Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo Season 2
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For those who’ve said goodbye to Kotoko and Irie several times, we know it doesn’t get easy. Maybe because they truly are the perfect couple. Every flaw Kotoko has is a strength Irie has and every flaw Irie has is a strength Kotoko has, but they graciously accept it and consider each other the half they need to be complete.
Theirs is a relationship of encouragement. The INK story is about never giving up. Never give up on your dreams, whether it be what you want to do, who you want to do it with, or who you want to be. The seemingly impossible is possible. (Sometimes it just takes an earthquake, meteorite, or fire to get fate going.)
I actually think I might’ve liked season two of Mischievous Kiss more than season one. It’s a pleasant mixture of comedy and fluff. From Kotoko’s iconic yells and zone out moments to Irie watching over Kotoko fondly as if she’s the sun itself, what could anyone possible dislike about this show?
Now newly wedded, our favorite couple try their best to finish internships and become legitimate medical professionals. However, being married to the love your life doesn’t mean the rest of your life is magically uncomplicated. There are plenty of insecurities and doubts that sprout up between our leads, but it's not as dramatic as other dramas. If you're looking for realistic but quickly solved troubles this is it. It's interesting enough that it's not boring, but it's light enough that you don't get too stressed.
We see how much better these two are when they have each other. Our Kotoko becomes a (semi-)capable nurse when just a couple years ago she was in the lowest grade class. And our Irie shows emotions never seen before. Who could imagine the practically permanent “stone face” Irie Naoki laughing? You’d have to see it to believe it.
Furukawa Yuki and Miki Honoka play their roles as if they were made for them. Yuki flawlessly transitions between attitudes of indifference, annoyance, and warmth like no other actor I’ve watched and I couldn’t get over how amazing Honoka played Kotoko in this season. She grew a lot as an actress. I’d watch scenes and it’d feel like I was watching an actual anime because she gives so much life to Kotoko that it’s unreal.
The soundtrack is pretty decent. As of now, I still prefer season one's ost but maybe that's because it already makes me a little nostalgic. You can tell care went into the soundtrack unlike some dramas that just throw any instrumental mess into the background and recycle the main themes every ten minutes. INK’s music has always enhanced the characters' actions and the overall moods.
So the million dollar question. Is this show re-watchable? As a certified Itazura Na Kiss stan that's watched almost four of the five show adaptions completely, I'd say yeah. It's kinda totally re-watchable.
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This review may contain spoilers
I usually avoid watching dramas while they are still airing only because I HATE sad endings. But this just happens to be one of those dramas that I couldn’t resist. I started watching The Legends with no expectations at all since I was unfamiliar with the whole cast and didn’t do a lot of research on this drama before beginning. However, after completing the whole thing, this drama has now officially become one of my favorites of all time. It teaches a meaningful lesson - that demons don’t have to be “bad” and gods don’t have to be “good”. This is a very memorable moral to me since a lot of dramas out there generalize the value of these two different beings, but this adds a touch of originality which we may not usually encounter.Story: The Legends is a lighthearted, funny and sweet story that focuses on Lu Zhao Yao, the notorious She-Demon and her journey to fighting against the supposedly “good” and “righteous” sects, as well as her relationship with Li Chen Lan / Mo Qing, the Demon King’s son. I thought the plot was very well-paced and consistent that leaves you wanting for more. I never got bored or skipped any long scenes because they were all very engaging and relevant to the plot. Although most of the story revolves around a more positive and lively theme, but there were also certain scenes that took some tears out of me. I know the editing needs a lot of improvement, but that’s the least of my concerns. A lot of people actually enjoyed the first half more than the second half because they said that Lu Zhao Yao’s character became potentially weaker and the story dragged, but I enjoyed both halves equally. The first half pretty much centers around story and character development, while the second half of the drama shines light on the relationship between Zhao Yao and Mo Qing.
Acting/cast: I was very impressed with Bai Lu and Xu Kai’s acting. Both of them were able to portray their respective characters flawlessly, considering they’ve only been in a few projects before this one. I found their facial expressions to be very realistic and not forced. The main couple’s chemistry was phenomenal - probably one of the best I’ve seen out there - up to the point that I am now a loyal “YaoLan” shipper. They really made it look like they are truly in love. I also want to give some credit to Xiao Yan’s depiction of Qin Zhi Yan and Lu Zhao Yao (when she was still in possession of Zhi Yan’s), which was also remarkable - the fact that she could switch back and forth so effortlessly between this innocent, timid girl to this tough, badass character. Overall, the entire cast did a great job portaying the characters in the drama.
Music: I personally didn’t love love the OSTs (original soundtracks), but I think they fit in well with the scenes that they were featured in. I really liked the opening BGM and also the duet called Zhao Yao (招摇) sung by Chen Chu Sheng and Hu Sha Sha, which gave me some nostalgic vibes.
Rewatch value: I’d rewatch it as many times as I could, since it’s one of those rare dramas that makes you want to come back every once in a while to get a good retouch of the storyline.
I do think that the transitions between episodes in the DVD version is much better than the TV version because it just makes much more sense. The DVD version also provides clearer cuts, compared to the TV version. The ending, although was very rushed, is actually a happy ending. I thought the scene with the kids in the end was unnecessary since they had to use some of the old footage of Zhao Yao and Mo Qing’s scene in the beginning to satisfy us viewers (which didn’t actually do me any good). I would’ve preferred the drama to end with the scene prior to the kids’ scene, where our main couple was walking hand-in-hand on the streets, but that’s just my opinion. In conclusion, I would really recommend this drama to anyone who likes strong acting, a great storyline or even if you’re just looking for a refreshing, strong female lead.
