Reviews

Overall I really liked this show. The main characters were flawed with hang-ups about their backgrounds, but generally likeable.

The best things about this show were the variety of relationships and the implications for duty, love, loyalty, and conflicts in fulfilling roles/obligations. The show put a lot of effort into showcasing how motive in a relationship can impact its success, contrasting various couples to support its philosophy.

This isn't a spoiler since it is spelled out in the summary and the first part of the show: My big annoyance was that the show would sometimes forget its own facts. Rin wasn't always a full daughter of the house - although she received the same education as the girls, she shared a room with the maid! Although one reason Saran was hesitant about Rin was because he knew she wasn't the real eldest child, he WAS tempted by Duang and continued to give her opportunities, even later when he should have figured out just how toxic/unstable she is.

The one thing missing from this show for me was that it never fully recognized that Saran gave Rin no good reason to trust in him. Given the situation, I'd be like Rin and have one foot out the door also. Still, the show did better than most at being steady paced and charming.

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Oh, what a tangled web we weave...

The legendary team of Kurosawa Akira and Mifune Toshiro tackle Shakespeare's Macbeth in Throne of Blood. While hitting most of the bard's main beats, Kurosawa takes the murderous couple to feudal Japan in this highly stylized film.

Mifune plays Washizu (Macbeth) caging the frenetic energy always just below this actor's surface. Washizu and his friend Miki are returning to their lord's keep, aptly named Spider Web Castle, after defeating an opposing lord's army in battle. Lost in the woods, they come across a ghostly forest spirit who foretells their future. Washizu will become the next lord of Spider Web Castle and Mizi's son will become it's future lord. Both men are incredulous as they make their way to the castle through the fog, even more incredulous when the prophetic events begin to come true.

Washizu becomes the leader of the North Garrison where he and his wife (the talented Yamada Isuzu) live a comfortable life. Lady Washizu is not content though and stirs up feelings of ambition and dread in her husband telling him that the lord may seek to kill him seeing him as a rival, especially if Miki tells of the prophecy. Washizu is not convinced but when the lord ominously drops into their hands, it doesn't take much convincing from his wife to perform the murderous deed. Miki throws in with him out of his own ambition or pragmatism. The prince and Noriyasu (Kurosawa regular-Shimura Takashi) flee to their old enemy and make a pact with him.

Lady Washizu unrelentingly keeps up the murderous whispers until man after man is slain in order to keep their new status. Even as they work to stay on top, the doubts and guilt begin to build until the subtle and not so subtle signs of madness begin to creep in. With each passing day his men's doubts grow as does the strength of their enemy.

There is all sorts of imagery in this film starting with Kurosawa's trademark wind and rain ushering in dark changes. Fog blinding the men as they try to find their way ushers in chaos and uncertainty. Washizu and Lady Washizu act almost as if they are wearing masks. She barely moves and when she does it usually means someone is about to die as the only sound you hear is the rustling of her silk dress as it slithers across the floor. At the end when the opposing army shows up, they are highlighted in sunlight while Washizu always seems to be in rain or fog or dim, claustrophobic lighting. The name Spider Web Castle reflects the deadly web the couple find themselves in, one they cannot extract themselves from.

The forest spirit tells Washizu and Miki,
"Human beings are so strange,
they are terrified to look into
the bottom of their hearts."

Washizu, his wife and Miki end up looking into their hearts and find more darkness than they were aware of. Paranoia drives Washizu to have his best friend murdered and see treachery all around him. The spirit's prophecy causes the chaos that sinks into a man's soul inciting greed and winning at any cost to take over. Was the spirit prophesying or setting events into motion with the prophecy? Did the men act of their own will or were they victims of predestination?

The sets were amazing. Always looking for that perfect shot, Kurosawa didn't like the initial castle set and had another imposing one built on Mt Fuji. In two different scenes, especially the final one, it didn't take much acting to show fear when arrows were being fired as they were really being shot at the actors.

Kurosawa wasn't afraid to use silence and time to create tension in scenes, something rarely used in today's films. The scene with the silent castle as the troops slowly approached not knowing if they would receive a welcome or death was particularly powerful.

Wind and fog come again at the end of the film along with the chorus, reminding the viewer that desire and fate are never changing. The castle of delusion is never far away when one gives into the baser ambitions at the bottom of their hearts. Throne of Blood uses no iambic pentameter, nor Shakespearean quotes, maybe it's the stronger for it.


