Finding one's purpose and family
I am not a great fan of medical dramas, but this one initially caught my attention for two reasons: Zhao Lusi and the topic of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine). My overall impression of the drama is quite good. Still, there are some issues which I disliked.On the one hand, Lusi’s character Tou Tou enabled me to experience a variety of emotions. I enjoyed her mischief, admired her resilience despite much adversity, hoped to see her find the family she deserves and create a sense of purpose for her life. Tou Tou’s journey from survival to thriving was beautiful to see and it is one of the key reasons I looked forward to each episode. Learning with her about TCM was interesting too.
Another highlight for me was the relationship with her mentor Ren Xin Zheng and later that with his son Tian Zhen. There is an affinity between Tou Tou and her teacher that shifts into a father-daughter bond, which is very heart-warming to watch. All the older members of the Ren family are relatable, with qualities and flaws and made me reflect on their views and actions. As expected, the veteran actors brought convincingly these characters to life.
Tian Zhen’s character was more controversial for me. Early on I considered him arrogant, entitled, even irresponsible and at one point firmly believed he would not be able to redeem himself in my eyes. Yet Tian Zhen proved me wrong. He is probably the one who experienced the most growth throughout the drama. Luo Yi Zhou acted well a wide range of situations and emotional states. His gaze and facial expressions conveyed much more meaning than his words.
I know everyone has been curious about the romance, bearing in mind it is not the story’s main focus. My advice is be patient because it’s worth it. Tou Tou and Tian Zhen gradually become friends and then like each other romantically. Their scenes together made me giddy, laugh and just feel good in general. The shift in their interactions is subtle but beautiful to see. There is an iconic scene of Tian Zhen confessing his love, which I will remember for a long time.
On the other hand, this drama also has a key problem in my opinion - the script writing is inconsistent and featured some dubious choices. I was disappointed by the plot around Meng Meng’s character, which turned out to be very problematic, illogical and dragged for too long. The script writers created an ambiguous relationship between her and Tian Zhen, which caused misunderstandings and confusion. While I felt sorry for Meng Meng, what bothered me most was that Tian Zhen was never professionally trained to help her.
Moreover, in the last episodes, questions and challenges were raised building up to the climax, which affected particularly our adorable couple. Instead of dealing with those challenges and tying up loose ends, the drama showed many filler scenes and often pointless discussions that went on for several episodes. So the ending was rushed, some questions were left unanswered or glossed over, but it was a happy one.
All in all, I would recommend giving this drama a try. You may enjoy it more than anticipated, as I did.
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But, MDLers, I implore you: Hear me out!
I can see why people love this.
It's a powerful tale about a woman using her brain and talent to overcome great adversity (among other things; gender- and class discrimination) on her way to becoming a trail blazing legend and feminist role model.
This is a great premise! It's handsomely filmed, has a catchy soundtrack and is, for the most part, well acted out.
Too bad then that the overwhelming majority of the show consists of people in hanbok sitting around in cramped palace rooms, plotting and scheming their way to power.
And when they don't do that; they cook.
Now... as a foodie with a special love for Korean food - I didn't mind the amount of time that was spent on cooking. For around 20 episodes, in fact, that kept my spirits up. (While I was being forced to sit through more drab palace committee meetings than the queen of England.)
Somewhere around episode 20 though, was when I started fast forwarding.
By my own standards, that barely qualifies me to write a review for the whole drama. I speed-watched through most of episode 20 through to 45. That was when things started to pick up and get exciting again.
But I'm gonna. (Write a review anyway.)
Why? Because MDL needs a bad(ish) review to balance out the raves it's been getting so far.
In addition to all the mind-numbingly tedious conspiratorial meetings; one of the reasons I lost hope with this drama was the incessant look of surprise or despair on Jang Geums face. Both marked by a doe-eyed stare, while she wordlessly opens and shuts her mouth. It became increasingly difficult to root for what seemed like a cardboard place holder for a larger than life personality, rather than someone who had the actual range to express this.
I could also knit-pick over a number of annoyances with the script. Repetitive and weak plot devices, designed to needlessly heighten the feeling of life and death peril. However, these points are counterweighted by some truly wonderful portrayals of bonds of friendship and adopted family. So I'll let them slide.
Lastly, I see a lot of people praise the romance...
Lovers of romance; be warned! Out of 54 episodes (around 1h each) the sum total of the time that was spent on the romance in this whole series was around a couple of minutes.
Those few precious moments, often sprinkled half a dozen episodes apart, WERE sweet and memorable. Quantity doesn't always spell quality, after all...
I did expect more though. And so would probably you after reading other reviews.
In conclusion, I must say this:
I was moved to tears while watching this drama.
It was, however, mostly because I was bored to tears by all the politics.
THE GOOD
+ Feminist role model
+ Foodporn
+ Pretty cinematography
+ Lovely side characters
+ Utterly charming soundtrack
THE BAD
- Limited range of the main actress
- Very little time spent on the romance
- Endless meetings filled with scheming and palace intrigue
- No really... there's precious little else going on
THE SKINNY
You should watch this if politics and endless struggle for power gets your blood pumping.
