Reviews

Do you want to watch a drama with a REAL actor play ?

Do you want to watch a drama that makes you laugh at loud ?

Do you want to watch a drama in which even supporting characters are good ?

Do you want to watch a drama that treats about difficult issues whithout being cheesy ?

do you want to watch a drama that makes you laugh at loud by its excellent actor play an characters and without being cheesy ?


WATCH DON QUIXOTE !!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT !

I swear, i was laughing all drama long, and always subjugated by Matsuda Shota's playing. I was forgot it was just playing, and not reality.

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Thrilling performance as always, oof!

I am someone who watched all 3 seasons of VOICE starting the first week of June, back to back, just because I can finish this season in real time. I undoubtedly got traumatised at points due to this but VOICE from s1 to s4 has been a super-thrilling experience all along, I must say.

Talking about Voice 4, honestly, It didn't feel as good as the previous seasons to me even though I am not displeased or something. So I am rather not that much pleased considering how amazing plot the other seasons were. Anyways, It was a good watch which thrilled me and was also frustrated because of the cult stuff features (which mean the drama served that part well).

STORY & PLOT:
The story follows the 112 emergency call centre team (Golta team) headed by Kang Kwon Joo with superhuman hearing ability and her team who move to Vimo Island Police Station with the purpose of catching a probable serial cyber killer by utilising their vacation time. An LAPD cop Derek Cho visiting South Korea on an operation joins them as the dispatch team leader due to circumstances. Together, they try solving a case and catch the serial psychpath killer with Dissociative Identity Disorder and similar hearing capabilities as Kang Center.

Just like the previous seasons, Voice 4 has one major case going on, on the background that involves a serial killer and with that there are multiple minor cases that the Golden Time Team solve which somehow also helps them in profiling the major case. One difference is, s1-3 involved brainwashing cult stuffs that were instigated by the murderer which was due to bloodlust but in Voice4 there is an actual religious cult where people are brainwashed to protect each other despite own's fault.

Personally, I am not very pleased by the story development because I had had very high expectations and anticipations from the 4th season since they've evolved through 4 years since 2017 and I feel they should have offered us something extraordinary. But I am not unsatisfied either because it was still good and me thrilled even awe-strucken by many twists and revelations. It has some really good plot devices that are worth anticipating for.

The story had a good & interesting starting and the first episode is good. It has a steady development till the end of 9th but the 10th episode felt a lil blunt at some moments but then it picked up the acceleration and ended with some cliffhangers. The lead antagonist character could have been a lot better. He somehow felt a lil less powerless and did some stupid things as well.

CAST & ACTING:
Umm... Well, we have been seeing the major cast acting since the season 1 and they are as good as before. Lee Ha Na as Kang Kwon Joo/Kang Center has always impressed with her acting and dialogue delivery. I can always witness the kind of aura in her eyes. Song Seung Hun as Capt. Derek Cho did a good job and he's definitely experienced in the industry but the thing that I noticed is he never wore his cop jacket while everyone else did. I mean we know that you're from America and very skillfull in the field but still, HAHAHA.

Son Eun Seo as Officer Park Eun Soo did good too but I think her part is a bit reduced in this season than the previous ones. Kim Joong Ki (Park Joong Ki) and Song Boo Geon (Koo Kwang Soo) are absolute eye candies for me and I have been loving them since the 1st season. I was actually surprised to see Kang Seung Yoon bcs I didn't see the cast before starting. Also, Baek Sung Hyun (Shim Dae Shik from s1) 's comeback in s4, that too as a freaking hot adult, was a delight to witness and there was definitely a solid character development for him. I was also happy to see the familiar faces like Lee Yol harabeochi and Kil Hae Yeon ahjumma in the drama.

Now the antagonist. Don't think of it like a spoiler because the production itself is openly bragging about it plus it was revealed in the 4th episode only. Lee Kyu Hyung as a psychopath serial killer with DID, did a very good job as he was given, BUT! IDK whether I am the only one or not; I think his character as the lead antagonist could have much more to do. He as the antagonist didn't seem as powerful as the serial killers of the previous seasons. The blame is to be shot at Ma Ji Won jakka-nim citing it was not a very strongly written antagonist. Anyways, I have loved his acting skills and been a fan for a long time and undoubtedly loved this too.

