“If it's something only a few people can have, it's not happiness."
Monster (2023) directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda who's very famous both in Japan and internationally for his heart-warming and humane stories. I watched this in theaters and it was one of the best experiences of my life. To think I'd be able to watch Sakura Ando and Nagayama Eita on the big screen is a dream come true for me as I'm a big fan of both of the actors. The screenwriter is again, a famous screenwriter in Japan called Sakamato Yuji . The music composer for this movie was Ryuichi Sakamato and he was an Oscar winner. This is his last work. So you can see how this is a collab of the year and can guess how excited Japanese people were for this, including me as I too am a big fan of these people. The movie actually lives up to the hype.
It's hard to talk about the movie without giving spoilers because it's best to experience the movie without knowing anything about it. But as it's my job to tell you, so I'll try to talk about it in vague terms. The movie is essentially about a single mother who noticed that her son, Minato , who's in middle school has started acting strange suddenly, when asked, it seems to be because of harassment from his homeroom teacher, Mr. Hori . The movie is about her trying to get to the truth to protect her child. But in actuality it's more than that. The story is told from different perspectives and how the truth gets lost because humans always try to protect themselves as their survival instinct so they try to believe in the truth that suits them the most unconsciously. There's no good or bad character in the movie, they are all very flawed, complex and humane . In the end of the day, the movie was about being human, not a monster ( In which all of the characters believe themselves to be the Monster) .
It was just so beautiful, I felt deeply touched by it. It's just a masterpiece. No more words. The only flaw is I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. I wanted a bit more closure but it’s forgivable. You should watch it if you've loved other Koreeda movies! If you're new to his or Japanese movies in general, I suggest this movie is for people who enjoyed character driven stories and portrayal of human emotions. The fan inside me wants to say that everyone should watch this movie at least once as it's essentially about being a human but if you can't digest some disturbing themes like bullying and parental neglect, I'd suggest to not watch, but otherwise I feel it's worth a try for everyone.
My rating: 9.5/10
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This review may contain spoilers
a Film about waiting.
I truly think that this movie did an excellent job to portray a story about waiting for the one you love.There is also the fact that whenever they talk about homosexuality in the movie it always done implicitly (even if you can understand that they are talking about that), which is really a great thing because whenever I see an lgbtq+ film when the main character (or other characters) is homosexual, it is almost always screamed on every rooftop (
I do not have a problem with that, all kind of representation is good for me) and I just like to know that you do not have even to mention once in movie homosexuality to talk about it. Also, the fact that the homosexual representation in Korea is so minimal and not always well represented in media, as being part of the lgbtq+ community it does make happy to see such a good film on this kind of topic.
This is my personal opinion, but I do not think that the main point we should focus on here in this film is homosexuality, but love between two people that will continue throughout their growth as young adults, regardless of gender.
The fact that Soo Hyun is in a coma can be interpreted as time stoping for him, at one of the best moment of his life, when he is with Yong Joon at the beach, and then waking up with the world and his lover changed.
Yong Joon is at the same time is enduring the challenges that come with the discovery of his relationship by Soo Hyun's mother, of growing up, having a job, losing his father, continuing his studies and life without his lover and he is only waiting to be reunited with him. Of course, there is the fact that Soo Hyun's mother is at first not supportive of there relationship because it is a homosexual relationship, but she will with time realise that gender does not matter in a relationship and that the love that they have for each other matters more.
I really liked to watch this movie, it was a pleasant break from couples in dramas who are overdoing a bit everything and searching for problems in their relationships (of course, I do not say it is the case with every drama). It was refreshing and taught me a little more about being patient with the people you love.
I highly recommend it to anyone who does like a calm film now and then (and also to cry a bit).
P.S. thank you for reading my review, I do not know if you understood everything that I wrote. I just needed to put this somewhere.
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The film main point is making a dictionary titled “The Great Passage”, like the chief-editor stated: “A dictionary is a ship which crosses the sea of words and languages”. Being a lover of dictionaries and words in general, I am ashamed to admit that I was ignorant of the hardships and the overwhelming mission of making a dictionary that may take more than a decade to accomplish. Therefore, this film was such a penetrating telling of an intriguing theme.
While watching The Great Passage, you will be stroked by two things: the story’s process and the characters’ portrayals and interactions. The first part is a quite slow narration of events that may not sound impressive at first sight. However, with the film progressing; many parts start to connect and the plot becomes as solid as ever. Moreover, light moments were also used to add some entertainment such as the editors eavesdropping on young girls’ conversation to find out new words invented by the younger generations. Although, this film may not be to everyone’s liking because of the theme and the very slow events’ development but I believe that was the perfect way of making such a film.