You should avoid this at all cost if those exact things make you lose your will to live.
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Wait i dont even think this is bromance because tell me who
Waits for someone for 10,000 years!?!
We can legit see the love between them
I love this series so much
Although i dont really like bromance but this serie!!!!oml
ITS JUST BEAUTIFUL!
Its a very amazing drama.
You guys should totally watch it!!!!!!!!!!
It wont disappoint you!
And the music is amazing!!!!!
You need tissues while watching this series :'(
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And it messed up. Nevertheless,
Realistic portrayal, are you kidding me?Anyone curious about why's there a comma after Nevertheless and same with the native title 알고있지만, (I know but,) No, it's not spelling mistakes xD That comma holds its own value in the story... Nabi's story, as of the fact knowing the outcome of her actions she still takes them. Nevertheless,
If I've to sum up the whole thing,
- Unlikable leads with the worst characterization
- Slow Paced with some boring episodes
- Many frustrating, you-wish-to-give-them-long-lecture moments
- Interesting subplots and side couples
- Eye candy with beautiful cinematography
- Wonderful music
- 0 character development.. at some point it feels in -ve
- And-the-main-couple-kinda-sucks, but-their-chemistry-somehow-works
- Having said that it has a realistic portrayal it ends up being like any other drama... Dramatic and unrealistic.
- Toxic relationship.. do I've to mention? it's like the second tag with a 91% score, Edit: Now it's 93% :')
Even though it has many butterflies but don't expect butterflies moments xD
Never got this mixed feeling for any drama. 'Romance' is a genre and almost everyone is wishing that leads shouldn't end up together where the best option is staying single in the end. By that, you can definitely assume how messed up things are. Not gonna comment on what realistic approach this show offers, as I'm inexperienced, so this review is about what I feel about drama not how much realistic portrayal it has,
This is almost a rant, but why is there 5.5 there. Am I being generous? yes lol. Ngl, I enjoyed and was entertained by some parts. It managed to hold me till the end and I adored supporting characters a lot and their stories (Special mention: Yoon Sol loved her). Maybe this explains,
Not a typical or cliche type one, but also story doesn't have much. But writing is messy with the pace... It wasn't even enough just for 10 episodes as some episodes even felt filler with 0 progress in the story. Despite being frustrating and disturbing in some parts, it is intriguing. And honestly, I really liked subplots, the stories of side couples. You won't find any meaningful conversation or pearls of wisdom. But you'll end up getting frustrated at some characters for their stupid decisions.
Talking about casting, I like it! not really impressed by Song Kang's acting but improvement for sure. So Hee, I just checked her profile and realized I've seen her 2 dramas with supporting roles... but I don't even remember seeing her :') well, this time she sure left an impression on me, I'll remember her. And this is the opposite for Jong Hyeop.. even after seeing him for a very short time in his previous work, he was memorable, and I think he's good as Do Hyuk.
I couldn't picturise leads before, but when I saw them on-screen together. I felt the chemistry between them,... and ah definitely a lot of tension. The heck everyone is good-looking even if some roles are just for 1-2 episodes, a perfect drama if you are finding something just for looks.
Na Bi.. sorry I'm sick of your monologues, even some support roles have fewer dialogues than her monologues. She isn't stupid she knows what she is doing, from the start just she couldn't resist herself, it is called a lack of decision power and shrewdness, not stupidity. AND why everything about her should revolve around boys (the start of her story is with her first love being pure trash) or whom she ends up with, doesn't she have her own career, future? girl get a life! other than that love triangle I would prefer some development in her.. as of the fact she said a lot of times her work is just mediocre, well if you can't believe in yourself how you're gonna put your best work out there. After getting out of the friends with benefits scenario she said No every time whenever Jae Won approached her so even if I don't like her as a character but I appreciated it but then... you know ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯
Jae Eon is a manipulative jerk he's is kinda guy no one wants to encounter in rl (Please don't bring looks here, I'm talking about the character), from his first introduction his personality is clear. Now you might expect a drastic change in him, right? true-love-changing-life thing? sorry to disappoint you, you get nothing. In fact, gradually you encounter his obsession toward Nabi (and I won't call it 'love' lol). Few good qualities about him... mmhm he is handsome, anything more? oops sorry, um maybe another one he's good at his work. If you count flirting in good things? It was cringy :')
Do Hyuk aka Potato boy. He's typical ideal second lead whom everyone loves and roots for him. Kinda too perfect for Nabi to the point I felt she doesn't deserve him. Well, he's cute, caring, he knows how to cook, um what girl wants more? Though why he was so head over heels for Nabi is confusing, just because she's pretty and his first love? oh yes, dramas love to glamorize first love.
The production value is high what to expect from jTBC and Netflix, so top-notch cinematography, aesthetics, color grading, and styling. I found the intro interesting it's short but those slide with music give is an artistic vibe. I absolutely adore OSTs, Loved how the soundtrack is used, it balances everything.
