This review may contain spoilers
A nice fairy tale with a silly end...
With KBLs we never know if it will be any good, it's mostly a flip of a coin. This series managed to say on the "good" side. While the premise is not unheard of, they did it in a mostly funny way. The most impressive are the MLs switching between their personalities and doing so believable.The only questionable thing was the romantic part... it was not that convincing and of course the silly end which may disappoint some of you. Also there is the open end of the mother/son relationsship. Production quality was good considering this is a low budget effort, but we also get to enjoy the scenery.
I have not much more to say, I did enjoy this little series, with every episode running between 9 and 12 minutes the commitment is also not very time-consuming. If you need a palete cleanser or variety from all the toxic stuff now airing, this series will do it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Not Good Enough
Korean Drama '' Doctor Lawyer '' is a medical and law drama.The story has some interesting parts, but it focuses solely on the main criminal case and gets boring after a while. Sure, the characters were interesting, at first at least, but the drama didn't have enough cases to at least lift the load off and add some interesting notes to the main plot. Also, the medical drama didn't blend that well with the law drama, and it often felt like the story didn't know which direction to follow and where to focus.
At least, the romance was left on paper and there were some emotional scenes added to the mix. Also, there were some twists that were unexpected.
Finally, the performances were enjoyable by everyone in the cast.
So, overall, four out of ten.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I was a bit apprehensive before starting this series because some of the reviews are not good. But in the end I’m thankful that I started this. I actually read the novel first before watching the series. They have their similarities and differences but each has their own merits.The story is about loving and trusting someone amidst the differences, the odds and the trials. The storyline is common but the execution is great so you will enjoy the series.
The fighting scenes are one of the best that I’ve seen so far.
The actors were able to portray their role well, especially the both the lead actors. They have chemistry and good in what they do so they were able to relay the characters love, loyalty to their belief and angst to it and the outside interference.
The only thing that I don’t like about this series is that they shoot most of the scene in the studio, or the lighting is off so the actor and the background scene doesn’t blend well especially during the night scenes but aside from that the series is great.
Additional info: the difference between the novel and series are listed below. I won’t list all of it, only the important one… well, what is important in my point of view anyway… ;-)
Some of it may be considered a spoiler but maybe not, although I will focus my comment on the novel. :-)
1. In the novel since the beginning it was already known that chu bei jie is the brother of the king of Jin state.
2. There is no noble consort zhang in the novel, so the one that plot against ping ting is the queen.
3. In the novel chu bei jie just went into seclusion after he found out that ping ting died and he left his other sword with yang feng. Although I love what they did to the drama…
4. In the novel, bei jie first believe that ping ting betray him so he punished her by being indifferent for a few months.
5. The most important difference between the two is the final chapter or maybe it wasn’t just fully explained in the series. In the novel when all the other army rally against He Xia, they ask Chu Bei Jie what will be the name of the army, would they call it prince of zhenbei’s army. He didn’t agree with it because he said he will be like He Xia that wants to conquer the world. He named it Tings Army (from Ping Ting’s name) because it represents that they are fighting for their love ones. To free their love ones from oppression because he promised ping ting a peaceful world. And in the end they united the four state and rename it Tings country because nobody conquered anyone so no state is above the other. Isn’t he sweet? Imagine naming the whole country for Ping Ting! ;-)
Was this review helpful to you?
Best Drama In 2023
This is the best drama series in 2023, in my opinion. The casting was superb - Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan are both excellent actors and lived up to expectations in the series. They personified their roles so that you really cannot imagine anyone else playing the characters of Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu. Their chemistry is electric. They are physically so comfortable with each other that you will probably think they are a real-life couple. Many of their fans in fact, have been clamouring for them to work together again. This is the first time Chen Zheyuan has taken on this type of role - his character is generally more mature, calm and steady than what I have seen in his previous work. It's a good transition for him as he takes on lead roles in 3 upcoming dramas, all of which are quite serious. Special mention also to Victor Ma - very natural, totally believable as Sang Zhi's older brother. My only wish is that they had kept to the novel where the lead characters' age gap is concerned. There's a 7-year age gap in the novel, but in the series, the gap is reduced to 5 years. The OST has a good mix of cutesy-sounding tunes with a couple of touching ballads as well. Definitely songs to add to your Spotify playlist. If you want to have a warm, fuzzy feeling from watching a good movie or drama, watch this. It'll have you crying and laughing along. Most of the time though, you'll probably have a goofy smile on your face - the series is just that sweet! Happy watching!Was this review helpful to you?
Keep tissue papers handy
If you are looking for romance, this drama is not for you. This is a drama with so many complex emotions, you just cannot tell right from wrong. Unlike other dramas it doesn't show us the pink world rather it makes us visualize the world of the people who are deeply pained. Not all wounds go away with time and this hits so hard in this drama. Do watch if you are ready to go through a surge of all these emotions. All in all , it is beautifully portrayed.Was this review helpful to you?
