plot with no stakes, no real consequences
it was cute and fun but if you’re looking for a serious story and/or a serious romance, this isn’t it. it’s one of those shows you watch in between shows that you’re waiting for.lots of plot twists that didn’t make sense, hard to follow what the actual rules are and what the stakes are, if any. i was so ??? that kang siyeol’s grandma was in ONE episode after the switch and then never again lol weird ass plot device that could’ve had more meaning but whatevs.
the chemistry was there, but i didn’t believe they were all in for each other. when there are rarely any stakes, even dying isn’t that permanent, then it’s hard for me to see strength in their connection. all the actors were great, but the roles they played didn’t have enough depth in their writing or directing.
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The first few episodes bombarded me with many plot twists and "shocking revelations" to the point, I started to call the show "soft makjang". So many things happened, I was left in a state of confusion, but it made the show that much better, since the main focus of the drama is the aftermath and the process of healing and re-connecting with the family. We were getting to know the facts with the characters, learning bits and pieces, which helped me empathize with them more. I could understand why they struggled with the new situation, since I myself was confused about what was truly happening.
It touches on subjects such as LGBT, rape (did not happen during the show, but one of the characters was a victim of it, and it played a part in their story), ending a relationship when both sides do not agree on when and how to part ways, misunderstanding based on differences of characters and how you show you care for people.
Through the 3 siblings, we can observe different struggles people face in life. The oldest, Eun Joo and how she always tried to be strong, level headed and control her emotions. The middle sibling Eun Hee, trying to keep the family together and pacify all the sides in times of conflicts, acting as if she is carefree. The youngest Ji Woo, who tries to find himself, learn how to be independent, as he watches his family fight with each other.
I just truly cared for these characters, so when the drama ended, I already missed them. Did I cry? Yes. Not to mention, it has some of the best, natural and well paced romance I watched this year and the best "not a confession" confession scene (you'll know when you see it).
Did anything bother me? Not really. I was not that interested in the Sang Shik and Jin Sook story, and it was the weakest part for me personally, as I was annoyed with some choices both of them were making.
Overall, I have a feeling I might rewatch the show, or at least a few scenes this year. The good set of characters was for sure the core value of it.
Ps. Kim Ji Suk... damn, he fine.
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The story has a certain charisma of bringing sci-fi to a lighter romance novel-ish type of feels. Sure first few episodes will make your mind think like "WTF am I watching??" but as the episodes progress you get the satiafaction of finding out the reason behind everything that happend in the previous episode.
The director was so clever in putting lots of small hints and details that you will definitely see once you rewatch the episodes because they will make you rewatch to have that "oh did i miss that? let me see that again" moment.
You definitely need to level up your perspective in this series. It feels like Inception, Oldboy, and Fringe put into one pot, sprinkled with Korean Royalty and boiled in one sweet and spicy revenge water.
Overall, it was a good watch. Probably best not to binge watch at first then rewatch after you finished to check back on the cool details you might have missed.
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Till the end… Thank God… there's an end…
Till the end of the moon is a romantic tale that kicks off nice, goes on flat for a while but bumps down when it couldn't handle its own complications. High budget, star cast, beautiful costumes and what not but what we get served is a repitative story that makes you annoyed once every episode. Oh yeah I yawned and finally skipped a few parts too.
The narrative revolves around the to-be Devil God Tantai Jin (Luo Yunxi) and Li Susu (Bai Lu) who was determined to stop him by hook or by crook. The story wasn't as bad in the starting it was great until it was reasonable but when characters don't communicate and go awry by the concept of "lied for his own good"… its disappointing.
Even if they wanted to make TTEOTM angsty, there must have been a limit to misunderstandings and then reconciliation again and again. The story is pretty much predictable especially in the later half because you basically know that you can't expect anything better with these reckless, moody, jealousy driven characters.
TTEOTM isn't all bad and there were factors that I did enjoy like the second leads Ye Qingyu and Pian Ran's story, Tantai Jin and Xiao Lin's unsung bond… and since I'm questioning the logic of the plot at many places, maybe many things would make sense if the drama was not abruptly cut short by 16 episodes. Because 16 is sure A LOT!… …but if we were going to get this same thing for those 16 episodes too, I'm happy Chinese censorship exists.
