This was my ultimate guilty pleasure trash content!
*tsk* my weekly dose of dopamine has come to an end š®āšØI will not be writing a long-in-detail review for this one because I really did while watching the episodes and as a whole I don't have anything much to say. There will be lots of users deconstructing and analyzing every little detail of it, so my review will only be based upon my personal entertainment value.
Other than the MLs, Sorn and Jun, everything faded into a blurry background, and they shined bright, almost blinding my senses. I loved how horny, problematic, possessive Sorn was, and I also loved Jun's sassy ass, bad mouth, self-respect and his sweet side. In total, they were bomb on screen.
If you forget about the entertainment part, they had many questionable things going on and, honestly, I did not let it ruin my watch, because if I started to nitpick, my whole watching experience would go to waste, and I'd be disappointed. So, yes, I had my heart filters in my eyes and brain, and because of that I'm highly biased.
Love me, hate me, judge me, regardless of all agreement and disagreements, cringe fests, and red flag attitudes it was and will be my peak entertainment. I can't forget how much I waited for the unhinged crazy madness every Sunday.
Will I rewatch it? ABSOLUTELY YES! (ONLY ML PARTS) šš āØ
Do I recommend it? NO.
Be your own radar, decide on your own š
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This Guy Is the Biggest Mistake in My Life
20 people found this review helpful
I really enjoyed the comedy and acting. The main leads were great at what they did and the opening theme was beautiful. I definitely would say that I would rewatch later on since it is a very short 5 hr drama.
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Only one sentence got me watching this movie... it's "she revisits her past and learns what it takes to love herself again".
Really .... for those people who are depressed, on a slump, on the point of their life where they do not know what they are doing or on the point where none of your plans and visions work... take time to watch this movie.
As I said, time travelling is not a new concept, but what makes this movie unique is that only the mind of the main character travels back on time, forcing her seventeen years old self to live the life of her current 28 years old. Looks satisfying isn't it? to live your life when you're done studying, have your own job, and you do not have to worry about all the drama in your teens. But what if the current you isn't living the life you wanted? What if none of your "future" plans made it to your present? What would you do? This movie ventures on how a person can learn to love herself back despite of all the disappointments she made out of herself.
On the romance part...I do not really like what happens to her love life so no... I won't venture that part.
The acting was good especially the lead character. She was on point and it will really show the difference within the two "personas" just with her eyes. The rest of the cast were also good but nothing special of some sort.
I didn't pay that much attention to music with the the fuss going on...so no it does not make that much impact on me.
Overall, it's a must see movie.... especially to those who fits the criteria I mention above. If you don't meet the criteria.... ah who cares? I already said it's a must watch movie. So go... watch it!
I don't know if this count as a review and if it will ever help anyone decide... but oh well..!
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This review may contain spoilers
I loved how the illustrations for the show changed throughout ht certain points or major milestones throughout the show.
The story started off great. ML Ji Xiang Kong is an e-sports professional pursuing his dream. FL Qiu Ying is a e-sports upcoming commenter trying to pursue her dreams. The relationship started off rocky, they hated each other, the misunderstandings almost ruined both their careers. Donāt worry everything gets cleared up by episode 11. Iām usually not a fan of huge misunderstandings but I think it worked for this show. Through these misunderstandings the leads grew to understand each other more. I loved how passionate they both were about there careers. I never really felt the romance chemistry between the two of them. It was always just a feeling of supporting and wanting the other to succeed. They made a promise to meet On the world stage together as player and commenter. There where a few cute moments between the leads. ( Qui Ying reaction to the Ji Xiang Kong working out was hilarious.)
After Ji Xiang Kong decided to form his own team I feel like the storyline changed.
After ml formed own team female lead stopped pursing her dream. She devoted her time into his dream. The only other reference of her still doing commentary was after a celebration party in Ep. 28 I think. Luo
Tian her mentor commented on how her latest videos were getting better but we didnāt see that on our end. When her situation was cleared up and her mentor asked her if she would like to come back once everything is confirmed she said āof course, but Phoenix needs me now.ā I honestly donāt think Phoenix needed her i couldnāt think of a reason for her to give up on her dream. We seen her go from a commenter who knew nothing about e-sports but at least she was working to learn to being a team leader for her boyfriends team. I would have rather her become a national commenter early on.