The second part is what makes the film quite special too; this film’s characterization was carefully handled to not appear surreal or lacking. For instance, the male lead Majime (literally translated as “serious”) was a quiet man who finds trouble with expressing himself; he’s always surrounded by books and has zero friends and thus no social abilities. The only one who’s able to understand him a little is his landlady. When such a man gets the chance to make a dictionary, he was inspired and determined to make it his life goal. In the meantime, he falls in love and starts struggling to win his lady’s heart, despite his lack of self-expression, while continuing his dream of making the dictionary come to life.
On the other hand there are his co-workers at the dictionary department; his fellows in this enormous mission of defining, refining and editing thousands of words in a modern-day dictionary. All of his colleagues were quite endearing but the most captivating character must’ve been Nishioka; an entirely opposite character of Majime; talkative, social and very affectionate; he was Majime’s right hand because dictionaries can’t be made by bookworms alone.
The acting was powerful. Matsuda Ryuhei is a very talented and versatile actor; I’ve got the chance to see him in five different roles so far and I loved him in all of those but this must be where I become a great fan of his acting style: expressive, calm but turns intense in need. His portrayal of Majime’s was perfect; he involves you with his character at every facial expression. Other actors were also quite good in here especially Miyazaki Aoi and Odagiri Joe, one heck of an iconic Japanese actor.
The selected music for this film was very well synchronized with the film’s theme and developments. It adds a great taste to the watching experience. The cinematography was also pretty well conveyed considering the fact that this film contained many time jumps from the 1995 till 2010.
Watch if:
-You’re interested in different types of films.
-You like watching inspirational films.
-You like to learn more about dictionaries.
-You like watching high-profile acting.
Do not watch if:
-You can’t handle slow films.
-You’re looking for romance.
-You’re not interested in dictionaries or words.
-You find inspiring stories “boring”.
The Great Passage is a motivating film that handles a different topic. It’s certainly not for everyone but if you can handle it then it’s undoubtedly one of those hidden gems that leave you with a smile on your face.
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1Her Second Chance - a fight for justice
The Double (in my opinion) has rightfully earned a top spot among the recently aired historical/periodical Cdramas (on par with Love Like the Galaxy and Kunning Palace). It is a suspenseful story that follows the female lead on her journey towards revenge as she makes friends and finds the true love of her life. Both the female and male leads make intelligent decisions (for the most part) as the story progresses, hooking the audience from start to finish.Adapted from the Chinese novel “Marriage of the Di Daughter”, The Double stars Wu Jinyan and Wang Xingyue, both of whom have starred in many successful dramas. Firstly, please allow me to say that their age gap was not a problem. In fact, after watching The Double, I can’t imagine anyone else as Xue Fangfei and Xiao Heng. Their chemistry was simply this strong and is reflected in the satisfaction of nearly all viewers.
The Double was not on my Plan-to-Watch list. In fact, I was skeptical to even begin the drama. What’s so special about some revenge/identity change drama? But there is just so much to talk about, from the plot and production to the acting and characters. After the female lead, Xue Fangfei grasps this second chance to live, she grips it firmly and doesn’t let go, determined to find justice for all who were wronged. We follow XFF on her journey towards justice for her family and powerless civilians as she gains support from those around her. She takes on Jiang Li’s identity, seeking revenge for both herself and the girl who should’ve lived a carefree life as a daughter of the Jiang family, hence the name of the drama. XFF shows us that there is hope in anything we do, as long as we are still alive and hold the motivation and strong belief. She suffers tremendously but fights for her eventual happiness.
What I particularly like about this drama are the complexities of many of the characters. There’s really much more than meets the eye, and we get to see the backstories of a few of the villains. While I do wish that the director/producer allocated more screen time to the main couple, it was quite interesting to learn more about Princess Wanning and Ji Shuran, though I still think that some scenes were unnecessary, such as some between Wanning and Shen Yurong. (it’s also important to know that Chinese regulations have set a max number of eps to 40, so scenes should be chosen carefully). Some were disappointed with the ending, as it seemed a bit rushed and unfinished. However, the ending scene in Episode 40 makes it much more memorable, with XFF’s billowing red gown and XH riding on his horse to his wife. And be sure to watch the extra episodes that the leads just filmed a few days ago! It wraps everything up nicely. (ugh, I just wish dramas could go over 40 eps…)
Compared to other historical dramas, The Double’s romance is much more slow-burning. However, there’s a lot of flirting between the leads and I find myself always forward to their dialogues, no matter how brief they are. The leads’ interactions in the first half of the drama were also quite amusing to watch. XFF constantly asks Xiao Heng for favors, to which he easily agrees. Xiao Heng is known throughout the capital as a ruthless duke who should not be meddled with, but XFF treats him differently. Throughout the drama, there are numerous details (faint but noticeable) that suggest Xiao Heng’s increasing interest in Xue Fangfei. She is originally regarded as a pawn who puts on amusing shows for Xiao Heng to watch but soon becomes so much more important to him.