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1
1A Deep Dive into Human Emotions ft. Frustration and Sexual Tension
Between Us is a series that is mainly focused on deeply exploring each characters’ emotions. It’s slow paced (EXACTLY like UMWA was too), but unlike its predecessor it doesn’t contain any action / mystery elements that made UMWA interesting even to fans who prefer plot-focused shows. So it’s definitely not everybody’s cup of tea, but if you like relationship focused shows, this one is a MUST WATCH for sure, no matter if you have watched UWMA before or not.The big debates around the rating of the show and it being a 'masterpiece' or a 'disappointment' come from the fact, that it focuses on the side couple from UWMA - which was hugely succesful - and also from the fact, that people didn’t do any research about the show / its plot / its novel whatsoever and went into it blindly, expecting UMWA pt. 2. But it is not, in fact, UMWA pt. 2 - it’s Between Us, a beautiful show that will drive you crazy with frustration, give you butterflies with its cuteness and make you drunk with its sexual tension all while making you cry too.
So I would like to talk about those issues and comparisons with UWMA and then I will try to objectively review Between Us as a stand alone series.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN AND BETWEEN US
Like already mentioned, most of the viewers who are watching Between Us have already seen UWMA before. Expecting Between Us to be a “UMWA pt. 2”, many have not even noticed that Between Us is a different genre and went into watching the series with false expectations. And when it became apparent that Between Us is different from what they imagined, they felt disappointed.
UWMA has become a staple bl - it started a new era and was on top of bl lists of majority of viewers when it came out. Even though it was a relationship focused and a slow-paced series too, because of its action / mystery elements it became enjoyable even to people, who usually prefer action and plot-focused shows. It also carries the feeling of nostalgia, as it was the first bl show for many, with the bonus of the "pre-covid times" nostalgia too. And while it really was that good at the time, if you rewatch it now you'll likely find it not as grand as we all remember it being. It was an s-tier for 2019, but would be considered an a+ tier today. Which adds another point to the “disappointment” of Between Us - many viewers expected an s-tier series (by today’s standarts) and got an a+tier one.
Another thing I'd like to point out is the belief that "Between Us has been made purely because of the fans' love for Win/Team". It stands from the fact that the series took 3 years to release and fans hyped it up throughout them all. But here's the thing - it was stated by Boun and Prem that they were told about filming Between Us at the end of the filming of UMWA - before it even aired. The series is based on a hugely popular novel called 'Hemp Rope', which is set in the same universe as 'The Red Thread' (a novel from which UMWA was adapted).
If you look at other bl releases, you'll find it very common for directors to adapt all novels set in the same universe. A lot of Mame's novels - like Tharn Type and Don't say No, LITA (it adapts 2 novels), but also the amazing Manner of Death, Triage and Transplant (which is coming soon). Still, some fans believe that they are the sole reason for this series' existence, thus feel somehow entitled to it and criticize of every little mistake.
PLOT
Some people are saying that the plot is not moving forward and “what else could be expected from a side couple”, completly disregarding the fact that BETWEEN US IS FOLLOWING THE PLOT OF THE NOVEL. If you feel that the series is stretching the plot, that’s exactly what UMWA did too - even more so, as they stretched a 29-chapters light novel into 17 episodes. And it’s also P’New’s (the director’s) style of doing things - he likes to play with our emotions, letting us hang at the end of episode while laughing about it at home (at least that’s what his friens said).
Between Us focuses on deeply exploring the protagonists’ emotions. The plot is focused on the relationship aspect between the pairs and it takes its time exploring everybody’s point of view. Basically, the relationships are the plot. Every pair also explores different topics / traumas, so the whole series takes a somehow deep dive into a human psyche. Especially the uncertaity that Win / Team face throughout the whole show - being afraid to take that step forward - is very well portrayed. While mildly frustrating, it’s also very relatable and gives the show a more realistic vibe, which P’New also mentioned. (More explained at the end of the review)
WHAT I LOVED IN BETWEEN US
- CINEMATOGRAPHY - it's simply beautiful. It has a very high production feel to it, the portray of scenery is great and every shot feels well planned out.
- MUSIC. Not only did this series use some of the most beloved sounds from UMWA, it came with another set of musical masterpieces. This is the place I feel that P’New's productions never disappoint.
- CHEMISTRY between the main pairing is amazing. Scorching hot at places and sweet at others, it really delivers everything we have longed for.
- CONSENT in this show is exemplary and should be applauded.
- PORTRAY OF EMOTIONS. They know exactly how to make us laugh, cry, coo, thirst and how to give us butterflies.
- TOPICS being explored. This series takes its time in exploring interesting topics through their pairs - self blame, forgivness, mental health, trauma, following dreams, meeting parents' expectations, meeting your s/o online, the sacrifices of being in the entertainment industry and dating a celebrity.
- A, BEE, SEA are a nice comedic relief that doesn't feel forced.
NEUTRAL
- SLOW PACING of the show and the FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIPS. Some people love it, some people hate it. Eighter way, that is personal to everybody, so I’m putting it in the neutral section.
