Reviews

Adaptations are tricky, especially when the source material is so highly regarded, but I enjoyed the Chinese take on the Midnight Diner world. Slice of life dramas are right up my alley, and I think the right sentiment was captured.

Story:
Like the original manga/Japanese drama, the center of the drama is the owner of a diner that only opens from midnight to 7am, and the stories revolve around his diner customers (some are regular, most just happen to pass by to tell their story, and life goes on). Every storyline features a specific dish, and usually lasts anywhere from 1 to 4 episodes.

One of the biggest issues that I have with this show is the inconsistent tone - and that may be directly connected to the way they use Master (played by Huang Lei). There are stories where he's like his Japanese counterpart and is merely a wise observer and supporter of the world around him. But there are other stories where he's basically inserted himself into his customer's lives that feels almost intrusive and very unlike the Master. Of course, if you haven't seen the source material, this may not be an issue, but Midnight Diner isn't supposed to be about the Master - it's supposed to be about the stories of its customers. I also read that because this was such a sprawling drama, the director ?of Black & White!) had to pull in some other directors to film certain episodes, which might also contribute to the inconsistency.

Due to this, there are certain stories that I think excelled more than others (and you can definitely pick the episodes you want to watch without missing anything) - and when the drama did it right, it did a phenomenal job of integrating social commentary, humanity, and sentiment. I didn't really care for the stories of the regulars though, who were mostly there for comic relief and played by unconvincing actors.

The standout stories, in my opinion, would of course feature the one starring Mark Zhao and Qi Wei, which also got the most publicity. The story of a deaf single father, his adorable five year old daughter, and the mother that comes back into their lives left me completely wrecked emotionally. It had a couple of weird plot holes, but was one of those stories that I can totally see standing alone as a movie and totally succeeding.

But my absolute favorite was the "Red Braised Pork" episodes - featuring a bitter, retired ex-surgeon who is paralyzed from the waist down, and his caretaker, a simple woman from the countryside who just wants to give her baby son a better life. This was such a realistic depiction of two Chinese social trends - the regard of the elderly as a burden on their offspring, and the sacrifices workers from the countryside have to make for a better tomorrow.

There's a couple of other cute stories in here - the one featuring Cherrie Ying, for example, was short and bittersweet, but very realistic. It really kind of shows that the snippets that we see via the show are just that - they're little moments in a person's life, but it's fleeting and temporary, and whatever situation they're going through eventually passes, and life goes on for everyone. It doesn't mean that we need to belittle whatever we feel in the moment, but instead appreciate that time, as cruel as it may seem, never stops.

Acting/Cast:
I'm 80% convinced that Huang Lei took this role (aside from the fact that he's a producer) just so he can cook. Those who follow Chinese reality shows know that he is especially known for his love of cooking. Because to be frank, I think he was miscast for this role (and the script didn't help in that regard). Huang Lei's not a subtle actor by any means - he emotes a lot with his eyes, and it was a little bit too much at times in this. It sometimes took me out of the scenes because he was basically hinting at emotions that probably weren't even supposed to be there.

As I mentioned earlier, the recurring actors were mostly annoying and used for comic relief (thought not well). The guest stars were usually much better, and were given much more nuanced stories as well.

If this was a movie, Mark Zhao would probably get an award of some kind (and he still might - there was a lot of buzz about his appearance) - that's how good he was with a surrounding cast that wasn't as strong. Mark aside, the little girl who plays his daughter was absolutely delightful and nailed her parts, and Qi Wei, who has not impressed me in most of her dramas, was surprisingly good and moved me to tears.

Jin Shi Jie and Liang Jing, the stars of the aforementioned "Red Braised Pork" story, were absolutely fantastic. Both seasoned actors renowned for their acting skills, they pulled off the banter and the emotional baggage of their characters with remarkable skill, and showed phenomenal chemistry as well.

Other standouts: Janine Chang's turn as an actress with a sad past was touching despite weak directing and a really weird performance by Huang Lei. Cherrie Ying is still great at bubbly, outgoing characters. And Liu Hao Ran is definitely in line for the next generation of leading actors - he was the saving grace of a story that was basically asking for your tears, and yet I was never compelled to give in until he started crying.

Music:
The music was absolutely perfect for this show - the songs were a nice mix of introspective, observing, bittersweet, and uplifting.