Another special aspect between the leads is the mutual trust and respect. Xue Fangfei knows that she can trust Xiao Heng no matter what, and he thinks the same about her. While there are supporting characters who are attracted to the leads, they aren’t a roadblock in the leads’ relationship and actually become more loveable. I loved watching the strong friendships form between Xue Fangfei, Ye Shijie, Jiang Jingrui, and Liu Xu. They have such different personalities yet end up becoming each other’s greatest supporters. The bromance between the emperor and Xiao Heng also remains strong from start to finish. The emperor was thoughtful and warmhearted but also remained alert; he is a ruler I would support. So many supporting characters made the drama fun to watch: On top of Tong’er and XFF’s new friends, Lu Ji and Wen Ji were Xiao Heng’s most loyal subordinates and Wen Ji was especially funny. And we don’t want to forget about the villains, who are people that can easily be hated to the bone (especially Shen Yurong, ew). Actors embodied their characters to the fullest extent. Liang Yongqi as SYR really gave off lifeless vibes to the point that I was questioning if his eyes were this lifeless irl. (In reality, he’s a funny boy who enjoys his iced coffees, lol!) Wang Xingyue told stories with his eyes (and bless the eyeliner) and Wu Jinyan completely stepped up into her role as a girl determined to help the righteous. The way WJY runs in her outfit is absolutely stunning as well. She’s received so many hateful comments over the years regarding her acting but has proven the haters wrong with this drama.
In terms of production, the costumes and sets were gorgeous. Duke Su was [perfectly] fierce and handsome wearing his red wardrobe, while Xue Fangfei’s lighter-colored attire matched her elegance and intelligence at the Gu Zheng and chessboard. The women’s hairstyles were intricately decorated with beautiful hairpins and other ornaments, and it was my first time seeing the pearl makeup look (inspired by the Song Dynasty). Camera angles were chosen masterfully and the blossom scenes were particularly memorable. It was fun to watch Duke Su fight the majority of his battles with his fan, and his constant “A’Li’s” (definitely not fangirling).
All in all, The Double may just be the drama of this summer (there always seems to be one or two summer dramas that captivate viewers, and I’m certain this is the one for 2024). On top of the beautiful costumes, loveable/hateable supporting characters, and swoon-worthy moments between the leads, the drama emphasizes the fight for justice. It is an intriguing revenge drama with a slow yet strong love story.
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This can be considered one of the best, if not the best, Korean BL serries ever setting a very high bar for all other KBLs to follow.
Lets be objective for a minute. The show didnt give us anything new -University themed BL, check! Enemy to lovers, big check! A questionably straight(!) guy suddenly falling for another seemingly straight guy, double check! Is there anything new, big X!
The camera work is your typical Korean - clean with an almost always early morning filter/vibe (you know, its like the main actors are always sparkling) The pacing was a little off for me and after a few episodes, it felt a little repeatitive. I even suspect that the budget is limited and everything was shot within just a few days.
However, despite the unassuming, overused plot, lies an entertaining, panty-dropping, 3 drops of pee and butterfly-in-the-stomach inducing execution that no matter how predictable the show is, you just cant help but long for the next episode. Actually, this may even be the most excited i felt for a Korean BL.
Its greatest strength, and lets also not kid oursleves, is the 2 actors. We stayed because they are absolutely gorgeous, and as cliche as it sounds, their chemistry is electric. Park Seo Ham played Jae Young perfectly and Park Jae Chan's newbie acting worked with what the show needed - his acting was so robotic I half-expected them to reveal that this is infact a scifi BL show and that Sang Woo is an android at the cusp of learning new things. Alas, he wasnt.
I would have liked to see their actual game working, i guess the budget and the time didnt allow for it.
Rewatch value, 9.5stars! It is so addicting ive seen each episode 3 times. Overall, its a 9.5!
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180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us
94 people found this review helpful
intense, heartbreaking, beautiful
Overall: this series had me on the edge of my seat every single episode. Never have I been so invested in characters discussing lines. It's in a league of its own. Watched on Gagaoolala.Content Warnings: homophobia, grief about past death, alcoholism, past bullying discussed, age gap (this does not bother me in this instance)
What I Liked
- acting, you could cut tension with a knife at times
- metaphors (bridges, lines, etc)
- layers upon layers with figuring out what all happened, we actually did not learn exactly what all happened in the past and I'm okay with that
- Wang calling his mom out about her way of addressing her friend in episode 1, overall I loved Wang's character and how he was not afraid to be himself or fight for what he thought was right
- cinematography and overall production value
Room For Improvement
- how are there only 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in that huge house?
- the OST was beautiful but it was really the only song played the same way over and over again
- should have removed the commercial breaks
- the blurring of the alcohol (this was likely done for Thai TV but wish they had unblurred it on gagaoolala)
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1I can't let ChiWei go....
