Reviews

A Lot to Unpack - An Honest Review

I only watched this because Xiao Zhan is one of the people I follow and also for seeing what the military genre holds in their country, as it's the first time I watched a military cdrama. And while everyone knows the general issues production had, I did find out recently that it was because of censorship and multiple reviews, that this drama lost 13 episodes and therefore explains the haphazard editing and much of the disconnection and inconsistencies. Let's unpack this series.

Pros: I loved Gu Yiye from the beginning. The character wasn't perfect in the slightest but was always determined to make himself better no matter how much hard work it took. Every step he took, every emotion he displayed made it in effect seem like a docuseries and not just a fictional drama. No matter how many people frowned upon him, he was determined to show his hard work and take his own path to the top. XZ filmed this series during the most difficult time in his career and life and still put 110% into it and it shone through in dividends. His explosion of emotions or even basic army tactics spoke volumes about how much he was invested in his character.

A-Xiu was literally the perfect match for GYY. Though their relationship began out of responsibility, it blossomed into real genuine love. The way she always had his back no matter what. She helped break the PTSD cycle, she ran around searching for doctors for his arm, she was ready to beat up anyone that ever bullied GYY and was the solid foundation that essentially GYY never had in his life. To her, he was the brightest star in the entire world. Both Jiang Nan Zheng (JNZ) and Hu Yang (HY) couldn't provide the simple things GYY needed and that really all he ever needed was understanding and support.

My other favorite characters were many of the support like Zhang Fei, papa Gu, and the rest of their comrades in arms. Each one came with their unique personalities and flaws. If a character is too perfect, it won't be remotely realistic. Just like if the opposite happens and the character is awful, it won't lead credence to the portrayal either. The couples whether they stayed together or not still were properly evolved and had their closure at the end.

I loved the special effects during the big battles or whether they actually used real military equipment or CGI I don't know but all the blasts and the combat scenes were really nice. Be they real war or drills; when actual fighting was involved or strategies explained, it was nice to see how the mind worked to help move on to the next step. The OSTs were also appropriate and made the proper impression whether in the credits or in the scenes. Also liked the fact that this series ran low on propaganda which is a very good thing as these military dramas tend to overdo that aspect in large quantities.

Cons: I will be completely honest here and I'm not hating on him in the slightest but Johnny's performance for more then half of the series was underwhelming. I have been told for a long time that this genre was his niche so I was very excited to see him and XZ in this great drama but his performance fell flat for being the ML; I've got nothing against him at all; this is just my own personal experience and opinion as a viewer.

Gao Liang until he went to study at the school was essentially riding the coattails of nepotism which was quite unseemly and with the sob story about him being an orphan and his dead brother; also weird that the story kept changing to fit whatever was going on in the drama. I kept wondering why no one was calling it out but perhaps that's how their military ran in those days.

JNZ started off as a smart young woman but then they dumbed her down into this whining, crying female lead that had literally no concept of being affected by the battle that took so many lives. It felt like the battle the rest of the cast fought and the one she was in were completely different situations. The "turn your frown upside down" in regards to the trauma GYY was going through, her attitude was rather lame and that's the other thing that made GYY start to distance himself from her.

The amount of random time lapses and inconsistencies were staggering. A few examples; JNZ hated her father the chief and then in the next episode when she finds out he's fighting for his life, she was practically ready to change his diapers in the hospital for him. One episode she calls GL her brother, in the very next episode she's madly in love with him. The romance between GYY and AX would also have been good to see.

The fact that this series tried desperately to turn GL into Robocop, making him single-handedly take out very butch and heavily armed terrorists or that last drill that dragged for far too long and him zipping around the island with literally a propeller in his butt and 17 pairs of eyes being able to spot a singular intruder on his own and then go chase him down. It was beyond unbelievable even for a fictional military drama. That can't be excused by the cut in episodes, but I would like to ask what the writer was thinking. The fact that he was able to scuba dive with explosives without any real training was very inconsistent and pretty ridiculous; just like GYY and his soldiers being able to essentially turn into paratroopers with zilch experience also made little sense.

There were many more but I'll mention a last one and that's the tug of war of JNZ and GL and their marriage. When GYY is dating JNZ, GL is always there getting in between them like an annoying mosquito they can't swat. But as soon as JNZ is single, GL seems interested and then quickly backs off; giving her a zillion excuses. Did he ever really love her? Or was she like a trophy to win in a competition? Yes they got hitched in the last episode but it seemed it was such an afterthought and added a musical to the mix. When she didn't look at him, he was super clingy but when she starts being the epitome of gorilla glue, he runs in the other direction. And her solution to every one of their problems was marriage. Her showing up in the 21st century wedding dress and heavy bling (that didn't make sense as she had a military salary) at the hospital where he was unconscious looked completely misplaced in a military drama. Many moments like that make you scratch your head in confusion.