Overall:
Sometimes it's nice to watch a show that's just about life - all the ups and downs, the little moments and the life defining ones. Despite its flaws, the drama did what it was intended to - it makes you feel, and it makes you think about the stories of those around you. In a drama landscape that is filled with , spies/military intrigue, wuxia, family drama and fantasy, this was a breath of fresh air.

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Not Perfect But Great

When the mini series came out with En Of Love it was promising that people wanted this be created in a full series. I am so glad it was reconsidered because the result met my expectations.

The chemistry of Yin and War is really good and both actors can act really well. The story captures the audience of how it was written well. I love the whole vibe of this series. The side characters are amazing too.

War Wanarat is a gem in this series. He’s perfect as Mark. Something in him just glows as Mark. His character is not perfect but likeable.

Yin as Vee is also perfect. I feel for his character. The only thing he knows is to love. First with Ploy yet he was cheated on. He fell for Mark yet he was misunderstood like almost all the time. He is sweet and knows how to make his partner feels good.

I like this drama so much like I am angry that we only get one episode each week and the waiting time to wait for Saturday is agonizing.

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“Every person has a migratory bird in their heart. Looking at this feather you can imagine that bird once appearing in your life.” – Li Li. This is just one of many beautiful quotes that you’ll come across while watching this gem of a drama. It really caught me by surprise how deep and somehow poetic the dialogues were, considering the premise of the show being a high school drama. I was also amazed how beautiful this drama was shot, especially those scenes at the reed field were stunning.

What makes this drama so special, is definitely the group of four friends that we follow through their years at high school to college and their first job. All characters were well-written and as they struggle through life and face many obstacles, they slowly grow up, finding their own path in life. The female lead, Li Li, is one of the best female leads that I’ve seen so far. Pretty, smart, kind and strong, yet understanding and humble, she’s just the type of woman that guys would fall for and girls would want to be friends with. It’s really such a nice breath of fresh air to find such a lead aside from those annoying, noisy and clumsy leads that we see a lot in C-dramas. Since she’s very thoughtful and eloquent, her talks are filled with quotes and wisdom which actually makes all of her scenes a delight for the eyes and the mind.
The male lead, Pei Shang Xuan, is the kind of friend that every girl wants to have in her life: caring, reliable and loyal to the core. Though a little too confident and impulsive at the beginning, he grows up to be a wonderful person, wanting to succeed on his own and for the sake of the person that he cherished the most. Unlike most other dramas the second male lead in this drama is absolutely on par with the first lead. He cares for her, but also has his pride and wouldn’t follow her blindly if not needed. Both are very supportive of her, always wanting to bring out the best of her and wishing for her happiness. They would do anything for her, but never ask for anything in return, because they knew she would repay them ten times as it’s simply in her nature to do so.
I also liked all the side characters. They fitted perfectly in the storyline, even the changing love interests of our main leads were interesting personalities that you’ll find likable. There are no evil characters or whatever. Even if someone does something bad and regrettable, you know the reasons behind their actions and can understand them at some point. The only thing that actually bothered me was the ending. I also find it to be rather disappointing, not because of the outcome, but the way how the last episode was wrapped up.

All in all, it was still a very enjoyable watch. I would highly recommend it to all of you, who want to see a coming-of-age drama that has more depth than your usual fluffy high school rom-com with lots of eye candies, amazing dialogues and a lifetime friendship that goes under your skin.

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Maybe I will fall in love without noticing....

What Airplane! did for disaster flicks...What Scary Movie did for scary movies, this witty Japanese confection does for the BL genre. Whether you translate the Japanese title as "Absolute BL" or as "A Man Who Defies the World of BL," this first-rate parody sends up the tricks of the trade. From enemies-to-lovers to secret crushes to falling into the arms of a drop-dead gorgeous guy who ambles past at precisely the right moment some other gorgeous guy needs to be caught, nearly every trope ever touted (or complained about) in a BL series finds its way into this project.

Indeed, the premise of the production is itself one of those tropes. If you've ever come away from a BL marveling that nearly every male character with screen time turns out to be gay, this story pokes its finger right into that wound: the protagonist one day realizes he's a side character ("mobu") in a BL world where all the men around him keep falling into love with one another--a fate he ardently wishes to avoid. He naturally reads every BL novel he can find so that he can identify and recognize stereotypical situations before they sweep him into a same-sex relationship. This mobu is terrified of becoming a main character so recognizing the tropes is paramount. For example, declining an invitation from the handsome latecomer to a karaoke gathering--"want to get out of here?"--is a must because that scenario would inevitably lead to a coupling. Later, he steps over a passed out (and winsome) man on the street because proffering aid to the stricken would, in a BL world, surely lead to romance. Amusingly, many of our mobu's efforts to sidestep a BL fate result in the side characters becoming couples instead. As with any well-constructed parody, one would probably require multiple re-watches to spot every gag stuffed into the story.