For a Xianxia cum Wuxia the story isn't much special but the acting was phenomenal! Especially Luo Yunxi won me with his devilish role. I swear no one could play TTJ or the Devil God like him! TTJ's loneliness, trust issues, obsession all came out so much because it was Luo. Even his Ming Ye who is on the positive end was acted awesome! Hat's off to whoever casted him… although Bai Lu's all three characters were kinda similar but she was successful in making most of the emotional scenes impactful.
Their chemistry doesn't need words. They look so much good together that even with this lackluster plot I stayed and finished this drama. I don't mind if the producers bring a season 2, don't give us any story, anything, just send these two on a date on the day of Chinese New Year, let the emotionless TTJ feel warmth with Ye Xiwu and let them hang out (let the world or three realms be kept aside) and I'll watch that too lol xDDDD. But "no saving people and three realms plot please, I insist"
I was quite impressed by the acting of Sun Zhen Ni (as Pian Ran), Deng Wei (Xiao Lin) and Chen Du Ling (Ye Bingchang). While the first two made me love their characters, Chen duling's roles were so despicable that we need to agree she's such a good actress. After all playing a beautiful bitch who is both hateful and pitiable isn't an easy task.
Acting sure made this drama little entertaining for me till the end. Or I would've dropped this somewhere in the middle when things changed abruptly in the drama…. OST… hmm… There were a dozen songs that went well with the shots but none were that special to be heard again.
CGI was very pretty in some scenes, almost top notch and the costumes often took my attention. I think the makers focused more on their outer beauty and making it mesmerizing like all those snow shots. Wish they invested more on the script rather than all this eye-catchy stuff.
So we get impressive acting, complex three characters for every actor, a failed plot and satisfying CGI. That's how I define Till the end of the moon.
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Where To Begin With One Of The Most Mixed-Reception Dramas Of 2021…
First of all before critiquing " Doom At Your Service"( " DAYS") , let’s address the biggest controversy surrounding the mixed-criticism by viewers . There is the vocal contingency of devoted watchers who loved the series , and then the critics who argue that the storyline was a complete " waste of time”. However, this leaves newcomers on one hanging question; is the show actually worth watching?
Let’s start on an issue which both defenders and critics of the show seem to agree upon ; the casting. Let’s be honest. If you’re a diehard K-drama fan, it’s likely that your immediate attraction to this drama happened to be A-listers Park-Bo Young, Seo In Guk and Lee-So Hyuk staring back at you through the screen. It’s undeniable that these big names don’t disappoint ; Bo Young flourished as our female lead Do In- Kyung, Seo In Guk offered a dynamic performance away from his typical boyish charm roles as Myul Mang, and Lee Soo Hyuk’s baritone-style voice was perfectly suited for delivering Cha Joo-Ik’s one-liners.( Even our supporting cast consisting of Kang Tae Oh [Lee Hyun Gyu],Shin Do Hyun [Na Ji Na],and Woo Hee Jin [Kang Soo Ja ] helped to add their own beguiling charms in the drama.)
So, why has an intriguing drama with a fairly star-studded cast, sparked so much mixed reception from watchers?Well, this problem ultimately boiled down to the screenwriting.
On an arguably positive note , ” Doom At Your Service” does certainly cast its net far by employing the common trope of " misfortunes" to present Dong-Kyung as an “appealing female lead”;an orphan with a fractious younger brother , despising her job and casting ill-fortune upon the world when she finally gives up all hope with her terminal-illness. This leads her to her fated meeting ( literally) with “Doom" ( aka. Myul Mang) and soon peculiar romantic sparks flare from here.
However, it soon becomes apparent in the drama that screenwriter Im Me Ah Ri fell victim to using cliches as a pillar of support for the storyline, rather than an asset. Ultimately this stunted the plot and character growth due to the screenwriter’s lackadaisical investment in these key areas of the drama. (For example, Dong Kyung’s illness was only used as a necessity for "tension" rather than to solidify her sentience as an individual. The series could have explored so much here with her impending fate, but instead brushed this over in order to invest more time upon the “ puppy dog eyes” between Dong Kyung and Myul Mang.)