When I started this, I thought I was just going to watch a new show but I didn’t know I was signing a contract to have my soul stolen and my emotions permanently hijacked. I’m sitting here, replaying the same scenes over and over like an addict because my brain refuses to move on.Episodes 1–3 are the comedic bait. You’ll think, “aww, this is cute,” and you’ll be wrong. Episode 4 creeps in with the first sparks, Episode 5 straight-up injects serotonin into your bloodstream, and then Episode 10… god help you. That’s when it stops being a drama and starts being the most gorgeous, sensual, heart-aching romance you’ll ever see.
Please. I am begging you. Do not drop it after Episode 1. Give it five episodes. Let it get under your skin. Let it ruin you. You will lose sleep. You will think about them at random moments during the day. You’ll be laughing like an idiot one second and clutching your chest the next.
♡
detailed review, may contain spoilers
So. ARE WE OKAY? Because I’m not. I’m so far from okay. I miss them. I want to cry and throw up just thinking about their journey and how far they have come.
I remember the first episodes, Chi Cheng walked into every scene like he could crush Suowei without even trying, and at first, he would have. He was intrigued but also in control. And Suowei, my clever little fox, my scheming troublemaker...he thought he could keep it all a game. He had no idea that every sly smile, every bratty comeback was driving Chi Cheng out of his mind.
So watching the shift of Chi Cheng go from a man who could pin Suowei against a wall just to make a point… to a man who would drop everything if Suowei so much as frowned?? WRECKED. ME. He went from “you’re my toy” to “you’re my everything.” The same hands that could wrap around Suowei’s throat without hesitation now tremble if Suowei’s in pain. Yeah, he still grabs him by the throat sometimes BUT ONLY WHEN HE’S FUCKING HIM AND THAT’S DIFFERENT OKAY? IT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT BIBLE OF HAND PLACEMENT.
Agh anyway, its just so beautiful to see how Chi Cheng looks at him in the later episodes...like this is a man who started at the top and ended up metaphorically (and probably literally) at Suowei’s feet. The dominance never fully left, but it warped into this worship that’s somehow more intense than any power play. He still has the strength to break him, but now he’d rather use that strength to shield him from the world.
And Suowei…I don’t think I’ve ever been so obsessed with a character’s development in my life. Chi Cheng’s arc destroyed me, yes, but Suowei’s reprogrammed my brain chemistry. I'M NOT EVEN JOKING.
Because like, we start with this man who is the definition of “straight man panic.” He’s dodging Chi Cheng’s touches. He’s rolling his eyes, making faces, acting like ewww NO HOMO every two seconds. He is CONVINCED he’s untouchable. He treats Chi Cheng like just another rich, arrogant bastard who thinks he can get whatever he wants. And I believed him! I thought, okay, this is gonna be one of those slow, reluctant-to-the-end situations.
But no. No, no, no.
Because little by little, without even realizing it, he starts needing the attention he pretends to hate. The touches stop feeling dangerous and start feeling like home. The man who used to swat Chi Cheng’s hands away is suddenly leaning into them. And then one day, he’s seeking them out.
I just love the way he went from “get away from me,” to climbing onto Chi Cheng’s back for a piggyback or nuzzling their cheeks together with this soft, stupid smile. The way he starts embracing the entire truth about himself. His sexuality. His feelings and he’s PROUD of it. He’s not hiding anymore. He’s not embarrassed. He’s not dodging.
He goes from looking at Chi Cheng like, “ugh, you’re annoying,” to looking at him like, “you are my most precious person in the whole damn world.” And you see it. In the way his face softens, in the way he looks at Chi Cheng like he’s something holy, in the way he reaches for him without thinking.
And here’s the part that absolutely obliterated me...in most BLs, the “submissive” role rarely shows this much affection back. The dominant one does all the simping, all the chasing, all the worshipping, while the other just accepts it. But Suowei breaks that in half. He loves LOUD. He adores Chi Cheng so openly.
By the end, Suowei is pulling him in, holding him there, not letting him go. He’s soft and sweet and filthy and bold and shameless, and the pride he takes in their love is so fucking pure.
I want to rewatch the whole thing just to see every micro-shift in his eyes as he falls deeper and deeper until there’s no escape.
Their journey was amazing, and I will never, ever stop praising the actors for it. Like, story aside, the chemistry aside, these two performed their asses off.
I’ve seen plenty of BLs, plenty of good couples, but this was something else entirely.
Ziyu… ZIYU HAS FUCKING WRECKED ME. The emotional range he brought to Suowei especially in those moments of vulnerability is unmatched. Take the scenes when Wang Shou came back. Suowei had to play that insecure boyfriend role, and I was scared. I was scared it might tip into that annoying, desperate, borderline pathetic portrayal that I’ve seen too many times. But no. Ziyu nailed it. He made Suowei’s insecurity feel real.
