DO NOT MISS!
Rare glimpse of how EXO started with all 12 members. Twelve fun, rambuntious, energetic, loving, young at heart guys working hard for a common goal to a bright future. I started because I be was curious about Kris Wu and his career but ended up falling in love with EXO, their music, choreography, story and the 12 adorable guys. Success really don't come easy especially with 12 different personalities, each strong at different aspect but all getting along here. Often incredibly sweet watching them talk, laugh, cry, scream, play, grow, bond and develop wonderful bromances. There is still this innocence to them here from just starting out in industry and it's a joy to watch. I started and couldn't stop, LOVE! You don't want to miss this.Was this review helpful to you?
The story wasn't amazing and very exciting. However, the cast was GREAT. I loved almost all the characters and even the characters I hated were well played. I did wish some of the characters would find their loved ones before the end of the story, but no.
The love/romantic scenes were beautiful and luckily for me it had a lot of those lovely scenes.
For me, the story started great but got a bit dragged out. Ultimately, I only watched for the couple and not for the story.
The drama itself is not that bad and it's fairly entertaining. It's available on YouTube so for the Chinese drama lovers.. I'd recommend it.
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The added element of thriller/horror/creepy feeling was brilliant and though scary for me at first, watching in the darkness of my bedroom at 3AM, I soon learned to be calm with it and some were even sad :(
The acting is great. The girl's a little clingy for me at times (especially the beginning) but the guy is awesome. Love how they've made them very memorable characters. Good drama!
*Haven't rewatched but I would imagine that would be the re-watch value haha.
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Koreeda understands children. Here, he portrays the children's "innocent" and wishful thinking in a manner that it should be. Koichi's wish of a family being together (to his final wish) shows a 12-year-old child's longing and eventual acceptance of the things he can and cannot change. Ryu's wish for something reflects his innocence to his final wish reflects his growth and understanding. This is the same for the other young supporting characters as well.
I Wish isn't dramatic, perhaps it would even come out not as strong as Koreeda's other films (it's tone is similar to that of Our Little Sister and both were received well in Cannes). But it didn't matter because the star of the film are the children and how they're making sense and living their own respective situations. It's gentle and it's so natural. Once again, Koreeda proves his consistency as a director with his trademarks: frame and music pacing, young talented cast, little details, family theme, the apparent contrasts, beautiful cinematography and symbolism.
Here, we have much more upbeat songs which reflects the film's overall tone. The two leads being brothers in real life is a very good decision as it helps a lot with the chemistry. That's also saying that the young cast is such a delight to watch. The little details in the sponge cake, swimming trunks, volcanic ash, CD, vegetable, horse-meat sashimi are recurring and symbolic throughout the film.
The central theme revolving around two bullet trains intersecting is also a really nice touch: it reflects the brothers and their life. Each living at the end of each other (one in Kagoshima, known from being next to a volcano and the other in Fukuoka while not "countrysides", it's less suffocating that Tokyo; hence, really beautiful setting) and each of them going in their separate ways. Hitching a plan to meet and see this "miracle" of two trains symbolizes them.
The apparent contrast between the two also compliment each other: the eldest is unhappy and grumpy, the younger one is energetic and happy. Living in Kagoshima is problematic while living in Fukuoka seems more carefree. The father is a happy-go-lucky while the mother is more serious. Koichi wears a uniform to school and lives with his grandparents while Ryu doesn't wear a uniform and lives his father and his band mates. These contrast work to show the opposite between the two yet what also ultimately ties them together: brotherhood.
Perhaps the fact that its 2 hour running time seem to feel a little draggy and long to watch. I had no problem with Our Little Sister's lack of direction/ultimate goal and just mere storytelling which is similar to I Wish but I think I Wish touches on little sub-plots that could have been avoided so as to not let it feel like it was too stretched out. But other than that, this is another one of Koreeda's great works.
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The start was strong and promising, the writing kinda daring considering the content of these prosecuted cases. The outcome was not always clear and you had your unexpected moments, even though some possible conclusions might have become more visible along the way and allowed the viewer to guess just right.
I loved the first half alot. And I mean ALOT.
