This review may contain spoilers
It Was Just Ok... Nothing Special!
**Disclaimer: This is just my opinion, please don't take anything I say personally. We don't have to agree and I'm not here to argue with anyone.***(I'm so picky so please take this review with a grain of salt.)
Tropes: Workplace Romance, Rich Guy / Poor Girl, guy falls first and harder, grumpy/sunshine, enemies (ish) to lovers, forced proximity.
Idk usually I love rom-com's like this but they had me in the first half and lost me in the second half. It really seemed like Gu Won's character was built around his love for Sa Rang and he didn't have much development outside of that. I feel like they did more telling than actually showing us how hard he fought for the hotel and why he deserved to be president. Idk there could've been more obstacles at work and between the two leads imo. I think I would've loved to see them develop the tourist hotel together and be happy outside of the city. Or imo they could've actually have Sa Rang and Gu Won Break up bc she feels stifled by him his dreams and wants to chase her own dream of managing her own hotel / the tourist one. I also think the arc between his mom and his sisters hatred for him could've been expanded more and their resolution could have been more developed. I feel like the last 8 episodes lacked a lot of depth / actual plot. The last 2 episodes especially seemed rushed and episode 16 specifically seemed unnecessary. I felt her entire desire of owning her own hotel was quite lame... even the name of her hotel, "Amore" (Love in Italian) What were they thinking? As in she could've used her own name (Sarang) LMAO. And the fact that she wasn't able to find any personnel to assist her, and they wanted me to think that the president of King Hotel, Gu Won, had time to assist her (whilst managing King Hotel + all those international branches and trying to expand the franchise to Europe?) – that part was so unbelievable I had to laugh.
It was honestly a struggle for me to finish this drama. The leads chemistry was just "okay" but at times I wasn't feeing it as much. I think I prefer their BTS footage as they seem less in character and more silly and free. I fell in love with the airport couple (Pyeong Hwa and Ro Woon) I thought they were cute and I'm glad they got together. It took forever but they actually made it. I thought her other friend's storyline (Da Eul) with her dirty husband was completely sidelined and her giving her husband a taste of his own medicine was questionable. It's obvious their relationship is toxic and they should get divorced. I can only see the husband not learning anything and then trying to find ways to hurt her back – like cheating on her or something. I feel like the writers didn't have a clue how to wrap up the story or create more obstacles for dramatic effect. They almost got me invested when I thought Gu Won and Sa Rang were gonna break up but they failed and immediately lost me, again.
Overall, the ending of the entire drama was what you would expect, a pathetic male lead who's whole character arc is about him being in love with a woman who does not like him at first. ML falls first and harder. FL starts catching feelings then there's the slight forbidden relationship where people don't want them to be together. Them deciding to be together anyways, dating period, proposal (but not? because the FL wants to achieve her dreams first). ML still supporting her through everything a year later, her finally accepting the proposal. Then finally marriage and them living happily ever after.
This drama was boring and severely overhyped. I don't think I would rewatch. It definitely could have been wayyyy better especially when you compare this to other workplace romances like Business Proposal, Touch Your Heart, Suspicious Partner, Her Private Life, My Secret Romance, What's Wrong With Secretary Kim etc. Like they had so many blueprints and yet... it did not live up to the expectation. It's disappointing because I feel like I wasted my time and then felt like I HAD to finish it for completion sake.
Anyways, what you see is what you get so if you're looking for a lot of romance with barely any plot then this drama is right for you.
After careful consideration, I gave it a 6.25/10 (my real and objective rating) however, I decided to round it up to a 6.5/10 (purely because of how much of an independent girl boss Sa Rang was)
THANKS FOR READING AND HAPPY WATCHING!
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
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I LOVED THIS ABSOLUTELY
ERROR! ERROR! REVIEW REQUIRED!I WILL ALWAYS SAY IT, THE POTENTIAL KOREAN BLs HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But seriously, I was really shocked at the quality of it all, it was impressive and great, and I loved every second of it.
Before we kick off, I would like to highlight If you are someone looking for like just skinship, then I don't think this is the series for you, if you want story, great acting, production etc, then this is for you. Side Note: They had great kisses though
But the story is quite interesting and cool, I like how it wasn't focused on a guy struggling with his sexuality or any of that drama, but they knew what they wanted, and they went for it straight.
Reviews are usually broken into
1. Introduction
2. General Review, Themes, Specific Issues
3. Story arc and Storylines
4. Characters and Casting
5. Acting
6. Misses
7. Production
8. Rewatch Value
INTRODUCTION
Alright, no matter how much I want a change in the themes of BL to things like Manner of Death and the upcoming KinnPorsche the series, I won’t say I don’t appreciate my good old fluffy bls and Semantic Error was something in that manner. On a general I loved the series, it’s a great one.
GENERAL REVIEW and STORYARC
On an overall, we kinda went with the popular trope of bad boy and rebel who falls in love with the upright, top of the class, quiet kid. And I am not opposed to it because they executed it and I think part of it is tied down to the acting and the actors who really had great chemistry together. Loved the pacing of the series because it didn’t feel too rushed, though I wish we had more romance time between them, but they always had cuteness, so I don’t mind. The storyline was nothing too complex, just two boys who fate brings together in the weirdest way, they start off on a misunderstanding then eventually end up needing each other while being a balance to each other. From a boy who viewed the world through a binary view, thinking love was manipulation to becoming a boy who couldn’t understand what was happening to him when someone he considered to be a “virus” was removed. Loved the idea behind it
CHARACTERS, CASTING AND ACTING
First on the characters, I absolutely love the main characters and two support characters. They were funny, I mean watching Sangwoo go sassy on Choi when she tells them they weren’t the only ones in the office and watching Jang enjoy every moment of his boyfriend (to be) was so cool. The casting was perfect, the height difference between the actor that plays Jang and Sangwoo makes the casting all the much better, like the difference in their height made them more likeable.
For the acting, I think chemistry between the two actors helped so much in this because I love their acting, watching Sangwoo go from uptight to when he starts experiencing his error and then finally when he falls for Jang. Their acting was great.
