I really liked how different this drama is. It's nothing like I expected and the ending was surprising, I changed my viewpoint every episode and didn't even know how I wanted it to end.
Of course it gets a 10 for the music. The ABBA songs fit perfectly on the one side and on the other side they seemed totally off. It's something you will definitely remember, though and I loved it.
This is a really emotional drama without much action, but lots and lots of love.
Let yourself be surprised and watch it, it's worth a try. :)
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This review may contain spoilers
Oh dear...*facepalm*
ENDING REVIEW after completing the season = There is just no way this could get a second season it really is too much of a colossal mess, those wasted hours of my life gone. So many missed opportunities with the plot and characters that I actually want to slap the director, editor and writers. Sometimes I wondered if it was just poorly subtitled or the script was just THAT bad and most of the time I felt insulted that they treated the audience like we were stupid. I honestly don't know what they were thinking. It will be the king of the Golden Raspberries (worst) of BL Thai series. A lesson on what NOT to do, to force every up and coming film maker to watch while tied to a chair would be a good use of its rewatch value. I know I'm being mean but I'm sorry it deserves it.ORIGINAL REVIEW after watching the first 7 eps = I don't completely hate it as I'm still foolish enough to continue watching it. The very few things it does have going for it, is a strong soundtrack and the chemistry/acting of the two male lead actors Pakoo Athiwat as Nut and Tawan Kanachot Worachottrakul as Satha. Its not a particularly original story, another Thai school set melodrama because there aren't a hundred of those. Two guys meet in college and of course they clash at first. In this case the popular senior (Satha) is actually younger then the freshman (Nut). I'm guessing they will fall in love but I'm thinking Satha who has never had feelings for a guy before is going to turn his back on Nut, before 'seeing the light'. There is also an Ex boyfriend of Nut's who of course will probably be the catalyst that brings the two leads back together to wrap up the ending in a nice pretty bow. There are of course a side couple in Nut's two male friends who I'm guessing from the trailer will end up together, OMG I couldn't care less they are that annoying. I find myself cringing quite often through each episode between the horrible dialogue and the over use of cliches that make me want to facepalm so often it may leave actual bruises by the time I reach the end of the series. The worst is the absolute ridiculousness of having the side stories into the lives of the teachers who act more childish then the actual students, the editor definitely should have cut them out, I Fast Forward through this mind-numbing dullness because I feel embarrassed for these actors. I'm hanging in there but I don't have much hope for improvement. All I can say is if you are desperate for BL you will watch this for the 2 lead actors and hopefully skim through the rest. You have been warned.
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In the first few [dozen] episodes it's all sunshine and rainbows, smiles and butterflies... and then as the story moves on there's less and less happiness until finally it's just doom and gloom. If you do make it to the end you'll be truly depressed.
As a viewer I feel cheated. I decided to watch this drama because it seemed to promise a fairy tale ending. The first few episodes were so happy and uplifting that I really wanted to see these characters conquer all and be happy. Then the story went to hell... they kept adding ridiculous plot twists and being overly dramatic. Everyone became miserable... or sick... or dead...
I really wonder what was the point of the whole thing. What were the writers aiming for? How could they ruin the story so badly?
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The acting is superb. I believed everyone, and how they reacted to the situations where so real. Sometimes in movie you'll think 'Hell no, nobody would respond like that'. Well in this movie they will show you how you really would respond in such situation.
You are going to feel with the characters. You will sometimes smile (tiny funny parts in the movie, but they are really acceptable) and in others you will hold in your breath.
The story is sad, really, really sad because this is a movie based on a real event. And when you didn't know about this (me from the EU) you'll get interested in the movie and will do some investigations, at least I did.
But in the movie, I'd loved some more background information, maybe that would have made the movie better.
Anyway this is a really good movie, you won't regret watching this!
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You shouldn't miss this.
If I have to describe this drama in one sentence then it would be 'I laughed, I laughed a lot, I laughed a loot and I'm still laughing'It was one the most hilarious dramas I have ever seen, there wasn't even one moment that I felt it's boring. It was brilliant, I have was laughing from the first ep to the last, it was perfect, I wish it would have been more longer. The acting was great, execution, timing was perfect, loved the way of using music and sound effect it is one the main feature of this web drama, it's only 1 hour and 36 minutes so definitely it's worth watching. I f you like comedy then you'll love it. Ahh when they started to sing together it was hilarious I never laughed this much...