- Between Us has a lot SEXIER TONE than UWMA's sweet one.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE AS MUCH
- If you've watched UMWA, you pretty much know what is going to happen in terms of Win / Team (like the result of the competition), so the expectation and built tension is somehow lost. I actually feel that it would be better to watch UWMA afterwards, as Between Us doesn't give away that much about Dean and Pharm.
- This one is a clump of topics that is criticised a lot, but since they are connected, I wrote them as 1 point: TOO MANY PAIRINGS -> too many topics to explore in too little episodes -> paradox of a show being very slow at times, while also overloading viewers with information.
TOO MANY PAIRINGS ?
If you haven’t seen UMWA before, then yes, there may be too many pairings in Between Us that are given too much priority.
The main pair: Win / Team. The side couples: Bee/Prince, Wan/ Tul, Manaow /Pruek. A couple that we see occasionally: Dean and Pharm. Yes, it's five of them.
During the promotions and the New Year Special there were only 4 couples, Dean / Pharm (Ohm and Fluke) were not included. It may be because their own series - 609 Bedtime Story - aired very shortly after Between Us and there were clashes with the promotions, but I feel like it also represents the structure in Between Us fairly well. Dean / Pharm are mostly mentioned, with only a few scenes together. But even then, they are an acknowledged pair, thus being an official fifth couple.
That makes the series a bit confusing for non UWMA watchers, who are served 5 couples to get familiar with. Nevertheless, the series does its best at introducing them and exploring each of them slowly. That’s the only real problem I see when it comes to Between Us’s performance as a stand alone series.
WIN / TEAM
Boun and Prem have really delivered. Their chemistry is impeccable and the sexual tension can be felt through the screen. They can be the comedic duo, the fluffy bunnies or deliver the sad feels, they can do it all. Their acting in ep 11 was their best yet. They also explore a variety of interesting topics in this series. For Win it's the impact of being the middle child - being afraid of owning things and then losing them, keeping a family together and always having to be the perfect, responsible son. That’s also where his fear of falling in love comes from.
For Team it's dealing with trauma and guilt. Usually in bl shows we see a childhood trauma from an accident that the child thinks they have caused, but it actually wasn't their fault. In Team's case it was his fault, but still, he was a child. Navigating this trauma, self-blame, insomnia and being in an unconfirmed realtionship creates a very strong, onion cutting cocktail. But no matter what, Win is always there for Team and I love that, together with him alway asking for consent.
WAN / TUL
Although their love story is interesting, I think that they don’t fit into the story as seamlessly as the other couples. Their story is happening somewhat outside of the others - a bit like Kim and Porschay - and their chemistry is just okay. Obviously it's because they talk online, as they are exploring the topic of dating online and falling in love without knowing each other irl, but still. And because all of their interactions happen through a mobile game (that we don't even get to see), the cinematography gets mundane very quickly - it’s 2 guys sitting down and playing a game on their phones.
Still, I think the actors did a good job and I really like the hesitation about keeping the other’s trust while staying anonymous, or possibly losing the other’s trust but getting to meet irl. The whole ‘meeting in a game’ concept is very fresh and we’ll definitely see more of it in the future.
BEE / PRINCE
This pair quickly became one of my favourites. I simply adore their interactions and wish they had more screen time. I like how both Bee and Prince are a little unsure but still go for the relationship. Prince deals with a few different problems - dating as an actor, past scandals and the sacrifices you have to make to stay in the industry. I feel like other bl shows that talk about 'the industry' focus mainly on the relationship aspect of it, so it’s really refreshing to see the sacrifices in terms of personal time. When you think about it, balancing school, studies, hobbies or other jobs with acting is something that actors go through on daily bases, so I appreciate this topic being brought up.
For both Bee and Prince there is the prominent topic of dating: Prince has his set of worries, as an actor who may get hate because of dating, while Bee - as a person outside of the industry - worries that he won't be able to match Prince's level and protect him from the harm. I very much appreciate Prince coming out as gay and Bee acknowledging that he's gay too - in so many shows it's "You're the only guy I like, that doesn't mean I'm gay", whereas Bee clearly said "I like you, so that means I'm gay". Thei chemistry is great and I genuinely love all of their moments.
MANAOW / PRUK
They once again deliver flawlessly, though I feel like they may be cursed. Despite being great together and having an awesome chemistry, they got little to no screen time as a pair in UWMA, so I was super excited to see bigger focus on them in Between Us. And while we got many much needed cute and funny moments, there were little intimate moments. I understand that their relationship is based on Manaow's quirky personality and they are used as a comedic relief at times, but I really want to see some actual intimate moments between them. Especially since their actors irl have very cute chemistry.
I think it has to do more with the fact that it's a straight couple in a bl series more than anything, but I think that Manaow - the best supportive girl she is - deserves better. But in terms of their on-screen performance, their pair always delivers and you cannot help but to fall in love with them. Plus they explores the topics of dreams and expectations, which is a familiar struggle for many people.
DEAN / PHARM
Do I even need to say anything? Top-notch performance as always, there’s no doubt about that. Though they only appear occasionally, as they already have a whole series dedicated to them. So if you'd like to see more of this OG couple's beautiful and sweet romance, check out UMWA after you're done with Between Us. But be prepared to grab some tissues - their story cuts very deep and you'll find yourself crying a lot.
