This review may contain spoilers
I have so many issues with this season I don't even know where to start.
Argh, this was frustrating.How can they tackle a story such as abuse of power, sexual abuse, and waste so much time on James and Ait's relationship? My problem isn't even that I find them boring or that Ait is annoying and immature. My problem is that they could have had something actually valuable to say and they bailed. The endless speech about James and Ait being in a relationship bore me to death. Even while acknowledging that shipping actors together is huge in the BL industry and makes sense to talk about (the way Lovely Writer also did), Tee's problematic behaviour comes last and is barely addressed. Honestly, I was more satisfied with the first season's ending... It felt open ended and optimistic whereas this one felt rushed and unresolved.
Now, don't get me wrong, I wanted to see Bas and Marco get together, but somehow when they do, it fixes all of Bas' issues? The depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, the constant self-blame? I can even excuse that they picked the weirdest time to have sex, I can believe that would happen, but it was way too rough considering Bas' history which made me really uncomfortable. Oh, and that's without even mentioning it's mere hours after Marco confessed his love to James. Yikes...
I'm trying to remember positive aspects but the end got me so upset I think I forgot everything else. I mean, if you exclude what I said above, Marco and Bas kissing in front of the cameras is quite cute. Apart from that, Bas' struggles are very real and definitely what I wanted from this season, brilliantly acted by Michael as well. Everyone say thank you Michael for giving this season a reason to exist. He single-handedly raised all of the scores.
I wouldn't say don't watch it because Michael is amazing but... gosh it's flawed. If it was any longer, I would have said don't bother.
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This show easily became my No.1 Drama
First of all: I am deeply in love with this showit's funny, cute, mysterious, interessting and heartwarming.
I feel comfort warching this. It cheers me up.
Plot: The plot may seem easy at first but is very interessting and surprising as time goes on. The characters spend a lot of time discussing and theorizing so it is easy to follow and I felt like i was investigating right along side them, theorizing. The cases are interesting and memorable. I was never bored or skiped any scenes.
Cast: All of the actors portray their character amazingly. The chemestry between them all feels very close and they do act like a group of close friends or family. I am having a great time watching them interact and care for each other. The looks they give each other are hilarious.
Musik: The musik is not outstanding but they underline the scenes perfectly and set the tone. Be it funny, mysterious or emotional.
Rewatch Value: As previously stated, I love this drama. It is my comfort show and I will regulary rewatch it. A big part is the focus on the friendship here.
Overall: This drama is perfect.
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A Flawed Adaptation Saved by Incredible Chemistry
*Guardian* is probably the first Chinese drama that made me force my Mandarin-fluent friend to read the original novel, watch all forty episodes, and then summarize everything for me. And mind you, he wasn't even a fan of BL novels.I first discovered the drama through a trailer recommended by YouTube, and I'm glad I clicked on it. The very first episode captured my attention, especially the moment Shen Wei (Zhu Yi Long) saw Zhao Yun Lan (Bai Yu) at the university. One look was enough to tell me there was a deeper history between them. Even without knowing the full story, that scene carried an emotional weight that immediately drew me in.
Fans of the novel know that the source material is a BL story. However, due to censorship regulations, the drama had to tone down the relationship and present the pair more as soul brothers than soulmates. Despite those restrictions, Zhu Yi Long and Bai Yu managed to convey the essence of their relationship through subtle expressions, body language, and the way they looked at each other. Sometimes a glance said more than a page of dialogue ever could.
The plot itself is present, but the drama's limited budget often shows. Some storylines and visual effects feel underdeveloped, and there are moments where the editing makes scenes feel incomplete, as though important material was cut out. If you're someone who gets frustrated by inconsistencies or small production flaws, you'll find plenty to criticize here. Just pay attention to Zhao Yun Lan's lollipop. One moment it's in his mouth, the next it's in his hand, and suddenly it's back in his mouth again.
What truly saved *Guardian* from falling apart were its two leads. Zhu Yi Long and Bai Yu carried the series on their shoulders. It's hard to imagine anyone else bringing these characters to life the way they did. Interestingly, Bai Yu once mentioned that he was initially uncomfortable taking the role after reading the novel. Personally, I don't think that had anything to do with the BL elements. Zhao Yun Lan in the novel is much more flirtatious and mischievous, almost reminding me of Sun Wukong at times.
