Forever REMEMBER [ED]
Revenge in a court without justice, is it possible?Suspense-horror series with an intriguing twist and message.
Viewer description is STRONGLY advised because "Remember 15" is indeed VERY GORY AND INTENSE, it´s no exaggeration. You have been warned.
SHORT VERSION:
A story about a group of people who traveled to an island on the 5th death anniversary of a girl they all knew. All of them carry their own dark past with heavy secrets, which were very well portrayed and underscored by the production. Only the story lacked a bit of coherence.
I REMEMBER 15 reasons why you should watch this series
1. The protagonists are ordinary people and that´s why it is so capturing.
2. Every person has their individual flaws and personality traits.
2. The concept of this series is not far from what could happen in that kind of situation.
4. The concept is interesting.
5. The problems of these young adults are various.
6. You never know what will happen. It´s random.
7. It is not ONLY random and unfounded slaughter.
8. The crew did the best they could with their budget.
9. The art department is fascinating.
10. It has characters that represent LGBTQI+.
11. It has characters that are facing disadvantages in life (sickness, disability)
12. The opening of this series is vibey.
13. The opening soundtrack is addicting.
14. They had a lot of fun while filming on set. (As shown in the interviews)
15. Amazing actors, Amazing crew.
DETAILED VERSION:
STAFF APPRECIATION / Production
In the beginning, I really would like to point out the staff´s work in this series. The Art Director [Kissada Namuang] / Art Department [Sumat Namuang, Suphachai Aemsoem, ...] & the Prop Master [Kittuchot Lumloet] really did an insane performance as well as the actors. It´s even more mind-blowing when you keep in mind that it´s the first main role/ big role for some (3) of them, at least on MDL.
The music is well combined with the mood of the series and all individual parts work well together. The opening, an example of the superb combination of cinematography, lights, shadows, colors, and music, is very addicting for me to watch. I could write about this for days.
PLOT 6.0 >> 5.5
12 young adults return to the deserted island, the place where Lyla died five years ago to pay tribute to Lyla and find out who sent a message over the phone to the deceased girl. However, the closer it gets to the truth the more they discover their cruel past. The suspense remains until the last episode, with a few cliché twists.
In terms of content, it approaches a well-known American show that drew a lot of criticism in 2017: 13 Reasons Why. However, while the situations and topics are somewhat alike the approach of each plot is totally different. 13RW focuses on drawing society's attention to urgent problems and crises of young people and improving classmates in their actions. However, while „Remember 15“also spreads awareness for mental health, LGBTQI+, and toxic personalities/ relationships, the approach and outcome are surely more brutal and more dystopian than in other series with the same trope/topic. What kind of rules and morals do you expect from traumatized teenagers facing death on an island far from a normal and structured civilization?
The more important question to ask is what can we learn from this show?
ACTORS 7.5
As for Zee Pruk Panich, Jimmy Karn Kritsanaphan, and Title Tanatorn Saenangkanikorn, they convince the audience of their role. Here I personally highlight Zee (Bew), he had to portray such a difficult character. My rating can also be very much based on the fact that I have „dealt“with his acting skills the most so far and therefore have "high expectations" which he bravely met in „Remember 15“. Especially when considering what kind of role he had to portray.
However, all characters are complicated and multilayered. In general, I would say that the overall acting is solid. At least nobody was a thorn in my side. Personally. On the contrary, even the rather new and inexperienced actors played their roles well [Noon Khingkarn Boonma = Nest, Boss Daranpope Charmpoonod = Mac, Sairung Prapakon Chairak = Lilly]. Hardly anything to complain about. Especially Sairung had a tough role to play. My utmost respect to Sairung, Nut, and Pruk for accepting and embodying these very complicated characters. It mustn´t have been easy.
OVERALL >> 8.0 >> 7.0
The series convinced me in many aspects and buried some of my doubts in the implementation like a corpse in the sand. The scenario is terrifying and not exactly encouraging to make new acquaintances. HOWEVER, that's the way it is with a lot of thriller/horror series, but that doesn't make them any less remarkable. The show's triggers and topics are something the viewer could "learn" from, as quoted in the last episode. One should not take revenge into their own hands, as it is for the law/god/nature to decide what will happen to the offenders/sinners, otherwise, chaos and massacre ought to happen.
In any case, a recommendation to you sweethearts, but I'll stay on the mainland for now. I´ve learned and changed some views on things I had a very set opinion on before watching. I´m glad I have watched this.
Was this review helpful to you?
an action-comedy at first glance - but a lot more!
To be honest, I was waiting to watch this movie since I saw the very first trailer, so my expectations for this one were really high. And I am not dissappointed!First of all, if you go into this movie expecting a love story, you will probably be dissappointed but still, I recommend giving this movie a try.