Would I recommend it? If you're a military drama fan and like Xiao Zhan as well as well done supporting characters and great action, then yes I would. But I do warn about a lot of inconsistencies that might make you very confused.

Read More

“Does it taste good to eat an entire feast on your own? Or does it taste better to eat just rice and kimchi with others? Which person seems the happier person to you?”. Ok Da Jung.

“Your job needs to be something more than just a source of income”. Ok Da Jung.

Don’t let the cover picture nor the description fool you! This is no rom-com and I actually mean that in a good way. I have missed the old typical rom-com K dramas, which had meaning and had strong message to carry on. I was almost losing hope in finding good quality typical K drama BUT I finally found Ms. Temper & Nam Jung-Gi! At first it may give you the impression that it’s just a silly, funny, shallow typical k drama with lots of clichés and predictable plot. Yes, it is to some point predictable I’m not going to say it isn’t BUT is it typical? No, in my opinion it isn’t. First of all, take any rom-com drama out there (especially work related ones) and take out the “romance” element or the “comedy” element what are you left with? Basically nothing impressive, this drama on the other hand has so much more to offer you other than just romance or comedy.

The story took path where we as viewers couldn’t predict; it wasn’t really focused on one certain element but all elements and all characters equally. I loved how the work environment is the most essential element here and loved the way it was presented. They took something real and serious and presented it in a funny and humeral way at the same time kept it realistic. Therefore, you as a viewer not only will you have fun and great amount of laughter while watching but also you will appreciate/understand the message behind each and every episode here.

Ms. Temper & Nam Jung-Gi as a drama has given importance for the side characters just as much for the main characters and that is something isn’t often seen in drama land if you ask me. The story allows you to slowly understand the characters each and every one of them and takes you along with them so you will be able to understand their actions or why they decided to live their lives the way they do. In opinion what makes this drama special isn’t the story as much as the well-written characters. I wonder how the writers were able to make them so interesting and fun to watch at the same time kept them down to earth real. No perfection, no bad or evil characters here just different perspectives and different way of looking at things. Life is hard enough, we fight constant battles each day to survive we don’t have the luxury to worry about others so how far are we willing to go in order to survive? Does that make us bad/selfish people or timid spineless people? Or does it just simply make us people?

I will take a moment here and appreciate one of K drama’s best female character ever created and a true role model Ok Da Jung (Lee Yo Won). She is a strong, righteous and great person who knows exactly how to stand up for herself and wouldn’t fight using dirty methods no matter what. She may seem harsh and too blunt but she isn’t a bully and she cares mostly for the company and staff. You could learn so much from Ok Da Jung and you will probably wish you had such a great boss to work for in real life.

I think Lee Yo Won did great accepting this project, at first I was surprised because I am used to watching her in melodramas or more dark serious plots and entirely different characters than ODJ so I wondered why would an A-list actress go for cable project and with such unknown cast but I still trusted her judgment and as her fan I respect her for taking this risk. This is her first rom-com project and I’m happy she decided to explore her talent, she was wonderful as Ok Da Jung it will be almost impossible for you not to love her. The rest of the cast did splendidly especially Yoon Sang Hyun as the timid nice angel Nam Jung Gi and Hwang Chan Sung as the boy who has still yet to learn to grow into a man who can handle responsibility. It is fair to say that even the guest actors (Lee Jung Jin & Yeon Jung Hoon) did an amazing job for short appearance; I was delighted to have them on the show.

I generally do not rewatch dramas but I do have few ones that I'd rewatch. However I think this drama can easily be rewatchable material for anyone who would rewatch dramas in general because I do believe it will be just as much fun as it was the first time and frankly you never get enough of Ok Da Jung & Woo Joo's scenes.

Overall
I can see this drama will be one of the underrated dramas here on MDL and will go unnoticed. I don’t know if my review has helped or not but if you are looking for your typical fluffy romance then let me tell you this isn’t it. This drama does not focus on the romance in fact you can barely see it but you most certainly can feel it. The thing is "romance" in here is presented in mature manner but that's also has its beauty so don't let this stop you from giving the drama a chance. Ms. Temper & Nam Jung-Gi has so much more than just comedy and romance; this is a fun enjoyable ride if you are willing to appreciate what this drama has to offer. After all as Nam Jung Gi says, “Does a relationship between a man and woman have to be melo or lovely dovey fairytale? Why do people expect that?”.
Also Ok Da Jung and Woo Joo make the cutest most adorable couple ever don't miss out on that :')

Read More

A well-structured but boring watch

PLOT: Starts entertaining, but sizzles out pretty darn fast
--------------------------------------------------------------
Jun Ji Hoon (the ML) is an Interpol undercover agent working on a case that involves his Ah Reum's (his ex-wife's) close friend. When the job goes south, Ji Hoon is forced to keep a close eye on Ah Reum (the FL), reigniting his feelings for her in the process.

