After the first episode I knew it wasn't really good, but hey, it's important to try and it might improve.
After watching the whole drama, I can safely say it's been a while since I saw such a humongous dumpster fire.
Story: rushed and unconnected. They tried to squeeze in the whole 20 hour drama storyline in 49 minutes. It didn't work. Even the cliches seemed rushed. Still, we glimpsed the following: getting drunk, piggyback ride, eating food from street stalls, rich heir and poor girl trope, rebellious heir, love triangle, second lead syndrome, tsundere male lead and the poor girl getting a makeover trope. Ugh. Add in the open ending, terrible "inspirational" one-liners and a general sense of hopelessness as to where this plot is going and what you get is a whole new level of unwatchable. Honestly, if it wasn't this short, I wouldn't have made it.
Filming: do you like a shaky camera with lots of refocusing and jump cut scenes? If so, you're up for a real treat. My personal favorite was the scene in which they walk down the road - it lasts 5 seconds and has 3 jump cut scenes. We're on one end of the road. And now in the middle. And now at the other end! Wasn't this exciting? Yay.
Acting: I dislike insulting actors for their work so I'l just say the nicest things I can. They didn't stutter and the second lead's dancing was better than expected.
Music: boring but passable
Rewatch value: it has one? Honestly, if you want to watch a romantic short drama you're better off with pretty much anything. May I suggest Another Parting, Between Friendship and Love, The Boy Next Door, She is 200 Years Old? They're all under 2 hours long.
Good points: imagine all the money you'd save on plane tickets if all it took to travel across the ocean was to get drunk and pass out near the sea.
Bad points: everything else
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A reasonably good dive into the Omegaverse
I’ve been a fan of the Omegaverse for a while and enjoy reading novels that explore this theme. However, I was a bit hesitant to start this one because I didn’t know what to expect; I realised it could either be really well done or really poorly executed.Fortunately, it landed somewhere in the middle. While it’s not incredible, it’s also not too bad and does explore some interesting aspects of this universe.
The story features two couples with four different dynamics – alpha, omega, beta and enigma. Although I felt that some parts, particularly those involving Wen Lang and Gao Tu, were rushed, other sections of the story were well thought out and somewhat cohesive.
It’s important to note that the relationships are quite toxic! There's no avoiding that, so if you dislike possessiveness, dubious consent, manipulation, emotional coercion, ownership, and other significant red flags, you might want to skip this one or proceed with caution while watching it.
However, if you’re open to exploring a different theme and can look past the toxicity in these romances, the series is somewhat entertaining. None of the characters are truly innocent in their interactions, which may make it easier to overlook the problematic aspects than you might think.
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This review may contain spoilers
Solid Start, Rushed Romance, and Room for More
I went into this show excited, especially since I’ve discovered my love for police and crime dramas after watching NCIS: Hawai’i for the WLW ship, Kacy.Before anything else, I already want to tachle downfall of the show. It's how stupid the characters were. For such a deep story arc, they were so naive and lacked cleverness. For a person who loves the police procedural genre, the characters, especially Tul, lacked the signature beloved badass and smart charm I was looking for. Because genuinely, how are you the highest ranked police officer on your team yet rely so much on the work of you teammates? Make it make sense.
The first few episodes were solid, episodic yet engaging, especially for me as someone who didn't read the book going into it. But Tul and Run’s love story felt rushed, more like it was there because they’re the leads rather than something that naturally developed. While their shared passion for their craft and moral righteousness could explain their connection, the way they got together felt bland and forgettable.
The show had potential for deeper storytelling and more buildup in their relationship, but with only 10 episodes, it stuck to a simple, generic plot. That simplicity, while necessary for clarity, came at the expense of creativity in building tension and integrating romance with the action-crime theme.
That said, I can’t deny the charm of their pre-relationship banter. It made me wish the lead-up had been longer for a more satisfying payoff. As for the police and medical elements, I just wish there were more action scenes. The standout moments were Tul saving Run from the old man during her solo investigation and the trio’s clever plan to catch the Raindrop Killer dupe. While the latter wasn’t action-heavy, it showcased their strategic thinking, something I wish we’d seen more of.
Still, I’m grateful for this show, it’s a pioneer in the action GL genre with solid production and great attention to accuracy, setting the bar higher for future projects in this space.
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Lovely lovely endearing drama
When I first saw the headlines that Bailu and Allen Ren are the main actors for this drama, I was expecting the drama to follow the typical enemies to lovers theme. This is because in every single past drama that Bailu acted in, she always portrays a charismatic, confident girl. But here, her role is soft, ladylike, extremely courteous and polite. It’s a completely new look for Bailu fans!The love between the two leads are extremely adorable (powerful respectable general + kinds introverted lady), and their chemistry reflects how experienced and mature both actors are at acting :)
This drama will worth your time!
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It was cute, until it got cliche...
The first 20ish episodes were pure cute. Male and female lead had SO MUCH chemistry, and the second leads were adorable in their own way as welland then the typical Asian drama cliches^TM hit and I almost wanted to just walk away from the drama...
