Interesting fact-ion sageuk
"The Night Owl" is one of the best fact-ion (facts+fiction) sageuk I have seen so far. Using In Jo's infamous reign and Crown Prince So Hyeon's death as part of the plot, it develops an original story around an atypical character.I like historical movies that stick to the facts as much as possible very much, but I also like a well made fiction based on historical events when it is cleverly made, just like this movie. I don't think it's a thriller though, only a good sageuk with some thrills. I'm not usually keen for humour in sageuk, but the few little scenes in this movie were actually good and well made.
The cast is very good and all the actors are really good in their respective roles. Actors like Yoo Hae Jin, Jo Sung Ha and Choi Moo Sung, as usual, never disappoint, and Ryu Joon Yeol is excellent as Kyung Soo, and special mention for Kim Sung Cheol too that is really good in this role too.
The music isn't very special or grandiose, but it's good, and the aesthetic of the movie quite beautiful with an overall production very well made so I give it a pretty high ratings.
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The strength of the film lies in its story. They have tried to tell a tale which can be viewed as both funny and sad. I was thinking it would be funny throughout and was surprised to see they made it a subtle and quiet film. It is a really slow paced movie. But with each different face came a new actor which I thought was the best part!
The cast of the film is diverse (obviously) and after a while the concept really seemed scary to me. What the movie managed was to get the point across to me about how difficult and impossible it would be for such a person to survive in today's world. Plus, true to its title it does show that it doesn't matter what you look like and what is inside that truly does.
I loved Han Hyo Joo's acting in the film. Her reactions to the main character felt very real and relatable. My favorite cameos were from Seo Kang Joon, Park Seo Jun, Lee Hyun Woo and Lee Dong Wook. There were a couple more handsome actors too but I don't know their names. :P
Why this movie won't get a 10/10 was because it was way too slow, seemed like a part-melodrama and the ending was unsatisfactory. I mean I was hoping for a fairytale-like ending which didn't happen. The ending wasn't bad per se but it's alright to not like it as well, right?
Watch the movie if you're in for a slow movie with a meaningful message.
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Short and thrilling competition for creative logical and number puzzles lovers
I enjoyed the logic and number puzzles here as it was interesting to see how they made simple concepts/ games into a complicated one (e.g. a rock scissors paper game into a game about memorization and object permance). The most interesting part for me was when the participants talk about their approaches, shortcut methods and tricks which makes me gasped at how their brain words like GENIUSES!! And also so that I can use these methods next time if I ever come across puzzles like this LOL (which is probably never). I also appreciated that theres NO games where they had the participants scheming against one another, like a mafia game, or alliances (where the weak participants team up to eliminate the smart ones that we want to see early in the game). As much as how the participants were geniuses, I must commend on how the writer is a genius for creating such creative games (but no surprise because the writer was The Genius's writer).I am also glad to see how well different teams work together, considering the fact that most of them met each other only through the show. I absolutely loved the dynamic of Team KU and SNU and felt that they have great teamwork.
Overall, I highly recommend this short and binge-able 8 episodes intelligence competition with geniuses competing with one another if you love puzzles and this type of reality shows!
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This review may contain spoilers
Definitely the TOP 1 on my list.
At first, I was quite reluctant to watch The Untamed because its genre (traditional + bromance/BL) is not the one I typically prefer to watch and I was even so confused on the first half of episode 1! I find traditional dramas to be cringey especially with all those flying around but not this one, it comes naturally and it's justified with the setting of the drama.Now, I'm having withdrawal syndrome & sepanx. I can hardly move on from it that I even read the novel & manhua. After reading them, I probably would have expected more from the drama if I came across of those first. So I recommend to watch the drama first so you have no expectations what so ever then read the novel because THE NOVEL IS SO EXTRA. It's also quite a revelation to myself that I might like BL stories because of The Untamed. This may not be a popular choice and I may want more but I like the creativity & subtleness of how they work around the censorship in China. Anyway, we have the novel & manhua to supplement that need for more.
The Untamed are also full of eye candies! Wen Ning is so adorable especially when he was trying to sell the turnips, I love him there! Zewu Jun was like a different person from his role in Mr. Honesty, as well as Shi Jie (in Well Dominated Love) that I almost did not recognize her! Even the main villains are good looking too that you can't hate them! Hello Xue Yang! Hope to see you in another drama soon. Jin Guang Yao/Meng Yao is also cute & funny out of character. The only people I hate there would be those hypocripte leaders of small sects/clans and The Jin clans' Guang Shan & that unreasonably arrogant Jin cousin.
