Editorials 
The only reason why the plot moved at all was because of a series of situations where people kept missing each other, or simply didn't connect the dots. All the information, people and props were there, but the script annoyingly made the characters miss all of that due to either bad timing or not enough questions. It's so common and so overused in kdramas that I couldn't get into the story at all. I'm sorry, but if you let someone stay in your house for the night or longer, wouldn't you try to ask as many questions as possible? The story had great potential, but I feel like it treated fate in a very non realistic way. It was almost suggesting that a tragedy is not a real tragedy unless all the characters involved are a part of the tragic past. The show could have had a deeper message, but totally failed to deliver. Seo Ri's story was tragic enough and could stand on its own without all the extra details. I can't stand how shallow it all ended up being.
Essentially, I had a tough time getting into this drama. It got better with time, but the pacing wasn't all that great. I also didn't particularly care about the characters (excluding Seo Ri) until about the 1/3 of the drama. To me, that points to the fact that the writing wasn't great. The show had some really sweet moments, but the sweetness couldn't compensate for the lack of the actual plot development. The characters were lovable but a bit simplistic. Also, as much as I liked Jennifer, did her character really need to be that weird?
The best things about this show were the characters, the acting of the leads and the music. The music in this show is beautiful. The classical pieces were beautifully woven into the story. Overall, I liked Thirty but Seventeen because it wasn't too angsty and there weren't too many mean characters or meddling family members, but I expected it to be a bit better.
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1The Yakuza was not mafiaing enough.
Instead of making the female lead less bland as the drama progressed, they decided to make the drama itself more bland to match her vibe. Why? No one knows.If you want to watch it for mafia romance? Don’t bother. Bad guy turned good for female lead? Don’t bother. High stakes and thrills? Don’t bother. I feel like what the show initially presents and what it actually delivers is completely different.
The mafia plot, even though central to the story, somehow barely exists and feels like it lacks impact. It’s the “good mafia” if you know what I mean. I did enjoy how puppy-like Odagiri Ren was towards the female lead, but when faced with danger and trash people, I wish he was more… mafia like. Otherwise, why is the yakuza even part of the plot?
I enjoyed Sugawara Makoto as a character at first, because I expected well delivered character development. And no, I don’t need her to become a confident extrovert, but girl needs to grow a backbone and learn some assertive skills. At the end of the day, she always had to be saved and could not deal with anything alone.
While the chemistry between them was great, it was the best when they were not kissing. Yet again - my man you are almost 40, playing a character who is probably in his mid 30’ - what is that fish kiss? What is this k-bl from the early 2010s? He is supposed to be madly in love with her, so why does it feel like they don’t really want to kiss each other?
Performances were decent. I think it’s hard for me to judge since for me the characters were weirdly written - a bit too juvenile for the age and circumstances they were in.
At the end of the day, the Yakuza aspect ruined the experience for me, because I kept expecting something else, something more. If it was just an office show with forced co-habitation, I’d probably rate it higher. Adjust your expectations and it might actually be a decent watch.
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DO NOT BE FOOLED!!!!
It is unique in its cliche way! and way way to go!
I am trying to convince you guys! just watch the first episode and you will see!Am i being biased? of course I am! why wouldn't I!
i really love this drama and "love is blind".
In my perspective this is a perfect show regardless of what other drama looks like(better or the best out there). Unfortunately, i only watched dramas thrice or lesser whether it is my favorite or not.
Seriously speaking,
I was hooked by this drama because of the "sudden twist and unrealistic events that occurred so naturally". And for a change it was the first time I watched a drama that involved a good sports car racing. what else should i brag about... ow it is also my first time to write a review!...well, just watch and you will find out!
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The best xianxia of 2024!!!!!!!!
This is the fifth drama I'm watching that has been adapted from a novel written by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang (after The Blue Whisper, love between fairy and Devil, Back from the Brink, Love You Seven Times). Since I've mostly liked all of them, especially back from the brink, I decided to give this a try. And as expected, it didn't disappoint.For future viewers, I am just writing what I liked and what you might enjoy the most if you decide to give this a shot:
1. Followed 90% of the novel, so novel fans won't be disappointed. The leads had a lot of screentime together.
2. An independent and formidable female lead- Takes no nonsense from others, the perfect example of a tough exterior but soft interior, is extremely skilled at fighting and loves to protect her people, doesn't need a knight in shining armor to save her every time.
