This review may contain spoilers
REVENGE, ANGER, MORAL CHALLENGES , and KICK ASS FIGHTING
What a jewel of a find!!! I love Shaolin storylines - dramas and movies and when I saw the title GREATEST SHAOLIN on YT while scanning through clickbait shorts I had to explore. This drama must be a recent English translation release because I could not find it anywhere - except YT. The actual name of the drama is Shaolin Wendao.The story -- 4 loyal childhood friends (3 boys and 1 girl) are now adults and have explosive and devasting experiences that lead to life-transforming conflicts and emotional rollercoasters. The actors' Zhou Yi Wei (Trials and Empires: Storm of Prophecy and the Rebel Princess) and Guo Jin Fei maintained one of the most toxic "brotherhood" I have ever viewed in a drama. The lust for revenge versus what is good and right becomes major themes mixed with Buddism and Filial piety. I have no desire to reveal spoilers because this is a drama worthy of all 38 episodes.
There are numerous individual fight scenes that are unforgettable and bloody, there are battles with groups and there is a war with Japanese pirates. The childhood female friend is forced into prostitution although a princess prior to her being labeled treason - solely by being a family member. Her character is a catalyst for moving this drama from one degree of average entertainment to challenging the viewer as to her culpability and sanity. ACTION ACTION ACTION!!!
Life in a Shaolin Temple, commitment, vows, and hierarchy was shared which was a bonus. Visually stunning watching the training and inner conflicts which can develop and their resolutions.
Every actor brought their A-game to the drama and the casting director picked quality actors for all of the roles. No letdowns or weak performances.
The music was the perfect accompaniment to the pace of the drama and did not overwhelm or underwhelm the scenes which I always note when music seems to be overdone and annoying. None of this happened throughout.
A must watch -- the quality of this drama in 2017 when it was apparently first released without English translations would have put this one of many top 10 or top 20 at the minimum.
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Is ethics for nerds only?
So many are sleeping on this drama and it is pity. No wonder, there is not enough content in TV, the net, cinema, SOCIETY talking about ethical things... well it needs thinking and for the majority of modern people it is "painful". Anyway, when I found out there would be a jdrama about ethics in schools I needed to watch it.I must to say I enjoyed this drama and plan to read also manga in the future. Why? Because as a person with a philosophy, pedagogy, and ethics degree I know a thing or two about this beautiful and for most people "useless" science" called ethics. I was really curious how they would manage to put ethics into a Japanese high school setting.
Actually, so many things were poorly explained but only real scholars would get it. The majority of the audience won't get it anyway but might find it interesting. Ethics in Japan is of course is practiced, seen, and done differently than in Europe. All in all, drama touched a rather wide range of representatives and their works which were included in modern students' life and troubles they had to face. * SPOILER * One thing which ruined a feeling of the whole drama for me was the unnecessary "student-teacher confession". Like can they stop promoting this kind of fetish? It was totally out of context and it left a bland taste of the whole drama. *END OF SPOILER * So, not great, not terrible, this show had more potential if it was longer and scriptwriters had done their ethical research done more thoughtfully.
Ok now let me continue with acting - great choice of young actors/actresses, so nice to see fresh talented faces. The kids really did a great job. And Yuki was brilliant as mysterious ethics sensei. My only dissatisfaction was the length of each ep. Just 20 min was not enough to fully explain and deeply involve the attentive viewers in the stories of the students. So many things were unsaid but ok I understand the manga is still ongoing.
Alsooo, want to say a few words about Takayanagi sensei. He is not the happy-go-lucky overly hyped annoying nosy teacher. On the contrary him being deep, enigmatic, introvert, observer, philosoph with a cynical view of the world and people. Even though he is broken he empathically helps people when needed and gives his students much more than just empty useless words. Actually, he inspired me too. Definitely, he showed introverts can make more capable teachers and mentors than his extroverted colleagues. I indeed learned a lot from his role which I want to keep to myself only.