Most of all because I had so much fun watching the female lead Ma Yi Deum. Her character is one of the best written and most authentic ones in dramaland. Believe me when I say that I was almost scared how much I recognized myself in her. Even though we didn't experience the same things, there were still so many situations when I just had to nod and agree in awe - because she always reacted and acted the same way I would have done in those moments. Scary indeed, right?
But at the same time I was fascinated with her and I was happy that the writers were brave enough to write such a grey zone leading role. She's not been categorized like that because she did some seriously bad things but more because she did and does some minor but still morally debatable things. If you look into the mirror and ask yourself whether you ever did something that was selfish, calculated and manipulating, even though it's not even worth mentioning (because deep down you actually don't want to admit it), then say hello to your sister: Ma Yi Deum. A tough girl who has decided to face the world with spite and sarcasm. Never letting herself be taken down by any obstacle she comes across. Even though she seems like she's hiding her feelings, she doesn't get depressed whenever she accidentally gives her emotions full scope, but instead covers up her slip of feelings in grand style. So yeah, I love her. From head to toe, from character to convenient (and occasionally striking) styling to ambiguous first impression.
The rest of the cast did well, too, even though non of them could compare to Jung Ryeo Won (Ma Yi Deum) who out-shined them all. And even though I want to mention Yoon Hyun Min because I like, love and fancy over him all the way, I just can't. I loved him in the first half but his character lost stage presence during the rest of the story (although some lovely glimpses still shined through sometimes and especially at the end~)
The same applies for the plot. I was hooked by the cases, they were shocking and the way the drama delivered them made me curious enough to binge watch the first six/seven episodes. But as the story went further, the cases lost substance, became repetitive and sadly let inconsistencies sneak in. The pace dropped down from 100 to 50 and it never picked up again. Even the finale felt kinda flat and unimpressive.
I feel truly sorry for the drama because it started off so damn well, and I wish the writers would have been able to keep that intimate but threatening atmosphere that caught me in the beginning. So much potential and so many missed possibilities.
But I did like the OST from beginning to end! It has something unique and memorable.
P.S: Would I recommend it? Yes. Depending on the mood and the tolerance of predicable and repetitive content. And for the eye candy and averagely good acting (including one shining star).
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I can't even begin to express how much I appreciated and enjoyed this drama.
Story:
It is nothing I have ever seen. As seen in the description, it revolves around two people still experiencing the trauma and after effects of a shopping mall collapse. Not only that, it is precisely just that. First of all, I must thank the scriptwriter because he or she did an amazing job planning how the characters and plot line would be portrayed. Instead of making the collapse an absolute tragedy for the characters, they also made it so the characters would grow and connect more with other characters in the story. From all the dramas I've watched, it has been so long since I've seen such character development.
Not only that, instead of the characters moving on from the tragedy and forgetting it, they moved on while remembering the event and who was affected. They healed while keeping the event in heart because, in a way, remembering healed them. The romance story, which is the main focus of the drama, is definitely not to be missed. There was so much support from both sides that it was such a true and trusting relationship. There was so much chemistry between Ha Moon Soo and Lee Gang Doo that it pushed the two leads forward and matured them. That is not something that happens often between two people.
Throughout the drama I was so captured and stunned by the storyline, that I thought, "Wow, this is one of a kind."
Acting/Cast:
To start off with, round of applause to the actors. The acting is absolutely something that cannot be described. It's phenomenon. The characters and the intentions of the characters have never been so successfully played by actors. Often, when I watch a drama, I often think of what the actor must be thinking or how the actor was portraying the character being played. However, when watching Just Between Lovers, nothing related to the actor came to mind. I was too focused on the characters themselves that they blended into the actors. The characters just seemed so real that I didn't think about who the actors were.
This especially happened with Lee Gang Doo. Never has this happened to me, where I was sincerely thinking and trying to understand what the character was going through. As a teenager and adult, he had gone through so much that I couldn't even begin to explain, that I really wanted him to finally find his happiness with Ha Moon Soo; which was obtained with her love and support for him.
Music:
Let me just start with saying, I hated the music. Just when I thought things were bad with how sad the storyline was, the music suddenly flips on and makes it so sad, to the point I didn't even have the heart to cry. Compared to other dramas, Just Between Lovers didn't have that many songs. However, the songs went so well with the drama's scenes that I believed it didn't need anymore. But, still, the music broke my heart numerous times. That's the only reason why I'm not giving a full on 10 stars. I want to, but every time I listen to the music my heart just immediately shatters. It was so good, yet so sad.