3. An all-powerful ancient god male lead- has an indifferent exterior most of the time(but is lonely and longs for companionship), loves to joke and prank others, is extremely caring towards our female lead, lets her fight her own battles most of the time even though he is more powerful than her (because he knows she prefers that even though at times he wants her to rely on him) .
4. Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xin are old buddies who have starred in Princess Agents before. Being good friends they had a good level of cooperation and were able to deliver every scene perfectly. Kudos to their phenomenal acting. Also since I saw a lot of comments on how LGX looks too bulky or old for this role, let me tell you my opinion. He is playing the role of an ancient god who has lived for eons and is the highest of all beings in terms of power and position. So obviously, he is supposed to look manly and seasoned for that. I cannot picture someone who looks boyish and is skinny as an ancient deity who is all powerful and has lived for that long.
5.Perfect blend of romance, comedy, action, adventure. For me: Comedy : 10/10, Romance: 9/10, Action: 100/10, Angst: 3/10.
6. This is more of a light-hearted xianxia where the angst is followed by a comedy scene as a medicine to the pain.
7. The CGI is top-notch and one of the best you can get in costume dramas. So grateful for the fact that it was an S+ drama meaning the highest level in terms of budget. The CGI will make all those epic fighting scenes look 100% better. I really appreciate all the time, effort and money that they spent on making those scenes so beautiful. Plus the BGM's and OST's were perfect. The BGM accompanied with the CGI made the scenes so majestic.
8. No unnecessary misunderstanding between the male leads. No important sml or sfl.
9. No plot holes. People might have questions in the beginning but hold on, everything will be answered in the end.
10. A very happy ending. Not rushed and we get a full 1 episode of their happily ever after, quite rare in xianxia these days.
So undoubtedly a 10 out of 10 for me.
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3
2The Ten Commandments of KBLs
These are the commandments that have been handed down to us by the gods of Korean BLs. They shall be the commandments by which any present and all future KBLs may be judged. (N. B. See below for an explanation of my ratings.)1. Thou shalt not kiss. Thou shalt not, in any meaningful sense of that word, "kiss". Thou mayst, however, press thy lips against another man’s as thou wouldst a leper’s.
2. Thou shalt not utter the word ‘gay’. For it is a sin. Thou mayst love another man, but if any man shall ask of thee if thou dost, thou mayst answer, “I like not men, I like only you.”
3. Thou shalt refrain from all carnal desires. For it is a sin. The submissive shall resist all attempts at intimacy, and the dominant may not pursue the submissive unless it is known that all his attempts shall prove fruitless. (Aptly mayst thou call this 'ironical'.)
4. Thou shalt respect the difference in height between the dominant and the submissive. Six inches will suffice, a foot too much, three inches too little. As below, so above.
5. Remember thou that there exist only three acceptable settings for a KBL. School, university, and office. For these do encompass all of life. Thou shalt invest thy characters in white jackets with blue borders if at school, leather jackets and hooded sweaters at university, and ill-fitted suits for work.
6. Remember thou that there exist only three acceptable plots for a KBL. Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and (adopted) brothers to lovers. Thou shalt entertain no other plots besides these.
7. Thou shalt employ no actor that is not thin, wanting of water, and starved for nutriments. The actors must have defined chests, six (or better yet, eight) pack abdominals, and flawless skin. Thou mayst coat the skin with three inches of wall paint to whitewash all flaws.
8. The writer shall inscribe in each tale at least one instance of timejump, forced separation or miscommunication. The unimaginative shall employ all three.
9. Thou shalt choose from among the following ornaments at least three to embellish thy tale: the slipping towel, the towel bath, an accidental fall or catch, sleeping-beauty false-kiss, somnolent confession, gentle lock-of-hair restoration, alcoholic amnesia, and rain-born fever.
