Fact is, for once I've decided to write a review which is very personal and not at all objective. It's based upon the emotions it gave me, not the cinematographic quality of the drama.
Also, I think it's necessary to say that among the 3 versions of the same story, this was the last I watched, despite its being the first live-action based on the popular manga.
And while I consider the Japanese version the best one regarding acting and music and the Korean one better in terms of photography, colours and characterization, I'm ready to face criticism and admit that the Taiwanese version was the most satisfying to me on a romantic level.
The chemistry between Shan Cai and Dao Ming Si is what makes this into a worth watching show. For the first time, I was not rooting for the heroine to end up with the second lead, but for the main couple to finally be together. While watching hana Yori Dango and Boys Before Flowers I found myself constantly thinking: throw that arrogant brat away and choose Rui, or Ji Hoo!
You are allowed to laugh.
I ascribe this to the actors and the way their interactions were portrayed.
While Shan Cai can be annoying at times, she is a consistent character and once she finally realizes who she loves - it takes her some time - she is truly convincing. The same can be said about Dao Ming Si, whose candour as a besotted lover is quite endearing.
Therefore, although I recognize this show is pretty cheap when it comes to costumes, screenshots, photography and overall acting, I still have a fond memory of it and will probably rewatch it in the future.
Was this review helpful to you?
If you've watched "Signal" (if you haven't - what are you doing?!), you might think that the premise sounds a bit familiar, though the dramas don't have that much in common. In my opinion, "Signal" was a better crafted drama with less plot-holes/the-police-is-too-dumb moments, however "Tunnel" is still a drama that deserves a chance.
One of the things that stood out to me in this one was the main female lead, something that I've disliked with OCN's dramas are their stupid and useless female characters (though, to be honest the rest of kdramaland is no better), however, Shin Jae Yi has been the exception for me. Sharp, smart, and unrelenting, she was a great female character that held my attention alongside the male duo.
This drama's weakness comes towards the end, just like "Voice", it began to fizzle out, with too many police stupidities and too many instances of Park Kwang Ho, the main character, just yelling "bastard" over and over. It was hard for me to get through episode fourteen but I'm glad I did. The ending wasn't as sharp as it could've been, and it wasn't unique like how I would've wanted it (but I do like sad and torturous endings), but it was a heart-warming one.
"Tunnel" is not a perfect drama but it's a good addition to the ever-growing crime genre in Korean dramas. I recommend giving it a try, but be ready to be at the edge of your seat each episode, and be warned that you'll probably spend sixteen hours in front of your screen because it's hard to stop watching one you start.
Was this review helpful to you?
Oh. My. God. This show is so ridiculously bad, I'm not even mad anymore.
What's worse is that I think I actually may have enjoyed it instead.Game Rai Game Rak, like almost all Lakorns comes with its fair share of bullshit. You've got an old Island crone whose eyes turn bright blue everytime she sees the future (which ofcourse is completely irrelevant to the plot), you've got a one-dimensional villain, a nasty insecure bitch of a relative who basically destroys lives left and right but somehow has a change of heart in the last ten minutes of the show, wins everyone over and sets off in the sunset without ever having to pay for her crimes.
You've got a selfless and highly forgiving damsel in distress who's constantly being sexually, physically and mentally harassed by our main lead who misunderstands her because of trusting the lies his worst enemy fed him.
Not the brightest tool in the shed, I tell you.
Ofcourse there is always that one guy who is like a brother to our heroine (however always conveniently having waaay more skinship than normal siblings have) who inspires jealousy and possessiveness in the male lead who then proceeds to humiliate the heroine by calling her a slut and whatnot. We also can't possibly forget the one or two or in this case, three other guys who're interested in the female lead and are so insignificant, they might as well be invisible.
Everything is overdramatic and over the top. Rape gets romanticized like nobody's business. People get shot and catch bullets on the daily. Corny dialogues flow out like bad breath everytime someone opens their mouth. Obnoxious music starts playing every ten minutes; effectively swiping away any sincerity that the show managed to portray. Scenes are constantly repeated and the plot-line soon gets derivative.
In short, it's an honest to God definition of a hot mess.
But then again, nobody watches Lakorns for a solid story, well developed characters or a good plot with lack of loopholes. No, people mostly watch Lakorns because they're the classic guilty pleasures and because they get the chemistry between characters spot-on.
Game Rai Game Ruk is no different, which is why despite everything, I still watched it to the end.
