This review may contain spoilers
MDLers’ Choice Awards 2020 for Best Xianxia Romance, Actor & Action
With over 7K comments in the discussion board (setting a new MDL record at the time of writing), Love and Redemption is quite possibly the winner of MDLers’ Xianxia Romance of the year award for 2020, if ever there was such an honour bestowed by the panel of admins and as voted by MDLers themselves. And of course, our beloved Cheng Yi wins the Best Actor, Most Popular Actor and Best Kisser awards, among others I might have left out.Why is there so much passion for this show? Because L&R is a binge-worthy narcotic that induces an addiction so severe that one becomes fully dependant and invested from the very first dose. Throughout the 59 episodes, I simply could not refrain myself from “chasing after the story”, just to bear witness to the trials and tribulations experienced by our main leads (Yu Si Feng and Chu Xuan Ji aka SF and XJ) amidst much traumatic physical and mental suffering (and no little amount of blood loss, voluntary or otherwise) in the process, inflicted upon themselves and even on each other. This powerful romance truly deserves multiple awards because it is all inclusive and literally no one is left out.
As with other fans of the show, we persevere through each and every episode with the faintest glimmer of hope, and against the odds of the deeply dreaded historical C-drama curse, just to see a happily ever after ending. When a show gives you butterflies in the stomach and myriad emotions, damn it you know it’s good.
Truth be told, technically it’s not the most perfect production (then again nothing of this mortal world is perfect, except maybe Cheng Yi's acting) – there are minor flaws in directing, editing, and cinematography. But without a shadow of doubt, full marks go to the depiction of the story and portrayal of the characters. The visual effects, CGI technology employed and martial arts choreography are among the finest, if not the best, seen in a Xianxia drama for a very long time.
Story:
I did not read the original novel, “Liu Li Mei Ren Sha” by Shi Si Lang, and simply went in with a clean slate and without any expectation, demand or bias. What I ended up with was a masterpiece of storytelling. To put it simply, at the heart of this drama is a beautiful story about a love so pure and strong that it defies all odds and conquers everything that fate throws at it, just for a chance to shape its own destiny.
As is customary of this genre, we have the usual setting of the 3 realms – the Heavenly court and its entourage of Godly Emperors, Demi-Gods and Immortals; the Mortal Realm with its various sects of cultivators and loyal followers and groupies; and the Underworld realm filled with Demons, Devils and generally every other plausible kind available. Within this universe lies our unassuming SF and XJ, whose love story unfolds across the 3 realms and transcends several lifetimes, in a long and arduous journey filled with seemingly endless challenges and obstacles.
Nearly every conceivable plot element, trope and the emotional highs and lows that one could ever wish for in a fantasy is present in abundance. Full-blown action from fierce battles fought out in epic proportions in the heavens and on earth, between every imaginable species of celestial beings and affiliations, with all manner of divine weapons and cultivated powers. Many action C-dramas pale in comparison to this spectacle.
The romance is simply off the charts and has the steamiest kissing scenes in any C-dramas that I’ve seen this year. Being nearly all-inclusive, you will observe multiple relationship angles involving fabricated/ forced/ infatuation/ manipulated/ unrequited/ tragic love, whether it be romantic, familial, bromance, sismance and even BL among various characters. Normal rules of engagement no longer apply as even gender associations extend to androgyny levels in both corporeal and ethereal formats. Not many romance dramas, regardless of genres, could hold a candle to L&R.
There is no lack of focus on supporting characters as everyone is given ample room to develop and showcase their own storyline. There is enough suffering, tears, torment and blood vomit to last beyond a single lifetime (or in this case 10 cycles). No shortage either in frustrating misunderstandings, heart-breaking betrayals, sheer mental anguish, broken oaths and promises.
Thankfully it’s not all doom and gloom. I didn’t have to look too hard to find some semblance of luminescence within the darkness throughout the proverbial tunnel where memorable but fleeting moments of pure unabashed and unadulterated innocent love between our hero and heroine can be observed. This is fine dining at a Michelin–star establishment rather than buffet at a fast-food joint, but trust me, the long-awaited dessert certainly provides for a much welcomed catharsis at the very end – the last 30 minutes of the finale episode makes everything worth it.