MISSES
The only miss, which I would not necessarily call a miss for me was the stalker start that the show had because those things can easily go haywire and weird
PRODUCTION AND REWATCH VALUE
Loved the production on this show, it was great, the entire team tried with the direction of the show, and I would a hundred percent watch this show again in the future
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This review may contain spoilers
Generally speaking, I usually have the opposite effect for over-hyped things. The more hype a thing has, the more likely it is for me to not like it. I went into watching Eternal Love with low expectations and as I had predicted at the time, I didn't find it too extra ordinary in the beginning. STORY:
Eternal Love is comprised of the following three stages:
Episode 1-15:
This is when Yang Mi plays Si Yin and we are mostly being introduced to the characters. Ye Hua and Su Su meet up. It sets the pace of the story. This part doesn't have any wow factors, rather it provides an undercurrent of mild amusement. At this point you're not completely invested in the story but you also cannot let it go.
Episode 16-30:
Now this part was just plain torturous. This constructs the build up towards the main plot. It showcases Su Su's and Ye Hua's love and all the hardships she had to face as a mortal. Even though their sweet moments were heart warming, over-all this is literally the deadest portion of the show. It's not exactly the shows fault, rather the sypnosis's. We already know that SuSu is going to go blind and kill herself and honestly, I just felt like only after that, the true story would kick in which is why I had to fast forward some scenes because the whole wait did get, frankly, very boring. I understood that it was necessary for the character development and it provided a strong basis for the story to continue but that didn't mean that I found the drag-on particularly enjoyable. But since my intuition said that the light at the end of the tunnel would be very bright, I persevered.
Episode 30-58:
And this is when the show sky rockets to its summit. I think Episode 30 was by far the best episode made. From here onwards there are so many emotions; one great scene followed by another and suddenly I went from being half-heartedly interested to full on obsessed.
Acting:
Damn, I think I have a little bit of a crush on Yang Mi. She's such an absolute star to be honest. She portrayed her different personalities excellently. From the youthful and mischievous Si Yin, to the kind-hearted and vulnerable SuSu and finally to the boss ass queen Bai Qian; she simply slayed. There is this utter grace with which she speaks and moves that you can't help but be entranced by her. She was the true embodiment of a Queen and a total badass. Her fighting scenes were so empowering and the way she wields that Jade Purity Fan; just dang. She's a woman of power to her core and when Ye Hua forcefully kisses her once, she doesn't just let it be -nuhhun- she bestows him with a five fingered bitch slap 'cause ain't nobody messing with the Queen of Qing Qiu.
Mark was also a very nice surprise. He expressed a multitude of emotions just with his eyes. He didn't have to speak or show rather even the slightest twitch of his face spoke volumes. To be honest, I really fell in love with Ye Hua's character in the later part of the show. He's so selfless and devoted in his affection for Bai Qian that you can't help but root for him. Mark's delivery of Mo Yuan's character was also very impressive. Mo Yuan is a personality that demands respect and he gave him the elegance and majestic aura that was required.
Their chemistry is sizzling hot and both of them compliment each other to the max. I love how their love story transcends all worlds and they're two people destined to be together. I mean towards the end I was so committed to seeing their happy ending that for the first time in my life, I deliberately went to seek out spoilers just so I could have a consolation that everything wouldn't be in vain. Even though the ending is pretty sappy and the consequent events just turn out to be interestingly very very convenient for everybody, I think I wouldn't have opted for less.
The most annoying part of this show probably has to do with everything that was related to the Ghost Realm. Xian nu is literally the world's dumbest villain to ever grace the screens. I mean sure if you gonna be a negative ass bitch, filled to the brim with inferiority complexes, the least you can do is actually have some brains to execute your deviltry, instead she remains pitiful throughout and besides being an annoyance, doesn't amount to much.
Never fear though, because her husband matches her toe to toe as far as stupidity is concerned. Li JIng has a constant "woe-is-me" expression plastered on. He always acts like he is the most tragic person alive and he's constantly throwing pity parties and pining after someone he wronged. Like really bitch, if you gon' whine about how pathetic your life is and how you're suffering so much you should've thought better when you decided to waste your life being a nuisance and cheating on someone you supposedly loved. Smh. I was very thankful when both of these roaches finally ended up dead 'cause they literally belonged with each other in hell.
One of the best things about Eternal Love are the side stories. I had so much love for Dijun and Feng Jiu. Dijun, with his constantly amused face (as if the whole world was a huge joke to him) and Feng Jiu, with her endearing personality and child like tendencies really won me over. This show has so much character development and attention to detail. With excellent emotional delivery and story writing, I think the hype surrounding it is more or less justified.
One thing that I found hilarious was how little Bai Qian truly cared for her son like, ain't nobody got time for that but A-li is legit a ball of adorableness and the few moments they share together are absolute bliss.
Rewatching a 58 episode show is no easy feat so I don't think that I'd be doing that but there are definitely some iconic moments that I have already watched a thousand times over and will continue to revisit.
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Alchemy of Everything...
Honestly, I was a little excited because of So Min and Jae Wook when the news broke out, and that was fair, but that’s it. I thought I’d check it out when it drops. When it premiered and the response was huge, including in my circle, I wanted to try out soon. Very happy to announce that it went beyond my expectations. Such a well-made drama with mind-blowing plot development and intriguing elements. If more of such dramas are made in Korea in future, this will definitely be in the top 5, along with “Arthdral Chronicles”.Produced by ‘Studio Dragon’ & ‘High Quality’, “Alchemy of Souls (환혼)” is an adventure fantasy, set in an alternative period drama. Written by Hong sisters (Jung Eun & Mi Ran) and directed by Park Joon Hwa, the drama ran for 10 weeks, originally on tvN and internationally distributed by Netflix. The principal photography was done in the filming set worth 5 billion won, constructed in Maseong-myeon city of North Gyeongsang Province.
