Don't Think Twice, Love's All Right is a good drama dragged down by the limitations of its industry
One only need to look at the comment section to see my commitment to this drama (/Shrug/ Li Yi Tong fan). Obviously, I had and have major incentives to declare this to be the best thing since grilled steaks. Alas!I was minutes away from finding out if the site has a 'zero' rating. Thankfully, Chinese drama writers after their obligatory sacrifices to tragedy managed to guide my 'ship' to port. Now, instead of being angry, I am merely annoyed.
The show is set in a large town where everybody is one acquaintance away from knowing each other. Essentially, there are four stories within:
1. The titular romance between our leads. Call this Pretty Woman with Chinese Characteristics. Contra those who avoided it purely 'cause of the male lead, in its first half, it is by a far the best thing about the show. It is truly heartwarming. Watch to episode 19 and stop!
2. The second romance is between a Legalist (The Chinese political theory of governance) and a broken-hearted romantic. Their romance is the funniest part of the show. Now I would totally watch a time-travel drama where a love-lorn romantic finds themself in Qin China. I didn't quite agree with the ending, but it was not all bad. It is the second-best part of the show.
3. The show starts to get weighed down by the other arcs. The usual drama, typical of C-dramas, involving scorned lovers and orbiters was generally weak and, in my view, unnecessary. But the man who broke our romantic's heart was charismatic enough to be a stand-out.
4. The absolute worst part of the show is the arc between Chinese Chuck Bass (When you see it, you'll see it) and Blair Wenwen. It has to be industry malpractice that allowed it to survive the cutting room.
The show tries to execute a complicated pirouette after episode 19 when it seems that our leads are sailing into a life of domestic bliss. They try to pull back the curtain and show life after the initial romantic glow fades. In my opinion, everything after that ruins the show. Episodes 1-19 were riveting television for me. After, it became a chore. I disagreed with every decision and typical of C-Dramas, they introduced far too many moving parts, dumbed down characters and engaged in aggressive acts of 'filler'--long pans, multiple flashbacks. The works!
This drama has many truly astounding actors. Li Yi Tong puts in the most charismatic turn I've seen on screen all year. I've got no beef with them. The writers, the production crew, the director and needlessly long drama seasons ruined what would have been an excellent drama. What-ifs aside, I cannot in good conscience recommend that you put in 30 hours on this. You won't be bored. That much is true, but I doubt you'd love it.
P.S
1. C-Dramas need to bin the whole 'scorned second woman' trope. Guaranteed cringe every time.
2. If you watch this, then after episode 19, skip to the opening scene of episode 37. Li Yi Tong manages to be both very cute and incredibly beautiful (there should be a word for that) and I don't think that is very fair.
3. Apple and Lenovo seem to have been major sponsors of this show. As far as I'm concerned, they are to be blamed for the post ep-19 clusterfucks.
4. https://mydramalist.com/35155-nodoka-no-niwa is the show that many of MDL users thought this would be. I'm tempted to watch it too, but the Japanese dial things up to 11 and I think I need lighter fare now.
5. C-Drama writers, tragedy is overrated. Happy endings and many babies for everybody; it won't kill you, you know.
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The acting is a bit over exaggerated...but if you've watched other Japanese dramas before you probably wont mind it as much.
There really isn't much to say about it, I enjoyed it and it's worth the watch if you need something to put you into a good mood because it's very simple and happy.
Don't let my lower ratings make you not want to watch it, for all you know this could be just what you're looking for!
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It was fun to watch and the actors ate
I know it's not everyone's favorite, but I really liked it and enjoyed watching. Of course, if you compare it to the drama and spiciness of the first season, is somehow lacking, but seeing it as it's own show, I feel it was messy enough to be entertaining.Controversial opinion; my favorite couple was JackDean (maybe expected from me cause last season my favorite character was Boston). From Only Friends I really tend to enjoy the mess and Drama, and they gave me all of it! The acting was amazing from everyone, but Mix ate everyone up.
It was good and entertaining but may not be everyone's cup of tea, and ofc is no masterpiece.
Bonus points cause I always love OF OSTs !
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Everybody lies.
