Completed
Saving My Stupid Youth
16 people found this review helpful
by Neaa
Jan 21, 2015
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
Do you have regrets from the past? Things left unsaid or sorrys undelivered? This drama is all about that.
I really connected to the drama since I was in an all-girls school and the concept of uniting two schools into co-ed sounded fun to me. And the best part is that they made it fun. All the students were shown struggling with their own battles, and I really loved how they together with the teachers could sought them out. I loved how the teacher was more of a friend to the students. It was really touching to watch him struggle to atone for his mistakes by making sure that he could bring happiness to the school.
I am in love with Nishikido Ryo. He was adorable! I don't really fall for sissy characters but he totally won me over. The way he adapted into the role of an innocent teacher trying his best while carrying the weight of the past was commendable.
Amazing acting and perfectly executed script. Though in the beginning I thought it was slightly perverted, there wasn't a second that I got bored.
It had a lot of good things to learn but what I found best was: Stop carrying the baggage from your past. If you have to say sorry, say it soon. If you want to say i love you, say it soon. Because with time, others might forget your mistakes, but you won't. You will have to live with them every single day. So the sooner you let go, the better, and then you can happily spend the rest of the time making things right. I loved how Hara Sensei turned into this incredibly amazing person with a warm heart in order to make up for his mistakes but through out the series I wished he didn't have to suffer so much.

A must watch! Beautiful story. Beautiful Cast. Beautiful Acting. Beautiful emotions.

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Completed
Perfect Mismatch
16 people found this review helpful
by Bali
Feb 17, 2023
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 5
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers
This is a cute drama that could’ve been great if not for making the female lead incredibly smart sometimes, terribly annoying other times, and staggeringly ingenuous for the most part. Rain Lu, as Shi Hua Hua can do cute and innocent very well, but her romantic scenes were not the best. Luo Zheng, as Zhou Zhi Fei, did very well delivering his role, especially when his traumas brought anguish and characters changes to a very smart and seemingly collected CEO of a major corporation. Although there are a few antagonistic characters in the drama, especially related to corporation takeover attempts, the skeleton in the closet was not really Zhou Zhi Fei’s blood trauma but his brother, Zhou Zhi Ran (poorly played by Ye Hao Ran) which turned out to be an evil character with supposedly good intentions that suffered from psychopathic behavior that is difficult to justify. Overall, a nice romantic and lighthearted drama about a mismatched couple finding love was ruined by writers trying too hard to create a mysterious and evil plot line that didn’t fit the overall drama’s tone and atmosphere.

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Completed
Extraordinary You
16 people found this review helpful
Nov 26, 2019
32 of 32 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 4.5
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers
It had a good start but eventually the drama became boring and nonsense. what a stupid ending, doesn't it mean that the story will repeat itself for ever and they will never be able to do anything against the will of the writer!!! even if they succeed to be together, they will start this suffering all over again once the story is ended!
It feels like a cliche tragedy reincarnation story, don't let the good start fouls you, don't believe that this drama is different because they made fun of other cliche dramas.
Honestly, it should have been a short web series instead of 32 episodes drama.
I'm disappointed :(

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Completed
The Blood of Youth
16 people found this review helpful
by WuHui
Jan 9, 2023
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Wuxia show featuring friendships, youth and ethics

I loved this show so much, i was watching it on VIKI and then paid subscription to YOUKU so i could watch the latest episodes! The actors playing the characters did a great job, and I enjoyed all the fight scenes/CGIs. Every episode has been nail biting and i havent felt it has dragged on at all. I usually fast forward drama shows with annoying jealous 3rd parties thankfully theres none of that here. The show focuses on friendships, integrity and forgiveness towards self and others.

I feel the romance between Qianluo and Xiao Se is a bit extra, not feeling any chemistry between them. Ao Ruipeng is the perfect actor to play the gullible but loyal Lei Wujie. Li Hongyi captured Xiao Se's disdainful looks and elegance well. Lie Xueyi gave a moving portrayal of Wuxin, who is plagued with a troubled past. Some scenes really moved me, like when Wuxin saw his master before he departed for good. There seemed to be many lessons on life in this show. All the side characters and stories enriched the show without being too long/complicated either.

