one of my favorite cdrama
I started to watching this because of Zhao Lusi, the amount of episode made me hesitant to watch. However i ended up loving it.-
From the beginning there's Cheng Shaoshang with her abandonment issue, her only-depend-on-myself attitude, and how she always on her wits to fight back anyone who bully her or people around her.
Her issues were believable and i could relate to her sometimes. I love that her attitude changed little by little to portray her growth.
I also noticed Shaoshang's Mom growth. She was really harsh at first and motivate Shaoshang by always comparing her to the 'perfect' cousin. Then her slowly realizing the good in her daughter.
The portrayal of the Cheng family were great.
They're mostly funny, especially the Grandma, who has downry addiction, and Shaogong, who loves to do divination.
Ling Buyi story was quite a plot twist for me, that i don't know how to explain about it without spoiling everything.
The romance started real slow, but had great build up. I really enjoy watching how litle by little their love for each other grow.
How 2 people with their own issues tried and failed to understand each other, how they got to overcome their differences. Their struggles & the damage were realistic. But they could added a bit more build up to the relationship and a bit more intimate scenes. ZLS and WL have good chemistry.
I really like Emperor Wen, it's funny how he always urge LBY to get married. There's also the lovable Empress Xuan and straightforward Consort Yue. It's my first time seeing such healthy relationship between Empress and Consort.
Side characters like, Yuan Shanjian, Lou Yao, Wan Qiqi, Qiu Fei and Qiu Qi were a good addition to the story.
For others the political side of the story could felt boring and repetitive, but for me it was easy to understand and i like it.
I can't forget the fact that the pacing in the first half were too slow. There's too many side characters that showed up, forgotten, or suddenly moved to the next stage of their lives. And the amount of wicked woman are just ridiculous.
The acting were great! Everyone did they roles perfectly.
When Ling Buyi in a bad mood he scared me out. Sometimes even when he's happy he creeps me out too. WL's acting is spot on, he did good job as LBY.
I'm used with ZLS doing funny/cute roles all the time. It surprised me seeing how good she is in the emotional scene. Also I'm really amazed with Xu Jiao, i can't believe she was the same kid in CJ7. Versatile actresses indeed.
Other thing I love is the cinematography/VFX. They indeed give a lot effort in it. It's just very screenshot worthy. I feel like i took screenshots of the scenery in every episode. However there's too many scenes were in slo-mo, probably for dramatic effects, which gets me frustrated at times. They could've cut it and use the screentime for something else.
Both intro and outro didn't include spoilers like how way cdramas usually are.
The music used were good, my favorite is the outro song and the flute instrumental.
It might be a bit of a long drama, but I'd definitely rewatching this.
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With all being said, Love Like The Galaxy is not the perfect drama. But watching the whole thing was a great journey. I couldn't count how many times i go from laughing, crying, squealing, angered, then laughing, crying again and again. This is now one of my favorite cdrama. I'm gonna miss it so much.
I'd recommend this if you like historical drama that has a lot of funny moments and slow burn romance.
✧
It's a long and full of grammatical error review, but thank you for reading (◍•ᴗ•◍)
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Unexpectedly Funny, Underrated GEM!
I seriously went into this drama without any expectations, but I liked the ML and I felt sorry that he got paired up so badly in his past dramas which I mostly dropped.This one started out pretty standard. Set is ... super fake. Those bad wigs especially on the ML when his hair is down made him look so bad. However, if you at least make it by ep 8 then you'll see that this is more of a comedy Xian Xia like a Starry love type. ML's voice (dubbed or not), suits the character very well, gives him that sarcastic feel. The drama does get serious as it progresses so less comedic moments later on.
Story quality is way better than the set quality. There are quite a few interesting supporting characters with sufficient screen time to build up their characters as well. I think if you are looking for new blood (young pretty faces) this is not it.
But if you want:
1. A great actor that can portray this kind of semi bad, inner good, partially sarcastic character
2. Enjoyable dialogue and not the typical ML/FL will just focus on Love and nothing else matters
2. Interesting supporting characters
3. No Nasty 3rd wheel can't get a clue but just trying to steal the leads away & wasting screen time
Then this is a great watch!
Fav. Moments:
Ep 8 FL won't die. Probably the funniest Ep
Ep 26 ML's realization. Hit the spot! OST is killing it! ML .... TY for being the ML!
