This review may contain spoilers
The story started out in a slow pace but eventually picked up its pace after a few episodes. I love this kdrama! It has so many twist and turns in the storyline that keep you guessing. The story itself is riveting! It's a fusion of fantasy, melodrama, mystery, and romance. You'll feel different emotions as you go along. =) I love so many parts of the story--most notably was how Jeong Bum was vindicated after the mystery which labelled him as the serial killer in past life, was finally unraveled in the present life. =)The last scene initially got me stumped, 'coz it shows Jeong Bum lying in the hospital bed as Sa Bin begins to show him stuff in an attempt to wake him up. But after re-watching the last few scenes, I was able to discern it. =) The last scene (i.e. hospital) is like a flashback of the current scene wherein you find Jeong Bum in Sa Bin's bookstore reading a book and suddenly recovers his memory by recognizing Sa Bin from the window and uttering her name. So that flashback shows that he did undergo a successful surgery but temporarily lost his memory. Hence, the final scene is Jeong Bum recovers his memory in the bookstore and utters Sa Bin's name. =)
I love the ending--in her past life, she ended up with Detective Cha then with her present life, she ended up with Jeong Bum whose name has been cleared as the serial killer in the past life. =)
Pls. give this kdrama a chance! Don't be daunted by the negative reviews. =)
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This review may contain spoilers
What a waste of time.
These are seven stories of seven best friends whose personalities are based on the Thai description of characters associated with a particular day of the week. Reviewing each installment individually~~~═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 1,2
TUESDAY
• Chap as Tue
• Tae as Ake
ALSO SEE THEM IN: Tae will be starting in “You're my skyy”. Chap can be seen in a side role in Lovely Writer, and in the upcoming series, “The Tuxedo”.
RATING: 4.5/10
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: – If you're looking for a sports themed bl with coaching and all that, then I'd suggest Mr. Heart. If you're looking for enemies to lovers then I'd suggest My Gear and your gown, Love by chance (Tincan), Love by chance 2, Why RU?
STORY: Tue is an aspiring Muay Thai coach. On his very first day as an assistant coach he meets an old enemy and they have a faceoff. During their sports camp trio, the coach makes Tue and Ake room together to teach Tue patience so that he can be a better coach and to keep Ake in line
REVIEW: Script issues. In my honest opinion, the actors did the best they could with the storyline they were provided. There wasn't lack of chemistry and both the actors convinced me that they hated each other and were simultaneously attracted to each other. Given that two episodes of 1 hour each is not enough to deal with an entire relationship, the story could've been less of a mess if they hadn't tried to incorporate so many tropes into it.
*Spoiler alert*
They used a gazillion tropes in here: a single interaction wherein Ake cuts into line makes Tue hate him with such gusto. Sickness and the subsequent requisite white towel treatment (because it's a bl). Parental issues to bring the mcs closer to each other. Roommate drama.
Regarding the romance, you can if you're want to, justify every assholish thing done by Ake on the basis of 'attraction'. Ake even goes so far as to tell Tue that he was responsible for arousing him and henceforth must take care of his needs. Furthermore, for someone who vehemently begged the coach to allow him into the team (and also because Ake wants to fulfil his father's dreams), Ake’s behavior of purposefully skipping practice and investing leaves just to look like he has a fever do not comply with the story. Needless to say I couldn't get into their story. Sad because the actors were really trying.
Major plot hole: So Tue gets the chicken pox. Granting that I am not a Thai citizen but an Indian one, I believe that's one disease south east Asian countries are vaccinated against? Even if we allow room for the fact that the hadn't been vaccinated, it doesn't make sense that the entire team isn't down with the disease. Logic #101.
═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 3,4
SUNDAY
• Max as Sun
• Nat as Nuea
ALSO SEE THEM IN: MaxNat are a side couple in “Why RU?” the series and in the upcoming projects by Mandee (nameless, “Cutie Pie” the series). They're also the main couple in episode 3 of “Close Friend”.
RATING: 4.5/10
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: Why RU?
REVIEW: Can we appreciate Nuea’s style in this? I don't like MaxNat per se, and I don't see the hype around them but their acting was pretty decent and considering that they were given a pretty average story, they carried the episodes well. Notable point, this is a healthy relationship. Not taking advantage of your drunk bf marks the beginnings of a healthy relationship.
═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 5,6
MONDAY
• Korn as Mon
• Gung as Team
ALSO SEE THEM IN: Korn has a really funny supporting role in YYY the series. They haven't starred together in any other dramas.
RATING: 3.5/10
I have no idea what happened here, it hasn't been many weeks I suppose but that's exactly how forgettable it was. I just remember that there was a confession scene on stage and I could feel the second hand embarrassment through the screen and in my head I was like: somebody end my pain. Yet again, I feel the actors delivered pretty good (like a 6.5/10 for the acting), but the storyline was ridiculous. I also remember being irritated as hell with Team.
Notable mention: awkward pauses. Like longer than the one in kdrama confession scenes. The drawn out soulmate gazing and pauses were just lowering the score at 127 km/s.
═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 7,8
THURSDAY
• Pi as Thurs
• Au as Pao/Pae
ALSO SEE THEM IN: Pi is part of the secondary couple in YYY the series. They haven't starred together in any other dramas.