I didnāt see her funny best friend Lu Yi Yi much anymore. I enjoyed her character she was funny, a bit over bearing a times but I enjoyed her and Lin Yi Xuan relationship it was comedy. It was sad the storyline just stopped on there relationship and then it was just thrown back together at the end.
Side note: why was the female lead always being gift Face mask ????? Every time she was given a gift it was always the same brand face mask. They almost kissed again in ep. 31 but guess what... that damn face mask ????. And placement was great because now Iām looking for the face mask ????
Pei Xi is the true hero of the show. His character was amazing and he played it well. The only character that grew throughout the show. By episode 30 I was ready to stand up and clap for his performance lol. He was the best character on the show!
I donāt know the purpose of the Ji Xiang Kong extra girlfriend Miya coming back that was just extra filler storyline. I hated it because it made me dislike the male character. He didnāt do anything to provoke her actions but he didnāt do much to stop it. Even when the leads officially got together there was no character growth between the two of them the story line just switched up to fit the situation if that makes sense. Episode 32 ugh, they just kept throwing her in the story. Episode 32 had me ready to give up on the show. It further convinced me the chemistry wasnāt there between the leads. I didnāt see the point in being the ex back again and this time e with a whole new plot. I honestly didnāt think the ex was bad the first go round but the second time ???? this show couldāve been 7-10 episodes shorter. I hate end of the season break ups it makes me feel like I wasted my time especially with 35 episodes to have the leads break up episode 32 sucks. Donāt worry the main leads get back together in the end.
The villains
For most of the show I felt like the villains all but for the manager won. Karma didnāt catch the villains until ep. 32 which was long overdue considering it couldāve been cleared up had Kong supported Qiu Ying the way she supported him.
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If you're looking for a great movie, just watch Initiation Love. Don't read the plot, because, just going by that, I would probably never have watched it. I started it because one of my favourite actors, Matsuda Shota, is in it, but as the minutes passed I forgot about him and got sucked into the story.
The plot itself is nothing special: we're in the '80s, and a nerdy, overweight guy meets a cute girl and falls in love. While he thinks he can never be with her, the girl, Mayu-chan, actually seems to like him despite his looks and personality (which, I need to say, are completely normal and there's really nothing wrong with him.) Takkun - the nickname Mayu-chan has given him - then decides to "become a better [looking] man" for her sake. Change of scene, a very fit and 'kakkoii' Takkun gets transferred to Tokyo for work, and, gradually, his and Mayu-chan's relationship starts falling apart. But, and this is stated at the very beginning of the movie, there's a "secret" to this whole story, and it's up to the viewer to figure it out before the ending.
The acting is... I mean... it's Matsuda Shota. That guy could star in a dorama where he has to stand still in a silly pose and still make the whole thing shine. Man, what an actor.
I didn't know any of the other actors, but I loved Maeda Atsuko as Mayu-chan - even though I couldn't stand her character for sooo many reasons. (But there's no likeable character here, really.)
The music was perfect for the dorama, but I don't have much to say about it. I remember liking it, but I don't remember the actual songs. I think they were all era-appropriate though.
The rewatch value is very high because, even if you do know the story, you will want to watch it again because now you do know everything.
Overall, a beautiful movie with great actors that I really recommend to everyone - Matsuda Shota's fans in particular!
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I wanted to write a review on 10th episode because this episode for me is like a beautifully written poem.
The actors Song hye kyo and Park Bo gum are very natural in their acting and handles their roles with ease.
The music compliments the story beautifully.
The 10th episode is a good example of everything coming together beautifully - the acting, story and music.
Now after watching all 16 episodes, I feel like the story can be condensed into 12 or 14 episodes but viewers like would have wanted more of this drama. The way they have presented a simple love story is just amazing. 16 episodes are just perfect for a beautiful slow paced(in a good way) romance drama.