Acting and Cast:
As the ML, this show has potentially propelled Cheng Yi to celestial popularity levels. His portrayal of the much adored character of Yu Si Feng through his seemingly innate ability to emote convincingly and project poignant scenes of excruciating torment while shedding TONNES OF BLOOD AND TEARS has deservedly earned him legions of new fans, including yours truly. Yuan Bing Yan, who plays FL Chu Xuan Ji, displays the necessary depth in portraying the character’s growth, from a sensory-impaired and downright clueless young woman to a multi-faceted divine being of supernatural awesomeness. Perhaps at times Cheng Yi’s superior range and mastery of acting became too overpowering, but there is no denying the explosive chemistry between these two leads. The intense emotional connection that they share does indeed feel tangible and real rather than artificial and contrived.
There are several villains who dish out multiple levels of annoyance and angst. None more so than the top two of Hao Chen and Wu Tong. Without Liu Xue Yi, L&R would not be as satisfying (and torturous) as it had been. He brings to the table his version of Hao Chen, a complex and egocentric multi-dimensional piece of work who’s armed with a deep-seated sense of self-serving twisted logic that is borne of extreme bitterness and utter resentment. I doubt HC himself even realises that he is an actual villain because in his mind, he believes himself to be the righteous and spiritual holier-than-thou sacred existence while everyone else who does not share his convictions is almost certainly in league with the Devil himself. This is where the actor succeeds in his ability to consistently maintain the angst levels and turning it up a notch or two when the situation calls for it, throughout the entire show.
Huang You Ming plays the other villain, Wu Tong. It would be unfair to vilify WT as an outright villain because in a way he is a victim of circumstances that turned him into a sociopath. Constantly filled with contempt and uncontrollable rage, coupled with insatiable bloodlust for revenge, this is a deeply troubled individual who has no control over his own fetishes either. The actor’s looks, sadly for him but fortunately for us, projects the character’s vile vibes completely.
I want to add that the voice dubbers for Yu Si Feng and Hao Chen in particular, did an absolutely amazing job in adding the emotional nuance that brings to life the actors’ portrayals ever so vividly to the viewers.
The rest of the cast generally did pretty well too. Zhang Yu Si playing Chu Ling Long displayed a remarkable transformation from the spoilt princess persona to the role of an abuse victim struggling with PTSD. Together with Li Jun Yi, who plays Zhong Ming Yan, they both formed the second main couple in the show (among many other couples) and gave the OTP a run for their money in the pain and suffering stakes.
Did I mention this drama is filled with many charismatic and good looking male actors? In addition to Cheng Yi and Liu Xue Yi, we have Zhu Zi Xiao (Yuan Lang), Fu Fang Jun (Wu Zhi Qi), Li Xin Ze (Luo Hou Ji Du), Bai Shu (Ting She) and Zhou Jun Wei (Ruo Yu).
Overall:
Love and Redemption is definitely not light and fluffy (except for very few episodes). Make no mistake, this is as heavy and serious as it gets, and the drama is extremely adept at reducing viewers into emotional train wrecks. Mercifully, it did not take too long for viewers to get an overhaul. At least we got what we deserved – a truly happily ever after ending. I had thoroughly enjoyed this dramatic journey and I think you would too.
Thanks for reading :)
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The story was lacking, to say the least. It didn't seem as if there really was one sometimes to be honest. The episodes were mainly made up of small conflicts that didn't seem of much importance to the central story at all. Even the the climax of the main story was resolved rather anticlimactically in the last episode. I often found myself wondering what the heck happened after an episode, not because I was shocked by the events, but because nothing really did happen. The story trudged along at a horse and buggy speed and it seemed that our lead female Ah Ro was just along for the ride. She didn't seem to have any purpose in the story, but to give our leads some angsty tension (not that it was needed because they had enough of that on their own). The main couple had no chemistry whatsoever and I even found myself bored at their scenes. And lets not even begin talking about the plot holes. There were many and they were extremely noticeable.