10. Thou shalt by no means indicate homophobia in thy tale — in this, our most homophobic realm — unless it furthereth thy plot and our cynical purpose. Friends and family shall be universally supportive, unless it force a separation between thy characters. Remember thou always that this is a world of pandering fantasy, not reality.
Biblical Proportions:
Commandments Broken: 1 (!!!).
Commandments Obeyed: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Ratings:
*For the first commandment broken, I'll add a whole extra star. Again, what?!? They're allowed to do this in KBLs?
*For each of the commandments obeyed, I'll deduct half a point from the story, which brings it down to 1.
*I'll give the cast a 6, purely because I'm in love with Jung Jae Bin. But because I didn't get to see him shirtless, one point deducted. As for Jeon Yu Bin, did he have to look so constipated all the time?
*Was there music in this show? I don't remember.
*I'll give 6 stars for 'rewatch value', because I'm going to watch that kiss over and over and over again.
Reader's Digest:
DO SAY: I am the Lord, thy God.
DON'T SAY: Thou shalt lie with mankind as with womankind. That is love. Scratch that. That's fucking sexy.
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a captivating drama that leaves a lasting impact
Revenant is an electrifying Kdrama featuring the incredible duo of Kim Tae Ri and Oh Jung Se as the lead actors. As a devoted fan of both these actors, I was ecstatic to witness their remarkable performances once again. Kim Tae Ri's acting has been consistently exceptional. Her portrayal of the FL in Revenant is simply awe-inspiring, displaying a seamless blend of natural talent and skill. Oh Jung Se, a truly outstanding actor, brings his unparalleled charisma to the ML role. His performance is captivating, effortlessly drawing viewers into the story with every scene he's in.Revenant kicks off with a death on a dark and stormy night, setting the stage for a thrilling horror tale. The drama cleverly avoids excessive exposition, opting instead to show rather than tell, enhancing the suspense and thrill of the story. Drawing inspiration from Korean folklore, Revenant weaves a haunting narrative that keeps the audience engaged and curious to uncover the truth.
The suspenseful jumpscares, mixed with moments of comedy and creepy vibes, create an enthralling atmosphere that keeps viewers at the edge of their seats throughout the 12 episodes. The plot is masterfully crafted, with layers of lies and real-life experiences that leave you yearning to know the answers to the mysteries presented.
The director's vision and the writer's talent shine through in every aspect of Revenant, creating a captivating drama that leaves a lasting impact. Although there are moments where information is conveniently placed, the impeccable presentation of the story more than makes up for it. It's a must-watch for anyone who enjoys suspense thrillers with a touch of the supernatural.
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Poorly Executed Or Well-Written?; What’s Left To Say About ‘ A Beauty Of Revenge’ …
With a very short air time ( only five episodes), and an evidently cut duration length and budget by the producers of the fairly mixed-reception miniseries ‘ Multi Personality Girl’ ( the drama’s “ sister story”) , ‘ A Beauty Of Revenge’ was fairly predestined from the start towards having some evident flaws . However with its own take upon the “ revenge” cliche and incoherent plot twists in between, this does leave newcomers with one ultimate question; “is ‘ A Beauty Of Revenge’ actually worth watching? “
The drama’s initial premise was certainly interesting; a bullied girl Min Sun ( Park Min Sun) seems to change her appearance and identity to become Yeo Bin ( Jang Yeo Bin) and expose the sociopathic delinquent leader Ho Tae ( Son Ho Tae) as part of her revenge ploy.
The acting front of the drama was fairly good . Whilst admittedly certain line deliverances could be better than others, our main cast did add their own dynamic charm during key moments throughout the series. Yeo Bin’s darker secrets coming to light and her unreliability as a main character added a value of surprise for audiences by Jang Yeo Bin’s mannerisms captivating a sense of trust and believability within the female lead. Similarly Ho Tae’s sociopathic and megalomaniacal actions onscreen were captivated well by Son Ho Tae’s piercing gaze and sardonic expressions .