Ep 29 The show down
Ep 32 ML's guilt proposal followed by the makeup scene
Not so Favorite:
The Ending ... It was just meh....
Then I find out there were supposed to be 6 more episodes they cut off. Y Y Y Iqiyi you cut off good dramas? So wrong....
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1REASONS TO EXCERCISE CAUTION BEFORE YOU WATCH
Oh, where do I start?
Blackmailing ✔️
Gaslighting ✔️
Harrasment ✔️
Trying to pass off mental health issues as just being violent and manipulative ✔️
Trying to make the lead saying that he wants to imprison the other lead romantic ✔️
(Honestly listing all the toxic stuff that happened in this series might take a whole other review.)
THE REASONS TO WATCH
Now for the reasons to watch.
The number one reason you need to watch this is because, it is in fact, not a continuation of Tharn Type. Yes, Fiat and Leo are in it, but it feels like the characters here are a more accurate representation of what they were meant to be in Tharn Type 2. The storylines of both characters are explained much better here, and there are actual explanations to their behaviour in the prequel.
And yes, watching the prequel would help you understand some scenes better, but Don't Say No works as a standalone series just as well.
The second point as to why you should watch Don't Say No is because of the cast. I haven't seen most of the actors in any major works before this, and for beginners, they're quite good. They seem to have captured the essence of their characters perfectly and it says a lot about the actors when they are able to invoke the exact emotions from the audience suitable to their actions. Yes, some of the crying scenes and the intimate scenes could have been better, but for first timers you could tell they did their best.
Finally, if neither of the arguments have convinced you, or you're still on the fence, my final defence : Leon ☺️.
Just watch it for Leon. That boy has got me and Phob falling for him. Honestly I was quite suprised that such a sweet and respectful character is present in the MAME universe, but he is, and honestly, I believe he's reason enough to watch the series.
So there you go : this has been reasons to watch or not to watch Don't Say No.
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It’s a total disaster
As a longtime fan of Omniscient Reader, I had hopes for this movie, but it really let me down. This movie was honestly painful to sit through. It completely disrespects the source material — major plot changes, wrong character portrayals, and decisions that make absolutely no sense if you know the original story. The creators clearly cared more about using big-name actors for hype than staying true to what made the novel great.The pacing is chaotic, with too many plot holes and zero emotional buildup. It feels more like a cash-grab than a real adaptation. If you haven’t read the novel, you’ll be confused. If you have, you’ll just be angry. Nothing about this feels faithful, and calling it “creative liberty” is a joke.
Visually, it might look okay, but that’s about the only thing going for it. Everything else? A disaster.
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This review may contain spoilers
If you are bored then it’s quite interesting to watch . But the plot was very annoying.
What I like in this drama is it’s very light, watchable to avoid boredom and the story was slightly different from other dramas.But I seriously hate this drama because of the FL’s character. She is nice, cute and simple as it shows. But without knowing the truth how can she just move out from the house and blamed her parents for her biological parents’s death. Is it really that simple. If someone addopted you adter your parent’s death and loved for the long time, and suddenly someone tells you that they are the murderer of your parents, how could you believe the stranger instead of them who are so nice to you along the years. How could anyone be so rude to them? If I was in her place, I would suspect them, but thinking of all those years when I’m being loved by someone that much, I’ll definitely try to find out the truth but I wouldn’t leave them that easily. This is the only reason why I hate this drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
A complex story with many more deep-seated conflicts and emotional drama than it initially reveals
Prologue:"Motel California" piles up drama in reverse, so to speak. The more we learn about the past, the more we understand of the tragedy...
Dramatic. Grievous, too, yet rounded in itself. Not joyful, yet the ambivalent emotions subtly creating a strange kind of warmth, because it's about human beings. Deeply hurt, insecure, imperfect and even embittered human beings who try to put aside their suffering, even suppress it, and still live their lives as best as they can.
Demanding, because as audience we might initially be somewhat reluctant to open our hearts to these people in "Motel California". (But we should, it´s worth it.)
A bitter, moving, and yet beautiful story about despite their defect nevertheless lovable people.
