseen music.

Any lover of Wuxia dramas will surely be taken in by the martial arts scenes of Snow Tower, from the beginning of the storyline, down to its middle, before the scenes seemed to slightly peter off into a more “traditional leaning” drama style that focused on more acting and less skilful, perfectly choreographed fight scenes, before picking up dramatically towards the end, with stunning ferocity.

For its martial arts, Snow Tower is a must-see, for lovers of Wuxia.

Storyline & Plotting

Snow Tower is pretty much straightforward acting, with a very strong central core plot and with numerous sub-plots focusing on love, hate, treachery, power, betrayals and revenge. While Snow Tower maintained its fidelity to its central plotline, some of its sub-plots were weak and could have been dispensed with, without in any way affecting the central storyline of the blood feud between the two warring sects Moon Sect and Snow Tower.
Snow Tower moves slowly, almost languidly, seriously, from day to day and through year to year, to burn through the story of the central plotting that bound all these characters in the Wuxia drama to each other, each with their own agendas, both innocuous and sinister.
Snow Tower did however receive negative reviews from critics of the series, based off on the fact that the series deviated “entirely” from the central plot of the novel of the same name it was adapted from.

Characterization

Snow Tower boasts of two main characters: Xiao Yi Qing (Tower Master, Snow Tower) and Shu Jinrong (or, Lady Jing, Ming Er). To be honest Shu Jinrong was presented in a very weak light. For a character billed to be the main character, one who wields the Blood Rose sword of her father the Blood Demon and who is expected to burn blazes through the pugilistic world in the series, Shu Jinrong is weak. That is the best word for her: Weak. She is pig-headed, stubborn, does not see the big picture and how her actions can come with terrible (future) consequences, and she shows restraint when she should not.

Fans of Snow Tower have criticized the portrayal of Shu Jinrong in the tv series, which they have bemoaned to be a deviation of her strong nature and character in the novel of the same name.

Xiao Yi Qing—the Tower Master of Snow Tower—is portrayed as an ailing young man with some incurable jin disease which leaves his body weak. Fortunately, Yi Qing is armed with incredible martial arts skills. In spite of all the great martial artists that made their appearance in the pugilistic world in Snow Tower, it is an easy bet to say that Xiao Yi Qing is literally unmatched, a cold, lethal presence armed with a short dagger—a dagger matched only by the Blood Rose sword wielded by Shu Jinrong—which he uses to ruthlessly cut down any and all enemies that threaten him and the Snow Tower. . .by a thin, smooth line in the throat. Yeah, he’s that lethal and that effective. Like every man, he has his Archilles heel, three in fact: his mother, Elder Xue Wen, who has been trapped as a prisoner in the Moon Sect since he was a little boy; his health, which remains a serious throughout the entire series, and his love interest, Shu Jinrong. However, Tower Master Xiao Yi Qing is quite cold, ruthless, appears emotionless and unaffectionate, which makes other characters to questions his feelings and his humanity, above all else. Still, to give him credit, he is portrayed as fair.

Asides these two main characters Xiao Yi Qing and Shu Jinrong, there is a slew of other secondary characters that appear throughout the series, each with their own perks and perspective. Young Hero Gao Meng Fei comes off as very playful, a small ray of light in the bleak, blood-soaked drama of Snow Tower, but that playful nature is weathered by a ruthless ambition that is quite shocking. Chi Xiao Tai comes off as playful as well, though blinded by unrequited love and driven by hatred. Ming He is the most colourful secondary character of them all; beautiful, innocent-looking and quite beguiling, this angel-faced monster has so many aces up her sleeves, you can’t help but compare her to some devil.

All in all, a solid cast made Snow Tower a success.

Having worked through my thoughts on these characters, I must add that Snow Tower came in with a shocker: emotions. Watching Snow Tower will, at some point, get your emotions involved, such that you might even shed a tear or two, hope that a specific character is mercilessly knifed to death, and even drop your mouth in shock and horror at some of the betrayals and shifting alliances that play out in the course of Snow Tower.

Would I recommend It? Yes, I would, absolutely, though I must warn, Shu Jingrong is a weak, emotional presence that keeps upsetting plans through the series.

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