9/29/22

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Cliche done right!!!

A guy with amnesia. A girl who pretends to be his fiancee. And a sweet romance. I think you must be quite acquainted about this kind of plot. But however common may it be, the execution was beautiful.

Plot:
The female lead was once the male lead's student. Coincidently, she witnessed his accident and decided to help him because she needed his coordination to complete a deal at her workplace. Slowly they fell in love with each other. Challenges come when the male lead regains his memory but as the story progressed they finally confessed to each other. I loved the fact that the female lead was independent and strong, and not some poor girl in damsel whose life will be changed by the male lead. She is smart and confident. She only needed the male lead's help because of her incompetent boss.
There are several comedy scenes and romantic scenes.
The initial 10-15 episodes doesn't seem to add much to the plot. And their progression of love is quite slow. After the 15-16 episodes, the story picked up.

Acting:
Both the leads were charming and attractive. For Ji Xiao Bing, playing the role of a cold business mogul wasn't something new. But he does it well every time. However, seeing his cute side was a refreshment. Jin Wen Xin looked confident but a friendly person. They both gave equal challenge to each other when it came to fight for their love. The chemistry was amazing. And most of the supporting casts were great. You gotta love the female lead's family.

The show had many cute scenes, comedy scenes but most important it won't feel illogical to you (I mean apart from the memory loss logic, of course). Therefore, it is one of those dramas which I might re-watch again but only after 15-16 episodes.

Till my next review....
XoXo

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For those who don’t know what the word hype means in simple terms hype= excitement.

I started watching the Beauty Inside (TBI) once it came out because of all the excitement over it, if you haven’t watched the TBI (drama series) before, it is a Remake of the Parent story Movie (2015) with the same name. The story focuses on the main character who has a disease that leads to them changing identities (face/body) on a daily basis…however the drama series added a twist by adding a male lead who has Prosopagnosia (the inability to recognise faces). The mix of both added a nice mash- up but no matter how much I tried to enjoy it I just couldn’t… And here is why.

1. Too slow

The plot lost me, it was as if the writers were stretching this drama to its optimum level, with no twists or actions. I would say that the first 7 episodes were good, but once the main characters became a couple, everything was just crumbling down. I am sure that whatever happened in the last 4 episodes could have been compressed into only 12 episodes rather than 16 episodes, because even the ending did not feel like a final episode to me.

2. Random events- SPOILER!!

Ok, how do I put this into simple words… when Han Se Gye’s mother passed away I was a bit shocked, not because she died BUT because it was such a random occurring event in the middle of the drama, for some reason I felt as if I was watching a different drama. And to be honest it was also unnecessary, I did say I wanted a twist but by twist I deffo did not mean this

3. Male lead character
The main reason I remember Lee Min Ki is because of his great acting in ‘This is my first Life’…BUT I just failed to connect with his character in TBI maybe because to me he resembles a ‘quirky, awkward, nerdy’ character. And seeing him in TBI as a rich chaebol didn’t do it for me.

4. Focus
Although the plot focused on two different disorders I felt as if the focus on ‘face blindness’ was greater than that of the main female character. To be honest I had no problem with that because to me this was waaaaayyy more interesting, therefore I would’ve loved to see more scenes showing what people with face blindness see.

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Is revenge worth it? (or … You call this love?)

Warning: This show will linger in your brain for a long time.

From the first episode, the questions are grim: You’ve committed to acquiring power and seeking revenge at any cost. Will you let your loved ones go? Or will you selfishly exploit them and see them crushed by your ambitions?

For 25 episodes, Goodbye My Princess is non-stop action and romance. It’s incredibly addicting and consuming. As things spiral, however, the dread sets in…how is this all going to resolve? Will Xiaofeng have any peace? I found it incredibly transfixing to watch.

But, I can see for those who wanted a romance romance, how the second-half would be disappointing.

Small points off for the story wasting time and then dropping a bunch of characters and plot lines at the end. Also there were some strange cuts and ambiguous scenes suggesting that the directors/producers/writers etc. were not on the same page.

The acting is top notch, Xiaofeng is not at all a frustrating, wishy-washy character – the actress creates deep sympathy for how she’s gotten trapped in this mess. The other actors also do a good job though the range is smaller – playful to furious to sad.

The opening credits are awful, but the music and end credits are well done. Plenty of scenes to rewatch.