"Motel California" is a healing story amidst a structurally sickening, toxic work and living environment. It's primarily about the 'good, true and proper' origin, the outer impression, the 'right' educational institution, the 'right' gender (male). Additionally it is as well about exploitation, discrimination and bullying. It is also a story about love. Primarily between a boy and a girl. The girl ultimately struggles through life as a deeply sad lone fighter after having to leave behind the only much loved, loyal companion – the only one who, in her eyes, ever made her feel warmth, unconditional trust, reliability, and care in a cold, rejecting world.
"Motel California" is a complex story with many more deep-seated conflicts and emotional drama than it initially reveals. The recurring flashbacks gradually provide more valuable insights. This helps us better understand what is presented to us "today." Accordingly, only over time do we get emotionally closer to the protagonists, i.e., in the course of the second half.
"Motel California" tells of complicated life, of great pain, and above all of the FLs pain, who barrels through life with a disturbingly repellent shell. But many others also carry injuries and scars. Wonderful actors help us feel the drama within the drama through their strong performances.
The story, based on a novel, tackles demanding material. Quite courageous, because what torments and drives the two protagonists internally is not always pleasing on the outside. Especially the FL, with her incorrigible defiance and exorbitance, is sometimes hard to bear. Moreover, her deep pain, which sometimes almost spills out of her eyes, can be quite intense. Respect!!! For daring to uncompromisingly and soulfully tackling in a KDrama the distressing, uneasy dark side of emotional realities in an otherwise highly polished South Korea. And for Lee Se-young to take on the difficult, deeply wounded, ambivalent, and insecure character of Ji Kang Hee, who fights against the rest of the world from a seemingly lost position.
This is not a light-hearted KDrama. "Motel California" is not easy fare. Nevertheless, the latent severity is repeatedly dissolved by soul-warming scenes or channeled through pointedly inserted, humorous scenes. Additionally, there are soothing details between the lines, e.g. in dialogues, mise en scene, and atmospheric lighting.
What ultimately turns out to be a love story, at first starts of somewhat clumsily. At times, it might feel like a study of an almost toxic emotional dynamic between a man and a woman. In their rather awkward addictive habit and sometimes inappropriate ambivalence the love between them still seeks its way in difficult terrain. Over time we get to know the characters a bit more – their motives and backgrounds, as well as their unresolved, unredeemed feelings of guilt. Compassion may spread. And quite a lot so. This is KDrama par excellence. It's worth sticking with “Motel California” and not abandoning the two main leads (nor everyone else) along the way.
Layer by layer, the cloak of forgetting and suppression is gently removed over the 12 episodes. This cloak protectively covered the unresolved feelings. Yet, ultimately it turns out as emotional prison that has long prevented authentic, sincere encounters and healing communication.
The 'Motel California' ultimately represents a nurturing vessel for such encounters and healing. It is a symbol for origin, stigma and opportunity alike. The 'Motel California' forms an island in the sea of cruel rumor mills, social control, social ostracism, and discrimination. The name of the motel – "California" – represents the dream of another world. The motel as an establishment, in turn, stands for what the protagonist was always ashamed of in her childhood. For what caused her to experience painful 'othering' as a child. She was different and grew up under shattered, disreputable, and ultimately tragic family circumstances. I.e. that she is different – not as she should be – was (and is) mercilessly mirrored by her environment. She was not recognized as a full member of society in a small world where everyone seems to know everything about everyone else . And the 'disreputable' that clung to her was inevitably linked to the 'motel' in her eyes – the motel as a mirror of her inconsolable, almost unbearable, and still unresolved injuries of her childhood and youth. Nevertheless, the motel is also her home and witness to her forgotten (including good) childhood memories. "Home, Bitter Home", so the title of the original novel. At last the Motel also becomes a social hub for those who are ready to find redemption. This is thanks not least to Kang Hee's father, who, with his liberal, unmistakably patient, and trusting manner, opens the field for it.
Nevertheless, I also have criticism:
Quite inappropriate in view of the difficult, emotionally complex theme of this KDrama are, in my eyes, the really intrusive product placements – almost as if a commercial break is being inserted every now and then... Cringey!
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The story seems cliche if you look at it on hetero/straight perspective especially when this type of storyline has already been applied in many telenovelas(Latin and Filipino) and even Asian. However, the good twist is that the gay storyline is the main focus, in which one of the characters is a hero who tries to win the love of his best friend after a random tryst due to intoxication. At first glance, it was not really a tryst because, both, as mentioned were intoxicated. But from there complication arose, including the surprise appearance of a girl friend of one of the main characters and then the development of love between two college-educated young adults who are both male.