OVERALL
Like stated at the beginning, Between Us is a MUST WATCH, it’s easily an a+tier stand alone show. If you are the target audience - you enjoy shows focused on relationships - you will enjoy Between Us very much. It’s a beautiful series with good acting, beautiful cinematography and top-notch music. There are some flaws, but the pros outweight them by a giant margin. It has many cute, funny, sexy and sad moments to offer. The topics being discussed are diverse and we really dive deep in some places. The chemistry between the pairs is awesome, plus the main leads’ sexual tension Between Them is very prominent, so take a few deep breaths and feel free to dive right in.
PS: A year ago, Between Us Special was released. It was a little project initiated by Boun and Prem themselves. These are short episodes without any plot, filled with Win and Team’s fluffy and funny moments in their domestic life. It’s one of the cutest and most hertwarming things, so if you haven’t yet, please give it a watch, it has healing properties.
PPS: About Between Us and P’New. P’New appeared in the reaction channel “NungNaRong” during reaction to the episode 6 of Between Us. He has talked about many things including filming of the series, but also working in the film industry while making BLs. He even said that Love by Chance was almost not aired, as the station it was supposed to aired on cancelled 3 days between the release date. He also mentioned that he has wanted to make Between Us more realistic than his previous works. The whole episode is interesting (he talks throughout is, it’s not an interview) and their channel also invites other guests (usually actors) to watch some episodes with them, check them out if you’d like to.
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The plot lines may hardly be original, but the complexity of the main characters gives the old stories a freshness and power they would otherwise lack. Song Il Guk does a fine job as the young prince destined to found an empire, but my favorite actors (and characters) were Hu Joon Ho as the grizzled veteran Haemosu and Jun Kwang Ryul as the tormented king Kumwa. Hu exudes presence every moment he’s onscreen, and Jun’s portrayal of the king’s increasingly conflicted and destructive loyalties is devastating. The show also uses its length to draw us so completely into its web of relationships that many of its most powerful scenes are not the giant battles but the quiet moments where a truth is revealed or a lie is told or a heart is broken.
Does everything work? No. The plot meanders in the final third, with wild goose chases down narrative lines that seem designed to kill time rather than actually deliver meaningful revelations. I could have lived without the saccharine pop ballad love songs on endless repeat and you could get rip-roaring drunk in no time if you took a shot whenever someone stages an ambush, falls off a cliff, discusses an evil plan around an ornate wooden table or survives getting shot by multiple arrows. However, if you’re looking for ridiculously immersive popular entertainment and don’t mind sleep deprivation, you’re in for a hell of a ride. Just be careful – this whole drama thing can get addictive . . . .
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The story is not a very complicated one. You have an obsessive school girl who's crazy about her teacher and thinks what they have is love. The teacher wavers slightly and pays the price for it with his family at stake. A simple setting but what sets this movie apart are the layers of complexities in each character's personality. More so than the obsession, the film makes you see these characters as individuals whose stories you are watching. A really well directed and written piece.
The actors did a splendid job. Jang Hyuk and Jo Bo Ah were completely engrossed in their roles. I really need to mention that these people have a huge age gap in real life and to portray such a tender and hard-to-digest topic with such realism is commendable. There were times when I was too repulsed to watch the scenes but couldn't take my eyes off of the screen because the actors were doing such a brilliant job. Worth the watch for the actors' work if not anything else.
It is definitely not something just anybody can see. You need the appetite for this sort of movie. When they say there's lust, betrayal, obsession and revenge, they mean it. There's no sugarcoating anything here. Just raw emotions. In fact, I don't think I'd be able to watch this movie again even if I wanted to. Everyone gave such a powerful performance, It's going to stay in my head for a long time.
I might not have enjoyed this movie in the true sense of enjoying a movie, but I sure respect and admire the work. It's a really good movie. Not made for everyone though. It's also rated R because of explicit scenes that are shown, but there's nothing extremely offensive about them. So that's another thing to consider before watching the movie if you're not ready for that sort of content.
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2For clown and country.
Fighting For Love is a drama adaptation of a novel with the same Chinese title Ā Mài Cóngjūn/阿麦从军 or A Mai Joins the Army. The novel enjoys an impressive 8.6 score on Douban. It is a female centric story about A Mai, an orphaned noblewoman who seeks justice for her family's betrayal. She joins the army and works her way up to become a fierce and undefeated general. She discovers a greater purpose along the way, which is to defend her country. This takes place during the Northern and Southern dynasties, a period of war, chaos and political turmoil. It is not a romance and there is no real male protagonist; it is about one brave and patriotic woman's awesome journey. I abandoned the book because of its intense and graphic focus on war.Clearly the original story does not fit with the typical male-centric costume drama formula with plenty of romance tropes. What a breath of fresh air, right? Wrong. In the adaptation, Shang Yizhi is elevated to male protagonist and his story arc is as central as A Mai's. Which in and of itself, is not a terrible thing. Like A Mai, Yizhi has a hidden identity and was a victim of foul play. His cause becomes hers as she rescues him and helps him outsmart his enemies. She discovers her military prowess, forms life and death bonds with her troops and finds meaning in defending the citizens of Nanxia. They have a shared purpose and are catalysts for each other's growth. It is natural for attraction or feelings to develop between them though it does not need to be romantic.
