Reviews

It deserves to be full length drama

Firstly, I just love all the concepts of the production company that produced this, most of them are really unique. This is the second utopian themed web drama from them, and I truly enjoyed this. The plot and its message nicely executed. I really hope this gets a second season.

The plot is really what makes this an amazing web drama, it is something I have never seen before, especially in a web drama scale. It is well developed, that it are compare to larger scale drama with longer episodes. The story isn't at all a stereotypical, all fluff high school concept, but you can still see the chemistry of the two main leads. They don't sacrifice the actors' good looks over good acting either.

The only thing that I think will make will this drama better is if it had longer and more episodes. The plot is quite complex in itself, with only 8 episodes, it isn't able expand on more aspects of the plot. Nonetheless, it is a great drama that is well produced and deserves to be watched.

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An effort not wasted

I debated on whether to write this review or not. Mostly because I've been going through some emotional rollercosters in the past few weeks. That aside, I realized that this little drama should have a review so others can understand why some of us liked it despite some flaws.

The mini-drama is the brain-child of Rabbit & Wolf (a real life lesbian couple who also participated in this drama as extras/actors...and their name couple really shows their personalities)

Their play on words is apropos if the title of the drama is anything to go by "Dear URANUS...Dear YOUR ANUS" like what more can you ask for?!! LOL Already the tone is set by the name itself.

This mini is obviously a low-budget project, but that doesn't take away from the care that the crew and cast put into it. Seeing videos of their acting class or the different ways that each actor helped each other to convey the story is one of the reasons I overlooked a lot of the flaws and plotholes. It made the drama charming.

The lack of a coherent plot wasn't too much of an issue for me because I could see where they were trying to go with it, but given how short this is, it makes sense that a lot of the story/plot telling was left off. The ending with a cliffhanger may signal to a possible future project.

Erol is such a cool actress. I like the way she portrayed the main lead.

Script...Gosh I loved so many dialogues and actions here and there. My favorite would have to be when Erol's character put the pushy pursuing girl in her place. I don't want to give too much away, but if you decide to watch the drama, you'll like this. This trope that has been overly done in BLs and often romanticized is handled really really well here.

I find that this mini worked because the people behind it are part of the LGBTQAI+ community and understand a lot of the issues plagued by not just real life, but how the entertainment business can either exploit it or gloss over it. With more money I'm sure these ladies will be able to give us a better story in the future.

So in conclusion, give it a shot if you want to. It might just make you laugh with some of the tropes or it might make you appreciate the way it was told. Either way, I can't say no to more GL content. We are seriously lacking in that and if more GL dramas get more fans, then we might get more stories that are yet to be told.

End of my rant/review :)

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I am not a big fan of high school dramas but trust me when I say this is not a simple high school drama. Although it is based around student,the comedy level in this is high (mostly cos of Maewamn;s dad) and the depth of the actual story is super relatable. Feeling ugly, wanting to shut yourself off from the world, etc are huge factors in being a teenager. I would say it ls like watching a comedic, cutesy thai MMFD, which is huge praise because I love MMFD. The love triangle may annoy you. It did not annoy me cos in the end the guy I was rooting for won. But ultimately at the end you will understand that both guys contributed into turning Maewnam into the confident chick she was at the end. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a sweet, quick binge.

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Who Am I?

Sakra is an overly ambitious attempt to adapt Qiao Feng's arc from Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (天龙八部), my favorite Jin Yong novel. This is a tall task and inevitably has resulted in an overly condensed adaptation that misses the spirit of the original works. It is carried by the fact that it is such a beloved story that most viewers can fill in the gaps.