I recommend this drama mainly to philosophy geeks or people who want to get a bit view of how (not so real) ethical classes are. It is not a drama that attracts many people, some might find it boring but some might found new inspiring ideas and get interested in ethics.
PS: Rewatch Value is low because I am not the type of person who rewatches films/dramas even if I like them. Also, there was not much music to rate. And I tend to rate things quite strictly, so some people might give a better rating.
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Fresh and a unique plot!
I was lucky enough to be able to catch the movie premiere of this show in my country, I've just gotten home, opened up my computer and here I am.[Alert: The movie has quite a few sexual references [7/10 spicy] so do take note!]
Summary:
FUNNY, CUTE, LOVELY, AND A TEAR JERKER. WORTH THE WATCH! AND IM GONNA WATCH IT AGAIN KEKE
PS: These scene description are not considered as spoilers. Its just briefly how the movie starts and how it will start developing
This is the MOST unique and newest storyline I have ever watched! There are ML, FL [Pinky] and FL [XiaoMi/XM]. Before death, ML and XM were the best of friends for years and yay they got into a relationship, and engaged just for a short while before his death. When he was down in the underworld, and after some "You're Dead" process, he decided to be tested to be the God of Love, Yue Lao [an actual god in history and also the chinese name of the movie] and ding ding ding, he passed! And shockers! His partner is Pinky! I wont talk about their past or the major spoilers but wow if I wasnt watching the movie with my mum, I WOULD BE BAWLING!! The romance line was SUPER WELL WRITTEN!! Visual Effects were done SO WELL that they won an award at the Golden Horse Film Awards alongside with other segments. I can't describe much about the movie because theres content and new information every minute and of course it wasn't draggy at all, it grabbed your attention every second and every minute. Other than the romance line, there's a evil plot as well but again, it isnt like what we expect, not your typical stupid revenge plot. Really worth the watch!! Even the after credits scenes were like "OH WHAT?" I am definitely going back to the cinema for this movie soon after its public screening! 10/10 superb!
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This drama was very suspenseful, and I found it very hard to put off because I was always left wondering what would happen next after every episode. And lets just say, I was practically bawling when it finally ended. I would rewatch this a million times if I could! Although dramas are always best the first time cause if you rewatch it you'll already know what happens at the end and it's not as suspenseful... but if I wanted to, I would rewatch this again. So, that being said, I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend this drama. I guarantee you won't not like it, and it could possibly become one of your favorites!
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The best Chinese drama
The best for the colossal genre. From the standpoint of the story, the cast, the music to the shooting site has been very supportive of the drama. Reviewing is also not boring. You guys don't hesitate to watch it. Sure makes it hard to forget. At first I was hesitant to watch it because I only like the romantic and comedy genre. And I convinced myself that I wanted to see this drama and that it was amazing beyond my expectations.The scenes that have these episodes keep me free, and it will be the best massive Chinese drama I can think of
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Beautiful storyline
This was a series that tugged at my heart because as a mother i would have been devastated by my childs sudden death...Yoon Oh and Peach were friends that became more than friends after his death and they made the best of their short time together beautifully in synch.
It just reminds the rest of us here on earth to try and appreciate what you have before you lose it to whatever circumstances life throws at you.
Those of you that try and analyze the the storyline too much....stop wasting your negative time by dissing this series and try living in the positives...
Well done to the production crew for a beautiful story and hoping for SEASON 2 PLEASE 🙏🙏🙏💙
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My all time favourite ❤️❤️❤️
This would be my top Chinese drama followed by love O2O. The storyline is so soothing and I feel calm and content watching it. The chemistry between the main leads are overflowing……😍😍😍. The acting is superb. The clothing is top notch….❤️🙌🏻. I really like how they did Chen Zheyuan’s ( Duan Jia Xu ) hair on this drama. I have seen him in other dramas and never thought that he’s much attractive. But with this hairstyle as well as the clothes he wore here I couldn’t take my eyes off him….!!!! ❤️❤️❤️ I’m so obsessed with this drama and I have already rewatched this multiple times. It’s a feel good drama for sure.Was this review helpful to you?
