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A weirdly pure love in an affair. Raw.
I never thought I'd watch a drama about adultery, but here I am. This drama had some of the best acting I have seen in a kdrama (looking at you, Jung Sang Hoon). I definitely cried watching it. This drama will stick with me, that's for sure.It was poetic, a slow-burn, but hooked me; some might feel conflicted to rate this drama high due to the implications and subject matter, but just because you rate it high doesn't mean you approve of what the characters are doing. Just because I give this drama a 10 doesn't mean I approve of affairs or cheating. The reason why this drama is a 10 for me is because everything was perfect: the acting, storytelling, music, etc. You could FEEL the emotions and turmoil that the characters went through and see how their actions hurt them and the people around them. I thought it was perfect, and wish more dramas could be so beautiful to watch.
Also, side note, but DAMN episode 12. That episode...best of the show. Had my heart nearly bursting out of my chest from anxiety and pain. I would defnitely go back and rewatch that episode. Like I said, some of the best acting I've seen in a kdrama.
I have not seen the Japanese version of this, so I cannot compare the two, but I will just say that this drama is worth your time.
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1This review may contain spoilers
It’s a “fusion sageuk” and I loved it. [Major Spoilers]
As I understand the term, “fusion” sageuk is not based on actual history (which was cruel, bloody and terrifying for just about everyone) so the writers can incorporate more humor and more true romance (as opposed to arranged marriages). It’s my 1st time watching any sageuk beyond the first 2 episodes for the following reasons [spoilers!]1. The main reason I continued to watch beyond Ep. 3 was the Character of Shi-yeol. I have never seen the actor Kang Hoon before, but I am now watching many of his prior dramas: Little Women, etc. He carried the show forward.
2. For the first 10 episodes, there was a continuing mystery as to which of the scholars was the real lost prince, which one was the “Watchman” and if there were any other assorted “royals” who might have a claim to the throne. The Watchman “reveal” was one of the best written, directed and choreographed scenes I have ever watched – and re-watched. Truly Epic (and bloody).
3. Much of the drama was full of many side characters with conspiracies, betrayals, spies/counter-spies but at about the 12 episode mark, the puzzle pieces began to align and the viewer understood who was friend or foe and (except for one minor character in Ep 18 – a truly wasted 4 minutes) there were no major surprises. In other words, the writers carefully wove the various storylines together and there were no “WTF” moments where a character totally forgot about a prior conversation or new facts were suddenly inserted to move the story forward.
4. Happy Ending for the entire Ilwahon family: Dan-oh, Kang San, Yu-ha, Shi-yeol, Naju, Yook Ho and Hong-joo
5. I hate star-crossed lover stories usually, but the slow-burn romance between Shi-yeol and Hong-joo was beautifully written and because of their backstory/history, it was easy to see how their connection grew and evolved. In my view, they outshone the supposed Main Couple whose primary claim to romance was a childhood connection. Anyway, very happy ending for both couples, so good job writers.
6. The sword fights (and there were many) were well choreographed – outstanding stunt work. The production team did not spare expense in filming the final outdoor scenes both within and outside the palace.
7. All of the bad guys died 😊
A few negatives:
As w/most k-dramas, the ending (last ½ hour of Ep. 18) was rushed as everyone’s story was wrapped up with a neat bow in a two-year time skip. However, the reconciliation between Shi-yeol and Hong-joo was a series of small scenes – I was frankly surprised at the writers/directors because they shared short “sketch” scenes which may have been in the novel, but as I said – rushed. Not even a kiss or hug when they reunited. ☹☹
Lots of blood spilled but the most graphic scenes involved the bad guys, so easier to handle.
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A cdrama gem that is relatable and inspirational
For a third generation immigrant of chinese descent who grew up in South East Asia but practically lived most of her life in North America, I loved everything about this cdrama. Though kdramas are my mainstream entertainment there’s something about slice of life cdramas that resonate with me. Nothing but Thirty simply tops it all and rivals some of the best kdramas out there.The story of three women, neither of them perfect but over the course of the forty-three episodes we see each character blossomed in such a natural way that never once I questioned it as unrealistic or rushed. There is none of the make belief fairy-tale ending but each woman emerged a stronger, happier, and wiser version of herself.