This psychological suspense thriller featuring a female hardcore detective starts out well. Ran Dongdong investigates the death of Xia Bingqing, a young woman with secrets. To figure out what happened to her, Dongdong has to piece together who Bingqing was and why someone wanted her dead. As the list of suspects in this complicated murder case grows, it is clear that everybody lies whether they are doing it consciously or not. The way Dongdong nails down inconsistencies in the various testimonies by unreliable narrators and incisively teases out the truth is riveting.Work and life collide for Dongdong when it is discovered that her husband Mu Dafu crossed paths with the victim and he had twice rented a hotel room at the likely scene of the crime. She explores the complexity of love, marriage, and fidelity in both the work and personal arena and the lines start to blur. She begins to interrogate him like a suspect. In fact, he gets the worst of it because there are no professional restraints at home. Not that he is a paragon of virtue, far from it!! He was always a bit of a narcissist humanities professor that openly indulges in deeply intimate, highly flirtatious but ostensibly intellectual discussions with professional peers and students. She was fine with it until inexplicably, she is not. Likely because they fell out of the idealistic love phase of their relationship or maybe because he stopped telling her about these women that fall for him.
I did not expect to see this suspense plot devolve so deeply into a dark exploration of marriage between a dislikable and messed-up toxic couple. Both Song Jia and Wang Yang deliver mesmeric performances as flawed, complex, egotistical, and ultimately selfish characters. I did not like either of them. In fact, there are no heroes in this story. Other than the poor kid, pretty much everyone is a terrible person. Even the victim is too much of an architect of their own fate and is not empathetic. Neither of the two parallel plotlines is satisfactorily resolved. The whodunit mystery ends up being a howdunit procedural with too many plotholes and a weak, trite, cop-out motive for the murderer. The way the relationship is resolved also leaves unanswered questions although there is closure in the sense that Ran Dongdong and Mu Dafu really deserve each other. May they live tortuously ever after.
I enjoyed this drama up until episode 10 after which it turns into something I had no interest in watching. I can see how it may hold some appeal to people who like difficult relationship stories. My rating of 6.5 is for the very mediocre suspense plot, which is what I came to watch.
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Climb up a mountain but fall off a cliff
Everything went off a cliff towards the end. By knowing there will be two more seasons I could predict the events simply based on other failed TV series. This is why I wait for the whole season to come out. Season 2 will be a disaster since there is nothing left to build on. This is a very poor attempt at cash-grab.The story build up nicely. The actings are superb. The production is great. It has so much potential from the beginning toward the climax. However, the materials are only good for one season of around 15 episodes. 21 episodes is already a stretch let alone 2 more seasons. A lot more characters and settings should have been added. The power balance disappear toward the end for convient plot - the classic Korean season ending.
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1THE STORY OF A BOY NAMED OU YANG AND A GIRL NAMED LIN MEIYA ..A MUST WATCH ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FOREWORD:This is the longest Review I have ever written,So bare with me.It was a long drama,with a rich story and complex characters so I will spend time sharing my experience I had with them,In the hope that someone would watch and enjoy it as I did.
I finished this drama a few days ago, but I couldn't bring myself to review it right away. It felt like returning from a long flight around the world or like an astronaut trying to feel the ground again after landing on Earth. That’s what watching 65 episodes of a journey like this feels like.I was emotional,I had lived with the characters for days and It is taking me awhile to let them go.To this moment,I’m not quite sure how I stumbled upon this six-year-old drama, but it found me. And once I saw the episode count, I sighed and asked myself, “What could they possibly be talking about for 65 episodes?”
Curious, I dug into other reviews. Most were positive, though many were upset about a particular late-stage twist. But maybe that’s part of the magic discovering a drama that quietly sailed past your radar for years, and watching it knowing where the bumps and curves are. What pulled me in further was the cast almost entirely unfamiliar to me, except for Zhang Tao (Chen Zhe), who I'd seen in Nothing But You and Love The Way You Are. I went in with no expectations, just the strength of long-standing positive comments that had persisted across the years.
THE STORY
The setup is familiar: boy meets girl abroad.
But here, instead of meeting on the plane, they first collide literally on the streets of Paris. Ou Yang is running from his father's men, dodging responsibility and expectations, when he tumbles over Lin Mei Ya, who’s working at a small patisserie. Their official meeting happens later when they’re seated together on a flight back to China, thanks to an upgrade by Mei Ya’s wealthy best friend.Almost sounding like "Fake It Till You Make It"? Unlike the FL In FITYMK,who prefered silence, Lin MeiYa who is tipsy on champagne and probably happy for the upgrade, leaves a chaotic impression and the accidental suitcase switch becomes the spark that binds their paths.