Overall it was great, I enjoyed a lot and trust me there's nothing here that you won't like it, it's very light drama that will ease your mind so don't think too much just enjoy this ride..:))
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Perfect balance in plot and chemistry.
Interesting plot, Amazing cast with good chemistry. The story has a perfect balance in all areas. The cases could be heavy sometimes but there are good humor and small funny moments to lighten the moods too. The mystery keep you engaging and are fast paced and don't get boring. The story dance around the idea of revenge or justice.The cast did a very good job. both leads have an amazing chemistry with each other. A smart couple who can communicate and trust each other. The side couples are cute and interesting too.
Overall it's a very good watch for a mystery and murder solving drama with romance and good characters.
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This review may contain spoilers
Balancing angst and comedy
Combining the angsty plot of terminal illness while also trying to maintain loud and slapstick humor is a very difficult feat but Mr. Plankton managed to do it extremely well. The humorous scenes are laugh-out-loud funny, while the sad scenes still hit really hard, and I never felt like I was getting whiplash between them.As much as I love green flag MLs, I do think several kdramas have overcorrected recently; it's actually refreshing to get a drama that gives both its leads stories that have equal weight, and to see an ML that has more purpose than to just be in love with the FL. With that being said, Hae-jo's character is absolutely the best part of this show, and WDH plays him to perfection.
I feel a little more mixed on the other characters, to be honest. While I liked Jae-mi's plot, I wish we focused more on her desire to be a mother and have a family. The flashback we got of her at the orphanage is extremely touching. Instead, it seems like we get a lot of her relationship with Eo Heung and his mother. I don't necessarily dislike this, but it's weird. The drama does a fantastic job of making Heung a sympathetic character. His capacity for love is so great and his relationship with his mother goes through such important development, but I still never quite felt the emotions of it, not when Jae-mi and Hae-jo's dynamic is so strong and heart-wrenching. I also felt liek the love triangle was dragged out just a little too long; we saw clips of Jae-mi/Heung and they're cute but as a viewer I never once believed that they belonged together.
I did, however, still enjoy the humorous scenes with the three of them, and I almost wish we got a longer road trip type plot, with a new character (Gi-ho, Bong-suk) joining them in the car ride to each next sperm donor. It would have made the party scene at the end feel more meaningful, because I actually don't think we saw them spend much time together before then.
Overall, I think the first half worked better for me. Something about the bickering and the chaos was just so fun, whereas the last few episodes seems to have Hae-jo leaving Jae-mi stranded as a plot point multiple times. The ending also needed to be extended a little longer for things to get tied up. The plot is pretty outlandish — sometimes it works because it absolutely leans into it, and sometimes I had to remind myself "this is a DRAMA and that's why Hae-jo is still allowed to drive." Either way, it's fun.
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This review may contain spoilers
The Secondhand Embarassment
(there are sort of character spoilers but not story spoilers)Man, I love Ja & First. They don't wind up with great shows but their dynamic is fun to watch. This show is a bit difficult to get through, though.
The acting of the actors in the show (so the tv show being filmed that Ashi stars in) has such atrocious melodrama acting. The female lead in particular is like nails on a chalkboard to get through (note: not the actual actress, her character's acting). If I didn't know better I'd have thought First had zero acting skills based on that terrible soap opera his character is in.
Punn comes off as autistic coded (I don't mean that in a disparaging way) with Ashi being his special interest/hyper fixation. The over eager puppy dog and huge reactions to everything, in addition to him sort of coming off as a squirmy 12 yr old rather than a man in his 20s causes me so much secondhand embarrassment that I pause this show about 35 times per episode.
I'm still watching (but I don't know why) but I can't imagine how the romance is going to come off. Mostly because Punn seems so child-like (in a developmentally delayed way) that it seems like a relationship would feel like a violation.