This is the third Thai drama starring Yaya, that I have watched and unsurprisingly she impressed me once again. Her acting is always a 100% genuine and the characters she brings to life are so hard not to love.
Game Rai Game Rak is very very similar to Kleun Cheewit; having an almost identical feel at times, but where Jeerawat was a fierce and fearless woman, Fahlada radiates innocence. She's pure, delicate and basically the classic good girl- all the while, successfully staying far away from the 'kind but dumb' category everybody hates.
However, as adorable as she is, I feel that if you don't like YaYa you might not like Fahlada either. In Kleun Cheewit, I started to love the actress because of the drama and her role in it but in GRGR, I liked the drama only because I loved the actress and if I had seen this drama first I might've never adored Urassaya as much as I do now.
After watching this drama I finally understand why Yaya and Nadech are such a big deal in Thai entertainment industry. Their chemistry is absolutely electric and while I did feel that Nadech has a short emotional range as an actor, I believe this was one of his best roles.
From start to finish, it's impossible to hate Saichon. Even when things get ugly and he acts like an ultimate creep by smelling Fah's hair when she isn't looking, taking pictures of her when she's unaware, spying on her with a telescope, tying her up again and again and degrading her, (there's always the unforgivable and romanticised implied rape and all the other times he makes her cry and do things without her will) the reason you can't hate him is because of their sweet as hell moments in the island and the surety that no matter how rotten he acts he still deeply loves Fahlada.
The ultimate on-his-knees groveling session at the end and the fact that Fahlada hits him quite a lot all the time really does help his case furthur and to be honest, even though I am highly unforgiving of assholes there was never a moment where I didn't root for them to be together.
So all in all, Game Rai Game Rak is the kind of show that you can only watch while being extremely lenient 'cause the moment you start to notice all that is wrong with it, you'll start hating it. While I reccomend this for a good time-pass, personally, I skipped and fastforwarded a lot of scenes because, as the show progresses the episodes begin to be filled with more of the same thing. So even if it is skipped a bit, it won't effect the over-all watching experience.
Your classic bad boy-good girl story that you'll love to hate and hate to love and unfortunately do both by the end.
Enjoy!
Was this review helpful to you?
1Why you MUST watch this drama!
- A beautiful pure love story between a gumiho Choi Kang Chi and Dam Yeo Wool
- intense with a lot of action!
- it makes you laugh
- and what I always LOVE about a quality drama is that it gives you all EMOTIONS
The beginning was soooo DAEBAK! A love story between Choi Kang Chi's father and mother was something that it made me keep watching it! l And then (after the first 2 episodes) my addiction started! EVERY SCENE IS UNPREDICTABLE AND FULL OF TWISTS!!!!!
The ending of this drama is EPIC! I can't get over it and keep replaying that scene over and over! :D
Music: This drama has one of the best OSTs of all time! From the thrilling to the romantic ones! I seriously loved every ost in here!
Acting:
Suzy is a good actress,I like her, but yet her crying face seems a little fake. She pulled this off pretty good ;)
OMG! Lee Seung Gi was a major reason why I started this drama. I'm a big fan of him and in this drama he was AMAZING! OMG, while he was crying I was crying along with him :'(
The other ones are pretty good too :D
Too add one more reason why I liked this drama is that there are true quotes about life, love, friendship...
I just LOVE this kind of drama and I soooo thank writers! It's very unique and epic!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE! :D
Was this review helpful to you?
Cute and Charming
I am writing this after watching all of the episodes of Mr. Bad. I have been enjoying this light and sweet romcom. This is meant to be a fairy tale . i wasn'tt expecting it to be anything else. I think it will appeal to the young at heart the most . I have seen enough heavy dramas with scheming second female and males trying to break up the main lead couple .. ENOUGH! So this sweet enemies to friends to lovers trope is a breath of fresh air. The hateful reviews tell me they don't watch or read romantic comedies. This story is effervescent with making a wish to fall in love.Mr. Bad ( CZY)is charming and Shen Yue is delightful as the female lead. Is her character clumsy and silly ? Yes, but it is cute and that is what this actress does so well. She is relatable , not perfect. The male lead is suave, handsome and cunning. Hes a villain with a bit of a kind heart. That is how the author wrote his character in her story. I think they have a Tom and Jerry type banter and thats what makes it fun.
Not everything is meant to be so so serious and HEAVY. If you're looking for a sweet escape and just something to make you smile.. watch this light and fluffy romcom.
Don't try to take it apart scene by scene . It is meant to be a fairy tale ..enchanting..
