Great plot, average execution
What I like.This drama has a great and convincing plot. I was not expecting the plotwist and it was a great surprise. Initially, I thought it was a cliche story about enemies turned lover however there is more to this story than that. It would be a great opportunity if the plot also evolved more around this but the drama focuses more on the romance so it kind-a fell flat.
What I don't like.
The acting and storyline does not live up to expectation. There are so many ways they can approach this movie but they choose to drag the romancy stuff. The banter couple plot was overused and it seemed redundant. If you need a good laugh on how cringy a drama can get, you can start with this one.
Verdict,
Its good entertainment if you have 90 minutes to spare.
Was this review helpful to you?
I had seen Ao Rui Peng in 'blood of youth' drama, but the rest of the cast is new to me.
The acting is for the most parts okay. sometimes it's meh but it's not that bad.
The costumes are good.
I have minor complaints on hairstyles though Most of the casts styles looked decent! Some of them didn't really fit in there?! idk how to say it, you'll know when you see them.
I'm not a fan of listening to people's eating and chewing sounds so I couldn't stand FL's eating scenes and that other kid she knew (forgot his name).
The plot and everything is decent enough to me.
This is the first time ever that I'm not annoyed by a love triangle!
They had good chemistry. Be it FLxFu Hong or FLxMurong Chong, I wouldn't be sad. That being said, I prefer the later, Though the sibling pretense makes it awkward to root for it.
Here comes my real issue with this drama: The Ending! it was.... Ah bad? Lazy? idk what to call it.
I do get what they intended to do but this isn't how you do it! I've seen another drama having similar idea but executed very well! So, yes, in the end I am disappointed.
If it wasn't for the ending and the annoying eating sounds, I would've given it 7.5 or 8.
will I rewatch? I don't think so.
Anyways, if you want something to pass time, it's an okay watch.
My advice to those who want to watch this : Do Not watch the last 10 minutes of last episode.
Was this review helpful to you?
“Prison is the only place that won’t kick you out no matter how badly you behave.”
“Society today is extremely cruel to people who step off the path. But even those of us who stay on the path aren’t happy. So we’re unforgiving.”How does one find their way back into society when society is doing everything to keep you out of it? What I loved about this movie is the fact that it doesn't just focus on one side. It depicts social issues, such as inequalities, prejudice and how unforgiving society can be. But it also deals with how our protagonist became the person he is now and how your life choices can define who you are.
Mikami is impulsive, easily angered and impatient. He wears his heart on his sleeve, longs to find a place in life and just wants to feel appreciated. I loved him the moment I saw the sadness in his eyes. Mikami might not be in prison anymore, but it would be foolish to call him free.
Directed with emotional depth and empathy, well-acted by the whole cast and refined with a beautiful soundtrack. For some people it might feel slow or even incoherent at times. But for me it was all about those little moments and Yakusho Koji giving the performance of his life.
Was this review helpful to you?
There was a few things that bothered me a little, mainly the forcefulness of the lead at times. Though I could understand that he didn't have any intentions, it just prevented me from fully enjoying some of the scenes. With that said, I could accept it more because the female lead stood up to him and didn't stand for it sometimes. The plot was straightforward, the romance was really hot and full of cuteness, and it was all in all an organic development done by a trusted formula of dislike to understanding to acceptance to appreciation and finally to love. One thing I really appreciated about this drama was that there was no misunderstandings. The couple had constant communication and talked things through!
The main leads are new to me but wow their acting is so real like it feels like they're dating, honestly, so props to their acting! Ha Suk Jin does his character so well, transforming between a lovable petulant man-child to a responsible, caring boyfriend. His character growth because of Kim Da Da's influence as a kind teacher and person (Jeon So Min) was a delight to see!
The 'villain' was almost like comedic relief, considering how utterly nonsensical her actions were.
Music was cute and fitting.
I recommend this drama! It's short enough that I want more episodes (~30-45 minutes per episode) At the same time, I feel like this is the perfect length that cut out all the unnecessary angst and filler a longer drama would have. It's short and sweet, literally! A definite watch for rom-com/ romance lovers out there. ?
Was this review helpful to you?
I'm a huge fan of So Ji-Sub so that was one of the main reasons I decided to watch this, but I also really loved Son Ye-jin's performance in Something In The Rain, and neither of them disappointed me. They executed their roles perfectly, along with the little boy I was extremely impressed with all of the acting in this movie. The story line was well written, and I definitely didn't expect the plot twist and the end (I guess you will have to go watch the movie to know what the plot twist is). The whole plot was unpredictable but that's what made it so amazing.
In regards to music I don't really remember the sound track, but I really loved the song Some by Bolbbalgan4.