RATING: 5.5/10
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: He’s coming to me, Hidden love as these are both bl dramas involving a ghost-seeing boy story ark.
No spoilers for these episodes because you have to watch this at least once. I have only seen Pee Peerawich Ploynumpol in his funny role in YYY and I wasn't sure what he was going to deliver here but he was really vibin’ with his role here! In some places he conveyed his reverence for his art and his feelings quite nicely. Also Pao is the cutest ghost I have ever seen. If you're deciding on which episodes to skip then DON'T SKIP EPISODE 7 & 8, it was probably the most wholesome episode here in terms of their relationship.
═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 9,10
• Takizawa as Puth
• First as Kaeng
ALSO SEE THEM IN: Tae will be starting in “You're my skyy”. Chap can be seen in a side role in Lovely Writer, and in the upcoming series, “The Tuxedo”.
RATING: 6/10
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: En of Love: Love Mechanics, Side couple in My Gear and your Gown
This is where I pour out my feelings about these two. First of all, First playing Kaeng is impressive. He has a vast expression range: that suggestive smirk directed at Puth, that look of pure adoration when he's studying Puth, the joyous expression when he's around Puth, that kicked-in-the-gut sad puppy eyes he does to move Puth, that death glare he specifically reserves for Payo and lastly the crying scenes. This actor can go from 0 to 100 real quick. Same for Takizawa. He is cute at the right moments but he can be flirty and asshole and hot mean jerk just as well.
Secondly, the nc scenes. I let out a bleh when I saw how effusive fans were being about their nc scenes but they jumped the gun saying that the romance wasn't well developed. Well I beg to disagree. The actors had great chemistry, that's true, but the nc scenes weren't just that—it was the trust Puth had in Kaeng, the way he was letting himself be free with him. Kudos to them for bringing a proper friends-with-benefits relationship to the screen and turning it to something more.
When twenty minutes were left for episode 10 to end I was beginning to wonder how they were going to wrap up these threads at the very end. But it was ended well too! Turns out it wasn't just the audience who noticed how Kaeng was whipped for Puth, Puth isn't one of those typical oblivious characters. It took him time to understand his feelings but he did notice Kaeng’s gestures! The ending really touched me. *SPOILER* When Kaeng told Puth to stay with him for one last time, it was obvious that Puth wasn't sure about it but he cared enough for Kaeng as a friend to not leave him alone. And so he does grant his request which eventually lead him to realize his feelings.
Also, can we appreciate how perfect these two are for each other? Both are flirtatious jerks who are whipped for each other. When Kaeng starts shouting that he has a boyfriend Puth just laughs and urges him to say his name and then proceeds to shout that he has a boyfriend too. Like I cannot with these two—
This was so far my favorite in terms of acting, pacing and character development.
═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 11,12
• Jaab as Sat
• Ton as Choke
ALSO SEE THEM IN: —
RATING: 5.0/10
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: I have no idea what bl drama to recommend which has similar fantasy-time travel-friendship themes as this one does.
STORY: Sat and Choke have been friends since childhood. Unlike Choke who was satisfied with his status and his chubby figure, Sat wants to be included into Top’s gang. Top is a older than them, plays football and is considered cool in the school. Prior to this, Choke had gifted Sat with a Gundam, a giant robot, which was supposedly magical and it proves its powers when Choke unknowingly presses the button which activates it and it fulfils his wish but this comes with a side effect: he can't be friends with Choke anymore because that's what it takes to be cool, he must cut off his connection from the 'fat' boy. Encouraged by Top, Sat punches him effectively severing their friendship.
Not only do, since Sat wished to be all grown up and part of Top’s gang, he wakes up in the future—mind you his memories are still of the past, the years in between are a gap in his head—and is surprised to find his head in Top’s lap. They are best friends now but Sat wonders why he isn't best friends with Choke, he has no idea that they aren't friends anymore and turns up at Choke’s house to remember his memories. Things spiral from there.
REVIEW: As I scrolled through the comments, I realized that this couple got overlooked a lot as people commented their opinions on the series. For me they were cute. Kind of forgettable maybe but cute.
I think the strongest message here was how our experiences shape us. Whatever choices Sat had or hadn't made had changed him from his innocent naive mentality to a person who played with others’ feelings and was uncaring.
This was quite obviously a rip-off (an adaptation, if you will), of the popular rom-com “13 Going on 30,” which delivered a lot more than this story did and in shorter time.
═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 13, 14
I am honestly underwhelmed guys. I got some messages here AND a personal dm to complete this review. And here goes: underwhelmed with Yoon, Lay and Perth. Serious injustice to some of my favorite actors (in bl series I mean).
Rating: 6.5/10. See Perthlay in My Engineer and the hypothetical My Engineer 2. Also, Perth go taken out of Kinnporsche so yeah. Seen Yoonlay in YYY (one of my favorites), YYY special and Close friend (episode 4).
═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 15
Shhitty ending. Everybody gets together. Hugs. Kisses. And they all live happily ever after except of course... you know if you know.
═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ OVERALL
Ranking episodes: [13, 14], [9&10], [7&8], [11&12], [3&4], [1&2], [5&6], [15]
These are some points I need to stress about this series.
