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When two sweet horndogs meet...
....they create this little drama free of substance, emotion, character development, or story. But hey, you do get some contrived chemistry, kisses, and bed scenes in almost every episode. That should be enough, right? Yeah....not so much.I've watched a LOT of superficial dramas and enjoyed them too, but this one was too much. There's just no real context to anything. They are strangers that sign a marriage contract and then the next second, they are in love. No real interactions or conversations, and boom, love. Also instead of showing or making the audience feel the characters, it felt like they were just telling you. Like "Hi, I'm supposed to be a sadist." or "Hi, I'm supposed to be cute and crafty" so believe it. Yeah....didn't happen, at least for me. Luckily, this was a short 7 eps so I didn't feel like it was a complete waste of time.
If you like your cute to be on overkill, don't mind if the writing is horrible as long as the leads are good looking, and looking for some non apologetic skinship, then this drama might be up your alley. I often feel like dramas are too long and need to trim out the excess fat, but this one trimmed out too much. It def made me realize that I need some sort of context to enjoy my dramas.
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This review may contain spoilers
A series well worth a second season
This series never felt cheaply made, a few scenes could have been better and some of the characters could have been a bit more developed, but overall the story was a great one. I really didn't like one of the MLs at first but his character developed very nicely throughout the story. The acting was really good, some were over the top but it was intentional for some of the characters, some used lightly here. There were some characters or acting of certain characters that I could have gone without but I watched this for the MLs and I was not disappointed in them.The opening and ending song was beautiful. I love the ending and though I wish it was slightly longer and some of the scenes extended it was a great run. Really hoping they have a second season. I would love to see more stories on the two MLs, the emperor being my favorite of course. :) This is bromance but one can also categorize it as censored romance, you just have to look to find the subtle hints which are just too cute.
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the cast amazing, the acting, amazing, the writers amazing, the plots amazing, the quality amazing-(well maybe not that amazing), but you get my point.
so ok it started off a little slow in my opinion. i was gonna drop it after watching the first two episodes, but decided to stick with it. am I glad that i did. the chemistry between each character is uncanny, even the non-romantic relationships. the bromance and romance and frenemance (yes i said it friends-enemies-romance: frenemace) was just wow.
the character developments were superb. it worth a watch. definitely check out this show, ITS WORTH A WATCH!
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This review may contain spoilers
This was bad...
I just wrapped up the series, and I can't believe people actually enjoyed it. Anueng behaves like a pre-teen, almost like an 11 or 12-year-old girl, which is really off-putting.The pacing felt incredibly rushed, especially regarding Nueng's feelings for Anueng. There was no believable transition from annoyance to love. One moment, Nueng is frustrated with Anueng, and then suddenly, she gazes into her eyes as if she's in love. It all felt too quick and artificial, lacking any genuine development.
The age difference doesn't bother me since they're both adults, but as I mentioned, immature behavior is unsettling. It's hard to believe that any woman over 30 would be attracted to someone who behaves like a child. The plot twist involving Nueng's ex-friend having feelings for Nueng, and the fact that Nueng's ex slept with her friend, leading to Anueng being their daughter, felt rushed again.
The relationship between Anueng and her mother feels strained, yet suddenly, the mother seeks to connect with her daughter. Meanwhile, the guy accepts Anueng as his daughter in 1 second. He says he doesn’t need a paternity test since Anueng is so cute, implying that her charm is proof enough lol. If I were in his position, I’d pause to think. I would certainly wonder if she’s truly mine.
The pacing is so hurried that it diminishes the emotional weight of the story, leaving me unable to invest in any of the characters.
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First what I did like; they used pretty handsome people in the cast, there were also some really cool special effects incorporated in the story. However, I hated that they had Park shin Hye with a voice over, I could never get used to it! I don't know if she was lost in translation because her acting was awful here. I kept thinking Maria should have been the female lead.
I don't know if the episodes were just long or boring. I found myself skipping episodes, and just watching the very beginning and the very end.
I didn't read the manga so maybe the story line in the drama is closest to the original, but I liked the anime way better. I think the drama had trouble staying true to the story that it was based on while trying to update it so it would be realistic and a hit. Maybe some things should never go live action.
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Lack of Romantic Chemistry
I have watched both versions and I think Go Ahead is much better. More stress and angst from the moms but overall much better. San Ha mom is as selfish as ever.In this version San Ha and Ju Won had lukewarm chemistry at best.
Hae Jun and Dal works best as friends. No romantic chemistry. She is very nice, cute and timid. Unsure how she would make a good Attorney but that is another topic. The vibe I got from the plot and the way Hae Jun looked at Dal it seems more like pity and feeling sorry for her since he is such a nice guy . In the long run it does not make sense for him to fall/crush on her. He never had any feelings like that for over 10. Not even a hint. I can understand Dal crush all these years though because Hae Jun is nice and attractive.
Oh well.
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This review may contain spoilers
Romantics stay away from this one.Happily ever after lovers steer clear.