We're Already - KIMMUSEUM
Nevertheless - Night Off
Whisper - PARK JI WOO
Butterfly - J.UNA
Love Me Like That - Sam Kim
So Tender - Say Sue Me
don't-let-anyone-stay-single-in-the-end well, of course, it's drama, where everyone should get their partner, so many side couples for sure... but the fact was I wasn't bothered by it, I was happy and much more interested in their stories and development between them. Ah though the crappy editing of Kim Min Gwi's scenes in some last episodes annoyed me a lot, it was uncomfortable to hearing his dialogues when the camera focus is on different faces.
I liked some starting episodes, the pacing, and execution but then it losses the momentum and becomes repetitive.. and dramatic losing the realistic touch, I mean wasn't that the key point of it before?
In the end.. we've left with nothing, ah maybe a new slang,
Do you wanna see butterflies?
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Wow.
I've been watching dramas for a very long time. And I've had a lot of experiences with these types of stories. But never in my life have I seen a cast that has just been so unlikeable from the very start of the show.The female lead is an absolute doormat who can't stay away from the male lead to save her life even though she wants him to stay away from her? She is introduced as a bad person, she's incapable of giving affection to anyone aside from her crush but yet she continues to date people regardless. She plays with people's feelings and we're expected to feel bad for her? Why would I care about someone who repeatedly continues to step on other peoples feelings. Her drunkenly calling the male leads number is not cute... Its JANK af.
And the male lead has emotional issues
(cuz of his weird ass parents that I can't even begin to understand? The "trauma" that he has due to them just seems STUPID, with the way he was acting I thought he was abused or something?)
but instead of confronting them, he continues to play games with a female leads feelings? He's a narcissist and he is freaking annoying and I'm tired of the misunderstood jerk trope. He manipulates her heart strings like some Machiavellian villain controlling with his favorite puppet. He rejects her over and over and she STILL can't get a damn clue? She tells him to leave her alone but he forcibly invades her life like some sort of chronic disease. Even when she makes it clear she does not want to see him at ALL, He forces her to see him anyway and interact with him even when she's making the effort to try an get over him( good for her). He starts liking her magically when she starts giving the 2nd ML the time of day. His ego won't allow her to forget him and cease being a source of amusement for him. I honestly found myself wondering if he even thought of her as a person?
Women chasing men who don't want they ass is so tired and played out. We need to move on from that y'all, its 2020.
Aside from the second male lead none of the main characters are likeable. The idea of them having a relationship built on desperation and pathetic schoolgirl crush syndrome is honestly kind of disgusting, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE ML HAS NO RESPECT FOR HER WHATSOEVER.
This drama is a Trainwreck but I will finish it. I must. Hopefully it'll get better.
Edit: Alright. Someone took a fat dump inside of a side characters car. I hate it here and I want to go home.
Final thoughts: the drama put me to sleep on more than one occasion. I loathe the progression of their relationship. Not to mention the needless pushing and pulling... This drama itself is a cliché and I'm tired of this. This drama gets a fat juicy F.
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THE WORST MOST CRINGY AND EMBARRASSING SHOW EVER
Ok I can’t take it anymore. I usually only write reviews about shows that are incredible. I’ve never taken the time or the energy to write a review for a show that I didn’t like. But this show was just SOOOO INFURIATING that I needed to rant about it somewhere. But there are some good parts about this show I like and I will name those at the end>>THIS SHOW IS UNBEARABLE. UNBELIEVABLY CRINGY AND CHOCKED FULL OF EMBARRASSING SCENES EVERY DAMN MINUTE OF EVERY DAMN EPISODE. TOH IS SINGLE-HANDEDLY THE WORST CHARACTER I HAVE EVER WATCHED IN ANY TV SHOW IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. HE IS SOOOO INFURIATING IN EVERY SCENE HE IS IN. I. CANNOT. STRESS. THIS. ENOUGH. THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I ALMOST THREW MY PHONE AT THE WALL BECAUSE OF HIM ALONE, WAS A VERY HIGH AMOUNT OF TIMES. it’s just that NOBODY acts like that in real life. AND HE HAS THE MOST ANNOYING THAI VOICE I HAVE EVER HEARD. Never wanted to slap someone THIS BAD. They made him sooo annoying that it got to the point where even when he does act normal, I STILL AM FILLED WITH RAGE EVERY TIME I SEE HIM. EVEN HIS SMILE ANNOYS ME THE MOST. Yes sure it’s probably not the actor himself. But It’s JUST THE WAY THE WRITERS AND DIRECTORS MADE HIS CHARACTER AND ITS SIMPLY THE WORST. There were SO MANY SCENES I WISHED I COULD FAST FORWARD. I honestly wished I could have stopped watching it. But for some reason I had to keep watching for Nuea and Sky.