DIRECTION & SCREENPLAY:
I think I have already mentioned above it more or less before so let me keep it short. Voice have had amazing direction and production work since the season 1 even though they kept changing for each season. The way they edit the deja vu things or past sequences and try to connect and interpreting through the screenplay is very nice. The sound editing is apt as well that tries to have the audience thrilled all along the show. Voice is undoubtedly Ma Ji Won jakka-nim's best creation which he has been successfully pulling off to make the year's best thriller. Voice 4 for me somehow isn't as good as the previous ones, still a good show to give it a go.

ENDING:
It has a good ending. I was afriad they'll end it with a plothole or something illogical and unreasonable will happen but it was just fine, so I appreciate that. However, it felt a bit rushed starting from the 2nd half of the 12th episode. They were clearly trying to wrap up some minor plot devices so that they wouldn't have to worry about them further but that was absurd. In fact, the main antagonist was caught sonner than expected which somehow made it a bit unintersting but I think they had many revelations to do so they did rush it. In the last 2 eps, they basically tried to solve the puzzles of this season plus gave clarifications about some things which were left on hang in the s3. But again, few unexpected things happen which left me questioned. In fact, the epilogue of s3 showing a sneak-peak of Bang Jae soo (Kwon Ryul) with some mysterious woman which was expected to be answered in s4 has been extended to s5 and that thing will be the main story of next season. I am not sure what the writer is thinking but I assume they'll go for another season for sure to explain whatever they left hanging. It's A HUGE WIDE OPEN ENDING which raises plenty of questions and what happened at the very end scene is enthralling and frustrating at the same time. Won't spoil.

Anyways, they could have make 2 more episodes and give it a smooth ending by not rushing it even when they had a plan for s5.

CONCLUSION:
Overally, this season of Voice is a good thriller and definitely worthy an one time watch so go ahead and finish it. Despite some drawbacks, it was actually enthralling to watch, though I ended up with mental disturbance at some points so I had to drop it for few days and then I went back watching.

I don't how others interpreted it, but when the news about this season came, from the title "VOICE 4: JUDGEMENT HOUR" , I thought this season is a good-bye to VOICE, one of the longest running Kdrama franchise. The phrase "Judgment Hour" is something like the final verdict/decision hence implying to the end of this series. But the way it ended with the introduction of some new plots now I think I was wrong and there will definitely a next season. Well, as long as the jakkanim offers his talent and we tend to enjoy it, then why not? HAHAHAHA Let's wait for the updates from the production team.

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This is one of my favourite dramas of all time, for sure!
Well, I love revenge dramas so i couldn't miss this one but even myself didn't expect this to be so good. The plot looks like some typical revenge drama: 40 years-old lady wants revenge against her best friend, who has always stealed her everything she hold dear, the final blow: stealing her man when they were 20. So, it seems she has endured this betrayals all this years in silence... but she has a plan.
CHARACTERS: this is the best of all drama. The characters are very complex and you can relate to them, even when they are despicable you can understand their actions because they look so human: with good and bad traits.
I loved Naomi, btw.
CASTING: perfect, all the actors nailed it.
PLOT: mindblowing
CHEMISTRY BETWEEN MAIN LEADS: they have a lot of chemistry, and I mean A LOT.
NEGATIVE POINTS: Ii don't consider this a 'negative point' but I think they could have reduced the number of flashbacks, although I loved them and focus in the present a little bit more.
(If I have some grammatical mistake, sorry, I am not native)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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I am really sad at all the hate this drama is getting, I don't understand it. I absolutely loved this drama!

You have to take it with the context, there are only 3 episodes so the story does not go into great detail, but with the time that they had I thought they nailed it! What made this drama as great as it is was the casting, Benz and Prom's chemistry between their characters had me blushing the entire time I was watching. I mean look at Praram's smile how can you not just melt.

I hope they either give Benz and Prom another series together or possibly redo this story but a full series so it can go more in depth into the storyline!

Benz's acting really made this drama to be honest, he is a very talented actor and I constantly found myself forgetting that he was both Pralak and Praram and that he does not actually have a twin. I will definitely be rewatching this drama as I cannot get enough of these characters, my favourite of the En of Love's so far probably!