In the beginning we saw an ambitious supermom Gu Jia currying favours from the wealthy so her son can get into the prestigious kindergarten and to improve her family connections. But what made Gu Jia different from other idle trophy moms was her integrity. She stopped short of selling her soul. She maintained her dignity throughout the show whether it was to fight back against the moms who mistreated her son or against opportunistic women leeching off her husband.
Man Ni overcame hardships in her career and relationships and there were moments where I questioned her motives or actions but ultimately she showed me she had a backbone and she was not going to let men or traditions, well-intended or not, define her.
Xiao Qin’s character might have been the most simple-minded of the three but her story was also one of self-discovery, owning up to her flaws and taking responsibilities.
All the love interests in this show were well-matched, from Gu Jia’s shitty husband Xu Huan Shan, to Xiao Qin’s introvert hubby Chen Yu and man-child boyfriend Zhong Xiao Yang to Man Ni’s playboy boyfriend Liang Zheng Xian, kindhearted barista Jiang Chen and smug hometown hero Zhang Zhi. These men complemented the story perfectly. They made you hate them, love them, pity them but ultimately their characters propped up the three women and provided the backstory for Gu Jia, Man Ni and Xiao Qin to shine.
The other supporting characters were fabulous and did their parts to make this a successful drama. I hated Lin You You to the bones. She reminded me of Glenn Close’s character in Fatal Attraction. My favourites got to be Gu Jia’s dad and Uncle Yu. Both were wise and giving in their quiet ways. I especially loved the advice Gu Jia’s dad gave to his friend, ‘Children are debts we owe from our previous life…..’ So profound and insightful.
Kudos go to the writer, director and production team for putting together a masterpiece that is relatable but also inspirational. This is truly a show about the sum of the parts. It does not rely on the good looks of its leads, fairy-tale romances, over the top acting or heart-pumping thrillers. It simply works.
If you haven’t given cdramas a try, this is one that won’t disappoint. As for me, I will be waiting patiently for the next chapter of Gu Jia, Man Ni and Xiao Qin’s stories.
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This review may contain spoilers
Penthouse was a really peculiar experience for me, something that I haven't encountered in my journey through dramaland yet. A full blown makjang extraordinaire, the closest thing to grotesque, truly faithful to its baroque provenance - extreme, excessive, contradictory and uncomfortable to watch. So, fortunately, it completely fits my preferences, but generally speaking it's not the easiest thing to swallow. The writers of this drama don't want to spare their audience, they don't play easy. This is a show full of twists and turns, exaggerated acting, hilariously absurd scenes and plot resolutions, irony and overall over-the-topness. Classical music playing in the distance while the red wine is tossed around the table and the characters slap each other. You're gonna either retreat in disgust seeing that combination or you'll end up loving every second of this on-screen madness spectacle.
On the surface it's all about the glam and gore, but it's not completely shallow as it might seem. It's a well known story about the destructive nature of greed and a satire on classism and the invincible regime of The Rich™. We have the class of bad bourgeoisie, corrupted and rotten to the core, with Joo Dan Tae in the lead. He's more of an idea, the personification of Evil that rules in this big Moloch-like castle that is Hera Palace. The building itself is very symbolic too, it rules over the city as the highest and the most luxurious/desireable residential building in the city, but its nothing more than a devilish machine that devours its residents and transform them into greedy and inhumane versions of themselves . They're all a part of the system of injustice that either destroy the poor and weak (Min Seol A) or corrupt their mind too (Oh Yoon Hee). Every character in this show is more or less despicable and we truly love to hate on them all. From the evil mastermind Dan Tae, witchy Seo Jin and her Lady Macbeth-esque descent into madness to naive and easily manipulated Yoon Hee. Even the audience's sweetheart Su Ryeon is not completely flawless. And the sad conclusion that's left at the end of the show is that in the end there is no escape from the creepling evilness. You can try, you can fight and the skies will eventually side with the rich. But for how long? Well, we will see in the next seasons!