In the wake of a tragedy, Ah Reum decides to unofficially investigate the suspicious circumstances of her friend's death. The trail leads her to reconnect with Ji Hoon, her ex-husband, and then later to suspect Derek Hyun, her current husband, of being involved in her friend's death.

If you go by the summary, one would imagine this show to be Male-centric, since we know right off the bat that the Male Lead and Second Male Lead are both secret agents on opposing sides. And to a certain extent, the story begins with them. Yet Kang Ah Reum's character becomes the best thing about this show and the heart of the story until we cross into the second half.

Unfortunately, there's nothing memorable about this drama aside from the depiction of a consistently strong Female Lead, who just so happens to also be kind of boring and a bit self-centered.

While we could blame the incorporation of comedy as one of the weakest points, it's the bland characters that hurt this drama the most.

MAIN CHARACTERS: Simple, dull, and unengaging
--------------------------------------------------------------
Kang Ah Reum:
An ambitious wedding dress designer who works hard to keep her business afloat, Ah Reum is not only smart, charming, and hardworking; but she's also stubborn, uncompromising, and committed to a cause. For a Female Lead, Ah Reum is always actively involved in the plot and, one could even say; she one-ups both Male Leads on multiple occasions. Credit where credit is due, the writer managed to keep Ah Reum from becoming the "victim" of the male leads' deceitfulness. That doesn't mean she doesn't feel hurt when she figures out both men lied to her, but rather that she isn't defined by that pain. Unfortunately, after a while, her character just falls flat and becomes boring. Her wishy-washy attitude towards the male leads certainly doesn't help. And she starts to showcase some flaws as we cross into the second half, during which she's shown to be self-centered, petty, and judgemental.

Jun Ji Hoon:
An undercover Interpol agent who's introduced as the ace of his team and Ah Reum's ex-husband. Unlike your typical Male Lead, Ji Hoon has been written with enough flaws to balance his strengths. He's a master of combat, smart, and loyal; but he's also emotionally-driven, ridden with guilt, and lonely due to his sacrificial nature. Outside of his love for Ah Reum, however, there's nothing of substance to his character. And let's just say there are even a few occasions where I wondered if he was referred to as the "ace" in a sarcastic way. Don't get me wrong, he's always a sweet character, but he's ultimately the most boring.

Derek Hyun:
He's Ah Reum's current husband and a corporate spy working for an underground group who's wanted by Interpol. He's a master of disguise; charming and sweet, who has been groomed from a very young age in the art of deceit. And it's precisely how easy that smile lights his face that makes him a dangerous spy. For one never knows if he'll offer a hug one second and stab you in the back with the next. Out of all the characters, he was the most interesting but also the less explored.

Although the three of them may read quite impressive on paper, they failed to be fleshed out properly. Like I've mentioned, Derek comes closest to an intriguing protagonist, especially on those few occasions when he narrates his thoughts and exposes his contradicting feelings. But being locked in the wretched love triangle hurts his story; as his identity crisis (being a loving husband vs being a cold-blooded spy) is never dealt with properly. Especially because the drama reminds us constantly that he's the second male lead and we all know what that means, right?

With leads me to talk about the weakest part of the drama...

PORTRAYAL OF ROMANCE: Uncommitted & boggled down by the Love Triangle
--------------------------------------------------------------
If you're not tolerant of a love triangle that drags throughout most of the story, then this one will test your patience. Add to that the fact that it's never made clear who Ah Reum loves from the two men (up until the very end), and this draggy mess of a romance becomes boring fast.

Ah Reum is certainly loyal to Derek, but at some point, it felt more of a commitment of the mind than of the heart. Long before certain events took place, it was clear she felt like she was "stuck" with Derek rather than she wanted to be with him. Which was a disservice to both characters and their relationship.

On the other hand, Ah Reum's feelings of guilt towards Ji Hoon, whom she felt she discarded when their relationship got too hard, makes her constantly gravitate to him more organically. And because Ji Hoon is still in love with her, their relationship felt like infidelity in progress --which is a hard sell for someone intolerant to cheating portrayed as romantic.

It's clear that reconnecting with Ji Hoon and finding out the real reason they broke up shook Ah Reum's heart enough to tempt her. Which caused her relationship with Derek to feel like a settlement of responsibility rather than actual love.

It doesn't help that the love triangle feels forced and unfair towards both male leads; who lose their identity by becoming little more than love interests.

