ADORABLE
Technically, this special does not have any music I think? Or maybe the video I watched was incomplete... but for the BGM , EP and OP of the drama, I am giving it a 10. The angel choir alone deserves a 100/10 XDThis special was adorable, as all episodes were. I was smiling the entire 18minutes, it is so funny but romantic at the same time.
The pain of Kurosawa for the chocolates made me rofl, Detective Rokkaku being KuroDachi's son XD so cute and really the cherry on top of this marvelous drama.
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had potential, but cliched/nonsense writing ruined it
Overall: the weak script hurt what could have been a unique premise. It has twenty 25 min episodes on GagaOOLala and ten 50 min episodes Viki. I'll be referring to the longer Viki episodes in my review.Content Warnings: bullying, fight, attempted murder, fight, death, grief, dub/non con kiss
What I Liked
- the intro/music
- clear about when this takes place at the start and after the jump
- that magic dude (who vanished for a large chunk of time)
- the friendships between characters
- sweet/caring moments
- the final episode was better than several episodes previous to it and the NSFW scenes were done fairly well
Room For Improvement
- my main complaint is the weak script, characters are doing things "because the writer said so" not because they would actually do them in real life, I don't want to list all of the nonsense things out but there are a bunch like what kind of warehouse has a kitchen (and a bathroom?!?)
- several characters are too unlikable/hot and cold
- cliches abound including the flamboyant guy as a villain and the evil ex girlfriend cliche
- the boss/employee dynamic had a bit of a grooming aspect to it and it was difficult for me to see past it, wish they hadn't been boss/employee
- the total nonsense with the freezer and lack of consequences
- awful communication
- I like cameos but was not into the stepbrother cameo
- a lot of filler/slow pacing
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This review may contain spoilers
Just lit as s1. Shouldn't be dropped halfway in any circumstances!!
I'm one of those who waited half a year to watch s2 and without any doubt i can say ,this never disappointed.S2 was fresh with so many new charecters(some still remains a mystery),ofcourse there were some tissue grabbing and sobbing moments,but was extremely entertaining ,thrilling and satisfying with the ending.
Mild Spoilers ahead !!!!
After the 3-4 th epi ,the story faced a slow pacing (maybe because of the loss of someone) and also due to a diverted less significant' case' than the previous ones. But to my great surprise the show retrieved the initial momentum the very next week. To be honest,it made me completely forget the trauma that was given in the earlier episodes and was fully immersed in the new story arc.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒2 was being connected with S1 .Certain charecters and events had great importance in season as well, which made it feel like Master plan or something of the writer.
The only thing which was disappointing in my opinion was ,
(𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱)
Im a great fan of PARTNERS FOR JUSTICE [2018-2019] which infact is by the same writer(i think). She did this very similar doctor character in PFJ too, so that felt easy to pin point the main antagonist. Moreover, the antagonist was more obvious than the previous season, nevertheless the journey was worth every second.
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BL Watchers Are The Reason Thai Media Isn't Taken Serious
I watched this show for the BL boys with a horror-enthusiastic friend who has never watch any Asian media, let alone Thai BL and our ratings are remarkably similar: a 9.5/10 for me and a 9/10 for him.What I enjoyed: the fresh display of improved acting into a new genre.
What he enjoyed: an interesting take on the zombie genre.
What reviewers did not enjoy: a BL production company making a horror series. Scrolling the reviews to see the claims that Domundi is homophobic for making a non-BL their first Netflix release or complaining about very common horror tropes makes me laugh and roll my eyes
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Romance blew the mission and the logic !
The premise of this drama involved secret agents, shady odd jobs and conflicting loyalties when tested. Initially, I thought this would be one of those spy series where the hunter falls for the prey. But this was an unapologetically sappy love story wrapped in a slightly unhinged espionage plot. I was expecting "mission impossible" vibes but make it a BL, but what I got was "mission emotionally compromised".The above is not technically a complaint because the drama made it clear in episode 1 what it wanted to be.
Our leads Da Hei and Xiao Bai come from two very different worlds and are forced to live together. Da Hei is our neighbourhood hire with a tragic backstory where he is collecting funds for his little sister's treatment.
Xiao Bai comes from a long line of secret agents (family business if you may xD) where expressing emotions is a crime, and he is sent here to spy and report on Da Hei.
But what happens when you put two handsome boys together? We all know the answer!
The romance between them was the highlight for me. They had this awkward adorable chemistry that builds with every episode. There is something very genuine between them that made me actually enjoy this even though the plot seemed to be a bit logically weak.