The film opens with a peculiar scene. Masanosuke (Seto Koji) gets home and realizes his shoes are wet. He accidently stepped into something disgusting with an off-putting smell. The next morning, he doesn't notice anything, however in the evening he can smell it again. He realizes something is rotten deep inside the house he was passing by. He can't clearly identify it.
We then follow three young men. One is driven by the old ways of thinking. He can't accept the upcoming change, and dreams of this heroic life probably similar to samurai stories he grew up listening to. He believes in his own grandeur and nothing else will move him. The second is all about revolution, change and movements. His mind and words are big, yet fails to capture anyone's attention. Finally there's the one indifferent to the cause, just following the tied, until he finds himself in something he can't comprehend, and with not enough resolve to follow through.
When the country is going through a state of uncertainty and distrust, those three representing different ends of the spectrum of the people in those times. So while it does represent Japan at this important time in history, but the story definitely transcends beyond its setting.
The acting doesn't disappoint, to say the least. Of course Yuuya Yagira dominates the screen in his strong presence, but the others came through when needed. Really enjoyed Okayama Amane's acting here. I'm not too familiar with Seto Koji, but he was perfect for the character he plays here. Odagiri Joe plays a supporting role but his presence was notable (& beautiful). Finally Kadowaki Mugi with her minimal presence manages to distinguish herself.
I also loved the direction and camera work. The colours used in the scenes, mostly dim, at times disturbing red, or the desolating blue, were effective in representing the mood and feeling of the characters and events. The shots were poingnant and gives us a perfect idea of the place of the characters in the whole picture. It's more symbolic than anything. In any case, the combination results in this painting full of hope and anguish. It's relentlessly beautiful.
There is so much I appreciate about this movie, but it definitely isn't one easy to recommend. I'd say if you are interested in, not that period of Japanese history, but the mental state it was in, you'll definitely enjoy it. If you're looking for a movie about extravagant heroism, this isn’t the movie for you. If you are a fan of any of the main cast, chances are you'll enjoy the movie for the acting at least, just set your expectations right. Happy Watching :D
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One thing that disappointed me a bit was the ending. Even though it would not fit Sawako's character very well if something big had happened, I wanted it to be more special.
Furthermore I wanted to know what happened between Ryuu and Chizuru afterwards. It would have been so nice to know ...
All in all I enjoyed this movie a lot maybe because I have not watched the anime yet and cannot compare. Anyway, I think the movie is worth watching and maybe I will rewatch it in a few weeks (:
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This review may contain spoilers
An epic love story meets time travel and destiny
A multilayer love story like this truly breathtaking. A modern man, Shen Buyan, is transported back to Ancient Sheng and watches the death of Demon Queen Lu Yuan, hated by the commoners but loved by her adopted son the Emperor. Upon her death, a jade pendant is smashed into five parts, each part giving Shen Buyan the opportunity to relive a different part of Lu Yuan's life. He quickly realizes history is not what was written and she is a woman motivated to protect her country, even at this risk of her own life and love.What's really unique about this is the freshness of the romance storyline. When Lu Yuan loves Shen Buyan the most, he treats her like a stranger. By the time Shen Buyan can't leave her and chose to protect her silently, she no longer remembers him. They symbolically layer flashbacks, mementos, and music to heighten the bittersweet love story. On rewatch, I bet more of these hidden nuggets will surface.
Although a low budget drama, the costumes, production quality, and cinematography were impeccable. The acting of Zhang Ya Qin as Lu Yuan was phenomenal - she played across a 30 year lifespan and somehow played each age convincingly. The ML started off a little weak but by the end, I was fully bought in to his role as a time traveling historian who fell utterly in love with a young peasant girl destined to be queen. Every lesson he taught pushed her closer to her destiny, despite his intention to merely protecting her from harm. Each time he travels he re-learns that he cannot change history and Lu Yuan will always chose protecting her country over her life and love.