I have other criteria I score by:

Complex Themes - 10
(So many themes!: kind, generous love v. selfish, possessive obsession, the perils of avoiding consequences, what is family, power corrupting the soul etc.)
Character Growth - 8
(Xiaofeng undergoes the most change. She goes from a carefree, kind but entitled person to ever increasingly generous, self-less and community centered. The other characters have much more mild transformations).
Nuanced Women -8
(50-50 male female characters. There were lots of different female family and friend relationships. Xiaofeng is the only one with significant screentime and development. The female relationships are more on the sidelines whilst their relationship with men is more front and center). 
Cinematography/Production Values - 9
(There was a large budget, so everything was done well, from exterior, outdoor shots and battle scenes, to set design, to costumes. There were some lovely uses of light as well. But, nothing really led to me thinking I’ve never seen that before)

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Protect all 3 of them!! ALL 3!

I still have no words..
Words simply cannot describe the feelings i went through while watching Weak hero class.. the main trio and their friendship was so amazing and i honestly loved them all and wished them ONLY the best, but to end up in the gutter like that?? AND FOR WHAT??

Yeon Sieun and his character development was honestly THE BEST! This brave, smart guy is like no other.. and the loyalty he showed to his friends? AMAZING! I have nothing but respect for him and the way he stood up for his friends until the end.. I wish everyone at least one friend like him.. if only Beomseok realized his mistake and just said everything out loud instead of.. acting the way he did.

I can only say the same things about Sooho.. and i need to mention that Beomseok was not evil, he was simply lonely, alone and lost.. He never had real friends before so of course he couldn't open about his struggles and insecurities.. I wish people would not be so harsh on him. He did make a grave mistake and acted disgustingly.. his character is obviously very flawed and weak mentally.. but can we blame him after seeing his home life and his past school experiences? Everyone have the right to be angry at him and i just wish he will realize FINALLY how far he went in the rabbit hole and just wake up.

Their friendship might be broken, but is it too late to be hopeful at least a tiny bit?

I don't know how the webtoon goes, but i just want these 3 to meet again and make up... That's all i wish for.

Also this s1 was made SOOO well and just made freakin excited for the upcoming s2! I can't wait for my boy Sieun to appear again and do some damage on some bully bastards!

PLEASE SEASON 2 COME VERY FAST!!

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Sad but we will love the story.

I had postponed continuing this drama since episode 12 because at that time I watched the Taiwanese drama More than Blue and my eyes were very sore from crying a lot. a few days ago I continued watching this drama until the end, and right as I thought, I cried until I used up a lot of tissue. the story is very sad, even though I have watched forever and ever, but still, the sadness of this drama is very heavy and it hurts to see the ending of shi yi, his brothers-sisters, and teacher Zhousheng Chen who are punished. since the first episode, I was amazed by this drama which has very beautiful cinematography, the soundtrack songs that fits the drama, and amazing acting from the actors.
I'm giving 9 point for rewatch value because may be I need a time (a right time) when I need something to watch for crying, because a little bit heavy crying TT.
At the end of the conclusion, the sad ending is not always bad, this drama has a special place in the hearts of the audience because of the sad ending.

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This PROVES ya'll will do anything for a check.

I have so many issues with this show, but its not the worst thing ever.

Main couple had no real chemistry, and I keep wondering if PHJ is even really suited to these regular romcoms.

I felt nothing by the end but I didn't feel as if my time was completely wasted.

Whole thing REEKS of weekly production. Nothing feels linear or cohesive. Character plotlines are either nonexistant or get tied up SUPER quick. I kept thinking about little things. Hyejin's dynamic with her BF's mom would have been more intresting with earlier and frequent scenes. If she had been offending her BF's mom slowly and consistantly for the length of the show think of how much funnier it would have been.

Such an obvious lack of planning.

Does have a traditional HEA tho. Its alright. Won't ever watch it again tho.

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A Compelling but Unfulfilling Journey - "My Name" Review

"My Name" is a Korean drama series that had me captivated from the very start. Featuring the phenomenal acting talents of Han So Hee in the lead role, it's evident that her portrayal was nothing short of exceptional. So, what did I think about "My Name"? Let's dive into it.

The standout aspect of the series is undoubtedly the acting. Han So Hee's performance is simply outstanding. She brings depth, authenticity, and charisma to her character, making it hard to imagine anyone else in her role. Her ability to convey a wide range of emotions and complexities was a highlight of the show, and her chemistry with the rest of the cast added an extra layer of realism to the story.