Many reviewers refer to the show as a "series," probably because the production's internal structure is divided into about 8 chapters which last about 15 minutes each. Since that essentially equals the runtime of a full-length movie, I prefer to think of Absolute BL as a one-off, unified work. Indeed, Absolute BL can easily be consumed in a single sitting. (All chapters aired together, so a serial presentation it never was.) Each of the eight vignettes sends up a different characteristic of the BL genre. The program is well acted, and the side characters who keep falling for each other embody clear genre stereotypes without ever trending into mockery. Absolute BL is an absolutely fabulous parody made by and for those who enjoy the genre. In fact, the last spoken line of dialog is squarely aimed at BL fans who constantly beg for more: "Don't miss the Season 2....[dramatic pause] if there is one."

I have to close this review by giving special commendation to the "theme song," which itself both sends-up and honors TV theme songs. This one is soooooo cheesy, it goes all the way past cringey and circles back around to charming. The cheese begins with the cast's wardrobe for the song, culled from the cheesiest fashion decade of the 20th century--yes, the 1970s. If the wardrobe was a startling--but effective--choice, having the cast members sing the song apes not only many OST music videos from actual series but also in some ways parodies the ubiquity of boy bands. Even the lyrics take a swipe at BL cliches, as two of the singers have lyrics that assert "Sometimes I fall in love with someone" and "maybe I will fall in love without noticing." Surely, (don't call me Shirley!), nothing is more absolutely BL than characters falling in love without even noticing.

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A drama about a writer that was way better than this script

Do not know or care about the original story

Could not like any characters! (Maybe the grandmother was ok…).
STORY – awful, with lots of plot holes that I do not think it is due to the length of the drama. I kept putting 2x the speed because I did not have higher speed to add.
Nothing in the story makes sense. Maybe just the love from a mother towards her baby, even gotten pregnant as she did. Her choices, her boomerang love, etc… I think Oh Woo Ri is the less interesting female character I have seen…

ACTING / CAST – nothing interesting here. Maybe Lee Ma Ri / Lee Mal Ja and her inner fight.
Woo Ri – cannot think of any positive thing rather than her beauty.
Raphael – a crybaby, a man that disappear as an individual to take care of a baby that has only his genetic DNA. For someone that faced death, I think he did not realised that his neurons really died. Not interesting or charming.

Lee Kang Jae – the worst lead detective I ever saw. Incompetent, liar, soft, etc. Do not understand this person. The way that he interact with Woo Ri or Raphael is so bad.

Oh Eun Ran – had a child, lying to everyone, including the man that loved her totally and did not know he was a father. Wanted to be a singer.

The rest is also bad. The criminals or villains were so bad! President Kim, please return! You should have killed this script!!

MUSIC – different from the silence.

REWATCH – only if my life depended on it. Maybe the dozens or hundreds of episodes from the telenovela from Venezuela would be better!!

OVERALL – I wasted time watching this. The premise had me curious, but sometimes the best ideas of a drama comes in the synopsis, where imagination runs wild!

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I started watching this drama after Sotus, and to be honest, I really couldn't sense the chemistry between the two leads in that show. I don't know if it was the characters, the acting approach from the leads, or the story, but all three factors I just mentioned were spot on in this drama. Ohm, particularly, really made every scene and interaction with the other characters believable, especially the scene on the balcony where he's begging Mes to come back + the coming out scene. The chemistry was so apparent and consistent throughout - I can't help but truly crave another drama with these two as the romantic leads. I saw a vague spoiler while watching this in regards to the ending that mentioned it was going to be a happy ending(and it was), but I have to agree with some of the viewers that said the ending was too easy, yet uneasy at the same time. I feel like an alternative ending in which they both reincarnate and meet and date each other as human beings would've been a more satisfying ending, since Mes is forever going to be 22 until he reincarnates and Than will continue to age, I can't help but think what would happen as time goes by... omg did I just think of a plot for a possible season 2.... that'd be sick actually. If they continue on from the last episode, and show their relationship now as official lovers/boyfriends/whatever up until the day Mes reincarnates - then in the distant future, they meet again.