This is a kind of romantic comedy series that I wouldn't get bored watching for many times, if time allows. Aside from the "main lovebirds", one character I really love is Yihwa. All cast, even the villain, portrayed their characters very well. The acting is "superb" (IMO) especially Yihwa's , and of course, Korn and Knock. Even though I tend to hate the villains, their characters have been played well that it is difficult for me to ignore them. Although it is possible to pinpoint the neophytes in acting, I have come to familiarize all the supporting characters. They've all managed to invoke emotions in their characters, which, I believe is very effective in stirring the emotions of the viewers.
It is not only about having to see the main characters to feel good throughout watching the series. The supporting cast really managed to bring out different types of emotions in me. So, I think this BL series is very effective in incorporating the characters, which I initially thought would just be fillers and uninteresting. But then, they did a great surprise.
And one thing I have to point out in this series are the kissing scenes(of course).
Max(Korn) and Tul(Knock) managed to portray natural kissing scenes, even the most intimate ones between two male lovers in a BL series. I can only watch this in gay movies which are rated for adults. But considering this has also been shown on Thai TV( I think) and online, they have managed to capture a big audience because of their kissing scenes.
I thought I'd be satisfied with just one love scene, but the series kept on surprising me. They really put intimacy of two male characters to a new level. And for that, I commend the actors, the producers, the writers and the directors.
Musically, the timing of the background effects is good. Some are over-the-top but understandable. I love the soundtracks though. Hearing them makes me appreciate Thai pop music more. This is coming from an international fan and viewer of the series.
Overall, this series has done a great redemption to the BL industry. I rate it first on my list.
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Now this is how you do live-action!
As a diehard Dakaichi fan, I can assure you—this is a masterpiece. Well done to the actors, crew, and everyone involved!When I first heard Dakaichi was getting a live-action adaptation, I was so nervous. But after watching only the first two episodes, I can confidently say they put in their best effort—and it shows. It’s not an exact copy, but that’s exactly what I wanted.
They’ve included a lot of background stories, but everything fits together perfectly. Not to mention, they referenced Sigma Company while hinting at other major companies—we can see that.
I especially loved how they introduced Jin from the very beginning of his acting career- unlike in the anime. It’s a challenging role because Jin/Junta acts happy, angry, and even perverted all at once—but he portrayed it so well. Anyway, he's a lovable psychopath. I love Smart! I’ve followed his career from the start, and he’s come a long way. I really hope he keeps growing and does even better in the future.
One thing I can confirm for sure- all weeks will be filled with romance, romance, and more romance! The actors have undeniable tension and chemistry, and Akin (boom) absolutely nailed his role. He mirrors the anime version perfectly—there’s not even the slightest change. He is amazing.
Finally, when I saw the angelic jin with the wings, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. That moment assured me—this series is going to be one of the best. I can’t wait to see what’s their next project!
(Sometimes they drag the movie shooting scenes a bit. But the acting is good so we can forget about that part.)
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This review may contain spoilers
Save yourself from watching this
This show officially wins the title of most fucked up and disgusting television show I've seen in 2020. I'm completely disgusted by this drama. Kairi is fucking disgusting and such a pervert (& like manipulative to the core). She literally kept a pair of undergarments from when Yuri was a child and she calls it her treasure. Besides, when she met Yuri after years of not seeing or speaking to her, she literally stuck her head between her boobs. It's also implied that Kairi likes women because of being abused by men as a child during her idol years. Besides, Kairi truly has never heard of consent or personal space. I'm honestly baffled by this show and the topics it choose to focus on (yes shaving or not shaving your pubic hairs was a major plotline in this drama). I truly hate how this show discussed sexuality (it truly made it sound like you have to be crazy/mentally unstable if you're not straight which is bullshit). Basically every character is unlikable and so many things happen in this drama that are just too disgusting. The "relationship" also makes zero sense. One of the most problematic dramas I've ever seen. I watched this drama so that you don't have to watch this because it's that bad. Please don't watch this, save yourself. I wish I could erase this shit show from my mind. It's that repulsive. We deserve better f/f relationships than this ...Was this review helpful to you?