Similarly this is case and point with our male lead Myul Mang. In between his tedious monologues with "So Nyeo Shin" ( Jeong Ji So), our male lead undeniably was intriguing; a a powerful deity-like being who struggles to comprehend human emotions, however , this is where we hit the biggest rut with his character also; his sudden change of heart in regards to his involvement with Dong Kyung.
Some devoted watchers of the drama argued this was " "beautiful" by the reversal of the male lead’s personality, whilst others just saw this as lazy screenwriting.For those unfamiliar with the plot ( and without decisive spoilers), Do-Kyung wants to make Myul Mang fall in love with her, Myul Mang toys with her affections by manipulating elements of her reality ( but soon comes round to ‘ feeling bad for her ’ after Nyeo Shin lends a hand), then Do-Kyung decides she is no longer interested in him, leading to a whole reversal of chasing after one another and repeat.
This isn’t to condemn the main pairing entirely. Park Bo Young and Seo In Guk had brilliant chemistry onscreen and there were certainly some fairly sweet moments between their characters .However their characters did sadly suffer as a consequence of this lacklustre character development which was particularly certified by the existence of the "contract".
Now, without decisive spoilers , it is pivotal to say that this " contract" played an important role in the exposition of the storyline . Yet whilst it was an intriguing premise, the " rules" surrounding this contract were often ineffably upturned by the actions of Myul Mang. Whilst a later storyline revelation did offer an adequate explanation , this reduced the " contract" to being nothing more than a plot MacGuffin; thrown in to add tension, but ultimately useless towards defining the lore of DAYS’ fictionalised world .
Of course, a storyline does not always have to contain a big battle with the " big bad" or an internal conflict for the hero, however, this is also where dramatic irony became prominent with ” DAYS”. The evident ending goal of " DAYS" ( without spoilers) surrounds the female lead making her final wish. Of course whilst this does become a major plot line throughout the drama, the series often dismissed this problem to play upon the separate idea of the ‘’ paring" of our main leads. ( Rather than interlinking the two more concisely.)
This isn’t to drag the entirety of the series down. There were certainly some enjoyable moments with Dong-Kyung’s brother Tak Seon Kyung ( Dawon), Dong Kyung’s doctor and client Jung Seung Jun ( Lee Seung Jun), the haughty teen writer '' Young Prince" ( Nam Da Reum), and the terminally-ill writer ‘’Dalgona’’ ( Oh Yeon Ah).
Even our second leads had some oddly sweet moments with tight-lipped Cha Joo Ik chasing the affections of our bubbly writer Na Ji Na. Until the love triangle with Ji Na’s former schoolmate Lee Hyun Gyu ( Kang Tae Oh)was introduced into the subplot .
This isn’t to say that their scenes were unwatchable . For the most part, these side characters had the potential to be very interesting. However, at times this made viewers fell as though they were watching very different storylines; a potentially intriguing modern fantasy drama, and then a cutesy slice of life romance show with a ” love triangle". These two plot lines rarely collided and when this did occur, lacking screen-time undeniably made the subplot feel sporadic and disconnected from the main storyline .
However, it’s impossible not to talk about subplot characters without bringing up the problem of "So Nyeo Shin". This character could have easily been one of the most intriguing elements to the drama . However, there were a couple of factors which let us down on this front; lacking character development and then the actress Jeong Ji So. Now, this isn’t to hate upon the actress. Respectfully, she has had a well-established career as a child actress and certainly does have charisma. On the other hand for this performance, Ji So was nearly literally reading her lines in monotone rather than adding something to her tone. Viewers should have felt as though they were watching a godlike being in a human guise , not just Ji So regurgitating her lines onscreen.
The finale of the drama could have admittedly gone down several routes ( and there was evident uncertainty over what would be the chosen ending) , however, the chosen ending wasn’t entirely bad per say, just lacklustre by failing to explain and wrap up some key story points.
So, is " Doom At Your Service" actually worth watching? This entirely depends on what you’re looking for . If you’re a fond fan of a drama with cliche romances , aesthetic cinematography and arbitrary philosophy , then you’ll absolutely appreciate this drama . However, those looking for a well-rounded and profoundly plot-driven drama with intriguing characters , then " Doom At Your Service" will certainly not fit the bill.