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One last dance <3

First of all, this movie needs to be separated from the drama. It’s not a continuation, the film’s inspired/adapted from it. Nonetheless, they managed to create another masterpiece that’ll be another great hit. When I first finished watching the series, I fell into a rabbit hole and couldn’t get out. I kept watching the bts and all the stuff I could find. It took some time to finally be able to get out lol.

I had the opportunity to see this in Taiwan hehe. It has all the surprise elements and keeps you on your toes. Although it’s a fantasy plot, the characters are extremely detailed and makes it all feel real. The story feels like you’re playing connect the dots, clues will be given, but you’ll not realize it after everything’s revealed, and your mind’s blown off to the moon lmao. All your attention is needed (like the series) and pls don’t blink as you’ll miss important stuff lol. Acting is amazing as ever as we already know :)

Don’t get me started on the music. I have downloaded every single song, it’s soo good!! It contains many that were used before but they added 3 new ones (I think) and they’re great. They’re all available on Spotify.

Now I wanna rewatch the series again though I already watched it 2 times haha. This movie is a rly good closure and the best way to say goodbye. Like the drama, it’s a film I’ll remember and cherish forever…

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If i have to choose Top 3 Dramas in 2020, TKEM will be on my top list, of course.

If i have to choose Top 3 Dramas in 2020, TKEM will be on my top list, of course. I always adore Kim Eunsook writernim and her works. The idea of the plot is brilliant, i can guarantee that she totally did a great research before makin this drama. The casts selection is also good, i cant imagine another male actor taking this role as Lee Gon instead of Lee Minho (it applies to other roles too). It looks like they were born for those roles.
Well, for some people, the plot might be confusing. But if youre smart enough, i think it wont be a problem, you'll like it! Kim Eunsook wrapped this drama so neatly. She gives us the clear and clean closure (+ beautiful ending for everyone). Ah, and for some people the PPL (product placement for ads) are a bit annoying, but it's not a big deal for me since it doesnt affect the plot of the story. Overall, i really love this drama no matter what!! Great job, Kim Eunsook writernim!

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Reality

I'm a 90's kid that could relate very well with the series. It really showed how it was back then but this is the down side of it. It can't be relatable to kids of the current generation (as advances with technologies have progressed, which means a teen's attention can be occupied by cellphones instead of nothing like back then). Still, this is gold when it comes to showing how vices could greatly affect your life in a negative way.

The series covered sensitive topics that still exists in this generation and will continue to exist in the future. The only things that weren't shown were issues of teenage preganancy and STDs (I think), so basically it's everything negative.

Home. It should be the very place that one could find their own place and comfort. But what if you can't find your place within nor can you find that comfort? This series placed a heavy emphasis on the importance on healthy family relationships, which was the sole reason why each of the main characters went astray. From handling that one problem in the wrong way, everything went downhill.

What's great about this series is that it didn't sugarcoat things. Yes, depression plus drugs can lead to suicide. Yes, you can overdose. Yes, it isn't easy to get out of the addiction once you're deep into it. Yes, parents can be wrong at times. Yes, you can get imprisoned or worst, killed when you get involved in dealing. Yes, being an lgbt+ isn't easily accepted even by your own family. Yes, bullying exists. Yes, it starts with being curious of the small things and yes, it escalates to big things.

I can't find any complaint on the actors with their portrayal of their characters. They delivered and they delivered really well. The soundtrack fits the 90's thing but it wasn't my 90's cup of tea.

I highly recommend but again, this series isn't the doki-doki fluff nor doki-doki smut. It's the serious stuff and underaged viewers should be accompanied by adults. Personally, I wouldn't prohibit because this is a great learning material. Even though I didn't shed a tear, this is actually a heatbreaking series that isn't for the light hearted ones.

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Since there's not a review here yet, I decided I'd help out and write one!
Well, this is one of my favourite Japanese dramas - it has that little bit of everything that makes a drama fantastic - a good storyline, brilliant acting, those handsome boys to gawk at, and that tiny bit of romance doesn't go unnoticed.
I was hooked from the very start, as this drama has a clever little way of hiding important things, so you need to keep on watching to discover the true meaning behind things. There are little twists and turns throughout the plot, some surprising, some devastating.
The plot is so new and interesting, something not usually found in dramas - clones. But not just clones - clones that have to kill one another in order to survive. But it's not some sort of crazy killing spree, there's so much more behind things than just that, trust me.
You will definitely not regret watching this drama, I hope you enjoy it!
Oh, and another little thing I liked is the fact that the episodes are only around 20 minutes long, which was great for me, because they don't drag and are straight to the point, and I love being able to sit down and know I have time to watch 3 episodes instead of just the one.