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Portrait of Thai urban-queer teen culture
'GelBoys', iQIYI Thailand's third original series, brings us a romantic coming-of-age story of youthful relationships in the modern era, set against the vibrant, pop-culture-filled backdrop of Siam Square, the beating heart of Bangkok.Due to its high cultural trust, 'GelBoys' is an example of how small studios save Thai BL production. Its vibrant cinematic language, engaging script, and on-camera realism are noteworthy. In the latter respect, the series makes exceptional use of mobile phone footage, natural lighting, and guerrilla-style street filming to create an almost documentary-like intimacy.
In this place full of contrasting vibes, the epicenter of everything cool that exists in the Thai capital, a place where fashion is sculpted and emerges, "Fou4Mod", a high school student who longs for a romantic relationship, finds himself flirted with by Chian, a boy who sports gel nails and who casually invites him to get his nails done together in Siam Square.
"Fou4Mod" falls in love with him, but soon realizes he's being "put on hold" when he discovers that Chian is also inviting Bua, a half-Thai, half-German TikToker, to gel nail sessions.
For this reason, "Fou4Mod" decides to get revenge by asking his close friend Baabin for help, and they do their nails together in an attempt to make Chian jealous and experience being in a state of "waiting" for themselves. We soon discover that Baabin has been secretly in love with "Fou4Mod" for years. What if Bua ends up liking Baabin? Wouldn't a romance between the two be the ideal solution to the conflict the four protagonists are experiencing? What could happen to this love triangle? However, this won't be a "perfect love triangle," as Bua likes to go on dates with Moo (Bonus Nutthawut Eamchuen), a schoolmate.
The interesting thing about the love triangle in 'Gelboys' is that the character with two suitors isn't the main protagonist. The Thai series essentially follows "Fou4Mod," not Chian. It's Chian's romantic choice, not "Fou4Mod's," that drives the story; And the romantic choice, which is at the heart of the story, isn't up to the boy who fell in love with the woman who introduced him to the world of gel nails. What if, among so many romantic options, "Fou4Mod" will eventually have to choose between Chian and Baabin?
Also interesting is the fact that, very often, the BL narrative takes us to a boy who has always believed he was heterosexual and today wavers when he discovers that he has fallen in love with another man. 'Gelboys' takes us through another path: here is a boy who is firmly convinced that he is gay, but hesitates as to which of the two boys he is attracted to is the right one to have a romance with.
With a style reminiscent of the intensity of 'Euphoria,' the American series created in 2019 by Ron Leshem and Daphna Levin and starring Zendaya in the lead role, but with a clear Asian identity, 'Gelboys' has revolutionized the industry with a plot that embraces uncomfortable truths. Moving away from the idealized fantasies typical of Thai Boys Love, the series explores the contradictions, fears, and hopes of a generation navigating the gap between hyperconnectivity and loneliness. Beyond a romance, 'Gelboys' stands as a stark reflection of how technology, immediacy, and the constant search for validation confront the emotional vulnerability of young people.
Launched by iQIYI, the world's largest online video and movie platform, the series specifically seeks to expand Thai content in the global market with the announced goal of making the Southeast Asian nation a global entertainment center.
The first impression I get from the first frames is that I am in the presence of a great real-life portrait of teenagers who go to and from school from the BTS Skytrain, go through their daily lives while sharing with their friends, with their classmates, with their teachers, with their partners, while they flirt with the boy they like, spy on social networks, follow from a distance the person they have fallen in love with... while they are filmed with a mobile phone, so that it seems more natural... and they, oblivious to everything, they don't know it.
If we add to the above the music, the absence of internal monologues, the capture of how uncomfortable and transcendental teenage love is, a boy wanting to be "cool" in front of the person he likes, the awkwardness, the nail art, the pop culture, the cartoons as part of the plot, the trope of love at first sight with a different approach than usual, and the atmosphere of Siam Square, with its combination of street food stalls and high-end restaurants, the various attractions that the Passerby finds in his path, such as the revered Erawan Shrine or the Jim Thompson Museum of Art, we find a series with the development and rhythm of its very realistic and relaxing story of LGBT+ life.
Sometimes I get the impression of being a team of reporters in the middle of a public street filming passers-by or acquaintances.