What I truly loved about this show were the little bits of absolutely random comedic scenes. They were surreal and hilarious (with the lucha libre kidnapping being my absolute favorite), but somehow fit the mood of the entire show. And I felt like it was a reminder that this show is not 100% serious and should be treated that way. We love a self-aware makjang!
The only thing that bothered me was the entire subplot of kids. Well, it wasn't a subplot per se, as the kids played a major role in the whole plot (as a catalyst of Min Seol A tragedy, their parents weakness and kind of a deterministic effect of their parent's flawed parenting), but I felt like it stood out from the main plot that took place in the "adult world". Especially interactions between the kids themselves, it felt like a separate story. And the writing in this part was really weak. Some characters didn't make sense (Ro Na especially), so it was hard to watch.
Writing was kinda bumpy for me in general. The beginning was fantastic, really well connected events, logical (even for this drama!) consequences and reactions from the characters. But the ending felt really flat with too much information given in the last minute and too convenient plot resolutions. Also (please, don't kill me for that hot take!) I feel like some actors went a little overboard with their exaggerated acting. Yes, it fits this type of show, but I felt like they relied too much on screams, evil smirks and wide opened eyes. Even when the seamless transitions between these expressions were truly outstanding (Kim So Yeon), it really loose its impact when it's repeated few times .
Overaly it's such a fun show. If you're willing to abandon logic and embrace the madness of this drama, it's gonna be a time well spent. But beware, it's really addictive!
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Shin Mi Rae, played by Kim Sun Ah, is a lowly government official, financially driven to join a beauty pageant, crosses paths with Jo Gook, played by Cha Seung Won, an ambitious and highly driven politician with a hidden agenda of political advancement. Propelled into the political arena in her small town, Mi Rae finds herself running for mayor, backed by her very supporting and hilarious friends, with Jo Gook as her campaign manager, only to be embroiled in small town and national partisan politics. City Hall is a trial of two opposite people's determination to keep their individual conviction, beliefs, and political ambitions, while keeping their blossoming romance under wraps from the critical and career damaging eye of the media, political intrigues and ambitions of others.
Kim Suh Ah continues to impress with her amazing acting in her role as Shin Mi Rae, whose conscience and idealistic nature, clashes with those who are more driven with personal benefits than social and political obligations, and torn between protecting the town and its people, keeping her personal beliefs and convictions, entangled in political intrigues, and her unflinching love for the ambitious Jo Gook.
Cha Seung Won unarguably pulled the stops as he embodies the smart, cynical, confident, charismatic, and ambitious Jo Gook, yet still charmingly capture the quirky, romantic side of a man pulled apart by his desire to follow his heart, achieve his political dreams, familial loyalty and paternal approval, and protect the person he loves most from the damaging life of politics.
Amazing chemistry and solid acting by the two leads, as well as the supporting casts, makes this a must watch drama with its witty lines, political and partisan intrigues, and touchingly wishful and uplifting romance. A hands-down, fantastic plot!
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When I finally get to know the reason of his captivity..........I was disappointed. Also,the ending makes you question the validity of the situation, which I really hate when movies do that. Despite that,there were many, many twists and turns. I enjoyed the time I watched this and would highly recommend this movie to others. I also suggest that sensitive people DO NOT watch this film. If you know that you can't handle violent or sexual content, don't even bother watching this movie and then give it a low rating. That would be illogical.
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(HOPEFULLY ALL!)
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After watching Right or Wrong, this series comes the way but i didn't expect something from this series. I just see random screenshots from viewers and since i'm busy preparing for graduation requirements, i have this ample time to watch BL series.