AWESOME. COSTUMES. Like damn was I tired of the standard issue bl drama uniforms with the stark white shirts and black pants. Everybody here had a distinctive colourful style. Tue was pink, Ake was sporty and casual, Sun was a bit formal, Nuea was rocking the effeminate style (we need more such rep), Mon was sunflower, Team was masculine hot, Pi was a ghost summoner need, Pao was cute (too cute to be a ghost), Puth was sweater and Kaeng went all out with his striking red shirts and earrings.
The director seems to have his signature style. Music was pretty much on point. The actors mostly managed really well.
Overall rating 4.0/10 for an awesome waste of time.
Are you thinking of watching this series?
If you're looking for something mindless and pulpy to watch then go for it. Select the episodes you think you'd like best and watch those first, the stories are not interconnected. Happy watching!
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The show gives us a peek into the lives of 5 friends, all college students on the cusp of becoming contributing citizens to society. Some have dreams they want to pursue, some have dreams they've had to let go and some are still trying to figure out what next. Their stories are all relatable and poignantly human. Inevitably you'll find yourself reevaluating your own life and wondering if you're on the path you set out for yourself.
Orange Days is also a sweet love story. About a beautiful, talented girl who lost the thing she loved the most, who was without hope and angry at the world because of her misfortune, and the boy who healed her soul with his kindness, his patience, his gentleness, his understanding, and most of all, his unconditional love. Kai, our hero, has got to be one of the most compassionate heroes I've ever come across. Massive kudos to the actor for bringing him so impressively to life!
Kai manages to be both masculine and incredibly sweet and sensitive at the same time and let me tell you it was pretty darn sexy to watch. Sae is one very lucky girl. All the while I kept thinking, where the heck was my Kai when I was in college? LOL I enjoyed every minute of watching these two on their journey to find themselves and each other.
Both leads were standouts, but the supporting cast did a fairly good job too. I was drawn to Shohei who projected an air of infallibility, but was really just a lost kid searching for the love he never got from the most important woman in his life. I really liked him and wished his story had more development. He had a weird sense of fashion, though. I don't think young men wore such ugly-ass clothes, even in 2003/2004. LOL
Orange Days did not avoid the usual Asian drama clichés -- the ever present love triangle, the mandatory separation and what have you, but somehow it wasn't over played to the point where it got annoying (as is the tendency in a lot of other -- for eg Korean -- dramas). Issues were resolved quickly so that the characters' growth as people remained the focus.
All in all, what made this show an absolute joy to watch is that it's a great slice of life drama about overcoming grief and savouring the precious moments we have with the people we love. But it isn't pessimistic in its message. There's an undercurrent of hope that permeates the stories of each character. You get a nice dose of reality but not so much that you're unable or unwilling to escape into their world. It also reaffirms the fact that no matter where we're from, no matter our gender or our ethnicity the only race that really exists on earth is the human race, and we all share the same hopes, dreams and fears about finding our way in this life.
I don’t usually take notice of music, but I remember the music in this drama because it was so simple and yet so effective. Unlike the theme song in Autumn's Concerto (Taiwanese drama) that literally almost drove me mad, the music here served its purpose of evoking all the right emotions at the right time. Even though the same instrumentals were repeated throughout the drama, it didn't feel repetitive because it wasn't overdone to the point where it grated on the nerves.
I think anyone who watches Orange Days will come away with a joyous feeling of having just watched something great. And like me you'll probably be sad that it's over.
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However, here on MDL, this drama officially goes by its best and most appropriate title "Doctors". If you're looking for a straightforward, romanticized show about what it really means to be a Doctor, this is the show. If you want lots of action, lots of drama, and lots of clichés, you're in the wrong place. While it starts very fast, this is ultimately a very dry, low-key show that bucks typical drama conventions in favor of telling a "more realistic" story. Does that make it less interesting than other popular dramas? Perhaps. But it doesn't make it valueless. There's a lot to like here.
STORY
You're not going to find a kdrama story quite like this one very easily. While it's a romance, they don't drag the will-they-or-won't-they all the way until end. While there's a love triangle, it's a very sharply angled isosceles: one of three arms of the triangle is really short and it's clear from the beginning that it has no chance. While it's a drama, it has no mustache-twirling villains, only complex characters that make serious mistakes and end up hurting others simply because they struggle to face the reality of their wrongdoing.
These things aren't necessarily going to work for everyone, but for this reviewer, they all combine into an enjoyable and, most of all, refreshing experience. The flip side of this is that often times the plot seems to lack teeth; it doesn't grab you and hold on, forcing your heart to come with it. While the first few episodes are action-packed and energetic, the show mellows out immensely toward the latter half, eventually getting to the point where the directing felt almost lazy. This show is largely a leisurely stroll, which can be very pleasant but simply is not the experience we're set up for in the first quarter.
The main romantic pairing quickly becomes the driving force of the show and remains such for the entire 20 episode run. However, it's not your typical kdrama relationship full of peaks and valleys and Noble Idiocy. It's clear the writers wanted to tell a more sensible and realistic romance story, for better or for worse. The combination of almost complete focus on this one relationship while simultaneously making that relationship feel very "normal" definitely results in an end product that lacks dramatic punch and hurts the secondary plot threads. Those secondary threads, however, are delivered with the same understated feeling as the main plot. If you want "larger than life" storytelling, you're not going to get it here at all.