I particularly love Xiao Zhan's portrayal of Wei Wu Xian, his smiles in different emotions and how his character progressed and matured from being smart & charming yet annoying when he was younger to (as Jiang Cheng puts it) being "self-less" causing his fall from grace and ultimately coming into terms with everything that happened upon his return whilst he is still the smart & charming yet annoying one that everyone once knew and that probably what attracts the junior disciples of the different sects, without them realizing his real identity (believing that he is Mo Xuan Yu all along), to him. I find his interactions to them adorable as well as hilarious. He really charmed them especially Jin Ling, which I kinda feel that this is not the WWX Jin Ling had expected or imagined.
Wang Yibo, another huge eye candy! The more you look at him the more attractive he gets. His portrayal of cold & boring Lan Wang Ji is on point though I want LWJ to have more personal interactions with WWX. Plus I find it very amusing that only WWX is the only person who can call LWJ "Lan Zhan", never heard it from his uncle or his brother and everyone else is just intimidated.
The Untamed is worth watching and rewatching. I'll be hard to find another drama on par with this one.
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Traditionally a romantic comedy junkie, I have switched course recently after finishing the incredible drama, Misty, last month that simply blew me away. I have been yearning for another mature romance drama with intrigue that could even come close to the Misty (that I have not already seen). After finding this drama under the Misty recommendations, I decided to give it a shot despite not being a fan of legal or political shows and I am really glad that I did. (THANK YOU whoever added this to the recommendations... not all heroes wear capes)
First of all, this cast is amazing! I honestly wish that I saw many of them in more dramas because their acting was on another level. (The only one that I feel that I get to see a lot Yoo Ji Tae… although he is phenomenal) In addition, I loved the premise of the show and how it has such an incredibly strong, determined female lead. Also, the storyline was unique and honestly, when I started the show, the ending and what ended up of these characters was definitely something I would never have guessed. And with so many shows having an almost formulaic take on their stories and endings, this was a true breath of fresh air.
I enjoyed this show so much I even ended up writing a “5 Reasons to Watch” article on it. But as of the time of this review it has not been published yet. Although this show is great, it was not without fault. I enjoyed its way storytelling, similar to that of Misty and Signal, that has a blend of individual cases/stories mixed into a much larger ongoing story. However, I found some of the cases in the middle episodes a bit lacking. And I found that in the end there was still some loose ends and parts that were added to the show that in retrospect did not seem to fit. This may be because it was an adaption from a show that had many more seasons, and a lot more episodes per season and they may have been trying to squeeze too much in. Having no experience with original American Show, I am not certain, but it seems that way.
In the end, this drama is well worth the watch, even if it’s not the genres you usually are drawn toward. This drama has something for everyone and the cast and writing make this a drama that is not only memorable, but one that will make you think about it even when the episode is over. It was exceptional. Highly Recommend.
Happy Drama Watching! :)
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Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
13 people found this review helpful
Must watch BL
After watching 100+ bl . I was tried of same clg engineering story but this story is so different so funny that Can't wait for next episode and their chemistry is cute and funny its didn't feel that its 1st episode. Both the actors have acted so good and the story line is so refreshing with comedy elements its make all worth to watch itOnce again Japan prove no one can make better storyline then them
Japan started the trend bl and always give us best story each year
Its really funny i loved it
Both the actors are so beautiful they really did justice to characters
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The cast are great and all characters are well introduced in the drama.
The drama is a little to long ( 52 episodes ) and some parts are to slow but is normal if you have to introduce so many characters like we have in this drama.
The main couple have a very stormy relationship with a lot of obstacles, what it's typical in all dramas.
For me one of the best family kdramas I have watch.
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Story- Your average predictable romcom. However there is enough that goes on to keep you watching without getting bored/wanting to skip eps. I did find the setting of a divorce matchmaking office/divorce law office refreshing and the different cases the female took on were interesting as well.
Acting/Cast- I was really impressed by the lead actress. I had never seen anything with her before but her acting was very natural and she made her character extremely likable. The lead actor was the same in other roles I had seen him in (stiff). I wasn’t into his character because he was just too bland/boring. I did appreciate that there was chemistry between the leads though. I really liked the supporting cast and I enjoyed watching the side character’s stories.
Music- It was good but not memorable.
Rewatch- This is something I could definitely watch again but not for a while.
Overall Love Marriage is simple but the main female character and all the side characters make it an enjoyable.