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I was contemplating whether or not to watch this series as I had some free time and I love binging series. There were a lot of conflicting reviews but I went in anyways. If you're reading a bad review, take it with a grain of salt. This isn't necessarily an amazing BL or one full of drama and action or gimmicks like other BLs. It's a lot more subdued, kind of gave me My Dream the series vibes. It's a quiet BL and none of the characters feel fake. It's all real, except a few plot points that do feel weird like Mork's illness. I think the main conflict of having someone opposed to their relationship is a little easier to understand since they are younger than a lot of other BL characters. College students or ones already in their workforce make it hard to see them as afraid of their parents. I have to say I wasn't invested as much in Mork and Tee as I was with Morn and Gord. That was a surprising couple that honestly made me smile the whole time even if it never went too far. I was originally going to give this a 7 because that's what I gave Sotus which was good but I didn't particularly like Kongpop and Arthit as a couple. With this I thought the show lacked a bit but Mork and Tee were well performed and likeable so I think this deserves an 8. Give it a try.

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"Suffering is the human condition" in art form.

"Moneyboys" is a raw, visually stunning drama that exhibits the gritty and provocative lifestyle of young, gay escorts. While there are some steamy moments, the story focuses less on the "customer service" aspect and more on what motivates these characters despite the risks involved. With an impoverished upbringing and the weight of his family on his shoulders, prostitution is a means of survival for protagonist, Fei.

What we get as viewers is a study on this character. We're taken through a series of experiences and events that make up Fei's life. We witness how the stigma of both his sexuality and profession effects his family life and the mental toll it takes on him. Through Fei's various interactions with other characters, a clear theme rings throughout the film: the sacrifice of one's happiness for the sake of others. Lovers sacrifice themselves for the ones they love, young adults sacrifice themselves to meet family expectations, LGBTQ+ sacrifice themselves to fit the molds of society. When does the cycle of suffering end?
The story finds its anomaly in Fei's childhood friend, Long. Unlike the often numb and apathetic Fei, Long is brimming with life. He sees the perks of being a money boy as a way to live happily for himself and not for the sake of others.

Before I had a grasp on the film's narrative, I was already in awe of its cinematography and editing. The moment I clicked play, I got the feeling I was in for an artistic experience. Atmospheric lighting and color grading sets the dark and solemn tone for the film. Neon colors pop through the screen. There are some close-ups and shaky camera shots that make for intense moments, but you'll mostly see the use of still-camera wide shots. Frame by frame, it appears as though characters are moving through a sequence of modern life art pieces. It doesn't linger on one shot for too long though, especially in the beginning. Scenes are often fleeting, dialogues seem to end just shy of a complete conversation. A stylistic choice that gives the film obscurity and keeps it from dragging, but disappoints story-wise. At times, I was left wishing I knew more about what these characters were thinking and experiencing.

Aside from maybe one actress with a bit part role, all actors were convincing. Lead actor, Kai Ko, did well portraying the emotionally detached Fei. He surfaces the character's vulnerable side in ways that feel both realistic and relatable. The charm and charisma of Bai Yu Fan's Long is definitely one of the film's highlights. There aren't many dramatic acting moments so if you're worried about it being a tearjerker, you're in luck. "Moneyboys" is pulsing with emotion but it isn't necessarily a sad movie, just realistic. It's a bit longer than the average 90 minutes, but very much worth the watch.

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This series cinematography and visuals was what got me hooked. It felt like I was watching a high budget Hollywood production, each episode felt like a movie in itself. Casting was on-point maybe except for Ae-sin who I think have very soft features to be a gun slinging sniper. At times she looks like a teenager who seems out of place in that chaotic Joseon era. The main characters deep and tragic history and development was superb. However, the main fault for me was that having the 3 male leads with such powerful characters go after Ae-sin.
I mean, I get their deep history with her but I feel like a more interesting storylines could have been explored if the plot did not stick to this "love quadrangle" until the very end.
Ae-sin's passiveness and poker face acting just didnt do it for me. There was Hina who was a unique lovable character but Dong-Mae failed to even realize her love for him because he just had to get Ae-sin. I cried so hard when Hina died in Dong-Mae's back while confessing her feelings to him. They were not even given a single day to spend together after she waited for him for 3 years 😭.
The finale made up of the last 2 episodes were just dang good! I mean I have never been satisfied with a kdrama ending like this for a loonggg time. As expected in a war death came and a piece of my heart died with each characters passing. Each death may seem rushed at the end but it was artistic and meaningful and heart wrenching to the core. Ae-sin as the last man standing was as it should be. All in all this is a series definitely worth watching! ❤