I expected to see a action-comedy with supernatural elements, without any deep meaning behind it ("just a good laugh") but this movie offers way more than that. All the different pieces of this movie are nicely put together, nothing feels out of place. The story focuses more on the relationships between the characters (not only the main characters) than it does on the action - still, the action scenes are done great! Additionally, there are twists in the story, making it unpredictable and never leaving the viewer bored. The pace of the story is perfect, making the ~2 hours a good frame to tell the whole story without feeling like pieces were left behind in the end. Also, the ending, in my opinion, is a perfect ending to such an unique story.
All the actors do a great job portraying their characters. The unique personalities of the characters are portrayed nicely and seem realistic, as well as their own character development throughout the story. Especially the main characters are lovable in their own way. Their relationship throughout the movie feels genuine and realistic.
Talking about the OST, I was already in love with "Come with me" (the soundtrack in the trailer) before I was able to watch the movie, so obviously I am giving the OST a high rating. At the same time, the other songs in this movie feel just as nice, which made me add every single one to my personal music library! The music is used nicely throughout the movie without feeling annoying or out of place.
Overall, this is a nice movie which offers a lot more than I expected and a movie that I will most likely rewatch a few (=many) times. Therefore, I recommend that you should give this movie a try, it's totally worth it!
Was this review helpful to you?
The storyline was interesting to me because of the unique concept that constituted the plot (a vampire who feeds off of energy through physical contact and a human who has mysophobia). It was well paced throughout and the drama did wrap up nicely. There were, however some loose ends, but the second season is rumored to air next month so hopefully, those will be taken care of. The climax of the story (within the drama) though, didn't seem to be as dramatic as they may have intended it to be. It didn't create the suspense or anticipation that it probably should have.
I am actually a big fan of the male lead actor after his drama The Eternal Love, so I found myself inevitably comparing these two. That said, I think both lead actors did a good job of portraying their characters, but I never really felt the chemistry between them. Again, perhaps the second season may change my view on that.
As for the music, I did quite like two of the OSTs. They fit the tone of the story well and were memorable enough, as well as not too overused.
Overall, I would recommend this drama for a short and simple watch, as there are only 16 episodes at around 30 minutes each. I also definitely recommend reading the webtoon!
Was this review helpful to you?
It's as it is title suggests Failing in Love not falling in love.
It was a good watch for me, I enjoyed it and specially the ost was amazing it's one of best part of this web drama. As it's name suggest it's about failure in the love lives of teenagers, their feelings, struggles, emotions, confusions, finding what they want from life and the friendship between them. It's a pretty much portrayal of a regular teenagers life I can understand cause I'm passing through same phase.The execution is pretty much realistic, I liked the fact that even though it's just a short drama we get to know the backstories of characters and also pretty much big character development in the end. Although the ending wasn't fairytale like they lived happily ever after together but I really liked that it wasn't typical but everyone was happy and satisfied in there own life in own way, it was perfect ending for me.
This isn't about who ends up together or who gets the girl it's much more than that.
Was this review helpful to you?
1This review may contain spoilers
Growth, Time and Love
Sniper Butterfly was a drama I first heard about when I saw the trailer back in 2024. At the time, I remember thinking, “Maybe I’ll watch it someday.” When I came across it again in 2025, something just clicked I knew it was finally time to give it a try.Themes & Story
At its core, this drama is about a man who yearns deeply, loves only one person, and keeps proving just how much she means to him. The female lead supports him through this time while also dealing with her own struggles, especially her divorce. Her kindness, emotional maturity, and resilience really stood out to me. One thing I noticed early on was that Cen Jin is very used to handling things on her own, and the drama actually shows this in subtle ways. I was really impressed by how she adapted emotionally and handled the changes in her life, even when everything felt unfamiliar or uncomfortable.
I know age-gap dramas aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I personally enjoy them. That being said, I did have doubts at first especially since he was technically still in high school. But the way the cast and crew handled this story genuinely surprised me. It was thoughtful, restrained, and done with a lot of care.
I also loved how the story blended the past and present together. Instead of showing the entire past first and then moving onto the present, everything was slowly woven together, like tying a bow. It felt different from what I usually see, and I really appreciated that.
Drawbacks
If I had one main issue, it would be the lack of communication between Li Wun and Cen Jin. Li Wun, in particular, rarely opened up to Cen Jin because he didn’t want to bother or burden her. I understand where this comes from, especially considering his childhood, but it’s something that could definitely affect their relationship long-term. He started to in the end which I was happy with.
Cen Jin’s emotional independence is shown in subtle ways, and while it’s a strength, it also creates moments where she doesn’t fully notice what Li Wun is carrying until his behavior started to change in obvious ways.
Supporting Characters
I loved Chun Chang she was easily my favourite.
It did take me a while to warm up to Shen Yi Yang as a romantic character, though. At times, he came across like he thought he was better than her or was judging her, and I really didn’t like that.
Cheng Rui deserves a special mention. Honestly, nothing bad to say about him at all. He was such a good friend to Li Wun — a truly genuine and loyal friend.