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the silence that moves you
This drama is truly brilliant with its cinematography. Without going too much into the plot, since it’s episode one it isn’t too far deep. But to be so emotional and heartfelt with only one episode, that shows a lot about this drama to me. An hour in and I was had felt a lot of emotions, knowing that this person that our protagonist Aoba cared about so much, had eventually left her without reason.The building up to the moment where she meets Sakura again is paced well. This drama has no action or flashy scenes, it’s just dialogue but it’s not boring. The storytelling with the high school flashbacks aren’t tedious. Every piece of the story falls into place for that final build up moment and I’m so glad there are more episodes to come.
The seller with this drama is the acting. With Meguro Ren , firstly I’ll say he is really good looking. He portrays this restricted feeling so well. The frustration of being unable to communicate, it was so raw and heartbreaking to see him finally reconnect with someone he loved so much. The contrast of who he is now to who he was then makes the frustration even more felt.
Sakura listens to music and bonded with that with Aoba, and Aoba loves his voice. Their relationship wasn’t explored past that with this episode. So Sakura’s reason for his abrupt leave is justified. I don’t want to explain too much because the ending scene of episode one does it so well. There is so much tension within Sakura because of his inability to hear, and to be able to tell that through sign and facial expressions is what really got to me.
This drama is really good. It’s mesmerizing even. The sudden cuts to silence, the score building up. Silence can be lonely, but it holds beauty within it. The portrayal of that beauty I believe will be explored more although there is a lot of pain.
The concept of this show wears itself a bit thin towards the end.. there really ends up to be not much of a story- but I get it. This show has a certain style and genre that I just so happen to get a little bored of. But it is well done with what it does. The only complaints I have are the time skips or cuts, flashbacks, etc. They just get confusing at times to me. Other than that I can’t really say anything is bad about this drama, it’s a very real feeling and it’s paced (although a bit slow). It’s about growth so I get the intended audience probably isn’t like me where I get bored easily. It is very interesting don’t get me wrong, it’s just a lot of the same things per episode. This drama is pretty slow, but I believe that it’s supposed to be.. you’re supposed to be impatient and wanting things to happen- but life isn’t like that. It goes through the characters lives realistically and is a portrayal of losing one’s hearing and how frustrating that is. I get it and enjoyed this show.
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This review may contain spoilers
Secret SK military unit, drilled solely for assassinating Kim Il-sung, becoming victims of politics
“Silmido” is a KMovie that generated enormous public impact in South Korea. A 2003 production that used dramaturgical means to bring a previously unknown, small but rather blatant chapter of South Korean history to public awareness, that had long been kept secret and filed away. The KMovie “Silmido” had its mission fulfilled – at the box office, among the people and among those, who ultimately make decisions.“Silmido” was apparently more popular in South Korea than the Lord of the Rings trilogy or Titanic. To this day, the KMovie in South Korea is considered one of the most successful productions ever. The cast is first class. The focus is on the training camp for the secret military special unit 684 - its soldiers, its commanders, the training and living conditions. In the end we see where this all is leading to – this at that time particularly fatal involvement of the military with domestic and foreign policy, plus and foremost always at the forefront, yet hidden behind the curtain: the secret service.
The story is contrasting ambivalent attitudes towards feelings of national solidarity. On the one hand, an emotional patriotism based on the connection to one's personal origins and South Korean homeland, and on the other hand, a politically instilled national identity of “democratic South” against “communist enemy in the North”. On top of that: Unconditional obedience within the chain of command struggling with common sense...
Overall, it's about a brutal man´s military world. It is about hardline drilling methods. Yet , it is not about heroes and villains, nor about the good guys against the bad guys. Over time, the protagonists are increasingly gaining a profile, that shows some softer heartbeat, too. Camaraderie, bromance and respect for each other are in it as well. The showdown is rather disturbing.
PS:
Eventually the KMovie had its impact: in 2010, the central district court in Seoul ordered that the equivalent of around 188,000 euros in compensation should be paid out to the families of the former members of Unit 684 - the forgotten, denied unit that “Silmido” is about. The court comes to the conclusion after following public pressure and thus officially investigating the case: The Silmido soldiers had not been sufficiently informed about the hardship and dangers of the training camp, the training conditions had violated their basic human rights and the government at the time (1971) would have brought great suffering to the families of the bereaved by covering up the events.