The plot, on the other hand, is where "My Name" treads on familiar ground. It leans on some well-worn cliche elements, which might not win points for originality. However, it's a testament to the quality of the acting and the character development that it still manages to be an engaging watch. The series keeps you invested in the fate of the characters, and the pacing is well-maintained, keeping the storyline compelling.

However, where "My Name" falters, in my opinion, is with its ending. It's not the fact that it's a sad ending that bothers me; in fact, I appreciate a well-executed tragic conclusion. What left me unsatisfied was the execution of this ending. It felt rushed and lacking in closure. It left me with a sense of yearning for more, as though the story wasn't fully wrapped up. A more well-crafted conclusion could have provided the emotional satisfaction the series deserved.

In conclusion, "My Name" is a Korean drama with exceptional acting, particularly from Han So Hee, that makes it worth the watch. While the plot might be somewhat clichéd, the character development and pacing manage to keep it interesting. However, the unsatisfactory ending leaves you feeling like there was untapped potential in the storyline. It's a series that leaves you wanting more, but not necessarily in a good way.

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lovely vampire GL show

okay, let's get it out of the way: yes the show is short. I also wish it was longer. but I rated it based off what it is, not what I wished it would be, and I think it's a pretty solid 7, maybe 7.5

if your only requirement is that there's GL, you won't be disappointed (tho of course, there's no kissing or outright terms used, but this is still a cdrama after all). there are five (or six) important characters and all of them are women with interesting and intriguing personal connections to each other. the show has humor, fluff, angst, drama, magic, violence, pretty much everything you could ask for. the visuals are also very beautiful, not just the costumes and set design, but the camera work as well. and of course the actresses are all gorgeous

where I think it falls a bit flat is that there are some moments that could have been great angsty moments that were instead used for comedy. I also wish that we could have gotten a bit more character backstory before the last episode, but I also think the way we were given it was very interesting, so I'm not too mad. there were also times the acting felt a bit shaky but I'm a lot more willing to forgive that in a web series

over all, very fun show with lots to give any viewer, I definitely enjoyed watching and I think others will too <3

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A Miracle Series with Imperfections

What I Love About the Series:
"Kiseki" stands out for several reasons that keep viewers eagerly engaged. The chemistry between the characters is undeniably one of its strongest assets. Taro Lin and Hsu Kai's portrayal of Bai Zong Yi and Fan Jherui, as well as Chen Bowen and Jiang Dian Dian's depiction of Chen Yi and Ai Di, showcase impeccable on-screen dynamics.

The characters' progression, both in terms of their story and personality, align seamlessly with the overarching narrative, making it a delightful and easy-to-follow series. The ever-evolving dynamic between Ai Di and Chen Yi, as they both pine for each other at different points, adds depth and intrigue to the storyline.

"Kiseki" also challenges conventional BL stereotypes by cleverly switching the roles of Bai Zong Yi as the savior and dominant figure in the relationship, despite his lower economic class background, and Fan Jherui as the saved and passive character from a higher economic class. This refreshing take on character dynamics deserves applause.

The series excels in integrating a multifaceted plot, notably the mafia subplot, without disconnecting it from the central romance. This ability to seamlessly weave the romance into broader narrative elements elevates the viewing experience. Moreover, the inclusion of cameos from past BL series adds an extra layer of enjoyment for fans of the genre.

What I Dislike About the Series:
While "Kiseki" has much to offer, there are a few shortcomings that need addressing. The 20-minute episodes released weekly can be a source of frustration for live viewers, as the anticipation can become somewhat painful.

The shift in tone during Bai Zong Yi and Ai Di's time in jail felt abrupt and could have benefited from a smoother transition. A more nuanced handling of this critical plot point would have added to the overall cohesion of the story.

Additionally, certain plot elements, such as Zhang Teng, the Fan family, and Chen Dong Yang, which initially appeared to be major factors in the narrative, were swiftly and conveniently discarded once their relevance to the main characters concluded. The only plot point that received a moderately well-structured place in the storyline was Bai Zong Yi and his family.

In conclusion, "Kiseki" is a series that combines the miraculous chemistry of its cast with a complex and engaging narrative, but it isn't without its imperfections. Despite some pacing and plot-related issues, the series manages to captivate viewers with its unique character dynamics and clever integration of subplots.

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"Everything and nothing" did a lovely job for a drama with only two episodes length.