The acting was mediocre. This is an average amongst this large cast; some were better than others. Going back to the issue with the main couple, I believe it wasn't totally the fault of the cast. Park Seo Joon had amazing chemistry in his last drama with Hwang Jung Eum and Go Ara did well in Reply 1994. While they are not exceptional actors, they have shown good acting skills, and even they could not salvage how stale the plot was. Minho's acting became a lot more natural though and Taehyung did well with his emotional scenes.
The OST itself is pretty good and some of the songs were actually quite memorable. I did notice though that the music editing was not very good throughout the entire drama. It cut off weirdly and some of the music didn't even fit the scene, which is disappointing coming from a show that was prefilmed and edited.
Overall, it was only slightly enjoyable to watch so I will not be rewatching. I would like to give some honorable mentions though to my otp Ban Ryu and Soo Yeon, Sung Dong Il the designated ahjussi of kdramas, and Park Hyung Sik's face (it's beautiful :')).
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That's the best way to describe this sitcom. I have to say though, after reading the synopsis and hearing there would be constant flashbacks in this story my expectations weren't too high but after completing it, I can finally say that it genuinely blew me away.
Let me start by saying the flashbacks were never annoying and I realized after a couple of episodes that I thoroughly enjoyed them and they were essentially the entire backbone of the story. There was just SO MUCH going on in this sitcom. It truly has every little good bit of every good drama I've seen. It's fun. It's witty....and a bit insane (lol). But don't let those crazy/slapstick comedy moments fool you. There is so much more to this story than that. It's a sitcom about the strength (and craziness) of family, the unbreakable bond between friends and the courage it takes to take a chance at love. I felt like each scene of this sitcom was a piece of a puzzle and as the story progressed the pieces that once seemed to never fit together, finally combine to make a simplistic yet beautiful picture of how an average family and an average group of friends handle both the expected and unexpected moments in life. The small moments the characters shared with each other created the biggest impact on me. I found those sweet and simple scenes to be the most captivating moments of the entire story.
The cast behind this sitcom is the absolute best. Really. You can't get much better than this. Every single one them managed to create their own story in their own unique, quirky way and it just worked. I laughed, I loved and I cried for all their troubles and woes. They made it seem so easy, pulling off the Busan dialect, acting like crazy loons and yet it all felt so real and genuine. As if I was watching a documentary about the lives of these people in Busan and not some Korean sitcom. The fact that it was so relate-able to so many generations of youths is another plus. You cannot go through this sitcom without ever saying the words, "Dude, I'm just like that!" or "Omg...I know someone who does the same thing!" It's just so relate-able and I think that's what makes this thing so popular. Yoon Hae and Shi Won's young, naive, and crazy love has truly left a deep impression on me. Seo In Guk was FANTASTIC in his role as Yoon Jae and not to go too much into the deep end here, but this guy really knows how to put emotion behind his words. He's angsty, passionate and not to mention hilarious (much like the rest of his crazy friends) and the best thing about it is that it NEVER gets too cheesy or overbearing. Eunji also blew me away with her acting skills. She truly is wise beyond her.... what is this....19 years?! She's only 19?! No way. I would never have guessed, with her flawless acting. One other thing to note here about the characters: THOSE PARENTS! In most drama/sitcoms I have a tendency to overlook these insignificant people, but Shi Won's parents were just so gosh darn lovable! The constant curses and arguing were just so entertaining to me. Some might find this a bit over the top, but I like the way the writers stuck to their gut with these characters and weren't afraid to make them loud and proud. They were such a hoot and I will continue to love them forever! :3
Ah, the music. Well, if you're the type to get so caught up in the story like I was, you most likely won't notice, BUT the music is just fantastic! As a sitcom with many flashbacks to the 90's, it is only appropriate to put in music from the 90's. YES, THAT'S RIGHT! Throwback songs from the 90's! Ah, how I wish I could go back to those times~
This also seems like the first show I've come across in a while, that I wouldn't mind coming back to again. It's just that good! I have a feeling I'll be missing this show and it's characters fairly soon. I don't think I'll see another drama/sitcom as genius and entertaining as this for a while. So it worth a re-watch? Uhhh...HECK YES! :D
Wow. This is by far one of the longest reviews I've written so far (which should tell you something about this sitcom *wink wink hint hint nudge nudge*). So if you've made it this far, I thank you for bearing with me. *highfive* :) This is the point where I should exit outta here with something fun, I guess....hmmmm.