The desire of the writer to keep both prospects equals in terms of pain also meant that most of the emotional aspect of Derek's story was left unexplored. Even worst, Ji Hoon got an uncompelling, watered-down version of Derek's story to keep him in the "running" for the audience's sympathy.

Needless to say, I didn't enjoy the romance at all, which is a problem since that's a big part of the dull plot.

SUPPORT CHARACTERS: Unmemorable
--------------------------------------------------------------
There's not much to say about them except that they provided a few comedic moments. Ultimately, though, they were unremarkable.

ANTAGONISTS: Predictable & riddled with clichés
--------------------------------------------------------------
The drama had too many antagonists and, as a result, they all felt shallow, cliched, and uninspired in their execution. None of them stood out or left an impression. How could they? There were so many, there was simply no time to make them unique or even slightly interesting, for that matter.

The only one who was mildly interesting because of his eccentricity was Jang Doo Bong, who showed Hyun Joon has some great acting chops.

OVERALL: Draggy and forgettable
--------------------------------------------------------------
I think the drama struggled to create a good enough story for me to recommend it. This feels more character-driven than plot-driven, yet the characters themselves lack complexity or at least something interesting to make them stand out. The bland story, coupled with the uninteresting characters, made this drama a difficult one to muscle through. The pacing slowed and dragged even more once it crossed into the second half. So if this drama doesn't pique your interest during the first four episodes, chances are you won't enjoy the rest.

Perhaps The Spies Who Loved Me needed to have fewer characters to properly flesh out the important ones? Or maybe they could've gotten rid of the whole love triangle business sooner, so we could focus on the plot and the "twist" (I'm being generous by calling it that)?

Though Derek's story was the only interesting aspect, it wasn't original. Episode 15 may have touched lightly upon identity crisis, but it was never fully delved into. It's a shame because that aspect showed potential for an enjoyable watch. But the fact that he wasn't the Male Lead also meant his airtime was limited in service of giving Ji Hoon (a much less interesting character) more screentime.

While Ah Reum was certainly a strong female character, ultimately she was just as uninteresting as her male counterpart. I never felt emotionally invested in any of their stories. Even when the characters were in pain, the portrayal of hurt seemed superficial and irrelevant. There were also a TON of cringy moments when it came to the bromance; a relationship that seemed built for kicks & comedy at best, and queer-baiting at worst. Although the last few episodes did show a sweeter relationship between the guys.

All in all, I can't recommend this drama if you're looking for an interesting plot. But if you enjoy love-triangles and don't mind a bland story, this one might strike your fancy.

Read More

Bloody mess

If you have watched some classic Takashi Miike films, you probably know what to expect. If you haven’t, I recommend you to check the tags and see for yourself if it is something that you can stomach or not.

What I liked:
- Opening credits: a gorgeously made animated intro.
- Cinematography and directing: nice camera angles, great color grading, some beautiful shots and well choreographed action scenes. Certainly a pleasure to the eye.
- CGI and gore: The CGI looks realistic enough and the gore scenes seem like they came out from a video game or a webtoon. As a result not only you can feel the influence from the source material, but at the same time the gory scenes are as bloody as they should be to not disturb the viewer. The gore and disturbing scenes are actually pretty mild comparing to some of his work (Audition, I am looking at you).
- Duration of the episodes: each episode lasts from around 37 minutes to 50, something that greatly helps with the pacing.
- Female lead: we finally have a strong morally grey female character.
- Easy and fun to watch: again, if you are not into violent and gory series, you will probably hate this, but if you like watching these type of shows, you will be entertained enough.
- Jung Hae In looking like an anime character: self explanatory. I am shallow, I know.

What I disliked:
- Lack of suspense: even though it is a fun ride, as a viewer I didn’t feel like I had to watch the next episode immediately.
- Plot holes and nonsensical scenes: unfortunately there are way too much nonsensical stuff (plainly speaking the characters' actions are dumb).
- One of the characters that appeared in the last episodes: I found that particular character very unrealistic (I know this is a sci-fi drama but still).
- Comedic relief: I felt like they added some elements as comedic relief and even though they didn’t focus on them, I found them unnecessary for a live action.
- Unnecessary actions between our two main characters.

What I found mediocre:
- ML’s character: this is just a personal thing, but I found the male lead to be a bit underwhelming at times. He is definitely not your typical hero, but his foolish actions and the fact that he could barely fight made some of the scenes a bit boring to watch.
- Plot: even though there were a lot of plot holes and nonsensical stuff happening, like I previously mentioned, the plot had potential and the concept was pretty good. I definitely had fun watching it, as I knew I had to think illogically to enjoy it.
- Acting: definitely more on the positive side, but certainly it didn’t have the great performances that I expected.