The critical fail in the adaptation is they wrote Yizhi as a kind hearted and playful anti-hero character. While some of his comedic scenes are witty and funny, this diminishes him into a parody role. This should be a complex character who does consequential things; a once carefree young nobleman whose world changes overnight. Instead, the writers stuck him with a love brain and Peter Pan syndrome until the final arc. As he is pushed first to survive and then to reclaim his birthright, all of his motivations continue to simply revolve around A'Mai. A character that chooses each time to save the girl and let the world rot does not deserve to end up where he does! This devalues A'Mai and the Zhenbei army's achievements and sacrifices into a fight for clown and country. Even though he becomes morally ambiguous and utilitarian at the end, this evolution is too abrupt. His character progression should have begun well before he returned to the capital. Zhang Haowei did his best with this role but the character is just too poorly designed.
A Mai is quite consistently written throughout even though it is difficult to connect with her feelings for Yizhi. Even though she is too lovely to ever be mistaken for a man, Zhang Tianai does a wonderful job with the role. Her mannerisms are very masculine and she literally shakes with rage and hatred in her scenes with Chen Qi. Best of all, she is no Mary Sue in need of constant rescuing even though all the men fall for her. She just has terrible luck with men; she gets involved with a backstabber, a clown and an enemy with a choking fetish. The one good man she meets is brother-zoned, father-zoned and what happens to him is definitely over-kill. Chen Qi is the most interesting and conflicted antagonist and his and A Mai's story is really sad. Wang Ruichang is very charismatic and the fan favorite but his Chang Yuqing has no development and no real story arc. He just pops up whenever something needs to go wrong for the leads.
The first few arcs of this story are quite good and the cinematography and action scenes are pretty awesome. The story falls apart mid-way and snowballs downhill into the palace arc. It is yet another perfectly good drama that is ruined by ignorant and silly romance writers who can't write palace intrigue (i.e., Destined, Legend of Zhuohua, Wonderland of Love etc etc). This arc is ridden with predictable villains, plot holes, clichés and a flabby dancing emperor who looks like a sloppy fashion mistake. To my surprise, the story comes together again in the final episodes to end fittingly and on a strong note.
It is not easy to rate this because there are many good parts. The first 12-15 episodes and the ending is good and worth ~8 but the middle and dreadful palace arc are only worth ~6+. I think ~7.5 overall is fair but I am only going to call it a 7.0 because the production deserves to be spanked for desecrating a fantastic novel.
Scroll down for SPOILER ending thoughts.
ENDING SPOILER
The final showdown between A Mai and Chen Qi is exciting and moving and it finally gives her closure. Poor Chen Qi is such an interesting, conflicted and ultimately tragic character it is a shame he was not better fleshed out. In the end he probably loved A Mai best.
I don't believe it is in character for A Mai to go off with Chang Yuqing at the end. His feelings for her are not better developed than Yizhi's and at least in the drama, they are one-sided. He is a rising star in Beimo and if A Mai were to marry him, she would have to defect to the enemy to be another caged bird as the wife of a Marquis. After just escaping the terrible fate of being the favorite concubine of an emperor?!? As advisor Xu points out, the countries are at perfect stalemate because their top generals A'Mai and Chang Yuqing don't really want to fight each other. There is peace with them glowering fiercely at each other across the border. A Mai is simply setting off for a well earned 3-year vacation while Beimo's internal palace politics play out. It is a perfect, strong independent woman ending in the spirit of the original novel; one that says A Mai does not have to be someone's arm candy to have a meaningful life.
X
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I consider Eriko Kitagawa one of the best drama scriptwriters. She has the ability to pick up an ordinary event and make it into an unpredictable twist, all with a subtle calm pace which makes you restless. This plot is made of little hints: a word, a glance, a brief scene. There's no abundance of words, each line carries its meaning into the silence that follows.
And the actors get inside their roles brilliantly, creating around them an aura of mystery which makes you grope in the dark as to who did what and why.
The cinematography is scanty and sober, totally devoid of gloss. With the exception of the very effective close-up shots of the characters and the use of the light, it doesn't rely on beauty. Oh, the actors are beautiful all right. Kimura Takuya and Fukatsu Eri in particular are wonderfully intense, together as well as individually and play their part so well I was left speechless more than once.
The same scantiness applies to the music. Used with economy and without much variety, it manages to create the right expectations at exactly the right moment.
When all this is said and done, I am left with only one question: did I personally like this drama? The answer is: no. Did I fall in love with any of the characters? No. They intrigued me, fascinated me even, but I didn't like any of them, and felt somehow totally detached, despite the high-voltage chemistry between the leads.
I marathoned through the drama in 2 days, which is proof of its being a very well built thriller. Once started, you want to know. However, because I felt neither identification, nor true compassion or love for these people, it's as if I had read a very interesting and brilliantly written essay on human nature but was happy to see it end. The ending came to me as the only possible solution: a destination this journey was destined to land to.
Therefore, I recommend this drama to only a few people. Forget brightness, sunny love, suspend judgment and value this for its intrinsic quality and you will appreciate it. If you're not ready for a trip down dark lane, I suggest you stay well away from it.
I am certainly not going to repeat the experience.