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What Does Life Truly Mean?
In this compelling story of "Fake It Till You Make It ", we embark on a profound journey to unravel the essence of life itself. Is it akin to a meticulously scripted movie where every piece effortlessly falls into place? Or do we navigate its twists and turns while relentlessly pursuing our desires? Our story delves into the myriad relationships and perspectives of a group of industrious young individuals from diverse professions. Even within the cocoon of love, there exist two distinct vantage points, each held by the parties involved.In the pursuit of dreams and desires within the relentless rat race of our world, we often wear masks of pretense. We mold ourselves into someone we believe will garner admiration from others, for we reside in a world where pretense is the norm. We toil relentlessly, pushing our boundaries, sometimes sacrificing relationships, health, and happiness along the way. And then, at the culmination of it all, we find ourselves asking the ultimate question: Is it all worth it? Does it carry meaning?
Our story explores the very essence of falling in love, the significance of marriage, and the enigmatic nature of attraction between people. Should we surrender to the whims of fate, letting life take its course, or should we seize control and fight for our desires?
Throughout the story, we witness multiple examples that illuminate the diverse relationships and perspectives of our characters. Tang Ying, haunted by past heartache, yearns for a new relationship but fears rejection. Xu Ziquan, a flamboyant individual, shies away from committing to a lasting relationship. When their paths cross, burdened by their respective baggage and consumed by their careers, they struggle to prioritize their love. Eventually, they come to a realization: they must take a leap of faith, committing to each other wholeheartedly, regardless of the outcome, as long as they give it their all.
Lin Xinzi has always sought the perfect love, envisioning it with a man who embodies ideal looks, status, and wealth. Yet, when she believes she's found the one, she discovers herself suffocating in the suffocating embrace of Xu Jiabai's obsessiveness. After parting ways with Xu Jiabai and meeting Xia Tian, she learns that relationships need not adhere to a script, and life rarely unfolds as planned.
Every character depicted here exudes a striking realism. Encounters with individuals akin to Xu Ziquan, who shy away from commitment, are a common occurrence in our lives. Simultaneously, we often encounter characters like Tang Ying who crave reassurance and commitment at the same time also keeping an eye out for potentially better partners. While the Xu Jiabai character may be toxic, it undeniably mirrors a prevalent archetype in society. This dynamic is a familiar facet of the human experience. The value of this drama lies in its effort to delineate the characteristics of such individuals, enabling viewers to recognize them in real-life scenarios and make informed choices when navigating such relationships.
All the characters are meticulously crafted and portrayed, evolving authentically throughout their journeys. Elvis Han portrays Xu Ziquan's character with a familiarity that resonates with many viewers, while Elvira Cai's Tang Ying is captivating and utterly believable.
As the author poetically observes, "The city never stops; it won't pause for anyone, just like our lives. When we reflect upon the people we encounter, we realize that from the outset, we all strive to move forward and upward. Between pretense and reality, let's offer ourselves some soulful nourishment. Superiors, subordinates, rivals, friends - we often find ourselves trapped in various roles. We say what must be said and do what must be done, staunchly believing that this is life. However, as if scripted, just as pretense reaches its zenith, we stumble upon a universal truth -- prosperity, success, and happiness - these elements are never meticulously planned but are derived from our actual experiences."
"The city has introduced us to countless souls, each revealing the vastness of the world, beyond our wildest imagination. The path we choose should be uniquely ours; discard the well-crafted script. Through struggle and determination, seek a life that truly belongs to us. It's alright if we falter, and it's perfectly fine if we lose our way. What matters most is living in accordance with our heart's desires, for that is the essence of true freedom."