Coming to the whole spy plot, it was barely convincing. There was no structure or realism. Surveillance tactics were very questionable and it looked more like a dramatic group chat project rather than an investigation by an "intelligence company". It was more of follow your heart and wing it!
I stopped expecting logic from the drama and it made me actually enjoy this but the number of plot holes was amusing at times.
The side characters felt mostly like props to the central romance. I found their presence more situational than essential. Some are tossed in for comedy, some for a little backstory but none of them felt fully emotionally cohesive to the plot.
The acting was decent from both leads and their chemistry was believable. The rest of the cast also did well considering how little they had to offer. The production doesn't look cheap but again could have done more on the spy side to make it more believable.
Overall, this was fun but a mess. Recommended if you don't mind a romcom flimsily disguised as a spy drama and are willing to suspend disbelief and logic while watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
When I was to the 2nd to the last episode, I was like rather excited to see how the drama was going to end. Then as tried to predict the ending, I started to smile because I thought the ending was going to include a twist, foreshadowed earlier in the series - when Ye Hua wanted to fake his own death, in front of so many witnesses, so that he can be with Su Su without the pressures of being the Crown Prince. I was like... that clever guy. But in the end, it was a stupid ending, and ending that made no sense and dragged on for nothing. This series is highly overrated. And how did they resolve Qian Qian's relationship with Mo Yuan? I mean, that was really not explained. And not to mention how anti-climatic his 70,000 year long return was. I mean, that is essentially the second larges plot of the series and the resolution felt incomplete. Was this review helpful to you?
My review could very well end here, and you'd get the gist. Nevertheless, a simple comparison would be unfair towards this drama and decisively too flattering towards the other two.
There are at least 3 reasons to prefer Sungkyunkwan Scandal (after 4 years I've finally learnt to write this title) to other gender/bender, flowery boys scenarios:
1. The female heroine is intelligent! How refreshing. Not only she has a well working brain, but she doesn't let anyone trample all over her. Her goal in life is more edifying than simply get the guy. In this sense, SKK is way more modern than many K-dramas set in today Asia.
2. Directly related to the above, the flower boys are actually nice people! They overcome prejudice, value friendship and don't go around grabbing the girl's wrist at every turn.
3. Everyone is MUCH better dressed. I'd say colours and costumes are a huge part of this drama's charm.
This said, the drama is not flawless. I believe its main weakness lies in the way conflicts are resolved. While highly interesting and thought-provoking issues are raised - gender equality, homosexuality, eastern vs. western philosophy (Confucius vs. Socrates), the power of knowledge and others, they aren't in any way resolved and at times are very superficially concluded. Mind you, not that a tv-show could ever give us the answers to such essential questions, but even in the enclosed world of the narration some plot threads should have had a conclusion but didn't. We are left to wonder when and how the packet has been so prettily wrapped.
Also, the pace is uneven. The drama is somehow divided in groups of episodes, each developing and in a way closing: the entrance, the tournament, the scandal, the treasure hunt etc. The love story is charming in the beginning, drags in the middle and gets very charming again by the end. I wish they had shortened the angst - which works very well for the male lead who's facing a true conflict, but makes the female suddenly annoying - and given more space to their delightful romantic banter. Even the ending could have been better elaborated and conclusive, had they cut short on the middle anguish.
All in all, however, this is a lovely, funny, feel-good watch. The acting is fine enough, since it has no pretence of greatness. Don't expect stellar performances, they are all a little stony at times, but they look young and pretty, so one is ready to forgive them.
Not surprisingly, my very favourite character here - Yeorim - is also the best acted one. I've sit through the whole drama waiting to see what he would say next and what new outfit he would wear.
Music is, for me, the true sore spot. I appreciated the insertion of modern rhythm on a period setting because the drama is meant to be "timeless". The instrumental pieces are nice, albeit forgettable. The "lover song", on the other hand, got so much on my nerves, my watching partner and I retorted to muting the sound whenever it played (and it played every single time our lovey-dovey pair was together). Have you ever tried watching a kiss in complete silence? Well, don't try: it's terribly awkward, proof that the right music makes up for 50% of the emotion. Since we couldn't have romance+music at the same time, we hummed a tune ourselves.
This review comes after a second watch. I had seen this drama back in 2011, but was distracted by other things at the time and basically couldn't remember a thing. Watching it in good company was a funny and entertaining experience I am ready to recommend.
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I was attracted by the synopsis and the lead actors so I decided to give it a try without any sort of expectations.
2) Storyline/Plot:
This film's story wasn't special but it was interesting to watch, the general concept was something that would make you attracted.