The supporting cast deserves recognition as well. The entire SID team felt as though they had stepped directly out of the novel, albeit with some adjustments to satisfy censorship requirements. Even several secondary characters left a strong impression, particularly the actor who portrayed the new king and the character with fire-based abilities.
One thing I absolutely loved was the opening theme. It sounded epic and promised a grand fantasy adventure, even if the production itself couldn't always deliver on that scale. It was also unusual because the opening song was in English. While English songs occasionally appear as insert tracks in Chinese dramas, it's much rarer to hear one used as the official opening theme.
As for rewatch value? Absolutely. Though if I'm being honest, I'd probably skip some of the weaker plotlines and focus mainly on the scenes involving the two leads. In fact, someone should edit all forty episodes into a single movie centered entirely on Shen Wei and Zhao Yun Lan.
Overall, *Guardian* was my favorite Chinese drama of 2018. It isn't perfect. The budget limitations, editing issues, and occasional plot inconsistencies are impossible to ignore. But if you're looking for logic and flawless storytelling, this may not be the drama for you. Watch it for Zhu Yi Long, Bai Yu, and the unforgettable chemistry they brought to their characters.
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ECCENTRIC SHOW FOR SURE
First of all let me just ask why title the series Eccentric Romance? The term eccentric literally means unusual, odd or strange. Do the makers hate same sex love stories that much to actually call whats happening odd and/or strange? Is it supporting BL genre or mocking it?The series is actually not that bad but it isnt actually good as well. At least it was better than that last Thai-Korean show starring Mew.
Lets discuss the biggest elephant in this show. This is not the first (or the worst) multi-lingual drama created, but for the love of the heavens above, could the producers just stop doing this now? It is not fun to watch series with leads speaking different languages and we as watchers should pretend that they understand each other. JUST STOP THIS INSANITY. Nothing about it is funny and watcheable. It just screams cheapness and the inability of the budget to actually afford bi-language actors.
My next gripe is this - i am so tired of watching BLs with girls objectifying the leads screaming "ohmygod hes so handsome" as if its their first time seeing a guy. Even worse, ive seen a few BLs doing this same shit and i am like who the f are they screaming at? They want us to believe that they cast the hottest actors in the world and maybe if they keep saying and doing it over and over we as watchers would believe it too. I mean the actors in this series are not bad looking but to be honest they dont look like someone who would stop people in their tracks. Stop doing this writers, this is just lazy lazy lazy writing.
Anyway, no need to recap, not worth retyping it, just read the synopsis here in MDL. I actually feel bad for this series. It is a show wanting to be different but isnt. The main story is quite unique in the BL world, conceptually, but the mediocre execution prevented it from actually being good. The acting is very amatuerish and the chemistry between the main couple is lacking. The sets are awful and screams low-budget. It feels like they shot the entire series within a day or two. The main twist and ending felt so rushed. Its a slice-of-life drama with no backstories and no real depth.
I really really cant understand why this has to be 12 short episodes with almost nothing happening. Add the fact that the 15minute episode is actually just about 12min when you have more than 90sec recap/opening credits and another 90 sec end credits. It is so obvious that the material they have and shot is just enough for a full-length movie and just divided it into 12 episodes and that they intend to re-release it in a movie version later on to milk it as much as possible. Please Im begging you Korean producers, if you want to make a series, please MAKE A SERIES. How difficult is it to add maybe 5 or 10 minutes to each episodes to fully develop your stories and characters?
Would i reccommend it? Not particularly, but if you have time to waste binge it in 1.25 speed, that would certainly make the experience better. Would i rewatch? Not even if you put a gun in my mouth. im giving it a 6.5 out of 10.
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For some people, a romance drama between people nearly 20 years different in age may be slightly off-putting but rest assure, you are not going to see anything dodgy. The relationship between all the characters are very interesting. I have never seen a drama with characters so well composed (well given the age... you would expect that they act adult-like) unlike the mainstream drama with divorce/cheating in it. This drama shows that broken relationships does not always end up with lots of crying, screaming, slapping, revenge etc. Despite the conflicts they faced, all the characters remained rational. They counselled each other, listened to each other and really thought about each other. I think this is much more realistic than those drama that just show characters lashing out at each other and trying to take revenge.
All that said, I think this is a great drama and well worth the time watching it.