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This review may contain spoilers
don't blink
This screenplay has to have the most diverse story line I have ever watched in an Asian drama. The story twists and turns from present to past to present and has strong story lines for supporting characters in addition to the the two main leads, who are actually four different people themselves (two each). This drama is only on episode 8 but is revealing some pretty heavy secrets already. The writer wittingly keeps us guessing the true identity of the two leads, especially the male. They both have a pseudo identity who is a mix of past and present identities. There are many deep topics covered in the drama such as same sex attraction, suicide and murder. The murder has not happened in real time as of yet and the culprit has not been truly revealed only suggested. There is innuendo at every turn but I have learned not to take anything for granted. If you like mystery, romance, time travel, teen love, and a complicated plot, you will enjoy this one. I am so in love with the main OST as well. The song Last Dance by China Blue is the vehicle that spurs the time travel by the way, but this is not realized until episode 8 by the actors. Alice Ke and Greg Han are both adorable in this at times. I have to say that although it is deep frequently, do not give up on it after a couple of episodes. It gets better and better. As you can see I am totally enjoying this drama so far. I do have a bit of trepidation of how it is going to end though. Of course, I always hope for a happy ending. But, no mater I am loyal until the end! I am watching it on Vikiupdate! I just finished episode 13 without subtitles and let us just say, I didn't see that coming. I am so in love with this couple and their romance! They left it open ended so that there could be a season two which would be a dream come true. Pun intended! Wow! I just finished watching this drama and I feel no written review can do it justice, simply because the level of writing in this drama is the best I have ever seen. It can not compare with my little review. The plot is so in depth. It has so many layers that twist and turn and often overlap that it is difficult at times to sort it all out! But you do in the end! The plot revolves around the two main characters, which actually are four (two each) as well as a well developed second layer of active characters whose roles are recurring. The four main characters are played by Greg Han and Alice Ke, each playing double roles. The romance factor is a 10 and the mystery/suspense factor is also a 10. I guarantee once you begin watching, you will not be able to stop until the end so plan accordingly! This no light drama. The plot includes murder, suicides, a love triangle and even a wonderful second lead. The music became my favorite song as well. There are some sexual undertones so this is not recommended for younger viewers. A 10 overall. I will not give away the ending! But, lets just say, I didn't see that one coming! This is a hidden jewel! I can see it becoming a cult classic in the future!
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"Do you want to have a drink with me?"
"Counseling with a twist." That is how I initially perceived the theme Mystic Pop-up Bar. Dramas that touch on mental health issues are often either of melodrama or suspense genre. But here is a gem of a show that gives you a release and relief from a shot of soju, without the usual hangover.In the first few episodes of this drama, you'll find stories of persons whose grudges could well be the same as many of us have. The counseling part comes naturally in the dialogue between the characters, often in a comical way. (It could be a good idea to have a paper and pen ready to take down some quotable lines.) As the drama progresses, it begins to focus more on the main characters' own concerns which has been taking 500 years to settle.
What's so awesome about Mystic Pop-up Bar is, while it's generally comedy, you'll also find some bits of romance, drama and action in it. Worthy of mentioning also is how clean the CGI effects they used in the show. I'm not sure with the others, but for me, each episode was like a movie.
Even though I chose to watch this because of SKY Castle actor Choi Won Young, I must say all the actors in this drama are worth applauding. Yook Sung Jae made a great choice of doing this drama before his military enlistment; he did really well as Han Kang Bae. Also, I could say that we have a different Hwang Jung Eum here, so if you're not a fan of the way she acted in her previous dramas, don't let that get in the way of you experiencing a one-of-a-kind journey in Mystic Pop-up Bar.
The OST is worth adding to your playlist as well, especially the song for Part 1 of the soundtrack.
I recommend this drama after watching heavy drama, suspense or action, or to those who simply want to have a good laugh after a tiring day.
Enjoy Mystic Pop-up Bar!
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Sometimes I skip parts in dramas because they predictable, but this drama was the complete opposite. If you skip an episode you will be lost or will greatly regret it.
This is the first drama that has ever made me cry, laugh, and ship 4 couples with four cast mates (think about it hahaha)
I usually don't watch melo dramas because I like happy endings and melo dramas don't really follow that story line, but this drama is different it's not a romance comedy-but is, and not a melo drama- but defiantly is. Some points in the drama you cry or tear up for a very sad reason which in my case seem like a melo drama. other times you laugh with the characters which seem like comic relief.
I started to watch 49 days because I saw Jung Il Woo dressed in all black with black hair- hello one of my top actors of all time looking sexy... of course I will watch it. i can say he is hot the whole way through the drama, but he will make you cry- a lot...
All the cast mates let you connect with their character. Each character has a story to be told watch 49 days and find out their stories. I promise you won't regret watching it. i sure didn't
i true hope you enjoy watch the drama as much as i did!
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DEFINITELY worth giving a try
This is probably my favorite MaxNat series they've done so far.The main concern I had going into it was the confusing plot line from the trailer but watching the series there is little/no confusion for the most part. After setting things up in the first two episodes with explanation of the two parallel worlds, the rest of the series is pretty straight forward. The pacing could've been better and is probably my biggest complaint, especially in the last episode, I felt this series needed two more eps because I feel we didn't get much time with the second couple and some other things could've been a bit more fleshed out.
I was a bit hesitant about how Nat's acting would be with this new partner but Nat and Gun's chemistry is great to start out with, not awkward at all; very well done. There are some moments where Nat falls short in certain scenes but overall I see great improvement with him especially in later eps. On the other hand I wholeheartedly enjoyed Max as W1 and W2 Tai and would definitely like to see him play more diverse roles like this.