The show takes place in the backdrop of Daeho, a fictional country, and follows a tale of the mages protecting the world against the evil that is trying to bring back a legendary object that will be accompanied by chaos and destruction. ‘Alchemy of Souls’ is a prohibited process used to switch souls between bodies. It keeps at center, Naksu (Go Yoon Jung), an elite mage with unbelievable power, who gets trapped in the body of a mysterious girl, Mu Deok (Jung So Min), and loses her power. Then she meets Jang Uk (Lee Jae Wook), a young master who is in search of a master to learn spells as he was prevented to do so immediately since birth. Together they try to gain and regain their power, as they keep discovering the intertwined fate, they were in bound to come across.
Daeho have different lineages of families of mages, each of which play specific positions and are connected with the leadership of the royal family. Seo family owning Sejukwon the grand infirmary and hub for hospitality, Park family owning Songrim, the most influential space training best of mages, Jin family owns Jinyowon, the place of rarest items and host of powerful priestesses and Jang Family, the hire to the Danju of Chunbugwan , the record keeping organization.
Seo Yul (Hwang Min Hyun) and Park Dang Gu (Yoo In Su) are Songrim mages with ParK Jin (Yoo Jun Sang) as the leader. Heo Yeom (Lee Do Kyung) is the leader of Sejukwon and Maidservant Kim (Oh Na Ra) is the housemaker at Jang Family. Jin Ho Kyung (Park Eun Hye) is the leader of Jinyowon with her daughter Jin Cho Yeon (Arin). Jin Mu (Jo Jae Yoon) is the Asst. Danju at Cheonbugwan. Go Won (Shin Seung Ho) is the crown prince, whereas Go Soon (Choi Kwang Il) and Seo Ha Sun (Kang Kyung Heon) are the King and the Queen of Daeho. Ju Wol (Park Soo Jin) is the leader of Chwiseollu, the place of gisaengs.
Plot development is amazing, very balanced at that, with fair share of twists, peaks and revelations in each episode, that are well-explained at their due time. The connecting plots have been arranged and embellished in a way that it intrigues at each point. The introduction itself was gratifying, indicating an appealing journey ahead, and the furtherance in next few episodes was smooth and engaging. The plot elements get intertwined soon after and everything seems intricated, as intended by the makers and the paced revelations of key facts is what makes the audience to keep going with the show throughout.
Hong sisters never disappoint. Just like their previous dramas, this was amazing and probably their career best, for the story and concept is unique, the elements are intriguing as well as overwhelmingly outstanding, the plot development is pleasing and the twists plus revelations are astonishing to core. Some facts were a bit assumable but considering the number of key elements and lengthy runtime of the drama, that’s very low. The characters have been built-up with great care and have fair shares of depth to themselves and the development of the ML Jang Uk was visibly very gratifying. The process of unveiling the mystery bit by bit was entertaining and satisfying.
Park Joon Hwa PDnim for the ace he is, has come back stronger after 3 years with the drama, which prolly is his first period fiction even though its an alternate fantasy; this should go to one of his best dramas list. The amount of time taken for the production is definitely worth seeing the outcomes, both the quality, the experiences and the response of audience, i. e. the popularity. The scenario setup for all of the major places were aptly done, along with the maintained and regulated changes to the actual culture. Both the CGI & VFX work were well-incorporated as necessitated which should be sufficiently commended. The cinematography also deserves an A+.
Composed by Nam Hye Sung PDnim, the show has a good set of OSTs
# “Scars Leave Beautiful Trace” by Car, the Garden felt like a force of motivation to me than a confession of love. The lyrics is beautifully coded to empower someone’s willpowers and is my most favorite for the way its been used in the drama.
# “Aching” by Kassy is soulfully melancholic song about foregone adversities that have caused immense pain until achieving prosperity. The notes of the chorus is gut-wrenching.
# “Just Watching You” by Jung Se Woon is a touching divulgence of sweet memories to create with someone you are in love with. The lyrics is very well-versed.
# “Raindrops” by Gummy is heartfelt rendition of one’s emotions of being loved at times of odd.
The other 3 tracks are…
# “You’re Everything to Me” by Shin Yong Jae
# ‘Breath” by Kim Na Young
# ‘Love Letter (with you)” by Big Naughty
The concept of alchemy and controlling earthly elements with the flow of energy, rather than citing it as just magic tricks, came as a very fresh illustration of fantasy in Kdramas and the idea od ice stone as well as the process of performing soul-shifting were as beguiling. I loved how this basic aspect were incorporated throughout into an interconnected and intricate narrative, involving the characters and to ease the murkiness in the ambience, we got moderate comedy, teen romance, heartful confessions and everything else that we see in modern drama.
The drama and its alternative world gave the makers the advantage of altering and introducing aspects historical without any hesitation, hence bringing out unique propositions, from outfits to cultures and from architecture to laws of the land. The modification of hanboks into solid and designed clothes, while preserving the basic outlines plus the various hairstyles and dyed hair, and then the simple accessories, all of them felt very fresh. I particularly loved them not abiding to the strict-law formulas, that we often see in real sageuk dramas, which also included no class differentiation among people though there were poors and riches.
I came to admire the narrative surrounding the mighty “ice stone” and how both Jang Uk and Mu Deok utilized their knowledge to decipher the underlying meanings and take actions as necessary. The idea of defining it as a medium for the flow of energy between the sky and the earth, in an indescribable form than a mere stone of ice, did strike me to core. The use of elements like Gwigu and ‘Word of Hearts’ as props were very well-handled. The legend of Master Seo Gyeong and the charismatic acts of Master Lee plus his discovery of certain other elements were both entertaining and enticing.
The storytelling was able behold everyone’s interest for its way of defining characters, elements and sub-stories, all combined into a beautifully appealing script. Hong sisters got wise about dividing the entire development of the current time with multiple narratives: the 200-year-old chaos, the 10-year-old misfortunes, the past of Naksu and Mu Deok, the current tragedy, Jang Uk’s journey, Jin Mu’s pans, etc. The careful establishment of connnections between different subplots and explanations for each suspicion have been very adequately done.