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Marry My Husband doesn't want you to think about it that hard
Okay, I’ll say it: I really really didn’t like Marry My Husband.That’s not to say that it’s a drama without redeeming qualities. While I might have resorted to “hate-watching” at some point, Marry my Husband always felt addictive and binge-worthy. There was always something exciting going on. The over-the-top nature of this show certainly prevented it from feeling stale or boring. The acting performances were??? okay??? Probably??? Everyone does too much all the time but hey, that again works for what this was trying to be. The fashion choices also made me laugh at points (why did she wear a wedding dress to a class reunion???). That’s not a strength of this show, but at least I got great enjoyment out of it.
This is most definitely a Makjang drama and I knew that going in, which meant that the lack of realism was never going to be a factor in my review. Prolonged silliness was what I was signing up for. Still, Marry My Husband left a bad taste in my mouth for reasons I still find difficult to articulate. Is it wrong to dislike a story for feeling mean? Because personally, even though this show bent over backwards trying to make me loathe the villains, I still didn’t get much enjoyment out of them getting their karma. Ji-won transforms over the series from a victim into another vapid mean girl. That in itself is a topic worth exploring but I am not entirely sure if anyone in the writing-room even considered that my sympathy for the protagonist could only last that long. The message is less that cruelty is wrong, more that cruelty directed at the wrong people is wrong. The goofiness of the plot and insanity of everyone’s performance constantly clashed with the severity and realism of the presented issues. Setting another woman up with a man you know to be abusive is an incredibly hard sell. The show only could attempt said feat by making sure that their female antagonist didn’t feel like an actual woman. Su-min had to be comically evil so no one in the audience thought about the implications of the plot. But in doing so, they also robbed me of all the fun I could have had with such a story to begin with.
But okay, even though this drama really doesn’t want me to, let’s talk about the implications of Marry My Husband and Ji-won's mission. When Ji-won is facing domestic abuse, Marry My Husband rightfully recognizes her situation as pitiful. But when Su-min is presented with the same fate, it’s fine because ultimately Su-min is a lot less likable. She’s just getting what she deserves. Women are only victims when they haven’t done anything wrong.
“But Ji-won had to act this way because someone had to fill her place in her abusive relationship”- cool, in-universe this is totally true. But Marry My Husband doesn’t exist in a vacuum. This rule in its worldbuilding only exists, because the author decided to write it. No one made them do that. Even worse, this creates a cycle where abuse is a necessary evil. Someone has to be at the end of the stick. And we have to choose the least likable person who deserves it the most.
This show also has a very strange relationship with class, which I found very questionable. Most villains in Marry My Husband are lower class. This is not necessarily a problem but it sure is noticeable. And the one time there is a valid criticism of class society, it gets dismissed entirely because it comes from the least sympathetic guy in the entire show.
Also, even though this is a classic exercise in Girlbossism™ arguably too much of Ji-won's revenge was reliant on the aid of her rich chaebol boytoy who was just a dreadfully boring character. Booooo, I am throwing tomatoes.
Maybe this is my fault. Maybe I just wanted something from this drama that it was never interested in giving. One-dimensional villains that you can just hate certainly still can be fun. I loved the arguably similar The Glory for that exact reason. But even though she was pure evil, I had fun watching The Glory’s villain. Because I could recognize actual attempts to make her feel somewhat real instead of a straw woman.
When I voiced my concerns about this show, I was assured time and time again that it’s “not that deep”. This is just a silly Makjang drama. Its main purpose is to just entertain me. Granted, it did that. Against my better judgement, I sat through its insanity. But I ultimately am the one who decides if it’s that deep to me. You're free to take away from it whatever you want, but what if I'm dissatisfied with the surface level? Marry My Husband might not want me to ask the big questions. Well too bad because I am asking them anyway.