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Should have dropped

Review @ ep20.
So this was on my watchlist because I like YangYang but dang.
There were so many things wrong with this drama and IMO the only good thing about this drama is the visually appealing casts and their camaraderie with each other and also some of the emotionally charged rescue scenes.
So far this drama doesn’t really care about details/continuity and also getting proper procedures right. I am by no means a medical professional or a firefighter but even I can tell a lot of things that has happened so far didn't seem right and is so unbelievable and unrealistic but I guess the emotional tug of it is canceling out the lack of realism for a lot of people.
Then let’s get to the main leads, I love YangYang but the constant stoic frowny face was not giving at all. Sometimes his expressions were over the top and not adequate for the corresponding scene.
That face worked in Who Rules The World because he was supposed to be shrouded in mystery as Prince Feng Lanxi with the alter ego of Hei-Fengxi, it didn’t work that well in You Are My Glory but the script/plot in that one was better and also the chemistry/maturity of the characters covered up for it. I guess YangYang equates serious/intense with Stoic/frowny face.
But in this one I can barely feel any chemistry between the leads (which is surprising considering the rumor that they are dating). We are being told that they have this epic love that has made both of them stay single and maybe even celibate for 10years but I just can’t see it in the present time, we can’t see why they like each other because they end up fighting after almost every conversation and don’t seem to have the same life ideals and values. Even the flashbacks we’ve been shown so far doesn't really show me this epic love story, it was cute and all for a high school romance but nothing so life altering in the way it’s being presented in the present time. So honestly it doesn’t really make you care about the lead’s getting together. How many high school romance make it all the way?
The FL is basically suffering from Stockholm syndrome with her family and I seriously get the trauma she is dealing with but some of her character portrayal doesn’t make any sense. She’s very weak/meek towards her mom which is very understandable according to the storyline so far. But I don’t get why she is sassy/bold with the ML one minute but whenever they get into the rinse/repeat rollercoaster scene that has been their interactions for the last 20eps where they have the “we can’t be together because I don’t have the courage to fight for you but I will be stalking you and asking you why you aren’t seeking me out all the time & fighting for me even though I am the one that can’t commit to the relationship because of my family” conversation and she’s uttering this words in the most lowest voice possible with downcast eyes and pathetic/demur demeanor.
I honestly tolerated the pathetic/weak/timid/demur characterization of the FL because of the upbringing she had but my tolerance level went to ZERO after the supermarket scene in ep20. The female lead had always not only stood up to her creepy delusional brother prior to that scene but also even lashed out at him but all of a sudden we are supposed to accept her acting terrified/petrified of him in the supermarket all because of a freaking bag of chips, puhhhhh-lease. That scene made zero sense and was done for no other reason than the ML and the FL’s brother to have a testosterone filled pissing contest and for the ML to be the hero and save the day by rescuing the FL and honestly it was just beyond ridiculous.
I should have dropped this drama but I will complete it with the help of the fast forward ⏩ button and except you really like any or both of the leads or you just want to watch a fire fighting show where you don’t really care about accuracy and correct details/procedures then go ahead and watch this otherwise I strongly advise you to not bother with this.

Updated review after completion.
Even with the fast forward ⏩ this was a struggle to finish. It didn’t get worse by any stretch of the imagination and although there were lots of cute scenes and heartbreaking scenes that tugged at the heart, for me it didn’t get any better either.
Typical CDrama kumbaya ending. It’s so weird that a wedding was talked about so much in lots of episodes but there was now no wedding at the end of the drama, I don’t really understand the directional decision on that but honestly I don’t even care because I was just happy to finally finish the drama and put it in the forgotten pile.
The drama just had lots of doom and gloom and the romance while cute at times was very muted for an adult based drama so it didn’t even balance out all the heaviness of the doom and gloom.
I definitely won’t ever be rewatching this. Like I said earlier except you are a HUGE fan of either of the leads or want to watch a highly questionable “right procedural” fire fighting and error filled medical show, by all means have at it, if not, do yourself a favor and don’t bother with this.