Don't tell others to stay away from this series. Let them watch it and make their own decision. Would i watch it with my husband ? Not a chance. He would have rolled his eyes too much. Mr. Bad is not for him. But then again he doesn't like romcoms. So you see what i mean. here. I grew up loving fairy tales and this charming little show hits the sweet spot. At least for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Rebirth For Idiots....The Delusion is REAL
Pros: Main leads and third leads chemistry/relationships/happy ending for both sets.That is literally it. This 40 episode series had no other pros. This is absolutely the worst costume drama I have ever seen; it was an unmitigated disaster. Actually it was the worst drama I have seen from any country. After crawling to episode 30, I waited until the finale aired to decide whether to just watch that or maybe a few more episodes.
Though I'd never read the novel, people in the comments section were excited because the novel had a great antagonist and a flowing storyline. Unfortunately, the screenwriter and director butchered the novel and threw most of it out. What followed was a spiral into a world of jealousy, delusion on a scale that literally went on until the final episode, and just really horrible content.
They wasted a great antagonist by turning him into a Gaston-like (from Beauty and the Beast) joke who laughed evilly, just about kissed his own muscles and walked around like he was Gods gift to existence. Furthermore, out of all 40 episodes, he maybe had one episode worth of screen time. The real "villains" were all over the place and their evilness could only be justified as boredom and jealousy.
The story began with about 4 or 5 men all in love with the female lead who was clever though she pouted so often, I always wondered how she didn't swallow her own chin. The male lead was a righteous man though not without flaws. I personally started watching this only for WZC who played SML. Turned out that his character was the real "villain" but not one that you even wanted to watch. The writers made him so delusional with his unrequited love towards the FL that, even before the halfway point of the show, you wanted him and those like him to just fall off a cliff.
I feel really bad for the actors of this horrendous mess. The SFL somehow ended up getting the most screen time than both leads combined and she was so delusional with her unrequited love towards the ML that she was willing to kill children even to pin things on FL. Both SFL and SML didn't take no for an answer when the ML and FL repeatedly told them they didn't love them, never had, and never would. It was an extremely sloppy script. Even the "battle" at the end I would equate to a fight between two gangs not an actual war. It was so puny, it was laughable.
There was no character development and those that created the most havoc in the show got half-assed redemption arcs in the last two episodes. It was heavy on palace politics and delusional jealousy that went so far beyond the norm that most people couldn't remain sane watching it without fast forwarding the majority or skipping whole episodes altogether.
This is the first time I had ever seen any comment section on any rating site spend weeks actively plotting characters' deaths because of just how deplorable they were. I have absolutely nothing against any of the actors but they deserve better than a disaster of these proportions. The screenwriter and director need to stop taking drugs and go back to school, because they basically failed miserably at doing something actually extremely simple. They had a story. All they needed to do was copy it into a workable script; it's not like they had to reinvent the wheel. But instead, they took maybe 20% of the original book and created this debacle.
I truly wish more novelists would step up and stop selling their rights and instead write the scripts themselves. It would increase the number of scripts as well the quality of them. But to all those reading this review, please avoid this hot mess if you cherish your sanity.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Good Efort Making the Fighting Choreography, but Lazy Writing
1. At the back of my mind, I always thought this entire show could have been avoided easily if someone talked to her about her dad or took care of her. Instead, she had a crap childhood and was bullied because of her dad's job and was even harassed by cops. Why was she not put under witness protection or something of similar nature? Several parts of the stort felt like it happened just for the plot. Such as: how the crime boss is supposed to be smart and out manoeuvred the police many times, but didn't predict the guy whose face he disfigured would come back for revenge. He let him go instead of killing him by following the chinese saying: "to cut weeds and eliminate the roots."2. It was shown he easily killed people that betrayed him. Why was the female lead's dad so memorable that he got all sentimental at the end, just because he was an early member, who fought with him and was nice to him? His character is kind of all over the place, both psychopathic and willing to murder people in cold blood; willing to use anyone and everything to stay out of jail and continue his drug business which he cares about. But he is also sentimental and seems to care about the female lead? In the end, he was basically willing to die for her, taking bullets out of his gun. Or maybe he went full on Johan Liebert, in order to see if she would become like him and kill him and become a monster? If he really wanted the female lead to become someone who would never betray him, he should have just went after the police himself and provided her with full on fabricated evidence that the police chief did it instead of using her and risk being found out. That would have been the biggest revenge against her dad's betrayal , having his daughter view her her father's murderer as a friend or guardian, instead of using her as a mole and easily risking her finding out the truth.