Overall a great show which i had stumbled upon and im so glad i started watching it!

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Completed
Be Yourself
16 people found this review helpful
by jabofi
Jun 8, 2025
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

That was one ridiculously fun ride! ?

Another completely biased review from me to you.

The story sounds like your typical wuxia/xianxia drama but trust me this is not! The humor is just spot on. The ML is outstanding, my favorite form of snarky ML who doesn't take himself or anyone else seriously at all. I am absolutely in love with Pan Lu Yu and can't wait to see more from him! And even though it is a short length series with each episode only 10 minutes or less (plus intro/exit music and credits) the story is so well written!

Lots of spoilery bits below:
The story starts out with the ML doing some sort of ascension trial (?) and ends up dying. That scene is when I knew this series was going to push all my buttons in the right way! The ML breaks the 4th wall and deadpans into the camera "I'm doomed.' His expression and delivery made this sweet perfection! 😘

The ML wakes up in the recently deceased body of a guy who was pretty much a lazy waste of space in his life and proceeds to snarkily have fun with this new life, going from a supreme being to a wastrel! 🤣

Along the way we meet his 3 gorgeous fiancés, his adorable maid who thinks he is the best in the world (everyone needs someone like her on their side!), his beautiful martial arts master, a foster brother who hates him and is constantly trying to get rid of him and talks smack to his father about him, and a father who treats him like dirt and definitely favors the foster brother. Not to mention a pair of incredibly badly over-acted villains with hair so bad you just know it's camp, right?🤣 Oh, and an evil prince too.

The quality of this series is way higher than most short dramas. The writing and direction are superior. The job the stylists did was fantastic (except for the villains of course). Even the OST is great. I let the opening credits play each episode cause I love the song!🥰

Oh, and the story ends nicely but then gives us a To Be Continued! I hope this is one that actually gets a second season 🤞

So what are you waiting for? Got watch this now! With only 24 ~10 minutes episodes it won't take up much of your time and is guaranteed to make you laugh!😍

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Completed
The Heir
16 people found this review helpful
19 days ago
42 of 42 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

A Heartwarming Tale of Family, Legacy, and Perseverance

This drama may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's definitely one for viewers with more refined tastes. I particularly appreciated its setting, which feels distinct from the usual Hengdian productions and adds a refreshing charm to the overall viewing experience. The story focuses on family dynamics, cultural heritage, and Li Zhen's journey amid the Li family's long-standing feud and the struggles of the Hui Ink industry. Romance is present, but it's very much in the background. Personally, I wouldn't have minded a little more romance, but the heartfelt family relationships and wholesome interactions filled that gap surprisingly well.

If you're looking for heavy angst or a revenge-driven plot, you may be disappointed. The villains aren't taken down in a dramatic fashion, instead, their downfall unfolds gradually, leaving them with the bitterness of their own choices. Rest assured, justice is served. However, that's also what makes the drama feel realistic. Rather than focusing solely on revenge or retribution, it emphasizes resilience, growth, and the courage to move forward. It reminds us that sometimes the greatest victory is not getting even, but letting go and building a better life for yourself. It also serves as a gentle reminder that kindness may not always be rewarded immediately, but it often leaves behind a far greater legacy than resentment ever could.

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Completed
Friend Zone 2: Dangerous Area
16 people found this review helpful
Jan 15, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.5
This review may contain spoilers

Open-Ended but Satisfying!!

I really wanted to post a lot about this series but that’s too long. Friendzone 2 is kinda open-ended but it really tackles things that makes our life choices better. I really love everyone’s ending, I just want a special episode of what happened to them. One thing I hate about this is Bew doesn’t appear that much and I want to know more about her. Sic and Boyo, I think they’re going to be good friends. Ugh! I can’t let go and I am pretty sure that I’m going miss this series much!!!
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Completed
My Only 12%
16 people found this review helpful
by Shiro
Nov 13, 2022
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

It is al about the dynamics and try not to mind the details

My only 12% is a sweet story about life, family, youth and friendship as we watch these two boys who grew up together figure out what they are for each other in a not overly dramatic more evolvement kind of way...