Now. Onto everyone else. NUEA IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PERFECT MAN EVER. After watching him he's definitely one of my FAVORITE BL actors. He’s stunningly gorgeous. He has a BEAUTIFUL personality. THE WAY HE TAKES CONTROL OF ALL THE ROMANCE SCENES. SOOOOO HOT. exactly what I want in a main BL lead. My only complaint abt him ofc is, THERE. IS. NO. WAY. HE WOULD FALL FOR TOH. THERES NO DAMN WAY ANYONE IN THE WORLD COULD FALL FOR THAT. Im not saying nobody could love someone that is shy, weird, insecure, or overly obsessed with their crush. That can all be fine. ITS JUST THEY MADE HIM SO UNREALISTIC CUZ NOBODY IS ACTUALLY THAT BAD OK?! TOH DOES NOTTT DESERVE NUEA. FOR THIS REASON THEY DO NOT GO WELL TOGETHER. I CANT STAND SEEING A BEAUTIFUL PERFECT MAN LIKE THAT WITH THE MOST INFURIATING PERSON I HAVE EVER SEEN. FOR THIS REASON THE WHOLE POTENTIAL OF THE SHOW IS RUINED. IT HAD SUCH GOOD POTENTIAL FOR CHEMISTRY. THE QUALITY. THE ACTORS. BUT THEY RUINED IT ALL. it could have been SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SHOW. THE ROMANCE SCENES COULD HAVE BEEN SOOOOOO GOOD. SUCH POTENTIAL GONE TO WASTE. I. WILL. NOT. STRESS. THIS. ENOUGH.
Onto another character. I LOVEEEEEE SKY. HES PERFECT IN EVERY WAY. He’s an ANGEL. That man has not done ONE wrong thing in this entire show. And Jao is super adorable. I LOVE them two together. Sky never gave up. Kept chasing him. Who doesn’t love that? The side couples are 100000 times better than the main couple. I have NO complaints about those two.
Now about Intouch. That MAN IS FINE OK? He is STUNNING. wish he got more screen time. Also. No issues at all with him or Daisy. I need a spin off series of just them two… withOUT Toh. Please.
Alright I doubt anyone actually read all of that^ but I just needed to get all that anger off my chest. I’ve watched a hundred Thai shows, and yes they ALL have so many cringy scenes. That’s undeniable. But this one was multiplied by A MILLION. Every damn minute Toh was there.
Anyhow. Ya. I think that’s most of it. I have never used caps lock so much before. BUT HE DESERVES IT.
The moral of this is: SAVE YOURSELF. DONT WATCH IT. ITS NOT WORTH IT. YES NUEA AND SKY ARE BEAUTIFUL BL CHARACTERS. BUT. ITS NOT WORTH THE PAIN.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk~ Dani.
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2This review may contain spoilers
How Many Times Can TLC be Framed? Let Me Count the Ways.
Would you believe this is my first ever LYX costume drama? I've seen him in only one modern before where he did good but his FL dragged the show down. Needless to say I wanted to see him in a genre that fit him and here he definitely didn't disappoint; actually none of the actors did.Pros: The entire series centers around the ML or TLC as it should and his evolution. He initially had 3 arcs as someone else pointed out. The first one was as an over confident immortal who wanted to bring his senior Fang Zhou back to life; that was his obsession. He had tried to save him but failed because their other disciples walked in and one (LY) got into the middle causing a massive backlash, killing FZ. LY went crazy and joined as I called them "Team lunatic" and the third one simply disappeared and we didn't see him much other than in flashbacks and at the end of the show.
TLC's obsession with bringing FZ back was an ever consuming thing (he lived, breathed it); he put FZ's heart into his own stomach and kept FZ’s body in a coffin because of the power he had could essentially bring FZ back but at the cost of his own life. Unfortunately, LY stole half of that Rebirth thing and the puppet GMD the coffin with the body replacing it with a fake. TLC's obsession was such that he treated the people around that he first hired or saved like tools for his own means. When he came out of seclusion 4 years after the incident (and healing from LY's savage attack), it was to clear his name that LY, GMD, and the biggest villain YM who created puppets like GMD in images of himself and GMD followed. The opposition had a lot of middle villains that could do serious damage to TLC. LY kept harming TLC but he didn't kill him. Couldn't bring himself to. Because though TLC couldn't die, because he was from another realm, his immortality could be depleted as we saw his hair go from black to gold to white in the last episodes.
The dynamic was that there were many villains especially the main one, plus LY that was always doing something in the way and TLC's over confidence though he most of the time could predict his opponents move and outsmart them, they did get a few on him too. He didn't anticipate just how many people/puppets he had to deal with plus the evil pill disaster and YM and bringing FZ back to life. TLC's first thought personal arc was all about FZ and that he didn't matter as long as he could bring FZ back. Things started to shift as he started noticing the people around him weren't tools but helped him out of life threatening situations like AS with her blood or CY and SLH always on the frontlines willing to sacrifice for him. At first only FZ and LY were his only friends and LY later a lunatic enemy until the end; but than he started to open up and have feelings of friendship and protection towards these new people in his life. SLH was one of the best characters because he saw through TLC and told him what was what. He wasn't just a cold assassin but also preceptive. He called TLC a lot on his cover ups and made TLC really think hard about his steps.