The story was well presented, although the ending could have been better with a more complete and wholesome conclusion. Still, the story was more daring than other korean dramas, showing a tragic story of how two teenagers dealed with grownup problems and the grown ups around them.

The main plus of this drama is the pace. That was handled masterfully and the drama wasn't rushed as a result. The acting was brilliant as well, especially since the two main characters were so young. The story, finally, was touching, sad and interesting to follow.

So, overall, eight out of ten for this sort drama.

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Heartwarming and Wholesome

He's coming to me is something that we most definitely need especially in BL Dramas because of the fact that this show really addressed the important issues in the LGBT community unlike some. What we need in these shows are not the toxic relationships that are portayed by some or the over cliched ones, but rather we need those that are addressing the LGBT community. The characters in the story had their own issues and struggles with themselves which I find to be realistic. The relationship portrayed between the couple is also realistic, pure and wholesome. Even if the plot is common (Ghost x Human), I love the way that the characters relationship developed or progressed in the story, the way they cared about each other until the end. If you want to watch a BL DRAMA that is melodramatic and sweet, you should definitely watch this.

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heart wrenching but a little long-winded?

i didn't watch this in one sitting, since my limit is probably 1 and a half hours of attention. i imagine that if i did, the immersion would be greater, though i think i would have gotten slightly frustrated at the pace, though i think that could very much be intentional.

we watch the children grow, over the span of what we can assume is 1-2 years. grow, that is, with no light but the sun, water from the park, and scrap food from the convenience store. shoes become too small, clothes become tattered, and akira becomes a shell of the boy he could have been, whilst taking the role of a parent for three younger children. we become witness to neglect that may be fictional, but whose basis is very real. our minds can't help but to imagine happiness and freedom that their mother is experiencing, all the while the children are suffering for her irresponsibility. i could probably write a 10,000 word essay on my hatred for her and almost all other adults in the children's life, but i don't think that'd be particularly helpful, so i'll refrain.

there's a lot of beauty in this film, mostly thanks to the cinematography and the rawness of the acting, most likely due to the loose script (i highly recommend watching the documentary on the making of this film). akira's rare smile was healing, as was seeing the children finding joy in growing plants in ramen pots, or eating their favourite candy. the setting of the flat feels claustrophobic and suffocating, and the shots outside really are a breath of fresh air. the children's utter joy at just being able to walk outside is extremely bittersweet, when they are greeted with the apathy of the outside world.

the juxtaposition of akira's resignation of the dream that their mother would return, and yuki's hope that her birthday wish of her mother's presence would come true is noteable. experience has withered akira's soul into that of a pessimist, while yuki's naivety has a small flame still burning until her final breaths.

yuki's death was as equally devastating as it was relieving. what was in her future? it seems that she was hardly registered as a living person, what could the world give her, other than indifference? nobody knows that she existed, nor that she died, except from us, the viewer, and the family of 'nobodies'. of course, her not existing on paper did not mean that she did not, but it did mean that only her present did.

i've heard that this is based loosely on a particular case, though i'm sure that, unfortunately, this film will resonate with many who've been abandoned, temporarily or permanently, or children who were forced to grow up too fast, in any manner, especially for those who have had to grow up for the sake of those more vulnerable than them, who have done nothing but sacrifice. i hope for all akiras, kyokos, shigeru and sakis, that an apology and compensation owed to you by the world is given in some way, and that all the 'freedom' given to those who embody the role of the mother in this film is proven to have a heavy cost.

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The Bad Outweighs The Good

I was drawn to watch this being a Kim Rae Won fan, I was looking forward to seeing him again after Doctors and Black Knight. I also like Lee Da Hee’s previous work in WWW and The Beauty Inside. I think they had really good romantic chemistry here in LUCA. The cast did an amazing job at acting. The soundtrack/scoring is also great, I enjoyed them. However, the acting and the scoring are the only praises I can give to LUCA.

I was hooked on all episodes until the barn. That’s when it started to become ridiculous that you just couldn’t give it a fan pass. Everything became a hot mess, a big one at Gu Reum’s character regression. Zio’s character gave me an Anakin Skywalker turned Darth Vader aura and plot.

I don’t think I’ll be able to recommend this show. I enjoy sci-fi themed-dramas but this one. LUCA, along with Alice, is one I won’t look back. The ending is open-ended, too. If they are gearing on coming up with a second season, I am no longer interested to watch. There are a lot of good dramas coming out this year that will be worth my while.

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