What I love about this show is the dynamics between all of the cast, the dialog the playfulness and the characters themselves as most of the characters are lovable, supportive and I guess human in a way. I will admit that there were 2 side characters that I could have done without and would have wished could have stayed out of the story, I was also really annoyed y the turn the drama took in the last 2 episodes, it was kind of predictable and the sole reason this is not a 9. The drama also deals with a bunch of issues facing young gay teens that are rarely shown this way. Including the importance of representation in media as well as the risk of being taken advantage of without letting those parts become too big of a deal and outshine the friendships, the family ties and the over all support that takes up most of the screen time in this drama.

If you are the type to pay attention to details, you will most probably be bothered by quite a lot as there are signs of the 2020s, oddly collected signs of the 90s here and there, plus a bunch of small details that just feel out of place. So you may want to accept them or laugh at them but if you are bothered by this, it may not fully be your cup of coffee/tea...

If you ara looking for some intense emotions, thrilling twists and drama you may want to skip this as it is more of a slice of life type of youth.

While I personally would have loved to see more of this drama, and follow the different characters longer, I found the two last episodes a bit rushed and as mentioned in a direction that just felt meeh to me... So i am hoping for a special episode or two or a spin off to get to see more of these characters and do reccomend it to all those who appreciate a friends to lovers slice of life drama with great dynamics...

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Completed
Dark Nuns
16 people found this review helpful
by Kate
Mar 21, 2025
Completed 8
Overall 5.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 3.0

In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to choose your line.

So much was happening, but also nothing was happening, and how is that even possible?

If we talk about the actual events, this is a 40 minute movie at best. Exorcism, chat, death, chat, exorcism, chat, exorcism - more or less the plot. But if we take into consideration the topics introduced in said chats - that's a one semester lecture for you. Lack of faith in the men of faith. The misogyny in church and the lack of equality between men and women. Nuns doing tarot readings? Sure. Also a power team of nuns and schaman doing exorcisms. I guess. Then we have illness, I guess shame, but that was not explained at all. One could say this was a women empowerment movie, but was it really? And then the whole final sequence, as beautiful as it was, was also painfully dumb.

Even Song Hye Kyo was a hit or miss depending on the scene. Her nonchalant and confident scenes were great, but every time she tried to be more angry domineering and scream it just felt painfully flat. I feel like at least for some lines, if they switched her raised voice to a really chilling whisper with the music going quiet, it would have far more impact.

Moon Woo Jin did an amazing job holding back laughter, because that performance was just ridiculous. In a good way. It was exactly what the director and writer wanted, that's clear.

Lee Jin Wook was there, acted like an asshole. Was gone. He is not the main role, that I can tell you, and Jeon Yeo Been, while definitely more prominent, had to somehow deliver a character that brought nothing on the screen.

What's good? The movie was beautiful. Quite a few breathtaking scenes and good use of special effects.

Overall, pass - in both senses of the world. I'm not mad I watched it, it passed. But also, don't waste your time, pass.

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Completed
Revive
16 people found this review helpful
by Dounie
Aug 30, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 4
Overall 7.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
I'll be honest, I never thought I would enjoy this drama as much as I did, it proved to me to be a real surprise, I immediately got into the story and yet I had so many prejudices before starting it and assumed it would be boring and like one of those short and stupid Chinese dramas however I was so wrong :p Yes it stars Ma Ke and it was my real first time seeing him as the male lead so that might explain why I never imagined it could be to my liking and to say the truth he did a pretty good job, at least I didn't have to complain, not in the least ;D
So in my humble opinion the most enjoyable parts of the drama are the story and the friendship between our three main characters : Yun Xiu, Feng Jing and Liu Yi :

1. I really found the story interesting and quite intriguing, firstly the revenge part where our lead is reborn as a new man with a new face, then his path to become a popular and acclaimed actor not for his look but only for his acting and at the same time getting his revenge, secondly the other important element is about the entertainment industry and how it works; what the actors have to go through before being accepted in an agency, how they are selected for their first project, it also deals with the internal battles between agents and last but not least the harsh competitiveness between actors, I found all of that fairly well done and realistic except for one or two things but nothing can be perfect.