On a random side note: at one point, about halfway through the story, we're teased with a possible side romance with one of the nurses, but that plotline goes literally nowhere and is completely dropped by the end of the show. This kind of sloppy handling of the material makes me wonder how much of the script was being rewritten during filming. It is possible, though, that it was simply a matter of a needed actor/actress suddenly becoming unavailable.
ACTING/CAST
Definitely the strong point of the show and possibly the only reason it's as popular as it is. The four leads all do a great job. PSH is as good as ever, which is kind of surprising since she's never done a role quite like this one. You'd think she'd have some yips or letdowns for her first time branching out into a new character type, but nope. She's lovely and wonderful, and her portrayal (like most of this show) is especially strong in the early episodes.
Kim Rae Won, who plays the first male lead Hong Ji Hong, is one of the most charming actors I've yet to discover in kdrama. A great voice, interesting face, and lovely smile, he performs the first lead here perfectly. I can't imagine another actor playing this odd and unique role, a character who values self-control and communication above all. Imagine that, in a kdrama! Compared to the usual selfish and emotionally infantile male leads we often get in typical romances, the Hong Ji Hong character is a most welcome change.
Yoon Gyun Sang seems to be very popular, even if he perpetually looks like he's had an allergic reaction to something. Although I didn't like him much at all, at first, he won me over by the end. A good performance to go with yet another unusual character. if you ever wanted to know what it's like to be on the losing end of a love triangle IN REAL LIFE, his story is basically that. It's worth seeing.
Last but not least, we have Lee Sung Kyung. Although her character is the trope-iest one (mostly just your typical Mean Girl trope, but with a more sympathetic twist), it really doesn't matter too much because.... well, I'll be honest, Ms. Lee is ridiculously attractive. Seriously. She's surrounded by beautiful women and even among them she stands out. I'd love to see her in a role where she can smile more.
All that being said, the supporting cast here is strong enough on their own to make the show worth trying. My two Honorable Mentions for the Supporting Cast go to:
1. Baek Sung Hyun as Yeong Kook, who I dubbed "Dr. Glasses". He starts as a very odd and (somewhat) forgettable character, but when the writers found an interesting hook for his character, Sung Hyun took it and ran with it. Sung Hyun seems to be particularly skilled at delivering subtext with his eyes.
2. Of course, I have to mention my new crush (I get one almost every show), Pyo Ye Jin, who plays a character I affectionately referred to as "Nurse Cutie Pie". Although her role is very minor, her portrayal was stellar. You'll never tire of her smile. The writers gave one big scene to her character early on and, after she utterly blew it away with her adorableness, they wisely gave her at least one speaking scene in every episode after that. Ye Jin is 24 years young and would be great in a starring role in the future. I may soon watch my first ever Family drama because of her.
MUSIC
Strong but standard kdrama fare here. Lots and lots of vocal themes, so there won't be too much repeating. In fact, they re-use themes here at just the right pace; enough to get the songs in your head, but not so much that they start to annoy you. Special mention to the tracks "It's Love" and "No Way", which are the best of the best here. If music is a deciding factor for you, just listen to those two tracks to get a good sense of the quality of "Doctors" in this category.
REWATCH VALUE
Unfortunately, there's no getting around the fact that there is absolutely very little RWV here, especially the closer you get to the climax. While most kdramas try and build toward a climax that is exciting and satisfying that you want to see over and over, this one does the opposite. Early episodes are full of exciting character moments, culminating in perhaps the most rewatchable scene of the whole show involving a rooftop, a helicopter, and the best romantic character reunion ever.
However, toward the latter quarter of the show, almost every episode can be described thusly: "two or more characters chat about plot with each other, then someone gets a phone call, they answer it, then it cuts to another scene where there is more chat about plot, and then someone gets a phone call, they answer it, and they cut to a new scene where they chat about plot, and then YOU GUESSED IT, someone gets another freaking phone call and the cycle starts over."
All of that does not make for a high RWV score, as it's bad enough to sit through the first time.
BOTTOM LINE
Despite being better than most kdrama in many areas, this only gets a solid 8/10 from me, and no more. It has too many issues to justify anything higher, despite how strong it is in other areas. However, on the flip side of that, it's way too good to be lower than 7.5. If you're looking for a solid 2016 drama with a great cast that delivers lessons about communication, professionalism, and relationships, you won't go wrong here. Just don't expect the plot to blow you away.
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Cleaning your house and heart.
"Your House Helper" is a slice-of-life drama that focuses on day-to-day issues faced by Koreans in their society, namely three women: Im Da Yeong (Bona), Yoon Sang Ah (Go Won Hee), and Han So Mi (Seo Eun Ah).As part of the main story topics such as women's health, misogyny, overwork, rape, abuse, and gender roles are brought up and handled in a sensible manner though at times failing to push forward when the timing demanded so. The #metoo movement is hailed and discussed as an important movement for women, something unusual for a k-drama and a bold step to make as women's struggle in south Korea is heavily opposed by chauvinism and an excruciatingly patriarchal society.
Since this is a story that puts emphasis on women, the three leading women take the centre stage with each character facing particular issues related to their personality, workplace, and personal struggles. Ha Suk Jin, Lee Ji Hoon, and Jo Hee Bong undoubtedly play story relevant characters, but they're not steering the helm or the main driving force of why you should watch "Your House Helper."
