STORY - I personally loved most of the storyline. I really enjoyed it. It was cute, funny and just the pick-me-up if you needed it. There was just a plot in the last two episodes that I didn't like and for that reason, the rating on this drama missed that 10 mark. Still, overall a great storyline!
ACTING/CAST - This is my first time seeing Show Luo and right off the bat, he earned a spot in my favourites for this role. He was phenomenal. The differences in his characterizations of Da Lung and Xue Hai actually made me wonder for a moment if it really was the same actor that was in the drama earlier. His transformation from lovable dork to gorgeous hunk was just that good. As for Rainie Yang, it was refreshing to see her in this bad girl role and really, she did a commendable job with it! She usually has the angel look but as Bao Zhu, that was no longer the case. The secondary characters were also as good with a notable performance from Lee Wei as Xuezhang and Wu Maggie although I didn't like her character.
MUSIC - Both Rainie and Show sang songs for the drama which somehow made it even better to watch. They suited the atmosphere perfectly and really, it's a wonderful OST.
REWATCH VALUE - I give it an 8 because for me, I loved the first 10 or so episodes. The last two didn't do much for me though I did like the ending. The storyline was good and I did like seeing Show Luo's acting so there's a very good chance I will end up watching it again.
OVERALL - 9/10
Not a bad drama! Definitely recommended if you want something light and warm :)
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Fact is, for once I've decided to write a review which is very personal and not at all objective. It's based upon the emotions it gave me, not the cinematographic quality of the drama.
Also, I think it's necessary to say that among the 3 versions of the same story, this was the last I watched, despite its being the first live-action based on the popular manga.
And while I consider the Japanese version the best one regarding acting and music and the Korean one better in terms of photography, colours and characterization, I'm ready to face criticism and admit that the Taiwanese version was the most satisfying to me on a romantic level.
The chemistry between Shan Cai and Dao Ming Si is what makes this into a worth watching show. For the first time, I was not rooting for the heroine to end up with the second lead, but for the main couple to finally be together. While watching hana Yori Dango and Boys Before Flowers I found myself constantly thinking: throw that arrogant brat away and choose Rui, or Ji Hoo!
You are allowed to laugh.
I ascribe this to the actors and the way their interactions were portrayed.
While Shan Cai can be annoying at times, she is a consistent character and once she finally realizes who she loves - it takes her some time - she is truly convincing. The same can be said about Dao Ming Si, whose candour as a besotted lover is quite endearing.
Therefore, although I recognize this show is pretty cheap when it comes to costumes, screenshots, photography and overall acting, I still have a fond memory of it and will probably rewatch it in the future.
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I had this drama on my PTW list for a long time, I've delaying it for ages then one day, I decided to go fo it.
2) Storyline/Plot:
As a person who haven't read the manga and have no idea about this drama's story, I believe that the storyline was somehow strong.
Positive points:
*The plot was set up in a good way plus the story's development was meaningful since it gathered rigid events.
*This is the type of drama that won't let you lose interest in its events simply because mysterious twists were always present.
*This drama's storyline was a great mixture between romance, mystery, psychology and even some little horror moments; that's why I would say that the storyline is rich and enjoyable.
*There were some brilliant suspens moments that would fill you with anticipation and expectations.
Negative points:
*There were some unnecessary events or let's say they were "badly expressed".
*Some moments were really annoying to watch.
Story: 8.5/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*Zhou Vic : he has always been my weakness point but seriously he managed to portray the character in a perfect way.
He completely owned the role whether in sadness, happiness, his gloomy or his cheerful character; he knew how to deliever feelings.
*Hsu Barbie : As an actress she had a good show but I can't say the same about her character which took the wrong turn sometimes.
*The chemistry was one of the greatest chemistries that I've seen so far. I enjoyed every scene they had together.
*The rest of the cast was cool too plus their acting skills were good too.
Cast: 8/10
Acting: 8.5/10
4) The ending:
It one of those endings which anyone would love to see on screen. Overall it was good enough.
The ending: 8/10
5) My impression (How did it afect me):
*It's true that I had to skip some parts in order to make the drama's episodes equilibrated but I never lost interest in its events.