Rewatch Value:
1 word: ABSOLUTELY. This is my first drama that I'm actually willingly watching again, without hesitation. Take my word for it. This drama had taught me so much and reminded a lot of things that strayed from my mind. Support is the key. Your past is something that shaped you, use it to grow even more. Etc. I do not regret spending multiple hours on this drama and will definitely watch it again (when I'm ready to have my heart shattered again with this drama's vibes).
Overall:
Standing audience ovation for this drama's plot line, music, acting and characters, and its rewatch value. When I was on the episode 16 and its last scene, I was sobbing. However, I wasn't sobbing because I was sad, I was crying from relief. After everything that had happened, I was worn out FOR the characters. They had gone through so much, only to be faced with more tragedy, that I was lost as to how they were going to get through it. Then, when I saw how it was beginning to move behind them, I was overjoyed and finally at ease.
It's definitely not something to be missed in your drama watching career!
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The FL is adorable and such a great actress, but paired with the ML, she not only outshines him, but they are a bit weird as a couple/romantic relationship we're supposed to appreciate.
I enjoyed the little mini series for what it was, but the romance was the main point and yet it was too unbelievable for me since she seemed way more mature than the ML in the show. She was much more of an older sister rather than girlfriend material, chemistry & story-wise!
Also... when writing a short story or doing anything in short bursts like this, you have to pack a punch for every little thing you write/film/do and the writer/director of this little short didn't seem to understand that and you have 10 super short episodes of nothing cute, nothing fun, nothing dramatic, nothing memorable...just a lot of nothing that mattered and even quite a bit of redundancy.
STILL... this was a (kinda?) cute little filler in between lengthier shows.
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The script and story are original in their elements. Personally, I love anything to do with superpowers, so when I heard of this movie, I jotted it down on my list to watch later. Now, it has become one of my favorites. The plot leaves the audience in suspense and wondering what will happen. Finally, the ending leaves you in content, satisfied, but still wishing for more. You're wishing for more not because the story isn't neatly wrapped up, but because you'll fall in the love with the characters that you'll want to see more of them.
I put the music as nine because it wasn't freaking amazing, but it was just quite good, just not amazing. There is one song in the movie that I feel could have been better. In the movie, out of nowhere, an English song with an Irish feel to it plays. Personally, I feel the song was out of place.
Finally, the rewatch value is merely an eight, because it's a movie that you may want to see again, but then again, it could also be a movie that you are content with seeing just once.
Overall, I thouroghly enjoyed the movie and recommend this movie to anyone who likes to watch films questioning human nature, involves supernatural/superpowers, has a heart-warm feel, has a bad boy, and/or deals with character identity crisis.
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This review may contain spoilers
Brilliant show with a terrible ending
I was prepared to give this show a 10/10 rating until I saw episode 15 and 16. So bizarre! I've adjusted my pre-final rating of 9.5 to 8.5 just because of those last 2 episodes.The story begins with a national level fencer, Na Hee Do, who is now retired dropping her daughter, Kim Min Chae off to perform in a ballet contest. However, seeing her competitor's performance, Min Chae runs away and eventually goes to stay with her grandmother in Hee Do's childhood home. She discovers her mother's diaries and learns about Hee Do's passion for fencing, her rivalry and friendship with Go Yu Rim and her first real relationship with Baek Yi Jin. Most of the story revolves around these characters growing up in the 90s and how they deal with hardships and forming a strong support system for each other. This journey (until episode 14) is the most beautiful part of the series. The realism and the positivity is inspiring.
Then from episode 15, everything starts to spiral downwards eventually crash landing in episode 16. Ep 15 was a drag. There was a huge build up surrounding what happened between Na Hee Do and Baek Yi Jin and who is Kim Min Chae's father? The answer is weak to non-existent. Of all the obstacles, both endured, the result does not make sense. Even if the writer did not want to deliver a positive ending, which not all stories and real life experiences have, why not answer some questions as to who Hee Do married and why focus on this elaborate story if it was all about the kid going back to ballet?
Overall:
The Good
1. Na Hee Do's fencing moments are thrilling.
2. The rivalry and friendship between Na Hee Do and Go Yu Rim are beautiful! I adored the development and result.
3. The way Na Hee Do and Baek Yi Jin's relationship develops and their journey as each other's support system is endearing.