Potentials Wasted & Left a lot to be desired
the first half of the show is pretty soild (for a rom-com) but the second half is boring as hell. i skipped alot just to be done with it. I watched it for PMY but her acting is questionable at some points. Main Male lead's performance was also underwhelming, the second male lead was good tho.i think what made the second half unbearable to watch (aside from the poorly written script) is that the main characters had no chemistry, the FM and the second lead worked better for me, and it's not for "second lead's sympathy" reasons, they pairing felt refreshing and made up for the chemistry which lacked in the endgame couple. in addition, i think their stories would've made a lot more interesting plotlines and events than what we've been left with. I was surprised by the LGBTQ+ representation but again, something was lacking, much like most of the sub-plotlines, it felt poorly done and toned down.
to put it simple, yet another underwhelming project from PMY.
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At the time, I was looking for any new drama. I was captured by the cast and the general story and end up watching it.
2 )Storyline/Plot:
I would summarize it in: revenge leads to love; that would be the main idea of the whole drama along with other events that made the story one of its kind somehow.
Positive points:
*The script writers gave a special story for this drama. Well, it's not the type that would make you jump off your seat but it's the type that would make you interested.
*The turns in this drama were simply unexpected, I usually anticipate many events while watching dramas especially K-dramas but in here many of them were surprising; I just love it when I find the exact opposite of what I have anticipated.
*There was creativity when script writers chose to show different parts that the ausience has to collect together in order to understand the meaning behind it.
*The drama's events never became slow.
Negative points:
*Some moments weren't necessary.
*Exept that there isn't much to mention.
Story would have 8.5/10
3) Acting/Cast:
Like I said earlier, one of the reasons that made me watch this drama was its cast; they were perfect for their roles.
*Kim So Yeon was so brilliant, she portrayed her role in a perfect way; whether she was the spoiled rich girl, the tough prosecutor, the woman in love or the fashion girl; she would do anything to get new brands no matter how much hardships she may go through plus she's pretty ; she totally made this drama enjoyable.
*Park Shi Hoo: I just love that actor; here he showed many personalities: the cool type, the angry type, the mysterious type, the tough type and many others that made his role very interesting to watch.
*Han Jung Soo: I really fell for him here, his role was nicely done
*Other supporting roles were acceptable overall.
Cast: 9/10
Acting: 8.5/10
4) The ending:
Even if it was a typical rom-com ending but it was what I wanted to see in the last episode.
The ending: 8.5/10
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*I finished it in three days which means that I really liked it.
*Even though it started in an annoying way, this drama managed to pull it off and grab my attention later on.
*It was interesting from the moment it started until the end.
My impression: 8.5/10
6) Overall:
*If you like special romantic comedis then this is for you.
*If you like to see great actors on screen then watch this.
Overall 8.25/10.
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The actors:
They gave their best in portraying their role in this drama. In fact, those actors are really great because the way they act is very convincing, as if the situation is real.
The plot:
Though, this kind of drama is not really new but atleast, the writers and the director made this one as an exceptional by making the scenario unique and thrilling in some way. It's a must-watch for me because this doesn't only depicts the issues roaming about prosecutions, criminals and politics it also shows the values (good friendship, loyalty, caring, justice) that we will get by watching it. It'll also makes you cry, laugh, thrilled, sad and angry most of the time.
The OST:
I really love the ost! I really can't say anything about it, but i really like it ??
To summarize everything, all i can say is, you SHOULD watch this drama! It's really great. I'm not exaggerating here, but you should especially if you like actions, friendship, investigation genre, this one is for you!
Oh, by the way, i wasn't able to read all the views regarding this drama, but hey, if there's negative review, please don't believe it for every people has their own preferences. Thank you ????
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Despite a few flaws here and there, Save Me is undoubtedly that one Korean Drama that comes to the closest degree of perfection.
The beauty of the show is in its fearlessness. It yanks out all the controversial social issues that people keep hidden behind opaque curtains and exposes them for what they are.
Religeous extremism, bullying, corruption and abuse of power are laid bare infront of you in their ugliest form.
There's a perverse darkness to the show. This constant undercurrent of foreboding and this feeling that you're watching something that you shouldn't watch. Despite the fact that it has no explicit scenes, the drama still manages to come off as an undeniable Taboo.
Save Me excels at every factor that makes a good show. Excellent direction, a tight narrative and a well-thought out, intelligent script make it impossible for the viewer to not get invested.