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Have Lotus House Will Travel
The enchanting tale of "The Lotus House," also known as Lianhua Lou (莲花楼), paints a picture akin to a mobile haven, much like an RV, that has been Li Lianhua's (portrayed by Cheng Yi) cherished abode and means of travel for an entire decade. Amidst the harmonious simplicity of his desires, Li Lianhua seeks solitude and a modest existence. His days are devoted to cultivating sustenance, preparing his own meals, and embodying the role of a wandering country healer, a role that has earned him the moniker of the "miracle doctor" for his rumored power to resurrect the departed. Accompanying him is his faithful canine companion, Húlíjīng (Vixen). This captivating drama is a delightful adaptation of Teng Ping's novel, "The Lotus House with Auspicious Patterns."Each character in this story possesses a clear and unassuming life goal. As Li Xiangyi a decade ago, Li Lianhua harbored ambitions of becoming the world's preeminent swordsman and achieving fame. His aspirations were intertwined with a pursuit of justice and a mission to safeguard the realm. Fang Duobing (Joseph Zeng) embodies the spirited zeal of youth, aspiring to be a valiant hero championing noble causes. On the contrary, Di Feisheng (Xiao Shunyao), a former adversary, remains fixated on challenging Li Xiangyi to a fateful swordfight, unable to reconcile being second-best.
Though Li Lianhua and Di Feisheng initially shunned the complexities of the "jianghu," their apathy is rekindled by the fervor of the youthful Fang Duobing, whose fervent commitment to the world's safety becomes their shared responsibility. Despite disparate backgrounds and personalities, an unlikely bond unites the trio, propelling them on a journey marked by cryptic clues, unraveling mysteries, and unmasking murderers. The threads of destiny interweave, leading to the revelation of a grand conspiracy, ultimately restoring equilibrium and justice to the realm. Amidst the challenges, lighthearted banter and camaraderie flourish, infusing the narrative with both humor and heartfelt moments.
Li Lianhua's character is multifaceted and deeply intriguing. His choice of the name "Lianhua," meaning lotus, initially piqued my curiosity. Once known as Li Xiangyi, he attained early acclaim as a martial prodigy, establishing the Sigu Men sect while still in his adolescence. His dominance in the martial world was unmistakable, yet it bred envy and resentment, straining relationships and leading to his isolation. This path ultimately culminated in solitude and abandonment, prompting Li Lianhua's poignant rebirth as the lotus, emblematic of purity amid adversity. In an atypical narrative arc, the main character's trajectory descends from the zenith, and Li Lianhua's journey captivates through graceful withdrawal rather than audacious ascent.
Li Lianhua's sagacity shines through as he contemplates his imminent departure from this mortal realm. His patient and earnest method of untying emotional knots and offering solemn farewells to those entwined in his life evokes both contemplation and reverence. The poignancy of bidding adieu with grace and tranquility emerges as a poignant motif, enriching the depth of Li Lianhua's character portrayal.
Cheng Yi's portrayal of Li Lianhua is captivating and well within his artistic range. The actor masterfully encapsulates the essence of a character marked by vulnerability and profound sentiment. His synergy with the endearing Fang Duobing and Di Feisheng characters is noteworthy, preventing his character from being overshadowed while complementing the ensemble.
My Verdict
While the drama's pace is brisk and features multiple layers, I had hoped for a more in-depth exploration of the intricate investigative cases, as well as a heightened suspense element. Despite this, the narrative retains a charm that delves into introspection and personal transformation. The story poignantly underscores the capacity for individuals to undergo profound inner change, revealing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
While the drama's tone embraces gravity through themes of murder and mortality, its dialogues are skillfully peppered with humor, and poignant yet brief romantic interludes leave a touching impression. The intricate dynamics between Li Lianhua and Qiao Wanmian (Chen Duling) illuminate diverse facets of love, revealing nuances of affection, sacrifice, and perception.
The characters' nomenclature carries an element of playful irony, reflecting the author's wit and ingenuity. The story exudes a delicate charm, its narrative craftsmanship interwoven with themes of transformation, forgiveness, and the fragility of life.
A captivating gem, "The Lotus House" is a worthy addition to your viewing repertoire—indeed, a delightful and enriching watch that should not be missed.
Bravo!
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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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The story is not a complicated one to follow: Seo In Guk plays an orphaned teenager who once was a competitive swimmer but who quit after experiencing a trauma. This trauma left him unwilling, and perhaps unable, to enter the water. Lee Jong Suk, on the other hand, plays an Olympic-bound swimmer with the typical rich, overbearing, and distant father. Rounding out the main cast is SNSD's Kwon Yuri who doubles as the boy's mutual childhood friend and current "love interest" (in scare quotes because the romance was hollow and weak). The soundtrack of the film is most provided by Yuri, whose character is a hopeful on a Superstar K-like show, meaning that the music is bland pop-rock carried by Yuri's weak vocals. For someone in such a renowned pop group, Yuri's music moments were extremely awkward.