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Loved it! I saw the drama and the movie! The acting was brilliant. Both leads were exceptional and the storyline was most impressive. Though not scientifically realistic, it was a very entertaining drama to watch. Every episode was worth watching. It will leave you wanting for more. I love the song, "Kiss-shite". Its a very sweet song <3. I rewatched certain episodes of this drama and I barely rewatch anything. Overall, it is one of my most memorable dramas and I was obsessed over it for a while . Plus, the character was slightly imitated in the last episode of in Meitantei Okite, another drama.

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Beautiful Star Crossed Love Story

Guys, this show absolutely, completely, and totally wrecked me. WRECKED ME. It is sure to satisfy the most die hard romantic with dynamic leads, stunning cinematography, and angsty romance. Let me count all the ways this show had me falling in love.

❤ I wasn’t 100% invested in the romance between charming Lee Gon and pragmatic Jeong Tae Eul initially. Their chemistry increased the more time they spent together, each of their moments one more step toward building an epic romance. I felt their ending fit with the overall narrative of the story.

❤ I loved Lee Gon so much. He was smart, charming, and incredibly nerdy. It never felt like he looked down on anyone despite him being pretty much the smartest person in the room.

❤ The visuals and cinematography are breathtaking. The production set a romantic and intriguing tone with beautiful twinkling lights, seductive fog, an endlessly array of cozy sweaters. Like, seriously, I just need the catalog they used to buy all those sweaters. The CGI wasn’t always great, but it was probably the best I’ve seen in a long time.

❤ The supporting cast gave me all the feels. I could not be happier with the secondary characters in this series, particularly Kang Shin Jae and Jo Yeong. Honestly, Jo Yeon was MVP for this series. While all of the actors did some sort of double duty as characters existing in multiple universes, Woo Do-hwan’s performance was phenomenal no matter his character.

❤ I couldn’t resist the story. Typically, I hate time travel and parallel universe stories. Trying to keep track of all the threads over multiple universes and time lines can be a bit exhausting. I found this story to be utterly fascinating as it threaded together elements of mystery, science fiction, and romance.

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Crazy and romantic!

I was skeptical at first to start this drama, due its rating and some negative comments about the acting and the overall story.
Despite everything, this drama includes a lot of genres ; from romance and thriller, to mystery and dark comedy.
The writers did a good job turning a cliche topic to something more. KJW shines in this drama and even the villains did a wonderful job depicting their respective roles. Not a fan of krystal, but she did a decent job.
The story might seem bland in the first 4 episodes, but as the drama progresses, the characters and events develop into something least expected by the audience. Literally, not only would you not get bored, but also you would crave for more!
The scenery, production, writing and acting are all exceptionally proficient.
The only downside in my opinion is the soundtrack collection. The songs just repeat and are limited to a few songs.

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HILARIOUS DRAMA

If you are a hardcore anime fan like me, YOU ARE GONNA LOVE THIS. If you are into comedy genre like me, YOU ARE GONNA LOVE THIS. If you are NOT into the mood of watching something serious with lots and lots of politics then YOU ARE GONNA LOVE THIS (just like me).

Well that sums it all. I heard this show is adapted from a Chinese anime which is pretty great on its own and I was happy that I haven't watched that one before because this way the drama feels much more hilarious , moreover, not knowing what is gonna happen next is good enough to maintain the suspense. I really went in without any expectations ( mainly for Neo) after hearing a great deal about it and from the first episode it was nonstop comedy (silly at times, not that I am complaining). Comedy is not the only thing that will glue you to your screens but it is the fight scenes so well choreographed and acted that makes it much more entertaining. It reminded me of Dragon Ball, Naruto , My hero academia and many such anime that dives into the sea of emotion, family love, friendship, journey of characters from the weakest to the strongest and of course TOURNAMENTS ( I live for all that).
But what dumbfounded me was the way each character makes it so believable even though it was comedy the emotional scenes almost made me cry bitterly. You just have to keep watching and don't stop on "the particular episode" which turned down its ratings( you'll know when you watch what I am talking about). Overall it is a really good show that I would recommend to all :) You won't be able to wait for the next episode for sure.

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