All in all, it was fun and easy watch that you can only enjoy if you know beforehand that you need to throw your brain out of the window.

Read More

It's TayNew Magic

I always write my reviews with parting positive , negative points but there is no negative thing so I have to write my review in a paragraph . I have seen Tay and Newwie's acting before so I am not surprised right now . There are no words to describe how outstanding this drama is . Although this is not a BL but you don't need romance if there is Tay and Newwiee . Every scenes of this drama is chaotic , funny and awesome . If you are feeling bore then must watch this series . The cinematography , music ., visuals , story and the side characters are just perfect . And most likable thing is Tay and Newwie are doing different types of drama apart from BLs .

Overall a solid 10 /10 for me .

Read More

A must watch Cdrama in 2023!

"Here We Meet Again" is a captivating romantic Cdrama that left me thoroughly impressed with its amazing chemistry between the main leads. What truly sets this series apart is its portrayal of a strong, independent female lead and a male lead from a challenging background. The contrast between their lives adds depth to the story, making it all the more intriguing.

One of the standout aspects of the show is the exceptional character development. As the story unfolds, we witness the gradual unraveling of misunderstandings and the building of trust between the main characters. The script beautifully captures the complexities of their circumstances, showcasing how burdens can hinder communication and create obstacles to their relationship.

The series effortlessly balances comedy and romance, providing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The natural progression from friendship to a loving relationship is depicted in a way that feels authentic and heartwarming. The palpable chemistry between the male and female leads adds an extra layer of depth, keeping viewers engaged and rooting for their relationship.

I particularly appreciate the healthy jealousy displayed by the main leads. It adds an element of realism to the story, as they navigate their feelings while still maintaining respect for one another. This aspect adds complexity to their relationship, making it all the more compelling to watch.

Prepare to have your heart racing and your cheeks flushed as the male lead makes his grand entrance. That particular scene, where he appears and utters the words, "Do you really want him to see you like this?" is a game-changer. The chemistry between the main characters reaches its peak, and it's impossible not to be swept away by the sheer passion and emotion on screen.

I have to admit, I lost myself in that moment. The intensity of their connection, the raw emotions conveyed through their expressions and words, it all culminates in a scene that will make even the most composed viewer blush. It's a testament to the exceptional acting skills of the cast, who bring these characters to life in such a captivating manner.

"Here We Meet Again" has already secured a spot among my top romantic Cdramas. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a captivating love story with well-developed characters, engaging plotlines, and chemistry that will keep you hooked until the very end.

Note: This review is written by me, edited by ChatGPT for readability.

Read More

This is a life nobody deserved!

Love JinYoung! His acting is amazing, but this drama was so frustrating.

Timing, short conversations, not opening up, years go by and still in the same place. As adults time keeps going by and everything is the same, so much love to live in angst, sadness, waiting, yearning, remembering and nothing changes. How can a relationship of love hold this? When two can decide breaking up or get together and try to be happy while it’s there. So many years wasted, when he could have moved on or have a life with her and even after all this they will wait for each other!

Life is much more than this!! Move on!

Read More

A merciless play with people's fears. Witch-hunt revisited. Gloomy. Upsetting. Horror with no escape

"The Netflix production "Hellbound" started even more successfully on the global streaming platform in November 2021 than "Squid Game". Dystopias (stories about gloomy visions of the future) these days obviously hit a sore spot in the global mass consciousness - the fear of what still is to come, considering that nothing will be the way it used to be....

Accordingly, "Hellbound" generally plays with people's fears. The characters in the story also play with people's fears - here in the face of a hell on earth that is spreading inexorably, flanked by a modern form of witch hunts and establishing a new order in which there is little room for hope and light. Because even as a reward for a righteous life, only death awaits in the end. At best, you don´t have to be ashamed and getting ridiculed of it.

The focus for the 'not righteous' is a heavenly or better hellish special commando, which arrives from the afterlife in the form of huge hell gorillas and stages a small earthly hellfire from human bones. No less shocking is the moment that meticulously announces the day and hour of this death in advance.

Rarely have there been so many crazy, delusional people in KDrama (here namely in the realm of the sect). The number of truly honest people can be counted on one hand. And in between there is the vast majority of the terrified masses, blinded and tamed by the New Truth Society's threats sold as hope...

The prospects are really daunting. Not just unearthly prophecy and execution of the death sentence for the shameful, despicable sinners. Even more actually what this scenario does to the people. There is the group of the "arrowhead" who, already sort of detached from any aspect humanity. Their members receive the carte blanche from the ordained sect priests to use the brute force and terror in order to carry out a multimedia-fuelled new edition of witch hunts. They are allowed to live out their wildest violent fantasies . And then there are the would-be ´gentlemen´ (and ´ladies´), CEOs and high priests of the New Truth Society, who submit their new 'commandments' to the people, and the VIPs who solemnly attend the celestial court processes live and in the first row...