The cast was well selected -- the actors matched well the characters they were assigned, and I have to praise whomever cared for all the small details, especially in the fashion department: they all look great, but never overdressed.
When it comes to the acting itself the first episodes are rough on Bona - as she's among the youngest in the cast - but she does improve with her character's development and I digress with anyone who argues she was not a good choice to play Im Da Yeong -- she captured well the demeanour of a young woman dealing with hardship and not knowing what to do next. Yoon Sang Ah's character initially has more on screen chemistry with Ha Suk Jin's, something which may cause some conflictive feelings as a viewer, but this quickly dissipates away as Lee Ji Hoon enters the scene and becomes more prominent. I am somewhat disappointed with the screen time Seo Eun Ah's character had but I should praise that her issues were handled in a respectful manner, although again constrained by the conservative mainframe of Korean society. Overall the male leading characters did a good job, it's good to see Ha Suk Jin play a more sensitive, less gruff heads on character -- really had to drag him out of the office to become a house cleaner.
"Your House Helper" has an upbeat soundtrack with its trademark tune whenever some house cleaning action begins while reserving more sombre tones when serious subjects or more dramatic moments are handled. There is nothing particularly outstanding about its music but it never feels repetitive and blends well with all scenes.
Does this 32 episodes long drama have re-watch value? Each episode is roughly 29-30 minutes long and easy to watch through. If you enjoy the overall story, you can expect yourself binge watching through several episodes and not noticing the time. The overall plot and side stories are always on the move, there is no mid story dragging/stalling, and since there are no particular villains you can expect a drama grounded in reality with a pinch of idyllic hope, sunshine, and a quirky golden retriever.
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I love that the movie fells so relaxing, is hard to explain but you feel light (and maybe you will feel a need to plant everything)
The characters were so natural, the three of them, and realistic, very good acting.
Another thing was the story, simple and perfect, and the way that talk about harvest season, it was very poetic, and very good incluing the food that she makes with the memories and the season.
The music was fine, but I prefer the sounds of nature.. perfect!
Omg was very good movie.
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A spy drama right from the start
"Time between Dog and Wolf" is a KDrama from 2007. But don't worry, the series still knows how to grip today. (I don´t even dare to imagine what a terrific spectacle the KDrama would be, if it would come along in the style of 2020 KDrama cinematography...)The story starts - as so often back then - with the childhood days, e.g. the small and big traumata from that time. The entanglements are laid out and there's a lot in it Makjang-wise. However, it is not your typical makjang, The story is exciting, has a good pace and the shadowed complexity makes it difficult to see through. "Time between Dog and Wolf" is a spy drama right from the start and leaves hardly anything out.
The title sums it up quite well. Actually, this refers to the Latin metaphor "Inter Canem et Lupum" - between dog and wolf. In the evening twilight it is difficult to distinguish, so to speak, whether a wolf or a dog is standing in front of you, although you can just about make out that it will be one or the other. It's not pitch black yet.
However, this expression does not only refer to the twilight, but also contains another metaphorical allusion: This is the time when the wolf goes hunting and the dog seeks its bed... Who stands before me, though? Can I trust?
Thus the 16 episodes consistently maintain their twilight... Wolves (mainly) and dogs (a few) cross paths. Sniff each other. Fight each other. Join together to form a pack. Are hunted and hunt. Give themselves away. Make up for it. The one. The other. And others again. On top of all that, love puts plenty of salt into the wounds.
Ultimately, the symbol is even suitable for this KDrama in a third respect. In addition to the topics 'distrust/deceit', 'hunter/hunted', there is also the fact that both dogs and wolves are extremely social pack animals...
This is a KDrama that has a lot to offer in terms of exciting and moving entertainment. Lee Joon-gi shows edge here even at his younger age. But all of them express their emotions with some intensity. This does not go bye unnoticed.
The fact that a considerable part of the action takes place in Thailand also brings unexpected exoticism into the scene, which doesn't hurt.
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Lesbian friendships at the forefront of this little show
Soo not Sue is back with another delightful show. I love the fact that even though there is a romantic storyline, this show is about people. It is about friends, it is about women who are together because they are lesbians, not romantically, but because community is important. This is about the place, Dickinson’s Room (love a good lesbian reference in the name of a place), and the people in it above all else.The main relationship is between Seol and her aunt Jung-won. They have always been close, but Jung-won never told Seol about the fact that she was gay and that she had left her job to open a women-only café/bar. Where Seol is bubbly, Jung-won is introverted and quiet. They are not that different in age, but they have very different outlooks on being out, being open, being in the public eye as a woman who loves women.
This show is about showing that neither way is better than the other, that sometimes, you might need to adjust, to be calmer or to be more open.
It’s also about how society and Korean society in particular acts towards wlw. Thanks to the several different lesbian characters, Soo not Sue shows us that there is not one way to be a lesbian in Korea today. That you can be an influencer and be a lesbian, but that you will be prevented from getting jobs by some homophobic people. That you can be out, but that some people are still too afraid for that and that it's okay and you should respect that. That places where you can be yourself exist, but that they’re often hidden away and you need to walk around the block three times before you see it.