3. The female lead is perfect at fighting, and never looses a single fight. I like a strong female lead, but when it's shown she is hardly buff or muscular at all, very pretty and feminine looking, and wrestles and takes down hallways of well trained men armed with swords while not wearing any sort of protective gear is rather unrealistic. Her acting is very good, and the action scenes are very detailed if not very realistic. I felt as if many parts of the plots happened just for the fight scenes and action and final climax, instead of the other way around. Like, the director wanted as many exciting fight scenes as possible.
Was this review helpful to you?
Ms. Incognito or should I say, Ms. Inconsistent?
A badly written interactive fiction game, that’s what this drama felt like. The production team gathered an amazing cast, built such promising characters… and then decided to throw it all away after just two episodes. YES, two episodes!It’s honestly ridiculous how lazy the writing got. The story started so strong, and then nosedived into chaos with zero logic. Yet, because those first two episodes hook you in, you somehow keep watching, like, “Okay, maybe they’ll fix it?” Spoiler: they don’t.
My biggest disappointment was the female lead. She started out with personality, confidence, and potential, but somewhere along the way, she just turned into a punching bag for the antagonist. While the antagonist had all the power, our supposedly rich AF FL didn’t have a single bodyguard or a competent team around her. Just the poor lawyer who’s apparently a one man army, multitasking through every crisis.
Also the title Ms. Incognito? Be so for real. She wasn’t incognito for even five minutes. This woman’s enemies found her faster than I find spoilers on Twitter.
I can’t emphasize enough how much potential this drama had. The characters were unique, layered, and played by such talented actors. And they just… wasted it. Ughhh.
Like I said, it’s basically a badly written interactive fiction game that you can’t stop playing, not because it’s good, but because you need to see how the trainwreck ends.
Was this review helpful to you?
I Will Rewatch it for a long time
so good.. i hooked even in first episode. i read a manga too, they put some scene to other eps so i feel bit confused. but really, in this 3 episode(sept 2th) i already rewatch more than 10 times! i prefer to rewatch a good drama than watch a new drama that didin't good. but this drama actually so good. even this drama did'nt complated yet, but i really like it so bad!! しかも、キッスもあるからびっくりした😅😅😅 でもいいんじゃない。めっちゃいいね！お楽しみに❗i hope we can get the sequel or season 2🙏🏻
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
There are weeks where I watched this, and I get a good sense of enjoyment and then there are other weeks where I'm like why the writer wanted to include this? Started off pretty good with the whole concept of this drama, getting to know the ones who passed away and grant them their final wishes but then they added some things to this drama (like the ex-girlfriend returning arc) that I just wasn't a fan and at times ruin the flow of what this drama was about. Though the romance was somewhat lacking towards the end, the drama does wrap up loose ends and show a connection for all of the side stories. So at least I can give points to that.What I like:
* Some heartwarming stories of the ones who passed.
* Good osts playing just at the right moment
* Chemistry between the leads
* Good amount of funny scenes (a lot with the uncles).
* A bittersweet ending that makes you treasure your love ones even more
What I didn't like:
* There were 21 spirits with wishes to be granted but I felt like some spirits didn't get a full satisfying ending. Some stories ended properly while others didn't have full conclusion. I mean at least show each spirit walking to the afterlife, but they didn't even do that.
* The ex-girlfriend arc. I felt like there were too many wasted episodes on this. Nothing meaningful occurred with this arc and even the conclusion of this arc seemed very lacking, as in it didn't felt like anything was resolved.
* Turning a good friend to an evil one: Honestly, I hated the direction the writer decided to take for this character. It was a twist I didn't expect but also one I didn't like. I would've preferred the story where he had to choose who to save first and he chose his older brother instead of the ML's brother. Then followed with guilt and eventually a broken bro-ship once the truth was revealed.
* Just not enough romance scenes with the leads - After they officially get together, it just seemed like there wasn't many scenes of sweet moments together. Even towards the end seemed lacking.