If you are a romance drama lover and haven't started watching this already, then it is time to include this in your watch list.
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You won't even know what hit you
NLMG is not only backed by a compelling storyline (romance or otherwise), great characters, and exceptional BL chemistry ā itās also beautifully produced. With plenty of aesthetically-pleasing shots soaked in warm tones, itās reminiscent of a doomed summer romance.The obvious main conflict in the show stems from external danger ā the threat posed to the Kittrakulmethee family in the midst of a power struggle. But the second, more understated conflict is the power imbalance between Neung and Palmās family that takes on a class dimension. This is where NLMG proved to be different from other bodyguard storylines.
In NLMG, character development is most pronounced for the young heir forced to grow up in treacherous times. Neung initially comes off as a typical, sheltered (maybe even bratty at times) rich kid but the later episodes will draw out the best of his character. Even on his worst days, Neung is constructed to be likeable and painfully human through it all.
The relationship between Palm and Neung develops at an even pace, with both parties falling (and falling hard) over the course of several delightful episodes. They also have a wonderful chemistry and compatibility ā the both of them are fighters at heart; Palm with his fists, and Neung with his wits and spirit.
I enjoyed this show because it was a beautiful, beautiful emotional trip. Some particularly heartwrenching sequences from Pond and Phuwin hit me with some profound emotions that my words cannot adequately capture.
Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/02/28/never-let-me-go-2022-bl-review/
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This review may contain spoilers
Very difficult to write this review without giving out spoilers. I would die to see Krist and Singto in any show together and this a god sent gift to mankind.
The story is sad and it will remain sad no matter how many funny bits they throw in it. It's amazing how many emotions the characters portrayed in a mere 17 mins and how much insight we got into their relationship in that little time.
The acting was brilliant, especially during the climax scene. I was sobbing by the end of it. Indeed, Singto and Krist's chemistry is on a different level. They just flow?
Tod was so so so so adorable and funny.
I usually don't notice the music much aside from actual songs with lyrics but I saw this like 4 times already, with and without subs, so I did notice the instrumental songs in this. The music director should get a raise because they did a really great job with the music. The music complemented the funny and sad bits and elevated the storytelling.
Even though this is a bittersweet drama it is full of fun and hilarious snippets. No regrets crying in the end because I actually laughed out loud at many parts. Would rewatch it like a 100 times. The fact that it's only 17 mins but made this big an impression on me is admirable.
I wonder how their relationship would have turned out. If anyone is good at writing and later writes a fanfic about this please let me know lmao
edit- I just saw that mdl has put the synopsis so my keeping this review spoiler free holds no significance but oh wellllllllll
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A drama with an engaging storyline, good production quality and enticing romance.
When I first saw the trailer for Wonderland of Love, I was intrigued because it looks impressive and grand. It generally received good reviews, so I decided to watch it as soon as I finish another series, and Iām glad I did!What I like:
1) It's a fictional historical drama with romance, which is one of my favorite genres. The story is grand ā there's romance, friendship, politics, intrigue, strategizing, battles ā but it also has humor and it's not too heavy, so there is a right balance. The pacing is just right, so it's not boring. I especially like episodes 30 to 40!
2) The ML (Li Ni/Shi Qi Lang) and FL (Cui Lin/A Ying) are both smart, charming, strategic, and very skilled in martial arts and military tactics. Both are strong-willed, which is a double-edged sword. They are not one-dimensional characters, so there are layers and depth to their personalities, partly influenced by their backgrounds and upbringing.
3) Great chemistry between Xu Kai (Li Ni) and Jing Tian (Cui Lin)! I like their banter from the start, and their chemistry grows stronger as I continued watching the drama; it gets better as the story unfolds (I didnāt feel it strongly in the beginning). Iām so glad the production team is not stingy with the sweet and romantic scenes! They definitely enhanced my watch experience.
4) Xu Kai as Li Ni / Shi Qi Lang ā He is a great leader, commander, friend and lover. He's also strategic, principled, prioritizes relationships (éęę ), values his freedom and is not interested in palace intrigues, though circumstances forced him to be involved. He doesn't like infighting and competing for the throne. I think Xu Kai played this role quite well.