Acting-wise, the cast did their job well. Yuri did her best to pretend to be an actress. Lee Jong Suk was his typical angst-ridden teenager (is there a single role this kid has where he isn't moodily listening to music through oversized headphones?). Who really blew me away was Seo In Guk. Yes, his character was a little over the top, but he committed to every moment, making for a hilarious and lovable portrayal of Won Il.
As we were walking out of the theater, my friends and I all agreed that this is one movie we would watch again when released with subtitles. It was fun, a dollop of drama to add the right amount weight to the story without bogging it down, and a bit unpredictable, which is a rare thing in the wold of formulaic Korean dramas and light films. A definite watch, with or without subs.
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This review may contain spoilers
Too many stunning and lingering visuals...
Mr Sunshine is one of the most visually stunning drama series on TV. The colours, sweeping landscapes and battle scenes in the early episodes are Oscar worthy and viewers continue to be mesmerised by beautiful images throughout the series. I think the writer and director wanted to contrast the tragedy as it unfolds with the beauty of the country caught in a political storm. However, towards the end of the series as the story moved towards its climax, the lovely scenes often got in the way of the story-telling as the action and drama slowed to linger on one beautiful shot after another, or scenes were reprised in slow-motion from different camera angles. Without the lingering shots, the makers could have kept the story tight at 70-minute/episode (28-hours in total) instead of the over-indulgent and ever-lengthening episodes as the series progressed (totalling 30-plus hours).(Spoiler alert!) Since the drama was set in a particularly turbulent time in Korea’s history, the story was never going to have a happy ending. The cast was excellent. The huge cast, main and support, each played a part in moving the story forward and their characters evolved and grew as they were affected by events. Of the three male leads, Captain Eugene Choi’s (Lee Byung Hun) character changed the least, maybe because Eugene was already nearly forty years-old when the story began. I liked how Kim Hui Sung’s (Byun Yo Han) character evolved from that of a rich playboy and cad to the quiet observer and then to a man who learnt, in his own way, to do the right thing. I also liked how viewers were gradually drawn into the inner turmoil of King Go Jong (Lee Seung Jun) as the political situation in his beloved country escalated. But I felt sorry for Kim Min Jun’s character, Hina Kudo/Lee Yang Hwa who did as much for the Korea as Lady Go Ae Shin (Kim Tae Ri) but was overlooked and overshadowed by Lady Go.
I didn’t mind the music initially but there was too much of it and the use was too heavy-handed. I felt my emotional reaction was being coached and manipulated as each scene was audibly cued before the story unfolded on-screen. While this might be okay for a 2-hour film, it is very exhausting for the viewer in a 30-plus hour drama.
I won’t be re-watching it or looking to recommend it to friends unless they’re fans of historical dramas and melodramas.
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2A lot of words that start with the letter P, and perfect for me...
What do you get if you combine the best parts of Who are you, school 2015 with My Name and add some political fight the power stuff and make it in Thailand instead of South Korea?
Nothing perfect, but definitely something for me... This drama just ticked so many boxes with things I loved taking me on an exciting journey with a powerful political statement in-bedded in a nail-biting plot with just the perfect amount of bromance, romance, and everything in-between...
A drama where the plot is so good that all the "ohh they are so cute" just feel like an added bonus, do not get me wrong there is plenty of fan service such as oil wrestling, dimples and what not... but it does not take over and feels true to the plot. So to say that I loved this is an understatement...
The cinematography the directing, the styling, the writing everything was all well done, there is one point where the clothes more or less match the colors in the abandoned building. Fine there where where a few plot holes here and there, like running around and leaving fingers prints all over the place... and some plot twists were pretty predictable... but as a whole this was really high quality and highly entertaining at the same time (a more rare combination than one might think) . And what can I say even the PPL was noticeable but not over the top. And the so called sex-scenes where very tastefully made.
The relationships are for the most part pretty consensual, though they do seem to punch each other a lot, fight till the brink of death and may just have a Punch and make up kind of take to the classic kiss and make upp... but once you look past that most of the characters are actually rather nice , not so very toxic and definitely likeable.