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This review may contain spoilers
I have a major bone to pick with this drama.The idea for this drama was eye-catching. An app that tells who who's in love with you if they're in a 10m radius? Sounds kind of sci-fi and would definitely be interesting in a high school setting. I'm a sucker for high school dramas so I thought this would be something new to try. Boy I could NOT have been more wrong...
First of all, the motives for Sunoh's actions were creepy; Jojo should NOT have followed him into an alley, and literally WHAT was up with him going to kiss her IMMEDIATELY after he realized Hyeyeong, his best friend, was in love with her?? Can you have a heart?? I understand you were raised differently and don't know how to act in those kinds of situations but god damn, LAY OFF. Sunoh acted like a baby throwing a tantrum through this whole show, it was downright IRRITATING.
Jojo was only mildly more bearable, but I didn't understand why Sunoh fell in love with her in the first place: there was nothing inherently special about her character because her entire character was based around her trauma; there was no other traits about her that were played up. Imagine only liking someone for their tragic backstory. I know she was like "oh I'm trying to be cheerful despite all that's happened" bitch WHERE you look MISERABLE ALL THE TIME. I became increasingly tired of her towards the end when it's very apparent she could have solved all of her problems just by telling Sunoh and Hyeyoung about the shield. I know there's going to be a season 2, but many of these issues could have already been solved if she had just come clean about her feelings in the first place, saving both her and Sunoh a world of pain.
Hyeyoung... this poor boy was really just trying his best but god damn... grow a backbone PLEASE. You KNOW you have a shitty best friend but you are not obligated to stand by him all the time because you are your own person with your own opinions and feelings. When we finally got that at the end when he was being honest with Jojo, it was like [gordan ramsay meme but it says"finally some good fucking CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT"]. Honest to god, FUCK JEONG SUN OH. It was more than right for him to leave the guy after standing by him even after he went after the girl he clearly loved. The moment he left that robot behind was the only fucking good character development.
Also a moment of silence for Hyeyoung's mom. She ain't dead, we just appreciate her for being a nice and kind mom.
Other than that, the casting was good despite the acting being sub par. Overall, would not give this drama another look. This is eight hours of my life I will not get back, but I guess it was good to see Jojo and Hyeyoung grow towards the end.
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Your typical drama that has all of the C-Drama clichés
So what C-drama clichés does Unforgettable Love has✔Rich CEO ML & not so rich FL: Miles Wei plays a similar character personality from Perfect & Casual, a nerd who doesn't understand love and relies on his one and only friend for love/relationship advise. The FL was actually an okay character in the beginning before being dumb down in character quality once the relationship contract begins.
✔ A relationship bound by a contract
✔Main leads bicker at each other for more than half of the drama: Normally I wouldn't mind this because I would l find some bickering scenes funny and cute but for some reason, I was more annoyed at these 2 when their bickering scenes occur. Like I just didn't like either of them.
✔Evil family member: In this drama, it's the ML's aunt
✔Annoying & rude exs along with a few non-important jealous characters
✔A break-up towards the end of the drama after getting together 2 episodes ago
✔Last minute happiness/relationship repair in the second to last/last episode
Honestly, there's nothing real special about this drama. This is about as average as you can get for a C-drama. I loved the scenes with the little boy, Xiao Bao because I'll be honest, I only stuck with this because of his scenes. Secondary ML & FL were amusing to me as I enjoy their scenes more than the leads. For one, they were the best friend of the ML & FL so while the main leads do have a love rival for each, I'm just glad the second leads were best friends and not love rivals and their scenes were funnier to me.
What bothered me about this drama:
- I was on my breaking point when they introduce the evil aunt and the annoying and snobby ex. I felt like the ML didn't have good enough lines to support the FL when these two did wrong against the FL. The FL had a spine to talk back and defend herself when it came to the ML, but when it came to others, she's doesn't defend herself much. What made me finally drop this was the break up. I despise dramas that goes with the format, "I'm breaking up with you because I love you and in order to protect you from hurt" That's got to be the stupidest reason to break up with someone. I like a drama where the lead couple stands firm in their relationship no matter what's being thrown at them and they go and talk through it together. Not this drama though. Our lead couple just didn't have a good foundation to support one another to start with, which is why the break up happened so easily. Also, I'm not a big fan of having the break up issue being resolved at the second to last or very last episode. Endings always feel rushed when they do this.