FZ taught him how to read, write, and how to have feelings. Though when ZCJ confessed to him, he told her he didn't learn that emotion. He felt something for AS and felt CY was his younger brother. AS was also very preceptive but she understood his heart unlike SLH was more tactical. He had had other friends like XX who was comic relief in this otherwise, Puzhu, General Jiang who though we lost among others, went above and beyond for TLC and his little group. There were other great characters especially Jeremy who played GMD/YM. He was an amazing villain. FYL who played LY; first time in a lunatic villain role and he nailed it. I have to say absolutely every actor did a wonderful job as their characters. Master Shao's actor I've seen many times before was great. CHS though a guest from Bilbao Palace along with all the other guys whose character names I don't remember, the dude who was always directionless, his disciple who fell for ZCJ. ZCJ and her beginning arc was great. All the villains (even little Xiao Shi which was sad), except one who just didn't hit villain will be in the cons.
By the time TLC's final arc came around and he started to regard his friends very closely, they started leaving or getting killed off. AS turned out to be FZ's sister and GMD erased her memories so she could get close to TLC but her pure heart didn't harbor hatred but caring and love. Once her memories returned even though she did harbor some hate, she really didn't but she needed to grieve so after helping TLC destroy the first GMD in secret while pretending to be on GMD's side and saying mean words to TLC, she left altogether, more about this in the cons. But before any of this TLC finally let go of his obsession with bringing FZ back to life but releasing his heart from his stomach (ironically he needed to be kidnapped with FZ's body in the coffin as bait which still fell and shattered and FZ's body dissolved as TLC wounded, cried tortured tears. And ZCJ--who had turned to the dark side as while her own kidnapping LY tattooed a butterfly which made her a long lost fake princess--shoved a poisoned needle that LY cultivated for 4 years with poison just for TLC into him believing LY's lies that the needle will cripple him and she could control him like a puppet and make him love her; her own obsession), and the heart absorbed the needle and the poison so even in death FZ saved TLC's life as his heart, needle, poison and all was released.
CY's death was very hard (you had tears as did TLC) and XFT's meddling as well as GMD poisoning him and it distracted TLC, so XFT and GMD could kill Master Shao; she had already infiltrated the sword society thanks to the worst mistake Puzhu ever made by vouching for her (because of three year chess experience; though she was using him every moment. Then them being stuck in a cave, sharing secrets with his broken leg, their attraction to each other that wasn't meant to be. And lastly she supposedly helped him in the war by helping getting rid of the transformer and the dude creating them). After that greed, power hungry sword society leaders quickly sided with her against TLC no questions asked even when SLH, XX voiced suspicions; it was hushed.
Then when LY was finally captured after TLC rescued him this was after beating the ever loving snot out of him; I'll be honest I rewatched that scene several times. It was so deserved and overdue and giving LY his own memories and pain of what really happened so he would understand once and for all. Wish it was done way before though (as bait for TLC to come to Master Shao's funeral) when he was rescued by TLC and TLC of course attended and when they accused him of killing Master Shao and again of being YM, and than the tongue twisters between Puzhu and TLC at the mourning place; TLC showed off the fact that XFT knows how to block his heavenly power. All the other guys got the message. (Not to mention the not knowing what freedom was to the Peach Bitch calling her pathetic). And Puzhu said that whole you don't leave with LY or you will be condemned by everyone on purpose because he knows TLC doesn't care about being condemned by all as we've seen happen time and time again here. Then when he sees that TLC is fading and XFT stupidly takes advantage of that to kill both (by herself mind you; all her lackeys just stand there stunned) all the other guys warn him plus Puzhu disperses both powers as back up arrives for TLC. TLC takes away LY after which XX gives a very smart and intelligent speech (about stupidity of the sword alliance and blindly trusting the enemy; how disappointed Master Shao would be in them) a food for thought to everyone else and then you see everyone whoever stood by TLC's side just walk away saying they are done they are not dealing with this anymore. I'm going back to my island or whatever it is but it's quite obvious right then and there whose side they really chose. Sometimes words like that do not need to be spoken. They are just acted out. That's called real faith and trust. And the antidote is in the world.
LY sadly dies because of Xiao Shi's palm strike when he arrived at the cave for no reason and TLC though he checked everything on LY, didn't know about that. It was a heart wrenching moment because from the original 4 brothers of Z Tower, TLC was the only one left. LY returned the half of the Rebirth scroll he stole so TLC could kill YM once and for all. Probably the most gut wrenching was when TLC was broken and crying over little plates he made for CY, Master Shao, and LY. He was devastated and said he was all alone now which wasn't true; while he was in that cave, his friends like ZCJ who got a redemption arc along with the miracle physician, Ms. Hong, and XX dressed as a woman (which was added as the bit of humor to this somber part), Puzhu, SLH, the disciples, Fu Ren, were going all around the regions distributing the antidote and helping each other. These were still his friends and I really wish he knew that.