*sheep baaahha* :D
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Story: It's about a man who is sentenced to death for killing his wife and daughter and his desperate attempt to prove himself innocent. When your life takes an turn from a revered prosecutor with a loving family to a death row inmate who murdered his family - you know something big is in store.
Cast/Characters: Ji Sung as Park Jeong Woo - I can't praise his role and acting in this drama enough. He really outdid himself in this and I'm so very proud of him, I can't imagine any other actor in this role - it was simply perfect for him! In my eyes this was his greatest work yet and it showcased his best acting abilities yet! I loved his character and his determination to prove himself innocent. You could see every single emotion flash across his face. Brilliant acting.
Uhm Ki Joon as Cha Min Ho - you can't really get a better actor to play the villain role in a drama, I've seen him play many villain roles and this one is my favorite. A great actor for sure! He and Ji Sung were perfect acting partners - and they had great acting chemistry (heck, the entire cast had great chemistry). I love villains who are pure villain - they make you love to hate them. (if that sounds right - a pure villain with no heart one can only loathe but a villain who does have some heart - makes you hate them but in a way care more about their character - even though you can't wait to see them pay for their crimes). I would love to see these two in another drama together again.
Shin Rin Ah as Ha Yeon (Jeong Woo's daughter) this child is brilliant in her acting - she will make you cry, she's so good. She's a natural.
Kim Min Suk as Seong Kyu one of my favorite supporting characters in this drama, I loved the time we had with him in this.
Jo Jae Yun as Cheol Shik - the best side-kick one could ever wish for! I love this actor in every drama I see him in (however I do much prefer him to be our good guy so I can adore him fully!) He always makes me laugh in the dramas he's in - he's like your comedy relief from all the suspense lol and his bromance with Ji Sung in this is so nice! I sometimes wish he was in every drama I watched lol
All of Jeong Woo's cell mates deserve to be mentioned: Moong Chi (Oh Dae Hwan), Rockfish (Jo Jae Ryong), Bundle (Woo Hyun), & Bang Jang (Yun Yeong Hyun). Attorney Seo Eun Hye was wonderful in her role, as was Seok (Min Ho's henchman) in his role. So many actors and they are all so good! More mentions: Tae Soo (Kang Sung Min), Jun Hyuk (Oh Chang Seok), Prosecutor Go Dong Yoon (Lee Shin Sung), & Prosecutor Choi Tae Hong (Park Ho San) I really liked him - such a good mentor and head prosecutor ^^
Music: "I Love You Baby" will have a whole new meaning to you after watching this drama and you'll always be reminded of Cheol Shik whenever you hear this song ^_^ I love how they incorporated this classic hit song into this drama ^^
Re-watch value: 10/10 - You know I'll re-watch this one and right away too! I can't get enough of it, so I have to see it all over again from start to finish - not missing a single second (there will be Zero skip-watching folks). ;)
I HIGHLY recommend this to EVERYONE! It's the best drama of the year so far! Heck, it's the best drama I've seen in a long time - sure others have been good or even really great to excellent but none of them top this one in terms of enjoyment and brilliant story writing and acting! This is a true GEM - a Masterpiece if I ever saw one!
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The plot is the biggest advantage of this drama. It's a perfect mix of action, suspense, crime, drama, and even comedy and romance. What more could you want? And although I admit I got bored sometimes, the boredom didn't last long. There's always something happening in this drama, and numerous plot twists make everything even more exciting, interesting, and fun to watch. The pace of story development is also perfect, thanks to what it's pretty easy to follow the plot without any headaches. The romance between Dae Gu and Su Seon isn't cheesy and immature, so thank God there aren't any cringe worthy moments between those characters.
Seriously, if only more dramas were like that, I'm sure I wouldn't end up hating so many of them.