Acting & Standout Performances
Daniel Zhou wasn’t an actor I hasnt really paid attention to . I’d heard of him from Truth , but this drama completely changed that for me. His portrayal of Li Wun was really impressive. The way he went from a cute, innocent, awkward 19-year-old to a mature 26-year-old man felt natural and believable. Watching that growth over time was one of my favourite parts, and Daniel captured it perfectly.
And yes the boy can kiss 😉
The way Li Wu loves so deeply is honestly what every girl dreams of, after watching Sniper Butterfly, he’s definitely an actor I’ll be keeping an eye on.
Michelle Chen was just as impressive as Cen Jin. I’d actually never heard of her before this drama. And honestly, I still can’t decide if I prefer her long hair or short hair both suited her so well. Michelle really brought Cen Jin to life a woman going through a divorce who unexpectedly meets a young man who just wants to study and live a good life. She played the role with so much warmth and restraint.
Her chemistry with Daniel felt natural, and their kisses never felt awkward or forced, which is so important for a story like this.
Conclusion
Overall, this second chance drama was beautifully made, and I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it. The OST was calming, emotional, and perfectly matched the tone of the story.
I would highly recommend Sniper Butterfly to anyone looking for a drama about growth, timing, and love.
ps (this review is all my thoughts but grammar and pacing was helped by chat gpt)
Was this review helpful to you?
1This review may contain spoilers
A Belief in Safety Pins--To Mend
--Only lightly spoilery--There's a certain *vibe* to Punks Triangle that makes it such a triumph. It's casual yet intimate.
Smoky nightlife filled with private chats with someone you admire but could never imagine having.
With damn fantastic cinematography and costuming, crazy chemistry and acting, it's a thrilling watch.
But the biggest draw and reason for its success (to me, at least): AE/Enaga.
Never have I truly bought a disguise/second identity before!
It wasn't the appearance so much that sold it. A large hat, wig, and baggy clothes can only do so much.
It was the thorough shift in attitude. Who could put together that their awe-inspiring model with a deadly walk and siren eyes, who knows what he's doing, is also the timid, slouching figure with a slow stride and clumsy hands sitting next to them in class?
And the crazy contrast between the identities of AE and Enaga led to many deeper conflicts and realizations within our leads. AE is as much Enaga as he is AE. As Enaga, he is out of his element away from the runway. He's earnest about making clothes but unconfident and inexperienced. But being AE, he has a spotlight on him wherever he goes. He can't get past the idolization to find something real. And he's afraid of disappointing the person he cares about. Becoming Enaga, he is allowed to be an approachable man. But while he's glad to have met someone who likes the other parts of him he shows in his other identity, he also finds himself jealous of Chiaki's fondness for him as Enaga, his softer side. "Do you like that version of me better?"
Becoming someone else to express other parts of you can be freeing as much as it is a burden. Or it can start as a way to hide; avoid unwanted attention, and then become a prison of your own making later on: I.E., how AE started experimenting with his style in school as a way to avoid being approached, and now all eyes are on him as a model.
I appreciated the conclusion having a subtle merging of AE and Enaga, leading to a flirty yet endearing wrap-up between our leads and an essential realization for Chiaki necessary for them to move forward: "My bias is just a person, after all."
My only real complaint about this drama is that deep down, I wanted an explosion of some kind in the finale! Something to send off all the edging of the audience with a high. A searing kiss or small switch-up of some sort would have sealed the deal perfectly!
But as it stands, I'm still left very satisfied and impressed.
Recommended!
Was this review helpful to you?
But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.
Patience is required for this drama that is unlikely to enjoy broad appeal. It is a Beijing Academy student production so don't expect high production values; indeed there is a distinctly amateurish and unpolished feel to the entire effort.The shadowy and suspenseful plot is steeped in the supernatural and mythology and takes a long time to unfold. The synopsis, which already gives away much of the story adds to the impression that nothing is happening. Hidden forces conspire to release the demon Jiu Ying, that according to legend was sealed by five deities representing the five elements (metal, earth, water, fire and wood). This manifests itself in increasing hostilities between the You Kingdom and the Wolf Tribe that make war and chaos seem inevitable. These events bring the three siblings Hongxuan, Hongyi and Hongshou whose Baili family has long been the power behind the You throne; together with Ming Yefeng, the leader of the Wolf Tribe who also has a mysterious past with Hong Yi. They are linked by destiny and rediscover their powers so that together with other supernatural beings from a past lifetime, they can once again fulfill an ancient promise to keep the world safe. It is not a complicated or super original fantasy story that culminates in an epic clash between good and evil.
What is interesting about this drama is the characters and the acting. The actors are not given much to work with in terms of dialogue so they have to rely heavily on body language and subtle expressions to convey their characters. This makes the complex characters particularly difficult to get to know and nobody is as they originally appear. It is very difficult to tell who is friend and foe and what their motivations are. For most of the drama, Baili Hongxuan and Ming Yefeng were the most complex and interesting characters for me. While they are both quite grey, both turned out to be quite different from what I expected and almost opposite of each other. I really enjoy this kind of peeling of the onion approach in terms of how a layered character gradually becomes unveiled but many will find this kind of storytelling frustrating and boring.