The incorporation of the swords and using it as a part of casting spells, controlling energy and performing different tricks was another intriguing element that I loved the most. The way the sword demanded the master’s competence to get activated and their appearances as in the designs sketched over were beautiful. Every duel between the mages were absolute treats with the well-organized actions. The performance of “alchemy of souls” and the graphics used to represent were bewitching to begi with and Naksu did it the best, be it in her own body or in Mu Deok’s.
Jung So Min and Lee Jae Wook chemistry will surely be a favourite, for the manner in which the relationship between them developed with two dimensions was an amazing experience. It was like two people altering their moods on two sides of a sheet in the same room. The way Jang Uk’s mood changes from Seonsaeng-nim to Mu Deok-ah in just seconds, I could not help but laugh until my stomach hurt. I guess those unsettling boundaries made them fall in love without their conscious and I particulary loved Uk’s way of showing his emotions.
Jung So Min is actually talented and I really hope she gets to play roles of different spectrum from now on. The duality she carried in two contrasting moods, Naksu and Mu Deok, was tremendously delivered; I can say she has improved a lot in a decade and this will be one of his best performances. Escalating the country-style habit of speech to behavior of Mu Deok to the solid and steady manners of Naksu, and vice versa, wasn’t really that smooth of a task.
Jang Uk had evidently the best character development among all bc of how his character was built-up from the scratch; from a guy with no power to turning a powerful mage who can outrank everyone else easily, we saw a engaging jouney, with Naksu obviously. Idk what but I presume it was his love for Mu Deok that also nourished him to be a thoughtful and wise man and made him carry out tasks that nobody thought he’d do or be able to. His expressions are something else; one moment he’s too serious and then he becomes an innocent puppy; his playfulness around Mu Deok were admirable. Lee Jae Wook deserves all the praises and appreciations for his acting, I hope his era is finally here.
Shin Seung Ho as the Crown Prince was developed with good amount of attention and honestly his character grew in an unexpected direction; be it his bromance with Jang Uk or his tease-party with Mu Deok, I loved his interactions with others, when I thought he will not have much to do in the story. But at the end, I ended up admiring him so much. Arin and Min Hyun as rookie stars did deliver nice; Cho Yeon had limited time but she appeared so geaceful and Seo Yul as a handsome and talented mage, might not have much importance in the story, but he shined very bright within his character. Yoo In Su as Park Dang Gu was a great source of humor and his presence in the scenes did lighten the mood, for sure.
Final Remarks… I don’t think I have much left to confess about the drama but I can say with confidence that everything about the drama has influenced me a lot, in various ways and various points. The fact that most of aspects from writing to direction and acting to outcomes, have been a good experience, we must appreciate the team for their efforts in making a nearly flawless piece of art. I also wanna commend them for bringing this amazing cast together and it will stay in the memory forever.
If you are fan of sageuks or fantasy or alternate realities and adventure, this is a very good compilation of all of that, presented in a gratifying manner. There should be no doubt in starting it if you are still in the dilemma due to the longer runtimes and 20 episodes bc the time invested will be worth. I am happy they cleared the air about the possible 2nd part with confirming its arrival late this year, before finishing this one, so I will be eagerly waiting for my new year treat, hehe. Also, its needed bc the original script is that long and the makers had already decided on it, even before beginning the project, so no complaints.
PLEASE WATCH THIS!
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Overall, this was not -so- bad, and it was an entertaining way to waste some time, but unless you are a diehard Cassie or are just curious about DBSK, there are probably better things to watch out there.
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Aaaaand now I'm a mess.
With the final episode done, my face tear stained, eyes puffy, and nose looking like it could put Rudolf to shame... I wonder what I'm supposed to do with my life now.I feel like a mess. A huge mess. I have been stalking my own TV since freaking OCTOBER! You know the second a new episode dropped, my nose was in the TV and best bet, I haven't made plans to do anything in fear of missing a episode. Lol
구미호뎐 was so gosh damn phenomenal. I just want to spend the rest of my days talking about how much I loved every inch of this show. I have this weird obsession with 구미호 anyway so when I heard there was going to be a show about it starring two of my favorite people - There was nothing else left to do except wait. I needed no other reason because I was instantly hooked. Whoever thought to put Kim Bum and Lee Dong-Wook in a show together... I love you. and thank you for traumatizing me. Okay not really thankful about that last part, but thank you for putting this amazing masterpiece together.
This show is the perfection of a roller coaster without going on those monstrosities (I said what I said) --
There were characters I adored from the start and ended up HATING! There were characters I hated that I ended up loving... but funny enough it ended with me loving everyone. Well... minus the bad people. Hot or not, I still don't like you 이무기 (Imoogi)!! Even though there were a lot of times I wished you weren't a dickbag.
ANYWHO! Every single episode held so much that sometimes I felt like I held my breath the whole time, only able to breathe when it was over. Lol It held a bit of a trance, I suppose. Not complaining. I love shows like that. It's rare for that to happen as well - So I know this show will stick with me forever and will always be a favorite of mine.
Everyone's acting was off the charts amazing, there wasn't a single terrible person that was casted and I really really REALLY hope this wins awards. That's how amazing I believe it is. Not only the whole show, the cast, storyline, even the MUSIC.. just... EVERYTHING should be won when it comes to this show! I'm talking Parasite level of awards. Fight me if you don't agree. lol
I knew getting close to the end it would be sad. It's inevitable, but COME ON!!! I wasn't expecting THAT! I don't think I have cried quiet that hard since I watched Goblin.... and my face turned purple from crying so hard watching that. You can imagine how I looked watching this...... please don't imagine. I'm sure it's scary AF. Lol
The only and I mean ONLYYYYY issue I had with this show isn't even really just a issue, more of a confusion? And that's how it ended the way that it ended. I don't understand? Was he? Wasn't he? kinda thing. So I am really confused. I'm kinda hoping they release some kind of statement about it or extra little piece to explain how that happened when all through the show - we heard different. While I'm happy, I'm confused and maybe a little scared? Also... I wish it could have ended happier, if you know what I mean. If you watch it, and I hope you do -- I hope you'll agree with me that that person deserved happiness too.