BUT... I did come back for Ep 23 & 24 and at least for me, I felt like the last 2 episodes were good enough for me for this drama to not be overall terrible. I think if you just skip Eps 21-22, then this drama will be okay. Overall, story plot was good. It was watchable in the beginning but with too much added nonsense and conflict later on (especially the conflict a few episodes before the last) but a great ending.
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40 Episodes + 4 Couples + Hot Mess "I Need Time" script = 2nd Dumpster Fire of 2024
I added this to my watchlist because I wanted to see HYT in a totally different character and genre. He is known for his aloofness and very little emotion. And while this character was essentially really good for him (smiling, being a goofball, showing a range of emotions) the rest was not. I hope he gets more chances like this but with much better scripts. Because 40 episodes, 4 couples, an absolute hot mess script turned this promising series into the 2nd dumpster fire I've seen in 2024.Pros: HYT's character, the 4 best friends and their relationship as they were the much needed comic relief of the entire show, LYN's OST and some of the BGMs. Those were the only pros.
Cons: Everything else! This was a remake apparently of some Korean drama but it suffered badly from a horrible script. On top of that it had 4 couples with very little chemistry, 40 episodes of rinse, repeat, please pass the cheese scenarios where I personally skipped 6 of the latter episodes because of how annoyed I was at everyone and every situation. Furthermore, when the actual actors request for script changes to their characters because of how ridiculous and unrealistic the story was, that's a huge red flag. The theme of this show was, "I need time." Time to think about how to be a miserable moron apparently. Let's talk about each couple.
The leads started off with the FL liking the SML who fell for SFL as the ML fell for her at first sight. It was a love quad. Except it never felt like the FL was capable of liking or loving anyone. Instead it was more like a hobby and having any boyfriend would have sufficed. She had little actual knowledge of what love even was until I think the second to last episode even though she and the ML did get together, they had more breakups than I was willing to count and the selfish way she told him that "I never trusted you in the first place", floored me and absolutely solidified that she didn't deserve the ML who spent all 40 episodes bending over backwards for her. Even when his ex and her kid were brought in (as total and unnecessary plot devices), it just highlighted how ridiculously insecure the FL was. I was sure that after that horrendous line, the ML wouldn't go near her but let her come crawling back to him but nope he still thought of her, sent her flowers etc. She was willing to believe total strangers about him than the words and actions he'd shown her from the get go. It was infuriating. Her episode 39 traffic light epiphany about how he loved her but she didn't realize it just seemed contrived because just an hour before she walked away from him for the 100th time unwilling to give him an answer and now like someone shot nuclear EQ into her head, she suddenly understood everything he ever did for her and regretted the way she acted and wanted to love him the same way he loved her. It was beyond unbelievable.
I had originally liked this show because it showed the lives of flawed, imperfect characters in their daily lives but once I realized that most of the women were devolving into morons or already started there and one sounded like a toddler making me ffw her as much as I could, I couldn't back it anymore. There was literally no actual plot to this series save for everyone's relationship issues and it just got boring quick. Only the brotherhood of the 4 guys made it really worth watching.
The second leads issues stemmed from the SFL lack of facial expressions, her traumatic upbringing but the worst was that she took all of her anger out on the SML who didn't do anything but wait for her and quietly supported her. Unlike ML, he wasn't going to grovel and follow her around but let her have her space. He also had an insufferable mother to deal with who never really came around as she just gave up because he still proposed to SFL and got his father and sister to help shut his mother up. It was a group win as opposed to a mother who loved her son and wished for his happiness above her own interests. SFL was also wishy-washy when it came to advice for her even worse wishy-washy best friend the FL; like figure out your own life before you give others advice.
The 3rd couple seemed like very much an afterthought especially with who they cast as TFL; the toddler voiced, spoiled though with a good heart woman-child was somehow to be believed to be a 24 year old postgraduate who was in love with TML, a lawyer with a tragic past of his own, in losing his wife unexpectedly 4 years prior. Now the toddler could act brave and sound mature in the business setting but as soon as that was done, she would whiplash back to acting and sounding like she needed her binkie. Literally ffw'd her through pretty much the entire show. She definitely had her strong moments but they were few and far in between.
Our last couple, had the least screen time together and I called them the married/divorced couple because that was their identity. And though I admired the FFL for how she officially ended their marriage admitting that a lot of it was her fault and she should have come to terms with it sooner, what brought them back together was that she got pregnant but than started blaming him again for the little things including him signing the divorce papers that she orchestrated in the first place! And he again started to apologize; like what in the what? Make it make sense, please.