And don’t even get me started on Episode 19. I swear, that was his episode. The one that cements him as a powerhouse. The scenes with his mom...Oh my god. I was emotionally gutted.
And then there’s Tian Xuning. No less legendary. I have NEVER seen a BL “dominant” character especially one with a BDSM element NOT make me cringe at least once. There’s always that one line delivery or one scene where you’re like, “okay, tone it down, buddy.” But Tian...my god, Tian pulled every single scene off flawlessly. He brought this heat, this precision, to Chi Cheng’s dominance that felt authentic and magnetic instead of forced. And it was hot. Like, dangerously hot.
But it wasn’t just the dominance. Tian’s emotional work was just as strong as Ziyu’s. If Ziyu’s masterpiece was Episode 19, then Tian’s was Episode 18. The way he broke in that episode...the tears, my god. This is a character who walks through the world in total control, and Tian made you feel the weight of losing that control, just for the person he loves. That’s not easy to pull off AT ALL.
And TBH these performances weren’t just good separately. The magic was in how they fed off each other. Ziyu’s vulnerability made Tian’s protectiveness hit harder. Tian’s dominance made Ziyu’s surrender feel more powerful.
I honestly think that’s why this drama will stick with me forever. Not just because of the story or the characters, but because Ziyu and Tian Xuning made me believe in them. They made me care about them like they were real. They made every high higher, every low lower.
I am ruined for other BLs. I am ruined for other actors. And I will die on this hill: what they did here was lightning in a bottle, and I don’t think we’ll see anything quite like it again.
I will say this though...the quality is not high. There are definitely moments where the execution wobbles, where the plot could’ve been tighter, where certain scenes feel a little rushed or undercooked. I know for some people, that might be enough to knock it down a few points. But I rate shows based on my enjoyment, and those flaws were barely registered while I was watching.
Because MY ENJOYMENT WAS THROUGH THE ROOF. Like, I was floating. I didn’t care about shaky pacing or low-budget moments, I cared about them. The chemistry, the growth, the obsession, the way they made me feel like I was living inside their story… that’s what I’ll remember forever.
So yeah. I’m giving it a 10. Not because it’s “perfect” by objective standards, but because for me, it was. I will forever love them. I miss them already. I adore them in a way that makes me want to rewatch every single second just to feel that high again.
ꨄ
I am devastated to let them go.
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Karma is a Court Lady.
Billed as a love story between a reformed rake Sheng Chumu and a court lady Fu Rou, this is really an opulent tragicomedy about the succession turmoil that plagued the latter years of Li Shimin/Tang Taizong's reign. It is a surprisingly empathetic and riveting portrayal of the greatest Tang emperor's disappointing and much reviled crown prince Li Chengqian. It strikes me that his story is what the writer really set out to tell; all the other parallel sub-plots are much more indifferently written.The way the drama is promoted as Fu Rou and Sheng Chumu's love story is misleading and misinforms audience expectations. Yes, I know how adorable they look together but their story is rather pedestrian and is not the main meal so they end up spending an incredible amount of time apart. Neither character has free will and their romance does not drive the narrative; it is in fact subordinated to and frustrated by the main succession plot. That is necessary as these two main parallel, interlocking plots are related primarily from Fu Rou's perspective as a court lady or official 女官 with close access to the workings of the inner palace and the imperial family's private moments.
Although Fu Rou is the eponymous character with the most screen time, this is a cardboard character that is made worse by Li Yitong's anodyne, colourless portrayal. Fu Rou is pretty much superwoman - an incredibly talented, resourceful and daring fixer who finds herself in the middle of every palace conflict large and small. She comes to the aid of anyone that appeals to her bleeding heart, taking on matters well above her pay grade. She has the temerity to lecture and chastise anyone and everyone from lowly palace servants to the emperor himself! I would have loved this character to death if she had a bit of a dark side, an odd hobby or even some tiny flaw like picking her nose in public or something, anything. But no, Fu Rou is a suffocating paragon of virtue, moral rectitude and forgiveness; who genuinely believes that good deeds begets positive karma that pays off in the long run. But if karma is a bitch, then her title is court lady because there are heinous, irreversible and tragic unintended consequences to Fu Rou's meddling and her indiscriminate assistance to wicked people. Due to editing/censorship issues, we never get see Fu Rou reflect upon the folly and irony of her interventions or experience any sense of remorse or regret. Thus there is no character development and by the end Fu Rou to me is just a vapid, righteous prig of a character that I most resent - poor Chumu is so much better off remaining Changán's most notorious playboy.