Qiu Zi Xuan is a sleek and small pointed eye guy who captures my feeling for this series. I don't knokw, but since highschool days, I adore those guys with small and pointed yes(sleek eyes haha). He is serious to his studies, loves volleyball and just a quiet guy. Then his world stumble upon when Hsia Yu Hao came. He is so sexy and hot in every single way. He make the life of Zi Xuan more colorful. He is that guy that is tough on the outside but very soft and jolly on the inside. I thought he would be like that guy from Addicted but hell no, they are different!
When Yu Hao started showing his true colors, letting us see his perspective in life and being undenial of his feeling towards Zi Xuan, that really captures my heart! He is just being tru to himself, doing the things that will make him happy and make his love being reflected on Zi Xuan. He is unafraid, ignoring the rules of the world. He just focused on his love, his passionate intimacy toward Zi Xuan! Sana All!
I also love the brotherly love between the two guys. They reminded me of Addicted Gu HAi and Bai Lou Yin. Is this called incess afterall? Anyway, i stilll adore their love for each other.
The song and music choice all thoughout the series is perfect especially that song played on the last episode, on their confession scene, the magical kiss! I just wonder how did they doi it very professionally? It's perfect and really hot! The thrusting of their mouths, hahaha, sorry, it's very passionate and full of love and affection. (and they are both straight, gosh!)
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HIStory 2: Crossing The Line
10/10
032918
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This is still watchable, but when it comes to crimes, laws, the story has to be really tight. The twists in the story was pretty good, but I can only take so much "twisting" before I begin to just say, just get on with it... So, yes, I do have gripes about it but I have seen worst dramas.
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Where to even begin? The feels! The freaking feels I get from this drama. Not only is it funny (seriously, it's impossible not to kneel over from laughter every episode), but it's so touching and heartfelt. The bonds each character has with one another is not easily forgotten, and it's hard to choose which interactions I enjoy the most. Honestly, I love all of them! That is probably a prime example why I prefer jdramas over all the other asian dramas. There is so much heart in this drama, it makes my own heart want to explode.
And can I just say again how funny this drama is. Honestly, it's one of the funniest dramas I've ever seen. Kotora, the main character, is yakuza but wants to do rakugo (a form of classical Japanese storytelling), and each episode he learns a different story and incorporates it into reality (whatever situation the characters happen to find themselves in that day) and performs it. It's really so funny, I seriously can't stress that enough. If you're going to watch this, be prepared to bust a gut.
Omg please watch this. Please? If you love jdramas and you've never seen this, you need to get on it. If you're new to the genre, WATCH IT. Just everyone should watch it. You really won't regret it.
Btw, Tiger & Dragon has THE PERFECT ENDING. Honestly, I was just so happy and giddy, and I was grinning from ear to ear. Just, everything comes together so nicely at the end. Outstanding drama!
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The story's biggest weakness is its characters. Characters make or break a story, and Kim Joo Won just isn't as romantic as he is made out to be. Repeatedly seeking out a girl that has made it clear that there is no mutual interest isn't the way to go. Invading personal space and not laying off her when she is obviously extremely uncomfortable isn't the way to go, either. I do dig his sparkly tracksuit, though. Not only aesthetically, but as a recurring gag. I'm not saying that all characters are 100% trash, because that's not it. There are several good characters, like Ah Young, Han Tae Sung and Oska, to name a few. The acting and the cast, on the other hand, is great. No complaints. Hyun Bin especially did a great job with the body swapping, and Ha Ji Won's emotional performance was up there, but there's only so much you can do with shallow characters.
The story did drag on for half an eternity during the middle episodes 8-12. I would have dropped it if it had dragged on for one more episode. After that, the pace is quickly picked up again and sustained throughout the rest of the series, though. So be warned. There are a few snooze-episodes that are about as fun as watching paint dry. Or something.
The comedy during the body swapping is great. There are several scenes that had me laughing out loud.
The music wasn't anything special. It wasn't bad, it definitively wasn't, it just wasn't great either. It did its job well, and that's what's important. I just won't add it to my iPod, is all.