On the other hand ‘ A Beauty Of Revenge’ seemed to try too hard (even from the get-go )to brand itself as a “ shocking revenge tale” without always taking the time for the audience (and even the characters) to digest or understand the plot twists . For example there’s a major plot twist ( without spoilers) which occurs in the drama which whilst surprising , felt poorly-executed and lacked more drive and coherent plot reasoning .
In fact this was a major problem in the miniseries. Whilst it’s short duration length is arguably a pitfall for not having opportunities to expand out on these storylines in more depth, it’s undeniable that it doesn’t take a lot of time to interweave good writing techniques. ( One of the most evident throughout being foreshadowing. )As a consequence whilst the ending was certainly unforeseen, it lacked as much shock value due to feeling poorly-paced.
Ultimately with its short duration length episodes ‘ A Beauty of Revenge’ is easy enough to watch in one binge-watch sitting. Whilst the concept and of course the cast were undeniably the miniseries’ major fortes, the execution of storyline and plot twists lacked more finesse.
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This review may contain spoilers
I was not initially interested in watching this drama. While I love myself a good noona romance, and I love Gong Hyo Jin as an actress, the plot synopsis didn't sound like my thing, so I decided to give this one a pass. But the more I saw and read about the drama as it aired, the more I wanted to watch it, so maybe a month before the story was going to end, I decided to pick it up.Ooooooh my goodness was that a good decision. I liked every character, I liked the murder mystery, I liked the drama's intentional focus on difficult topics, I loooooved the noona romance, but what I liked the most was Dong Baek.
I may be blaspheming a previously viewed and loved drama of mine, but I genuinely think this may be the closest I have ever come to relating to a drama female lead in every single way. Dong Baek's particular life circumstances, single motherhood, child abandonment, running a bar frequented by all the neighborhood men to the chagrin of their wives, none of that speaks to my life. But the way Dong Baek expressed herself, the way she saw herself, the internal sadness and disappointment and bitterness she felt over her life, that was spot on. She is definitely a kindred spirit.
Overall, this drama is a ten for me, from start to finish. I highly recommend it.
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While it's mostly an episodic series, it manages to tackle a lot of issues that I think is important for the youth to think about even if it means character development and story is pretty much stagnant. From the teaser you practically already know who these characters are because they pretty much stay the same throughout the show. Even though it's like this, you can't help but root for the characters and love them.
I think it's a must watch because it raises a lot of issues and point of views and serves them all in bitesized episodes that are easy to digest and binge watch. It may not be that popular of a web show but it's a damn important one.
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KelpiView : They are my secret love too.
Overall impression:Hmm. My initial impression of the show is just that. Honestly, when it first started, it wasn't really on my weekly list at all. Though at this point, i do not know when i became so invested in it. The show itself starts slow, that i must say. getting past that slow start, is all it takes to make me into a obsessed fan and I truly appreciate the production crew in producing this gem of a show.
What I liked about it:
Great cast!
A good story meets a great cast, that is what i think My Secret Love is. Despite some of the cast member not having any experience under their belt like Bew (Park) and Por (Bear), as well as Kenji (Mai) and boat (Tim). They did exceedingly well portraying their characters. The leads are not very lovable at the start, that i must say. But the more i watch each week, the more that i like them for their character portrayals. However the supporting couples of this show totally stole my heart. all 3 of them lol.
Evolving Genre!
I initially thought this show could be tagged as a comedy due to the amount of laugh i had for the start of the show. As i mention, it started slow, but the only reason i continued watching it was because of the comedic elements that is present throughout the show. Tho, it was very comedy centric at the start which really helped in my opinion. As the story progresses, they showed glimpses of each couples backstory and trouble and that sets the mood for a concrete scenario in my opinion. The show should definitely be tagged as a rom com.
Awesome OST
As Im typing out this review, the ost from Jeff Satur (look) is playing in the background. That is how much i would love to give this song an honorary mention. It helps that its jeff satur. But the mood of the song itself fits well with the show that every time i hear the song, i would immediately associate it to the show.
What I disliked about it:
Slow Start.