I suspect many may be interested in this because of Wu Lei and Song Zuer. I admit I discovered this because of Wu Lei. While his character Baili Honsghou is quite one dimensional - the typical c-drama hero that goes through many common tropes; it is the best performance I have seen from Wu Lei since NIF. It is very nice to see how far he has come as an actor; that he is not just an incredibly athletic lean, mean, killing machine. As for Song Zuer, she is an actress that provokes strong reactions, especially when she plays the bratty young girl. I never minded her that much because I always noticed that she has screen presence that belies her small size and her performance in this also showed much progress and was actually quite nuanced towards the end. And it will be remiss of me to not mention how super hot Zheng Kai's Ming Yefeng is - I can't believe I have never seen this actor before!
The story advances much more quickly in the last 10-12 episodes although it appears a bit messy as many characters are introduced at once. But they are not interesting characters and all you need to really know is that they are either obstacles to be overcome or they are there to give some assistance along the way. All of the substantively relevant characters are introduced at the beginning. There are a few nice twists at the end with respect to the emperor as well as the mysterious man in the hood. The ultimate villain (to me was not Jiu Ying) was hiding in plain sight the whole time but their motive for unleashing evil on the world was pedestrian and lame. Most of the so-called heroes or deities in this show have feet of clay, do not have high morals and are not particularly enlightened beings. The story is very matter of factly callous in its treatment of spirits or demons. This is very typical of the genre so if you are familiar with Chinese mythology, you will not be surprised by any of this or how the story ends.
I enjoyed this drama but it is not for everyone. Watch at your own risk.
Was this review helpful to you?
For people who want eye-candy, there is the Shoujo Prince and two Tokusatsu heroes... but their pretty faces can't beat the talent of the veteran actor Yakusho Koji. His gentle smile, his determination to achieve his goals, his tears of frustration, of happiness. President Miyazawa, who loved his little company, his employees... always wearing his blue hanten. This man impressed me so much I was constantly posting about him.
Short version of my review: this drama reminded a lot of the anime "Haikyuu", in spirit.
Real rating: 100/10... thank you to yamazaki-kento dot com for subbing this amazing drama <3
Was this review helpful to you?
I don't really know anything about cults, but after watching this drama, I want to stay as far away from them as frickin possible. They're horrifying. And the amount of nonsense people are willing to believe and devote themselves to is absolutely baffling and terrifying. *shivers* I personally would have had serious issue with ever forgiving my father after everything his devotion and brainwashing put his daughter, the female MC, through.
The only qualms I really had with this drama was the rushed ending. I would have really liked to have seen more than 15 minutes dedicated to bringing down the cult. I really needed that satisfaction of seeing the cult brought down in detail. A court hearing, and the leaders in prison - something more to feel a true sense of justice for all those people murdered and kept hostage. As well as a more detailed resolution for the female MC and her friends/saviors. I would have really loved to see something more substantial in regards to their friendship in the epilogue. The drama was building up for so long and the characters were working so hard to bring down the bad guys that only 15 minutes (seriously, 15 minutes compared to 16 hours) was not satisfying. I also felt that toward the last 3 episodes or so, things started to drag out a bit because they weren't wrapping things up and defeating the cult fast enough. *That* definitely dragged. I think a minimum of an entire episode (1 hour) dedicated to the resolution/aftermath of bringing down the cult would have improved the ending significantly.
Also, not really important, but a side question - when did they ever sleep??? Services were at dawn every day in addition to an evening service. Then everyone went around on adventures at night AND during the day, soooooo when did anyone sleep?
Anyways, I'm not sure if I'd ever recommend this drama to the average viewer. I watched it mostly to see Woo Do Hwan (who sadly didn't have nearly as much screen time I was hoping for, even though he was technically a main character). It was worth it seeing Woo Do Hwan for sure in his action scenes though! I think this drama would be good if it were to be watched and analyzed for a sociological and psychological perspectives.
Was this review helpful to you?
Humorous, Beautiful Romance, Super Cute, Fine Acting
I love this delightful drama. It is visually aesthetic, the plot is light but deadly, the romance is cute and satisfying, the acting is on spot and convincing, the comedy is oxymoronic and can be ironic, both male and female leads are good looking, and the second couple is adorable. This is a story about a group of young and talented musical instrumentalists coming together and forming a girl-only heavenly orchestra during the fictional Sheng Dynasty in ancient China. There, little fox meets old fox.Li Sasa (Bao Shang’en) is an excellent first seat pipa instrumentalist. One day while performing, she mysteriously time-travels back to 1,000 years ago. To return to her present life, she needs to divorce a man who mistreats his wife, Li Runiang, her other self, and then to seek out and marry Li Runiang’s true love. After divorcing her good-for-nothing husband and losing everything, Li Sasa is desperate to find shelter so that she can find Li Runiang’s lover. Impressed by her talent, she is taken in by Lu Jingnian (Wu Chengxu) who is in need of a pipa instrumentalist for his team to take part in a very important competition in front of the Emperor.