Eventually, it can´t get any worse than that. "Hellbound" effortlessly catapulted humanity back into the deepest Middle Ages - yet in the midst of the modern, high-tech 21st century. Business with sin is very popular there. From now on it is no longer about the hope of eternal life (in the hereafter), but merely about not to unnecessarily embarrass yourself as a sinner in the face of the inevitable earthly death...

For me, "Hellbound" is highly ambivalent. It's done great again. Ecellent actors. Exciting story. Upsetting, because maybe not so absurd in terms of social dynamics... But do you really want to/do you have to look at it? There's practically nothing positive coming out of it. Even the hopeful spark at the end remains under a hood of fear and horror and somehow doesn't really find its way back to the light... (A 2nd season is in discussion... maybe then? Or just more fear and horror from which there is no escape?)

Read More

A different perspective

Overall, the premise was interesting, cast and acting was outstanding. The unique musical taste added a memorable flair to the entire drama. I truly enjoyed the entire ride, though there were some major flaws which did not sit well with me. I'll focus on mainly the negative points as most of the other reviews here are positive.

- I don't watch too many action movies as I'm not a big fan of fight scenes, and this drama really reinforced that in me. The main character, Doki, just seemed invincible to the point where there was no conflict during any fights. You were not rooting for him anymore because you just knew he would survive. Too many times he would go 1 vs 15... and win... Even at one point getting whacked by a baseball bat over 20 times, then escaping and going 1 vs 15... TWICE, and winning. Another time getting stabbed in the shoulder and taking down an entire legion of men with baseball bats, solo. Not humanly possible, no matter what level of military experience.

- Judging from the title, you'd expect more involvement of the taxi or the taxi driver. I loved the style of the first two revenge cases - the factory and school violence cases - picking up the client in the taxi and hearing their stories. From the data centre case onwards, it just became so convoluted. The agency picked up cases where they had no stakes in, and it felt like the drama shifted more to focusing on the content of the cases rather than the agency's role in protecting the victims.

- Potential spoiler ahead! The last episode left a sour taste in my mouth. I interpreted the last scene as the gang getting back together, DESPITE already agreeing to part ways just 20 minutes before (1 year in the timeline). So what was the purpose, then, of building up the whole 'Revenge begets revenge' narrative? I felt like it was a clear money grab at securing a second season, and, speaking of money grabs, the product placement was a little over the top that that was all that stuck in my mind after watching the finale.

With all that being said, it was definitely an enjoyable ride as, after all, it's just entertainment. In terms of Kdrama quality, this was undoubtedly an extremely well-produced drama, with a memorable plot as well. I wouldn't call this my favourite crime/thriller, but I'd give it bonus points for going beyond just the mundane cat and mouse plots typically found in police dramas.

Read More

Buckle up for a zany joyride

When you read the synopsis of this show, you would assume it to be a cheaply made, quickly produced filler to slot into a gap in the schedule. It could have been such a show, but it is so much more!

The show is a Chinese costume drama set in a mythical past where the country was divided in a number of warring states. Two particular city states have been at war for years due to some misunderstandings. I won’t bore you with the details as it is quite convoluted and contrived.

On the surface, the plot sounds like the usual palace intrigue, fight for power trope with a dose of romance. What I didn’t expect is a cheeky farce that works like a treat. It is over-the-top, manic, chaotic and racy. The narrative just has this devil-may-care attitude. Time and again I would think “they can’t do this” or even WTF but that’s exactly what happens. A lot of the times, it is for laughs but sometimes it is for the shock value as well. You can’t predict how far the show will push a particular line.
Is it a perfect script? Not by a long shot. There are tropey and confusing subplots as well as its fair share of plot holes. What saves the show is its internal core logic. There is a solid narrative thread that runs through the whole show that is unwavering so that the behaviour of main characters are consistent even though some of the split second action/reaction can be kooky and unpredictable.

Even as I wrote this, my mind is in turmoil. I would recall a cringey moments that made me facepalm and then a LOL gag would pop into my head only to be replaced by a really sweet, swoon-y moment. By all that is holy in dramaland, this show should not work but it does. It buoys you along with its manic pace and you are all in or you are out.