Qiao Feng, the magnetic chief of the Beggar Sect is accused of dastardly crimes and outed as being of Khitan descent at a time of conflict between Song and Liao (Khitan). He is evicted from his sect and the entire wulin (martial world) turns against him. As he seeks to clear his name, he encounters Ahzu, a minion in the powerful Murong household. He risks his life to save hers and discovers that like himself, she is also on a Who Am I? quest to figure out her origins. The narrative takes on too much between the rushed and unconvincing romance, solving murders and disentangling both their back stories. The ending is confusing with hurried character introductions to pave the way for a sequel that deals with the mastermind reveal and final arcs of Qiao Feng's story. This hurried rendition makes Qiao Feng little more than a one dimensional, lean mean fighting machine. It is a pity because Qiao Feng is Jin Yong's most powerful, complex and misunderstood male character.

Qiao Feng is the ultimate master of Jin Yong's epic 18 Dragons Subduing Palm martial arts technique, which employs inner energy and is used in most of Qiao Feng's fight scenes. The action scenes are almost ridiculously bombastic - Qiao Feng pulverising an entire horde of martial arts with his amazing energy blasts; gravity defying roof leaping and up close and lethal hand-to-hand combat or swordplay. Qiao Feng's showdown with the entire wulin is the most thrilling action sequence but it comes a bit too early in the movie. It is both incredulous and stupendous to see one man take on so many. I truly feared for Qiao Feng's life but what was more terrifying was the hypocrisy and cowardice of wulin. They basically cancelled a brother-in-arms who stared down death alongside them multiple times and ganged-up on him to try to kill him! I didn't enjoy the final fight scene as much - while splendidly choreographed and thrilling, it veered too far into the territory of wildly exaggerated almost superpower like flying leaps and from a distance qi energy strikes.

I watched the Cantonese dubbed version because to me, Qiao Feng will always be Kiu Fung and Jin Yong's famous lines always sound so diminished and lacking in vehemence and intensity in Mandarin. I think this is a great watch for the action scenes alone. I rate it 7/10.

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I decided to watch ''Crying Out Love, In The Center of the World'' without knowing too much about it, and it surprised me a lot, because it's a fantastic film.

The story is completely beautiful. Yes, it's very sad, but it's a fantastic story. Many people say this film is too slow, but I didn´t think so. In my opinion, the pace was perfect for this story.

The acting was great. Mirai Moriyama and Masami Nagasawa were fantastic, especially Masami. Ko Shibasaki was very good too, but she has a rather small role in the film. Takao Osawa was the weakest one, but he was very good too.

The music was quite simple, but it fitted the story and the tone of the film perfectly. The song at the end credits was beautiful.

I also have to mention the cinematography. It was gorgeous.

To sum up, ''Crying Out Love, In The Center of the World'' is a beautiful but sad film about first loves and how those have in an influence in our lives, even when we grow up. I'll definitely watch it again soon.

P.S. The book the film is based on, which is titled ''Socrates in Love'', is even better. I really recommend it.

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Will these words even be enough?

What collection of carefully-picked written words do I need to use to justify the profound soul-wrenching beauty of this film? Will words even be enough?

A Sun is one of those films where a mere retell of its plot would simply not be enough to capture its profound and soul-wrenching story. It’s one of those films that you have to witness and experience to fully appreciate and understand the story it is trying to tell its audience.

There are only a few films that rendered me at a loss for words after watching them and this is certainly one of those films. Honestly, I’m afraid of writing a review for this film because I do know that this time my written words would not be able to give the justice this film certainly deserves.

In simple words, this film is an intimate story about a family in the aftermath of a tragedy after a previous misfortune. If you read that simple summary, you will probably think this is one of those ordinary tales about families and tragedies. In a way, you’re right-- it is indeed ordinary, but also in a number of other ways, you’re greatly mistaken to assume that this is just another ordinary tale of a family.

What is so remarkable about this film is its ability to tell a multitude of things in too little of everything. The relationship between the two brothers was shown in just two separate brief scenes, one of which is just a narrated story of the elder brother’s visit to the youngest. Yet despite their little interactions in this film, both scenes already provided enough to paint a picture in your head of what could have been the dynamics between the two brothers.

On the other hand, the relationship between the husband and wife was marked with only dialogues about their sons and very little of what could have hinted their relationship was like outside of being parents to their children. The gap between them created by the lack of any details about their personal relationship was remedied by the actors' stellar portrayal of their characters. It was their silent moments, the quiet comfort between them, and their distant yet intimate connection with each other that bridge this gap.