Back in China, the story branches out into a mix of family business drama, class tension, and deep emotional arcs. But it’s all done with a grounded charm. The rich and middle-class circles are intertwined not with melodramatic force, but with a believable closeness and unexpected share of a "historical" neighborhood that will be the center of action throughout the show.
THE MAIN CHARACTERS
OUYANG (Male Lead – Sun Shaolong)
Ou Yang is not perfect, but that's exactly why you will love him, a big boy with a kind heart and an electrifying smile.He is fears, love and hate, make me want to get to know him, to get closer to him, he needs grow up, and he's always growing up. I would feel sorry for him, even pity him, for what he has gone through,but you just have to walk that path with him.
Ou Yang is like most young people with dreams, for love and family he wants to break free to realize freedom, wants to escape the dramatic sense of destiny, in the face of inner pain and struggle, he can only be brave to face. He loves deeply, directly and bravely, but in the face of the cruel reality he needs to make a choice, he has to bear, carry, this is the price of growth.At a times you want to reach into the screen and give him a hug..and say "OUYANG you are doing the best you can"
Ou Yang is a man unafraid of love, vulnerability, or emotional risk. He doesn’t hesitate to open his heart, nor does he hide his need for connection.
When he flies Lin Mei Ya across two continents under the guise of "work," it's not just about business, it’s about having someone in his corner, both literally and emotionally.In the solitude of the kickboxing ring ,a passion he keeps hidden from his controlling father, he finally allows himself to be seen. And Lin Mei Ya, with her quiet strength and unwavering support, cheers him on effortlessly.
In that moment, he’s not the heir, not the businessman, just a man who needs someone to believe in him. And she does.
Much of the controversy among viewers surrounds a major twist in the story, and while some felt betrayed by it, I found it painfully human. It raises a haunting question: What would you do if you discovered that the person you love is suddenly out of reach not by distance, but by a truth that makes it impossible to be with them?
The drama doesn’t shy away from this. Instead, it explores it through silence, moral struggle, and emotional collapse. Ouyang becomes a character you don’t just watch, you empathize with. His journey hurt, but it also healed something.
LIN MEIYA (Female Lead- Chai Bi Yun)
Lin Mei Ya is not your typical heroine. She doesn’t come from wealth or privilege, nor is she running from a gilded cage like Ouyang. Instead, she arrives in Paris chasing a second chance at life a quiet pursuit born from a history of rejection and resilience.
Born with a birth defect and abandoned by her biological family, Mei Ya is a survivor. She is the product of love not the convenient kind, but the selfless, healing love of an adoptive father who nursed her back to life. That strength carries her into adulthood, and it defines every step of her journey in To Be With You.
When she returns to China, she believes she’s about to step into her dream life, marrying the man she loves and finally settling down. But life has other plans. Betrayed and heartbroken, she finds herself in emotional chaos. It’s in this fragile moment that she crosses paths with OUYANG once again, not as strangers, but as two people standing at a crossroads. What follows over the next episodes is not just a love story, it’s a testament to her unshakable spirit.
Mei Ya doesn’t play the victim. She turns pain into power, faces adversaries like the fierce Li Weiwei (pre-redemption), and refuses to be bullied or broken.
Her dynamic with Ou Yang begins with friction fueled by their suitcase mishap and clashing personalities but soon evolves into a deep friendship and, eventually, a rare and unbreakable bond. She is good for him, he is good for her, and together, they heal and grow.
What made me truly love Lin Mei Ya was the depth and unwavering strength of her love for Ou Yang. Even when they were faced with an unspeakable twist,she refused to believe he had walked away without a reason. Her faith in him never wavered. She told everyone with determination, "I will go find Ou Yang, and he will tell me the truth." And when that truth finally came to light, painful, raw, and heartbreaking, she didn’t run. Instead, she stood beside him, on that rooftop, with all his brokenness laid bare, and said, "I knew you wouldn't break up with me for no reason."