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Silk Robes & Side-Eyes: A Sweet Escape with “Prisoner of Beauty”
Watching Prisoner of Beauty felt like getting wrapped in a velvet blanket while two ridiculously good-looking people argued like an old married couple. 😂Song Zu’er? Total gem 💎—graceful, sharp, and that face could lead armies or end wars. The way she glares at Liu Yuning every time he roasts the poor Scholar? Comedy gold 🤣. Her expressions deserve their own drama: fiery when mad 😤, cool when scheming 🧠, soft when in love 💕, and adorably guilty when apologising 🥺. It’s like an emoji keyboard came to life—with actual acting skills. Unlike most cookie-cutter FLs, she brings layers, not just eyeliner. Queen behavior. 👑
Liu Yuning—ugh yes please! 😍 The man is walking eye candy with a dash of brooding mystery and unexpected softness. That towering presence, those intense gazes, and his deep voice? Instant heart flutter 🫠. Plus, his fashion and armor game? On point. Whether he’s in battle robes or sulking in a corner, he serves main character energy with a side of “I’ll protect you but won’t talk about my feelings” charm 🖤🗡️. Love his style, love his vibe—10/10 would stare respectfully (and maybe a little disrespectfully) every episode. 😏🔥 He comes in all broody and battle-ready 🗡️, but surprise! He’s got deadpan sass and “emotionally constipated but trying” energy that grows on you like a reluctant houseplant. 🌱 Their chemistry? It’s giving enemies-to-lovers with a side of slow-burn eye contact and unspoken feelings longer than ancient scrolls 📜.
And here’s the best part—no unnecessary breakups, no stupid misunderstandings! 🙌 Yes, they bicker (and thank goodness, because the banter is gold), but they hash it out like mature, emotionally literate grownups. What a concept! 😂 It’s so refreshing to see leads who argue with logic, then move on with their lives together. Love them for it!
The four Wei generals and the advisor? Absolute comedy squad 🤣. Every time they showed up, it was like a mini sitcom in ancient robes. Whether they were panicking, plotting, or just being lovable idiots, they had me cackling 😂. And the advisor? The one brain cell holding them together—barely. It felt like watching a group project where only one guy read the instructions 🧠📜. Their loyalty was top-tier, but their chaos? Unmatched. I’d watch a spin-off of just them arguing over who gets the last dumpling 🥟.
The only tearjerker? Sweet, chubby General Wei Liang 😭💔. That man was a cinnamon roll in armor. His loyalty, his adorable crush, his pure friendship with the leads… I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. And his love story? Utterly precious and hilarious—like watching a puppy try to flirt 🐶💘.
The OST is like background fairy dust—gentle piano, wistful strings, and perfectly timed romantic tunes when someone almost says "I like you" but ends up staring instead 😳. And the cinematography? Stunning. Golden sunlight, flowing robes, petals flying like someone paid extra for wind effects 🍃. Every frame could hang in a museum, honestly.
Plot-wise, it’s not here to hurt you or melt your brain. No power-hungry schemes with a hundred backstabs—just heartfelt growth, palace whispers, clever plotting, and romantic tension so thick it could be sliced with a decorative hairpin. 🥢
Verdict? 10/10 for comfort, chemistry, visual snacks, and healthy communication. A drama that made my heart full, eyes happy, and left me whispering “just one more episode” at 2am like a liar. 😅📺💖
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Female lead that is equal with the male lead in brain and brawn
I must admit I didn’t start watching Under the Power until I finished all other Cdramas because Allen Ren (Lu Yi) and Seven Tan (Jinxia) doesn’t fit my preferred look for Cdrama leads who are candy cuties, with fairy faces, and winsome smiles (ex. Jung Jin yi, Zhao Lusi, Zhang Zehan, Jing Boran, etc.).In terms of acting and chemistry, all I can say is that the actors gave their A game in this production. Though they might not win the most good looking award, Allen Ren and Seven Tan definitely deserve an award for their superb acting that made me fall in love with Lu Yi’s resting frowning face, and Jinxia’s impish character. The supporting actors also gave their best and I must commend Dong Han for giving us the sexiest, and most handsome villain (Yan Shifan) to date. He did a great job by giving us a villain that you love to hate with his smiling face while doing vile deeds that sometimes you get to question yourself if you’re a psycho for wanting to side with him.
For the plot and writing, I love that all the crime solving in the drama are just subplots to propel the story forward to resolve the overarching conspiracy plot. I also like that there are SEVERAL STRONG FEMALE CHARACTERS in the story not just the main lead (ex. Ms Shengguan, Mrs. Qing, Zhai Lanye, etc). These female characters are just as strong, intelligent, cunning, and brave as the other male heroes in the story. I also felt that there were no filler scenes and that though this drama is 55 episodes long, it didn’t take 30+ episodes for the main romance to be established. Some dramas take the easy way out and give viewers a lot of kissing or sexy scenes, but the writer of this drama took the harder route by creating more logical scenes to establish the romance. Lu yi and Jinxia’s romance is not your cliched love at first sight or the martyr type romance. I fell in-love with Lu Yi and Jinxia’s romance, so much so that I didn’t care that they never had and never needed a full kiss to express their realistic love for each other. I also love the way the characters were written and that they remained consistent to their core until the end of the series. The main leads’ problems were never drawn out and was resolved in a satisfying manner that you don’t have to pray for their angst to end.
Lastly, only people who expect this drama to be either 100% crime solving or 100% rom com will be disappointed . Because this drama has the perfect blend of the elements for everyone. The breakdown of the drama elements are as follows:
40% crime solving
30% solving the main plot
30% romance between the leads
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This review may contain spoilers
IN MEMORY OF YOOK WOO DANG (1984-2003)
That’s what it says at the end of this short film, so I read about him. Yook Woo Dang is the pen name of Yun Hyon-seok, a South Korean LGBT poet-writer-activist. He took his own life in protest against discrimination against gays in South Korea.The short film is also about contemplating suicide. Jin Joon Won is bullied because he is gay. The girl who he fights with is not his girlfriend but his true self, which he blames for his troubles. But he makes peace with her (or himself) before attempting to end his life.