Overall, A Sun is a painful, yet beautiful and still hopeful story of an ordinary family with very complex characters that you would end up caring for as you go along with the film. All the actors nailed their respective roles. They were simply perfect. The original score is perfect too. It was deeply moving and impactful without being too overpowering. It was simply a great mix of everything.

Watch it, it’s totally worth your time. Your 2 and a half hours will surely not be put to waste.

[SPOILER AHEAD! Do not read after this if you don’t want to be spoiled. Take my word, if ever you plan to watch this movie, stop reading at this point because you will appreciate the story more without knowing what is written below.]

I have read a number of people asking why the elder brother did what he did and how they could not simply understand his reasons. This questioning alone is a good example of how often signs and causes of depression are often missed by even the closest person to the one depressed. It tells how a person’s facade is not everything and how one carry oneself in front of the others can be very deceiving and is not in any way a good indicator of what lies beneath one’s exterior.

I was also very shocked with what happened to A-Hao. It was only after what he did that I was able to fully understand his story of the kids playing hide-and-seek.

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He Learned to Hide His Crazy

THE UNHINGED LIVE-WATCH NOTES 📝
Let me take you on the journey that was watching this absolute fever dream:
The premise hits: Reborn revenge where the twist is HE’S the one who remembers being a psychopath and has to actively suppress his “chain women to furniture” instincts as a ROMANCE STRATEGY. Incredible. Revolutionary. This man’s entire character arc is “learn to hide the crazy long enough to get the girl.” I’m OBSESSED.
The face situation: That smirk. THAT SMIRK. Liang Si Wei looked at the camera like he knows what he’s doing to us and he’s enjoying it. Sir, this is WEAPONIZED attractiveness. This should be illegal. I need a minute. Several minutes. I need to lie down……
Unexpected production value: The MUSIC? It’s actually good? It’s HOPPIN? In a vertical drama? Someone spent budget on the soundtrack instead of just looping the same piano track for 90 minutes? I’m SHOOK.
The coconut incident: THIS MAN JUST CASUALLY USED A DIAMOND RING THE SIZE OF MY ENTIRE MORTGAGE PAYMENT TO CRACK OPEN A COCONUT. A COCONUT. TROPICAL FRUIT. He looked at this massive rock and thought “you know what this is good for? COCONUT BREAKING.” The disrespect to both coconuts and capitalism. The AUDACITY. I’m screaming. This is the most expensive fruit-opening in television history and I CANNOT.
The internal conflict: Listen, I know this is problematic. I KNOW. But when Liang Si Wei is on screen looking like THAT with THOSE ABS and THAT FACE, I found myself thinking “you know what, piano chains don’t sound SO bad.” I’m aware I need therapy. I’m AWARE. But also he can kidnap me anytime. I’m a mess. We’re all a mess. This man is dangerous and I’m volunteering as tribute.
THE BODYGUARD REVOLUTION: HOLD. THE. PHONE. This man hired a LADY BODYGUARD to PROTECT the FL? A professional! Security! Person! To keep her SAFE! Not “I’ll be jealous and possessive and that counts as protection”—actual HIRED SECURITY with TRAINING and WEAPONS! In VERTICAL DRAMA LAND where FLs get kidnapped every 14 minutes with ZERO professional security measures! This is the most thoughtful thing I’ve ever seen a vertical drama ML do! Someone get this man a trophy for “Most Likely to Understand That Professional Security Is Better Than Toxic Jealousy”! UNPRECEDENTED!
The ex-fiancé’s brain cell count: This DUMBASS had an affair with fake sister—HER FAKE SISTER—and is out here confused why she won’t return his calls. Sir. SIR. You cheated. WITH HER FAKE FAMILY MEMBER. And you’re standing there with your one shared brain cell wondering why she blocked you? The cognitive dissonance is breathtaking. The audacity is STUNNING. I want to study him in a lab.
Character development (or lack thereof): She’s a painter! How do we know? Because she painted ONE (1) painting. In ONE (1) scene. Character ESTABLISHED! Career CONFIRMED! Never mind that actual painters paint multiple things, this is vertical drama land where one prop = entire personality. She could’ve been holding a stethoscope for all the character depth it provided.
Second ML’s mobility crisis: The Second ML is supposed to be injured and on crutches. SUPPOSED to be. This man is fighting those crutches like they personally insulted his family. He can’t OPERATE them. It’s like watching someone lose a fight with inanimate objects. He’s a GOOBER. Casting said “can you use crutches?” and he said “how hard could it be?” VERY HARD, apparently. Physical comedy was not intentional but DELIVERED.