I personally won't watch it again, because I suspect I might become so frustrated that I'll do something I regret, like eating 15 tangerines, again. I shall avoid that if possible. But if I were stranded on a deserted island, or snowed in or something, and could watch only this to pass the time, of course I would. Just not as a first choice. And who knows, maybe it would enchant me on a second go? Like Kim Joo Won? I won't take the risk.
Did I just completely waste 20+ hours? No. I'd say this drama is worth a watch, even if it's just to be able to say you've seen it.
Final score: 6.5 / 10
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The queerbaiting issue aside, I'm conflicted
Was the show enjoyable? sure, until a certain point. However, the last episodes were way too rushed and too many things were going on, as if the writers tried to wrap up every single plot line they presented throughout the series, but the end result is bad and almost unwatchable. The ending itself is just completely ridiculous. I won't add spoilers, I'll just say I almost immediately snorted with contempt when I watched it.And then there is the queerbaiting issue. While realistically a gay couple would never live happily ever after in the Joseon era, the show is full of events and characters that just wouldn't happen at that age. So anachronism definitely wasn't the issue. Why did the writers halfway through the show decided to take a step back and turn the romance into a bromance? Who knows. I just hoped queerbaiting was a thing of the past. I guess I was wrong.
The acting itself was decent, again, considering the unbelievable plot line.
The music was annoying, but I guess that's a personal thing.
Wouldn't watch again, 6/10.
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Modern Movie With A Classic Touch!
From the first scene, you can tell it's a promising film with a sweet-bitter ending.All characters are likable and adorable or even unobtrusive. I laughed so much, I felt touched, excited, and cried... everything was really good. From the story to the characters, the direction, and the music. 10/10 overwhelming!
On the other hand, the story is not for everyone. If you don't enjoy stories like "A Little Thing Called Love" I say don't watch it! It's not your cup of tea.
At the last, I liked how they make the characters kind of mature, logical, and have self-awareness. it's not all about feelings and following whims. it's about good and bad things and how it affects your personality and your beliefs as a person and on others too.
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This review may contain spoilers
"Don't give up-it's a galactic message!"
If you're looking for a taut suspenseful thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Burn the House Down may not fulfill your desire. More family mystery than vengeful thriller, two sisters determine to clear their mother's name regarding a fire from thirteen years ago by taking on their greedy stepmother. Think Scooby Gang rather than The Quiet Family.Very minor spoilers:
Anzu and her sister Yuzu are convinced that Makiko, their mother's ex-friend and father's new wife burned down their childhood home thirteen years ago and destroyed their family in the process. Their mother who admitted to causing the fire is currently hospitalized with a case of amnesia and they are desperate to find evidence proving she is innocent hoping it will help her to heal. Anzu uses her best friend's name to get hired on as maid at Makiko's house. She's forbidden from going upstairs, exactly where she's hoping to search for evidence the hoarder might still have. Anzu is shocked to find Makiko's eldest son from a previous marriage is secluded in his room upstairs as he is thought to be working at a prestigious job out of the country. Kiichi suffers from agoraphobia and a really bad wig. The younger son, Shiji, is a med student and clueless and naïve Yuzu works on getting close to him. Their friend, Claire, is a computer geek who can breech any cyber security. The sisters' spineless and absent father hasn't contacted them in 13 years so Anzu's secret identity isn't hard to keep.
Burn the House Down had all sorts of plot devices to keep the story moving along: Revenge, amnesia, surprise allies, setbacks, character growth, red herrings, a little romance, and a couple of good slaps. Anzu's relationship with Kiichi was complicated and at first I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a Flowers in the Attic complication or Hannibal Lector wanting to eat her liver situation. As it turned out, Kiichi had his own guilt and burdens from the past that had crippled him. When they were children, Kiichi had given Anzu a compass and told her that the stars were always watching and they were telling her "Don't give up. It's a galactic message." Resilience and redemption were leading themes in this drama, right behind finding out who was behind the grotesque mask or in this case ugly sweater.