Lu Jingnian seems like a Casanova on the outside as he’s loved by all the girls in town and he’s very kind and nice to each one of them, and with his colorful and flowery outfits, he earns the nickname “flowery peacock” from Li Sasa. Lu Jingnian is also very intelligent, crafty and cunning, thereby is double named as “the old fox”. Bringing her present-day directness and smartness, Li Sasa seems like a “little fox” to Lu Jingnian. But behind that flamboyant façade, Lu Jingnian is a devoted man, just like his father who finds life meaningless when his wife dies, and follows her in death soon after.
Lu Jingnian has a noble but dangerous mission to accomplish. As he and Li Sasa encounter problems with their team members, mysteries and dangers, each time Li Sasa assists Lu Jingnian overcome the problems, and in turn, Lu Jingnian selflessly saves her multiple times. They fall deeply in love with each other. When Li Sasa realizes she will leave Lu Jingnian and back to her modern life one day, she’s torn. She knows Lu Jingnian would be devastated to lose her. What follows becomes very heartbreaking and the story is being told beautifully with coherent logic.
I must applaud these two very young actors, Bao Shang’en 20, Wu Chengxu 22. This is Wu Chengxu’s second drama playing the main lead and Bao Shang’en’s debut. Their acting is natural and very believable. Despite their relatively inexperience, they have worked hard and put up an excellent show, making viewers falling in love with the characters instantly.
The overall acting by other cast members is good with some more convincing than others. The costumes and interior wall decors are very colorful and beautiful which match well with all the exquisite classical instruments. The ensemble is picturesque, and it feels like looking at a historical painting.
My Verdict
I have absolutely enjoyed this under-the-radar drama. The classical ensemble reminds me of today’s the 12 Girls Band of China. Visually, it’s beautiful and the ancient music is soothing. The romance is cute and humorous, and the acting and story are better than my expectations. Though some scenes are cliché and tropey, I love how the writer uses idioms to express the musical terms, and how coherent the overall storyline and logical the plot are. Cheeky instrumental music with animal sounds are widely used to match the funny scenes. Red eye and fake dimple makeups for the girls take a bit of getting used to for me.
Sacrificing one's life for love seems romantic but unthinkable. Though many people continue to live a fruitful life when the love of their life dies, many also die with their loved ones simply out of broken heartedness. Here, the ending of the ancient lovers feels like the butterfly lovers to me. Having said that, this is not a sad ending story (read comments below for my interpretation of the ending).
Yes, this is a wonderful little gem not to be missed. Romance buffs will love this story. Strongly recommended.
BRAVO!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Perfect!
Okay, I have (rarely) given a series 10 stars, but this one is on an entirely different level.I had to wait over 24 hours before I submitted my review, because I was so overcome by this series. But here we are. Here are my pros and cons:
PROS:
STORY: I'll admit it: I was skeptical after Episode 1. I wasn't sold on it, and wasn't sure if I even liked Tian, as I contemplated where the story might be going. I even considered dropping it. But I am SO happy I stuck with it. The story was flawless, and I am a better person after having watched it. I've rarely shed as many tears (sad and happy) watching any film or series, ever. The messages hit hard... and wonderfully.
ACTORS: In just about every BL series -- even if I've loved it -- there have been some actors (or characters) I've had issues with. But not here. Every single actor portrayed his/her role perfectly. Kudos to them all!
MIX AND EARTH: I've always liked Earth, from his previous portrayals, and had a feeling he had much more to offer than what he was given. Finally, here he was given a vehicle to show his major talent. And Mix! This may be the best actor I've ever seen in a BL, and gives a performance worthy to stand up against any actor in any genre. Just phenomenal.
MUSIC: One of the best soundtracks I've heard in any BL... consistently.
EARTH'S BODY: Okay, I'm being shallow... but, hello? I would lick frosting off of it. I'd do more than that.
CONS:
If you've read my previous reviews, you know that I'm always ready with the critiques. But not here, I have no real cons. Okay, I'll indulge a little bit:
THE FINAL KISS: It might have been nice to see a little more passion, after such a build up (tongues and all of that). But not a dealbreaker at all. We all were so happy and just want them to live happily ever after, don't we?
THE KIDS AFTER TWO YEARS: I'm REALLY grasping at straws here, but... after two years, wouldn't the kids have grown up a bit more? Obviously, the filming couldn't wait two years for a more realistic presentation. Adults don't change all that much in two years, but kids do. I'm thinking they could have had a little more mature looking hairstyles, to make the two year time difference a bit more believable.