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Heartbreaking film based on a true story- prepare your tissues!

This film was definitely worth the long wait for decent English subs! I don't even know where to begin...

It was so well written and it absolutely breaks my heart to read that this plot is based on a true story. Watchers can see the growth of Lawyer Jung Yup who didn't agree that bystanders were guilty of the crime in the beginning of the film become someone who was first to stand up and protect Da Bin.

The actors all did an amazing job, especially the child actress who played Da Bin and the actress who played the evil stepmother. It must have been extremely difficult to act in either position (the victim or perpetrator) so I applaud them both for embodying their roles. I read an article saying that several actresses even rejected to play the role of the stepmother but the actress who accepted, Yoo Sun, did it to spread awareness. I truly hated the stepmother ever since she came onto screen and still hate the real person who committed this crime in the real case. How can the law punish these criminals so lightly?

Additionally, the music in this film was very good. The dramatic ominous BGM matches the hard-to-watch child abuse scenes and the sad string instrument BGM makes you immediately absorbed into the tear-jerking scene. Those sad scenes made me cry multiple times throughout the movie so definitely prepare yourself! I was practically bawling by the time the trial ended.

Most importantly, this film brings awareness to the problematic issue of the law regarding child abuse (in Korean) and how people don't report the abuse when they see it and ignore it. Da Bin grew to distrust adults since they failed to help her and her brother leave her dangerous home on many occasions. This is a very meaningful message behind this film and I hope that those who watch can learn and gain the strength to help others when they see they need it. Well, at least I will do my best if the situation arises. We need more people like Jung Yup and the young boy, Jang Ho, who helped Da Bin in this film.

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Thank you, this is the worst series I've ever watched

I will be extremely honest (And I will try my best not to give spoilers, I promise):

To begin with, this series presents us with 2 different stories. This series is actually a story that is being told by a man in the square. From episode 1 to 16 it is a story about a spy who is the princess's look-alike and switches places with her to spy on the palace.
For some reason in episode 17, the people who are listening to the story get angry, and say that the story "didn't end well!", so the man who is telling the story decides to start all over again, and tell a new story TOTALLY changing the story. origin and personality of the characters. It's no joke, LITERALLY THIS happens.
They completely ignore the story of episodes 1 to 16. There were people who died, there were moments when we felt distressed, but they simply said "That didn't happen, forget it, let's start over" and excluded these characters. In the new story they only kept about 4 characters (along with the protagonists), and the rest they threw away and changed the cast.

Now let’s get to the specific points:
* The main couple is only a couple out of pure convenience, as there is practically no romantic development for them.

*All the other couples in the series are better than the protagonists! It's no joke, any other romantic story within the series is better. Actress Bai Lu plays 2 characters with 2 romantic stories, and the 2 romances are better than the main romance. Actress Zhao Lu Si's romance story is also better, and the emperor's lover's romance story is also better... Anyway, even the TRAGIC romantic stories that happen in the series are more beautiful than the main couple's romance.

*The female protagonist is only intelligent when it suits her, she is completely stupid for most of the series, acting like a child, then when something goes wrong she becomes the reincarnation of Sherlock Holmes.

*Everyone in the series hates her and wants her to die or go back to her palace, even the protagonist acts as if "it doesn't matter" to him.