Every character and role, no matter how minor, is extremely fleshed out; consequentially making all the more impact.
It is only right that a brilliant script would be backed up by brilliant acting and sure enough, our actors don't disappoint.
At first I thought that I wasn't getting enough from Seo Yeo Ji but as the episodes progress you're entranced by her. Sang Mi is a strong woman caught in a vulnerable position. From determination and rebellion to helplessness, frustration and finally utter desperation; it's an awful never-ending cycle for her.
The deadly world of religeous fanaticism is wonderfully portrayed and Sang Mi's battle with sanity amongst masses of deranged manics shakes you to the core. Her love for her mother, her strong will to save herself, her despair and her agony are all emotions that you feel alongside with her.
However, the star of the show is undoubtedly Woo Do Hwan. I felt so deeply for Dong Cheol that I often found myself tearing up at the unfairness of his situation. He's a warrior with a heart of platinum and a soul that shines. He's sexy, sweet and broken. And I was in love with every version of him. I cherished every moment he was on-screen and missed him every moment he wasn't. It's truly remarkable how excellently Woo Do Hwan acted despite having very little experience under his belt, and that too, in a way that he stole the show from much experienced actors.
Okay, so you know those flaws I mentioned in the beginning? Well, Han Sang Hwan is the biggest one. Considering I'm an egalitarian, I hate noble idiots and goody two saints equally regardless of their gender; and Sang Hwan, to put it frankly, is a little bitch.
Despite the fact that he is the show's hero and this 'leader' that the drama writers want to force you to like- he isn't much at all. He's the classic privileged rich kid with daddy issues that you can find in every other wealthy neighborhood. His character is like an after-thought to the story and Taecyon for me, was very unmemorable.
I hated the fact that the drama, time and time again took away the spotlight from the life of the show (Dong Cheol) and gave it to him. At one point I was bad-wishing him almost as much as I was cursing the evil guys but hilariously enough, he failed in almost of all his hero missions (rescue plans and outsmarting people) all by himself. Until the last few episodes, his character retains the heroic but dumb vibe and I just couldn't take him seriously. Especially when all the real work was done by Dong Cheol.
However, the saving grace about Save Me is that even though it makes it clear who the main leads are, it doesn't discriminate in screen-time. Every single character is given their moment to shine and that is the sole reason why Taecyon did not make me snatch one star back from the rating.
The villains are cleverly written. They are all complex characters driven by different motivations and are as compelling as they are hateful. There are some very lovable side characters- Mr GateKeeper being my personal favorite- and some good ol' bromance to keep things balanced.
Save Me is a show that makes you feel. I found silent tears trekking my cheeks in miserable moments and then there were times I wanted to scream and yank my hair out from frustration. The drama kept me hooked to the screen from start to finish and brought out a whole lotta physical reactions from me.
The OST, mostly instrumental, is pure genius. Played at all the right moments; it incites dread, anticipation and panic in the on-lookers.
There are no plot inconsistencies and the show ends beautifully, providing deep satisfaction and closure, while simultaneously teasing that maybe all that evil isn't gone for good? Who knows.
Personally, this show was right up my alley. It kept me guessing throughout and from the moment I pressed the play button to the time the ending credits rolled; my heart felt like it was in a chokehold of fear for the characters.
While this show may not be for everyone, if you want to test your boundaries and tread into dark waters; Save me is, without a doubt, a must watch.
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An adaptation no one needed
I'm actually writing this review much later than I actually finished the series, because I was certain my angry screams weren't quite review material. And when I say angry, I was seething.This is one of the worst things I've watched, and the moral, feel good factor aside, this was literally a mess. After all that, they didn't even get the moral, feel good story right, did they?
I'm trying to be as eloquent as I possibly can, otherwise this would just be a lot of angry rambling, about how the story was beyond horrible, that having the lead spout some generic pap about forgiveness and togetherness after making her go through 12+ episodes of torture and bullying doesn't really cut it. It's so messy and difficult to watch. The storylines are either incredibly boring or downright offensive.
The characters are also the literal worst, I had such a hard time rooting for any of them. You just go from episode to episode wondering how people can be this horrible, insensitive and just plain annoying at times. Sometimes, you just want to go feral and jump through the screen to knock some sense into them, because mostly, they all suck.