But I'm nitpicking here. This series was as perfect as any series could be. It is, by far, #1 on my all time BL favorites. I would give it an 11 if I could.
Was this review helpful to you?
The movie is good, got me hooked all the time. Lu Han acting was pretty good, I wasn't expecting it haha
The female lead also did a great job, I felt her emotions and pain.
You should watch because is a really nice thriller and action.
Was this review helpful to you?
Fun to watch
I think this show deserves a better review. I actually really enjoyed watching it. Admittedly, a lot of the criticisms are true, the story is highly unrealistic, stretched thin, and uneven in many places. Some of the acting is not convincing, especially from some of the newer actors, though Claudia and Simon were both amazingly portrayed.In my opinion, what sets this series apart are primarily two things. First, they tried to create something fun, exciting and most of all entertaining. It's a comedy-drama that succeeds in making the audience smile most of the time and occasionally cry. The characters and situations are exaggerated beyond expectations, but it isn't meant to be taken too seriously, it's more like a comic book brought to life. The second thing that makes this series special is the styling. Lot's of bold, saturated colors, fast camera changes, energetic music. It's almost like watching a music video. To underline the styling, one of the characters is a free-runner, emphasizing the energy of the production. Everyone looks like they just walked off a fashion magazine photo shoot. One memorable scene is when the wealthy Jennista walks down her spiral staircase wearing an all black dress with a white cat in one arm, probably inspired by Vogue from the 1930s or 40s.
In an interesting twist on the typical love story, here it's the men who are pure, innocent and devoted to their lovers while the women are fighting and generally making a fool of themselves. It's nice to see the stereotypes switched around.
If you're on the fence about whether or not to watch it, just watch the first 15-20 minutes or so. You will get a feel for the style of the show. It doesn't get any better - or worse - after that.
I would love to see the production team create a new season, though perhaps with new characters.
Was this review helpful to you?
Hail Hail! The Gang's All Here.
West Incheon’s favourite good cops Kang Do-chang (Son Hyun-joo and Oh Ji-hyeok (Jang Seung-jo) are back again for another season of murder, mayhem and manipulation with the rest of the lads from Team 2 who are much more of a cohesive fighting machine than once they were. They are still led by Team Leader Woo Bong-shik (Jo Hee-bong), a perpetual nervous wreck whose timidity regarding what they're up against is only equalled by his fear of his wife’s nagging and their chief, Moon Sang Beom (Son Jong-hak) who lives for that holy grail promotion that’s just around the corner.In this series the team tangles first of all with a serial killer in their neighbourhood with a fetish for young women in white. When they finally get their man they play a rather protracted, elaborate game of cat and mouse with a family-run conglomerate, TJ Group who seem to be at the centre of domestic violence and possibly crimes of passion. At the start the patriarch (Song Yang-chang) of TJ Group is spending time behind bars for dubious business practices and the company is left to the devices of his contentious offspring Cheon Sang-woo (Choi Dae-hoon), Cheon Na-na (Kim Hyo-jin) and son-in-law Woo Tae-ho (Jung Moon-sung). The half siblings duke it out for supremacy while Woo Tae-ho, also head of the legal team, is caught between their ferocious rivalry. Their story is both high melodrama and a psychological battle of wits rolled into one.
The thing to note first of all about this franchise is that this never purports to be a police procedural about the nobility of the boys in blue. Far from it. Indeed it is a show about cops — warts and all. The official English title is somewhat misleading and would be better translated from the original as The Model Detective. That said Do-chang and Ji-hyeok aren’t perfect men (Ji-hyeok comes pretty close) but they are the closest thing to diligence and smarts as one might get from this rag tag bunch of investigators. The two men are as alike as chalk and cheese but in very significant ways define what this abstract model detective looks like. Do-chang is all heart and emotionally driven. He sympathizes deeply with the victims’ families which is evidenced by his relationship with his adopted daughter and their relationship with the victim's grandfather. Having lost his father to a cold blooded killing, Oh Ji-hyeok isn’t just intellectually committed to cracking every case, he is absolutely determined to catch every single perpetrator that comes his way. He is depicted as the consummate detective and he’s earned the respect of his colleagues to the extent that his intelligence guides the discourse in the office. The maknae of the team Shim Dong-wook shows plenty of promise except that his Achilles’ heel seems to be his ne’er do well brother Dong-il who seems to fall prey to all kinds of schemes concocted by those whose aim is to divide and conquer.