Siam Square in particular and Bangkok in general are the heart of the story, as the characters are essentially urban. In my opinion, there is an intention to show the city beyond its iconic tourist destinations.
The construction of the atmosphere of 'Gelboys' depends not only on the acting talent, but also on the aesthetic and narrative decisions of the production team. The happy and festive tones combine harmoniously with the oppressive and dark ones in the direction, to reinforce the feeling of emotional claustrophobia that the main characters experience, one in an attempt to conquer the boy he likes, and the other who oscillates between two loves.
In this sense, each shot is a reflection of their internal states, from moments of joy, of sharing experiences in communion, and others of doubt to episodes of despair.
Another relevant aspect is the use of real locations combined with sets designed specifically for the series. Additionally, music plays a key role in the narrative. "No-status Status", the main song performed by BUS, is not only a poetic anthem, but a constant description of the situation experienced by the protagonists. It's worth noting how the musical themes are played from the characters' phones, not from a sheet of music.
With a very attractive, dynamic, fresh and highly addictive format, behind the series, guaranteeing success, is the same technical team that produced 'I Told Sunset About You' and 'The Paradise of Thorns': Boss Naruebet Kuno as director; Kate Karakade Norasethaporn, Junior Naron Cherdsoongnern and Boss himself as scriptwriters, and Tang Tawanwad Wanavit as director of photography, this time with the first collaboration with LOOKE.
The viewer can notice from the first images, in this romantic, youthful, musical and episodic series, the influence of the French Nouvelle Vague, with its low budget, film cuts, with sounds, light and music emanating from the same story, with technical simplicity, with greater narrative freedom, with filming with a greater presence of natural settings, which has a lot to do with what filmmakers did in the 90s of the last century, in the music video, and codes of staging such as breaking with studios and sets, and going out into the street to film with a camera (or a mobile phone, as is the case) and a recorder, and thus creating a visual poetry that reflects the life of the inhabitants of the asphalt.
The homage to the French Nouvelle Vague is palpable in the film cuts, in the breaking of the fourth wall (the characters do not speak, but they do look at the camera as in 'À bout de souffle', the 1960 police drama written and directed by Jean-Luc Godard, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg.
Boss Naruebet Kuno is a master in experimenting with genres and structures, with characters and with the traditions of a cinematography perhaps not unaccustomed to these experiments.
Due to its realism, 'GelBoys' feels like a series redolent of dreams, aspirations and desires of today's teenagers, but that also has the power to evoke the memories and nostalgia of those who have already gone through this stage of life. It pleasantly reminds me of the GameBoys era.
Equally noteworthy is the idea it gives of being an independent film product due to its low budget, dealing with everyday topics and being closer to the public. I am glad that creative interests are not dominated by the desire to make a big income.
On the other hand, the use of the technique and creativity of the grader is notable when regulating lighting variables such as color dominants, luminosity, brightness, saturation, and contrast of the different shots through photochemical processes in the laboratory, thereby achieving the same shots shot with different mobile phone cameras and in changing light conditions.
It seems to me to be a very different series from the usual BL series, with an impeccable aesthetic, with a very Gen Z story, with strong Y2K vibes, but which does not lack a certain retro vibe. And it brings us familiar faces and new ones.
"Fou4Mod" is performed by New Chayapak Tunprayoon, known to audiences through projects such as 'Ready, Set, Love' and 'I Promised You The Moon', the sequel series to 'I Told Sunset About You', in which he played Au.
For his part, Chian comes to life through actor Pide Monthapoom Sumonvarangkul, who we have seen in the sports-themed BL series 'Our Days', by screenwriter and director Kyo Thanate Limchaloen, in which he played Q.
Baabin is played by PJ Mahidol Pibulsonggrama, who has gained more public attention after starring in Off director Monthon Arayangkoon's romantic medical drama 'Good Doctor' and the series 'Eightraordinary', and who is also the younger brother of JJ Krissanapoom Pibulsonggram, who recently played 'Thiu' Wasan, the police officer in 'Spare Me Your Mercy'.
GelBoys is the series debut of Thai-German model and actor Leon Zech or Leon Brocco as Bua.