2. The intense friendship between our main characters, I found it so real, pure and honest. It's true Yun Xiu isn't without faults but he knows how to value friendship, he is such a loving and caring man. He always gives support to Feng Jing and Liu Yi in most difficult times and the fact that it is reciprocal for them was very beautiful to see. It was mostly hard for Yun Xiu and Feng Jing to trust again after what happened to them in the past but when they met they knew they were meant to be good friends and that they could trust each other unconditionally and yes those who love bromance I can tell it's one of the deepest I've seen, it kinda startled me at first ^^. The strongest point of this drama definitely and what I loved the most about Revive. Surely for me they were the only attractive characters of the drama but they were just purely amazing and made this drama 100% worth watching for me.

My mind was only focused on Ma Ke, Xu Joe and Zhang Viann's characters the other actors weren't enough interesting to me and didn't add any savor to the drama that's why I won't say anything about them, but I need to say the twin brothers (whom I already saw in The Journey of Flower) had important roles here and I appreciated they weren't there just to block the two male leads' way even though I wanted to know more about them but they were not boring villains at least for me, just too stubborn at times.
Ma Ke delivered his part very well and was very credible in these different roles, I couldn't tell it was the same actor playing those various personalities, he was such a delight for the eyes, really well done. Both Xu Joe and Zhang Viann did really great too and surprised me in a good way, I loved how Xu Joe made his character so cold, meticulous and yet very heartwarming and vulnerable. A guy full of inner charms and principles ^^
Zhang Viann what a radiant actress and wow her black hair *.*, I really had eyes only for her, she's so beautiful and lovely as Liu Yi, a very understanding person, her best trait.

The music wasn't impressive unfortunately and didn't leave a great impression on me, only two or three BGMs caught my attention, the songs were just boring and not so much present in the drama.

There are other bad points and things I didn't like such as the dubbing which was very bad and disturbed me all throughout the series, I never complain about that as I'm used to it but when it's bad it's simply bad! Secondly I found the other characters so bland and very unappealing, for most of them I didn't like their acting and they were very frustrating (cf: Amanda, Qin Chu, Zhu Feng, Xie Yi ...) to be frank Lin Xuan was useless as well. There are other flaws but I'm a little bit lazy so I will stop there for now ;p

I would still recommend it for those who wanna watch something short and addicting, actually that's how this drama made me feel. Just if like me you start this drama with some apprehension you might end up liking it!
As for the ending, it was fine like that, I personally don't need a second season and I even think it would be a waste of time, so no complaint from me.

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Completed
Second Virgin
16 people found this review helpful
Jan 12, 2015
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
First of all, I give a big 10 for the chemistry and the passion, lust and love between the leads. It felt so so real like it wasn't the act at all and that is something we don't get to see every day. This is a dark romance drama with that depressed atmosphere like in old Japanese dramas which is something I really love and enjoy in dramas like that.

Suzuki was gorgeous and I get now when men write and say she's a MILF. :P Yup, no doubt she is. :P She is a fantastic actress and I love her from before in other dramas but in this one she simply shined with her personality, looks and sex appeal. Rui is one strong, confident, smart woman who didn't let emotions got in her way but of course everything fell apart and her guard was put down when Ko appeared. She is a woman who loved for her work, she is divorced and she experienced a married life, she even got a child from that married life (on top of that her child is played by amazing Ayano Go who was such a plus in this drama with his wild, rebel personality and his unique, weird sense of style and fashion, a young man who simply didn't do anything in his life aside from playing in some band for fun and taking money from his mother). But she chose career as something most important in her life at that time and she haven't felt regretful about that. Anyway from that angle her character is a very respectful and admirable one.

