Reviews

Excellent cast, fast-paced, and achingly sad...yet doesn't quite know what to say

Deok Im is a high spirited, clever girl who is firm in her values. She stands up for her friends, and she wants to live a simple life full of every day joy and helping those around her.

It's Deok Im's misfortune to be born into palace intrigue, and the nail in the coffin is catching the eye of the Crown Prince. As hard as she tries to break free, she keeps on being pulled in for the sake of her country, for the sake of her friends, and ultimately for the sake of the Crown Prince himself. She tries to resent him, she tries to demonize him, but the truth is he will be a great king, and is a decent man, and who is she to deny him?

It's an excellent premise, but it's clear the show wasn't sure which way to end it or what themes it is trying to promote. In the end, the show essentially shows 'multiple endings' in a string of could be final scenes. But unfortunately, in each and every end-ish scene, Deok Im's voice is muted, her feelings ambivalent, and in the very last scene, it's almost like she doesn't exist.

Also minor points off for not really knowing what to do with Hong Deok Ro.

The cast is superb, I really cared deeply for the two main characters and thought both the two main characters and all the side characters showed distinct personalities and a range of emotion. The music was moving but rather standard, scenes from the show will definitely linger on.

Themes: 6.5
The strongest theme is basically a warning "you wouldn't actually want to be a court lady centuries ago." Also 'lonely is the head that wears the crown.' Otherwise, the show is quite lost on whether it wanted to truly go with the feminist message lurking in the background, or whether it approves of Deok Im sacrificing herself to the Crown Prince.

Complex characters/character growth: 7.0
It's hard to not confuse the excellent acting, with character growth. I wish they had grown! Deok Im essentially gets quieter and more subdued as she feels the walls are closing in. The Crown Prince doesn't really waver in temperament or character until the tacked on last episode. They show lots of range of emotion, but no real transformation.

Complex women/interactions between women: 9.0
So great! Deok Im and her three friends stick together through thick and thin, and Deok Im recognizes and values how female companionship and community has made her life worth living. She also has great female mentors in the Queen/Queen Dowager and the senior ladies. One point off for the bizarre conspiracy of court lady spies. Instead of being an intriguing take on women coming together to defend themselves from powerful men, the whole thing is treated like a bunch of bitter, ridiculous women who would of course fail.

Cinematography/Production Values: 8.5
Production values are high, costumes and scenery are extremely pretty with a marked effort to change seasons and try different color combinations. It still stuck to somewhat standard scenes in terms of what the palace looks like, how the servants follow the important people around, how fight scenes are conducted etc.

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Script was written by a fire extinguisher. Everything’s hot, messy, and barely legal

This show is one trope away from being a dumpster fire. And it’s not the uncle-GIRL-nephew love triangle we are talking about, but apparently it’s a gaggle of geese falling for the girl that I’m amazed Li Chen had the stamina to swap all those pesky mosquitos away from his beloved.  

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First, what this show did wrong is to make stalking look cool. Even if you have a man as hot as KeChun “following” you around, showing up wherever you are, to save you. This ain’t it. 

Second, what is the case with Ke Chun dramas and women cuffed in chains?? Is this a common occurrence or was beating somebody shitless not good enough for TV now?? 

Third, whatever happened to the safety protocols of the fire department, that they let people in a burning building, let them spend 10 minutes kissing while fumes are piling up everywhere? 

Fourth, where are the hell are the nurses when the Wan Zhi’s mother left the room? Nobody in the halls saw this lady limping her way up the stairs??? Apparently, the two nurses who saw her thought nothing of a crippled lady making her way out of the emergency exit. Did they assume she went out for a smoke? Back to common-sense training!

Fifth, racing a fancy car against a lunatic with your beloved inside is not the right way to de-escalate the situation. You are definitely just asking for a car accident, and pray to god that she doesn’t die, or at least get amnesia so you can throw in another trope and prolong the agony of spending years apart.  

I could go on and on with all the inconsistencies in plot and execution of this drama, that not even Ke Chun’s pretty face could save it.

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Well what a waste of almost 20 hours

Just finished watching this show. Take home message is that Thai producers have too much money to spend on ridiculous storylines that make little to no sense.

For starters, there is only one character in the whole show that's somewhat sane, thinks a bit logically, which is Prang. The ML and FL are so unreal, I almost ragequit the show many times. FLs actions are very inconsistent and her acting skills are poor. Although I find her extremely pretty, it doesn't make up for the fact that she cannot act a dynamic role. She has a stoic face, a smile or a sneer pasted through most of the show. Her actions make no sense. For example, one minute she will be angry at the ML and suddenly she is no longer angry and smiling and talking to him as though nothing happened. On top of all that, the random dream sequences in the earlier episodes where she's going gaga over the ML are bizarre. I had no idea when/why she secretly fell in love with the ML? They met like three times and then, boom, she's secretly in love with him, even though they had little to no conversation happen those three times they meet. She's supposedly a world girl who knows her way around the block, but apparently falls in love with a random dude despite the fact that every male character in the show is in love/lust with her?

