Reviews

I started watching this drama on a whim, but little did I know that ten minutes later I would be completely hooked, rolling around my living room floor in fits of giggles.
This is certainly not a serious drama, it's pure ridiculous comedy and there were some parts that had me laughing so hard I was almost in tears.

The cast were perfectly fitted to their roles; I was shook by how well Lee Gwang Soo actually did (although really his character wasn't THAT drastically different from his own personality) and Jung So Min did really well here too. Every character was wild in their own way and each of the actors portrayed it wonderfully.
There were also several cameos that had me squealing, Song Joong Ki, Kim Jong Kook, Jung Joon Young. I wasn't expecting them so I was completely caught off-guard and delighted!

The whole drama was an adventure and I was somewhat sad when it ended, I wasn't ready to let go.
The episodes are really short so it was a super quick and entertaining watch. If you're looking for some light comedy to brighten up your day, this is 100% the drama to choose!

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Perfection.

This series saved my life. Thank you #MySchoolPresident. It was just so pure and healthy. I honestly started watching with 0 expectations and my mind was blown by their cuteness, talent and lack of toxicity. I, myself, really love these BL's where the gays are musicians, so it wasn't very hard to get me hooked. Plus, the songs are actually good and that is not very common. Not to mention that it rarely has any drama between the couple and I love it when it's about how both of them fight together. But what made me like this show more was the fact that is it funny. I could tell the screenwriter knew exactly what he was doing using all the GMMTV cliche sounds and cheesiness and putting it ironically. The side couples are also great. The only thing I would change is the last episode, it should've been 100% happy with no drama.

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I thought this was a better version than the Korean one...

This was one really good show. I want to make a comparison between the US, the Korean and the Japanese versions of this show.
The main difference between the korean and japanese versions is the pacing. The korean show encompasses around 5 seasons of the original version, whereas the japanese version focuses mainly on the first season, and some of the second/third season (for the last two episodes). Weirdly enough, it's more fast paced than the korean show. I think it's mainly because of the focus of the show. In the korean version, the focus is more on the wife and her love life; the criminal cases are almost second thought. Whereas the japanese version is more focused on the husband's trial. The wife is still the lead in the story, but it's all about how she deals with the trial (she has more of a proactive role in it than either the us or the korean versions).

Another big difference is on the character of the husband. The US and korean actors were oozing sex appeal, and pulled of being both charming and scary. Especially the korean version, where his personality is more suave and smarmy but also absolutely dangerous. The japanese husband has some charisma too, but he really can't compare to the previous versions. His actions are less grey than them though. The wife really sums it up well by saying "he's a great tactician but a clumsy person".

The third big difference is the part of romance. This is a japanese show, so I wasn't expecting much, thankfully. Yes there are feelings going around, but everything is very subtle. Many plot points that appear on both US and korean versions were changed here to much safer versions (a family picture instead of a pack of condoms for example LOL)

The fourth difference which makes the japanese show better than the korean, is pertaining to the cases. The korean show is competent, but the writing was a little lazy, since it was almost a perfect translation of the US version, which is fine except it leaves very little in terms of suspense. The japanese show is an adaptation in the true sense of the word, and the cases have been rewritten in a way that make them new and exciting. Also the denouement of the japanese show is better than even the us show.

The acting is top notch for all characters. The casting of the firm's investigator is excellent, she even has that "exotic" factor that added to the aura of mystery around her character. Unfortunately, the wife is not as stylish as in the other versions, but that didn't bother me because it was in line with her story too. All in all, this a very good show and I'll recommend it over the korean version for someone who already know the original show. If romance (and skinship) is a must for you though, I'll say the korean version is a safer bet.

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An engrossing, binge worthy gem

“I Will Find You a Better Home” surpassed all my expectations and provided a sweet respite from pandemic-related news. (The Chinese title 安家 literally means “Settle Down.”)

Choosing a modern Chinese drama is something of a crapshoot. With their high episode counts, it can be a grueling investment of time just to keep up. This series, however, created a world I was reluctant to leave.


RICH CHARACTERIZATIONS
The show’s greatest strength is its rich array of fully realized characters in lead and supporting roles. The show is anchored by the beautiful partnership between Sun Li’s Fang Si Jin and Luo Jin’s Xu Wan Chang. I loved nothing better than watching two tender souls develop deep bonds. I couldn’t get enough of their scenes together, whether they were arguing or just hanging out. As they grew closer, watching them reveal their vulnerabilities and quietly care for one another was just so damn sweet.

Having seen her in other films and dramas, I fully expected Sun Li to rock the role of a woman transformed by love and her own cultivation. The real surprise, for me, was seeing Luo Jin embody such a warm, loving, erudite character. He is a man so beloved that they call him Aunt. The more we get to know Aunt Xu, the more handsome he becomes. Prior to IWFYABH, I would’ve described Luo Jin as competent and a good crier. And now? I think he’s exceptional. (I admit that part of Aunt’s attraction simply comes from the fact that Luo Jin’s natural charm is unencumbered by wigs, elaborate costumes or another voice actor.)