That moment wrecked me. It wasn’t dramatic or loud, it was tender, resolute, and full of grace. Lin Mei Ya didn’t just love Ou Yang; she believed in him when it mattered most. And that made all the difference.
LI DONG (2nd ML) -Wan Si Wei
Li Dong is a beautifully crafted character who quietly stole our hearts,and by the end of the show we affectionately nicknamed him "Uncle Li."
His character radiates a deep emotional warmth, marked by unwavering loyalty, quiet strength, and a rare kind of gentleness.
Li Dong’s love for Lin MEIYA is patient, selfless, and deeply sincere, he supports her not with grand declarations, but through steady presence and silent sacrifice.
Even in moments of pain or rejection, he remains kind and composed, always choosing to protect rather than pressure. His emotional maturity and ability to love without demanding anything in return set him apart as a truly remarkable character.
What made Uncle Li our favorite wasn’t his romantic storyline, but his moral integrity and calm wisdom. He embodies a kind of manhood that values inner peace over pride, understanding over ego. Li Dong feels authentic and profoundly human.
In a drama with that heavy emotional twists and complex relationships, Li Dong stood out as a grounding force, someone who shows that love, when rooted in patience and respect, can be one of the most powerful and beautiful forces of all.
Did I mention he was the reason Ou Yang’s father had so many sleepless nights? He was the quiet force behind the scenes, Ou Yang’s unspoken manager and the owner of the gym where Ouyang often hid while chasing his mischievous ambitions. More than that, he was his best friend.
"Uncle Li" the name pinned by Lin Meiya back when she was just a student, working at the restaurant across from his,was deeply connected to both of them in one way or the other.But watching the woman he loves fall for his best friend must have been painful, but Li Dong is different.
LI WEIWEI (2nd FL/Li Dong's sister)- Shen TaoRen
Li Weiwei,is one of the most beautifully developed characters in modern Chinese television.
At first, she fits the mold of the typical bubbly, slightly annoying side character chasing after Ouyang despite his constant big-brother attitude toward her and being the sister of the ever-composed Li Dong.But everything changes after a pivotal event that becomes a turning point in her life. From that moment, Weiwei undergoes an extraordinary transformation, channeling her energy, loyalty, and razor-sharp comedic wit into protecting the female lead, Li Meiya, with an intensity that’s both heartwarming and hilariously entertaining.
What makes Weiwei so beloved is how she balances her fierce sense of justice with a wildly entertaining personality. She refuses to let anyone hurt Li Meiya or come between her and Ou Yang, becoming her self-appointed bodyguard, truth-teller, and cheerleader all in one. Her methods are often over-the-top and laugh-out-loud funny, but they’re always driven by genuine care and courage.
She becomes the heart of the story, a symbol of loyalty, growth, and redemption. Her journey from lovesick girl to fearless protector is one of the most satisfying and beautiful arcs you’ll ever see in a drama.
CHEN ZHE – The Villain (Zhang Tao)
Chen Zhe is the kind of antagonist that leaves a lasting impression, not because he’s flamboyantly evil, but because he’s calculated, cold, and quietly manipulative.
As a high-level player in the business and emotional entanglements of the drama, Chen Zhe operates with a polished facade that masks his dark ambition. What makes him dangerous isn’t just his actions, but how convincingly he blends into the lives of those around him, earning trust while plotting betrayal. He’s not loud, but he’s ruthless, someone who values power above loyalty, and control above love.
His villainy is rooted in deep insecurities and a thirst for recognition, which pushes him to cross unforgivable lines. Whether it’s using people as pawns or destroying lives for personal gain, Chen Zhe doesn't hesitate. Yet despite his efforts to manipulate outcomes and maintain power, his end is both fitting and sobering. Eventually, his crimes and schemes catch up with him, and he faces legal consequences, symbolic of how even the most carefully masked villains can’t outrun justice forever. His downfall is not just about punishment, but a moral closure.
OTHER IMPORTANT CHARACTERS TO NOTE:
XU SIYU: FL's best friend.She is a life lesson,she serves laughter and tears on the same plater.