The ML on the other hand also has those random dream sequences. I really don't know what the director/writer was thinking when working on the script. It was all over the place, especially in the earlier episodes, the editing was totally off. Scenes that already took place had random cut parts pasted in other scenes. One minute the protagonists are in one scene, and then the scenes shifts to a totally new place with no rhyme or reason.

Overall, the show was very unpolished and 'logic' was a word that everyone in the show was allergic to. It seemed like the editing team rushed through the edits and cut and pasted scenes. The writing and directing of the show were also really pathetic, not to mention the poor acting.

P.S: Anyone else thinks that the random forest dude who works for the ML at the end of the show was super cute? I would have really enjoyed the show more if he was ML, at least I could look at a nice face when lambasting through this show.

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This drama is one that you either love or hate, with little room in the middle. I, for one loved it. For me, this is one of the most original dramas that I have seen, yet it utilizes the same plot vechiles common in other dramas.In an effort of full disclosure,I would freely admit that the plot is not that tight and there are writing gaps. Whilst the story is coherent, it does lose some of its fervour in the middle. Like most asian dramas, its pacing slightly uneven. With all that said, I loved this drama. It moved away from the run of the mill and tried something slightly different. I am a person that loves the classic set up , so for me to love this they had to have something right. The major strenght of this drama, is the exceptional characters and the cast that portray them . The characters are original is their development, but are quirky and all round lovable. So much so that,you feel this weird sort of attachment to them.I am a big Kang Ji Hwan fan, that that was an added benefit.Admitted I have never seen much of Park Shi Yeon, except in My Girl, but here she is a relevation, so much so that she became my favourite character.That is the bottomline with this drama, if you love the characters you will love it, if not then you won't.Recommended for atleast a watch, I promise you won't regret it!1

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Good starts promise a good watch, and this enraptured me from the get-go. I am not big on watching or reading things surrounding school; however, what captured my attention was the highlighting of adults’ struggles when it comes to school violence. This was not about students alone, but teachers and parents too, and I appreciate those shifts in perspective. Furthermore, it did not brush over any harsh details while discussing bullying; neither was it afraid to delve into the cruelty of children, because, let’s face it, some children ARE cruel. But it also prevented painting every occurrence in a black and white stroke.

The life of this drama lay within the situation it had created that allowed the writer to explore the helplessness that is integral to human nature. It discussed how environments shape people, how parents shape children, and how the basic instinct to protect your offspring can have far-reaching consequences. It did not limit itself to calling bullies the scum of the earth, and unfolded their domestic situations and personalities. It depicted many kinds of bullies: one doing it for pleasure, one doing it under pressure, one attacking what they cannot have, and one acting as a bystander. There were also those who redeemed themselves and those that went on with life. Moreover, the relationships the writer had drawn were really heartfelt. My favourite was Moo Jin and his student Dong Soo's consideration for each other. The side stories and characters had a purpose, either acting as an insight into the characters or served to help them grow. Not to mention, I became attached to them, and so will any viewer, I am sure, especially to Dong Hee and Dong Soo.

This drama happens to be one of the rare cases where flashbacks did not become an intrusion because the transitions from present to past and back again were edited nicely. The imagery was great as well, for example: Joon Seok lived in a glass-like house, very telling of the prison-like environment imposed upon him 24/7, and then there was the warmth of Seon Ho’s home. The reference to The Catcher in the Rye was befitting to the topic at hand.

The pacing could be painstakingly slow at times, but it’s a melodrama, so it is a given. I think the writer could have stretched the show to two more episodes to cover the aftermath in a better way, or the given time should have been used more efficiently by cutting out repeated moments and adding in those worthy of being shown. I think Joon Seok’s redemption and new-found friendship with Dong Soo had great power and should have been explored further. Had Seon Ho gained consciousness earlier, the writer could have effectively handled this and could have made it a better story. Aside from that, there were a few questions they never answered, like Seon Ho’s password. I also noticed how the police felt a tad unprofessional with the way they treated the case earlier on.

Joon Seok was one of the most complex characters in the whole show, and I applaud the actor for bringing him to life; I went from hating him to feeling sorry for him till finally wanting a better life for him. The child actors did a brilliant job at their roles, and so did the adults.

The OSTs were soft and very pleasant to the ears, despite the tears they resulted in. I think they will go to my playlist. One of them, however, was a hip-hop sound and would have felt out of place had they used it as BGM, which they thankfully did not. Overall, a sensible choice of background score.