5) Jing Tian as Cui Lin / A Ying ā She is a brave, smart (sometimes even cunning), strategic and independent woman. She is beautiful but not in the traditionally expected sort of way. I may not agree with some of her actions, but I do understand her motivations, where she's coming from. Right now, I couldn't think of anyone other than Jing Tian who could pull off her character.
6) Interesting supporting characters who add spice and flavor to the story, such as Tao Zi, Chang Er, Pei Yuan, Lao Bao, and the other soldiers in the Zhen Xi army. Even the SML (Liu Cheng Feng) and SFL (Gu Wan Niang), both of whom I dislike especially the delusional/obsessed and ungrateful SML, were good in their portrayal. I also like how the romance between Tao Zi and Chang Er developed; it's sweet and they look cute together.
7) I'm smitten by the costume design! They're generally beautiful and elegant, fits the scenes, and have good color combinations. I need to mention that their wedding clothes are just so beautifully designed and matched. I also like the colors and interiors of the Eastern Palace. It's serene and so calming to the senses.
8) The fight/battle scenes were well-executed. Nothing looked fake.
9) Good choice of songs for the OST! I especially like the opening theme āWonderland of Landā sung by Curley Gao, which is quite upbeat and has rock elements, and the ending theme āIf Love Still Remembersā sung by Liu Yu Ning, which is more mellow.
10) The ending is great! Love how they showed many happy, sweet and endearing moments, mended relationship, and the characters got what they deserved. Basically, it's a nice wrap-up for the drama, and they dedicated one episode to it, which I really appreciate :).
Other comments:
1) The emperor is such a lousy father ā he's biased and played favorites, and he's partly to blame for how his 2 older sons turned out. Itās good that both sons got their just ends. He's also an incompetent ruler ā unable to make sound judgments, and easily swayed by the advice of his ministers, some of whom have their own agenda to push. Good thing he got some redemption towards the end. I think Gao Shu Guang was able to play the character convincingly.
2) The SML, Liu Cheng Feng (Gao Han), may look frail and sickly, but I find him somewhat shady from the start. And when he tricked the Zhen Xi army (who had rescued them), it showed his true colors. The SFL, Gu Wan Niang (Zhao Jia Min), is actually smart and seemed nice in the beginning, but it wasnāt long before she showed her scheming side.
3) At some point in the drama, the ML and FL seemed to be in a deadlock, unable to move forward because of their opposing views. They would disagree, have a fight then make up, then repeat the cycle a few more times. I got a bit frustrated with some of the back-and-forth arguments.
4) I wished they had shown that Cui Lin eventually found out about what Li Ni went through just to clear General Cui Yiās name, so the outcome was a good compromise already. I donāt know if itās in the novel, but it was not shown in the drama.
Final Verdict: I really enjoyed this drama, itās interesting, entertaining and a good watch, so I would gladly recommend it!
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This review may contain spoilers
ā Beautiful things are often like this; ephemeral, unapproachable and indistinguishable.
Love of Nirvana wasnāt on my watchlist initially, but it quickly captured my attention after I stumbled upon intriguing spoilers on social media. What really drew me in was the famous scene from EP9 that showcased the dynamics between the leads.As I enjoy watching the enemies-to-lovers trope, I appreciated how Love of Nirvana presented characters who genuinely start as adversaries and gradually learn to understand each other. It was refreshing to see their perspectives; the time they took to witness each other's lives made their eventual feelings believable and earned.
Some viewers might find Wei Zhao to be cruel and ruthless, but understanding his backstory and the immense pressure he faces helps clarify his initial attitude towards Jiang Ci, especially after she disrupts his crucial plans. Jiang Ci, on the other hand, is portrayed as resilient, maintaining her composure in the face of adversity, though itās poignant to watch her vulnerability surface after a significant loss. Their flaws and strengths add depth to their characters, making their journey engaging.