The sisters found out the hard way if you had to trust a shaggy looking guy who believed the stars were cheering us on or their father who hadn't sent so much as a birthday card in thirteen years, you'd better take your chances with the intergalactic messenger. As awful as Makiko was, and she was thoroughly unlikeable-a thief, egomaniacal, a homewrecker, liar extraordinaire, and completely lacking in compassion-their spineless father was even more repulsive. With the exception of Makiko and the father, the rest of the characters came in shades of gray and were mostly good people trying to find their way in the world, over and around the obstacles thrown in their paths.
As much as the drama was about discovering the truth regarding the fire, it also dealt with how people use social media to manipulate public opinion and how devastating doxxing can be. It also showed the addictive nature of having fans and needing positive affirmation from strangers. Both sides used the social media and netizens to their advantage. Makiko enjoyed having a reputation as the perfect wife, mother, cook, and housekeeper though none of those things were true. The Scooby Gang used the internet to help close in on their investigation and bait their quarry.
Despite the complex relationships and subterfuge, the drama managed to avoid falling into heavy melodrama or over the top makjang. It was a mostly light and easy thriller with a few surprises along the way. Anzu was able to put together a Scooby Gang made up of friends and family who became quite formidable. The guilty party might have gotten away with the fire if it hadn't been for those meddling kids who took the galactic message seriously and never gave up.
7/13/23
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I can honestly say that it was not what I was expecting. Lol~
The story was good in the beginning, but then I don't know what happened. The drama isn't the best but that doesn't mean it's not watchable. There are so many flaws you can point out, but besides that, it's so cliché and some of it is cute at the same time. It's one of those dramas where you still watch even if it's not the best. Something about it made me kept watching. I guess there were three things that made me continue to watch. One, was the relationship Mi Mi's family had. They were a warm and loving family. They would even welcome a complete stranger into their home and treat them like one of their own. It was touching to watch. Another thing that made me continue to watch was the relationship between the leads, Mi Mi and Ze Ming. I absolutely love the romantic clichés in dramas. I'm a sucker for it. The relationship between them was cute and sweet. In the beginning, Ze Ming was like a child, an adorable one at that, with the sweetest smile that just melts your heart. Mi Mi was able to help him reconnect with old and establish new relationships. This helped him to mature and experience things he's once experienced as a child and even the things he's never experienced before. She had such a huge impact on his life that he couldn't bear the thought of living without her and along the way, she felt the same. They're so cute together. >w<
The last thing that kept me watching was the actor Chang Derek (Ze Ming). Really hard to believe that this was his first drama ever. He did an amazing job, especially with his emotional scenes. Those scenes he did where he had to execute some emotions, he did really well and it was very believable. I love the fact how his character had development. He went from an innocent, sweet childlike person to a mature, and still lovable person who had to adapt to a new environment and be surrounded by people all the time. I also liked An Amber's character, Mi Mi. Others might have found her annoying but I found her really adorable actually. She becomes very shy and cute around Ze Ming and you could tell she loved him very much as he did her. The other characters were ok, I honestly didn't care much about them. Some of the characters became annoying but I did like her parents a lot. They were such warm and loving people. It was nice seeing Chen Katie again since Bromance, but her character seemed the same from how it was in Bromance. Lol~
I absolutely loved the OST. At least 4 of the song were sung by Bii, including the opening song~? I love listening to him sing. I did like the two songs that were sung by An Amber as well. Her voice is pleasant. I liked the ending song that was sung by Dino Lee as well~ ^^
I'd recommend this but if you guys are willing to watch, watch with an open mind and if you can ignore the flaws or at least acknowledge them, I think you'll actually enjoy. Even if some of it was unbearable to watch, I still enjoyed for the sweet and cuteness between the leads and the strong bond the family had. This is one of the very few dramas I'll always have a soft spot for~ ^^
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