I loved the gradual build up of chemistry between Max and Nat's characters Tai and Kram. Those two are absolute sweethearts and a couple worth rooting for a happy ending.
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Be careful what you wish for...
...because it might just come true. The Witch’s Diner is an urban fantasy that revolves around the arcane ways of contemporary witchcraft. It combines the supernatural with slice of life, and includes elements of a mystery as well as romance. In addition to the dark arts, the culinary arts are featured prominently through the variety of delectable gourmet dishes which are central to the core narrative.The concept is straightforward - customers make a wish at the eponymous restaurant, and the resident witch-cum-masterchef will magically prepare a unique dish accordingly. Eating the dish will grant the wish but not without a price in return.
Following the TVING brand revamp in 2020 after the joint venture between JTBC and CJ E&M was finalised (and most recently Naver bought into the venture as well), the streaming service currently provides premium content via paid subscription. Included as part of its original programming for 2021, this drama certainly reflects the production values strived for by the streaming service. The overall quality and technical aspects, including the visual effects, are unquestionably well executed. The art direction and the production design are quite impressive, in particular the diner which has been sumptuously remodelled to induce a palpable gothic atmosphere. I’ve enjoyed the cinematic grading as well as how the colour palettes seamlessly contrast between darker moments and the more lighthearted scenes.
Similar in premise and tone to other stories that deal with paranormal activities, such as Mystic Pop-up Bar and Hotel Del Luna, this drama falls somewhere in the middle in terms of its plotline and themes. It isn’t spine-chillingly frightening or morbidly infused with gore and horror, while at the same time it is slightly melodramatic with a number of poignant moments that may induce a tear or two. The overarching mystery concerns who the witch is, how the “wish-fulfilment” service came about, and how the ML and FL are connected to her. Along the way, we observe mini story-arcs of folks with problems who somehow end up at the diner seeking otherworldly solutions to what ails them.
At a relatively short 8 episodes, the storytelling is compact without the intrusion of unnecessary fillers. It is engagingly paced where the drama takes its time to explore the backstories of the various characters. It’s worth pointing out certain themes that may trigger such as abuse and bullying. The sense of tension and anxiety are sufficiently imbued into the story as it unfolds, and continues to build right to the climactic end.
The performances of the cast certainly deserve praise. I’ve truly enjoyed Chae Jong Hyeop’s emotional depth through his nuanced characterization as the noble and warmhearted Lee Gil Yong. I feel he is more suited to this role than the one in Sisyphus: The Myth. Nam Ji Hyun displays impressive range in her depiction of the conflicted Jung Jin, a character that goes through much adversity. The role of Jo Hee Ra the witch is played by the experienced Song Ji Hyo. Despite looking very much the part, I do feel that the portrayal is rather understated because of how the character was written - unlike other similar dramas, Jo Hee Ra isn’t an outrageous OTT character that’s loud or stands out from the crowd. She’s probably the most down-to-earth witch I’ve ever come across in a drama. I do however admire her avant garde fashion sense and found myself chuckling at her portrayal of a younger self.
Special mentions go to a number of supporting and guest stars who make their appearances in this production. These include So Hee Jung who plays FL's mother with such conviction and relatability. Ahn Eun Jin, the musical actress who delivers a fantastic solo rendition in a stage play, as well as Lee Joo Shil and Im Won Hee who portray mother and son respectively in one of the more heartbreaking scenes in the drama. I was actually taken aback by how good he is in dramatic capacity compared to his somewhat more comical role in Dark Hole.
The soundtrack features a total of four songs that fits the mellow undertone of the drama, with the exception of YESEO’s Fair Dish which provides an interestingly magical and mysterious vibe with a hint of mischief.
1. Se.A – Holding On
2. JUNNY – Alone
3. YESEO – Fair Dish
4. Han Seungwoo (VICTON) – Please
All in all, I would classify The Witch’s Diner as a healing, introspective and evocative drama. It's perfectly understated without all the fanfare and light enough to be enjoyed without heavy exertion. I certainly savoured the experience.
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1The show is more action and the characters/relationships driven compared to my initial assumption of it focusing on the story itself. The plot is quite simple: people turn into monsters, humanity has to survive, but in the midst of it, Sweet Home asks one important question "What does it mean to be human?" and explores it throughout all the episodes. It shows the best and the worst side of humanity - the will to survive that can unite or turn people against each other; the will to be humane as a way of fighting against the circumstances, but also using the horrifying situation as an excuse to abandon empathy.
Despite the show claiming to be in line with thriller, horror and psychological genres, it falls closer to action as a leading one. The plot might seem simple, but it did an amazing job connecting the dots slowly presented. Quite a few times in the 2nd half I recognized the continuation of the plots and hints dropped in the beginning episodes. While the main question might not be answered and the ending could seem disappointing and unsatisfying for some, I found it to be the best possible approach. Any other take would fall short and seem forced. It definitely leaves a lot of room for possible season two, but lack of continuation of the story would not make me angry either.
We are introduced to a brilliant cast of characters, that all have different stories to tell, that will resonate with the audience. In a short period of 10 episodes, I've got to see well built character development not only for Cha Hyun Soo, but also for many side characters. While I strongly disagreed with many of the character's decisions and behaviors, at the same time I could understand their reasoning behind it. If I had to pick my favorite characters (beside the star of the show Hyun Soo) I would pick empathetic Yoon Ji Su, brave Jung Jae Heon, resourceful Han Du Sik and level-headed Lee Eun Hyuk. That said, the chemistry between the whole cast was out of this world and they played off of each other well.