Overall, everyone got back together, married, engaged, whatever but you didn't feel much sense of accomplishment other than when the 4 friends buried a new time capsule and continued their goofiness, was literally what I considered the ending.
Would I recommend it? No way. I have seen most of these actors in other things that had done them justice but this thing absolutely wasn't one of them. I want a similar character for HYT but with a different script that he deserves; same goes for the other actors. If you cherish your sanity, watch something else.
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Fruits of Sorrow: Love's Tangled Roots in 'Paradise of Thorns
In the lush embrace of a remote durian orchard, "The Paradise of Thorns" unfolds like a bittersweet fruit, its story as complex and layered as the Thai landscape it inhabits. This poignant Thai film weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and legal strife, centering on Thongkam and Sek, a gay couple whose shared life is abruptly severed by tragedy.As the fragrant durian blossoms wither, so too does Thongkam's world when Sek passes away. The orchard, once a sanctuary of their love, becomes a battleground of grief and ownership. Thongkam must navigate the thorny path of reclaiming what he believes is rightfully his, while the absence of legal recognition for their union casts a long shadow over his fight.
The film's brilliance lies in its nuanced portrayal of five key characters, each a prism refracting different hues of love and loss:
Thongkam, portrayed with raw emotion by Jeff Satur, stands as the heart of the story. His endurance in the face of hardship is as steadfast as the durian trees he tends, his love for Sek rooted deeply in the soil of their shared dreams.
Mo, brought to life by Engfa Waraha, initially appears as thorny as the durian's husk. Yet, as the layers peel away, we see a woman equally scarred by love's cruel hand, her devotion to Saeng a testament to love's many forms.
Sek, played with complexity by Toey Pongsakorn Mettarikanon, embodies the conflict between desire and duty. Like a durian split open, his character reveals the sweet and the bitter - a man torn between his true self and societal expectations.
Saeng, masterfully portrayed by Seeda Puapimon, is like the roots of the durian trees - hidden yet vital. Her journey from seeming selfishness to revealed vulnerability mirrors the ripening of the fruit itself, her love emerging too late, but no less potent.
Jingna, brought to life by Keng Harit Buayoi, serves as the film's conscience. Like a bird's-eye view of the orchard, he sees all, his perspective offering a bittersweet wisdom on the cost of blind pursuit.
"Paradise of Thorns" transcends its initial premise of LGBTQ rights, blossoming into a universal meditation on love's many facets. It reminds us that in our struggle to claim what we believe we deserve, we may lose sight of what truly matters.
Set against the rustic beauty of Mae Hong Son, the film whispers that these tales of love and loss are as universal as the seasons. From Bangkok's bustling streets to the quiet durian groves of the north, human hearts beat to the same rhythm of joy and sorrow.
In the end, "Paradise of Thorns" leaves us with a profound truth: sometimes, in life's orchard, we open what we believe to be the sweetest fruit, only to find bitterness within. Yet it's in accepting this duality that we truly taste the richness of the human experience.
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The main issue? There was zero romantic chemistry between any of the four lead characters. There seemed to be lots of sexual tension in the earlier episodes, but once it was time for more romantic scenes, they just fell flat. I understand that Yoon So Yi & Jae Hee were both playing socially awkward characters, but that doesn't mean that their relationship should come across as stiff. Yoon So Yi never showed any emotion, and it's hard to root for a emotionally repressed romantic lead. Jae Hee relied too much on making cute Johnny Depp-like faces, which often made me not take him seriously.
The rivals were often more interesting than the main leads. Lee Soo Kyung did a good job of playing a competitive rival, but I still never felt like she had any genuine feelings, just a bruised ego. She did play selfish perfectly, and I hated her character because of it. Shim Ji Ho was the only cast member who made me feel anything close to real emotion. I fell for the longing looks Kang Chan Jin would give to So-Ra. I wanted him to win the girl simply because he was the best actor of the bunch. Sometimes it felt like he was in a romantic drama all by himself. He definitely held the romantic part of the story together.
I think this drama didn't know how to find the right balance between romantic comedy, and office drama. The workers at L'aura were fun to watch, but they eventually took up way too much focus. I soon felt like I was watching the Korean version of "Ugly Betty". Jun Soo Kyung role was so cliché, and her scheming soon took over the whole show. All the romance was soon reduced to misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and stubborn characters making frustrating choices. The only redeeming original moments were with Park Sang Myun. I loved the randomness of his all knowing character. All the rest has been done before, and much better.