No show is perfect in my opinion. as people we can never be satisfied fully. But that's really ok. One small detail that i wish could be done differently was the slow start, but that being said, its not a deal breaker for me as i enjoyed the comedy route that they begun with.
Inadequate ParkLee scenes.
Okay, this may be pushing it a little bit, BUT. hear. me. out. I just felt that there should be more ParkLee scenes in the show.... because.. just because.. i wanted more of them. lol. one of my favourite on screen secondary couple by far. their backstory was so cute. i wish they would make a story of park and lee in another series.
Did I enjoy it?:
I really enjoyed this one. as i mentioned, it started slow but really stuck on to me and i really enjoyed the ride.
Would I recommend it to others?:
Definitely. Though some people might be a lil bored of the university setting, but if you are ok with that and like a multiple couple show like me. and appreciate a good show, i think you should definitely give it a try! To me, a certain setting might not deter me to try a show because even though the setting is the same, its the cast that brings the character and story to life and that makes a whole lot of difference. So, if you have time and wanna be emotionally invested, give My Secret Love a try!
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A bond is a bond, whether forged in the innocence of youth or the wisdom of age.
I can't believe there aren't any reviews for this awesome movie! Even though I'm not the best at putting my thoughts into words, I'll give it a shot and try to convince you why this was such a fun watch.Imagine a gangster asking a 9th grader for singing lessons because his boss has this weird birthday tradition of hosting a singing competition, and coming last is a big no-no. Sounds crazy, right? But these two actors made it look like the most normal thing ever. You'd almost believe it could happen at your school!
This drama is about a sugary-sweet yakuza and a cold-hearted teenager who's the poster child for teenage angst and icy glares.
It's a quirky reminder that friendship can blossom in the most unexpected and peculiar ways possible. The story takes time to warm up, but as you notice changes in their expressions, you realise that, oh, they are totally into the BFF game now.
What's fascinating is that our teenage protagonist isn't your typical rebel; he's surprisingly cool-headed. On the flip side, there's another teen in full tantrum mode, plus a mature girl their age always trying to cool things down, showcasing the many shades of adolescence.
I enjoyed this movie a lot. There are so many fun moments, some literal god-level smart writing, and, of course, a totally heartwarming climax. I know my review is kind of wrapping up now when I hardly wrote anything but anything more than this can be a spoiler, and I don't want to steal your joy away.
Just to make this review a worthy read, I am going to tell you the most important thing about this movie, which is the post-credit scene. Please don't miss it, and look closely at the tatto on our sweetheart yakuza and smile like I did.
Now go and watch this gem right now, and please return and write a better review than me to attract more viewers, I believe in you hahaha.
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We are back!!! 铁甲依然在 (tie jia yi ran zai).
Novoland Eagle Flag is about a time in fantasy world Novoland's history where the outlawed Tianqu warriors are revived for an epic showdown with growing evil forces of the supernatural Chenyue cult.These are tumultous times in Novoland, where the ruling Yin Empire only has a tenuous grip on its power over its vassal kingdoms. The emperor and the ruling nobles of the various kingdoms are protected by their own armies led by skilled generals. By coalition and mutual self interest, an unstable balance of power is maintained. Internal politics and power struggles within the empire and the kingdoms complicate the plot. These sub threads are quite well written but can be ignored or followed loosely without losing track of the story-line. This inherent instability is manipulated by the Chenyue cult who preys on the superstitions, insecurities and ambitions of the ruling elite. As war breaks out when a powerful warlord seizes power, the might of the Chenyue's undead Redteeth army grows surreptitiously with the death count. This sets the stage for the return of the formidable Tianqu warriors, historical protectors of the realm until banished for killing a despot. Only the Tianqu warriors, lead by their chief suzerain with a legendary sword, had been able to suppress the Chenyue.