Overall I would highly recommend this movie, I'm going to rewatch it tonight and I don't think anybody should be deprived of the pleasure to watch this, because it was just that amazing.
Was this review helpful to you?
The acting was great. Sawajiri Erika, the 'mother', the 'father', the siblings, Nishikido Ryo were great.I actually started to like Nishikido Ryo as an actor because of the way he gave life to Asou Haruto, although, from what I know Haruto was actually an imaginary friend of Aya (the real Aya).
The music is PERFECT! It fist perfectly with the story. Even now, if I listen just the first seconds of 'Only Human' by K, I would start to tear up.
All in all, if a friend of mind who didn't watched even one drama in her/his life I would definitely say "Watch 1 Litre of tears!'.
"1 Litre of Tears' is drama worth of your time! You won't regret watching it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Sports here is used as a way to connect people. The outcome of every episode is predictable, but the last bowl always manages to have enough stake to capture your attention. I like that each episode introduces a split, that is generally related to our bowlers' lives, and the way to beat it. The last episode's bowl was the one time I thought, - nah, this time there won't be too much pressure whether the hero wins the match - until they put all the stakes of the world on it, captivating me and having pray with all the rest of the character that he wins.
As for the romance, it started pretty subtly. The leads had this frank beautiful friendship. They bicker a lot, and they don't shy from mentioning the other's fear, forcing each other to not run away and face their problems. Their conversations, especially those they have during the game are most entertaining and engaging. As things started getting more intense later, that friendship, and those frank conversations continue throughout the drama. Those two were people where the presence of one of them makes the other one a better person. As for the affaires here, the drama neither ignores how wrong it is, nor paints those engaged in those relationships are completely bad or evil. I liked the way it is approached.
I have to say what made this drama more enjoyable is the number of different characters making part of the whole bowling center and those visiting on a daily basis. The prostitute and the bar tender had a sweet side story that you can't help route for. The workers grew on me, and the perverted owner was most entertaining. I think my favourite though is Yakuza who challenges them every week. Not only does he help bringing everyone together (against him) but the way he present himself each episode, with a new song sung by him and his lackeys, is exceptional.
All this wouldn't have been that great if we didn't have such an amazing cast. Leading here is the reason behind me watching this drama, Kaneshiro Takeshi. He's so charming here, and beautiful. Every word he utters sends me dancing with excitement. Especially when says french and english words - Oui, Madame - Oh yeah! - Yea baby - Jesus - I melt! As for the female lead, Kuroki Hitomi is 13 years his senior!! She was already 42 when the dorama first aired. However her character was so cute, fun, full of life, and badass when he plays bowling. The chemistry between the two was nothing short of phenomenal. I haven't seen that often in japanese dramas in recent years so I miss it. The rest of the cast were fun and on spot, at worst they were serviceable.
The theme song used is very dramatic but somehow blends well with the drama.
This drama is a must watch for anyone who wants to watch a drama that has engaging characters, sizzling chemistry, fun and smartly written script, directing that merges all the themes seamlessly and Kaneshiro Takeshi fans. I think this type of drama can be entertaining for the majority of people if given the chance.
Was this review helpful to you?
comedy is comedying
i went into watching this with no high expectations, but...- comedy bits weren't over the top
- full of action
- great cinematography
- easy to follow storytelling
- too predictable antagonist, but i can let that one slide
- happy ending
i would call it a great film for movie night.
Was this review helpful to you?
1A half truth is a whole lie.
风中的火焰 or Flames in the Wind is a slow paced, Northeastern suspense thriller in a similar vein as 2023's hit The Long Season. It is set in a a desolate mining town in Ningxia where time moves slowly and the future looks bleak. After graduating from high school in 1994, three childhood friends are chomping at the bit to escape from their dead-end town. Both Liu Bai and his girl Mei Wei are university bound, if they can somehow find the funds to make it work. The less academically inclined Lei Fugui means to work his way up in the world. One night, they find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time and become entangled in a secret that changes their lives and sends them down divergent paths.Ten years later, as the town is being relocated, fate draws the three friends back to the town they had tried so hard to leave behind. A burnt corpse is dumped outside the police station. It reminds veteran cop Chu Zhi Qiang of a cold case that shook the town a decade ago. He must convince Zhang Tao, his new captain to relook at the case with new eyes. Their investigation reopens old questions about what exactly happened that one night so long ago. Nobody really knows the full story; everyone's account is some combination of their own version of the truth and speculation. But a half truth is a whole lie and thus narrative skilfully builds a compelling case against each of the suspects based on their half-lies.