Positive points:
*This is the type of story that fits the majority of viewers because it has an appealing concept.
*Main Genres:
--->Action: it was present in many moments and many turns; this element made the film enjoyable (I wouldn't imagine myself watching the movie if there wasn't this element) plus the action scenes were nicely made and very believable.
--->Humor: this film was hilarious but not too funny so don't get your hopes too high. Funny scenes were present every once in a while which made the storyline lighter.
Negative points:
--->Romance: it wasn't heavily present, actually we don't get to see a lot of romance in this film, it was superficial and not very interesting (except a little at the end). However, it doesn't ruin the general story but I can't possibly call this "A romantic film".
Story: 8.5/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*Gong Yoo:
This actor's films/dramas are always interesting to watch. Here, it wasn't any different; his role was a "cool" role that kept things enjoyable. His action scenes were nice too: great kicking skills.
Speaking about the character, I would say that Kang No-young's personality was sometimes mysterious and indifferent yet it can become warm and caring at some other points.
*Kim Sun Ah:
In my Dictionary, she has always been a good actress who knows how to deliver emotions. Here, I saw decent acting skills and some nice action moves.
The character was the strong girl type, it was really funny sometimes and super serious at other times. Chun Jae-in's school girl mode was greatly done, I liked everything she have done as a high school girl especially the way she reacted with her surroundings.
*Other Cast: The acting wasn't bad plus the choice of characters was nicely done that's why I have no complains about the supporting roles.
*Relationships:
--->Friendship : I liked that concept here even though it wasn't that deep but it was good enough to make you interested.
--->Chun Jae-in's relationships with her uncle and the police departement members was hilarious sometimes and enjoyable most of the time.
--->Romance: Due to lack of romance in the storyline, there weren't much chemistry to talk about.
Cast: 8.5/10
Acting: 9/10
4) The ending:
The romance was fixed in the end but this was your usual rom-com ending; the sort of ending that anyone would love to see on screen.
The ending: 8/10
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
The feelings I had while watching this:
*Some anticipating moments since I wanted to know what will happen next.
*Some excitement moments during action scenes.
*Entertainement moments were included too.
*I don't think there were any boring moments during the film; only some slow moments but they didn't last for long.
*Is this film memorable: yes, I think it can be considered as a memorable film although it isn't special.
My impresion: 8/10
6) Overall:
*If you like action films with a slight of romance then you may want to watch this.
*If you like strong female leads and cool male leads then this is for you.
*If you're into undercover films then you would like this.
Overall: 8.5/10.
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All around, I think that acting was stellar. Kim Sun Ah was wonderful as Yeon Jae. I loved the progression of her character. She went from a frumpy office punching bag to a woman awakening to life to a serious, proud, sad woman, determined to live her life the way she wanted. There were countless moments while watching this where her emotions came across and just blew me away. Lee Dong Wook; he was rather stiff at first and that stiffness was obviously more than his character's chaebol, "all dead inside" persona. But I expected that because the man has been away for two years. As time went on, that stiffness went away and I breathed a little sigh of relief. Uhm Ki Joon (Dr. Poopy Suk) was probably one of my very favorite characters in this drama. Watching his character growth, watching his steadfast friendship as Yeon Jae's doctor was joyful and heart wrenching. All of the side characters, Yeon Jae's mom, her best friend Hye Won, the Tango class crew...Her friend Hee Joo...They all had meaning to her life and to the plot. Well done.
My only nitpick is Im Sae Kyung. I'm not sure if it was Seo Hyo Rim, the writer or both, but her character was a one dimensional terror of a witch. I wish they would have helped me have sympathy for her. I know they tried to give her that in telling her history but for me at least, they mostly failed.
This plot completely revolves around her diagnosis of fatal cancer so I'm not giving anything away. Knowing that is your starting point challenges the writer to fill in the questions of what now? What will and must your character go through? This show had some very heavy moments, and it should have. They were dealing with death. But those heavy times made the small triumphs, the happy moments and the love connections, both romantic and familial that much deeper. The writing of this was so smart. It seemed so realistic that this is what a person would go through when told they have cancer and not long to live: The denial, hope, determination, heartbreak, panic, desperation and anger; Yeon Jae and those whose lives she touched felt them all. Every phase of Yeon Jae's journey felt right to me. It was hard to go through with the characters in points but necessary and didn't drag out too long.