Unlike your garden variety police procedural, getting to the bottom of the mystery isn’t the main thing here. There aren’t any intractable mysteries or supervillains here. If that’s what you’re looking for, you might want to look elsewhere. Like many K crime shows, knowing who’s responsible isn’t the end of the story or sufficient cause for an arrest because proof is hard to come by. Meanwhile the perpetrators are protected by layers political clout or vested interests which reflects how any kind of business is done in that part of the world. Truth isn’t just a casualty, it’s barely relevant in such a context. In the end one might appeal to self-interest, financial incentives, threats, and political expediency but very seldom is righteous fervour or a well-developed sense of justice part of the equation. Within this dog eat dog ecosystem, detectives see themselves as a link in the food chain and they might want to negotiate for a better deal than what the public service can offer them. It isn’t just a case of survival of the fittest but a submission to the status quo — to the way things are. Jang Ki-jin which is this season’s corrupt cop alongside Choi Yong-geun an ex-cop now enjoying the benefits of being a stooge of TJ group represents a sample of what’s wrong with the public service: It is dominated by capable but ambitious individuals who use their previous service as a stepping stone to getting in bed with the rich and powerful.
Woo Tae-ho, who is another new face in the franchise, is a morally enigmatic figure. Without his inclusion in the mix, the TJ Group would be just another feuding chaebol family. He’s a mediator, a broker and the protector in a messy situation. Somewhere along the way the former prosecutor got mired in that family’s misdemeanours to the extent that he became the family’s lap dog cleaning up after them. His moral compass has gone awry in service of the woman he married. Perhaps that’s why he became attracted to the deceased Jung Hee-joo, a subordinate, who was something of a misfit in that environment. Tae-ho’s dynamic with his wife Cheon Na-na is tragically compounded by layers of irreparable misunderstandings. From an outsider’s perspective, it looks like they’re two people who may lingering feelings for each other but an insurmountable wall has sprung up between them with neither wanting to make the first move to repair matters. There’s little trust on her side and there’s plenty of guilt on his. Na-na whose mental state is fragile despite the bravado clearly frames herself as the victim in the Cheon family dysfunction. She teeters back and forth on the edge of the abyss between stylish poise and wretched madness. It’s a masterful performance by Kim Hyo-jin. Without a doubt her chemistry with Jung Moon-sung is one of the more arresting parts of the show. Jung Moon-sung is one of those truly underrated actors who has the versatility and the charisma to be a male lead but for some reason that status has eluded him thus far.
In the end “Why was Jung Hee-joo killed?” is perhaps a far more difficult question to answer than “Who killed Jung Hee-joo?” The answer to the first question is far more psychologically complex than one might think. But at the end of the day, it’s a question that’s much more of interest to a viewer like me than the conspirators who are trying to misdirect and impede the investigation. For those of us who were raised on the teat of western crime fiction, it might be something of an anticlimax that the answers that her grandfather seeks can only be found only after a series of negotiations, accommodation and political compromises. However, such is the reality of that world. At least the cops can console themselves with the belief that the dead woman’s family can get some closure.
In an ensemble such as this with veterans and well-regarded character actors, it’s pretty much a guarantee that the performances will be stellar across the board. The actors contribute in large part to making this viewing experience an immersive one. It is a male-centric story and one of my great delights is watching the Team 2 camaraderie at work. The banter between the leads and among their colleagues never fails to amuse. Each deliver a punchline with flair especially when it's not heard by the others. What began to flower in S1 has developed into a bit of an art in this series. The dialogue spiced with wit and irony is music to the ears. Despite the ribbing and backhanded serves of chastisement, these men do really care about each other — they can be relied upon to have each other’s backs when the chips are down. Often it is a testosterone filled space that they occupy but I relish every single moment that I spend with these men.
It’s no secret that I’m slightly in love with Oh Ji-hyeok partly because of Jang Seung-jo and he does play the character in a thoughtful understated way. Despite his superior skill set, Ji-hyeok is a team player and the running gags about his good looks and his wealth oddly enough never gets old. His double act with the grumpy but passionate Kang Do-chan (Son Hyun-soo) is more often than not comedy gold.
This show is a fine example of how to do core characters well — to imbue them with distinct personalities and give them character arcs that often test their mettle. I don’t think it’s too much of an exaggeration to note that many crime shows do such a good job with the antagonists that often the protagonists fade innocuously into the background. Not so here. The drama is clear on what its roots are and where its focus should ultimately be right to its humorous ending.
Was this review helpful to you?
Where lays the line between good and evil?
As someone who's a fan of the novel and hugely loved the audio drama and anime adaptation, you can say that I have HIGH expectations for this drama. Cause with such great adaptations already exists, the bar will be extra high. Especially since live actions do not have a great reputation, so I am gonna be straight to the point. There were parts that are terrible, there were parts that deserve to be praised, but overall, it's a worth it drama to watch.Before I start with my review, I will answer a few questions that I've seen people struggling with before deciding to watch it or not. If you do not have this struggle, you can just skip these and immediately go to my review
*The plot is confusing, is this a romance story or not?*
I can't say this enough, but this drama ain't a romance story! This drama/novel is much more than that. This story is about the life of Wei Wuxian and the world he lives in. Romance might be a part of his life, but it ain't everything. The original novel maybe had about 20% (which is also extremely loved by fans), but that's it. There is romance, but it is not the main point of the story! This story is about the boundary between good and evil. Where exactly is the line between these two categories and is Wei Wuxian who is considered to be the most dangerous and evil person in history really as evil as people claim him to be? We'll follow his story in his previous life, his life after his reincarnation and follow his adventure what has happened between the 16 years he was "Dead".