*Zhou Vic was simply amazing here not only as *insert shallow feelings* but also as a good actor who knew how to portray his role.
*Although I liked this drama, I can't say that I was obsessed about it.
My impression: 7.5/10
6) Overall:
*If you want a good change from typical romantic comedies then you like this.
*If you like romance mixed with psychology then this is for you
*If you like Zhou Vic then you need to watch this because this was his best role ever.
Overall: 8.5/10.
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This review may contain spoilers
Finally! A drama where sincerity and goodness always triumph over bad intentions
Chun Cheu Bussaba's merging of romance and comedy against a backdrop of delicious Thai food scenes, resulted in a show that was a lot better than I expected. The show is filled with slapstick, clowning, and funny dialogue, which have time and again really hit the funny bone. At the same time, it had some poignant moments, addressing certain prejudices against older single women and societal perception of beauty.This 'ugly duckling' version with a nice twist did not have Bussaba go through any significant makeover. In fact, I like how they styled Bee Namthip as Bussaba from the beginning. She looked normal, albeit a little unkempt and dowdy with her oversized clothing, but still pretty, especially when she smiled. I love how Bussaba improved her outer beauty naturally and realistically as she started to pay more attention, like using contacts and tidying up her hair. Most of all, I appreciate how Saran, the ML came to love her for her character, but he also noted that Bussaba's beauty was more subtle, less flashy than other women who wear a lot of makeup, high-heels, and fitting clothes.
My one complaint is that Bussaba, with her talent in cooking, did not seem to have a lot of ambition, especially when it came to being a top chef. Her lackluster desire to excel did not seem consistent with her image as the top student of a cooking master.
The best part of the show is how good I felt watching it. In most lakorns, the villains always seem to be ahead until the very last couple of episodes. Not in this show! To quote Bussaba's grandmother, "Divine spirits protect good people!". It is absolutely gratifying to see our FL triumph over not only one but two Nang Rais, simply by being true to herself. Her sincerity touched almost everyone and not surprisingly garnered their support without her even trying. Not only that, we have an ML who was not wishy-washy, unlike many P'eks, vacillating between his ex and the FL. The audience never had to stress about love triangles. While Saran may be uncertain about his feelings for Bussaba in the beginning, he was always clear about drawing the line with his ex. Likewise with Bussaba, while the second ML was a delicious tall drink of hotness and was in every way perfect for her, she never wavered once she developed feelings for Saran. What's refreshing is that the drama did not drag the plot out with misunderstandings. Any potential melodrama was resolved quickly, leading to a satisfying ending.
This rom-com has an older woman, a younger man theme, and Bee Namthip and Film Thanapat had great chemistry and were adorable together. Film was especially cute when he acted all flirty and charming, and Bee complemented him nicely. And the kisses were real and well-done, people! I felt embarrassed, like I was intruding on their privacy and, at the same time, impressed, wondering if the oozing sexiness was due to Bee being a seasoned actress and therefore less inhibited. I thought that both actors emoted well, and Film, especially with his micro-expressions, did a great job. One can tell when Saran was thinking naughty thoughts (although it could just be me, projecting what I want them to do - hehe!)
To be honest, I would not have minded if Bussaba ended up with Dr. Kim as long as Saran also had a happy ending. Utt Uttsada Panichkul is so swoon-worthy and was perfect as the suave, more experienced gentleman who courted Bussaba so gently and patiently. Even when he decided not to be a gentleman and instead be a man who went after what his heart desired, he did it with such dignity that a part of me could not help but root for him. Let's just say that I was 55% Team Saran and 45% Team Dr. Kim. I would really like to see Utt and Bee as the lead couple in another show. The cast overall did a fabulous job, with Bussaba's trio of female relatives who totally earned my respect and admiration as the best family ever!
The music served its purpose, softly playing in the background and enhancing the mood. There were a couple of songs that were pleasant but generally not that memorable.
Re-watch value is high, considering that this is the second time I have watched this series, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good rom-com that conveys messages of karma and the value of knowing one's self-worth.
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Story: It's the most developed one that I've seen until today.It's the full package of romance, action, drama and mistery.It made me fall off my chair from laughing sometimes, but on the other hand it made me use so many many tissues most of the time.Is a very serious story which touches ideas and problems that were never touched once before.