As for Hasegawa Hiroki, he was HOT and ATTRACTIVE LIKE CRAZY, I don't know how to put into words his expressions when he was with her, his glances, his stares, look in his eyes, his gestures, it was a mind blowing, seriously I literally felt his eyes on me. ;) Naughty naughty but yeah the main genre of this drama is romance so from that angle it was a successful one. The sparkles between them were flying all over the place, in every scene when they were together it was so impossible not to feel all those emotions and attraction, so rare to see that nowdays. And you have to take in consideration that age gap between the actors is 11 years which is also a plus more in here, you didn't feel that not for a second.
Both of the leads are a respectful people In their work and their respective jobs of publishing and stock trading play an important role in the story and contribute to the tension besides the usual plot devices for affair dramas. I like that part about their professional career, the whole show was so real with problems on their work, on solving them and although this drama is a romance one with affair going on, that wasn't the only thing and that's why I enjoyed in watching, you get to see every day problems and their daily life at work. And dialogs were written very good, whole screenplay was an intelligent one which is something very very important in dramas.

What I didn't like is his wife Marie, she was one big evil bitch, manipulative one with many complex in her life, she was a typical housewife who didn't do anything in her life except of satisfying her husband and depending on him about every little thing, soooo boring and stupid, I mean where is your life, your hobbies, your time and freedom?! Anyway she was the most awful person in this drama and a main culprit for everything. In the last episode maybe someone would or could somehow understand her but I simply didn't want that because she didn't deserve nor pity nor understanding. At least in my opinion.
Also I find the pacing really fast and just when you think a plot device is too cliched, it quickly moves on. But I didn't like that, I do love more slow pace in these kind of dramas with details, much more story and character development, somehow in historical dramas a fast pace is much more logical but in this one a big no for me. It's like I almost got to use to particular happening, dialog and scene and in the next moment it's one year later. That doesn't work for me.

Oh and the music was fantastic with such a beautiful melody, some tones reminded me of Secret Garden's music and the main song sang by Koda Kumi "Anata dake ga" graved in my heart and I'm still playing a song in my mind.
Overall I liked this drama a lot with its darkness and that old J drama feel, I liked the screenplay, the acting was brilliant from the two main leads, as for the characters I didn't like any of them cause all of them were hungry for power, money or some other things, too much selfishness and emotionless but that is why I found this drama to be different and not an ordinary one. I do recommend it to people who love mature, dark, serious plot and story with great chemistry and some real passion and who don't mind not happy and fluffy endings.
With all its flaws and this show does have them pretty much, I've enjoyed and it was my guilty pleasure.

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Completed
Brothers
16 people found this review helpful
May 1, 2021
13 of 13 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Unrealistic, but adorable

Brothers was a pleasant surprise for me! Here are my pros and cons:

PROS:

DRAMA. There were some dramatic moments here (the parents' divorce issue, Chon's dad's health, etc.), but they never evolved into the melodrama that BL is often guilty of, problems were talked out and solved.

ACTORS. While there were no Oscar winning performances here, the boys were all adorable.

WHOLESOMENESS. Despite some "unusual" plotlines here and there (read below), this was wholesomeness, the likes of which I've never seen in a Thai BL. Borders on Cherry Magic wholesomeness.

OST. I loved the soundtrack, especially the theme song.

CONS:

THE "NUDE" INTERMISSION PHOTOS. Just tacky and bordering on creepy. They could have been clothed. What was the director thinking?

TEACHER/STUDENT. I don't know why they had to go there. So Maping (the student) didn't have the hots for the teacher, but the teacher DID have the hots for the student. That was the real issue. Not really sure what purpose this served.

TWINCEST. Okay, I'll admit it. As a gay guy, when I was in high school, the idea of having a threesome with cute identical twin brothers would have been my dream come true, lol! But in reality, the thought of blood brothers (twins or otherwise) engaging in a threesome together is pretty cringeworthy.

PACING. Most of it was fine, but there were dull moments that just lasted too long (i.e., "Byenior" party; some of the Khun scenes).