Meanwhile, TLC created a devise to reverse time to go back before YM was born meaning he wouldn't be born either; essentially rewriting history and bringing everyone back to life. The other price is that no one would remember him because technically he never existed. So after battling YM as the latter connected their realm to the mortal one nearly destroying that one, TLC killed YM with a sword and the full rebirth scroll; telling him his essence will be mortal knowing all of the emotions and just to make good choices; starting from birth without memories. TLC hit his time reversal device and fell into the void dissipating himself as he said an important line FZ once spoke "saving thousands of lives at the price of one is worth it."
Then next scene everyone is alive, SLH is reunited with his wife and FZ is having a meal with AS whose chef is Zhumei. They all manage to bump into each other but not now without knowing each other. Some funny moments and I'd like to believe that TLC was reborn as a white fox mixed with a dragon as the last scene was with XX who I honestly think recognized TLC but other then laughing and saying "silly fox", that was all that was needed and a bit of a voiceover made sense.
Woof, didn't think I'd write so much and we still haven't done the cons but the ending for me was done properly. I think TLC did everything he needed to do and lived his life and evolved as the people around him helped him. I can't see it any other way. Because if he stayed alive, YM would be reborn. They were connected and TLC wanted to sever that connection once and for all. I just wish we saw more of the important people alive that were great allies to the gang at the end.
I loved the costumes; they were stunning. TLC loved flapping his massive sleeves at people though BTS they could be cumbersome for other people. Every accessory, the scenery and sets that were real were beautiful too and the CGI was just right. The OSTs didn't overpower. And LYX's crying in particular as well as when he would really fight, people weren't kidding when they said he was born for costume dramas.
Cons: How many times can TLC be framed? Let me count the ways. Dear lord the first arc of the series LY framed him at least 3 times and it was like a hamster wheel, so repetitive. I've never had a drama drag in the beginning, it was getting old. I have to say that the writing and some editing was the worst here. Not to mention the zillion and a half flashbacks; twice each would have been enough (and also not in the same episode), they would had another 1/4th extra to film if most of that was deleted. It was a hot mess; many episodes had multiple of the same flashbacks. Like we get it already! It felt like the writer thought we had brain damage and wouldn't remember something we saw 20 minutes ago; absolutely ridiculous.
I'm going to address a very important point as it had the comment section divided. Personally, I think AS did exactly what she needed to; she just got her memories back and had a brother to grieve for and literally had no time because there was war and so much going on around her. I don't know how she didn't lose her mind. The man she fell for and cared deeply for though he claimed to have killed her brother, everything pointed to the opposite. Plus she had had the heart disease because she had been feeding him her blood so he could survive each time the situation was dire. What was completely wrong was the way they made her disappear after writing him a "Dear John" letter and not even explaining that she had the heart disease and didn't have long to live. It made him think she just didn't want to be around him anymore and given her relationship to FZ things were complicated so he let her be but it was like she was just sliced off with a knife and that's it. Very poorly written. Or when she would just appear out of nowhere like she did in cold as hell northern forest; people were searching for him in one specific and she just magically appeared to save him, didn't make any sense. At least write that they had a connection and she could feel him or something. But nope. Many times things needed to be explained and then acted out and neither were done so you felt lost like can we have a bit of a backstory?
I don't care who she was or wasn't but XFT was the peach bitch from start to finish. She only ever cared about herself. She killed people without a second thought; her own freedom was all that mattered, I think regardless, her crocodile tears for Puzhu were fake. She was a seductress and she knew how to manipulate people especially men as long as she got what she wanted like infiltrating the sword society and corrupting them by killing Master Shao and than cutting off his arm; like why and blaming the murder on TLC first portion of frame job and then came the rescue of LY where she just went all out and called him YM altogether like LY had done in the beginning. It was stupid because LY had never seen YM but she working directly for GMD knew YM made GMD look like him so how was that even remotely believable. So again we circle back to the frame jobs of the beginning. Eye roll worthy. So the fact that she took herself out in the last episode had nothing to do with anyone. And I personally didn't need to see her again reborn though I know it was more for Puzhu's aka Crown Prince's now sake, still could have done without. She wasn't a villain like the word would be but just an eh that followed instructions and was a puppet in a sense herself. Nothing anyone said made me like her. Her actress did a good job, that's really all. Oh and ZCJ's antler princess head piece looked ridiculous.
The last battle between TLC and YM was supposed to powerful because this is it and yet it fell flat because for starters they're darting in and out in between that metal tree contraption, secondly there's dialogue nonstop, so you somehow have to manage to read what they're saying and watch them fight but it wasn't like an actual full fight but darting, striking blades, than using spells and repeat plus constant dialogue. Editing had to be better here; fight like really fight not soft fight, don't talk, you can have instrumental music in the background to build the fight. Had that happened it would have been awesome and appropriate; 40 episodes were building up to this and it was very anticlimactic. And episode 40 felt rushed.