The initial scene in which Jin Joon Won is eating lots of fried chicken, to me, shows that he is not enjoying what he is doing anymore. He is eating, yes, but his eyes are blank and his mind is not in it.
This 12-minute film says a lot in such a short time. Acting is good, and so is the direction, cinematography, editing and overall look. Definitely worth a rewatch.
The lead actor here, Yoo Jun, is also lead in COLOR RUSH, another great show (this one is a BL series of 8 episodes) from South Korea.
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What hits differently with LOST?
We could say it's the way its told. To the dark palette scenes, the silence at some points, the dialogues between characters and their interactions and storylines, they all hit home in a different way. Perhaps it's how crude and natural most seem out to be. That they can be touching and emotional, or even deemed tragic. Nevertheless, everything is so elegantly written that captures the viewers.It's a slice of life that shows us how much loneliness is within each and everyone of us no matter our age or social status, how lost we've become at some point in our lives to start questioning where indeed we went wrong from the path we've once were settled on following. Or maybe there was none of it and we are still lost in a maze of our own delusional perceptions.
A mature and heavy storyline not for the faint of heart or spirit. Because it focuses on dark themes, such as suicide, abusive relationships, depression and hardships. The loneliness of those who live alone, of those sharing a house with someone acquainted, with a lover, a husband, and yet still having this void and drift among them. To the pain of losing someone precious, and the constant sadness, of failing, of being framed. The struggles of finding that your loved one is suffering in silence, or not finding at all until it's too late. The sheer fear of the unknown. Of potential gossips, and misunderstandings, and betrayal. The endless fear of becoming nothing. Of achieving nothing with life, not living but merely existing. The longing of living not knowing how to do so.
Fated meetings and secrets being kept between friends, and the uncertainty of life and death.
However there's a certain melancholic beauty with LOST which allures us to keep on watching and try to empathize with the characters and their own personal struggles. And to their inner emptiness that shows on every single episode.
"What is it like to feel empty?"
Great question, that is hard to give a proper answer to.
The lessons this drama portrays are beautifully expressed by the acting of such talented and seasoned actors.
Do Yeon and Joon Yeol take the prize with the main characters, and the way they engage into their bond and plot in such a natural way that it blends with the symbolic message they are portraying with their roles. Everyone has a role here, and in an odd way they are all connected or interacting at some point. It's hard not to praise the cast for their work here, they all do an amazing job with their characters and the gloomy and serious vibe of this drama. Everything seems realistic, mature and true.
I've known the song Hallelujah before, and it always hit on a deep level, but here in this drama it hits differently. They chose a cover of this famous song, and its spiritual in here. The lyrics, the voice, the sorrow that keeps on matching with the characters storyline and their scenes.
The instrumental melodies and OST blends gracefully with the feelings and the messages the main characters often mention.
Somehow the setting of this drama almost gives some Indie vibes.
Be it the cinematic effects, or even the slow paced scenes and dialogues.
There's an authentic aura enlaced within every single character and story.
Definitely a must watch.
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"Emotional Damage!"
This drama is intriguing if you know what you're in for, and extremely frustrating if you don't. This isn't a true romance drama, at least not in the traditional sense. It's not exactly a love story either, but more a story about pursuing love... or running away from it. Many people watch romantic KDramas for the escapism of a 'soul mates who are meant' to be story or a 'love against all odds' story. Instead, we have a slow-paced drama about longing, obsession, denial, misunderstandings, toxic behavior, and emotional damage told in a more realistic way. The opposite of the escapism most people crave. I found the female lead enraging at times and the male lead frustrating, but I also couldn't look away. Yes, the leads have chemistry, but it's the kind of palpable chemistry that makes you torn between rooting for them and raging against them. This drama makes you seriously question what makes a relationship worth fighting for, or can it only be considered a love story if the love works out?It stars Yoo Yeon Seok as the stoic and dependable Ha Sang Soo, and Moon Ga Young as the stubborn and guarded An Soo Young. What I liked is that both characters felt non-cliché. Sang Soo,'s puppy dog eyes often made me feel bad for him while Soo Young.'s deceptive but pained smile made me both furious and sad. They are both messy, although it's clear that the female lead is much messier, and sometimes just the way they looked at each other could fuel the emotion of a scene. Then we have Geum Sae Rok as the spoiled romantic Park Mi Kyung, and the equally romantic Jung Ga Ram as small-town boy Jung Jong Hyun. If you hate love triangles be warned that this one is a love square most of the time and even ventures into love pentagon territory. Connections between the leads often get intense, depressing, and cringy... but never boring (although repetitive).
Would I watch this again? Not likely. I think the performances are great but what was exciting to watch the first time would probably just be upsetting if I watched again knowing the ending. Also, the story, although it follows a clear timeline, felt pretty one note at times. Boy pursues girl. Girl runs away. Repeat. Sure, it's not always as simplistic as that but that's still the main formula. The theme can be a downer as well since not one couple in this drama is drama & dysfunction free... well maybe one, but that's because they don't include them much in the story.
Overall, this drama is an acquired taste. We love to see stories of people who find the perfect match and live happily ever after, but what happens if you meet someone who sparks interest and desire but fear, misunderstandings, society, and past hurt get in the way? What if you love someone much more than they love you? What if you don't trust love at all? I understand why some viewers would not be interested in a drama like this, but I think I appreciate the imperfect love story it aimed to tell. I can even appreciate the reflective and bittersweet ending. This is one of the rare KDrama moments where the title is actually perfect. Whether it's about getting in the way of your own happiness, or regret, or accepting that every relationship isn't meant to be just because there's interest, it is definitely the kind of story that could have you reminiscing about any love unrealized. Still, This cast and this drama definitely held my interest, so if you're up for it, it may hold yours too.