JIANG YI LONG: ML's right hand man,bodyguard,hunter,ride or die,training partner,Jiang Yi Long has only one job; OU YANG
OU RUI: OU YANG's infamous sister,the center of gravity in Chen Zhe's web of deceit and his demise
Conclusion
To Be With You is one of those rare gems that quietly sneaks up on you and leaves a permanent mark. With its deeply emotional storytelling, rich character development, and refreshingly mature romance, it delivers far more than one might expect from a 65-episode drama. The writing is a solid 10/10, grounded, layered, and emotionally intelligent, with dialogue that feels natural and real. The casting is flawless. Every actor, even those previously unknown to me, embodied their roles so convincingly that they became unforgettable, especially the leads, whose chemistry was magnetic in the most subtle, soul-deep way.
While the music wasn't its strongest suit, it hardly mattered. The drama moved at such a gripping pace, packed with emotional intensity, action, and layered plotlines, that there was hardly space for a ballad to linger. And yet, the romance between Lin Mei Ya and Ou Yang didn’t need a sweeping soundtrack or physical intensity to be felt. They spoke with their eyes, touched with meaning, and held each other’s hearts in a way that made every hug, hand-hold, and lingering glance feel more intimate than a kiss. Their love was quiet but profound, deeper than the ocean.
The production value was another standout. Shot across three countries, the drama brought an unexpected cultural richness and cinematic beauty that’s rare in C-dramaland. From bustling streets to elegant foreign backdrops, the setting became a character of its own.
If there’s one point of contention among viewers, it’s the major twist that caused a temporary separation of the leads, but even that, in hindsight, added emotional depth and realism to their love story. For me, it wasn’t a flaw, it was a test they passed with grace.
In the end, To Be With You isn’t just a drama, it’s a journey. One of love, loss, resilience, and redemption. A complete, heartfelt experience that I’ll remember for a long time.
Someone said that this drama is a combination of all the good things that you wish can happen in K-drama and C-drama,and I completely agree.
If you reached the end of this long long review..check out the TT edit video Input together for all the important moments between Ou Yang and Lin Meiya:
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSkeqP4qL/
PS:Thank you YouTube Community from the MZTV Channel for all the beautiful comments,laughter and tears..You made it fun and ease to watch a very long journey to the East.
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Watch Pee Mak!! Seriously though, Spellboud and even Master's Sun had scarier scenes than this movie so it has a theme of horror but more like mock horror. This movie was funny from start to finish.
My teenage brother who doesn't like to watch much foreign movies enjoyed this movie just as much as me; we couldn't stop laughing.
The plot is solid with, surprisingly, a few twists. The cast had great chemistry with one another which made this movie an even bigger success.
The music is incoherent but with a comedy, it works perfectly. The budget, you can tell immediately, wasn't big; however, the comedy is based from the cast and their interactions.
The pace is good, the acting is great, and overall a 10 rating movie for me when they can make me laugh more than what was shown in the trailer.
Would definitely watch this movie again, esp. when introducing friends/ family to asian media entertainment.
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As for acting and cast, Surplus Princess is a perfect example of a drama that has great casting. Upon starting the drama, I knew none of the actors/actresses (except for the one playing Shi Kyung because I finished Two Weeks as Surplus Princess was airing). But regardless, they drew me in with their individual charms and how well they all portrayed various emotions. While I found the drama hilarious, when tense scenes came, each character's emotions were portrayed beyond my expectation and they were believable and natural. Not to mention, all the love floating around is just absolutely adorable.
Thinking back to the soundtrack and BGM used throughout the series, there wasn't much that stood out, but everything fit in. The music felt well-placed and repetition of tracks was kept to a minimal. A couple of songs grabbed my attention, and I give the PD's props for using music sparingly.
As for the re-watch value, there isn't much to be found in this drama, but it doesn't mean that the ride wasn't worth it. The re-watch value for Surplus Princess depends on how attached the viewer is to the cast and the chemistry between them.
Overall, Surplus Princess stood its ground exceptionally well. The writers understood how the episode cut changed pacing and most importantly, they loopholes were irrelevant and the primary plot was executed nicely. Furthermore, the cast is lovable. The relationships that blossom throughout the series are cute and gave me more than enough reason to finish the series (as if ten episodes were a lot, hah). I recommend this drama for anyone looking for something light-hearted and easy to watch.