But I digress. The cons were not dealbreakers at all. I really liked this one.

8.5/10

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Completed
Scripting Your Destiny
16 people found this review helpful
Apr 28, 2021
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Unavoidable Fate which is tangled with a Human being and The God of Destiny

I love surprises and this one... having zero expectations from anything but then you start to love it, definitely counts as a surprise, right?

This drama surely has the feel of Goblin from the poster to the very first scene of the drama, but still, it's not like Goblin though that's what I felt, for me one of the best short dramas I've seen so far especially it's made for binging. Now let's talk about the story. As I wrote in the title 'Unavoidable Fate which is tangled with a Human being and The God of Destiny.' I'll say it's cleverly written nothing feels draggy or unnecessary still we have some unanswered questions in the end.

The execution was done properly, I won't say we get the best acting here but surely not bad. It's cliche and cringes.... um very cringe (Who would have thought I would like cringe someday) but it's so enjoyable and funny and you enjoy every bit of it without getting bored. We get a well-made story and character in just 10 episodes who fairly are just 24-30 minutes. It's beautiful, the scenery and cinematography are the souls of the show. The music it's brilliant it goes with every scene I'll say it's the key point which absolutely makes the drama more special.

Overall it was full-pack drama best to binge! Fun, sweet, fantasy, romance, bromance, and little fluff.

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Our Little Sister
16 people found this review helpful
May 18, 2020
Completed 2
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

"Let's live together, the four of us."

If there is both hope and sadness to be found in the human condition, it is to be found in films like ‘Our Little Sister’. Nurtured by Koreeda’s empathetic and sensitive direction, it flourishes into showers of pink cherry blossoms and joyous smiles, evoking such rapturous beauty that you want to stay in the moment for just a little longer. But time moves on- the seasons change, the cherry blossoms fall to the ground and people say their farewells to each other. Through its harmonious balancing of dual aspects: optimism and melancholy, caring and abandonment, life and death, this bittersweet drama embodies the concept of ‘Mono no Aware’ (物の哀れ). There is vibrance and beauty in the existence of life, but it is also fragile, transient- under the watchful gaze of an old mansion and a giant tree, it blooms and fades away in the tiniest span of time. But ‘Our Little Sister’ emphasises- quietly but emphatically- that this is all the more reason to savor it in every moment, be it eating meals with your loved ones, feeling the sun streaming down on your face as you ride through a tunnel of falling petals or looking out at the grey waves after a funeral has passed.

Moving away from this concept of ‘Mono no Aware’, Koreeda centres his drama on a fractured family unit and depicts how it heals-slowly- as the missing piece is filled by another. As he always does, he “turns the camera into a window” (to quote Brian Tallerico), capturing both the ups and downs, and the larger joys and tragedies with a masterful lucidity. I’ve already waxed lyrically on Koreeda’s other films so there isn’t much left for me to say as it ticks all of his boxes- damaged families, slow pacing, food scenes, passing trains, etcetera. One interesting thing that I would like to point out is how the composition of the (matriarchal) household has changed in the absence of the father and mother. Sure there are three sisters, but Sachi is ostensibly the mother-stern yet kind- while Yoshino and Chika are like unruly children. When Suzu enters the household, the two middle sisters move up the totem pole, resulting in the youngest sister being doted on as both a child and a little sister. And only when their real mother enters the picture are we reminded that Sachi is, herself, a daughter- even if her childhood was unwrought by the folly of adults. In depicting the shifting of familial roles, as he did in ‘Nobody Knows’, Koreeda provides a testament to the strength and adaptability of children (through three of them have grown up). Trauma may have shattered their lives, but through their shared companionship, they slipped back into the flow of life. Time spent together hardened and solidified the bonds between them, and having confronted and moved on from the past, their scars began to fade away.