Another surprise is the company of young actors. They are not well known but the ensemble certainly made up for that with a great deal of commitment, solid acting abilities and decent comedic timing. By the halfway mark, you are so used to their antics that you just accept what they do as the norm, warts and all. The standout here is the FL, Zhang Yue Nan. She was the focus of many threads, and she shines while playing a variety of roles. The SFL, Fan Wei, is good as well. She plays the villain, twice and to good effect. Consider she is in her 20’s and only had a handful of support roles, this is not a bad effort. The ML’s are good and handsome, especially Yan Zi Xian. He can anchor a scene with his presence. However, a lot of the time, they play second fiddle to the strong FL’s. There are rough edges with some acting and overacting is to be expected in a comedy. It is all part of the bigger picture, and you have to cut them some slacks.

The various CP’s have good chemistry and they don’t shy away from skinship. Nothing more than kisses and hugs but they did it with some passion.

Another positive is the lush settings. The court set is of high standards and costumes (generic era/locale) are certainly a cut above average. Overall, it is a solid production. The minor negative is the dubbing. I’m not sure if the whole show is dubbed or if some of the actors dubbed themselves. The sound is patchy in the beginning but got better towards the end. It is a minor issue, but you notice improvements as the show progresses.

The ending is very good and consistent. We are rewarded with some fan service and most of the threads are closed satisfactorily. It doesn’t feel rushed while leaving its fans in a happy place.

I won’t say that it was love at first viewing, but it definitely grew on me. I can recommend this show and with a run of 24 x 30 mins episodes, it is not a huge time investment.

Sadly, this show will probably disappear into the Great Web Void soon as it won't be heavily promoted. That will be a shame.

Read More

We are all grey, a mix of white and black

Where to even start? This series delivered in all sorts of ways. I absolutely loved the imagery, the production, and the OST of the series. The imagery is extremely powerful throughout the series, through what is said, what is done and through the characters themselves.

The series addresses a plethora of different social injustices and problems. And while it might primarily focus on Thailand and its problems, it can be easily translated into the culture and system of almost any other country around the world. Rich and powerful people are often above the law or are exempt from it, how unfairly disabled people are treated in the society, the problems of homophobia and marriage inequality, the sexism… and I could go on and on. I think it delivered so many important messages. It made a statement. It also showed that people have power, but only if they stand together.

The characters were extremely complex. I feel like most of the repeating characters were extremely well developed. They weren’t just there to take up some screentime, they were there to drive the plotline and to tell their stories. All of the actors did an amazing job portraying their characters.

Black and White – I think even their names are symbolic. One is supposed to be bad while the other is supposed to be good. But the fact is, once White starts to live Black’s life, we are shown the truth. No one is just good or just bad, there is a bit of both in each of us. We are all grey, a mix of white and black. White struggled a lot to live his brother’s life, but it also taught him a lot. Something that stuck with me is that he recognized himself as part of the problem, part of that society with connections. I think we were able to see a lot of changes in his mindset. I am a bit disappointed that Black’s story is not developed more, especially with regards to what happens after. He might be shown as cold and unforgiving, but in reality, he loves his brother deeply, cares for his ex-girlfriend and would die for his friends. There was just so much more potential for developing his story further. Gun outdid himself by playing the twins. The two characters are so different, but he was able to portray each of them so clearly. You can tell exactly which twin it is just by looking at his eyes which is incredible.

Sean – he is mostly driven by hate, thirst for revenge. He is willing to risk everything, including his life to see his agenda through. But throughout the series, we get to see him open to those around him. We see him realize that causing harm to others might not be the best way to go about achieving his revenge. He might not have any family left, but he found a family at the garage. They all did, in one way or the other. And him falling for White while battling with his need to bring Tawi down, was pulled off incredibly well. Off was brilliant in his role, he really excelled in showing the emotions, the struggle of Sean.

Yok – giving First this bad boy kind of role was a smart decision. He really pulled it off well. His story is very well written. I love how he wishes to do more for the disabled people, especially after seeing how much his mom struggles with keeping a job. He does seem very impulsive at times, very bold, but with what the boys are doing, risking their lives, it seems very fitting. He doesn’t know when he might die, so he tries to make the best of the time that is given to him. He does teach us a lot about forgiveness.

Dan / UNAR – he was an interesting character. Once his identity was revealed, I knew what the plot twist would be. But there were still things that surprised me about him. It is obvious that he is carrying a lot of guilt within him, as well as resentment towards the injustices that he cannot help, change. There are a lot of inner struggles that he needs to cross. Choices that he needs to make. Hard ones. Ones that will affect people he loves, one way or the other.

Gram – can I start by saying that the silver hair looks so damn good on Mond? It really was an iconic look. He is probably one of the most supportive friends one could wish for. Not only that, but when he loves someone, he loves them fully. He is willing to let that person go if they are happy with someone else. He is very quick witted, and I love his relationship with Nunch. The two don’t really see eye to eye on many things, but they are still friends.