In sharp contrast, Xu Kai's Chumu is a much more engaging, funny, relatable and outside of a lapse in the middle; a smart character that undergoes tremendous growth. It is a pity he gets so little screen time because he has a wonderful ability to just casually infuse a moment with comic relief. The comical antics of the gruffly hilarious Sheng Xianjing, Chumu, Chuling (shout out to the very funny Kris Fan), the gamine Princess Xinnan and Prince Han go a long way toward diffusing the dark undertones to the drama. Nothing made me laugh harder than Princess Xinnan balancing those dastardly bowls. Unfortunately the denizens of the inner palace and especially Fu Rou and Prince Zhou are humorlessly written and portrayed, resulting in some stifling and overly angsty inner palace arcs and a notable darkening of the overall mood in the second half.
With five or six couples, there is at surface a lot of romance in this drama but they are mostly flawed, complex and maddening relationships. This is due to the surfeit of unsavory, corrupt and chauvinistic male characters, from stalkers to lechers and murderers who simply cannot take no for an answer and lame brained female characters willing to indulge their flaws. As a result, most of the ships are leaky and not seaworthy enough to survive stormy seas. These messy, disturbing love-hate relationships are not consistently well written and there are arguably too many of them. That said, these characterizations are compatible with the times and the illogical pairings seem to curiously "work". They are certainly far more interesting than the usual lighthearted and fluffy standard fare of secondary romances.
The main appeal of this drama for me is Li Shimin, Tang Taizong's succession story, which I feel is what this drama is really about and it is compellingly portrayed. For a fictionalized account that takes a fair amount of literary license, it captures the essence of the main historical figures and remains astonishingly true to the important events of the day. The one dark stain in Li Shimin's history was the Xuanwu Gate Incident, where he personally killed both his brothers from the same mother and forced his father to abdicate in his favor. He went on to be a benevolent and revered emperor, one of the greatest in history. This drama is set in his twilight years as history appears to be on the brink of repeating itself. It is an intimate, at times a scathing expose on the insufferable privilege of imperialism and at times a compassionate account of how impotent, conflicted and utterly terrified this emperor and his beloved empress must have felt as they watch their sons at each others throats. In all the moments that count within this main arc, the writing holds up although towards the end when everything comes together, it is quite obvious that some scenes were lost to censorship.
The most phenomenal, multi-faceted and evocative performance that stands out among an absolutely fabulous cast is Li Zefeng's portrayal of the crown prince. I find it unfathomable that I have not noticed this actor before. He starts out as the highly regarded crown prince, showing so much promise and closely allied with his brother Prince Han. But he is slowly cracking under the immense pressure of being crown prince under the exacting eye of his father and the court and constantly measured up against his other talented brothers. The acting was so good I could understand why he sought refuge in frivolous pursuits and why he needed Chenji. I was surprised by how openly and sympathetically their taboo relationship is explored. It is the relationship that moved me the most, I grieved with him when it ended and I could see how he unraveled and gave in to his worst instincts. Prince Han is the other well written and well acted role. It is tragically comical how their sibling rivalry blew them up and I love how their bond is depicted with a multitude of emotions and a good dose of irony and humor.
I enjoyed this gorgeous and expensive production quite a bit although the story is quite dark and there are too many distracting sub plots and frustrating characters. Although the writing is at times lazy, fantastic acting by the veteran cast more than makes up for it. But it is definitely not the kind of story most viewers thought they would be watching when they picked this up and it definitely will not appeal to everyone. I enjoyed it enough to give it an 8.0 and would probably rate it quite a bit higher if they had diminished Fu Rou's role.
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This review may contain spoilers
My Kind of Drama, No Typical C-Drama Cliché's
Let's see, no break ups or last minute break ups, no misunderstandings, no evil parents, a minor antagonist that tries to cause trouble for our lead couple but her screen time is limited so I'm actually okay with this. There is a love triangle but a tamed and not out of control one. We get rid of the love triangle around the halfway point of the drama.So now that we got all of the usual C-drama worries out of the way, it's your choice if you want to watch this drama or not. Me personally, I adore this drama. The chemistry between our leads is so cute and romantic that I didn't even remember it was a younger male chasing older female. The ML knows what he wants from start while the FL has rough past encounters with love that even the thought of falling for her younger childhood friend had made her hesitant. But eventually she has courage and take a chance on love with her childhood friend. My favorite thing has got to be the amount of support the lead characters have for each other, as each wants to protect the other in their own way. Not only that, they also have tons of support from their boss, their friends, their families, and yes even second leads, which by the way, good amount of growth for the SFL, from being annoying to being very likable.
The osts for this drama is amazing. For me, it was enjoyable to listen to every time the song came on. Fits perfectly with the scenes that occurred.
The story went at a good pace that there were so many episodes left filled with loveable, romantic, and cute scenes. I give major points to the writer for showing that you don't need a break up scene or misunderstandings to make a great drama. Dramas can have conflicts but when you have such understanding, firm, and supportive main couple, you can handle the conflicts that's thrown at them and it's not even as bad as say other C-drama conflicts.