Watched so many episodes of a relationship developing only to have the writers dump it. I hate the fact that they gave me hope and simultaneously stomped it. I mean this after many episodes. It was ridiculous and annoying. I lost track of the plot and essentially gave up trying to understand any of it.
I really tried to power through all 78 episodes but I found myself skipping around once I got to episode 50. This series is extremely long for this type of genre. It started out somewhat slow and I almost dropped it but once you get to around episode 8 or 10 it gets a little more interesting. The beginning episodes revolve around the two leads and their relationship to include how they met and how their relationship developed over time. There were some politics in the middle of it but there was that relational aspect that somewhat kept it more interesting. I really enjoyed how their relationship developed over time and watching what they went through to help each other and be with each other. However, that all changes around episode 30ish. That fun and sweet relationships that you saw growing and found entertaining went into the trash. What began with a strong female lead with a sense of justice, bravery and loads of common sense appeared to turn into something else. I just really couldn’t like it anymore because it was too unrealistic for me. Two people meet and develop a bond and ultimately fall in love. One person made a choice due to situation (gets married, and has kids)that derailed the possibility of a relationship going further, Although his love was strong. After that, the person that was left behind spends her life alone and supporting the person who abandoned her. Miserable. This is truly not my cuppa tea.
I cannot recommend this to my hopeless romantic‘s at all. I got the melancholy, sacrificial love vibe all over again. It’s not cute. In addition to that it’s 78 episodes long, 90% of the episodes is political and routine scheming. Lead became a annoying repeating record. I found it rather difficult to really like any characters. This included the two leads. If you’re looking for a romantic drama you need to look somewhere else. If you’re looking for historical romance, again I advise you to look out somewhere. If you’re looking for some political plotting and scheming with a hint of love you might like this one. FYI there is some good fight scenes in the beginning but that ends around episode 25. There were several inferences to sexual assault that was distasteful. It was not bittersweet. It was gloomy and the ending was stupid.
I wouldn’t say the ending is awful but it’s not a happily ever after one that leaves you smiling.
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100 points for the Chemistry, some deductions because of the pain
After what feels like ages, was so happy to get to watch a drama which was gripping and had the right balance of humour and pain. My only gripe was with the premise of the story-dude broke up with her because he fell in love with her, and dude got back with her because he was dying? Poor girl.. as if she didnt already have issues of her own.Was this review helpful to you?
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Good Enough
Korean Drama " My Liberation Notes " is a slice of life melodrama.My main problem with it is the pace. It felt off and the presentation of the story didn't suit well for me, as it was not cohesive.
Other than that, the story is pretty intense, with tragic characters, meaningful moments, simple, and yet, powerful scenes.
The romance, moreover, was original and didn't overshadow the main point of the drama. Rather, it let the characters shine and live their burdersome lives.
The performances, finally, were all great by everyone in the cast.
So, overall, seven out of ten.
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Beautiful but Sad Love Story
I’m a fan of Zheng Ye Chen and have been following his historical dramas. Unfortunately, all the characters he has played so far have been disappointing, including this one. My disappointment is not with the acting - Zheng Ye Chen’s acting is great - but with the characters of the stories. To be more accurate, I love all his characters but dislike the endings of the characters; they always end in deaths or simply disappear into oblivion. It is such a pity that a fine actor like him has yet to find a script that cheers the viewers up with joy.To contain the power of General Xue Yao (Zheng Ye Cheng), the Emperor issues an edict for him to marry his adopted daughter Princess Xu Chu Ye (Hu Yi Xuan) so that he’d have to surrender his military power to the Emperor. The couple get married while Xu Chu Ye is in her slumber that cannot be woken no matter how because she has a weird condition. After their wedding, being suspicious and overthinking, Xue Yao interprets all Xu Chu Ye’s actions as puzzles to solve, and likewise for Xu Chu Yue, all his bypassing remarks become some hints. These lead to hilarious misunderstandings and they are really a fun watch. As the couple begin to get to know each other, very quickly they fall in love with each other too. They go through ups and downs, marriages and divorces, getting together and separating due to misunderstandings, and all their misfortunes seem non-stop. But one thing is for certain – their undying love for each other.
Xue Yao is a very serious character, handsome, no nonsense, suspicious and cold. Although he's a strategic general who wins in all battles and wars, he has no idea how to deal with women and his own emotions. He is heart-broken after the death of his beloved big brother, and determined to find out the actual cause of his death. Zheng Ye Chen’s styling as a general is amazing here. His super good look in the general’s uniform and then in the guard’s uniform is perfect. His sword fighting choreography is convincing too. His love for the Princess is endearing and sweet, radiating from his gentle facial expression and words. His gaze is tender and loving. Seeing such scenes, the viewers’ hearts are filled with love.
Xu Chu Yue is a very pitiful princess, and yet very lovable. She has a secret. She has a special stone in her that can turn her into one of the 12 animals on the Chinese horoscope whenever she sleeps between certain hours at night. Once she reaches her 12th animal, she will sleep forever, never to wake up again. So she has to stay up at night and go to sleep in the day time. No one knows of her secret except those within her small circle. Xu Chu Yue is innocent, forthright and curious, and loves her younger adoptive brother. Hu Yi Xuan’s portrayal of the princess is absolutely perfect. She is cute with bright eyes but carries an air of sadness between her brows.