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After 12 Weeks of laughter and tears this drama has come to an end. This was just an amazing love story between the King and JOJ. From start to the finish i was just memorised and in awe with this drama. The writers have done a very well done job (round of applause), also there are many Historical dramas about Jang Hee Bin but this one for me showed me who she actually was and not the evil person they make her seem out to be.

The acting was just lush Yoo Ah In is by far the BEST KING, every Monday and Tuesday i waited to see him, he will melt your heart. Kim Tee Hee also did an amazing job. However the story dragged on a bit for like 4ep but it picked up right away that's why its (1 point away from a 10)

Please, please, please please do not hesitate to watch this drama give it a chance you will love it as much me and the other hundreds who watched it.

THE BEST DRAMA FOR 2013 FOR ME :)

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WORTH WATCHING!!

SPOILER AHEAD!!!!


I can't even explain how much I loved this series! Everything about it. First, the cast was so great, they were very GOOD! The OST was also really nice and comforting. I like Da-On, I'm glad he got to realise that putting himself first before others is so important. Sohee, I very much disliked her and she made me sigh A LOT lol, but I'm glad she learned her mistake and apologised, and changed. Namgoong was just the best, he was such AN AMAZING FRIEND, will punch you to the ground if you crap about any of his friends, and he makes the mood a lot lighter and I love that about him. Taekyung was (dreamy sigh) everything for me; he was so adorable and very straightforward which is so amazing, his little smile that he often does? that got me freezing, i love him. Shinwoo (dreamy sigh #2) was the dreamy boyfriend; he stepped back when he had to and wanted Tae to be happy. All his actions towards Tae were really cute. The teacher was also their emotional support which I loved, since we never saw any parents. Now there was a cliffhanger at the end with the teacher which makes me think there might be a s2? But maybe not. The ending, I LOVED. Finally Shinwoo and Taekyung got together, and lemme tell you, the last scene of ep15, I had tears in my eyes cause I thought Taekyung pried Shinwoo's hand away to stay with Da-On, BUT OUUU, my smile when they left together?! priceless. That scene where they kissed was so adorable. I really wish we'd get a season 2!

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Just finished this drama, and the ending is pretty good. Of the three dramas that deal with returning to Kanxi's reign that I watched, Scarlet Heart, Palace, and this one, I think this one fits right in the middle in terms of a "happy ending," because Yinxiang was not able to travel to her time, but she meets his reincarnation, who has no memory of her. The story is well-written but not as well as the other two in my opinion. Everyone got good endings, even the evil sister, which is a surprise. When the drama ended, I didn't feel the need to watch a season 2, whereas for Palace and Scarlet Heart, I really wanted to watch a season 2.

The characters with the most character development were Yinti and Minghui. They actually changed their personalities at the end of the drama. So people who rooted for them and wanted to watch them instead shouldn't feel bad at all.

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1) The reason I watched this:

Mainly because I read the manga and wanted to see the drama's adaptation. Then, I found out that Okada Masaki is the lead actor so I became more excited to watch it.

2) Storyline/Plot:

Honestly speaking, the storyline is kind of silly but it wasn't boring or unattractive, it was surprisingly enjoyable.

Positive Points:

*This drama is one of the nicest manga adaptations that I've seen so far.

*Main Genres:

--->Humor: I remember laughing several times during this drama, mostly in the third or the fourth episode. There were some hilarious moments in here that I had to pause in order to continue my laughter.
The style of Japanese comedy has always proved its way in making any drama lighter and enjoyable.
The comedy scenes weren't randomly present, it was nicely calculated in order to bring laughter when it's needed; that concept was highly appreciated.

--->School: This drama can also be considered as a school drama since it had all the elements that indicates so. The school side was the most hilarious part with a teacher like Hanazawa Yumeko who was really fun to see around, also the kendo teacher (Ryo's father) and all the classmates that made this part enjoyable.