The cinematography was beautiful. I loved the music; the love theme for Yeon Jae and Ji Wook was lovely. I liked the light "French inspired" soundtrack during happy times and many other songs too. They all seemed to fit well with the story. I loved the color palet and design of the sets especially Yeon Jae and Ji Wook's homes. I want to hang out at the Tango place. Also, I want Yeon Jae's wardrobe! She had some awesome clothes.
The message of this drama is simple: To live your life to fullest and to be true to yourself. To find happiness for yourself and those you love and most of all; finding hope, even in the face of death.
I recommend this! You will laugh. You will love the passionate moments between the two leads as well as the light comedic moments. But you MUST have tissues handy!!
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The characters are really deep and well-developed in spite of the entire theme being them Karuta players. I love the main girl and her passion and determination for the game was really inspiring. I also loved the dynamics between her and her friends and watching them practice and bicker was very nice. The way these characters come together and decide to go the Nationals was amazing.
The romantic aspect of the film wasn't much but I enjoyed whatever they showed. When the movie gets intense, they also throw in some anime humour which saves it from being too much to handle. I think this film can serve as an inspiration for anyone regardless of what goal you are aiming for. It also shows how not just talent, but perseverance and taking care of your health while working toward your goal is equally important.
The main actress is really pretty and the main actor was also cute. I don't know any of the other side actors but they also did good jobs of their characters. Like I said, a big traditional side to the film exists and that makes it way more intriguing to watch. Like in the poster, the costume of the main girl was very beautiful to look at. So there's an aesthetic value attached to the film.
I think(?) there's a sequel to this film which is MUCH NEEDED because the ending left scope for a lot to happen. I think this has convinced me to read the manga and watch the anime because I've clearly not got enough of these characters. There's also a lot more story that can be told and I want more- so yeah.
I am super glad I didn't pass it up because that would've been such a waste. Hopefully by the time the subs come out for part 2, I'll have read the manga and I hope there will be more romance. The leads are so cute that I-can't-even...... Go watch it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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Those who Are Fated to Meet, will Meet
Phenomenal!Masterpiece! Perfectly delivered!I rarely give a drama perfect 10 but this one really deserves it. I watch this one as it was highly recommended by Avenue X, this was so much better than I expected.I won’t write a long review, here are some of the reasons why I like this one so much;
1.Brilliant plot
The plot caught me by surprise as it was so beautifully written.The plot is really innovative, interesting and hooked me from the first two episodes.The storyline is very complicated and mind-blowing but it is super satisfying as well. Avoiding spoilers was a right decision for me as the plot has many twists and turns, wouldn’t enjoy that much if I have read spoilers.
The plot is well-delivered, I got the message it wants to deliver as well.
2.Superb acting
Haven’t watched much of Taiwanese dramas before, so I don’t know who is Alice Ke. She is really good, maybe one of the best acting I have ever watched as well. She has to play two characters with totally different personalities, one being easy-going and the other very introverted. Yet she portrayed both characters flawlessly, what surprised me is that with a slight alteration in hairstyle and makeup, her looks became so different. This drama alone is enough for her to be in my Favorite actresses List.
Greg Hsu, the male lead, is really superb as well. He looks so much like Deng Lun and perfectly played alongside Alice Ke, with brilliant chemistry.
Other than the leads, supporting casts are also not bad.
3.Ost
So,Wu Bai’s Last dance was played so many times, as it plays a key role in time travel.It was a famous song even before the drama was directed, so it is good of course.
Shi Shi songs are good too, Miss you 3000 is probably the best ost of this drama.
I recommend skipping opening and ending songs as it contains spoilers.
Overall
It is a really masterpiece and you shouldn’t miss a rare gem like this.It became my 2nd favorite after Nirvana in Fire. This is 100% recommended and you wouldn’t feel like you wasted your time by watching this.
I feel like even if all the contemporary Chinese dramas combined, it won’t be as good as this one.
Kudos to the drama and production team for producing such a phenomenal drama.
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Yumi’s Most Complete Chapter, Yet the Shortest
This is probably the only series where I’ve appreciated each season more than the last, which makes the long wait since Season 2 feel worthwhile. That said, my main concern with this installment is its length. It’s difficult to understand why the relationships that weren’t endgame were given two full seasons, while the one that ultimately defines Yumi’s journey is comparatively brief. After such a long hiatus, you’d expect the final relationship to receive the most narrative space, not the least. This imbalance stands out and leaves a sense of incompleteness.Setting that aside, the season itself is exceptionally well done. Among all three relationships, Sunrok is the only one that truly feels compatible with Yumi on a deeper level. While her dynamics with Woong and Babi had clear chemistry, this one feels more grounded and emotionally stable. Even before the story confirms it, there’s a natural sense that they are well-suited to each other. In hindsight, the earlier relationships feel more like necessary stages leading her toward this more mature connection.