I don’t think this will be one in my rewatch list, mostly because it is a melo and I get impatient easily. However, a few moments tugged at my heartstrings and had great power in their subtlety so I might return to them.

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Will ‘ Shoplifters’ Steal Your Heart?

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s films have long been held as masterful arts of work in themselves; profound, complex and subtly crafted-something that ‘ Shoplifters’ presented beautifully throughout its storyline.

Lily Franky takes on the role of Osamu; the head of the band-wagon group of rouges seemingly appear as a middle-aged husband alongside his middle-aged wife Shibata Nobuyu ( Ando Sakura), their two children teenager Shibata Aki ( Matsuoka Mayu) and their young son Shibata Shiota ( Jyutu Kairi) and granny Shibata Hatsue ( Kiki Kirin). However the house is filled with untold truths and secrets; Osamu gaining most of his profit from shoplifting by enlisting the help of Shiota, Nobuyu stealing things from clothes’ pockets during her laundry job, Aki being part of a peep show in order to make ends meet and Hatsue’s seperate past life and gambling addiction at the local pachinko machines in secret. Yet the family find themselves ineffably stuck in a rut when they come across Juri ( Sasaki Miyu); an abandoned and abused little girl who is quick to warm their hearts but with undeniable consequences towards their future.

The casting choices of the move were undeniably brilliant with each actor feeling masterfully placed like pieces on a chessboard by Kore-eda. Yet admittedly one of the most dynamic of the movie came through Kiki Kirin’s role as Shibata Hatsue; sadly her last role before her passing shortly afterwards.

It should come as no surprise rust Kore-da’s unlikely Palmes D’Or winner offered viewers a sociopolitical depiction upon the deep-rooted trauma of a family united under one roof, alongside the fear of poverty. The narrative of the film took no wasted-time with subtly painting the dysfunctions of modern Japanese society and hypocrisies as well as the audacious details of characters and how they’d e linked together.

Yet against the beauty of the film’s narrative there was an admitted flaw with ‘ Shoplifters’ and that came through the initial problem of pacing. The film is admittedly slow-burn and whilst necessary for building up the storyline as well as delivering its twist-ending, lacked a greater sense of momentum towards the plot and attention of viewers.

Nevertheless Ryûto Kondô’s cinematography highlights a stark depiction of more grounded issues of the film such as child abduction, abuse and abandonment against the surrealist fantasy -world of Kore-eda’s microcosm of a seemingly mysterious family. The OST is admittedly less memorable than other parts of the film but Kore-eda’s placed emphasis on visual aesthetics other auditory became evident in the final act of the film beautifully encased in snow; a final flurried blur between the fairytale and childlike world of the family’s insular bubble and the cold and harsh reality of the events that are unfolding also.

Kore-eda’s ‘ Shoplifters’ is undeniably a heartwarming, bittersweet and audacious film about family. The subtle narrative and character-build was masterfully depicted alongside the strong performances by the cast. Admittedly whilst the film could sometimes hit a rut with pacing, the movie’s themes and finale offered viewers with a deeply thoughtful and contemplative film.

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Addicted

And so with this movie, the story of Hira and Kiyoi comes to the end. What a journey it has been. Probably the best BL series I have ever seen.

The story of two flawed men who early on realized that their missing parts are in each other, the true soulmates, complete only when they are together. On the surface it is an odd pairing. Hira is ugly, submissive, apparently weak and probably slightly Asperger's while Kiyoi is beautiful, popular and a leader. And here is what makes this story so amazing: when you lightly scratch the surface you find a different kind of people here. Hira is a talented photographer and actually a very strong person both physically and emotionally and he shows that side of him only when he's around Kiyoi. Behind his beauty and talent, Kioyi is very much insecure and uncertain of his abilities. The blind trust and admiration that Hira expresses, let Kiyoi lower his guard and be his real self.

In this movie they finally find answers to all questions that had been bothering them but mainly: how to stay together? While Hira is happy just to exist on the same planet as Kiyoi, who is the King, like a star to him; Kiyoi depends on Hira to give him strength, who accepts him no matter what. The story follows them after they graduated from the college. They both are working hard now and are facing their own lacking skills which reflects in their relationship.

The story of Hira and Kiyoi is a tale of the ultimate toxic relationship which works because they are both aware of it, accept it and are on the same footing and equal in spite of appearing to be otherwise.

This movie is literally beautiful: the cinematography is extraordinary- soft colours, dreamy exposure. Sets correspond characters : Hira's messy house, the photographer's white geometrical and empty house. Clothes too!

When the first season came out, I remember liking it enormously but then thinking I must have misunderstood it after reading what others were saying about it. Kieta Hatsukoi came out at the same time and everyone prefered it to this one. They are on a different level and cannot be compared: KH is rather straightforward and ordinary. My Beautiful Man has the depth no other series managed to touch. It is not an easy drama to watch, one needs to actually SEE what they are trying to show without it being in your face. And therein lies the beauty of this series.