Xu Xing Chen (Yang Lin) is a prince born to a consort who has lost favor with the Emperor. He and Xu Chu Yue have grown up together, taken care of each other, survived the viciousness of the palace politics. Xu Chu Yue treats Xu Xing Chen as a little brother but he is romantically in love with her. At times, he comes in between Xue Yao and the Princess. The scenes are funny and hilarious sometimes, and heart brokenly sad at others. For the Prince, he has wanted nothing but the Princess, as she is his moon and he is her star.
This story starts off very well as a flashback from the perspective of Xue Yao, telling his story with the Princess to a group of children. The story is serious and yet not serious as well. But as it begins to develop, the couple’s romance becomes a broken record, going round and round and round, frustrating the viewers. By the end of the story telling by Xue Yao, he takes his beloved sleeping wife and jumps of the cliff. Except for the ultimate villain, there is no resolution for many of the characters as what has come of them. For me, these are poor editing and lazy writing.
Despite some of the plot holes here and there, and my frustrations at times, I have rather enjoyed this drama for the love story which is beautiful and sad. If you don’t mind all the usual tropes such as love triangle and a rather sad ending, this drama is quite a good watch.
Updates:
There is an epilogue released some time after the final episode and I almost missed it. The epilogue in effect is an alternative ending. It includes all the things I've described earlier concerning loose ends. Here in the epilogue, everything is tied up nicely.
In the epilogue, Xue Yao doesn't jump off the cliff holding a sleeping Xu Chu Yue in his arms. Instead she wakes up in the nick of time and they make up all their lost time together travelling the world. All the other second couples also have their happy endings. I believe this happy ending makes many viewers very happy too.
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A must watch!
I do not like leaving reviews after the 1st episode but I feel i have to explain why you should be watching this!i had low expectations on this drama and i have been surprised by how good this is!
the first thing i have personally noticed is how the music plays a great role on this drama and accompany each and every type of moment accordingly: you will have some action, some fairy tale, some comedy, some silliness, some seriousness... each moment is differently highlighted by the perfect sound!
furtherly, the camera moves around the set, sometimes in circle.. and it really takes you to a 360 vision of the surrounding, fantastic!
there is a very high and good sense of aesthetic, the chiaro-scuro from the lightening is just perfect!
then.. i am not particularly into the ML but.. wow.. he is super good! his expressions, he is mischievous, playful, and his smiles.. are not just silly ones.. it seems obvious already he has a final goal for what he does .. and it is more complicated than what it seems at the beginning.
also, they use black and white for flashbacks from the past.. and i just love it!
the narration is clear so far, you understand why things are the way they are, things are very well explained to you; the plot, after just one episode, is already disclosing for something deeper, more painful that what you might gather from the first 20 minutes of the drama!
i have high hopes now for this drama and i also hope i won't be disappointed :)
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The drama is adapted from the uber popular same-name novel and hence the story is rich. A lot of it is just pure imagination on the author's part, but the good thing is that there is no cliches (like all the love stories you've been seeing), and it's a pretty "loyal" adaptation (yes, this is a dig at General and I). The directing is great, the jump scares are terrifying (the two kids in the first tomb and the professor in the penultimate episode - brilliant, brilliant acting on his part), the acting is decent, there's a little humour here and there, just bits of everything. But it's really well-executed, and that's what sets it apart from the awful The Lost Tomb*.
The main complaint I have about the drama is its pacing. The first episode is quite dull since it was mainly used to introduce the main and side characters, one which won't appear much in the rest of the drama at all. I think they have every intention to make a sequel (I heard that Da Jin Ya will have a larger role in the next books) and that's why they expended this much time in setting up everything. The first tomb exploration was quite eventful, and that's where things start to get interesting. However, the pacing problems began again. I mean, they took half an episode to bury Professor Hao!
Also, the whole archaeological team just seems like a huge burden to our three main characters. You're really just watching to see how they die out one by one, and it's difficult to feel sorry for them because of how useless they are. There's a huge reversal at the end but I won't spoil it here.
Other minor flaws include two dubbers for Shirley Yang because the original actor is Taiwanese, and the main dubber is not fluent in English, bad syncing for the English dubbed lines, Shirley Yang's exceptional picture interpretation skills, the archaeological team member who's obsessed with aliens (a horrible attempt at comedy) and so on.
It's difficult to elaborate on the highlights of Candle in the Tomb, because it is a very consistent drama, and thus the flaws stand out more. But trust me, despite what I have to say about the negatives, the drama is definitely worth a watch. In any case, I'm really looking forward to a second season, preferably with the same cast.
*There's bound to be recommendations for The Lost Tomb because the two dramas are of the same genre and are based on the same topic. Nevertheless, there's no need to spend time watching TLT. It's so bad that you should flush it out from your memory if you ever tried watching.
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