"Fou4Mod" Chian, Baabin and Bua and their schoolmates seem to be not a group of actors playing a certain role they were chosen for, but real students in their school uniforms, with their textbooks in their backpacks, guitar on their backs, living everyday life, experiencing first love, being like real teenagers are: impulsive, hormonal, daring, adventurous, idealistic, optimistic, liberal, critical, eager to be an adult, constantly searching to spend more time with friends and less time with family, spending more time alone in their room, trying out different personal styles (clothes, hairstyle, makeup…), trying out different hobbies or having changing interests… And this gives it a high degree of realism, rarely seen before in a BL series.
The viewer may feel repulsed by the person who uses his peers for something as selfish as making others jealous, but that is so well portrayed in this program that one waits to see how the story continues.
In the midst of some of the most visited attractions, restaurants and shopping centers in the city of Bangkok, such as Siam Paragon, Siam Shopping One, MBK and Central World, and that kind of open-air shopping center with a creative atmosphere, with its endless alleys of improvised stalls and open markets to explore, each with its own range of extravagant products, these four young people live the experiences of first love, love at first sight, the first flirtations, and also the first nail job of their lives.
Due to its realism, 'GelBoys' feels like a series with the scent of the dreams, aspirations and desires of today's teenagers, but that also has the power to evoke the memories and nostalgia of those who have already gone through this stage of life.
'Gelboys' is not just a series: it is an invitation to reflect on adolescence as that stage of constant changes, where each person seeks autonomy and their own identity.
The masterful performances of New and Pide, together with a cast of talented actors, take the audience on a path full of emotions, conflicts and universal truths, where in that search for identity, having dreams and aspirations are of vital importance.
'Gelboys' transcends the traditional molds of the genre and demonstrates that series can be both a space for entertainment and a platform for art and introspection. What would you do, as a teenager, to achieve your dreams? Won't these help you form your character and define your personality in order to guide your actions and define what you want to be, how you want people to identify you and how you want to see yourself in the future? These are the questions that 'Gelboys' asks us episode after episode.
In short, 'Gelboys' has a huge heart, a lot of realism, great musical numbers and many sentimental moments... it will bring tears to your eyes, laughter... and you will jump with joy and happiness.
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The story evolves around this guy that can see ghosts and even touch them - therefore also fight them as they continue to bother him through his daily life. There then he meets this female student ghost who gets on bad terms with him, but in the end ends up fighting other ghosts together with him.
Most times the story is held lighthearted, although the ghosts appear to be really scary sometimes - remember the movie "The Grudge"? You'll certainly encounter some of those while watching the drama. But in the end every one of their unique stories seem rather pitiable or just sad than frightening and sometimes have a deeper meaning to it.
The acting was solid, convincing and also charming at some points. The fights were really good, enjoyable and even funny. They did a pretty good job on those. Also, CGI effects thumbs up. Quite the sight here. So, when it came to those dramatic scenes, they pulled those off really well.
When it comes to the final, be prepared. Suspense, intensity, thrill... you'll get everything. The whole story isn't stalling one bit but has a smooth flow and the way the mystery surrounding the leads is unraveling only bit by bit, keeps the tension.
So, like I said in the beginning: Recommended if you look for something like "The Master's Sun" or "Oh My Ghost". Have fun watching it if you haven't done it already ;)
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I'm ready for more adventure
Speechless.I don't know the first thing about One Piece. I've never watched an episode in my life and knew nothing more than Luffy. So essentially, I went in blind, and I'm so glad I did. I heard about this a while ago. Naturally, with the string of failed live action adaptations of anime, I was highly highly skeptical, but I decided to watch for Mackenyu anyway. Even from the first episode, it blew me out of the water (no pun intended).
It's so obvious how much love and passion they put into this project. Everything from the detailed sets, the costuming, the fight choreography, the personalities, the story arcs, and it acting, it all felt so genuine. Even as a non-OP fan, I couldn't help but smile at the world they were able to bring to life. I felt Luffy's passion. I felt their deep bond as they went from strangers to family. I felt their struggle to survive in the dangerous world. It took me on a rollercoaster of emotions as I went from laughing to tearing up within a few minutes.