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FadelStyle completely won me over

I finally picked up The Heart Killers and OH. MY. GOSH. JoongDunk nailed it! I didn't expect to fall head over heels for FadelStyle, but their story was everything and more. It completely pulled me in and had me invested from the very beginning. The way their relationship developed was organic and authentic, with no forced moments. It was like watching two people who were meant to be together, and I couldn't get enough of it. The chemistry between Fadel and Style was enjoyable.

Style, my guy! He was such a scene stealer – sassy, witty, funny, daring, cheerful, sweet, loyal, honest, and stylish (his outfits deserve their own fandom). He effortlessly stole the show for me and became my favorite character. Who wouldn't love someone who's confident, charismatic, and unapologetically themselves? What I loved most about him was how he balanced his playful, jovial side with maturity. When Fadel breaks down, he knows exactly what to say to lift him up, and it's truly heartwarming to see. Dunk's portrayal of Style was perfect. The role was made just for him. He brought Style to life in a way that was endearing.

And for Fadel, he was the perfect counterpart to Style's bubbly personality. He was more serious and introspective in the beginning, but as he fell in love with Style, we saw a side of him that was vulnerable and sweet. Falling in love with Style brought out a side of him that I loved so much.

Can we give Joong his flowers, please? His acting was seriously good. He did so well in every scene that I found myself in tears whenever he broke down and became so vulnerable. Such a great actor. The way he conveyed Fadel's emotions was raw and honest, and it was clear that he put his heart and soul into the role.

FadelStyle chemistry was peak and I couldn’t get enough of them. I'm so glad I picked up The Heart Killers. It had me hooked from the beginning till the end.

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This movie has a really good storyline! I usually don't watch intense movies like this, but it was worth it! I was at the edge of my seat during a lot of the movie, and so was my family. Every scene has a connection to the crime, if you don't pay attention to certain parts you might not get what happens. The reason the rewatch value isn't as high is because after you watch it the first time, you already know what will happen so your experience might not be as exciting as the first time. To watch this movie you have to just pay attention, it's amazing, I LOVED it, one of my faves :) (first review, hope this was helpful)

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Beautiful and real

To be honest most of this movie deserves a 7 or an 8 at most, some parts are just too predictable and you kind of get the feel of weightlifting fairy meets allot like love (but not in a good way) and yes you will find yourself screaming come on... no don't go there... wtf are you doing??? But then midway the realism breaks the predictable pattern and we are brought in to a story of struggle, regret, dealing with pain and some pretty deep issues. When are we good for each other, when should we let go and can we find our way back or is it better to move on? Is love enough? Being a movie and not a drama this is kind of rushed, I think this could make one h*** of a drama if prolonged but since it is a movie they did convey the important parts pretty well.

What got to me and that kicked up the score from an 8,5 midway to a 9,5 was the beautifully made emotional ending that i hope will touch you just as much as it touched me. But I will not spoil it for you just tell you that it is beautiful, what makes it beautiful is for me to know and for you to find out . if you do chose to watch this please tell me what you think of the ending (just don't forget the spoiler tag).

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Oh those 90s doramas. Let me just say that I have this bias for them. They bring up in me such passion I don't often feel in today's Japanese dramas. This drama had enough passion for all, a well rounded cast and intriguing characters that develop well throughout the drama. One thing I didn't get throughout the drama is the reason of the title though :P

The story is set in a correction facility where teenagers are sent for a month until it's decided if they get released or sent to juveniles prison. We meet many troubled teens and their correction officers and we see how their interactions change one another and affect each other. The main focus is on one teenage girl who's as much full of torment as she is full of passion, and her relationship with her correction officer with tormented past. We also follow the fate of her 4 "cellmate" with their painful stories but somehow innocent outlook on life.

The story and it's character sort of engulfs you without you feeling it. The history and mystery of each character gets revealed eventually through hints and small revelations, keeping viewers on their toes throughout the whole drama not loosing interest even for one moment. I liked that even the officers weren't tossed to the side but were given real personalities, strength and growth to deal with troubled teens. For that reason, the drama and it's stories felt well balanced and none of the stories was left behind or forgotten about. Of the officers, we also visit Ariake's dark and unsettling backstory that is full of mysteries.

The acting is outstanding and compelling characters. Mikami Hiroshi's presence was charismatic, while Hirosue Ryoko was full of charm. Kubozuka Yosuke had an unforgettable appeal and the most unpredictable of the bunch. Everyone else's character's didn't lack any appeal and had a particular presence.

As an engulfing drama that overwhelms you with passion and charisma, with a satisfying romance and mystery, I'd say this drama truly is for all and to go for it!

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