The cast is really well-chosen, so there's no surprise that the acting is one of the best I've seen so far. There are no awkward facial expressions or gestures, and the actors express the characters' feelings in a good, believable way. Only An Jae Hyeon's acting skills lack sometimes, but most of the time he isn't even that bad. So good job.
All of the main characters are likeable, which is kind of surprising considering that most dramas have many annoying characters. To be honest I was expecting Su Seon to be irritating, as almost every main female leads in dramas are, so imagine my surprise when I didn't end up hating her. And as you can learn from my other reviews, most of the time I hate main female characters. Also, I love how each character is different and special in a way. Thanks to that every character can add something new to the story.
This drama has its little flaws, but they're not very significant. I think the biggest flaw of "You're All Surrounded" is that a few of the last episodes are a little bit of a drag, but fortunately at episode 19 everything goes back to normal.
Overall, even if you don't like cop dramas, I suggest you give this one a chance. "You're All Surrounded" is something fresh, has an actual plot, and doesn't kill viewers with a cheesy romance. Seriously, we need more dramas like this one.
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I started watching this with only one episode out and have been waiting patiently since then until it finished. I was busy catching up w/ its updates on weibo and twitter that watching GGS alone is already taking too much of my time lol. I mean that totally says a lot on how much i love this drama right???
The casts are well-chosen for their characters and gave justice to their roles. No offence but I don't see any c-actor who could pull off HSY like how Li Xian did it! He slays that frown facial expression without trying hard too much. I have always been a fan of Yang Zi since Battle of Changsha and Ashes of Love, and so I love how she nailed her character here again. A lot of people are complaining about her clothes but I wasn't bothered at all. I guess her bright and baggy clothes are there to constantly remind us of the characters' age difference.
The chemistry between the leads is so natural and cute that you can't help but ship them in real life too. I love the transition of their relationship from being awkward to being able to communicate well with each other - that just gives us a realistic feel of what really happens in the real world. Their seemingly natural interactions and chemistry are what made this drama one of my all-time top faves.
There were no draggy scenes (well, for me atleast) and I have watched 41 episodes with ease. I initially hated the flashbacks but later on realized how helpful they were with getting to know more of HSY and his strong determination to reach his dreams. I found the K&K boys adorable and funny, that it gave perfect balance to the romance. I loooveeee the second couple and craved for their scenes. Moreover, the more episodes I watch, the more I get attached to the old Team Solo. I love how even though they are already in two separate teams, they are still there to support each other (huhu true friendship indeed!)
Watching the last scene made me so emotional because I was just not ready for this series to end yet T___T. It has been such a good ride and I grew attached to all the characters.
I liked a bunch of dramas but there were only a few that I truly loved - the ones that i got really attached to and wouldn't get tired to rewatch despite the passing of time... And I could definitely say that GGS is the new addition to that list. I can see myself rewatching this from time to time whenever I need a mood booster.
Overall, I love this drama so much and would totally recommend this to anyone. Although it focused on the romance, it also centred around the characters' pursuit to their dreams that will surely motivate and inspire everyone.
PS. THE OSTs FOR THIS DRAMA ARE THE BEST !!!
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A turning point in the Korean LGBTQI+ film industry? Kinda.
I was not having high expectations for this series, to be honest, but I am glad it could prove its worth to me and hopefully other viewers too. The Korean LGBTQ+ film industry is growing and improving its series in terms of production and duration., which is noticeable when watching this drama. It´s definitely a good decision to watch “First Love, Again”. In the following, I try to justify my recommendation briefly and concisely.PRODUCTION
Nothing extra outstanding nor something they failed in. However, it gets closer to the normal high standard of Korean dramas. One thing I´d like to highlight is that the use of light and shadows in this series was on-point. Compared to other Korean LGBTQI+ series the dialogues and monologues have been better in both quantity and quality. The story feels less rushed than usual, and I am sure we can expect similar dramas to be produced soon.