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Story: Like I said the premise was an interesting one but when I found out that the kid was suppose to be 14 and then the female lead is almost 30, I was scratching my head how it would all turn out in the end. For the actual plot, except for the first few episodes, there wasn't any and by the end i would just have eps playing in the background while i was doing other things. Whats funny is i didnt miss anything. By the end I was just like i want to see if the couple would be able to end up together. One thing I did like was the romance. It was so cute and well written. The ending was kind of open ended but not really.
Acting: Ive only ever seen the actress who plays Tae Ri and shes only played very serious or robotic characters so it was nice to see her play someone who is naive/innocent. She had good chemistry with the main actor from SuJu. And while I liked the supporting characters, NONE of the characters (main or side) managed to make me have an attachment to them.
Music: The song by the fake girl group in the show was fun but they played it so many times i got tired of it. There were few other songs but they fit the show well enough.
Rewatch: This is one of those dramas that could be watched again but the question is do you really have to see it another time...
Overall Lee Tae Ri is funny at times but nothing you have to go out of your way for.
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OMG! Why!!
Watching this series was torturous and you are essentially left with the question: OMG! Why? It really is that bad. It is bad from so many angles – too numerous to actually mention. From its infantile storyline to its mediocre acting to its awful and I do mean awful plot. This is yet again another cliché-driven trope-filled Bl that even if you have never seen a BL, one could figure out where the story is going. Oh, it had cute moments, but it unfortunately slipped into a standard formula that left no one guessing as to its plot, and frankly asking oneself why did I sit through this? Nothing was original in this story except perhaps the name of the vampire city which was named Thaiwlight City. Now that was cute!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Sometimes lies are necessary ...
I'm kind of surprised at some of the harsh reviews with this series. I found this drama to be so fantastic from start to finish. Not only was it a great story to watch and travel along with, but the actors seem to be perfectly cast, whether being a protagonist or antagonist.Min Hyun delivers such a great role as Do Ha, somewhat mysterious early on, but eventually opens the character up so we know him completely inside and out at the very end. His counterpart, Sol Hee fits together with him like a perfect puzzle, somewhat mysterious as well, but she too becomes completely transparent to us as things move along. So Hyun matures her into the perfect match for Do Ha, something that didn't seem likely when they first met.
The supporting cast were all great, each adding something in their own special way. You can't help but feel empathy toward several of them, particularly Kang Min and Deuk Chan, each for different reasons. Ji Hoon's character, while you knew he wouldn't win back Sol Hee, you really wanted something good to go his way, which eventually he seemed to be in a happy place at the end. Ji On's role, on the other hand, was the surprise of the series. He did such a great job shaping this character, so when things take a major turn, you can't help but be shocked. I think episode 14 was definitely the pinnacle hour of the entire drama. From that point on, the last two episodes are like a rollercoaster ride, giving us all the answers we needed for a very satisfying ending. The way the final scene ends, it brought us 360 degrees back to where it began in episode 1.
I think what Sol Hee says at the very end of the last episode sums up this series ... "People's hearts are as deep and mysterious as the ocean .... you can't tell what's inside just by saying true or false"
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I knew that this would be a good one, but I didn't know I'd like it this much
First ImpressionI found this drama from the trailer on a Youtube ad, and immediately mark my calendar for the release date. The trailer shows how weirdly fun the character would be, and loving Kim Jae Wook in Her Private Life, make this on my top Plan to Watch list.
The Characters
Noh Go Jin: From the start, despite how annoying the ML was, I root for him because he was just strangely funny. His cold exterior, rudeness, and strictness kind of represent most bosses IRL, but worse. His perfectionist traits also make it intolerable, but honestly what makes people hate him even more, was the fact that he's successful AKA people are just being jealous. His character wasn't a red flag to me cause who wouldn't guess that by the end of this drama, he would eventually be a better version of himself. The biggest challenge for the writer was how can they "make the change" possible, realistic, and acceptable. And if you have read other reviews or the comment section, you know that the writer succeed in making the best scenario for this.
Lee Shin A: Tbh I was kind of skeptical that I wouldn't like the FL. Don't get me wrong, I like Krystal and her acting was good in her previous projects, but I never really like the characters that she played. So, when I watched this, I didn't expect that I would love her this much. In the beginning, she portrays office workers in what would be a "quarter-life crisis", how her career didn't show progress and stuck with a boss/environment that she hated. She wanted a change, but she was only getting hardships in her life. Most people can relate to this character, the world was not fair. And as unrealistic as it could be, who wouldn't want to do a crazy frantic at least once in their life to fight against this unfairness. But once again, the writer did a great job with this character. Despite all the things that she faced, she was the most realistic mature fictional character that I have ever seen.