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This TV show is real tear jerker. Hats off to Writers, Actors, Director, Music-composer, Editor. I fell in love with the characters, beautifully portrayed by all actors especially the 3 brothers [main leads]. They have done justice to the plot with their great acting skills. I fell in love with director's cinematography & eye for nice shots, I fell in love with background music that correctly fits every scene & moves your heart accordingly so that you can feel the character's emotions well. I loved how they carefully edited every scene and how smoothly & beautifully whole plot unfolds. 26 episodes seem like a lot but I promise you that you wont be bored, In fact you'll wish that this drama never ended.
I gotta say Kim Jae Joong is an wonderful actor, who is HIGHLY underrated... Everyone notices how good looking he is, how great his skin is etc etc etc but honestly I admired his acting skills a lot. He is PURELY TALENTED & GIFTED, of course blessed with great looks as well :) I wish more producers/directors can notice this fact about him being talented, gifted actor & cast him more in upcoming dramas. I wanna watch more of his acting.
Anyone who is contemplating whether to watch this drama or not, Just go for it & give it a shot, I bet you'll fall in love with it & enjoy it as much as I did :)
UPDATE: Kim Jae Joong won "TOP EXCELLENCE ACTOR" Award for his role in Triangle at Korea Drama Awards, 2014. Congratulations JaeJoong !!!
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Not groundbreaking, but still a hidden gem that is definitely my best watch so far this year~
This show only having 26 episodes is unconstitutional! It's realistic and grounded, but with very good writing and direction. People often mistake "ethereal aesthetics" as the pinnacle of good dramas, but good direction shines even more in dramas like these. Before I start with my review of the story, it's important to note that this is a slice of life show that you watch with your family on TV over dinner or while you're lounging in the living room in the evening. It's intended to be a legal education that is digestible for normal people. It's not some grand legal drama emphasizing the "glory" of the legal profession and the judiciary. It's very down to earth, and if you don't like that and expect dramatics, you probably wouldn't enjoy this one. Another downside I can see about this show that might turn people off is the weird dubbing at some scenes. But it's not even a problem of the actors. It's more of the production team changing the lines post-production to pass censorship. If you can get past some scenes where they do that, then you're good to go.STORY:
I'm going to preface this by saying that they definitely did their research in writing the show. But then, I read that this was supervised by the Supreme Court, so it's bound to be accurate to a certain extent.
First of all, what I love about this show is that some of the cases don't end definitively or in a way that is intended to satisfy the audience. Instead, some cases are resolved in a way that is true to human nature. It's very much true to life and close to reality. Because some family matters just don't get resolved in the "perfect happy ending" that we wish them to be resolved. Like Shen Xiezhi, we go on this journey to slowly acknowledge that even when the law dictates this, even when the moral norms of society expect that—the wishes of the parties themselves are the most important, and to truly resolve the grievances in their hearts, the resolution of their cases must be tailored for them and their situation, and not mere textbook answers we find in codals and society.
On this note, I also love how they don't just focus on one case at a time, because the reality is that judges and lawyers have to deal with several cases a day. And this show simulates that pretty well without disrupting the flow of the story, since we are still able to see the linear timeline of the main characters' personal lives.
Another thing I love about this show is that the world doesn't bend to accommodate Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui's love. Instead, they are the ones who have to bend to accommodate to how the world goes. That's reality. That's life. And it makes me appreciate their relationship even more, knowing that they've made a lot of efforts and thinking to make it work—all the while not sacrificing what is inherent in them as individuals. Their careers really matter to them, and they respect each other's careers and choices, too. Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui are two people with different dreams and aspirations—one wants to be a judge in the High Court, the other wants to work in a big law firm and earn a lot for herself and her Grandma—and they both know from the start that being together might hinder their career options in the future (because of the recusal rule preventing a judge and a lawyer from working within the same jurisdiction). And you know what? This is what makes the angst so good, delicious, and just *chef's kiss*~ This is what makes the wait to see how they will resolve all of this all the more thrilling. Here are two people who love each other; and they love each other too much, to the point that even if it hurts their heart—even if they miss each other all the time, they are still genuinely happy for the other for pursuing their dreams. There is no resentment in the choices that they made—just understanding (that it is what it is), longing (to be with the person even if it is impossible at the moment), and a sense of pride (that the other is reaching greater heights that they have long dreamed of achieving). I can't emphasize this enough, but they are truly just such a mature pair and a very healthy couple. And even when they started off at the wrong foot, with endless "meet uglies", their best traits still shone for the other to recognize and admire.
I also love how we saw different types of marriages in this show. We saw Judge Shu Jing and her husband's marriage, as well as Judge Yu Le and her husband's marriage. I particularly like the side story about Judge Shu Jing and her husband because I think aside from Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui's relationship, they are another good contrast to Jiang Feng and Lou Yue. While Jiang Feng and Lou Yue think that it will be a sacrifice to take a step back in their careers for the sake of their marriage and may be a cause for emotional blackmail in the future, Judge Shu Jing's husband has made peace with his decision regarding his career change and doesn't necessarily see it as a sacrifice, because he's more than willing to live a much simpler life for his family. As for Judge Yu Le and her husband, they're kind of a "perfect" pair. I say this lovingly: She's such a pampered princess off work, but it's okay because her husband is more than willing to indulge her. There's also Judge Ying Danian and his wife, who are quite a lovely and chill pair, even at the face of challenges (like his wife being sick). They're braving it together and he's a constant support for her, and it's just lovely to see.
On the topic of Judge Yu Le off work, I really love her off work outfits. She's so fashionable. Also Hu Aixi.
Special Mention: Jiang Feng and Liu Lian. Jiang Feng is such a funny friend. He's just a silly comedic relief for me. Whenever he goes to Shen Xiezhi's apartment unannounced and unsolicited, I just know they're going to piss each other off. As for Liu Lian, she's such a great friend. I really love her friendship with Qin Rui. They have stuck with each other for better and for worse and I love how in the moments where Qin Rui feels down, she's there to pull her up and remind her that she's there, better days are coming, and everything will be alright.