My Verdict
In our relentless pursuit of life's ambitions, there often comes a price. Tang Ying pays with her health, Xu Ziquan carries the weight of a broken relationship. As viewers, we too navigate life's labyrinth, occasionally finding ourselves adrift, much like Tang Ying and Xu Ziquan. However, if we view the lowest moments as transformative phases, we may eventually find our way, just as they do. Above all, let us approach life with expectations, appreciating the occasional moments of reaping its rewards, for therein lies the true essence of our existence, as the author puts it, "常常期待 有時收獲"
This captivating drama unfolds as a rich tapestry of life's profound lessons. It comes highly recommended for those seeking inspiration and introspection.
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Life was Hard
2025 had some fun movies in Korean cinema, but no movie came even close to "No Other Choice"—not until I saw this movie. The Ugly is a simple but impactful drama that looks back on the hardships of a man and a woman, discovered by their son through a series of interviews. The premise may not seem that interesting at first, but it is made in a Korean style that I really like, contrasting the good and the bad in people and offering a deeply human experience without a mainstream happy ending. We often don’t understand the way of life of our grandparents, or even our parents, so this movie gives us a mirror to reflect not only on the story presented, but also on our society in general, and invites us to have more respect for our ancestors (and the cross they carried).The movie has a mystery to uncover, but for me it didn’t offer any real surprises in the development of the story. Where the movie truly shines is in the actors’ performances. They did a great job portraying believable and deeply touching emotions.
The movie also invites us to reflect on what is ugly and what is beautiful. As it is written in the Bible, God does not look at outward appearance but at what is in the heart. So what seems ugly to the world may in fact be beautiful, and what appears beautiful may actually be stained with ugliness.
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This review may contain spoilers
I picked this drama without expecting too much, since the long synopsis already outlines the drama plot. But once I started I kept wanting to watch the next scene or episode, curious to know what the leads were going to do. Unlike other voluntary time-altering dramas that the protagonists fix the past problems, this drama gives freedom for the three male leads (who initiate the time altering) to do whatever they want to do to follow their hearts. I am also surprised that it is not like a typical Thai drama/lakorn, and definitely free of slap/kiss, attempted sexual assault scenes, or other overly dramatic plot. Also, no mean villains or 'in-laws', and not much of elders involvement. Although as the story goes it gets darker, but I feel like this drama is aimed towards young adults viewers, because of the casual advice given on how to choose wise decisions and no presentation of severe punishments of what they have done.About the ending. Along the drama, there were discussions in GMMTV official Youtube channel (where the English subbed drama was aired) until the final episode on who should end up with who or if someone should end up happily or not. I think the ending is more like a fan-service with satisfying ending, for this drama I am okay if the ending was different than what was presented.
Now the technical stuff. I think the director Dan did a decent job directing this drama with multiple main characters/couples and multiple stories. Lol, even if he did not do a good job there will be a Second Chance beer he can take (a cameo appearance of the director in the closing scene). Also to say the editing is not bad although the viewers are left with some confusions to figure out whether the scene we saw is the reality, the future, or just the dream or wish of the characters. Perhaps some confusing scenes were purposely done to leave the mysterious vibe of the drama.
Some acting are good as all main actors/actress are not newcomers. Some viewers commented that actors/actresses like Nanon, Singto, and Puimek have improved their acting skills in this drama, but since I have not watched lots or any of their works I cannot really judge them. The only thing that I like that some characterization are ambiguous, who can be villains and characters that you may hate at some point in this drama. I am glad that Tor character is remained mysterious: is he just a bar owner, a moonshiner who invented a secret beer recipe, a tarot card fortune teller, an angel, or God?
Whatever Tor is, I applauded Singto Numchok (who played as Tor) as a singer and musician, since the OST song "Second Chance" he wrote and sang is so catchy, a nice sing-a-long song with Caribbean tone. Here is the official MV link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWxjrGM_3WM
Rewatch value? Not really, since you already know how the leads decisions end then the magic is gone. The only thing I may want to rewatch is the OST music video.