I reserved the highest marks for the music. No matter how bored I became, the music started to become a pep talk that kept me watching. I wish I could blame it all on waiting for translated subs, but If I had watched it marathon style I would have been tempted to skip through a lot of it. I might rewatch some of the cute earlier scenes again, but I wouldn't ever make it through all 20 episodes again.
My main goal for even finishing this was to see who So-Ra ends up with. The end is anticlimactic, and it fails at giving the grand romantic conclusion it was aiming for. I'd recommend asking someone, if you're curious, rather than sitting through the frustrating last two episodes. Then again, I would recommend skipping the whole thing.
This review is long, I know, but after sticking with this drama for so long I had to vent! : )
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If you want an endearing romcom with explosive chemistry, then I highly recommend this!!
The main characters are truly the star of this show! I really can't be more in love with the main couple, they are the absolute cutest. Yes, the story isn't anything special or new, but the execution and acting of the cast, especially our MCs, makes this drama so much fun and endearing to watch.The main couple does not disappoint at all; they were charming and adorable from the very beginning until the last second. Their moments do get cringy at certain points, but it's also the kind of cringy that just makes you want to smile. Aside from that, I think the characters as individuals were also very lovable; Jin Bei is so cute & Shi Yun couldn't be any sweeter. I like Jin Bei's boldness, it's quite refreshing, and I love the fact that although Shi Yun is "cold", he's also very caring & isn't afraid to express how he feels. Their relationship was mature, organic, and very engaging. Kudos Ryan Ding and Zhang Yuxi for their amazing chemistry because it was so natural, straightforward, and just absolute fire! I think the actors did a great job and played their parts very well (their kiss scenes were also plentiful & truly a *chef's kiss*).
Although I'm not nearly as invested in them, the side couples were also cute. At the end of the day, I was happy for all of them so I think that's the important thing.
I definitely think that what is lacking in the story is totally made up for by the acting and chemistry. I highly recommend this drama to everyone, even if you think you don't like super fluffy shows (because that was me & I absolutely love it). Will 100% be rewatching this in the near future when I need a cute little pick-me-up.
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Story/plot: -10- This drama had a cute, fun, and catch-worthy storyline! I absolutely loved how it was centered around swimming, mixed with life issues and dramas. I was intrigued from the very beginning to the very end, and although there were some parts that were dragged out, I couldn't really blame them; after all, they had to fill up 36-37 episodes... Even so, every episode hooked me in, and made me stay up late every night, telling myself "just one more episode" (even though we all know, that is never true :P). The ending is definitely NOT a downer! This ending was settled and it flowed smoothly and nicely.
Acting/cast: -10- LEMME TELL YOU! THIS CAST=PERFECTION! Xiong Dylan (Tang Yi Bai)+Tan Song Yun (Yun Duo)=so cute!!! They are the ULTIMATE couple and they were made to be the main leads. I squealed at their height difference every time, and their interactions on and off camera are also goals! Other than the main leads, I also loved how there were other cute couples around them like, for example, Huang Sheng Chi (Qu Rui Feng) and Wang Zi Xuan (Xiang Yang Yang). Not to mention, there were a lot of good lookin' guys in this drama! You need the right cast to carry out a good storyline and THIS CAST MADE EVERYTHING FANTASTIC!
Music: -10- This is my first drama where I truly payed attention and appreciated the song selection, and this is because the song selection for this drama is so memorable! Every song truly matched their placement during the moments throughout the drama. If anyone wants to take a sneak peak at a song example, here is my favorite, "Crossing the Pacific", which could be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY65i3DP9WA
Rewatch value: -8- Although I gave many complements about this drama, my rewatch value would have to be an 8. This is because since there were a lot of surprising twists and turns, rewatching the whole drama from beginning to end wouldn't allow the full attention this drama truly deserves. I will, however, re-watch all the cute moments the characters had with one another and beware! there are A LOT of cute moments where I guarantee you will squeal when watching!
Overall: -9.5- Overall, this drama was a cute and refreshing one to watch for me. My only downer is probably the rewatch value, but I still advice this to everyone because of all the positive things I stated above, from the storyline to the music, this drama made everything fit well altogether.