It is about the friendship that is made between queer women (and the jokes that if you spend enough time in lesbian spaces, you will be meeting your exes a lot), about how lesbian relationships can be as toxic as straight ones and you really should dump once and for all your ex that keeps asking you to come back together before dumping you again. It is about the fact that friendship is so important and all too often in media, it is put aside in favour of pure romance.
She Makes My Heart Flutter shows us the reverse. A story about queer friendship and family with a healthy dose of a very cute romance on the side.
The cinematography and the production quality in general is tip top, as we have come to expect from Soo Not Sue and Korea in general. The actors did a good job with their characters, even those secondary ones that felt a bit more like stereotypes.
It is a short show, bit quite a bit longer than others when compared to other indie lesbian shows on YouTube. Contrary to some of the short K-BL we have seen in the past few years, this show manages its time quite well and even though I would have appreciated more time to develop the characters and their stories, it didn't feel too lacking because it knew to limit its stories to what fitted in its timeframe.
I had a really good time watching this show and I will be both rewatching it and recommending it to people. Sometimes in those reviews I recommend people watch it with the caveat that it is not very good, but beggars can’t be choosers and we should support wlw shows and short films to show there is interest. But no such caveat here, She Makes My Heart Flutter is good show with a good story, a good message, very high production value and at only 5x13 min, it is a quick watch.
Can someone with a lot of money give Soo Not Sue money to produce a long form drama with lesbians? Please and thank you.
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quirky and unpredicatble
I had 0 expectations when I started this drama, and the first episode alone had me floored.I know a lot of people might compare it to Goblin, and as far as I know that drama writer was involved in this project as well. It does have a similar feel, but the story and characters are all new.
The story is very interesting, and unfolds slowly episode by episode. I couldn't really guess what's gonna happen next. It has some weak moments as the diety characters are bit juvenile, but at the same time this is a lighter drama so I don't mind. The whole destiny making aspect is well-executed and serves a s acore of the story. There are many twists and turns too, and there are no filler episodes either.
The cast is full of rookies, actors who still hasn't had that one hit work. Some you might know from webdramas, some have played minor characters in bigger projects. I'd say the casting is spot on, and acting is overall good. Male lead might come off as "wooden" but at the same time his character is on more... colder side? So it makes sense. Everyone in this drama has time to shine and their characters get enough screentime too.
Music in this drama works well to set the mood, I really enjoyed it. I like most of the songs, the OST is really good. Overall the production value of this project seems to be pretty high for a shorter drama. The cinematography is well-thought out and art design too is very pleasing.
I'd say this is a perfect short drama to watch during a lazy weekend. The story requires bit more focus but overall it's still a more light type of story. There are no villains or anything like that. The main villain is fate, I guess. I see this drama as an exploration of what a story really is and can a destiny play out on it's own? It's surely a drama that won't bore you.
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1
1This review may contain spoilers
Epos, drama & national frustration with impact – about the birthing era of Korean nationalism
"Bridal Mask" is a South Korean variety of Zorro - in this case hiding behind a historical Hahoetal ceremonial mask used in Korean tradition for satirical theater and shamanistic rites. The avenger of Japanese oppression hides behind the classic mask 'Gaksital', which symbolizes an innocent bride.This brings us to the central theme around which the dramaturgical web was spun: Korea's time under Japanese protectorate (1905-1910) and the annexation as a Japanese colony that followed a few years later (1910-1945). In this context, this KDrama has a lot to do with national self-image of the Korean people, which is still formative today. (If you are interested: See Side Note below.)
Accordingly, "Bridal Mask" was very successful as a KDrama and was extended by 4 episodes due to its success.
"Bridal Mask" is about the desperate attempt of the oppressed population to counteract the notorious oppression of the Japanese tormentors. As the story progresses, the rather inexcusably conformist anti-hero becomes the avenger of the downtrodden, whereas the once benevolent, noble, antirassist teacher becomes the unscrupulous avenging angel. The daughter of a Korean resistance fighter provides explosive fuel, turning best friends into bitter opponents and rivals for the heart of their beloved. Everything becomes dramatic in the highest degree - the romance, the bromance, as well as the resistance struggle against brutal oppressors, with or without bridal mask.
'Gaksital' squeaks into the most diverse excesses of Japanese tyranny, above all: torture as a common method of interrogation. The hero also thwarts the insidious with false promises recruited young women as sex slaves or comfort women for the Japanese soldiers. Finally, by his activities his compatriots are also encouraged to engage in civil disobedience.
The tyrannical, ruthless attacks of the colonial masters are historically documented. Active resistance from the population as well. However, the actual plot of the KDrama is completely fictitious: A Zorro-like swordsman behind a traditional bridal mask is not known. Also, at the time of the Japanese invasion, Joseon was already severely weakened politically. In this case, the assassination of the head of state is poetic liberty. (At the time of the emperor´s actual death in 1919, the country had already been a colony for 4 years.) Finally, the secret organization of the ´Kishokai´ and their vision for a greater Japanese empire are fictitious. This Kishokai did not exist. However, there is a kernel of truth in it, because ultra-nationalist secret societies, especially those associated with Japanese military, apparently existed actually.
Overall, the K-Drama brings a black chapter of painful Korean history with epic impact and highly dramatic emotional entanglements back to life. Eventually, the memory is perhaps still so painful, because it wasn't all that long ago. To date, there has been no reparation, remorse, or at least acknowledgment from the Japanese side for the suffering inflicted.