While the narrative builds tension masterfully, this is one of those suspense thrillers where there is no criminal mastermind or genius crime busting cop; it is just about bad luck, worse decisions and human tragedy. What makes it superb is the acting; it is so authentic and raw that I deeply empathised with the characters' struggles, motivations and imperfections. Jiang Qiming never disappoints and his portrayal of Liu Bai as an enigmatic, still waters run deep kind of character anchors the narrative. Underneath the surface lurks so many complex emotions; guilt, anger, duplicity, desperation, love-hate, regret; all conveyed with nuance and micro-expressions. I was surprised by Yang Caiyu's Mei Wei. I thought she was just a pretty face playing a pretty face and I disliked Mei Wei's selfishness and sense of self preservation from the get go. But as she reveals her vulnerabilities, I felt terribly sorry for this coal miner's daughter who was born in the wrong town and her thirst for a better life. I also could see why the equally mercenary Fugui preferred a much simpler woman to such a complicated one.
Where this drama stumbles is in the pacing, the overall plot logic and the ending. The storytelling is well paced and riveting until the final 4-6 episodes, where the final denouement is delayed to linger too long on Zhang Tao's boring marital and personal issues. Plot logic is an issue from the start as this drama is helmed by a Taiwanese director that is clearly unfamiliar with China's legal framework. Some of the issues Chinese netizens highlight is that in that kind of town, a security guard is effectively deputised as a policeman when it comes to enforcing the law on premises. The legal framework is also depicted as a very harsh one that doesn't take into account mitigating circumstances including self-defense and hands out inequitable sentences that don't distinguish between murder and manslaughter. After the fillers, the ending felt anti-climatic, incredibly sad and unnecessarily cruel. On some level it doesn't matter because this is really a character story that delivers in spades. On some other level, it left me feeling somewhat dissatisfied because there was no justice or closure, just a legal process. I do highly recommend it for the acting but I cannot rate this better than 8/10 because the plot is unworthy of this cast.
P.S. Leslie Cheung's iconic 1990s Cantopop hit The Wind Blows On 风继续吹 perfectly captures the ethos of this story.
Was this review helpful to you?
I'll start by saying that the synopsis for this drama does not do it justice. It makes it sound very formulaic and typical, two things it very much is not. No discrediting the synopsis writer, however, because the first few episodes of the drama presents this view of itself as well. To anyone discouraged by this, watch through it and it'll become clear that this is more a guise than anything else. It sets the drama up so you think you know for sure where it's going, like it's something you've seen a hundred times before. That way, you get the full impact when it completely tears this all down and beats out its own track in very unexpected directions.
In terms of the general mood of the drama, for the most part it's light-hearted fun. It has a kind of whimsical silliness (sometimes bordering on that anime-type humour I mentioned earlier, but never crossing the line to where it gets too much) that's really endearing and feel-good. However, that is only part of the story. It has an unexpected, heavier storyline waiting in the wings, one that had me in tears on more than one occasion (though I AM a little sappy...). I loved how this storyline was interwined with the other threads of the drama, as well as the impact it was shown to have on pushing the characters involved into growing as people. It was this, for me, that elevates this drama from simply teen-romcom-romp into something more memorable and adult.
In an attempt at balance, as I'm clearly more than a little biased towards this drama, I will talk about aspects that I found weaker. There is shaky acting from some of the secondary characters. I didn't feel this really impacted the drama too heavily, since the main cast were very impressive (I found Ivy Chen especially captivating and convincing), but I appreciate it can still be a little annoying when secondary characters are over-the-top or wooden. There were also a couple of plot strands that I don't really feel went anywhere or were not developed as far as they could have been. This could have been because the drama's span was too short for all that was packed into it, so some aspects just got lost by the wayside. This is a matter of personal preference whether you will mind this or not. It's more true to life that not everything sees a firm resolution, but I personally like clear endings in dramas, something which IWTBAHP lacked in some regards.
Overall, however, the small minuses are outweighed by a whole bucketful of pluses. I know for me, as soon as I finished the series I was tempted to go right back to episode one and watch it all through again. I would recommend this drama to anyone looking for something fresh, entertaining yet meaningful that will stay with them for a very long time.
Was this review helpful to you?