I was so intensely invested in the crew's journey, I nearly forgot it was an 8 episode remake of a 1000+ ep anime. Now I think I can see why it's so popular and gone on for so long. Personally, I think Inaki did a fantastic job. Though I don't know Luffy's character, I can tell how much love he gave to his portrayal. In my case, he played such a lovable lead. His portrayal never felt overexaggerated or cringey to me. Whenever he showed up, I actually felt relieved? Zoro was certainly a standout too (or maybe i'm biased). Funnily enough, he had some of the best one-liners in the show. I also really couldn't ask for anybody else to play him. I think he's portrayed more seriously in this, which I personally thought fit with the overall atmosphere more. Buggy was fantastic as well. I'm excited to see more of him if they have future seasons.
In general, I adored the serious tone the show carried throughout. One of the things that always stopped me from watching One Piece was the comedy aspect, which I'm not a fan of. And this adaptation captured the more serious, realistic tone perfectly. Overall, it was just a splendid show. I'm in awe. I never would've thought I'd be as invested as I got. It created such a vibrant world, with addicting arcs, and likable characters. All in only 8 eps. I seriously highly recommend it to anyone a fan of action and adventure, even if you're a One Piece fan. It's honestly nearly perfect. I can't think of a single glaring fault.
Now I'm ready for season 2.
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Had potentials but lacked something along the way!!!
Episodes 1 to 4 were hands-down the best! The fight scenes had real intensity, and the male lead’s emotions were everywhere. In these episodes, EuiGyeom’s desperate struggle for survival was clear, his ability to learn his opponent’s moves added flair to the drama, making every fight feel meaningful and purposeful.
The masked era felt like it came and went in the blink of an eye, I expected more battles and hidden identities, but it ended too fast, leaving a sense of loss.
The worst father of the year? Absolutely. He treated EuiGyeom just like his own father treated him, despite losing a child. You’d think he’d be more lenient, but nope! His mother wasn’t much better, she stood by and watched her eldest son suffer, but at least she came through for the younger one. Maybe that’s a step toward redemption?
EuiGyeom endured torment from his brother, father, and grandfather, which took a serious toll on his mental health. Fighting was his only release, and he did it brilliantly.
The SML, he seemed like he’d be the stronger one, but in the end, he lacked the will and ability that his early portrayal promised.
Some fights were just unnecessary, like the one with the guy in the cap. His presence felt pointless, like they were stretching out the story for no real reason.
There were some golden moments too. One scene in 8 was so wholesome, the way he looked at his father before stomping on the bad guy’s leg was perfect. And during the fight, the transition showing everyone who had ever angered him? Masterful.
But wasn’t the trip supposed to be a rehab? Instead, it was more like a survival ground for a high school student battling mental health issues. Are they hinting at a Season 2 with this?
Overall, Episodes 1–4 were peak storytelling. I might just pretend 5 and 6 never happened, but the backstory in 7 was solid, and 8 was passable. If they had kept the intensity of those first four episodes, this could’ve been a truly great drama!
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Today? Iris is in my top dramas, with a 10 as note.
Why? because for me it was absolutely amazing.
*Acting: FLAWLESS and impressive
*Music: Great
*Story: Great, with a lot of suspense, cuteness, humour, real emotions
*Couple: incredible chemistry
*Kisses: OH MY GOD! (my favourite kiss EVER is in this drama (Ep 3), equally placed with the tiptoe kiss of Queen In Hyun's Man)
I laughed, cried, smiled with the characters. It was hard not to watch the next episode just after finishing one as it was very intense.
and you know what? when I rewatched Iris, I had the exact same feelings and reactions! isn't that amazing? ^^
in short: REALLY love it!