I could also write about Oh Se Gi, Baek Soo Young, the Instructors, the Ex-Secretary, and other characters but that would be spoiling too much. Just to be clear, every character has their own failures, flaws, and beliefs, but to keep in mind, they portray people almost realistically, and no matter what their existence holds an irreplaceable value.
The Plot
The beginning was a "shock" to some viewers, because how the scenes were giving mixed feelings. And as most viewers experienced, after 4-6 episodes, you're hooked. It gives out a unique vibe that I never really feel in other dramas. However, after being in this drama world for a long time, we know that most plots flopped in their second half, and that's why I was always anxious watching episodes 10-12 of every drama. Once again, the writer was able to tackle this common failure, and I was just so excited to tell everyone that this plot is the best so far! Even the ending was super good, it was bittersweet knowing we have to bid farewell to this drama, but the only thing that the writer fail to do is to disappoint us HAHAHA
The Life Lesson
1. There are a lot of things that I learned from watching Crazy Love, but what would be the most important lesson is how people would go and hurt others to not get hurt instead. Accepting mishappenings or flaws would hurt us in some way that instead of doing it, we try to blame or hurt others to please our ego. It also happens in real life, that people with trauma tend to hurt others, sometimes unintentionally. This is normal and considered acceptable to a certain limit, as it can be the alternative attempt at self-acceptance and self-love. But when it goes beyond the limit, it might lead to a crime, just like our main villain here. So, it's actually our choice, to keep doing the alternative and not fixing the main issues or be the mature one to accept what we truly are and start developing ourselves.
2. The second one would be how misinterpretation and miscommunication would lead to the biggest conflict in our life. Thankfully, this wasn't a big problem in our ML-FL romance, but it was a big issue for ML and most characters. Of course, it was inevitable for such things to happen in our minds, but instead of jumping to conclusions (just like people who judge this drama based on the first few episodes), it would be best for anyone to try to understand the situations and see the full picture of something from different perspectives before deciding anything (giving a chance or not).
3. Last but not least, it was never a one-person fault but all your actions have consequences. So, before doing or saying or even planning anything, please consider how it will benefit or harm you or the people around you.
There are other things that I would like to point out which are the cast's acting and chemistry, the dark humor, and the OSTs are complementing the plot in such a good way. I've never rated a drama a 10 but this deserves it. Please watch this if you're interested!!!
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This review may contain spoilers
Not entirely a sexy romantic romp
WARNING: If you are looking for a light and fluffy sex-romp. THIS IS NOT IT.I admit, I can be shallow. I came here at the prospect of seeing "more" of Chris Wu (Wu Kang Ren). Also, because I love Alice Ko (Ko Chia Yen). I must admit I do like the prospect of finding love later in life. And sure, this is a show about sex, and it IS hilarious, all the way through. BUT don't be taken in by the trailers: the very clear themes of this show, are loss, abandonment, grief and trauma, and as the episodes progress, if you invest, you will find yourself crying as much as laughing.
The story centres around Mei-Mei and her two adult daughters, Ruo-Rong and Ruo-Min. Both daughters are seemingly failing in their lives, because they are unmarried. And as the trailer will tell you, Mei-Mei believes marriage is a woman's purpose.
Mei-Mei decides to find a man to try to fill the gap left by the sudden passing of her husband Guang Hui Chen (played by Johnny Kou/Kou Hsi Shun). Ruo-Rong is a cheap romance novelist, working as a high school teacher, to pay the bills, whilst collecting stories from her uninhibited best friend, Kate (played by Vicky Tseng). Ruo-Min is a chicken shop manager, who is unable to let go of anything from the past, including an unapologetically cheating ex-boyfriend, whose smell reminds her of her father. Circumstances bring the three women together in the one house. Chaos ensues as they try to find a balance between their differing values, and their individual traumas.
The editing of the show is very sharp and sudden, and at first can be off-putting and confusing; however it becomes evident in later episodes that it was done this way for a reason. It also contributes to the sense of confusion and bewilderment the characters are experiencing, after the sudden loss of their husband/father.