*Another positive point that I should mention; it was really fun to see Asuka's Otomen friends and their ways of hiding their true self; it was very hilarious at many points.

*The imaginations moments that the characters had were always great and enjoyable.

Negative Points:

--->Romance: the romantic concept wasn't appreciated, I would like to think about this drama as a funny school drama rather than a rom-com; it's really better to think about it that way because romance hasn't deliverd much that can make you watch the drama because of it.
The romance was the annoying light type sometimes, it wasn't completely hateful but I can't possibly mention it in the positive points column.

Story: 8/10

3)Acting/Cast :

*Okada Masaki:

I like him as an actor , I've seen many of his dramas and appreciated most of them. Here, he had the most adorable role ever as a very "cute" role. He didn't fail my expectations; he's always a great actor so I was right for watching this drama because of him.
The character wasn't very different from the one in the manga, actuallly, it was more appealing. I always focus on characters when I watch a manga/anime adaptation in order to see their potency in portraying the orginal ones. Here, I must say that I liked Asuka's character; the way he was trying to hide his love for girly cute things while being the tough kendo captin that everyone loves and finding friends that share his Otomen self in the meantime: It was more than satisfying as a live character adaptation.

*Kaho:

I only saw her in "Tokyo Girl" but I don't judge an actor/actress over a film so let's say that I am not very familiar with her before this drama. Here, I believe that her role was nicely done although I believe that her acting skills are lacking something.
The character didn't attract me, at least, not the way Asuka's character did. I loved the times where Ryo was saving Asuka; those where some great moments.
Ryo's character can be clueless while being on a tough girl mode. It's true that I didn't fall for her character but as a manga adaptation it was an acceptable character.

*Other Cast: I loved the remaining cast, every character in this drama had a unique concept plus there were funny characters everywhere!

*Appreciated Character: Tonomine was a very appreciated character all the way through the drama whether he was Asuka's rival or tough mainly man; he always had interesting scenes.

*Relationships:

--->Romance: I can't possibly speak about romantic chemistry because romance wasn't heavily present. Instead, I will mention that Asuka and Ryo's relationship was really cool to watch.

--->Friendship: Asuka's relationship with the kendo members, Tachibana, Ariake and especially Tonomine was literally mesmerizing.

Cast: 7.5/10
Acting: 8.5/10

4) The ending:

The closer scene was one of the nicest dramas closures. Overall, the ending was cute and adorable.

The ending: 8.5/10

5) My impresion (How did it affect me):

* I really enjoyed this drama, I think I enjoyed it a little too much.
*Laughter moments were very present so there weren't any chance to get bored.
*I really appreciated the characters in this drama and the adaptation overall.

*Is this drama memorable: Yes, it is. I still remember its event (especially the funny moments) even though I watched it a long time ago.

My impression: 8/10

6) Overall:

*If you read the manga then you would appreciate this drama's adaptation.
*If you like funny dramas then you would enjoy this.
*If you're looking for a romatic drama, you shouldn't expect much from this.
*If you like Okada Masaki, you need to watch this because it will give you another image aboout this actor.

Overall: 7.5/10.

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My Absolute best out of the three parts. Everyone was just so spirited!!!I legit found myself hailing tagon!! and then at the end hailing inaishigi!! The next season is gonna be so hot cause i find it hard to pick sides as i just love everybody.

The music was alright, they still repeat the same music so......
The whole drama is actually realllllllyyy quite sloooowww and very few things were accomplished or nothing was Lol. However it's a pretty lonng story with two more seasons of 18 episodes so I get it!!

Lets give a hand to song joong ki as Saya for being so smart to connect all the dots. This guy is also the craziest character in this series but he's so lovable that I just don't care about all the evil things he does or thinks of.
And tagon is just one step ahead of everyone, this guy actually knows what he's doing(lol) I support him as king but i'd be a lot happier if he wasn't a dictator LOL
I love how the characters are ever evolving and you just can't even predict what who is going to do next. Even the newly introduced characters are awesome!!Tagon has become a whole new person. Taelha has finally opened her eyes. Tanya has actually brought her A game!!from timid to brazen. Eunseom is no longer naive...that guy is cooking up an army!