PLOT
The plot is, I mentioned this in the heading, unique and exciting to watch. I especially enjoyed the soft pacing and the comedy side of a more serious story. Both characters seem to not be written as extraordinary people, but rather normal citizens like you and me. One of them just happened to remember their incomplete love story and is trying his best to make their ends meet so that his consciousness can finally rest in peace. Other than Yeon Seok remembering his past, there is no superpower or characteristic that makes him less ordinary, except for his multilayered personality and his weird humour. Additionally, I also enjoyed the sweet moments Yeon Seok and Jeong Ha Yeon had. So cute. However, towards the end it kinda got boring.
ACTOR
What surprised me the most though is that it´s the first appearance in a drama (on MDL) for both main leads. This get´s even more confusing when you witness their solid performance in terms of facial expressions and natural behaviour. So what can I even say? They did a good job, and I am glad that Jeon Chang Ha and Jin Gun were chosen as the main leads because they matched the characters and thus the entire series is harmonious.
The Supporting Cast also showed a satisfying performance in their roles. I can't think of anything that I would have found disturbing or unfitting. Well done. Especially Song Han Hee showed off in her role as Mikael. I adore the idea and origin of this character, firstly that they are genderfluid/ non-binary and secondly that the series mentioned their identity. Good job!
OVERALL
As I said in the beginning, in terms of innovation and production, this drama is definitely recommended and it is indeed a good decision to watch “First Love, Again”, as it is a turning point in the Korean LGBTQI+ film industry.
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This review may contain spoilers
Queen Go Hyun Jung
If there's one thing to summarize the entire series - it is to establish Go Hyun Jung as the queen.This gripping and dark slowburn thriller is an exaggerated study of genes vs nurture - is someone pre-disposed to be something because of your blood or do we actually have the freedom to shape what we want to be according to our freewill and upbringing?
Okay lets backtrack a litlle bit, because there was a bit of backlash when the show was airing when they revealed that the copycat killer is a trans character but we also have to understand that this is an adaptation and the same backlash happened during the airing of the original french series which it was based on. Yes in the original the copycat was also a transwoman.
I know the progressives hated that twist and most of the question hovered around the reasoning they had to demonize a transwoman. I have a little bit of theory about the reason and i know a lot of people will hate it. Here it goes - a boy was brutally abused by his father and a woman came to save his life - yes the killing was sloppy and irresponsible but to his eyes it was also empowering and it set him free. He idolized the woman who defeated the demon for him and he fashioned a new life to MIRROR the life of his saviour - thats why he chose to become a woman. Was he actually a transperson or was he just copying the queen mantis? That is the mystery. I didnt see it as an attack to the trans community.
For me this show is a lot better than the original - first and foremost is the acting - Go Hyun Jung's Jung I Sin is so different from the original and made the role her own, her acting was subtle and so much scarier - that scene when she pulled and strangled the first suspect (which is not ont he original) is etched in my mind as it was so calculating believable awesome and terrifying. Jang Dong Yoon also did an excellent job as Cha Su Yeol who showed so much more vulnerability and his dynamics with Jung I Shin is much more believable compared to the original. The support cast also did a good job.
I also liked how they changed the ending a little bit which made it more effective like when Jung I Shil overpowered and stabbed Seo A Ra ,and when she actually prevented her son from killing her father (which kept him from becoming a criminal himself) and did it herself through that fire. And that open-ended ending - were they hoping to do a season 2?
The makeup to deglamorize Go Hyun Jung was also spot on and perfect for the character.
Would i reccommend? Yes the acting alone makes it worth it. Would i rewatch? Probably not as the topic is too heavy for repeated viewing. Overall i give it an 8.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama is a nice watch at first, but at some points it just gets really boring, esp when they officially get together. I feel like I have nothing more to anticipate from the couple. They get married and even have a child, I don't understand why fans are asking for a Season 2. A new drama with the same couple is better. But i will have to give some merits to Gu Wei Yi. Personally, I think he is quite an original character that I maybe haven't seen in any romcom drama before this; a genius yet a little bit dumb (in a cute way). I love the fact that he is always googling anything that he does not know, very adorable. Overall, despite finding myself getting bored towards the end of the story, I would say that it is still a good light show that you will enjoy admist a busy life, except that 24 episodes is probably too much. Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Since the series ended I will give my honest review on this drama. Long post ahead *warning: Spoilers*WTD really is WTF but in a good and bad way. This story was entertaining while at the same time frustrating. IT;s the kind of drama you watch when there isn't anything else going on, but still find yourself enjoying it. I will admit that I wasn't going to give it a chance but I changed my mind when I watched the second episode, only because it felt refreshing and the actors were so good with their chemistry. It's a must watch in my opinion if you want to take a break from Thai BLs that focus on school boys (I want to burn those darn blue school shorts I swear) and watch something where the actors are age appropriate and totally believable.