Our three main characters are destined to play a critical role in Tianqu's return. They are bound together by a touching friendship as they come of age during these troubled times. Asule is crown prince of the nomadic Qingyang tribe who are fierce warriors in the harsh wintry North. He is sent at young age to Eastland as a political hostage. Yuran is an orphan from the elite of the Winged Tribe who is a princess in name at the Xiatang court. Ji Ye is the unfavored elder son of a nobleman whese mother was a concubine. They were lonely children whose paths crossed in Xiatang and essentially become each others' families. Yet they are pawns in this ruthless world where their friendship is constantly tested by ambitious and powerful actors who use them to achieve their own agendas. Asule is an idealist who wants to use his power to save the world. Ji Ye wants to prove himself, he is a conqueror who wants to rule the world. Yuran doesn't care about the world or the future, she just lives in the moment for herself and her friends. The relationship between the three leads was one of the best parts of this drama and well written. They balance each other out perfectly. Asule is a gentle soul who cannot bear to kill even when it is the only way to achieve the greater good. Ji Ye has no such reservations but his ruthless ambition is checked by Asule's goodness. And Yuran is the glue that binds them together and keeps them grounded on what is truly important - their friendship and the importance living for oneself.
The cast was very strong as this big budget production spared no expense with veteran actors. Many did not like the actress Song Zuer but I thought she was the perfect Yuran, which is not a deep character, just a very vehement one. While Liu Haoran did a good job portraying Asule, the character was poorly written and waffled in the back half. Don't hold it against him that the scriptwriter turned him into a brainless incredible hulk-like killing machine whenever he is angry. And while Chen Ruoxuan overdid the petulant youth in the beginning, Ji Ye's character is a strong one that showed tremendous growth towards the end.
The script-writing which was fantastic and gripping in the first half turned into an epic disappointment in the back half. It became repetitive, deviated into half heart-ed ill fated romantic tropes and took odd and messy turns with several core characters including Asule. I realized too late that this is the same dastardly Linmon Pictures that similarly destroyed the back half of Legend of Fuyao. It is their signature gimmick of replacing the production team with Team B so that Team A gets to move onto new projects. At that point you are so invested that you end up watching the rest of it anyway. The only thing that helped Novoland is that it is backed by the substance of a real book whereas Fuyao descended into 100 pct script-writer induced train-wreck. Given the record budget, the popularity of the novel, serious hype and the veteren cast this should have been a 9 or 10, one of the best of the year. What an epic let down - despite some truly superb battle scenes and cinematography, it ended up as just an OK overall production due to the messy writing.
The ending is controversial and felt rushed. Unlike most, I believe the Eagle Flag chapter of Novoland ended where it should have. One of the biggest misconceptions of this drama is that the story is character driven. It is not. The three leads may have their own subplots but all of the plot threads converge in the final conflict between Tianqu and Chenyue. The characters are relevant only as far as their roles in the build up to an epic climatic clash between good and evil. What happens to the characters after that is not important since the story is not really about them. A sequel or season 2 seems unlikely in this context although there could be spin offs that once again touch upon some of their subsequent paths - someone who read the books will know better than I.
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This review may contain spoilers
the script and acting went hand in hand and made this an interesting watch.
This was genuinely such an unexpectedly wonderful surpriseof a short drama. The whole premise being Stockholm syndrome × psychiatrist/patient × a weird 2nd chance romance kinda trope was honestly not expected. Like I don't really know how to explain it but as someone with a psychology background this was just-Both the characters being survivors of SA and dealing with the trauma in their own fked up ways was portrayed so intricately. How they both were each others medicine but also making each other worse, and just their codependency and the FL's struggle with the ML messing up her carefully structured "normal life" after escaping from him the first time. The ML being obsessively in love with her even when it was unrequited and a sllolid burden weighing on her did not stop him from trying to keep her to his side was done showing just enough crazy to make you realise that he's fked up without overdoing the crazy.
Nan Xiang (FL) played by Lin Zilin was such a traumatized, complex character and the way she portrayed it was top notch. Her trauma still making her a patient herself, she went on as the ML's psychiatrist, i feel that was coz girlie had some sort of a savior complex coz she did take it on as a challenge, but she just didn't expect to fall for him and his obsession was something she wasnt prepared for. The actress did such a good job, especially in the parts where her trauma surfaced and she had anxiety. She knew she messed up as she had taken the initiative in their relationship but she was alsothe one to back off when she realised how troubling it actualy was. I honestly liked that they gave her some sort of redemption here and there, like her jumping into the pool to save him once she got to know his trauma, and also when she came back for him even though she knew he was more than capable and that it was all his plan just to get her back.