Would I recommend it? I would. It's gorgeous and the story though had issues sometimes with writing and editing; it was a deep and complex story which you really have to delve into. So get on watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
Learning to Accept Love and Live Without Regret
The story was written quite well I feel and overall had solid acting from all characters, major or minor. In a time where many k-dramas feel they have grown formulaic, this one felt fresh in many episodes. I felt that it had a strong strong and somewhat flat but overall appropriate ending for the story's meaning and purpose. The few qualms I have with the drama are easily ignored as it truly shines with Go Young's internal monologue and how it never drops the original meaning it wants to convey.I'm truly glad that the ending did not result in a rush to mend Go Young's love life with the perfect guy and end off with a happily ever after. The eight-episode format as well significantly improves the drama's quality and its ability to convey all it has to say in a timely manner. By the end, it was nice to see Go Young grow as a person and understand that while he has changed so much from all his experiences with love, he's still learning. However, he doesn't let his regrets consume him by the end, whereas a more naive version of himself may have.
However, as mentioned earlier, there are a few minor points where the story can feel a bit weak. Particularly, Go Young's friend group's hangouts occasionally. While I'm glad they don't slowly disappear in screen time and the supporting characters have depth to them, it can feel empty watching some of the scenes and seeing nothing happen or be said. This is true with a lot of these pocketed scenes across the plot, where it feels like 5 minutes just passed by and nothing, even in the overall episode, was contributed.
But, again, all of these are more than made up for in the acting, the story overall, music and great depiction of a variety of gay men and how they'd actually interact.
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an empath would understand.
the dysfunctionality of fan xiao with the mixture of his insanity is so high quality. no one has ever illustrated such portrayals of obsession and deep love altogether with such intricacy. i am so head over heels for this series. everything just makes sense. and the fact that as someone who craves for something so much and how the series just gives me everything i ask for is so cherry on top.i love how the two leads accurately portray each of their emotions. they are experiencing vastly different feelings yet they were able to make everything make sense, enough for you to feel how they are actually feeling and understand them both at the same time. this is what made me love the series. the fact that the production was able to tie their emotions together so intricately even with the complexity of their situation, i just cannot help but love humans even more with their cliche unpredictability and their tendencies to do so much only to feed their emotions. i love everything about this series; as an empath, as a psychology major, and as a person who loves human beings.
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This drama really does touch on every aspect of a relationship. This drama does have its funny bits in it and I feel that many people will relate to one or many characters within it. But whilst watching I mostly enjoyed the chemistry between the supporting cast rather than the main leads themselves!
All in all I feel that its a good watch. I loved the chemistry between the characters. Its not too serious and has come comedic elements which is always a good thing!
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This review may contain spoilers
I still can't find anything better
Rambling:This is genuinely the best bl I have ever watched, I saw somebody said that the main couple didn't add anything to the storyline, but I'm actually glad about that. The main focus of the story isn't the couple. It's the problem of corruption in the Thai government and it didn't even have to be a bl but it just works.
The visuals are also absolutely stunning and the mood all the time made me feel like I was watching this in the theater. All alone at high quality(best feeling)
Gun's acting in this series it A work of art and he deserves a fucking award for it. He got everything thing right down to his chemistry with Off, it was off the charts.
I also like the fact that nothing is really sexualized, even sex isn't sexualized, everything is a art piece. Take Yok and Dan's nude painting scene, I felt the vulnerability too, like it gave me goosebumps I almost cried.
Final thoughts:
The cast and crew did a really good job with this and I recommend you watch it at least once in your life.
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I have a friend who’s totally obsessed with Kimura Takuya therefore she insisted that I should watch this since it contains sports. As a result, this was my first Kimmy drama.
2) Storyline/Plot:
*Generally speaking, this is a drama related to sports wrapped up with romance and humour.
Positive points:
*It was very well written, events were connected in harmony while developments seemed catching whether they were good or bad.
*Main Genres:
--->Sports: Oh my, sports!! One of the reasons I started watching this. The story of the hockey team was intriguing; even though script writers didn’t fully focus on hockey’s activities but it had a fair share of the storyline’s development; scenes on the rink were always remarkable which made every game important no matter what’s the bet.
Hockey was the core of this drama that’s why it’s hard to imagine it without sports.
--->Romance: The romantic concept was good enough to fit in with sports. The combination made sense since there were a lot of connections between hockey game and love game.
Sometimes, the main romantic story may lack progress but it doesn’t last for long plus side romantic stories were always good to watch.
--->Humour: Some of us may not understand Japanese humour yet it wasn’t annoying to watch. Funny scenes were present to make this drama light-hearted that’s why comedy was appreciated in here.
Negative Points:
--->Drama: Overly dramatic scenes don’t fit with sports, at least not here. Side characters dramatic stories were overdone sometimes which made the storyline go astray in some points.
However, that didn’t affect the whole drama’s concept.
Story: 8.5/10.