Lets talk about the Couples:
Pop and Mo: The same trope in many BL-specially in Thai BLs. Where we have a couple where the girlfriend is annoying or totally incapable of accepting the reality that the relationship she is in, just isn't working and instead of letting it go on good terms, they want to force it. AT first I kind of like their relationship and totally understood why Pop wanted to keep his relationship with Mo going. He truly cared for her and she for him, no doubt about that. However, once their feelings started changing, Mo should have taken a hike and saved her self some headache---She even had a prince waiting for her (that is his name LOL). It's hard to let go of a nearly 4 year relationship, but they were not in the same boat after each had their own careers to think about.
Pop and Oat: These two were seriously cute from the beginning. Oat was at times such a jokester and annoying, but underneath all that was a very sweet boy who didn't have a clue what love truly was and falling for Pop was the best thing that happened to him. Through his weird friendship with Pop, he was able to right his life in a way and redirect his focus from gambling to other things. While their sweet moments were few and slow, I liked the progression because it felt natural instead of forced. Pop still isn't sure about his feelings for Oat, but he knows he feels something for the big jokester. With that said, be prepared for a SLOW progression of their so called relationship*you've been warned*
Pree and Rambo: Talk about dysfunctional relationships! These two take the cake. I have been very critical of these two because I allowed myself to be annoyed by fans of Art the actor and how they think his character was being "used and abused" and it was really disappointing to see how people can't differentiate between fiction and reality. Art may be the cutest thing on this earth, but the character he plays is one of the most manipulative childish characters I have ever seen. He not only did not stand up to his father in order to save his relationship with Pree, but he also went onto sleeping with different people and later exposed Pree to potentially transmitted disease and to top it off continued to lie about it to Pree. I have said that I live for messy relationships, but I ain't going to lie and say I liked this one too much. What I did like about their relationship, is that this happens way too often in real life and many BL dramas don't even bother touching on these issues. Pree is not without faults, but in this relationship, he gave Rambo lots of chances to not only come clean about his cheating, but also with saving their relationship. Some people commented on how he was a "fault" for his failed relationship and I just didn't see it that way. Both had faults, but
Pree and Pop--while I may be in the minority here (I do like them as an end game if that were to be the case), I don't think it should be right for Pree to go after Pop since Pop dated his sister. I understand that Pree was in love with Pop first, but it was his own fault for not taking a step in confessing at the time. Still, a tiny part of me would love to see Pree happy even if it isn't with Pop. If Rambo gets his act together *which doesn't seem to be the case based on that last episode*, then maybe I might root for them to get back together, but as it stands, Pree is better off alone and trying to find what it is he wants in a partner.
All of the cast had great chemistry .
Music: I really really love the OSTs...The beginning song is so beautiful when the actor who plays Oat sings it in the last episode. His voice is quite pleasing and the slow take on the song was a nice arrangement. The ending song is also really beautiful and has such a sad melody that you know it will probably foreshadow the real ending of the series. *If you have read the novel or seen the spoilers, then you know what I mean*
Scenery, themes, etc...It was so nice watching a drama that wasn't in a school setting or in dark apartments.
There is more I want to say, but I'm going to watch the two last episodes again cause I know I missed some things.