4. Baek Yi Jin's struggles from his family facing hardships and his growing responsibilities as the new head responsible for bringing his family together is worth watching.
5. The friendship between Moon Ji Woong and Ji Seung Wan is adorable and provide a lot of comic relief!
6. The coach and Hee Do's mother are wonderful characters and their relationship with Hee Do is interesting to watch with plenty of ups and downs.
7. The OST is wonderful.
The Bad aka the parts that are left unanswered:
1. The writers wanted a sad ending but Yi Jin's choices did not make sense since he switched fields just to avoid ever hurting Hee Do and in the end completely avoided her.
2. Why send a rookie in local news to cover a major international event? This is entirely illogical in the real world setting. It does not sit well with me progression wise.
3. Why did Yi Jin leave coins over the telephone booth at the beach? It wasn't clarified who it was for.
4. Who is Kim Min Chae's father and what was the need to hide his identity towards the end? There is no communication between the family and the father over a call either which is bizarre.
5. Why was Kim Min Chae and the older Hee Do required for the story? Was it all just so that Min Chae is motivated to pursue ballet? Could Min Chae not have the same life experiences without it?
6. The unnecessary dramatic departure that was stretched way too long.
I wanted to rewatch this series but after this ending, I might skip it. I would only recommend this show until mid ep 15. Don't bother with the rest.
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Much better than expected.
I am not sure what to expect when I started watching this drama. Next thing I know, I am binge watch the whole series in about 3 days. Here is my review:1. Production Value: The costumes feel just right. The OST by Sa Ding Ding is very catchy. For me, the action/fighting sequence is well done and feel very crisp. CGI effects are also very well done.
2. Acting/Chemistry: I don't keep track with Chinese drama scene. However, the Male Lead is an excellent actor. I can feel the chemistry with both Male Lead (ML) and Female Lead (FL). The 2nd ML and FL are also well done. I think the actors/actresses did a good job with their roles.
3. Plot: The story progressed with a very good pace. There is a bit of a drag during the late 20s and early 30s episode to provide more romantic scenes for both couples; but it is not too bad. The story is a wild ride during the last 5 episodes. Overall, I enjoyed the series as a whole. However, I rated the plot as a 9 because of a few plotholes:
a. The conflict between Heaven and Void really never explain beside one is good and one is bad. During the whole series, Void Army never really sack the two weaker kingdoms.
b. Male Lead is super OP. The series depict the Male Lead as a super powerful being and can literally destroy the opposite army if he wants to, yet Void Army still wants to fight him. It is like fighting a nuclear bomb with rock and stick.
c. The Immortal is known for a very long lifespan and recorded many things about their life. Yet, no one gives doubt when a heresy rumor that the tree is a calamity (especially when the tree is seeded by previous Heaven Emperors). Another thing is Guixu (Chaotic Portal) happened and needed to sealed. It seems like the Guixu happened after the tree's destruction and no one thought they made a mistake?
Summary: This is a very well produced fantasy Chinese Drama with a good story. I nitpicked on a few plotholes after I finished drama; but I do enjoy the Starry Love.
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It's all about Lies, Lies and More Lies!!!!
Watching this Taiwanese classic in 2024 is definitely interesting and my expectations are high (maybe too high). I can look past the fashion and ML’s ugly hairstyle, but “Autumn Concerto” has so many different tropes and illogical things. I also feel that I need to stop my critical thinking and enjoy the ride on a more emotional level. That way, the drama is more enjoyable.I love the mature Aidy An in “Legend of Dugu”. She’s the best part of that show. But a younger Aidy An is somewhat annoying in this drama. Her acting is not quite there yet and gave me this bland expression. But I think what’s worse is I don’t like her character, Mu Cheng. She is definitely pretty in this drama, but Mu Cheng keeps a secret for way too long. She should and could have spoken up many times in various situations, instead of acting like a victim. I also do not like her voice, which is supposed to be gentle and soothing. I just find it annoying, unfortunately.