Let’s talk about the girls – Nunch, Namo and Eugene. Nunch is trans, something that is mentioned a few times in the series. I absolutely love the fact that she didn’t become a comic relief character. She was strong-willed and smart, outspoken, and there for her friends. Both Namo and Eugene got their hearts broken, but neither of them let that bring her down completely. They each grieved in their own way, but they both overcame that and moved on. The fact that the two had a story that went beyond just being a pretty girl in love with one of the main guys, is something I really liked.

Gumpa – he felt like a big brother, almost like a father figure to the boys. He was always there to help when they needed it. He always took care of them, he trained them and made sure they were ready to undertake all of their missions. He is smart, he can see through them quickly. I think his behavior really shows that. He knows when they need support, when they need a buffer and when they need a kick in the butt. Sadly, his story is not really developed much. I feel like he would be an interesting character to get to know better.

Todd – he is another character whose backstory was not really developed enough. The plot twist relating to him was not that surprising, his motives were though. But again, they were really not explained enough. I do like his relationship with the twins, especially Black, no matter how complex and difficult it seems to be. It’s obvious that the two care for each other, whether that is romantic or not, we might never know.

Overall, it was a good series that addressed a lot of incredibly important topics. My only complaint is that there are quite a few loose ends and lack of backstory for certain characters that makes it a bit hard to understand them and their actions.

Read More

I mean,i started watching this because of Sehun,Chanyeol and Leeteuk,if it weren't for them i wouldn't even finished it. I was confused 4 out of 7 episodes lol.
The story doesn't have much to it,trying to transform a "ugly" girl that it's already pretty but y'know,kdrama logic. Put some makeup on her,take her glasses off and add a dress and she goes from ugly to a model in a sec. And there were many random scenes that made me cringe like crazy.
But overall for being a product placement drama,it was pretty cute.

I recommend it if you have 8-15 minutes to spare, but don't expect too much.

Read More

Tearjerking is an understatement.

I postponed watching this for a while, everyone was talking so highly of it that I was scared it was not gonna reach my expectations, but oh boy. It was totally the opposite.
This might be probably one of my favorites genres, but the fated trope didn't disappoint me.
I loved the speed it was going, the way emotions were portrayed, honestly a masterpiece.
I must say I'm sad we didn't get more of some side characters, but the two romances the story gives out are so well put, they made me cry more than once.
And honestly I didn't expect the happy ending, but I was so relieved.
This will probably end up taking a sweet spot in my heart cause it just got me so emotional.
The cast is amazing, they made me fall for each one of them. Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook and Yoo In-na made such a spectacular performance, their tears were my tears.

The ost was great, also there's not once I skipped the opening or the credit song cause they were SO good.

I'll probably rewatch it often cause it was just way too good to be forgotten.

Read More

A story of love, deceit and survival!

The drama throws you headfirst into a gritty, neon-soaked world where revenge is messy and love can cost you almost everything. From the start, it makes a bold impression with adrenaline-pumping action, some good and real visuals. Though the storytelling is very layered, it does wobble a bit in the middle but eventually it drew me back.

Sun, freshly out of prison and burning with rage and revenge, set up his own gang. His journey starts off looking like a typical revenge story but his story wasn't that straightforward.
It quickly becomes clear that it’s much more than that. Beneath the surface lied a complex power struggle, where nothing is as it appears and every choice he made came with an emotional fallout.

On this journey, he meets Peace, the son of very man Sun is at war with. (Also I found his name very iconic xD) .Their love story felt heart breaking from the start. The relationship was delicate and beautiful but it was built on manipulation and lies even though the intention might not be wrong. The push and pull made sense and to be honest, I enjoyed it.
They really had good chemistry and the Korean-Thai blend worked for me. It didn't feel forced and the backstories were solid enough to support it.

The antagonists were cold and calculated, as they should have been in stories like this. They didn't just solely relief on the physical violence but a lot of emotional manipulation too. Especially Jihun, I found his character very smartly written compared to other villains here.

But somewhere in the middle, the drama seems to lose its focus. Too many new plotlines were introduced which weren't logical or realistic and some of the twists seemed unnecessary, only to overcomplicate an already complex story. It also started to feel a bit repetitive.

Acting-wise, everyone seemed to be doing a decent job though some emotional scenes could have been better. Visually, I think the drama did a good job with those dark alleys to those intentionally chaotic cityscapes. The fight scenes were sharp and well-choreographed.

The ending does seem to hint at season 2 but I feel they tied up the ends neatly and if there wasn't a next season, I wouldn't mind.

Overall, this was brutal, smart and intense that it occasionally stumbled under the weight of its own complexity. The love here wasn't the saving grace but it held the power to heal and harm. I would recommend it if you are looking for something gritty, where everything revolves around love and choices and their consequences but not "romance", though I feel there is plenty.

Read More