Definitely one of my favorites and a rarity that I give a 10 all the way, especially in a C-drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
OH THE FEELS!!! And OH THE ORIGINALITY!!! And OH THE AWESOME LEADING MAN AND SUPPORTING CAST OF CHARACTERS!!! Those are the reasons Ho Gu’s Love (HGL) is getting this review from me. After I finished watching HGL I immediately gave it a 10, then I let it soak in a while and let my objective mind take over and bumped it down to 9.5, but really it’s more like a 9.9 with the only flaw being that so much of the plot had to depend on just simple misunderstandings (like 16 hours of Three’s Company). I felt that after a while it might have been better served for at least one of the misunderstandings to have been cleared up a little sooner, and they became so silly as to almost be a parody of themselves within the drama, as though it was self-aware as to what absurd lengths the misunderstandings had gone (which actually made it better for me). That said the feels and the cast and the characters and the originality were just so on point that they overcame this flaw and then bounded past it like a bullet train past a horse and buggy. So without further ado, here is why Ho Gu’s Love is one of my favorite Kdramas of all time.1. Originality: Yes, I consider originality an essential element of a great Kdrama. HGL had many elements we don’t normally see in Kdramas including decent treatment of normally risqué themes (all of which I’m not going to name because spoilers). It also frequently upended my expectations of how the plot would play out, with a particular bit at the end that I was surprised by when I really thought it would go another direction to give a more pat Kdrama moment (once again, you have to see it to know what I mean). Also, there are amazing parental characters that behave in such refreshingly awesome ways.
2. Characters: Oh the characters. I am so in love with HO GU I just cannot stand it. He really is one of the best leading men characters of all time. The writer (and the actor, to be discussed next) took a character that could have been just a fool and just a sicky sweet guy and made him so real and warm that it truly is a feat of genius. I think what is most amazing about Ho Gu and the way he is written and acted is that he makes everyone else in the world look like the fool that they think he is. It’s like he has got it right and we are all wrong. Even when he shows flaws like being a little too clingy or nosy, it’s okay because sometimes in real life our emotions do override our rational and that can happen in the moment. And then at the end he even grows. There’s never been a character like him before.
a. Do Hee: She rubbed me a bit wrong at first, but by the end I was totally in love with her. She really is pretty awesome!
b. Byun Kang Chul: Speaking of rubbing me wrong at first. There are people that dropped this drama because they hated him so much. To them I say WAIT! Nothing is as it seems! He is wonderful and his growth in the drama is the greatest; don’t judge after just a few eps. You are totally wrong!
c. Ho Kyung: BAD ASS!
d. Do Hee’s Baby: The cutest baby in the history of Kdramas.
e. The Support(ive) Cast: The greatest parents ever (Ho Gu’s)! Parents that show a lot of growth. Funny and kind friends who also have lives of their own and aren’t just props. It all results in just the sweetest extended family you’ve ever seen!
3. Acting: Awesome across the board! Even Uee who I previously didn’t think much of was wonderful in her way. And Im Seulong, who I found almost mesmerizing in Mandate of Heaven as the king, was even better here. He really is good and I expect great things from him in the future. He can do drama or comedy with equal aplomb. And his physical comedy is just hilarious. The supporting actors and actresses are all good, especially the parents and the actress that plays Ho Kyung.
But Choi Woo Shik, for him I don’t know if there are words. He is a star. He is wonderful in every way. Without him the character of Ho Gu would have failed with a thud. CWS is PERFECT in this drama with no flaws. When he cries, I cry. When he laughs and smiles, I laugh and smile. When he is intense, I burn and when he does physical comedy, I laugh until my nose runs. He brings Ho Gu so much life and warmth and spirit and even gravitas for a character that on paper would have none. I love him in this. I love him so much it hurts!
4. Plot and Writing: As I said earlier, there is a little weakness here where the plot depends too much on misunderstandings, but the originality and the dialog and the twists more than make up for that weakness. I know this was based on a manhwa so it’s not an original story and I have not read the manhwa so I don’t know how much this deviates, but I think the writing was really top notch. Once again a cable channel brings home the bacon where so many network shows fail miserably.
5. THE FEELS! What puts this drama over the top for me in terms of love and awesomeness though is the feels. I laughed; I cried; I laughed; I cried. I did those things over and over again, episode after episode. I can watch whole dramas and never laugh out loud or cry like a baby; I did both every week with this show. Maybe it touched me more deeply because I have a 16 mo baby. I don’t know. But I will never forget the emotions this show made me feel for as long as I watch Kdramas.
So there you have it. Stop whatever you are doing now and go watch this drama. It is nearly perfect and where it isn’t perfect, the intangibles make up for it. And if you love great acting, you have to see Choi Woo Shik in this. You are really depriving yourself otherwise.