Special Mention 2: Chen Xianghui. I really love his ending. It was such a pleasant surprise for me when I saw it. And you know what? HE DESERVES IT! He's so dedicated to his job and constantly shadows Shen Xiezhi to learn from him. He can be a little self-deprecating because he has failed the Bar Exam multiple times, but that never stopped him from doing his best. It's just so commendable.
(You can check the comments if you want to read some of my insights on Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui's characters and relationship.)
ACTING/CAST:
I'm going to be honest, Gong Jun didn't really stand out to me as an actor BEFORE. I watched his shows early in his career and after that, I stopped tuning in for his shows altogether. I am quite fond of him in variety shows, though. He seems like an overall lovely guy in real life. But this show changed my perspective of him as an actor again. He's actually good if given the chance to work with good directors and writers. He really brought Shen Xiezhi to life and his acting is so natural and convincing. He can be funny with his judging looks in the courtroom (he's a judge, and he judges LOL), but he can also deliver the perfect emotions of a discerning outsider watching emotionally-driven confrontations in court. Sure, he is moved, but he also maintains the level of professionalism required for his job. I really hope he gets a chance to work in similar shows because I feel like these types of shows suit him more? (Anyway, this truly put Gong Jun back in the map for me. I might even revisit some of the shows he has done after I stopped tuning in for his shows back then. And tune in for his future ones, too.)
As for Ren Min—THE ACTRESS SHE IS. I have always liked her. She's such an effective actress that I can always count on being immersed whenever I'm watching her. There's so much depth and nuance in her acting, that I could empathize with Qin Rui and feel for her. I saw that she actually wrote a character analysis for Qin Rui before they started filming and this dedication to the craft is truly awe-inspiring. She's definitely going places and I'm so excited to see her future works.
Gong Jun and Ren Min have amazing chemistry, especially when they're bickering. I really ate up their dynamic in this show and kinda went crazy when the obvious dislike their characters had for each other became charged with something else that they're both too scared to name. I hope they work together again. I think they would work well in an investigation drama. Or maybe those infinite flow stories (I think it's the new trend in C-Dramaland right now).
I have constantly said before that an actor is good is when I'm able to enjoy the show while watching him or her. If the actor delivers what he has to deliver and make me feel for their character, then they're good in my books. For this show, everyone has done a great job in doing that. From the main characters, to the supporting characters, and most especially to the main characters in each of the cases. The acting in this show is very grounded, and I think that's what makes it more effective for me. I am truly convinced that these are real life people facing these real life problems and I'm really just wishing the best resolution for their cases all throughout the show.
MUSIC:
The OSTs in this show are quite unassuming. I didn't even realize that I've had it memorized (and that I even remembered it) until I started humming along when the songs play in some scenes. There's nothing really much to say about the music, but the sound effects and BGM are all well-placed throughout the show and they have never felt out of place.
REWATCH VALUE:
Would you believe it if I said it has so much rewatch value, I end up rewatching while I'm still watching the episode itself? I always catch myself rewinding the scenes (especially Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui's scenes) and as if that's not enough, I even go to XHS to watch edits. The rewatch value is just so high for me, I can't even explain it. It takes me hours to finish a 45-minute episode, it's quite insane.
OVERALL:
I thoroughly LOVE this show. I love this show so much, I have written a lot of thinkpieces about Shen Xiezhi and Qin Rui. I just cannot find it in me to shut up about them. At the same time, this show has also generated a lot of discussion (especially on Chinese social media) and it's quite interesting to read some of other people's takes, too. Not only is the show fun in itself, but the experience of watching it is fun, too. Call me a nerd, but I really love it when good discussions are made regarding the plot and the characters, interpreting their backgrounds and motivations and how these affect how they move along in the story.
Like I said above, it's not groundbreaking. But nevertheless, it is still a hidden gem that everyone should have the luck to come across with. It's definitely my favorite watch this year so far and I really hope everyone can give it a try~
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The swift pacing does present some issues though. I know that adapting a well-loved, lengthy novel to the screen is challenging, but either pruning some of the more esoteric subplots or giving them additional screen time would have made the story easier to follow. It took a good 20 episodes to figure out the major character relationships, and some elements remained hazy up until the end. While I generally don’t advocate for extended flashbacks or childhood sequences, this is one case where showing rather than telling about past events would have been helpful. While I could intellectually understand the characters’ grief and their desire to right past wrongs, it was hard to emotionally engage with people and situations only encountered in the briefest of flashbacks. Like Mei Chang-su, the show is precise, intelligent and lovely. It’s also a bit cold. I would have liked more fire in the midst of all the snow.
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A promising start that devolves into pure hot mess
I really wanted to like this one— but alas, it disappointed me. Knock Out starts out really strong. The set-up is done well, and the backdrop of the show is interesting. I even like the two main characters; Thun and Keen have an interesting dynamic.HOWEVER, I think the biggest weakness of the show is that the leads get together way too soon. There's absolutely no courtship or flirting between them. They meet for the first time in the 1st episode and move on to having s** by the 4th episode. This makes everything that comes after very slow and repetitive. I wish they would have put in some amounts of push and pull between the leads. Because the romance plot wraps up so quickly, the rest of the show feels repetitive as well. Thun fights character 1, wins or loses, gets hurt, he and Keen do skinship. Thun fights character 2, wins or loses, gets hurt, he and Keen do skinship. On and on it goes. Oh, and there are WAY too many villains in the show. Basically, everybody besides Thun and Keen are bad/outright villanous in some way.
This is particularly disappointing because the actors definitely have a lot of physical chemistry. They give the NC scenes their all, and there are sparks. But a relationship is more than just physical sparks. There has to be something we feel when the two look at each other as well. And because the characters are not super deep and get together quickly, this aspect is entirely missing. I was just left feeling a major meh with this one.
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