Will Taelha and Tagon still love each other deeply? Tanya has the hearts of arthdal(LOVE), Tagon has the hearts of arthdal(FEAR), Eunseom has the hearts of the ago tribe. Like who will win!!?? Igutu Vs Igutu!! What will happen when the sword, mirror and bell meet? I can't wait to see the look on saya's face.... fam!!......At this point my brain is now fried!!

I recommend this to EVERYONE from anywhere. It gives you a break from a lot of cliche stuff we all watch. It's super interesting and fun!!

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Beautiful Short Series

This was really something special, with a really unique plot, relatively sensitive depiction of mental illness, top-rate acting, beautiful cinematography, and one of the best OSTs I've encountered for a BL.

I was dubious they could stuff all this into four episodes, and while they don't quite accomplish it, it's done better than I expected. This is a series that respects its audience and doesn't load most of the run time with flashbacks. The actors really committed to this, inhabited their characters, and weren't afraid to demonstrate love and affection - it feels real.

It did need one more episode or so to fill in a couple of gaps - there's one in particular that really needed a better resolution - but a budget is a budget and you have to do what you can. More happened in this than the majority of series with 12 50-min eps, so I can't really complain.

This has the best soundtrack I've heard in a BL in a long, long time. The endcredit theme is perfect.

Anyway, I highly recommend this - you have to pay attention though - it's not something you can watch while doing anything else.

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Bow down for love.

I finally finished it. I ended up taking a lot of time pausing and trying to make this drama last longer. I was reluctant to say goodbye.

Song Zuer captivates with a natural charm that blends playfulness, wit, and vibrant energy. Xiao Qiao, in contrast, embodies quiet strength and intelligence. She faces adversity with deliberate care and unwavering courage, always thinking ahead. Her deep understanding of Wei Shao guides her every move, and she stands by his side as an equal—never idle, never reckless.

Rather than allowing him to face danger alone, she shares the burden, fiercely protecting him, herself, and those she loves. She gently challenges him to see the Qiaos in a different light—an idea he struggles to accept at first. Yet she holds no resentment. Aware of the wounds he carries, she responds with patience and empathy, slowly helping him release the past and find peace—to truly bury the hatchet.

Liu Yuning’s Wei Shao commands attention without a word—his presence alone shifts the air. With sharp features and a cool, unreadable expression, he doesn’t chase the spotlight; he is the spotlight. He’s not the man you run to, but the one you instinctively follow—back straight, breath held. Yet beneath the warlord’s cold exterior lies a flicker of warmth. When he breaks down before Xiao Qiao, the depth of his love, pride, and pain bleeds through every glance.

Liu Yuning delivers a performance both fierce and tender, capturing a rare duality—dominant yet vulnerable, righteous yet enigmatic. His understated intensity, commanding voice, and raw martial edge give him a wolf-like energy that’s magnetic and nearly impossible to imitate.

These two demeanors create this electric “wolf and fox” dynamic. Both characters are written to extremes, and these two actors push those extremes in a way that makes their chemistry almost untouchable. Their on-screen connection feels fated.

The Wei brothers were an absolute delight to watch, each bringing unique personalities that lit up every scene. They truly embodied the Wei clan’s reputation for strength and spirit.

At first, I wasn’t particularly fond of Wei Yan, but over time, he grew on me. His personal journey—coming to terms with his past and striving to become better—added depth to his character. He played a key role in strengthening the bond between the wolf and the fox, acting as a catalyst for their relationship. Over time, he proved himself to be a sharp-witted companion and a dependable ally during the final conflict. I gained a newfound respect for him; he’s undeniably flawed, but he owns those flaws and integrates them into who he is.

Of course, can’t leave out Wei Liang and Xiao Tao, who were an absolutely charming pair. Their relationship started off with playful bickering, which quickly became their unique love language. As the story progressed, that lighthearted banter blossomed into one of the most heartwarming romances in the entire drama.

What made their dynamic so endearing was how effortlessly they matched each other's energy. By the end, they had become a couple you couldn’t help but root for—sweet, sincere, and impossible not to smile at.