Acting/Cast: What can I say about this....I really loved the chemestry between Barbie Hsu and Vic Zhou since Meteor Garden, but here was really outstanding.I love Brbie Hsu..she is my favorite TW actress, not only she is beautiful but also has great talent.It always seemed to me that she and Vic were soulmates because of their interection and underestanding with each other.The characters were so well portraid that it made the story come alive.
Music: It was really beautiful.Trust me..I don't like TW music..I really find it annoying most of the time but this one was so beautiful that I don't know what to say.The song Ling/Zero described so well the drama that only listenig to it brought my tears.
Rewatch Value: I really don't rewatch dramas often because it's boring for me to know what happens next and so on...but I would definetely rewatch this one..I don't know why but only rewatching some scenes or listenig to the songs makes me shed tears of sadness.For me this drama is one in 5 years or so.
Overall: For me a drama can get 10 points only if it can remain in my head for a long period of time and it can make me compare it with others.This one succeded in this and it also made me to open my eyes and to be happy for what I have because their are many more people more unhappy and with more problems out there than me.
So I think that when you are in a state of mind of watching a REAL love story not a "fantazy" one you should give this try and let it get into your heart
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This show is funny, but unlike many asian dramas it doesn't suffer from trying too hard to be funny. It knows where the joke is then ENDS it. The comedy in the show is paced really well with the drama, so you wont feel as if you're stagnating in the drama or comedy for too long.
The romance is good. The characters are believable, and their romance progresses naturally without the plot forcing them together too soon, or keeping them apart for too long.
The villans in the drama actually have reasons for being the way they are, and at points you can really feel for them. No one is wholly evil, so you get to see the good and the bad in people and their struggle of which side will win. The mustashe twirlers are at least funny, so even if you don't identify with them at least you get to laugh at them throughout.
I had to give this a 9 out of 10 because one major storyline is just never resolved, also because although the ending was nice, it didn't really go with the rest of what the drama was.
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This review may contain spoilers
Burn The House Down: A Gripping Thriller with Some Missed Thrills
Burn The House Down is a thriller that kept me engaged with its gripping plot & numerous plot twists, although it lacked the desired level of thrill. Nevertheless I found it quite enjoyable.The story follows Anzu, who returns to her childhood home as a maid in order to uncover the truth about a tragic incident that occurred thirteen years ago. Anzu's mission is to prove her mother's innocence, as her mother has been blaming herself for a fire incident that took place all those years ago. As Anzu begins to work as maid, she meticulously plans her path to revealing the truth, setting the stage for an intriguing thriller.
The acting performances of both the female lead and the supporting male characters were commendable, as they fully immersed themselves in their respective roles.
One of the aspects I appreciated about this thriller was of plot twists. The unexpected turns kept me intrigued throughout the story.
Additionally, the bond between Anzu and Kiichi was a highlight for me. I admired how Anzu made efforts to heal Kiichi's emotional wounds throughout the show.
The cinematography and overall production quality of the series were impressive adding to the visual appeal of the drama.
However, I felt that the thrill factor was somewhat lacking. While the absence of OTT moments was a positive aspect, it didn't consistently provide the thrilling experience I was hoping for. This could be seen as both a positive and negative point of the drama.
Another downside for me was the character of Anzu's father. I found him to be a hypocrite and hated him throughout the series.
Furthermore, the execution of the final plot twist could have been better. If Shinji was the main culprit throughout the drama, it left me wondering why Kiichi isolated himself from the world and portrayed himself as someone burdened with guilt throughout the story.
Despite these drawbacks, Burn The House Down is overall a nice thriller worth watching.
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How are there no reviews about this yet???
How are there no reviews about this yet???This is my first time writing a review for a series but....
It's literally one of the best thrillers out there and the acting, cast and story is crazy amazing!!!!
Tor and Gun are literally the best pair and their chemistry is no joke!
We don't know if it's a BL or not but if you're having second thoughts about watching it... Just go watch it right now!!!
Oh and you don't want to miss out on the cameos in every episode.