What distinguishes Sunrok is his restraint. In previous seasons, romantic progression was often driven by active pursuit, even symbolized through the cells attempting to enter Yumi’s heart. In contrast, he doesn’t impose himself in that way. His calm, measured, and respectful approach allows the relationship to develop organically. This understated quality makes his character feel more realistic and gives their dynamic a strong sense of authenticity.
Another notable aspect is the shift in perspective. Here, Yumi is the one who develops feelings first, while Sunrok is the one who ultimately confesses, creating a dynamic that feels like she fell first but he fell harder. In earlier seasons, she was more reactive, responding to the emotions of others, but now she takes clear emotional initiative. This progression adds depth to her character and aligns with the overall maturity of the narrative.
The primary drawback, beyond the structural imbalance, is how briefly their relationship is explored once it becomes official. The buildup is thoughtfully executed, but the resolution feels somewhat condensed. Given how strong their dynamic is, it would have been worthwhile to spend more time on this phase. That said, this season delivered some of the most genuine butterflies I’ve felt in a while, moments that felt just as exciting for me as they did for Yumi.
Overall, despite its pacing limitations, this season stands out as the most mature and emotionally grounded installment of the series. It may not have the same immediate intensity as earlier seasons, but it offers a more refined and realistic portrayal of growth, relationships, and self-awareness. It works as a fitting continuation of Yumi’s journey, even if it leaves you wanting more.
And if there happens to be a petition for a Season 4 with them, please send me the link immediately. I’ll sign it, promote it, and probably recruit others too.
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A Must Watch Hidden Gem
To be honest with you, I came to watch this for Lai Edward and Wang Run Ze because I've seen them together with the same roles in a different drama (A Little Thing Called First Love). I didn't expect much thinking it would be a typical school romance drama. I was surprised by how complex the plot is being only the first episode. But if you're looking for a romantic-based school drama, I don't think this one is for you. It surrounds the plot of growing up and facing dilemmas, romance lingers as well but isn't as developed. The plot twist, in the end, is worth it. It answers everything!The plot is a little bit cliche with time travelling and I was looking forward to its uniqueness and it didn't disappoint. The story is complex and was driven by both the characters and the plot itself. I personally can't think of any characters that are unlikeable or had underdeveloped stories. Everyone was equally important—Mr. Wang was just as important to the plot as Lin Xiaoran or Nan Xiangwan. Their friendship with each other is strong and healthy, and so are the love tensions between the characters which is rare in most dramas but I'm glad we're straying away from romanticized toxic relationships :)
The female lead, Nan Xiangwan's development surprised me the most. In the first few episodes, she comes off as arrogant and self-centred who only wanted to achieve her goal, to get back to Class 2 because of that, I understand why people are discouraged to continue—no one wants to watch an unlikeable lead. But as time went on, she becomes more 'human' who is shown empathy, she helped her classmates find a way out of dilemmas and problems. She still stayed to her true nature with her goal in mind yet helped her classmates as they face dilemmas. She's one of the strongest female leads and if you were to take out the male lead, she'd still complete the drama. The male lead, Lin Xiaoran started off as an alpha who makes a lot of impulsive decisions. He later grew into this person who thinks about what he's doing because of the female lead's presence.
The music is beautiful, especially Xiangli Xiangli! This is definitely a much watch. It is everything a cliche drama is not. There are no heavy misunderstandings and every single problem is solved, there are no plot-triggering characters and both the leads realized their love over time.
Overall, as much as I'm not a rewatch-er, you'd definitely catch me watching this again (and yes, I was teary-eyed).
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I don't really like stories where you can't figure out why the guy likes the girl, so when I read the synopsis of this drama I was worried this would just be weird wish fulfillment and there would be no reason for the guys to like her. I was pleasantly surprised in that respect. First of all, even really dressed down, the actress is very pretty. I think it's realistic that people might notice that. Secondly, even if she's not very friendly, we as the viewers get to see inside her thoughts which are frankly hilarious. I like it when she is insightful and sarcastic (only inside her head) and the things she imagines make me laugh every time. I think the two guys are attracted to her in part because she has an introverted, guarded personality, and they like the moments where she lets her guard down.
I just wish the leading men were better developed, especially the younger man. I think there is substance behind the character, but you're left to just guess at it instead of seeing it.
Naka Riisa is worth mentioning here because this character, while still comic relief at times, was a more mature character than I've seen her play in a while. She handled it well.
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