*Will we see gay romance or not?*
I've seen so many people (especially guys) who avoided to watch the anime or this drama because they are afraid to see gay romance. I also believe there are a lot of people who are hesitating to watch it cause they want to see gay romance and are afraid that Chinese censorship will ruin it. I can tell you that both sides have nothing, literally NOTHING to be worried about. Wei Wuxian was bisexual in the novel and is STILL bisexual in the drama, but will not have a romantic relationship with any guys. However there is fan service here and there (Basically everywhere) for those who loved the novel and you can see them clearly if you pay attention to the details, you'll easily recognize them if you have read that the novel. So yeah, those who do not want to see romance, you'll be fine. I mean there are some twilight longing stares once in a while, but you can just go forward a few seconds or just easily ignore them. And for those who want to see romance, you'll find plenty enough hints, cute moments and fan service in the drama to survive. And with plenty I really mean PLENTY. So no matter if you want to watch it for the gay romance or avoided for the same reason. JUST WATCH IT!
*REVIEW*
*Plot* 8.5
I'm gonna be honest, the first 6 episodes were just terrible. It was bad, like REALLY bad. But that was exactly why I enjoyed it with popcorn and all. I was enjoying dissing it so much. I would have rated it a 6 MAX. However, after episode 6, it actually becomes okay. After episode 10, it actually becomes fun and after episode 13, you won't be able to stop anymore, cause suddenly it becomes SOOOO good and it doesn't stop there. It just went up so fast and it doesn't seem to stop till the end. I hesitated for a long time if I should rate it so high, but the plot just gets better and better. I might have even given a 10 if the first 6 episodes weren't so bad. So if you think you can survive a good laugher about a crappy plot for some episode before you get in the rollercoaster of emotions and addiction. Give it a try. But if you really can't stand the horrible acting, just read a summary somewhere and just start from episode 10 LOL. I was surprised how loyal they manage to be to the novel and the novel is definitely 10 worthy! It really shows how much effort they put in and even if they are lacking here and there, the moment you get used to it, you just can't pull yourself out of the story anymore.
*Acting* 8.5
I'll put aside about how much they were alike to the original novel and judge them purely on their acting. Some actors did a REALLY good job, some actors become better over time and some just stay awkward and terrible till the end.
Amazing actors like Wei Wuxian, Shijie and Wen Chao were just wonderful! They are such great actors and my cry moments were all given to them. They made me completely forget about the outside world and just pulled me into theirs.
Some actors were really awkward at first but gradually becomes better and better over time. Actors like Lan Wangji, Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng. Lan Wangji REALLY showed a lot of difference between episode 1 and episode 6. It was as if he suddenly understood his character and just immediately went to perfect, despite being so awkward at the beginning. Actors like Lan Xichen, I couldn't stand them at all at first, but when I got used to them, it was actually not that bad (Perhaps due to my impression of them in the novel). And there's also Jiang Cheng. Oh my boy, he is actually a pretty good actor... except when he cries? Yeah, I immediately went back to reality and actually had to hold back my laughter at really emotional scenes due to him. It DID become better and I actually feel kind of proud of the actor as well (Despite knowing nothing about the actor), but like I said it all becomes better the further you are in the plot
AND there are actors who were terrible till the end. Actors like Jin Zixuan, Wen Qing and Xue Yang. I'm so sorry, but I can't focus when you guys act. I'm glad that they aren't big roles, cause it was really distracting to see them act.
So yeah, there were terrible actors and really good ones. If it wasn't due to most of the actors becoming significantly better over time, I think I would have only given a 7 MAX for the great actors out there, but over time it will become better and some terrible actors will also die at some point so LOL.
*Music* 9
Up till now, I've not seen anyone complain about the OST's, cause they are all REALLY REALLY REALLY GOOD. Everyone even has their own character theme song and the lyrics are all related to the plot. Even if you end up not able to finish the drama, I'm sure you will keep at least the ending track with you, cause the songs are THAT good! One little thing that could be a bit distracting is the fact that their movement on the instrument are not in sync with the music LOL.
*Rewatch Value* 9.5
I have barely dramas that I rewatch, but this drama, this story, it makes you think about a lot of things in real life as well. Even if you do not completely rewatch it, there are just certain scenes, certain episodes that you WILL rewatch again. For emotional reasons or to experience things, you have not realized before.
*Overall* 9
I was actually planning to only give it an 8.5, but the plot just becomes better and better and I couldn't help but increase my rating every single week. However, I will not give it a 10. Some of the acting and first 6 episodes are still terrible. You cannot ignore them
Was this review helpful to you?