Ps: Triphob's onlt line in this drama is 'Her name is Bam' lmao
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Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area - Part 1
17 people found this review helpful
Biggest Heist in Korea Unfolds ❤
❤ What to Expect in Plot [Disclaimer]• Exact remake of the original Season 1 with a Korean touch
• The characters are same, with slight variations for some characters' background stories
• Remakes will always be compared to the original and will not be at par for all, but this is good remake and will make K-fans happy.
• Season 1 is Part 1 and Part 2 - with Part 1 released with 6 episodes on June 24, 2022
So go watch with an open mind!
❤ Acting:
• Since the plot is exact of the original series, the characters are same
• Some highlights/notable differences:
→ TOKYO: since her background is different, her character development is different initially merging into the Tokyo we know
→ BERLIN: If you loved him in the Squid Game, you will love his sadistic portrayal here even more
→ PROFESSOR: a more nerd yet suave version of the original but then again I am a fan of Yoo Ji Tae ❤
→ ARTURO/Jo Yeong Min: still a hate-worthy character like the original right from the start
❤ Setting:
• It is set up in a fictional place: Joint Economic Area
Personally like it, as it takes a lot of braincells to come up with a new place all together (but it is no Hobbitshire/Hogwarts/Narnia) and make a story there. And it makes it different from the original.
• I love the use of HAHOE Masks instead of Dali ones
• Music and Direction is quite addictive and polished
❤ Summary:
→ Keep an open mind and remember that this is a Korean REMAKE. Be kind ❤
→ Fans of Yoo Ji Tae and Park Hae Soo - you will fall in love all over again, as I have ❤
→ A concise remake, with good cinematography and acting showing the biggest heist to be pulled in Korea! ❤
→ I am big fan of the original series, and with that in mind, this has been a pretty great & grand effort! ❤
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama is a perfect example of how to destroy something with great potential. A story with good base and was interesting in the start but as the drama continued the plot didn't even make sense! From the summary, I was waiting something more like the Avengers (I mean as a theme), a team/friends with superpowers trying to find a solution and fight the evil. The love stories with completely no chemistry and building were unnecessary. And of course a completely random end. All these things for nothing? Not even a final battle? Why will someone see a "superhero"/fantasy drama without a final battle?The only good things, and I mean it, is 1) Wang Yi Bo, but, of course the role was a loooot less than what he can do and deserves, and 2)A-Fu's arc, the only interesting and realistic arc. But seriously, can someone give a proper role to Wang Yi Bo? Lan Wan Ji was perfect and interesting, even with minimum words. But everything else is similar... I really hope his upcoming dramas will be better and his roles actually interesting.
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A warm show with cute pets
For a 4 episode show, this one actually brings a lot of romance, friendships, and cute moments with the pets. As someone who likes watching dating shows, the aspect of bringing their pets definitely made getting closer to a potential partner much easier. For the panel, I really like their comments especially Hanae's. The music here is impeccable, so many songs from Kpop artists I usually listen to. The cast are mostly likeable. The 'rivals' never involved a pissing contest or something similar but I really like that cute atmosphere until the end.Was this review helpful to you?
Simplicity Still Wins
In a time of explicit scenes, and uncut episodes ( which isn't a bad thing ) This series showed us that simple sweet moments can still make a story feels real and so enjoyable to watch. Moments that we rarely see in bls anymore. Communication, Cheek kisses, Holding hands, The excitement of saying each other's name, Sharing hopes and dreams, and talking about your flaws. This is what falling in love is all about. It's realistic, mature and relatable. It's impossible to watch it without feeling their love and having a big smile on your face. This series is easily became one of my top favorite that I'll enjoy watching again for years to come. The acting and chemistry were great. They chose the perfect actors for their roles. I'm very excited about the director I think he'll give us amazing bls in the future.Was this review helpful to you?
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acting is good but you should bare jerry yan for the first 3-4 episode but he improve to be a magical actor later. shan ci is the best amoung the three version and you belive that a man could crazyly fall in love with her. more side stories and charecter which gave us time to ubderstand and enjoy the story better. domioshil is a crazy lover but in a good way here. I know japanese version oguri shun was so (extraordinary) bewildering but Zhou Vic is kind and warm. then I guess you should give this a chance.
it's funny because now domyushil image in my memory has changed from Matsujun to Jerry yan.
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