I particularly enjoyed the cat references that both characters naturally acknowledged; these moments added a lighthearted touch. Also, since cats are believed to symbolize balance ( like yin and yang ), and even have been seen as spiritual guardians in some places, the reference matched the characters so well.
Watching them collaborate was a highlight, especially when Wei Zhao recognized Jiang Ciās strengths. The scene where he bowed to her for saving his people was beautifully executed, symbolizing the respect he developed over time.
The chemistry between the leads was compelling, enhanced not just through their interactions but also through their individual arcs. The side characters were well-crafted as well, each bringing their own loyalty and obsession to the story. I found Yueluoās arc especially captivating, with its constant character and story development ā so I was actually glad to see them return there towards the finale.
After their return to the palace, the pacing slowed a bit, but the last few episodes till the finale picked up the pacing once again ā although it ended with tragedy and left us with bittersweet feelings. Part of me thinks it fitted the whole storyline while the other part expected a happy ending.
The OST was another highlight; each song complemented the scenes perfectly, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
In conclusion, I recommend Love of Nirvana for its storytelling, characters ( and their dynamics ), beautiful OST and cinematography!
Link to edits: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxplWeBw3y5gFVgHNC1_31EcNdD5m1d63&si=5HzX9p7wU1NO619Y
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Be prepared for your heart to ache but also to be disappointed
Medical-themed C-dramas are pretty much the same: solving complex cases, doctors with different philosophies getting into conflicts but ultimately making the right decisions, and romance bubbling between people in white coats. "Thank you, Doctor" also had the "arrogant but brilliant doctor" trope, but unlike other shows, the drama added the back stories of the main leads to freshen the storyline.This show was a lot better than I expected. The writer's ability to write a touching story for each medical case that truly tugged at one's heartstrings and the excellent acting by the main leads were the combination that saved this drama from becoming yet another run-of-the-mill medical show.
The cases were the usual amalgam of challenging ones that medical shows always feature, and not surprisingly, the doctors miraculously were able to solve most of them. However, the show provided a good balance. Instead of only celebrating idealized superhuman doctors, it also observed societal prejudices and problems, as well as the unpredictable nature of humans. All of which forced the doctors to attempt superhuman feats. I appreciate the show's acknowledgment that for doctors coping with impossible pressures, being good at one's job was not always enough to win the battle of life and death.
There were light moments to temper some of the heaviness of the medical stories, and the slow-burn romance added extra flavor for me. It was a slow burn done well, with lingering longing gazes, little selfless gestures, and secret unconcious smiles.
In the first few episodes, Bai Shu was an arrogant ass, undermining Xiao Yan, but she was always able to stand her ground. She was not scared of his gruffness or intimidated by his medical brilliance. This sequence repeated for a while, but they learned more about each other through the implicit rivalry between them. Along with Xiao Yan, the viewers saw more depth to Bai Shu, which made us appreciate him more.
Overall, Bai Shu underwent character development that made Xiao Yan like him and found him more charming over time. At the same time, the more they worked together, the more Xiao Yan impressed Bai Shu, ultimately earning his respect and admiration, professionally and personally.
Bai Shu was more assertive once he realized his feelings, but Xiao Yan had her inner demons to overcome, causing the relationship to stall for the whole show until the very end.
Yang Mi and Bai Yu were compelling to watch, individually and together. With their great chemistry and good writing, "Thank you, Doctor" rose slightly above the other medical dramas. Sadly, the other relationships and characters did not evolve well enough for me to deem this show a masterpiece. Certain characters were poorly written and not only were they one-dimensional, they were annoying too.
"Thank you, Doctor" had much to recommend it, but the disappointment of most viewers about the romance should be acknowledged. Framed as a romantic drama, it should have been more accurately described as a medical drama with some romance in the background. Additionally, this drama's ending did not deliver at all. It was clearly a rushed ending, too abrupt, and it felt like the details were cut out. It was frustrating when the show did not even feature both leads in the ending scenes.