Overall, not a bad drama. Despite some story arcs I wasn't a fan of, it does have a good overall message, treasure the ones you love. You never know when it's going to be their last.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I'm gonna say this straight up: this is probably the best wuxia/fantasy/adventure/epic drama I've watched. Multiple factors add to this such as cast, script, BEAUTIFUL cinematography, actually good CGI and so on. Story: The story was very fleshed out and complex, and did the novel justice. Each character, even the minor ones felt like they were placed wherever they were for a purpose and not just as a tool for the plot to move on. The plot was a little draggy in some parts but as I don't really pay attention to these things I didn't take any points off for it. One thing I can say is that I never felt like I wanted to take a break from the series (as I do with a LOT of Chinese and Korean dramas) or drop it. In fact, if I ever missed something accidentally, I would go back and rewatch it in case I missed something important. I also fast forward and speed up my other dramas, but I didn't for this one which I think expresses my devotion haha. The plot is also quite original and there are certain things that set it apart from other wuxia fantasy shows. For example, the fight scenes are very realistic. The opening scene really shocked me as you can see the work the crew and actors have done to make it look and feel real (it worked). Also, the regular tropes that other dramas used are completely changed in this drama. For example, in one of the scenes, the Emperor says (I can't remember exactly what he said oops) "A child born of royalty can live and take revenge, but the child of a doorkeeper can't? What sort of rubbish idea is this?" And this actually made me think...
Acting/Cast: Chen Feiyu, being quite young, filled the shoes of the complicated NingQue very well. He was good at expressing happiness, shamelessness, and quick-fire retaliation with his words. His smug face when he won something from someone is so endearing. I would give him personally a 9.5 for acting as just a few scenes (mostly of negative emotions) felt off. Song Yiren was absolutely amazing, and I would say she is the best main character of the show, She was perfect at expressing child-like dependence and admiration for NingQue as SangSang. She also showed off SangSang's practicality and work ethic very well, as well as her underlying love for NingQue. The romance between the two is extremely subtle in the first half, but from episode 40 or so when NingQue returns with Mo ShanShan, it begins to show as the two are forced to confront each other with what they really want from each other. I loved the endearing way NingQue treated SangSang, you could tell that even though he made fun of her and treated her as a maid sometimes, he really cared for her and would do anything for her. In one scene, he says "SangSang isn't the door to my life, she is my life." Oh God. The other side characters did very well in their roles. I found YanSe and WeiGuangMing particularly astounding, and I'm glad some veteran actors had big roles in the drama (unlike some dramas which only focus on the young actors to attract more audiences). Other characters I loved were ChenPiPi (and his bromance with NingQue and his cuteness), YeHongYu (as NingQue said: "You are THE strongest woman I've ever met."), LiYu (the princess of Tang, an ambitious woman) and every person in the Upper Story.
Music: I like most of the songs in the OST and some of them are very suited to a particular character or setting. For example back in the army they would sing the song "Take your life" and so on. However there would be a song for a particular character but then used for another character which was awkward (but it was a nice song so I didn't mind).
Rewatch value: Okay so the only reason I won't rewatch this is because it's kinda long. Also there's a second season, so I'll just wait for that. BUT the second season won't have Chen Feiyu, which is a shame as I grew used to his face and acting style. The romance and other relationships won't be the same... I've heard news that the main lead in the second season is going to be Dylan Wang, who played DaoMingSi in Meteor Garden. I found his character childish in that and kind of restricted to a few emotions (I didn't even finish, stopped at episode 30) so we'll see how it goes.
10/10 recommend!!
Was this review helpful to you?
James:- i loved watching the dashing he looked very handsome dressed up in suit. he pulled out the character of Nai very well he was very supportive caring and helpful towards everyone in the show. though he was insulted many a times by Nok he still cared for her in her hard times.
Taew:- she was very looking very beautiful in the show, her dressing sense was amazing. she loved her family very much and was ready to go to any extent to keep her family together. at times she was very rude and arrogant towards Nai as she was jealous of him to be as she thought her father valued him more and said him hurting words but later she really cared for him as she got to know him.
As for the other cast they were amazing the office colleagues were amazing they cracked jokes and it was fun watching it. Also Noks's mother was fab she was caring towards Nai and loved him like her own son and her scenes were delightful and the scenes between Nok's parents was funny when they argue with each other . Everyone was amazing in the show except of Penny(the servant's daughter) i have no idea why did she hate Nok so much though Nok was rude her her but it was because of her own behavior. she was jealous of Nok to such an extent that she kidnapped her, crated misunderstanding with Nai.
As for the story everyone knows about it the romantic scenes between Nai and Nok were beautiful specially after marriage. the patience Nai had for Nok is amazing
Though the title of show is game sanaeha but i cannot see any game being played Nok started this game to snatch everything that Nai had the position in company, her family love but she ended falling in love with him
As for the re-watch value there are some scenes which you will like to watch many times like office scenes romantic scenes honeymoon scene or the first month anniversary scene or baby scenes.