HOW DO I LOVE THEE? LET ME COUNT THE WAYS
I loved the story on several levels.

I enjoyed it purely for its aesthetics. It looks so good with beautiful lighting, sets that feel real, and attractive leads.

It also has quite a few hilarious moments, thanks to the brilliant supporting cast that really feels like they’ve worked together for years. I will never look at a buffet table the same. It will take all my strength not to eat directly with serving tongs. A lot of the laughs also come from Aunt Xu’s best friend, Qin Tao. That man wins the supporting character MVP award. He’s the best friend we all need—wise, witty and calls you out on your bullshit.

As we learn more about the different agents and their clients, the show explores leadership, professional excellence, forgiveness, filial piety and what it means to really cherish the people you love. The stories of women are of particular interest as they navigate the challenges posed by work, marriage, family and the patriarchy.

Fang Si Jin’s story also fits within a quasi-militaristic framework. She’s essentially a soldier figuring out which master to follow. Her Beijing boss, Zhai Yunxiao, is a ruthless man who craves power and discards people who are of no use to him. He paraphrases Sun Tzu’s “know your enemy, know yourself” and calls Fang Si Jin his general while badgering her to complete her “mission.” In contrast, Aunt Xu cautions that one has to differentiate between generals. He likens himself to Lian Po, a 3rd century general famed for being a brilliant but prudent tactician. Our Aunt is an elegant Shanghai man who has undoubtedly internalized the 36 Stratagem and can use them at will. (Is there a stratagem for turning your “assassin” into someone who loves you?)


STUCK ON THE BOTTOM RUNGS OF MAZLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
“Fang” means “house.” As much as Fang Si Jin yearns for her own home—and all that entails—the pursuit of happiness is a luxury she’s never been able to afford. Before moving to Shanghai, all her energies went towards working, so as to keep her stomach full and support her rapacious family. It’s a joy to watch her open herself to the “optimism and joy, encouragement and dependence” that Aunt Xu espouses.


EMBRACE THE ANTAGONISTS
Aside from the occasional shitty clients, there are three main antagonists in this series. I urge you not to fast forward during their scenes. The coquettish ex-wife, the vampire mother, the calculating boss — as irritating as they are, these three are secret angels who sow the seeds of love and dependence between the OTP.


MUSIC
The series had several songs in its soundtrack and three stood out for me:

Opening title song: “City Fireworks” sung by Wang Zijian and Ding Jiale| 《城市烟火》
It’s an effervescent rap with traditional Chinese instruments

Closing credits song: “Shop Window” sung by Feng Xiyao | 《橱窗》— 冯希瑶
Also used as an instrumental background music

“Smile Again” sung by Liu Fengyao | 《微笑再会》 - 刘凤瑶
This gorgeous song is used almost exclusively for Aunt Xu and his little House at significant junctures in their relationship. From the spare instrumentation to full on vocalization, I feel like I’m falling in love whenever I hear it. I anxiously await its appearance on Spotify.


HIGH REWATCH VALUE
Is this show re-watchable? Hells yeah. After the series ended, I think I kept watching my favorite bits for three more weeks.


HOW TO WATCH WITH ENGLISH SUBS?
The series is finally available fully subbed for free on YouTube. During the original broadcast, I set my ExpressVPN to Singapore-Marina Bay and watched Tencent Video’s English subbed playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMX26aiIvX5rnHcPYXSN-GrUCJ5TnghYY

The translations seem good though there are moments where they made things a tad bland. (It's much sexier when Aunt says, "Don't mess with me ... or I'll bite" instead of the bland "or I'll get angry.") It’s such a shame that this series is not yet subbed by Viki. “I Will Find You a Better Home” is a special show worthy of the rich, contextual translations Viki is known for.

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An overall sweet and short drama

I'm not giving a full mark because, as someone else pointed out, the last two episodes felt rushed. Which is a shame because the overall drama was pretty well paced. It's honestly a pretty good drama and I'm giving the side eye to people complaining about the lack of kisses. Personally I like that there was no kisses, intimacy takes many forms and the physical aspect of it is not the end all be all of a relationship. I thought the ending was actually pretty nice, they're learning about each other all other again, this is the moment when their relationship truly starts ! And the little kiss on the ear was honestly so sweet ! For those still hesitating about watching this drama, go for it ! Don't listen to the people complaining about the lack kissing and enjoy a lovely story.