Mei-Mei swings from spoiled teenage princess (quite a feat for an older woman to pull off - props to Billie who plays it with conviction), to desperately grieving widow. But as the show progresses, it shows us who she truly is - loving, supportive and desperately optimistic in her pursuit of LIFE! And with her progression, we also witness the subtle growth of both of her daughters.
Alyssa Chia plays a compellingly complex Ru Rong but I can't say I was satisfied with her conclusion, even if I'm meant to believe that she was, and even if the whole "telling" of the story is essentially hers. And whilst we do see substantial growth from Ruo Min, played with beautiful subtlety by Alice Ko, I still felt like I had to fill in the majority of the story with my own imagination. Admittedly, I usually like shows like this - that assume you are smart and can figure the story out for yourself. But this time, for me, the characters were not explored enough. I was left wanting more, hence my lower "story' rating. The show admits to its limitations in telling the stories of the support roles - especially Xioa Cha , Ruo-Min's cheating boyfriend, played with gleeful charm, by Austin Lin. We get almost nothing about the true character played by Chris Wu. The lack of character name in the MDL page is a giveaway, but he is only ever referred to as '"Senior". I could have watched a whole drama about Jin (Shen Hairong) and Lu Yi (Wasir Chou). And don't get me started about the side characters like "The Live Streamer" (played with an endlessly photo ready smile, by Chole Xiang) and "The Pokemon Grandpa". All of this makes the "re-watch" value high for me, as I feel like there is so much subtlety I have missed.
The acting was fantastic. Even when there was potential for it to become pantomimic and melodramatic, it continued to be very realistic. My one area of disconnect was, the scenes in Australia. Robert's (played by John Henry Richardson) accent slips. A LOT. But we (being Australian) have a long and storied history of famous actors, getting the Australian accent WRONG. The supporting cast in Oz, don't even attempt an 'Aussie' accent. But if you accept that Australia is in reality multicultural, varied accents are perfectly ok and quite realistic. The travel scenes however, are HILARIOUSLY unrealistic. I took it as a tribute rather than an attempt at fact.
With all of that, I still rate this a 9 overall. It took me by surprise and probably caught me at a good time, to cry and laugh through the grief and mayhem.
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Honestly, when I started watching Tunnel, I had no idea what to expect. I knew it had a pretty loyal following, but I had no idea how this show would take me captive. Thus far, I haven't been very impressed with dramas this year. Tunnel is a great crime and mystery drama, but its best asset is its characters. This drama features rich characters with thoughtful story arcs and amazing chemistry. Choi Jin Hyuk who is cast as the main protagonist delivers a great performance. I was really able to follow all his ups and downs as he tries to figure out life in 2017. Again and again, I am so drawn to Yoon Hyun Min. He is by far my favorite actor to provide as second for any bromance. His role as the young, misunderstood Sun Jae is something of legend. When I first saw Lee Yoo Young's character, she honestly freaked me out a little. The slow burn romance between these two is absolutely delicious. Their subtle advances are soooo deeply satisfying, and I felt this greatly complimented the show.
Tunnel features great story telling. Throughout the drama it unravels a well thought out and intertwined plot. This story had me clinging to my chair the entire time. I felt like every episode revealed another layer to the story. While some have stated that it was too predictable, I pretty much equated the predictability to all the spoilers I accidentally saw when it aired.
I strongly recommend watching Tunnel. It really takes you on an amazing ride. My only regret is that I wasn't able to watch it when it aired.
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JUST DIDN'T LIKED THE REEL FORMAT
The only thing I do not like about this drama is its format , but every thing here is good and easy to digest and a binge watchable, thanks to the sources out there who made a compilation of this reel type series to be put into a 1-2 hour range video that made it possible for me to watch the entire series .FIrst I love the cast ! they were so beautiful guys like specially Moon Do Ha .. the way he expresses his jealousy and his love language to Ja Yeon was all over his eyes .. and Jae Yeon's response in acting was all perfect.
what I like most about it was the sweet moments of the leads specially when Do Ha was asking Jae Yeon to go out with him they were really cute .. everything here was just simple and fluffy and just a feel good drama I really hope I may see these two guys again together in a non reel format BL please !
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