There is some pretty powerful art and da3nce and the take on identical twins is very interesting.
To conclude definitely a good highly bingable drama for anyone one who enjoys a bit of fight the power, with a side of romance.
P.S After watching Theory of love I was already very impressed by Guns acting while not as impressed by Offs acting however this drama only strengthened my adoration for Gun and gave me a new found one for Off... Their chemistry is phenomenal so I am starting to get the whole OffGun Hype if there is one.
Also, this is one of those dramas where time flies, you start watching it and poof you are half way thru it without noticing the time...
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for those who have a second male lead syndrome and want some unique story with a likeable heroine
Have you ever had a filling that a heroine and a second lead are meant to be together? They have great chemistry, understanding of one another and generally bring the best in each other? Yet for a reason as old as kdramas, they won't ever end up together?So what if these characters were given the mind of their own? How would story unfold then? Well, thats basically what this whole kdrama is about and you know what? It is genious.
The writer/director very successfuly captures the basic criterias for usual cliched love triangles.
Now, we have two love triangles:
1.
Kyung - the typical jerk male lead who is cold towards heroine yet is excussed because he has a tragic past
Dan oh - clingy heroine who loves ml no matter what and has health cindition
Haru - second lead who is mature and caring and has kind of bromance with ml.
2.
Namjoo - popular and rich ml
Jooda - poor and submissive fl
Dohwa - cheerful and charming sl
This drama perfectly portrays everything wrong with such triangles. It shows how fls are often owershadowed and consumed by ego of mls. You could say that whenever they have scenes together, its always about mls and their wishes. Drama does a great job exposing how in these typical relationships, a female leads wrong being benefits male lead since heroine becomes dependant on him and stuck with him.
Things are completly different when fls are with second leads. They are equal with them. Yet it is never meant to be. I especially liked how well the story is packed in a way that it was able to convice me as a viewer that Haru is not what is meant to be a ml.
Extraordinary you is first and foremost a romance story. I do enjoy this genre but im very critical of it since i rarely encounter a story which is both engaging and believeable without being sexist. I ended up being very satisfied with romance in this drama. It is hands down, one of the most beautiful and tragic romances in unconventional way.
The theme is not the old and tried amnesia. Its more about author/character relation which takes inspiration from absurdist literature. It is quite tricky subject and i was surprised how well it was explored.
Along with criticizing traditional kdrama pairings, this drama also criticizes repetitiveness and unwillingness to chance even if story itself requires it. So, constant memory loss serves the purpose of showing us how author takes the freedom away from their creations by putting them in cliched positions.
In the end tho, (spoiler) Dan Oh and Haru won. Since they are nameless in new manhwa and can be free.
Acting is great. Really natural and without exggeration. I was surprised that Haru is played by an idol. Actress who plays Dan oh managed portraying bigger than life, cheerful, stubborn and determined heroine without comic exaggeration and it didnt feel forced at all.
As for characters, they are definitely the higlight of the series. Especially Dan oh which is rare because usually in kdramas fls dont get much character with complexity ( its changing now tho ). Dan oh is funny and extra yet she is not annoying or naive. She deals with existential crisis throughout this drama.
As for Haru, he is everything we love about second leads. He is caring and kind towards Dan oh and their relationship is based on trust and understanding. Their scenes together were so heartwarming and chemistry was just electrifying.
Kyung, he is the ml out of the triangle in the comics world and supposedly second lead of this drama but it doesnt feel this way at all. In this Dan oh centered story, Haru and Baek seem to have role of similar importance. It is good decision on the writers part for two reasons: first, this way sl isnt there just to create mild obstecle for ml. He and Dan oh have a special bond. Second, this way we still have feeling that he is the one who is supposed to be a ml.
Soundtrack is very balanced. I usually dont like how overly dramatic and always present the soundtrack is in kdramas but this one had a very good choice of songs that captured the mood of the drama.
This drama had great potential and it exceeded expectations like no other drama i have seen. It started with good quality and remained such throughout the drama. And believe me, as a experienced series viewer, from star trek tos to westworld, i know thing or two about good quality series.