The acting.. it wasn't horrible. Well, it wasn't horrible from everyone except the leads. You would think the leads would be the two characters you would most want to see, that they're the ones you would root for, but never have I ever come across two characters whom I have wanted off my screen. Kind of worked though, because Win's character Guy, he's barely in it. Great's character Saint probably had more screentime, as probably did Jane's character Faye. Which would have been fine since the two of them actually acted, but like I said, you don't really want to see any character on screen. Except for Ann. Ann is good, Ann is the best.
Now because Guy isn't featured a lot, he doesn't share a lot of scenes with Baifern's character Liu, and Saint has more scenes with her. So there were a lot of people who had a hard time believing in Guy and Liu as the main couple, and while there may be some truth to this, I don't think it was the main problem. Win and Baifern just don't have chemistry. Yup. They have absolutely no chemistry together which is surprising because I've seen a bunch of their works and they're good actors. They could have pulled off these roles with a much better nuance than they actually did so I don't know what happened. I will admit that the screentime Guy got does have something to do with them not being able to quite convince us that Guy and Liu work well together, but when it comes down to it, the leads have no chemistry. They're both always yelling at each other, or yelling that they're hurting each other or crying about hurting each other that by the time they cross all their misunderstandings and get together, you're praying for them to break up.
Which brings us to the pacing. 10+ episodes on needless bullying, manipulation, trauma, which doesn't really stop until the last ten minutes of the finale. It just shifts from one person to another until you're clutching your head, begging them to end it. And if you came for the romance, let me tell you it took literally forever for them to actually have some semblance of a good relationship and even then, you really can't care enough.
This review is already longer than I intended it to be, so I'll try to keep the rest of my thoughts to a minimum. It was difficult to watch, I appreciate that they tried to portray the reality (to some extent) on the emphasis of physical appearances that is forced onto everyone these days, but nope, it didn't work. It absolutely did not. After everything is said and done, let's be honest, this was an adaptation that never should have happened.
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A gripping action-thriller that deserves more recognition!
If you’re one of those people that wants to find logic in every fictional drama or you’re a nitpicker, then I suggest you to skip this. However, if you’re someone who just enjoys the ride, likes to watch gripping and entertaining dramas with an amazing cast and well-written story, without searching for every little flaw in every episode, you should definitely check this one out!Thankfully I’m in the latter category, that’s probably the reason why I could enjoy it to the fullest and became one of my favourite shows of all time. This drama has everything: action, suspense, crime, investigation, mystery, humour, teamwork, romance and is very informative, you can learn a thing or two. Everything is nicely balanced. What else could a viewer possibly wish for?
Acting:
The acting here is one of the best I’ve seen this year alongside with Reborn Rich. The definition of perfect casting, all characters have great chemistry with each other and everyone embodies their character smoothly, it just feels so natural. But I have to give an extra applause to Kim Rae Won as he plays this crazy mutt detective role so well, making him stand out from the rest of the cast. Not to mention he has this indescribable charm to him.
Story:
The story is fast-paced and intriguing. They’re showcasing different emergency codes with different cases in every episode, while there’s 1 main case slowly unfolding in the background, so the viewer doesn’t even have time to feel bored. Some cases might be very sad, but the comedic elements are present to balance out the mood. I was hooked from the beginning, every episode was an exciting watch and all the cases were interesting and unique. One of the reasons I absolutely adore this show, is the teamwork, how the fire crew and detectives work together to save people and solve cases. The first episode started off strong and remained like that for the rest of the season, the last episode ended with a cliffhanger, but we get a second season and I’m so excited for that!
Relationships:
The relationship between the main leads develop naturally and for the best throughout the series, the different cases and life threatening situations make them form a strong bond by the last episode. There’s also a little love triangle, but I wouldn’t even call it like that, because it is very obvious what’s one-sided and what’s mutual. The romance part isn’t forced, it’s depicted genuinely and developed slowly. No need to worry if you’re not into romance because, although there is a romantic undertone, it doesn’t overshadows the main plot.
The music is catchy and very nice, matching well with the scenes, paints a picture of the drama every time you listen to it, it’s not overused nor placed in scenes where it’s not needed.
Overall, it is an above average, great watch I would recommend to my fellow action-thriller lovers. I do wish to see more bromance moments between Hogae and Dojin after they sort things out, and my ship sailing in the next part.
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