The main deviating factor of ‘Our Little Sister’ from Koreeda's filmography is its soundtrack. Foregoing Gontiti's melancholy guitars or Bach's variations, Koreeda instead chooses a lush and sweeping orchestral score by the talented Kanno Yoko- a perfect complement to the scenic coastside setting of Kamakura. It seems not everyone liked this soundtrack, with some reviewers complaining that it is excessively sentimental, syrupy, sickly-sweet, something else with sibilance. However, I think that there is nothing wrong with it due to how this film is (intentionally) more of an audiovisual feast than Koreeda’s others. Similarly, the soundtrack could be accused of broadcasting the intended emotions too ‘obviously’, betraying Koreeda’s tendency towards the implicit and objective. But since the film doesn’t veer into being excessively sentimental or melodramatic, I don’t see a problem with this. In short, the soundtrack is excellent, and it is streaming on spotify and apple music for your listening pleasure.

A large part of this film’s popularity is presumably due to its ensemble cast, all of whom performed excellently. Ayase Haruka and Nagasawa Masami, both mainstream stars, conjured forth their inner talent to give naturalistic, high-caliber acting. Kaho, in a far cry from her darker roles, was great as the goofy Chika- though I still found it hard to erase the memory of her as the blood-soaked vampire warrior K from 'Tokyo Vampire Hotel'. Suzu, then a newcomer, clearly had some measure of uncertainty- but this was perfect for her character, whose wide eyes radiated sincerity and later, well-earned happiness. Other names with considerable mainstream fame- regulars Kirin Kiki, Lily Franky, Kase Ryo, then Suzuki Ryohei, Sakaguchi Kentaro (in a subtle ‘Ore Monogatari’ reunion), Tsutsumi Shin'ichi, Fubuki Jun, Otake Shinobu (the mothers from ‘Soredemo Ikite Yuku’) and so on- also contributed to the vast stirring pot of talent. Another special mention to Oshiro Maeda, then a young lad, who I hope to see in more of Koreeda’s future works.

Compared to his other work, ‘Our Little Sister’ isn’t regarded as strongly by critics. It was apparently disparaged at Cannes and critics have looked down their noses at it, labelling it as “decidedly middle-brow”, “Kore-eda lite”, “frictionless” and worst of all, “boring”. To which I say that they’re just snobbish, pretentious and a bit too jaded. This film isn’t meant to be dark, conflicted, fraught with emotion. It is meant to be a feast for the senses and for the heart- and to that end it succeeds, leaving viewers emotionally satisfied and with just a tinge of wistful sadness. 8.5/10

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Completed
Man to Man
16 people found this review helpful
by Elle
Jun 11, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
Man to Man had a lot to live up to right out of the gate. Hawking an all star cast led by Park Hae Jin. This drama was going to be part spy drama, part comedy and part romance, all beautifully wrapped with a red bow. Though I don't think it was ever able to live up to its sky high expectations, I do think it was a pretty fun drama.

Man to Man's handling of its comedy was top notch! There were a number of moments that just had me rolling, especially when they were featuring the dynamic between stoic Kim Guard, Cha Do Ha and Yeo Woon Gwang. This trio kept me rolling. The effect that Woon Gwang and Do Ha have on the normally straight faced and unflappable Seol Woo kept me in stitches. I think this drama initially touted an amazing bromance between Seol Woo and Woon Gwang. I personally feel like there was some untapped potential that the drama could have played up a little more.

Overall, I think the drama had some trouble with balancing the suspense and romance. I tended to get a little tired of the political power plays. Nor was I ever all that intrigued with Mo Seung Jae's role as the main antagonist. I felt like the romance between Seol Woo and Do Ha seemed a little unnatural. I loved how they played off each other, but as a romantic couple ... the drama never really got me there.

Even though this drama can come off as a little unbalanced and a bit all over the place, its comedy is its saving grace. I so enjoyed watching Park Hae Jin play in a comedic role. His acting chops and range are on full display in his role as Kim Seol Woo, ghost agent and body guard. To be honest, I wish this drama was touted more for being about friendship and the family you choose. I worry that this drama will be remembered for not being able to live up to its hype, but I think it's a worthwhile drama. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a comedy with a little action on the side or anyone that is looking for some amazing Park Hae Jin eye candy haha!

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