Thank you to everyone who read this relatively long review, but I hope whoever is reading this to give "My Mr. Mermaid" a try, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! :)
Chào for Now!
Lily L.
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This review may contain spoilers
Had really high hopes for this drama. This drama is a gender bender which the female lead acts a male as a physican/doctors in hopes to find who killed her parents. Reasons why i didnt like the show as much
1) it took way too long for the male lead to figure out she was a female total eps 28 i think he found out more towards the last 10 eps
2) The storyline has potential but it developed in all kinds of different ways
3) after i have watched it still didnt figure out why the evil dude was evil ? like what relation did he have in the story ? he felt out of place , just inserted randonmly lol ( or maybe i missed it because I skipped some parts)
4)although she is a doctor she didnt not do much healing/ seeing patient
5) the story behind her family's death was also weakly developed
6) they ridiciously inserted the show's sponsor in the drama ( its a beauty mask sponsor... felt it really stretching it.
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The Body-Swapping Trope Done Right…
The body-swap trope can often be a slippery slope for quality screenwriting in dramas .However whilst " The Day of Becoming You" doesn’t exactly stray far from its " body-swapping” predecessors as a concept, screenwriter Wang Xiong Cheng surprisingly uses the tiresome trope well in order to explore character growth and the relationship between the main leads .
Steven Zhang ( playing seemingly cold idol Jiang Yi) and Liang Jie ( playing bubbly entertainment reporter Yu Sheng Sheng) were brilliant as our main leads. The duo had dynamic chemistry onscreen throughout and were perfectly able to mimic the mannerisms of one another during the " body-swap” scenes. Respectfully whilst Vian Wang ( playing Sheng Sheng’s editor and best friend Tong Hua), Shen Po Qing ( playing Sheng Sheng’s close doctor friend and her second love interest) and Jiang Yi’s fellow band members of ” Little Galaxy” faded more into the background than the main leads, their performances were equally good.
On a more critical note ” The Day of Becoming You" isn’t entirely the more ” realistic" imagining of the ”body-swap” scenario either . The jobs of main leads respectfully as a journalist ( Liang Jie) and an idol ( Jiang Yi) were often taken for granted by inconsistent timing schedules or evident responsibilities with their jobs often dismissed easily. ( The irony not lost that Liang Jie trying to make up for loss time by working late at night could come in early the next day to work, looking fresh as a daisy without bags under her eyes.) However, these points are more nuanced and as the show only uses these settings really for exposition , they can be overlooked .
Arguably what made our main leads and their pairing refreshing was the gradual process of development . It would be easy to have established Liang Ji merely as the “ significant other” in the drama without exploring further interactions, however, the series provides surprisingly heartwarming insights into her character’s sentience by her familial life as well as her friendship with Tong Hua.
This was perfectly contrasted by Jiang Yi and his “ complicated" family scenario with his father Jiang Dong Ha ( Zhang Lei) and his estranged younger sister Jiang Mo ( Cong Shang).Admittedly whilst it wasn’t the focalised subject of the series, it would have been intriguing to have explored more about Jiang Yi and his father’s reconciliation, than some of the earlier trivial scenes dedicated to his " secret crush” on superstar and close friend Xu Shu Yi ( Zhao Yao Ke). ( Only really provided to add " angst” and an ” obstacle” to the main romantic pairing.)
However, the drama arguably did allow time for Jiang Yi to heal some of his emotional wounds through his gradual alliance to friendship to affectionate relationship with Shengsheng. There were times this relationship did feel a little disconcerted by the sudden reversal of Jiang Yi’s " feelings" for Jiang Yi being dismissed so readily. ( Although Shengsheng’s feelings for Doctor Shen were slightly more drawn out, they suffered a similar fate of being disregarded when the storyline called for it.) Importantly but the relationship between Jiang Yi and Shengsheng was healthily built upon learning to trust and rely on one another by being ( literally) in one another’s shoes. The ending certainly offered an unseen twist which will likely surprise viewers, however, nonetheless does help to tie-off the more far-fetched moments of the storyline.
So, is “ The Day of Becoming You” worth watching? Whilst the show offers a more sugarcoated version of the respected industries and romance, there is something which is undeniably well-written about the body-swap scenario in order to allow the characters to grow, a main pairing who gradually developed an an unforeseen ending which surprisingly works. Definitely worth a watch if you’re looking for something easygoing and fluffy but with good screenwriting and acting on top.
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