Japanese colonial rule is inseparably interwoven with the very special Korean national pride, because this period marks the birth of Korean nationalism in the first place. And the KDrama builds on that. "Bridal Mask" in that sense is first and foremost a highly Korean production for a Korean audience. (Nevertheless it is obviously gripping for an audience with other national backgrounds, too.)
By the way, it may also be no coincidence that the series aired on TV in 2012, when the Korean government first formally asked Japanese Emperor Akihito for an apology...
----------------- SIDENOTE: --- Romantic Korean nationalism ---
Whether Goryeo or Joseon, since the tribes of the peninsula were united under one ruling dynasty, the people lived largely introverted and rather isolated from the rest of the world until the late 19th century. Here and there the borders have always had to be defended against invaders or retaken, but the people on the peninsula had nevertheless remained adamant and had not actually actively mixed with others. Today, there is often talk of 'pure ethnic blood', which provides the breeding ground for a more romantically (vs. civic) tinged national identity: A Korean usually feels descended directly from the original ancestors. Consequently, a Korean will typically identify first with his/her ethnic roots and only then, at some point, as a citizen of the Republic of Korea.
This very special national identity was directly born out of the developments associated with the opening of the country and an increasing international presence at the end of the 19th century. On the one hand there was hope for flourishing trade and technical innovation, on the other hand suddenly the USA, along with China, Japan and Russia, also wanted a piece of the pie and - more or less aggressively and consistently - took advantage of the opportunity and sometimes also inexperienced naivety of Joseon. As a result, resistance formed and the nationalist struggle for independence was born. It was necessary to use all conceivable means to preserve the nation´s autonomy and to protect the heart of Korean culture from invasions and encroachments by foreign nations. Particularly, resistance was directed against Japan's ruthless interventions in robbing the Korean people of their language, their own names, their religion and their dignity. Japan's declared goal was to discriminate against the Korean people and to assimilate them by any means (... and Japan wasn´t even squeamish with its own civilian population, being known for its brutality...).
At that time, Japan had deployed an omnipresent, almost overwhelming military and police presence that can hardly be compared with European imperialism as we (i.e. Europeans, as I am) know it. Hardly a day went by when the invaders did not have direct, mostly deliberately humiliating contact with the civilian population. So 4 traumatic decades can become a very long time...
This national frustration, pain and anger is still formative in the collective emotional memory. With "Bridal Mask",this receives a contemporary emotional safety valve in KDrama guise.
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and they were "friends"
Overall: I was going to give this an 8 or higher, but the final episode was pretty disappointing so I gave it 7.5. Still decent to just turn off your brain if you want a silly/gentle series. Watched on Gagaoolala, also on Viki.Content Warnings: professor/student, boss/employee, age gap/1 character under 18?, pet death, taking pictures without consent
What I Liked
- the cute moments
- how Meow in his human form acted like a cat (fyi that Meow is a different species, he's not a cat and he's not a human)
- Meow not judging the truck driver based on looks and how in a later episode they brought back that character
- a couple subverted tropes like the love rival
- the cutesy OST fits the vibe of this series
- when there was comic book like editing
- neutral, comedy sound effects
Room For Improvement
- Dermdem thought Meow was 17 or 18 but Meow acts much younger (ie can't use a phone, doesn't know what a haircut is, doesn't know why people kiss on the cheek, gets lost in a market, throws a temper tantrum)
- based on Meow's child like behavior/age, I didn't want a steamy scene, but the final episode was really disappointing to the degree that I'd likely label this as a bromance/womance... two people even denied having a romantic relationship (one said friends, the other said roommates). I think we are supposed to believe that all three couples will turn romantic in the future but they needed to show/say just a little bit more with at least one of the three couples.
- not a fan of the wig (gets a haircut in ep 4)
- odd/plot hole/non logical things - the intern first stated she liked her boss from college but then said she saw her at a vet???
- the power imbalances in all of the couples (although the one who was in a position of power does not use it to manipulate at all)
- enough of having women gawking/taking pictures of two random guys in a public place
- the professor's flat expression, they did give it an explanation but I don't like flat affect characters
- Manni's ineptitude and what she did in the final episode instead of calling Jin
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1Do Bong Soon is played by Park Bo Young, who was in one of my favorite dramas,"Oh My Ghostess", yet I didn't recognize her at all. With her super cute bob haircut, her amped up adorable personality, and her petite stature, it was exciting to see her character with this unexpected superhuman strength. I loved her character's origin story, and I'm always a fan of the anti-damsel in distress, so I was already interested in this drama from episode one. She really plays the sweet girl you don't want to mess with role extremely well.
She is matched with Park Hyung Shik as Ahn Min Hyeok, and I don't think I can accurately describe with words how charming, and just beautiful to look at he is in this role - it's *swoon* overload. He is not even my type, at all, but it's like they put a special perfection filter on him, and he played every scene in a way that made it impossible for me not to fall for him. Together their adorable couple rating is off the charts! Their chemistry is perfect, so perfect that the cheesiest scenes and moments still worked for me, and soooo many scenes were extra cheesy. He is also so supportive of her, which makes the traditional role reversal refreshing to watch. To me they came right up to the border of being obnoxious in their cuteness, but never crossed it, because they were such a good match.