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love like a storm
A masterful portrayal of the maladies of fledgling teenage love. Confused emotions from failing to separate friendship and romantic attraction, longing , pain from unrequited feelings, utter joy from being together, jealousy and the desire to possess; love is like a storm sweeping through the mind, enmeshing all the emotions. A teenage love is indeed special. Unlike the managed emotions of an adult who has learned to protect oneself , it is desperate and total. Such intricacies are rarely portrayed in dramas, more so in gay-themed dramas which unfortunately have a general lower quality. A must watch for all lgbt fans.From a general reading of the comment section, people please remember they are not experienced in love and cut Teh some slack . On one hand , he wants to do right by his friends, but the bitterness of unreciprocated feeling takes over making him manipulative and hurtful to others. Only when you grow up, you gradually learn to exercise restraint. So don't be to quick to judge him by adult standards
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This review may contain spoilers
Beautiful True Love Depicted
I’ve seen mixed reviews on this but I just have to say I read the manga before watching the show and I LOVED both the show and the manga very much!!!!I thought that the actors for the show did a phenomenal job. They conveyed there emotions very well and there was no awkwardness at all. I could feel there love for one another through the screen. I would actually love to see some of the other films/tv shows they have acted in.
They went by the manga for mostly all of the episodes and I appreciated seeing that. They gave more context for certain details that may have been lost while reading the manga and translated it to screen. I think they depicted the age gaps well too. For 4 episodes only, I feel that they did a great job including the most important aspects. Actually now that I think of it, I would have loved to see more of them in their early 20s depicted on screen because that was like one of there honeymoon phases and I’m a hopeless romantic lol but that’s just a personal preference not complaining. Also, the show stopped at age 40 and they could have gone on throughout there entire lives but I understand why they chose not too.
One thing I really want to touch on was the breakup. I felt really bad after watching that episode especially because of how Akira broke up with Yuuki. It’s sad that Akira felt like he had to live normally with a wife but unfortunately that is something that people who are apart of the LGBTQ+ community have to deal with in there everyday lives. It’s a realistic issue. When he called there relationship a “fruitless relationship” I just about jumped at the screen. Imagine being with someone for 10 years or so and that’s what they say when they break up with you. He didn’t have to do all that to poor Yuuki. None of that was called for. I wanted to see him suffer for how he went about that situation and I’m glad we got to see him pining on the last episode tbh lol
Shoutout to Akira’s sister for being a TRUE ally!!! We love to see it!!!
Also, History Make Our Days Count was one of my favorite shows that I watched and I’m glad the two main characters made a cameo. It was an unexpected but lovely surprise!!!
Overall, loved the show!!! Would totally rewatch!!!
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This review may contain spoilers
I Love the Breeze
I am inlove with IQIYI right now. This production is heaven sent! I am so glad i found this.No need for recap, lets not waste time as you can read the summary from the main title.
What i love:
1. The very good looking leads; It seems like more and more KPOP idols are trying to venture into BLs, i hope its just not for gay business. Irregardless, Shin Jeong You did a good job. Woo Ji Han is also so lovely how could anyone resist that charm.
2. The very good pacing, i love that the story focused on the main leads and gave them the maximum exposure. THey really used the short time so well.
3. The very nice friends, not overexposed. Im also glad Seung Joo found his happy ending;
4. I love love love that they spent one whole finale episode to let us take in the sweetness of their newfound love. Some BLs show us the conflict at the penultimate episode and rush to wrap up things at the finale, im glad this show let us enjoy the main leads as a couple even for just one final episode.
What needs improvement - sorry i cant think of anything right now, im still in cloud 9 after watching this series. I dont think they even need to make it longer, its enough just as it is.
Overall its a 9.5. Speaking of insomnia, I found this drama after a sleepless night and at 7am. I thought Id try watching one episode ended up watching the whole series. Now i can rest. Reccommended for quick watching! Makes the subscription so worth it, IQIYI keep them coming!
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Cliches done right!
THIS is how you incorporate all the cliches without making them annoying. THIS is how you incorporate humor without making it loud and cringy. THIS is how you do the perfect rom-com.Business Proposal felt like a throwback to early 2010 k-dramas and the golden age of romantic comedies, but it modernized it and fixed all the frustrating misunderstandings and miscommunications that made me tear my hair out back then.
I felt like the friendships were such an important part of this show from beginning to end and it made it that much better. The FLs and MLs are each so supportive of each other with their respective family situations, the coworkers are also such a supportive team, and it made the show that much more comforting to watch even when side characters came in to sabotage things as they usually do.
I admit that the ending is a little short and leaves some scenes and closure to be desired — but I understand that we only had twelve episodes and there probably wasn't much time to spend on some of the more interesting, non-romance subplots like backstories and family issues.
Nevertheless, if you're looking for something light-hearted and stress-free, this drama is the one.
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