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My opinions on the show and other reviews (very few spoilers)

Okay so I'll try to keep this as short as I can, but I do have a lot to say about this drama. First of all, it's a really amazing series I honestly really loved everything about it; the chemistry between all the actors (both romantically and friendship wise), the music in the show (I listen to their cover of "just being friendly" so much), the cinematography (especially when they went to the beach), and the story itself was really simple and easy to follow along with. This show is honestly going to be one of my favorites! I read some reviews before writing this and I got a lot of different viewpoints and opinions, some saying the show "has a lot of cliches and tropes" or "they aren't middle schoolers, having more psychicality isn't inappropriate for their age" or something along those lines. I understand but not all BL's have to have NC scenes and honestly, I prefer it if they don't. Those type of scenes aren't for every BL and maybe the actors weren't comfortable doing those things. Also, I don't understand the "tropes" part. It would have been nicer if the reviews elaborated more on that topic so I would understand better since I didn't recognize many tropes in the series but maybe that might've been because I don't read or watch as much BL as lots of others do. The story actually felt different to me compared to other BL's where the pair slowly develops feelings for each other unlike in this drama, there was already existing feelings. Though that is probably more common than I think it made me more into the story as it was something I could relate to (having a one-sided crush on someone). That's all I have to say and as I expected it turned out to be quite long but unlike my review on cutie pie the series (I had A LOT to say about it) this is actually relatively calmer. Thanks to whoever is reading this out of the 155 other reviews. I hope you decide to watch this series even if you have some doubts. Also, it would be great to get some feedback on my review so I can do better when reviewing other shows in the future. As for the rewatch value I just have trouble rewatching shows in general so that's just a me problem lol.

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Ok. Let me start by saying I loved the story. Loved the actors. It was super cute and well written. Now did I want to smack the lead actress a lot of times YES. Did I want to go thru the screen and hit her in the back of the head. YES. She was a bit frustrating. But I still love it all. I would watch it again and the music was great. The ending was super super cute. I loved how we know about everyone. The main male lead was great. I want to see more of his stuff. I liked how nothing was dragged on too long.

Músic was great
Actors were great
Rewatch yes
Would recommend 100%

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I didn’t have any expectations.

When I went into this show, it was purely for the good cast and interesting poster. As the show progressed I was instantly hooked which was surprising since I’m a 2-3 episodes before getting hooked kind of person.

The story perfectly captures many different personalities without straying away from how they originally were. Even when more is revealed, those with the fake personalities kept it up until the end and that’s what makes it even more amazing.

The storyline never lacked, in fact it actually got way more interesting in the end and to be completely honest I think having 14 episodes definitely helped. 12 is too little but 16 is a little too much, however, 14 perfectly tells the story and allows for the pace to remain at a great pace without filler episodes or going to fast to keep up.

It’s not going to be my favourite kdrama or even in my top 10 but that’s purely on taste. No matter what taste I have in dramas, this most likely has the potential to be one of your favourite if you give it a chance.

My only issue was with the main character (Haneul) not because she wasn’t good, she was great as always, I just felt her story was too plain and didn’t have time to thrive unlike the other female leads. I also felt like they’d introduced one other female character with hopes of a storyline but that didn’t quite remain consistent.

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This is a masterpiece

I never related. this much to a show. As a teenager that worries so much about money and as a closeted lesbian afraid to lose her family because she is gay, I must say this is a masterpiece. It wasn't one of those bullshit shows that was afraid to keep it real. No, this kept it real and transparent. It highlighted what most teens in low-income families go through. From drugs, prostitution, debt to rape. Them running away just makes it better because it's what all teenagers want to do, but in this show they didn't want it to be all rainbows and sunshine, they kept it real. They showed all the struggles of living alone as a teenager. They even touched up on suicide and who did it *SPOILER* the gay guy (yok), like suicide in the lgbt+ community is the fastest growing worldwide. Hopefully people will learn that he are still humans. They also touched upon rape from a family member, rape mostly happens by people around you statistics found, so it was really interesting for me to watch, sad but interesting ( be careful around everybody people, girls and boys please be careful, humans are disgusting). They also touched upon domestic abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction and many more. like man the amount of times I cried watching this is just wow. I highly recommend this. I won't read what I wrote because I know I made so many mistakes but I dont wanna fix them. Highly recommended tho.

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I personally have never been hooked up with any non-romance movies and dramas. However, this made my whole universe of dramas change. It was such an amazing and intriguing portrayed drama with lots of thrills. It's like making you grab and squeeze a pillow or anything around you. My preferred genre is normally romance, fantasy, sci-fi and superpower sorts. And this is a n amazing combination of all. It makes you sit and wonder how will life be if you're born with those amazing superpowers and attending this spooky yet cool ass school. All in all IT IS A MUST WATCH. the music, editing, plot, acting and chemistry are all PERFECT.

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Lovely regional dorama

It's the first time I actually appreciated Kanjiya Shihori's acting! Since I couldn't honestly ascribe that to my getting softer with age (leveling with y'all, I'm afraid it's more like the opposite and I'm getting grumpier, LOL), this means she actually WAS good in this dorama SP! And so was Endo Kenichi! Also thanks to a beautifully written script which managed, in such a short time, to touch some big issues like the neverending love/hate relationship between city and countryside, the different approaches people may have to work and work ethics, and more in general, the respect we should always have for others in order to fully function as a society. Once again I ended up totally loving a "regional dorama" - gee, I wish there were, like, a list of those somewhere, so as to make it easier for us fans to find these lil' gems!

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