The rest of the cast was mostly awesome too, considering all the genres that they had to cover. Ji Soo as In Gook Doo completes the love triangle, and plays his part really well, although I honestly couldn't stand how the actual character behaved. Gook Doo may inspire 2nd lead syndrome in some, but he was too controlling and self-righteous for me to really root for. I loved Bong Soon's family, BFF, and especially grandma. I also really liked the villain, who I think was played by the actor better than the character was actually written. He was creepy and sinister, yet kinda seductive and attractive, which I think is a recipe for an excellent villain/nemesis. Then there is the supporting cast MVP Kim Won Hae. I didn't love him in his first role, It was just too corny and gross for me, but his second role was hilarious in its absurdity. I applaud his ability to take both roles to such extremes. The cast is definitely full of memorable characters.
Part of the reason I deducted some acting points was because a lot of the comedy just wasn't my to my taste. Korean humor can get too silly for me sometimes, which was part of my issue with some of the performances. There is a whole gangster subplot that annoyed me. There is a Monk that is completely ridiculous. Then on a more serious note, Seol In Ah's role was pretty useless, and forgettable. There is also a family drama plot that I forgot all about until the end when it's obvious that they were missing. These criticisms are because of the writers, more than the acting, which is why i deducted even more points from the story. Don't get me wrong, I liked the story a lot, and loved watching Bong Soon become more confident and evolve into a Shero, but the story as a whole is all over the place. The thriller part is intriguing enough to drive her motivation, but it went from being seriously creepy to resolving with a more comic book feel. There are a lot of parts of the story that I felt were left without a real explanation, or resolved too quickly, but all of this was forgivable because of how much I still enjoyed watching every episode.
I also forgive the last episode, which had mostly filler, but I loved the very end (obvious but perfect), which made me very curious about what a second season would be like.
The OST was good, and matched the show well, especially the "Super Power Girl"Theme! However, I did not fall in love with any of the songs, not even Park Hyung Shik's ballad.
Now comes the highest score for me - rewatch value. I gave it a 9.5 because I could definitely see myself watching this more than once. With all it's flaws, and silliness, I just had so much fun watching, and couldn't wait to watch the next episode! I almost gave rewatch a 10 but I would definitely skip through some of the comedy scenes.
Overall, I would recommend this as a cute twist on a superhero story that encourages female empowerment, not in a subtle way... in a walnut hammer over the head way! I also love the message of not underestimating someone based on appearance, and helping others selflessly. I think it's best to just embrace that the plot is chaos, the comedy is ludicrous, and enjoy the fact that it may not always be coherent but it all supports this character's journey to her destiny (well, maybe not the stupid monk). I also highly recommend it to anyone who is on the lookout for a talented and crush-worthy actor, because I think Park Hyung Shik definitely fits the bill.
If you're looking for maturity, a substantive plot, characters with great depth, and no clichés or exploited stereotypes... back away from this drama slowly and don't come back to it until you're in a lighter mood.
This is the drama equivalent of a bag full of candy! Not every flavor in the bag will be good, but most of it is delicious, and the sugar high makes it all worth it!
Oh, and if there was a Bong Soon video game, I would totally be excited to play it!
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Rewatch and rewatch
Never expected this drama to be so good. Everybody has such good chemistry and the plot is so good. Bear in mind that this is a school/youth genre, so don't expect too much crazy plot twists or strong villains.I love all the couples in the drama. The plot is really so sweet that I just can't help but rewatch the romance or bickering parts between the main couple. You've probably seen many reviews talking about how good the male lead is in terms of expressions and how he fit in the character.
Parts I really love from the drama:
- How the entire drama really focus on the character development in all the characters, lead characters and supporting characters alike.
- The dream high school experience. When watching this, I can't help but feel envious of their high school experience.
- Sweet interactions between the male lead and female lead. How Si Yue is protective of Ding Xian, how he looks at her and how they both constantly support each other.
- Though Si Yue is portrayed as the school genius and basically this popular guy who is good in everything he does (typical school romance plot right?), but the way the character is acted out is not unrealistic at all. He is not the typical cold blooded, cool guy who is unapproachable.
I rarely rate a drama so high when it comes to high school romance because to me, most high school dramas are nice to watch but not exactly relatable. This drama, however, brings you on an emotional ride and you can't help but dream of going back to high school and relive your high school in the same manner.
Also, I rarely pay attention to drama OSTs. This drama is packed with amazing OSTs, so much I would play them on loop throughout the day.
Kudos to the cast, director and screenwriter.
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A little formulaic, but cute
The acting and dialogue are good, and there's no useless uke. The wardrobe is spectacular, and it's an easy watch.Maybe too easy a watch - I don't have any clear memories of the earlier episodes, so it's a bit forgetable. A few things that stand out is that despite the large power differential, the characters are equals, which is a refreshing change from the Thai formula.
There is an unfortunate plot trope in the second-to-last episode that it would have been very nice to avoid - it's a real stinker - and their relationship changes a bit fast, so I think it could have used two more episodes, and I'm starting to worry that BL writers are all alcoholics, but all-in-all it's a cute series, the leads are very attractive, and you can't really go wrong by watching.
But you're unlikely to remember it a few weeks later.
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