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I want to stop everything… just to be with you
I was getting a lot of A Tale Of Thousand Stars vibes from the series when it started. And I was here for it, I absolutely loved ATOS. But I am also extremely glad that Sky In Your Heart took a different direction. I think the locations were beautiful. I love how we really get to see two extremes of the world in the two Star & Sky series – the sea and the mountains. I think it was a smart play on things from the perspective of creating the series.Fah & Prince: I didn’t want Fah to see Prince just as a rebound from his ex that he was still not really over. So as their relationship developed, I was glad that Prince was shown to be much more to Fah than just a rebound. Fah was taking things slow, and I do appreciate his reasoning behind it – their lives on the mountain are far from reality, so taking things slow is what they both needed. I like the sass that Prince threw at Fah. He might come from money, but he is a surprisingly down to earth person that cares deeply about everyone around him. And while he did appear to be afraid of letting people get too close too quickly, it does make a lot of sense why. I really like that the two had good communications (most of the time), which helped their relationship move forward nicely. Another thing I liked about the two is that just because they are opening to each other and getting closer, their fears and past experiences don’t just disappear. They are still valid, and they still have an impact on both. I like that while some things were shown in a romanticized version, we also saw some very realistic portrayals of situation. One that sticks with me is Fah’s personal live vs. work life dilemma that seems to be a constant struggle for him. Just like it often is for doctors in real life.
Kluen & Dao: The little clips of the two in each episode are adorable. Fah overprotectiveness might be a bit too much at times, but I like it how Kluen doesn’t really look too bothered by it. Actually, he is, but he doesn’t let it dictate his and Dao’s relationship. And the fact that Dao saw through Fah the moment he used the “I have a friend who…” lines was so funny. We all know that the friend is the person asking, but we don’t often see others calling people out for that silliness.
Other side characters were a lot of fun too. I am not really sure why Mesa and JJ had to be on the mountain as well, they weren’t driving, but at least Fah had some help when it came to dealing with his feelings. Even if they were not always helpful. Prince’s mom is an absolute icon! She had me fooled for a bit, even if it didn’t make much sense in relation to how Prince acts and who he is. The chief, the kids, Yayah and the rest of the villagers were a nice addition as well. I do admit Yayah was my favorite of them all. Sincere is basically Typhoon 2.0. I really wanted to hate him, but his actions do make a lot of sense. He loves Prince and he wanted the best for him. He failed to realize that Prince might be the one who knows what is the best for himself.
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The story is about our titular character forming a class with chosen students to conduct an experiment. With that we meet his students, the class 2-A and the problems caused that he and other teachers have to deal with. It takes us quite a while to find out what the experiment is about but it does add a bit of a mystery to keep your attention close to whats going on. What is most interesting in what is addressed here is trying to define maturity. Society has set up a certain age to it but from the beginning onwards we do observe how maturity varies from one person to another. Suzuki Sensei's mindset, like most teachers, is not ideal that's for sure, but what distinguishes him from others is his awareness of middle schooler's intelligence and maturity, and his ability to treat them seriously.
On the acting department, oh boy isn't it stunning. It is Hiroki Hasegawa's best role, from his expressions when we hear his thoughts, to his composure when addressing a problem. What's most impressive though are the students. Karin Ono, Honoka Miki, Kaoru Fujiwara, Takumi Kitamura, Yukito Nishii, and Tao Tsuchiya to name a few. That generation sure has a bright future if given the chance. On the teachers side Yasuko Tomita sure was impressive, but generally all did a very decent job.
This drama isn't only for those who enjoy school dramas, it's for everyone. We all can relate to it because we all went through similar phases and looked for a safe place to express our thoughts. Maybe we are all looking for a similar place even now that we grew older so we join clubs or online sites such as MDL for that reason as well. What is discussed here are things that left me thinking about even after watching each episode. It isn't preachy at all and doesn't give us a definite answer which is the beauty of it. The characters and the acting makes it most entertaining to watch.
;)
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