So i waited for this series for a long time and i really enjoyed it watching!!!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
carried by hao du and leyan
The beginning of this drama started out so strong, but it really lost the plot after episode 17 and also fell into several tired and old tropes regarding its older female characters. Wu Lei was very convincing in his role, but unfortunately he lacked chemistry with Dilraba. Maybe your mileage will vary, but what really made the show worth watching to the end for me was Liu Yuning and Zhao Lusi's portrayals of Hao Du and Leyan, respectively. While they didn't actually contribute that much to the plot (which, again, went completely off the rails after such a strong start that promised so much potential), their emotional arc was amazing. I might never rewatch the drama in full again, but I will definitely rewatch the Haoyan scenes.Was this review helpful to you?
Cast: My favorite character was Dal Bong (Hyung Sik) I think he resembled his father in personality and traits the most - he was the most caring kid this guy had - even in his immaturity he was still pretty mature lol His character brings life to this drama with all his charm, cuteness, emotions, temper, awkwardness & that "fake laughter" of his that was so similar to his dads^^ Seol Woo the country bumpkin as I call her is my second favorite. Kang Shim & Tae Joo were the hilarious couple - man that guy can make lots of weird, crazy, strange ugly funny faces lol - but he was quite charming when he was serious <3 & KS can sure make a person cry :'( The Dad is my next favorite - his only fault - being a little too self-less. Then we have the cousin Young Sul - always looking for trouble might I say lol The rest are all on equal boats for me - I never really liked Kang Jae (the older brother) he was way too emotion-less and distant but there were a couple scenes where he made me cry. He's arrogant and I've never liked arrogant people - they rub me the wrong way... oh and Dal Bong's "friend" Eun Ho was a great part of the cast too, he really riles Dal Bong's feathers up and it was entertaining most of the time, a few times I got mad at him but that quickly dissipated every time :P
Music: On the Road by Choi Baek Ho, I Told You by Yozoh, Father's Youth by ? (I really like this song but I don't know the artist)
Re-watch Value: 9/10 I really enjoyed it and will re-watch it again someday.
Was this review helpful to you?
Usually in J-dramas the topic of sex is one that is not addressed at all; in this drama, it is there and openly seen, but not in a lewd and raunchy manner (unfortunately which is seen far too much in American dramas) so that is a relief. We see characters actually acting like adults and not middle school students that are afraid to hold hands. There are actually kiss scenes that are quite believable and not overly awkward to watch. The romance scenes are not too steamy to the point that you would get uncomfortable if someone were to walk into the room when you were watching.
Another positive point is the music, setting, and atmosphere. This drama was beautifully shot and has a great soundtrack of memorable songs that get stuck in your head for the entire week after watching an episode. I myself have been listening to the soundtrack a lot. Ken Arai did a great job in capturing the perfect compositions for the various moments in the drama. I also like how the theme of chocolate was included in the drama. It is not strictly a food drama but the importance of this beloved treat in the various love interest's lives is an interesting and apt addition, without overriding the other aspects of the plot and making it another culinary porn type of series.
Things I did not like about the drama were the lack of characterization for certain characters, especially Rikudou and Sekiya , and to an extent Saeko. Rikudou could have been a very memorable character if utilized properly, but unfortunately his presence was one that contributed very little to the drama as a whole. Sato Ryuuta did a great job in all of the scenes that he was in. Sekiya was just a pointless throwaway character. The actor's performance was not memorable and neither was the character. As for Saeko, I feel like we could have seen more what makes her the person she is, like a bit of her past, her hopes, dreams, ambitions. Instead, she is regulated to an empty manic pixie dream girl who really is defined by the men she is with. Sure, there were some good instances of female bonding with Kaoruko , but the character was not developed enough. The same can be said about Olivier as well.
Also, the drama does a poor job of addressing heavy subjects such as domestic violence and infidelity. I feel the characters have done things that are taboos and generally accepted as wrongs, but very little repentance is shown. It really sends a clouded message. As for the ending, I very much though that it summed things up nicely, apart from certain unrealistic and overly optimistic aspects. I'm glad the ending wasn't the typical drama ending, but this opinion may not be shared by others.
All in all, it was a entertaining drama from start to finish, though definitely not perfect. So for that, I give it an 8 overall.
Was this review helpful to you?