A different drama, not everyone's cup of tea I guess
I'm writing a review because I really believe the average score is too low - this drama doesn't deserve such a low score, is not fair. I do understand is not everyone's cup of tea, however, it's refreshing and nice to see a different "not so typical" plot. But OMG, what I honestly really loved about this drama is the evolution of each single character. I like the fact that each character, even the supporting ones, have been developed - you will eventually see the reason behind their behaving. In dramas I've barely seen the behind of the characters. If you enjoy (psychological?) dramas where there's a clear evolution of the characters, in which you can actually see and understand why they do certain things, this is definitely THE DRAMA for you.This drama's real plot is not the storyline, but the characters of the drama (the way the behave and the reason behind it - they are human. I really felt a connection with every single character due to their development during the drama (maybe I'm too empathic?). In fact, I would even say that in the end, there are no "evil" characters at all - just people with their own issues, and way of perceiving the world because of their personal circumstances. You will notice that some of them are sociopath or actually have a mental disorder, it's important to address these things as they are, not just as "crazy evil characters". Each of them will have their flawless like all human beings (the ML and FL as well - he does many wrong things but she does as well during their relationship, however they are much more "subtle").
I want to start saying that I didn't give a 10 score because of the last episode. The ending could have been better in many ways - the overall plot is fine, but the ending of the drama... It's too rushed, to abrupt. There are too many things left in the air or that could have been developed more. You can see that during the whole drama they really worked hard on each episode, and suddenly because the n.16 marked the end, they tried to wrap everything up as quick as possible and they rushed all without too much explanations just because it had to end there. I appreciate the fact that there's no "big crazy drama". And if you do see anything over-exaggerated, don't worry, you will have the explanation of such dramatic/exaggerated situation eventually, and everything will make sense (unless you are already in the episode n. 15 or 16 lol).
The acting and cast amazing - I really like the FL, she's very natural. The ML at first I wasn't sure, but he did a great job and to be honest, now I don't picture anyone else playing Jung. Maybe the only bit is that he looked too old for a university student? But to be honest, I couldn't care less! The support actors were amazing as well, specially Inho and Inha and the FL's friends.
The music is fantastic, really cute and easygoing, it goes with the uni environment of the drama.
I would probably rewatch this if bored, and as it's the second time watching it, it would be like an easy thing to watch, just to relax, enjoy and have fun.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
An Emotionally Profound Seesaw of Aro/Ace Reality and Dreams
Despite what the previews for each episode tries to tell you, this drama was consistently a low-angst but emotionally profound story. And I'm unbelievably happy about the attention it's gotten since its release. Kodama and Takahashi are such well-written and well-performed examples of aroace individuals.It was a bit odd though. Because it was a tenuous seesaw between the reality of being aro/ace in a society that doesn't understand how that could possibly exist, and the optimistic dream of all aro/ace individuals of being surrounded by people who seek to understand and will accept you even if they can't. And in the effort to create this aro/ace dream from the reflections of reality, some actions were unreasonably forgotten as the story went on. And it left me, as a viewer, feeling guilty for not being able to move past these small offenses and worrisome transgressions as easily as our leads did.
But at the end of the day, all these encounters served as meaningful lessons in what aro/ace individuals are expected/asked of daily and how those expectations weigh us down and creates an unintentional force that alienates us and invalidates our feelings. And their resolutions speak to what family is supposed to be about, and the different ways familial and other societal bonds manifest.
And I absolutely love how well everything was communicated between the characters. On the surface, Kodama (a highly sociable and energetic extrovert) and Takahashi (a guarded and reserved introvert who's only really enthusiastic about food and plants) shouldn't get along. Especially by allo standards of lacking sexual and romantic attraction. But yet they do. Bonded by their shared experiences as alloace adults and resultant loneliness, they create such an adorable platonic family. It was quite awkward and rocky for quite a while as it formed, as it naturally would, but left me gushing over their small but meaningful moments of comradery. It leaves me hopeful.
I love how this drama progressed from Kodama just looking for answers online to an overall story about being aroace as working and independent adults. And how being aroace doesn't mean you don't want to have a life with someone. And the way that this drama addresses that being aro/ace is a spectrum with a lot of things to consider was just so fantastically done.
The writing, performances, and representation had me on the verge of tears on more than a handful of occassions.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Absolutely great, but couldve been better
Khemjira is seriously one of my favourite thai bls of all time, it will forever hold a special spot in my heart and i will never stop reccomending it. Especially as it introduced my to tlefirstone (and ive been obsessed with them ever since)HOWEVER, as is the case with every series its not without its faults, ill try my best to keep this brief
1) for a horror, it wasnt scary pretty much at all and i even found the special effects a bit laughable at times
2) there is quite a few plotholes
3) the timeline doesnt really add up
4) rampheung deserved an apology !! Even a small one i felt so bad for her, her backstory is so sad
5) lastly, i saw this in another review and agreed so heavily with it, peem shouldve had a longer chasing arc. More of him proving himself to khem and trying to win his trust wouldve been nice if that makes sense
Was this review helpful to you?