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SIDE NOTE: --- Secret special Unit 684 ---
The film title "Silmido" refers to a very small, actually uninhabited island in the Yellow Sea, southwest of Incheon. Here (in response to the failed North Korean assassination attempt on South Korean President Park Chung-hee in 1968), between 1968 and 1971 a special military unit was trained at the instigation of the secret service, with just one goal: to eventually efficiently assassinate North Korean President Kim Il-sung. The circumstances surrounding Unit 684 are still not all clear. One thing is certain, though: the unit was created in April 68 (68-4) and trained in the utmost secrecy on the island of Silmido under almost inhumane conditions.
For the script quite some extensive research was done in advance. The story is based on rather thin officially existing information, added up with a few eyewitness reports, whereas gaps were filled with poetic freedom. For example, it is not clear how Unit 684 was actually recruited. However, among the specially trained elite soldiers there were obviously some with previous convictions, although not serious criminals. The KMovie ultimately decided to freely use a narrative that all the men were doomed criminals who, in their desperation without hope for an alternative future, had seized the last straw of becoming members of this particular secret unit.
The three years of elite training on Silmido had been extremely tough. Those who were not suitable simply did not survive the highly demanding torment. However, when the 31 soldiers were ready for deployment, the government decided to refrain from carrying out an assassination attempt and instead rely on a political solution for peaceful coexistence with the North. What had happened? US President Jimmy Carter hoped for a peaceful agreement. The South Korean policy followed that agenda, too. Accordingly, the head of the secret service was replaced by someone who also supported this peaceful approach. The link that was supposed to open a new dialogue between North and South was the Red Cross, not the military...
What may sound respectable, however, consequently led to the immediate disbandment of Unit 684. As of now, it officially should have never existed. Thus, 31 elite soldiers lost their right to exist. Their meaning and only goal for which they had lived (or rather survived) for the last 3 years, was trampled on... They were no longer useful, on the contrary: a disruptive factor. But politicians had made the calculation without the fighting machines they had specially drilled... this all led to a showdown in the outskirts of Seoul. As its result, however, Unit 684 went incorrectly down in history as a group of heavily armed communists... until 2003.
From 2010 onwards, it became finally official that actually those men were a South Korean secret elite military unit that had been drilled solely for the planned assassination of Kim Il-sung – until plans had changed at short notice for political reasons and some man in suits had decided to wipe out the life of 31 (in this context innocent) men in uniforms without any trace...
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Hotaru no Hikari: It's Only a Little Light in My Life
12 people found this review helpful
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This is a fun, light show, there are no villains, it is a slice of life, involving music, friendship and romance. The beautiful "Air" by Bach is a wonderful companion throughout the drama, and it is also a big part of the plot. There is a character development in all characters, from Yaeko-san, Rihito-kun and Yukie (the 3 main leads). For their relationship alone, I love the entire drama, but all in all, even the romance was sweet and fun and far from corny or believable. Thank God there was a chemistry between Haru and Taishi, and in spite of the 7-8 years gap, it wasn't obvious at all since Taishi does look older than in his twenties.
Even the OP song was cute.. I love all of it :)
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This year's one of the best drama!
Whoa! my reaction when I started to watch this drama, I wasn't sure before how it will turn out but it was amazing thank god I listen to my insticts and watched cause it was pretty amazing.But it's not for anyone I say because you will love or hate it.
The plot was very interesting and addictive and main thing it's originality. I love the character development it was one of the best thing of this drama because you see every character is developing in their own way in every episode and it was refreshing to see. I also love those stories or I can say fairy tales.
Acting was topnotch, and ost was incredible (it's in my fav songs list).
Overall this drama was amazing and worthwatching !!
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama was so good in many aspects. I had a difficult time thinking of who to go for, Tae O or Dohyeon. However, as the drama progresses, I find that Dohyeon was more the perfect boyfriend material. Everything he does for Songi was so cute and sincere, from his confession, to every small gestures he did for her. Personally, I was disappointed to find out they broke up because of Tae O because of their long history as childhood friends. Dohyeon felt like that guy that represents all they nice, sincere, timid, yet gentle guys all over the world, but in the end nice guys finish last sadly. I love Dohyeon's storyline and how he has not much of money and everything, yet still finds every way to provide for Songi :(. Dohyeon doesn't have much resources and money like Tae O, but everything he does for Songi is so sincere and kind. I get that Songi and Tae O have known each other for 20 years and whatnot, but in the end for me, I felt like it should have been Dohyeon and Songi instead. Overall, it was a good drama and I hope others who have watched the drama will agree with me as well for Dohyeon and Songi ship :D Was this review helpful to you?