3) Acting/Cast:
*Like I said earlier this was the drama that introduced Kimura Takuya to me; his acting was good enough but his charisma was mind-blowing in here. The role fitted him perfectly since he managed to make it sound his real self.
Takeuchi Yuko was always a magnificent Japanese actress no matter what’s her role. Here, she shined as usual.
Other actors were terrific; there weren’t any flaws to mention.
*As for characters, Halu was absorbing in here; you would want to see more of him on screen. Though, it was exaggerating to involve him in every problem but he’s the captain and this drama’s star so no problem.
Aki is a perfect lead character for a romantic-sports drama; she’s normal but catching at the same time.
Other characters were pleasant not only as a background for the main couples but also as enjoyable characters to watch. Anyhow, I believe that the strength of Jdramas comes from the multiplicity of characters.
*Appreciated characters: Makoto Tomo because they always had adorable scenes with Halu especially the latter.
*Relationships:
--->Team relationships: Whether it was Halu-coach or captain-team; relationships within the Blue Scorpions were captivating no matter how much you see it. Moreover, there was special friendship between some team members which made the team concept sounds really cool.
--->Romance: Halu and Aki had the most absorbing chemistry ever!! Even side romantic stories had good chemistry.
--->Friendship: Beside team friendship, Aki and her two friends had a respectable relationship as a group of girls. Well, it wasn’t very satisfying like the men relationship.
Cast: 9/10.
Acting: 8.5/10.
4) The ending:
I found happiness in the ending; not the usual happy ending that will pass like the wind but the type of ending that will bring you joy when you watch it.
The ending: 9/10.
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*I watched this drama back in 2010 while it aired in 2004 but I wasn’t bothered with its old cinematography because it was simply amazing.
*Sports are always my “thing” no matter what’s the type of sport because I like that enthusiasm which appears in athletes eyes. Furthermore, the combination of sports and romance was always a great mixture to me *thinking of Buzzer Beat*
*This drama was the reason that made me fall in love with KimuTaku and watch more of his dramas.
*Is this drama memorable: Yes! The combination of sports and romance is extremely unforgettable for me.
My impression: 9/10.
6) Overall:
*If you like sports mixed with romance then you would love this.
*If you like Kimura Takuya then you have to watch this.
*If you like wonderful romantic stories then you might like this.
*Pride was a marvellous sports drama that had a great romantic concept while being faithful to J-Dramas’ comedy.
Overall: 9/10.
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Acting/Cast:
The acting, for me, wasn't very good, but some of the other Chinese dramas I have attempted to watch have very similar acting style. So, if you like, and watch a lot of, Chinese/Taiwanese dramas the acting probably won't be a problem.
There were a few interesting characters in the drama. Sometimes, it was amusing to watch the choices they made and the way they handled the consequences of those choices. They also made it easier for me to digest some of my not so favorite characters. I actually liked some of the "bad" guys more than the "good" ones. The reasons why they did some things seemed to logical and very close to reality. I know I would do almost the same things as Hu Ji did if I were in her shoes.
Some of the minor/guest characters were laughable. They looked like they were part of a bad cosplay...play; pink wigs and all.
Music:
I thought the OST was very good. Actually, I loved the OST. I felt it went accordingly to each scene and I still listen to some of the songs.
Re-watch:
The drama is fantasy and I love fantasy based dramas & movies, so it was very appealing for me. And while, I wouldn't re-watch the full drama again, I will definitely go back to my favorite scenes and episodes.
Overall:
There are a few other things I loved about the drama like the fighting/battle scenes, which had a lot of the fantasy element in them and I loved when Yao Yao, or Xian Yue, played the flute. The costumes (especially those of the female characters)were amazing and gorgeous. There were also some parts where breathtaking scenery could be seen.
I really wanted to give this drama an 8. I really did and I actually had scored it that before I made the review, but have now changed it. Why? Well, even though the drama is far from perfect, it does have it own charm and I found it very entertaining, but I just didn't like the ending. The ending ruined the last episode for me, which was otherwise great.
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From first impressions, this drama may seem like a very light-hearted love story between 2 youths. However, as each episode unfolds, you realize how much depth this story surprisingly has. The story itself has does have some repetitions - at first, it seemed like bad editing, but as you continue, you will soon realize more and more, that the story was made this way on purpose to send the right message. I was very surprised of how a simple on-the-surface plot can be transformed into a feels-train with its hidden complexity. Needless to say, this is a must-watch imo
CHARACTERS / ACTING
This drama really only focuses on one character - Yoo Tak, which at first seemed like a generic character.. and he actually is. As someone who enjoys music, Yoo Tak is very relatable and you will see how he makes mistakes not just for the sake of drama. Among L's work, this is definitely one of the better roles he does done. The lead actress also did very well on her character.
MUSIC
The music in this mini-series is absolutely mesmerizing! There are a few scenes in this drama where nothing is actually presented visually - but the music coupled the situation so well that it was actually driving the story and gave it life and meaning. Particularly, there's a light guitar track with some vocals that really enhanced the experience.
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