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Awkward and Poor Script
If not because of Zeng Shun Xi (aka Joseph Zeng), I don’t think I would have continued with this drama. The writing is weird, the dialogues are weird, the logic is weird, Liang Jie’s acting and character are weird, and the English title is even more weird. The only saving grace is Zeng Shun Xi’s acting and his character which I really like a lot. This drama is set in the Song Dynasty when often the emperors had no heirs of their own and were forced to adopt their nephews as their successors.Zhao Xiao Qian (Zeng Shun Xi) is the adopted son of the Emperor. He and his older brother were brought into the palace to be groomed as the heir to the throne. Then the Empress conceived, and the two brothers lost favor. When the Empress had a still-born, Zhao Xiao Qian’s brother died and Zhao Xiao Qian was banished to Wu Jiang Fu, a city far away from the palace. He is happy living his quiet life, until Xie Xiao Man (Liang Jie) shows up and he falls in love with her. Zhao Xiao Qian cannot marry her because of their difference in their social statuses – he’s a noble and she’s a commoner from the countryside.
Fundamentally, Zhao Xiao Qian is a good person. He's kind and caring, generous and protective towards all the people he cares about. However, he is also hot tempered, entitled, unreasonable, demanding, authoritative and abusive, all an act to cover his pain and anger. Zeng Shun Xi's acting as the explosive Zhao Xiao Qian with a lot of pend up anger is very convincing, and I empathize with this character, despite his initial verbally abusive behavior towards Xie Xiao Man, which I feel she totally deserves. For some reason, Liang Jie’s acting of the Xie Xiao Man character here is not very impressive; she feels awkward and unnatural. I don’t know if her voice is dubbed, but she sure sounds cringey.
This is a story about class struggle and the oligarchy system which imposes injustices in the society with rampant corruption and abuse of power. The writing seems childish, written for young viewers. The characters are very immature with very simple dialogues and logic. Though they later grow to become more responsible and to achieving their dreams, they remain naïve because their thinking is still simplistic. More than 80% of the drama is spent in an academic setting where the characters are acquiring their education. Initially, the theme of equality emerges - one mustn’t judge another by their birth, in particular in gender equality when girls are inspired to nourish themselves with education and contribute to the society. Then this theme fizzles out with nothing much to show.
The writer seems to be flip-flopping with the characters, in particular with the Xie Xiao Man character. On one hand, she is smart, but at the same time, her actions are pretty dumb. She is supposed to be strong and brave, and yet she is so muddle and girly, causing misunderstanding again and again, that she is frustrating to watch.
Overall
This is a youth school drama in a historical setting with a theme that says, “Education is the most powerful weapon” when the characters, boys and girls, are encouraged to value education. Then enters gender equality when girls are inspired to perform as well as the boys and contribute to society. All these fizzle out; the world is still unjust with birth statuses still being the determinant of what one can and cannot do with one's life though Zhao Xiao Qian manages to upgrade Xie Xiao Man’s status so that he could marry her; girls are still being treated as the belongings of men and cannot make their own decisions for their own lives though an independent female businesswoman is being highlighted here; the rich and powerful still rule the world though Zhao Xiao Qian manages to take down some. Flaws and plot holes everywhere, the dialogues are boring and bad. Many viewers find the OTP’s relationship toxic, and they grit their teeth watching the romance development and continuous misunderstandings one after another, and the annoying behavior of Xie Xiao Man that always angers Zhao Xiao Qian. For me, he loves and wants her, and the feelings are mutual (though she also feels insecure), that is good enough for me (boy! I have such low expectation).
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This review may contain spoilers
I expected more...
After I saw the casting and the trailer I was really excited to watch this show and thought it would be another thriller masterpiece. However, it turned out for me to be a bit disappointed. It's definitely not a bad show and I still enjoyed it overall but I just couldn't help feeling sad that I didn't like watching it as much as I thought I would.The acting and casting is on another level with Choi Woo-sik and Son Sukku as the main characters. Nevertheless, I wished for more screentime of Lee Tang (played by Choi Woo-shik) because I personally thought the thriller was going to be a bit more through the eyes of the killer than the police officer. Because of the lack of screentime I found it difficult to relate to the character or at least understand his traits a bit more.
The first episodes were all great and I couldn't wait to watch the show further but later on at approximately episode 5 and following I got a bit bored and it felt really slow. I personally didn't like the adding of Song Chon as a character but I do understand that he had to be there to make the story clearer. I simply wished for more thriller aspects. However, the ending really got me and I'm hoping for season 2!!!
(I did this review only based on the series I did not read the webnovel it's based on)
All in all, the drama disappointed me even though it may have been because of my high expectations.
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