Despite the unsatisfactory ending, I still rated this show highly because it kept me entertained and engaged throughout the 40 episodes. It was an enjoyable emotional roller coaster ride, and I stressed, cried, and rejoiced so much with the characters. Last but not least, no matter how secondary the romance was to the overall story, the dynamics between Xiao Yan and Bai Shu were the focal point for me. Watching the romantic tension and build-up between them was achingly good.
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But too bad you can't rate a drama off it's beginning even if it's a special.
The ending was not what I expected. After I stared at my computer screen dumbfounded for several moments I realized that this would be the ending for the this drama. I almost thought that they might have added another episode and started to look around but I then realized that the ending I saw was the closing of the drama.
It completely ruined it for me because it was too rushed. So rushed that it's hard to make sense of what's happening. The writers obviously didn't have enough time to make a good ending but I think they could have done better than that.
Besides that I think that the cast did a great job. BoA did great too. I believe this is her first time starring in something and she's a singer so I was kind of worried that she wouldn't be good but I think she did a really great job. Choi Daniel was of course excellent as well.
The story line is good. I liked the overall idea and take they had on relationships. It's a extremely funny and sweet. I found myself laughing the whole way through and smiling so hard because of the adorable moments.
Since it's so short and the ending ruined everything for me I probably won't rewatch it but overall I still feel that if you really enjoy it you will probably watch it again.
Overall, the drama is hilarious and is something cute to watch when you have time on your hands. It had a lot of funny moments and really cute adorable moments too. You can also take some tips if you want relationship advice. I still think this drama is quite enjoyable and if the last five minutes wasn't so bad I would have gave it an 8.
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This review may contain spoilers
The story was good and everything, I really loved seening them bicker, but in the end it draged a lot, Like I was very frustated to the point that I just skipped to the end and the the main female lead still was being stubborn even in the last ten minuetes of the drama, like girl just say that you are going to get married with him and kiss him and let this shit be over Ā with, The begining was great but I just didn't like how the end it dragged, at least it's a "happy ending"
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An okay crime investigation drama but had the potential to be better
I'll be honest, I only watched this based on the comments. It is good, maybe just for a one time watch. I wouldn't call it amazing though but that's just my preference. I like the idea of every choice matter. It shows the effects of the choices from one world to the other world. A lot of "What ifs" situations which to me helps the ML understand why he did what he did even though he may have lost his love in his world, to understand if everything he did was worth it and this parallel world showed him that.It's a slow start for the first 2 episodes but it does get more interesting once this started to reveal the parallel world. If I have to say the highlight of this drama, it would be Shi Yoon's acting. He does a great job portraying a heartbroken police detective in his world and an attitude anger driven guy in the parallel world. The only issue with this is that we didn't get to see much of his parallel self which is unfortunate. It would've been nice to see both of them working together to the end but that didn't happen.
When I read the synopsis, I thought it was going to be Do Won traveling between his world and the parallel world to solve these mysterious murder cases. That's not the case. After showing him in his world for the first few episodes, the rest of the drama was in the parallel world. That was disappointing to me. I would've love to see the interactions of both world's police investigators, working together to solve this, with Do Won jumping between worlds and sharing info or having 1 or 2 of his investigators join in going to the other world, but instead we just had the ML figuring out everything while everyone else (including the FL) was clueless and not as useful as they could've been. Let me also say about the FL. I think she was good character in the original world but then she got killed off and became just a bothersome FL in the parallel world. She was tough but a very aggravating character. I just didn't feel no sympathy for her parallel character compared to her character in the other world.
Is it thrilling? Yes. Every moment I anticipate and want to know what happens next. A lot of scenes are pretty creepy, especially with the creepy background music.
Though there's talk about love between the leads, majority of the drama is not focus on romance so don't expect any sweet or cute moments.
Did I enjoy this drama? Yes, however there are plot holes in this drama that doesn't get answer. The bad guys always gain the upper hand and it seems like the good guys are always a step behind which sucks. I liked how this drama ended (not your typical happy ending) but I feel like there should've been more and yes it did felt rushed as well. Problems to the very end but the way they concluded it was okay for me. Definitely wouldn't rewatch it though. This is a one time deal for me.
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