The women of the Wei family—Wei Shao’s mother and grandmother—were standouts during the final conflict. Both displayed remarkable strength and resilience. While Wei Shao’s mother initially clashed with the main couple, she eventually transformed into one of their strongest allies. She is not an amazing character, but she changed for the better.

In contrast, his grandmother was a steady force from the beginning. She was the voice of reason and the key figure without whom the relationship might never have been possible. Wise and composed, she never boasted about her insights, yet she approached every serious matter with gravity. Most importantly, she supported Xiao Qiao from the very start, despite her ties to the rival clan.

I found the power struggle within the Qiao family interesting, particularly between the leader and Xiao Qiao's father, who was one of my favorite characters. He reminded me in some ways of Wei Shao's grandmother.

Da Qiao and Bi Zhi’s story is parallel to that of Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao. I really enjoyed their dynamic, although some of Bi Zhi’s choices sometimes felt off to me. Da Qiao was almost always supportive of him. While Bi Zhi might have become a general, deep down he was just trying to give the woman he loved a peaceful life. They were also one of the couples that demonstrated the most mutual understanding and care for each other.

As for the villains, they were strong but came off as a little too easy to win against at times.

The story’s pacing is sharp and well-balanced, with both narrative arcs—political drama and romance—equally engaging and never overshadowing one another.

The plot unfolds in the aftermath of a devastating betrayal between two once-allied clans. Wei Shao, who witnessed the tragic loss of his loved ones at a young age, harbors deep hatred toward the Qiao clan. However, fate takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself falling for Xiao Qiao, a member of the Qiao family. She enters the Wei clan through a political marriage intended to halt an impending revenge plot and initiate peace talks.

The heart of the story lies in their romance. What begins as mutual hostility and manipulation gradually transforms into a deep bond rooted in trust and empathy. Their growing connection becomes a challenge for the main antagonists, as Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao develop an unwavering understanding of each other. Remarkably, they never blame one another for the actions of their families. Wei Shao is able to see Xiao Qiao as an individual, separate from the clan he despises, choosing not to project his anger onto her. In turn, Xiao Qiao respects his role as a leader and forgives the difficult decisions he must make under the weight of his responsibilities.

The romance in this story blossoms at a gentle, unhurried pace, skillfully weaving together light-hearted humor, tender exchanges, and a powerful, slow-burning chemistry that draws you in. It’s not a tale driven by a consistent trope of a relentlessly toxic or overbearing male lead. If you’re looking for a drama built around emotional manipulation or cold indifference disguised as passion, this is not it.

At its heart, it is Wei Shao’s deeply personal and emotional journey. He begins as a proud, battle-hardened leader, defined by his authority, sharp instincts, and the weight of past grievances. But as the story unfolds, we witness the transformation of a man long guarded by resentment and power. Slowly, he begins to dismantle the emotional walls he has spent years building.

This isn’t just a love story—it’s a quiet surrender. Wei Shao doesn’t simply fall in love; he bows to it. Not in defeat, but in reverence. He lays down the armor forged from pain and pride and kneels at the altar of love—not out of weakness, but out of strength and trust. In Xiao Qiao, he finds not just a partner but a safe haven, someone worthy of seeing his vulnerability. And in doing so, he chooses tenderness over vengeance, devotion over pride. His submission to love becomes the most courageous act of all.

Now, about the visuals—I absolutely loved the artistic direction they took with the drama. The color palette and gradients used in the sets and costumes, especially the wedding attire, were stunning. The title card shots for each state were also beautifully done, showing just how much attention to detail went into maintaining visual consistency throughout. It was a visually captivating experience with fantastic cinematography. While there weren't many large battle scenes, that didn’t matter much, as they were never the central focus of the story.

I also really enjoyed the background music during the emotional scenes—it added a lot of depth. The opening theme, sung by Liu Yuning, was excellent, and overall, the entire soundtrack was well-chosen and perfectly fitting.

Overall, this was one of the most put-together and well-written dramas of this year so far. I know it has its flaws, but it is a story I enjoyed, with moments that vary from touching to laughter-inducing. It's a drama that I could easily see myself rewatching in the future.

"Dripping water wears through stone; with a beauty by my side, sorrow and hatred dissolve.

With gentle affection and tender grace, even a noble man bends his will for true love."

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