Yu Tiandong (ML) played by Zhang Chi, as an actor this dude was fkn great, no lies. The portrayal of a character as complex but still simple in a way is genuinely not easy, but this man did a phenomenal job. First of all, i gotta say i have a crush on him, that hairstyle suits his crazy so well. Yu Tiandong being an SA victim and having developed bipolar disorder and fear of water was portrayed so well. And also the love this character had for the FL had me in the feels. Him wanting to in a way help her root out her past was honestly a bit messed up the way he went about it but also it was needed. I feel it was more of his guilt at having taken the money after his assault that was more traumatic for him, and he was just trying to protect her in ways he'd have liked to be protected i guess.
As a short chinese drama, the script was honestly so unexpected, especially since i watched it on YouTube titled "She fell for her psycho CEO patient, trapped by his love, escaped only to be stolen again and spoiled" so i guess you can see how i was expecting to have like 2hrs of brain rot, but instead ended up with one of my new favorites. I'm not gonna watch this again anytime soon since it is quite emotionally charged, but its something I'd recommend even with that title.
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I was sorry to find out that this drama has not had high ratings in Korea and has not been viewed by many viewers outside Korea either. Although I can understand the basic reason of not wanting to watch people suffering I can say that it is a real pity not to appreciate all the effort that obviously went into the production, filming and acting of this drama. I think this is the best acting I have seen of So Ji Sub so far (and I have seen most of his well-known dramas) and especially in the last episodes he gave a performance that would have been higly worth an Oscar award if he had been in the US. But I also have to mention the other two main actors and in particular Yoon Kye Sang who played an incredible character who was strong and very generous.
So to summarize this drama focuses mostly on what friendship, comradeship and patriotism are all about but it also describes a very intense love story. I highly recommend the viewers to have a strong stomach and go through all the hardships that these poor soldiers went through and in the end...you will feel higly rewarded like I did!
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THIS IS ME BEING NICE
Cute cast - check! Unique storyline - check! Good location - check! But what started out as a promising fantasy rom-com slowly fell flat, and then fell harder on its ass with that lousy ending. Im giving it a 6 out of 10 and this is me being nice!The fantasy theme hooked me initially- after tens of high school and university themed BLs, I thought it was a breathe of fresh air. However, after the first episode when they tried to incorporate some cheap special effects, it became evident that they didn't really know how to utilize what was supposed to be its strength. The supernatural element was minimized that you almost don't feel it, until that brief moment in that episode when the cupid, Nite, disappeared completely (and that wonderful pink glow appeared again). By the end I was almost thinking if maybe the main characters Tae and Namwhan were just high on something and they just imagined the whole Cupid thing.
I love how cute the main actors were - Tee as Tae and Peace as Nite are so easy on the eyes and although the acting were a bit amateurish, i think they at least carried the show. Noey as Namwhan was also adorable and I loved that they didnt write the main female character as an annoying side show.
Also to be fair, although the story wasnt fully developed, I had a more pleasant experience listening to their lines - the script was written in a way that feels like the characters are real people, not actors acting in a drama.
Another good thing is the setting - Khon Kaen was such a wonderful background, and although at times it felt like a tourism ad, i still loved the way they showcased the city. Also, that brief moment in Chang Mai was mesmerizing to say the least. There was however, quite a lot of distracting establishments and product placements. I cant remember how many times they showed the Emma house model signage with its 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 2 parking - i thought it was part of the cast.
I heard production was hindered by the pandemic, but I think what they should have done is waited a bit, to wrap the story properly with the same cast. The last episodes felt so detached and was filled with so many flashbacks to extend time- it was so obvious that they were just made to complete contractual obligations without really caring for whoever was left still watching.
And no, there was no real resolution to the story. When Cupid disappeared I was left heartbroken, and my heart hasn't healed properly, up to now. Id recommend skipping this one, unless you really, really need to watch something and there's no other option.
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