* The secondary plots are attractive, but the main plot is this nonsense from the protagonists and it's very boring. If the story were about General Feifang's story, I believe it would be incredible, but it's not. I only felt relieved when these other characters appeared on the scene. I might have been angry with them (since some of them were bad), but at least I felt something.

*GOOD SIDE OF WATCHING Untouchable Lovers:

- I managed to watch Zhao Lu Si playing the villain;
- Now I have a series to put on the podium as "Worst series I've ever watched". So, whenever I watch something bad, I can say: "This show may be bad, but nothing beats the HORROR that was Untouchable Lovers."

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My stages of watching Gameboys 2020

*grin like an idiot*
*ugly cry*
*shake my head because I still can't believe how realistic this BL is*
*smile till it hurts my cheeks*
*squeal like a 16 years old girl*
*cry and somehow laugh at the same time*
*nod vigorously because I relate so much*
*hold my chest because heart is shattering*
*cry all the tears of my body*
*blush from all the cuteness*
*pinch myself to make sure this drama really does exist*
*grin like an idiot*
... and repeat for thirteen episodes straight.

Here is my review for Gameboys 2020. Thank you for reading.

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Good watch but pace slows down and doesn't pick up

Story: great beginning with a funny scenes thrown in. The struggles of being a detective, and a police officer at that are well portrayed. There's a good fast pace as they rush to save the death row convict's life. Then things trickle down when they fail too. I think they reveal all the cards too early in the drama and where they aren't, it is too easy to guess 'who-done-it' which kills the suspense. Feel like Ji-Hyeok's childhood trauma wasn't brought out as well as it could have been which made it hard to really empathise with him.

Acting: commendable acting all round, can't really fault it. Do-Chang and Ji-Hyeok make a great time . Seo-Kyung did a great job with her role, didn't feel cringey as is common with many FLs in K-dramas. Jong-Tae is not the cliché psycho killer common in many drams which is refreshing . The Violent Crimes team two is also good fun to watch, especially Dong-Wook's baseball scene.

Summary: enjoy the first nine episodes or so to follow the story. It makes for good lazy Sunday afternoon watch after that.

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There are a few times when I rated a drama with 9. But this one really desrves it. The couple was adorable, and they had great chemistry which helped a lot with the progress of the story. Actually, the love story was really good, sweet and cute. I espicially loved the leading lady, who was fangirl goals. The addition of that in the plot mix was very clever. The plot, in addition, was well constructed and the story didn't get boring or frustrating. The events followed one another, even though the plot twist in the end was too cliche, as it has happen to too many dramas, but I will forgive them since the rest of the show was good. I also enjoyed the OST.
So, 9 out of 10.

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A sensitive, fond portrayal of dealing with being stuck in time

I found this drama completely on accident at Viki and watched it all in one sitting!

With short 8 episodes, this drama will grab your attention at the first and make you cry at least once. It has that magical jdrama ability of hitting you right in the feels without needing any showy imaginaries. The plot is tight and to the point: a cherry tree miracle happened -- a high school young man is revived 7 years later the date of his death to make his best friend/love interest wish of being confessed under a cherry tree come true, only his previous tight group of friends are distant now they are all adults, and the tree is going to be cut down soon. The main theme, for me, is getting back on track after something really impactful happened to you.

The cast is amazing, full of young actor who are really great. The main lead, especially, is so good. He is portraying a character forever 17 years old, in the middle of friends who grew to be 24 when he couldn't, and it's amazing how he looks the part. You can feel on his behavior, the way he moves, the way he talks, the way he sleeps (!!!) that he's only 17, not an adult yet, and it's heartbreaking. Not only the characters but also the viewers start to wonder what life would be like if the accident had never happened.

The pace, the editing, the sensibility of the director, the subtle ost that binds everything together, all of that leaves a harmonious impression. It's a human story, full of life, sweet story that explores human emotions in a way that Japanese dramas excel at. And it doesn't get sloppy.

You definitely should give it a chance!

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