Despite not liking Mu Cheng as a girlfriend, I like her as a mother. Her relationship with her son Xiao Le is the highlight of the show. This little kid is adorable but I don’t think there’s any other 5-year old who speaks like him out there. I am going to look past that and just enjoy how kind-hearted, sweet, adorable and smart he is. Xiao Le’s interaction with every single adult brings me so much joy. Yes, even the little kid bully.
Vanness Wu is another draw to watch this drama. But I find his acting very inconsistent. There are scenes I think he did fine and was natural, but not when it comes to more emotional (angry or sad) scenes. I really feel for his character. Poor Guang Xi suffered so much and is being lied to by everyone. I was rooting for him and actually wanted him to not end up with FL. I think he deserves better.
When it comes to acting, Chris Wu is the best out of the main characters, only second to ML’s mother. I cannot believe “Autumn’s Concerto” is his very first drama (He did have a few movies under his belt). But compared to Aidy An and Vanness Wu, he’s the less experienced one but I love his acting the most. If it’s in any other drama, his character would be the male lead. His confession to Mu cheng is so touching and sincere. I want to marry him! Chris Wu is the best part of the show and he doesn’t seem to have aged.
The pacing of the drama is a little uneven as well. I found the first arc when they were all in college went by pretty fast. A lot of things happened but each mini subplot or misunderstanding is resolved rather quickly. But once we switch to the present-day timeline, the pace slows down. They spend a lot of time in the village with those loud villagers. I am not surprised they are loud but at least they’re not too nosy. Towards the end of the drama, the pace picked back up a little with the court cases. But also felt that the editing and storytelling are choppy. I also think that the drama waited too long for the shit to hit the fan (the big secret to out).
For a melodrama with a focus on romance, it’s really hard for me to enjoy when 1) I don’t like the female lead, 2) I don’t think the leads should end up together, 3) I think the secondary leads should just go and date each other and forget about the leads who don’t deserve them. For a romance-lover like me, if I am not rooting for the leads to be together, there’s no way I would end up enjoying the drama. I also need to shut down my brain because there are too many ridiculous things that happened. I don’t want to list them all as they could be spoilers.
But luckily, we have an adorable kid, a handsome Chris Wu, nice secondary leads who are not evil and Vanness Wu showing off his abs. This is enough to keep this at an 8.0 for me. Even though I like the songs, they are WAY overplayed. I wonder if I would have loved “Autumn’s Concerto” more if I were watching this in 2008 and not in 2024.
Completed: 1/25/2024 - Review #398
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This review may contain spoilers
Karnkaew (the protagonist) could’ve focused on her studies and taken advantage of her amazing skills such as public speaking, language ability and people skills, wait until she finish school and land a nice job to steadily lift herself out of poverty, instead she decided to make quick money by abusing her beauty in being a high class escort providing sexual services while pretending to be a social elite with expensive tastes, all in the hopes of tricking a wealthy man marrying into wealth. But the truth will out, her lifestyle isn’t sustainable, once her facade was stripped away, everything gone into shambles.Baifern’s performance blew me away, although the story is depressing and the protagonist is nothing but a manipulative woman with huge insecurities about being poor, one can’t help but sympathize with her in her desperation despite her problematic approach to life by cheating her way to the top, even though it would never work out for her, because she’s trying so hard and had given her all. All in all it’s quite a moral tale that really made a hard impact considering Karnkaew’s tragic ending.
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A short that shows our favourite characters meeting at a public park with the eyes of strangers on them. It's refreshing to see them address how being out in the open with a same-sex relationship can be an unpredictable experience since you never know how someone will react. The scene almost made me tear up. The video looked beautiful and the instrumental music added so much to the experience.
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Do you believe in magic?
I must say, I didn't expect it to be this good. I loved the psychological side of it and how much it focused on the hardships of students. It showed a different side to what it feels like to want to be an adult, to have dreams and how hard it can be to have a different future then what the society expects.Story: The story was really interesting. The biggest mystery was the girls disappearance, but if you pay attention to the biginning you would know who is responsible. Some things were predictable, but some parts actually surprised me and made the story even better.
Acting: Its really a star studded cast. I loved them all and I hope that this will get a second season because I can't get enough of the cast.
Music: I completely forgot it was a musical when I began the first episode, and then they suddenly started singing and I was confused, but the music was so beautiful, sad and fun at the same time, it was really nicely done.
If there is a season 2 I might rewatch this one to connect the story better.
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