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A sweet surprise
When I saw the trailer for this I thought this was just another superhero movie so I decided to skip it. But I stumbled upon clips of the young couple on YouTube and decided to just watch their parts .I ended up really enjoying the first episode and I continued watching it week after week .I realised that this was more than just a movie abt some people with superpowers,it was the story about a family who was lost themselves in their power and how they get back the control of their own lives and power and grow closer as a family .This was a story about family and friendship and love and it was a pleasure to watch week after week .Definetly one of the best dramas of this year
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*** Lovestruck was unbelievable, electric, and TRAGIC. Don't hate the ML and FM for their flaws
I have watch 100s of kdramas, american shows. Lovestruck in City first to hit my heart the way it does.You need to watch 15 straight episodes to see the progression. Every episode is entertaining because you get a perspective never seen before in kdrama concerning relationships. You will be mad, cry, intrigued the entire time. *****Don't judge you opinion about characters. They are flawed, relationships are messy.*******
I don't hate the FL (EUN OH/ KIM JI WON). She made me teary-eye the entire show because I know the feeling of hating yourself. She is selfish I agree, but her wanting to "FIND HERSELF, and to LOVE HERSELF", I completed understand. She abandoned him, but this relationship was destined to fail. She ghosted him and should have just dumped him properly. But ML himself was superficial in YangYang saying he wouldn't love her if she was not who she was without the tattoo and carefree style. She was scared and ML was superficial to start. Both made the relationship NOT WORK. *****Kim Ji Won is the most charismatic, expressive, and REAL female actress I have ever seen in this drama. The emotion she depicts in her eyes is .... incredible.
The absolute sadness that the ML (JAE WON/ JI CHANG WOOK) shows is real. You might not like it, but it is REAL. Dwelling over a girl he fell in love with, the anger for being abandoned. After every moment and flashes to the past, you root for him even though he is not perfect. ****Ji Chang Wook getting criticism for this drama is wrong. His electric chemistry with Kim Ji Won was breathtaking. Throughout show he was energetic because he is passionate and has anger problems, which I relate to. Many people I know have these spurts of emotions. Don't hate someone people they are displaying weakness in character. I appreciate the REALNESS OF IT.
But breakups are ALWAY messy. I have been ghosted in the past as well. Relationships ending in a flash. So I understand this. I have also ended relationships due to my own insecurities and still dwell about them.
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This review may contain spoilers
The Plot Went from ? To ⬇️
first of all the female lead's role is unnecessary asf. IN EPISODE 6 THE FL AND TAEHO KISSED right before the wedding? Does this make sense? this is so toxic? like what the hell is even happening right here? im so frustrated by this show. And what is even happening with Inha? i thought this drama was about taeho and inha? Now the plot has completely changedInha became the villain and Taeho the innocent one? He isn't even innocent? no matter what he shouldn't have kissed his best friend's fiance. the FL doesn't even like inha and she's literally out there cheating on him with taeho? Taeho'w character development is literally 0. he literally became a looser. And like they literally changed the main plot. at least i didn't expect inha to be the villain. the FL married inha cuz of his money. No matter what Inha And Taeho should've been together on the same boat. this is so messed up. thr whole drama is so messed up. and the fact second fl is thousand times better than the main female lead. just seeing her on my screen makes me wanna drop the drama. she's does not fit at all. She shouldve just stayed as inha's wife cuz that is her only goal in life , being wealthy. NOW AFTER ALLL THIS SHIT THE FL SUDDENLY WANTS TO PLAY THE VICTIM CARD? nothing in this drama is making sense. the second fl deserves better. Han taeho is literally blind atp. The second fl always tried to support him in every situation and our adorable taeho brutally rejected her just to kiss someone else's FIANCE. o my god i can't this is so frustrating.
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Park Shi Hoo's performance in this is absolutely stunning. Words cannot begin to formulate how well he plays his role. At first i watched it as i would a normal Drama...check out the first episode see how things go from there; and as soon as i watched the first 20 minutes...i was captivated. Some may say i am overreacting, that it is not as good as i make out. Well, it's a matter of opinion at the end of the day, and me being ESPECIALLY fond of historical Drama's, find this to be an extremely grand surprise.
Anyone who is considering on watching "The Princess' Man", what is there to consider about? GO NOW! Watch. Enjoy.
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