In short, it is one of the best kdramas out there even in non-kdrama standards with a very original and kind of philosophical themes such as free will/determinism and the dilemma of whether or not being awarne of your fate is worth it if you cant do anything about it.
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Started Strong, Ended Wrong – A Shamanic Misfire
→ Recommend to Watch: Unfortunately, NoThis is going to be a short review—because honestly, the disappointment was so real, I don’t even feel like writing a long one. Which is saying something, because I’m usually pretty verbose.
→ What went Wrong:
I started this show for Choo Young Woo, having absolutely loved his performances in *The Trauma Code* and *No Mercy*. His acting is consistently solid, and I was excited to see him in something lighter. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed the cringe romance and comedy—even though high school tropes aren’t really my thing anymore. The “shaman high schooler” concept was quirky and fresh, and the visuals, music, and early mystery had me hooked.
I paused after Episode 10 for as I had to go for a 2-week vacation, hoping to return to a strong, satisfying finale. But wow, as Shikamaru from *Naruto* would say: *“What a drag.”* The last4 episodes—especially the final 2—were a complete mess. I was literally pulling my hair out watching Episode 11. The story could’ve wrapped up neatly around Episode 8 or 10, but instead it dragged on with repetitive, emotionally hollow plot loops. One character sacrifices themselves, the other saves them, rinse and repeat. It was exhausting and boring!
→ Best Thing:
The silver lining? Discovering more of Choo Young Woo’s work, and being introduced to the FL actress and Ji Ho’s actor—both of whom I’m seeing for the first time and will definitely follow in future projects. They were bright spots in an otherwise uneven ride.
→ Overall:
I came back from vacation hoping for an epic finale and a reason to recommend this drama. Instead, I got a narrative nosedive. It started with promise—especially with the intriguing shaman twist—but ended in chaos. Disappointing.
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This review may contain spoilers
What genre was this?
The tags: mystery, comedy, romance, dramaThere was a mystery, but it was so convoluted and filled with so many players I lost interest. I'm still not real clear on why everyone was trying to kill her.
Comedy - there were some funny scenes
Romance - there was none, I'll be honest. They could have been brother and sister. And the ending with them standing far away from each other and laughing...what?!?! They laughed because they knew that us romance lovers would be mad that we didn't even get a kiss?
Drama - yes, it was mostly a drama, but in my opinion, was ruined by the casting of Uhm Jung Hwa. I have only liked her in one drama that I've seen her in. She tends to overact, and the constant loud sobbing was so irritating!
The younger version of the leads were excellent.
I liked the idea of him having liked her forever, but it went nowhere because of the lack of chemistry.
Lee El as the witchy second lead was excellent.
I love Cha Chung Hwa in everything she is in.
Hair and makeup - why did they have to make her look so ridiculous with the puffy hair and the bright pink cheeks. Very distracting.
Costuming - of my gosh, the FL's wardrobe was awful. She dressed like she had been dumpster diving for clothes.
Some people really liked this one, but I wasn't one of them. I'm glad I can move on (hopefully to something better).
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Eveil, evil, corruption and greed, so what is not to like?
If you are here for the romance, then back away and go watch something else.... However if you are here for an interesting plot with twists, greed, corruption, cruelty, evil, more evil... so much evil that I thought of renaming it children of evil... and some more corruption privileged brats! With a side of friendship, sweetness, and maybe a small drop of romance in a lovely frame of umbrellas. This is the right place for you!This drama is actually pretty hilarious with lots of great dark humour and one liners... that play a little bit with other well know n dramas that deal with corrupt parents going to great lengths for paving the way over other children so that their children can get a head.... So if you like that type of theme you will probably enjoy this too.
There where a few small issues here and there that bothered me including their portrayal of people becoming so obsessed that they go insane in a pretty stereotypical way. The last episode was also a bit of a mess most of the time... making the pace, sloooooooooow, slooooow, fast, slooow. slow... mess...
The teens here did a amazing job, and so did the leads portraying characters with all kinds of development and personality changes... And It was done brilliantly!
There where plenty of people here to bring out your inner anger and frustration, fun PPL and pretty cinematography with a decent OST, making math look both pretty and even a tad sexy, so hats off to the creators for achieving the impossible.
This was also mid to highly bingable, and most certainly worth watching.
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