But then the drama does end on a better note, so I still gave it a redeeming 7.5. It's like when the cliche's hit, just turn on fast forward, and the chemistry between the leads is super worth it I guess.
The little epilogue at the end was very satisfying to watch too.
Would recommend if you got the time and want some sugar in your life (and don't mind a little bit of Asian Drama Cliche.
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The very start doesn't look promising, but as soon as the movie continues to evolve it somehow sucks you in. It is a very balanced movie - it has humor but at the same time it has a very serious and sad topic. It is very ''Korean'' - so, it shows the reality of life. I noticed them portraying lots of it, thus I really prefer them over western ones.
Back to the movie - the start is a bit boring (at least for me), but as it evolves it becomes interesting. The plot is very easy to follow, nothing is secretive. It's easy to watch, if you can take lots of blood and gore. Acting - is amazing.
Even though, I wouldn't watch this movie again. I think once was enough. It is not bad, but I definitely watched better ones.
Still I don't regret spending time watching it at all.
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I continue to be quite impressed with Hasegawa Hiroki's acting. It wasn't just believable, it was real. The chemistry between the lead couple was some of the best I've seen in a J drama.
The soundtrack was strong, and unique. There was one piece that had a wild Celtic sound to it, another that was reminiscent of "Once Upon A December" from Anastasia, as well as a variety of other music. It was used to great effect to enhance the action and different moods.
I will be rewatching this. I may already know the basic story, but the story is so rich in detail and characterization that it really doesn't matter. I also have a good ending to look forward to again.
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The Foreign Duck, the Native Duck and God in a Coin Locker
16 people found this review helpful
Story:
Full of Bob Dylan music and a deep love for animals, the story shows innocent and noble characters like Shiina and mysterious and extravagant ones like Kawasaki. While dealing with friendship, values, disease, and revenge.
Acting:
Gaku Hamada perfectly portrays that person who only tries to fit in, he is the impressionable provincial. Eita, on the other hand, represents very well the long range of expressions that his character demands.
Overall:
How valuable are the bonds we create? Who is lying? Who says the truth?
Coupled with a sharp criticism of racism by many Japanese towards foreigners living in Japan, this is a valuable and worthy film. Because ultimately, Shiina also feels like a stranger, even though in his own country.
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Story: All surrounding characters in their mid 30's to early 40's. I love how naturally every plot point occurs in the story. Nothing feel forced it doesn't feel like the writers were adding in a lot of filer. The dialogue is everything and a basic conversation between two chracters is always interesting.
(Fair warning the female character is whiny in the beginning but she gets better I promise.)
Acting. Top notch! A1! Everyone in this cast played their chracters to a T. If you've watched Jin Dong in other dramas you know what kind of chracters he gets type cast as. He lectures and gave me surgeon character feels at some point but his execution of his monologues are always great so it didn't deter me from watching the drama. The chemistry ,not just between the female and male lead, but the entire cast can be felt and I really loved it.
Music: Smooth jazz, loved it.
Rewatch: not unless there is a season 2.
Give this drama a try I promise you will enjoy.
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(I don't usually review movies, but wanted to add this one since no one had reviewed it yet.)
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It's possible there's a super cute drama in here desperately struggling to get out but who the hell would know. This was nothing but a disjointed, incoherent mess from beginning to end. Nothing makes sense, everything is super rushed and the whole thing is ridiculous. Oh and there's clearly a season 2! Which... if they knew that why not spend these six episodes having them fall for each other and then the next six on the separation, noble idiocy, family opposition, public scandal, arranged marriage, kidnappings and Rise of the Big Bad - rather than trying to do all those things in TWO EPISODES.
Oh yeah, there's a plot here somewhere. An Idol gets a bodyguard (Eugenie Liu) who is a huge fan of another Idol (Jasper Liu) that Idol 1 is pretending to be dating. The bodyguard is the daughter of a Triad boss. The daughter of the Triad boss has no concept of professionalism or boundaries but she does attempt to murder several people - attempted murder is supposed to be funny I guess.
Ignoring the bad writing and terrible pacing, the female lead's fangirling is super super annoying and I see nothing in this that says she fell for Adorable Jasper rather than Adorable Jasper's public image and that is a big big problem when I'm supposed to believe they're SO MUCH IN LOVE after they met a week ago and slept with each other once.
This is transparently aimed at 14 year olds who fantasise that if they met their Idol (who conveniently is exactly like his public image) then said Idol would fall madly and instantly in love with them and only something as crazy as a mob boss, mad fans and the paparazzi could keep them apart!
Jasper Liu is adorable I guess but his character is paper thin; practically a chalk outline. The female lead's entire character is a problem from beginning to end. Which is, thankfully, not that long. Since this is only 6 episodes. And subsequently a giant mess.
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This review may contain spoilers
This was a nothing burger, so to speak of...
There is a story, but one with little details and depth, there are two boys, but not much chemistry. It's more a bromance than a BL. Also the teacher left a bitter taste, because he also did not help really with his money. It would have taken more than 20 minutes to make this a meaningful story. And the "confession" with the cheek kiss did not really trigger a reaction we would except from a BL.So overall this is very medicore, not good, not bad and ok to watch for 20 minutes.
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