The wise advice I could give to anyone before starting: don't expect dark psychological horror. Even though the show explores quite a few psychological themes, as I mentioned before, it leans more towards action in addition to some dark humor, especially in the beginning episodes. That said, the thing it has to be applauded for - the stakes were real. You know the shows, where you feel close to nothing when characters are in danger because you know they will survive anyway? Not here. Each problem presented to them, each encounter with monsters, each turn made me tense, scared, but also excited for what's to come.
I'm not exactly one to pay attention to music in movies or shows, unless it truly catches my attention. Here, all the songs were extremely fitting and perfectly supported scenes they were played in. At first some choices might feel out of place, but as the drama progresses it starts to feel like a deliberate choice that somehow works.
If I had to complain about anything, I'd say I was not the biggest fan of the CGI monsters at first. Since I was expecting a dark psychological horror like Strangers From Hell, the cartoon-ish like models with questionable motion put me off. The moment I accepted this is not what I signed up for and started to enjoy the action, I started to appreciate the design of the creatures. Some had comical features (we see an a*s once), but it balanced well the dreadful emotional moments happening among the characters.
What's more, in the beginning episode the plot was not presented in a linear way, so it might be confusing. Later on the time jumps are barely happening and it's easier to follow the story.
In conclusion: I cried a lot. I got attached to each and every character. I cared for what's going to happen to them. I was curious about their past stories and how they affect their current decisions and actions. The show simply made me engage in whatever was happening on the screen, to the point of me binge watching it for 10 hours and forgetting to eat.
Warning: there is a lot of blood, some gore, story about child abuse and one for severe bullying. It talks about suicide and self harm. These themes might be too much for some viewers, so feel warned before giving it a shot.
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A mature, no-nonsense love story, where the leads are real adults.
I had avoided this show for a while, because from the posters and synopsis I felt it would be a cheesy rom-com involving three guys and a woman wanting a baby. I was not interested to see a love square with 3 guys and a girl, even if it boasted the casting of Jang Nara, no thank you.Yet, I was curious nevertheless and decided to just give two episodes a try (you'all know how this usually ends)
You will love Oh My Baby, if you can relate to any of the following elements in a show:-
1. Adults (leads, second leads) actually having proper conversations. They talk things out, having meaningful conversations.
2. If you love FL with a no-nonsense approach but not crass and rude, bravely taking a lead in love but pulling back too, feeling hurt but recovering, a FL that does not resort to whining, screaming or shouting, not being pitiful even in a worst scenario.
3. If you had bad trauma from the mother in Something in the Rain, then Oh My Baby will restore faith in good mothers. She is similar to, but much better than the cool mom in Witch's Romance. This mom gets angry yes, but tells her daughter immediately that she should not lose her sense of self or feel guilty just because her mom is being angry with her. She stands by her daughter through all decisions, even those involving public ridicule. She doesn't care two hoots about societal response and family comments. This is a mom that does mountaineering and dancing, while also constantly looking for a match for her daughter. This is a mom that made friends with ML even even before she knew of her daughters interest in him and vice versa. Not just acquaintances in friendly terms, I mean real buddies.
I usually skip mom scenes in kdramas, and if you are like me, don't skip this mom's dialogues. She is sassy and open minded, and her scenes are worth listening to. This is a mom to end all kdrama moms.
4. There are no jealous female second leads, (but jealous male lead yes ) not everyone around the male lead is pining for his love, and they are all actually shipping them together, yes even the gals. No one bitchy and manipulative. Second male lead gets angsty a bit but that doesn't last more than a couple of episodes. He never stood a chance, it was clear from the beginning.
5. A romance that is gentle, but cracking with chemistry all the same.
6. Its not fluffy, silly rom-com but at the same time retains elements of fun throughout. The topics they deal with are emotional but handled with directness and spirit.
7. This is even better than Search WWW in terms of female portrayal because this is more realistic and honest. The women are not out-of-the-world sassy and bold, but rather as much real as anyone in that society would be. The only unreal element is that the FL is too pretty to be actually someone who never had proper romance for her age, but they also show why this is so,. its convincing.
If you liked Because this is my First Life, then you will definitely love this. I guarantee. Come back and trash me here if I am wrong.
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I really like both Jasper Liu and Eugenie Liu and the premise of this series sounded like fun - gangster's daughter meets and falls in love with the actor she's always fangirled over! The action scenes in the show are purely comedic, cheesy and just for fun. Sometimes it's over the top, but I can accept that. Eugenie does a great job portraying Angie, a fierce, bubbly young woman who tries to forge an independent path for herself. On the other hand, Jasper's character Yi Hang felt underdeveloped. He's a cute, charming, popular actor who loves elephants. That's all I got really. Their relationship developed UNBELIEVABLY quickly. Emphasis on unbelievable as in "I absolutely did not believe it." In comparison, I found myself liking Eddie Kim much more and thought the actor who plays him, Tsao Yu Ning, was excellent.
A lot of interesting side stories are introduced - Ding Ding, Ling Yun, Sophia, etc - but none of them are developed nearly enough. If Netflix releases more episodes (I mean, they'd BETTER!), then I will definitely continue watching. There's so much potential.
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