What a find
Never thought I would find a drama like this by browsing through titles. Cast all were outstanding especially ML who played twins. Even though there were a lot of subplots going on it was easy to follow them all. Itkeeps you guessing u til the very end with all the twists and turns. The last three episodes had me in tears. Binged the whole drama in one day.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Good but something is missing
— SPOILERS AHEAD —I really enjoyed this show and I think the premise was really really good. The acting was brilliant too, some standout performances in Yiyeon, Lee Dongpil and Jang Gido. The romance was also just enough which I felt was fitting for a story like this. However I have a few reservations with giving it a higher rating purely because I think it failed deliver to its full potential. There were too many loose ends and not of the ‘open ending’ type. All the cases that were shown in the earlier episodes were discarded with no resolution. All that happened in the past was also not explained well. How was Lee Dongpil still alive and where did Chisik find him? Especially since the police couldn’t. Also, it seems like Dongpil had sent a letter to someone when he was still in prison. How did Chakhee’s grandmother find that letter? Next, how did Sibaek take a dead kid’s identity? Did Chisik convince the Jwa family to take in an orphan? Why did the police pick up and torture his real parents in the first place if the issue was only with Eunsoo? How did these corrupt terrible police officers go on to become such big businessmen? How did Gido marry Haran? She said their marriage helped Byungchun rise to where he is. Also Daehyeon, Gido’s aide brushed hands with Haran once and then they didn’t show anything with the two of them. What was the point? When Haran was trying to sabotage Gido, someone else sent information about Yiyeon. They never went back to that or explained who else was trying to hinder Gido. Coming to Chakhee’s father, why did he leave and how does Chakhee have a working relationship with now? He’s mentioned as an ex reporter who writes exposés on the Jang family. Surely Chakhee would’ve read one? If not, why did he not try to tell her for so many years? So many unanswered questions. This should’ve been a normal 16 ep series and they should’ve spent some more time on the details. It was still engaging and I love the characters but it felt like writer’s room lost their notes while making the show.
Was this review helpful to you?
Great main couple and worldbuilding, but fails secondary couples/characters
If you only watched the first couple of episodes, then you're missing so much good that comes later. The first couple of episodes are fairly uninspiring due to the basic production and CGI. Everyone, visually, looks kind of just okay. But if you watch all the way to episode 6 and beyond, it becomes so fun and interesting.One of the most unique xianxia dramas in terms of the worldbuilding. The human realm is unique. Because of goddess Wushuang, who was an engineer and innovated a lot of things for the human realm, the world has a steampunk vibe. The culture and clothes are still traditional, but there are some unique items or modes of transportation due to the advanced mechanical inventions. Magic and technology co-exist. (This worldbuilding isn't just for show. It plays into the plot later!)
Another absolutely favorite part of this drama--which really carries the whole show--is the main couple.
The male lead, Yuan Zhong, is a beautiful and detached man. After everything he's been through--which you learn quite quickly in the first 10 episodes--you'll understand why he is the way he is. It makes his actions very logical and understandable. He's a skeptic, especially suspicious of the female lead, Ji Tanyin, and it makes their dynamic so funny.
Ji Tanyin is actually the goddess Wushuang and came down to the mortal realm to retrieve an item that is in the hands of Yuan Zhong. For a couple of reasons, Ji Tanyin chooses to stay by his side until his death. She is committed to her goal. She is mature, logical, and has a strong sense of justice and morality. And it's these traits that really will affect Yuan Zhong, whose heart is cold.
Their relationship is great. Ji Tanyin is teaching him to warm up to the world again. Yuan Zhong is teaching her about the realities of life, having philosophical discussions with her. They are just so interesting, as individuals and as a couple. And their growth and arc, especially on Yuan Zhong's side, is fantastic.
A third favorite thing is the OST. The background music fits really well as well as the original songs. It fits well with every scene.
Unfortunately, that's about as good as it gets. There are some supporting characters who come and go and do outstanding jobs. Sadly, the reoccurring supporting characters don't have interesting arcs--and so then, by the end, they become characters that are just going through the motions, and you don't feel their motivations.
The characters of Zhi Dai and Tanghua, specifically, were meant to be this second couple that we could root for. And, in the beginning, when you learn who Zhi Dai is and how she knew Tanghua, it built this complex history between them and was really fascinating when she left it all behind. But then they reunite again for plot reasons and they just never had an interesting chemistry or dynamic since then. It was so disappointing because the wasted potential.
And then the character of Qian Lin! I'm so annoyed how his character just...stopped having things to do. He exploded onto the screen as this desperate, determined character who had a very specific goal. He was quite interesting! And then, somewhere along the way, he became a very mild character. It's too bad.
Even the villain and their scenes aren't well paced throughout the story...
Overall, you can enjoy this for the strong performances by Liu Xueyi and Tiffany Tang as Yuan Zhong and Ji Tanyin and interesting world and philosophical questions. You might enjoy some of the supporting characters too, but don't expect too much growth or interesting thread for them.
Was this review helpful to you?
The story itself is fun and well paced, nothing is really going to surprise you, but Peter Chan and his cast make that ok by delivering a sophisticated light comedy/drama.
The main actress and actor do a phenomenal job. Yuen does a good job as a boy, and still comes off as loveable and sweet, without being annoying or overbearing. you can't help but root for her. Leslie Cheung is spot on with his role, and the supporting cast do a great job as well.
I will say one stumbling block for many will be the age of this film, at almost 20 years old it might be a turn off for some. I think however that if a film is good, time doesn't really matter. And this film, in my opinion, seems to hold up well.
I would also like to note that there are some more adult scenes in this movie (unlike so many of the closed lip kiss is the climax of many other films). So please take into consideration that this is definitely geared towards adults.
Overall I would say if you like GB stories and don't mind the old school feel this is definitely a movie you should check out.
Was this review helpful to you?
Takashi Miike is known to make extreme films with plenty of violence, sex and sexual violence. But he is also known to have a message and a meaning with it all, it is not shocking or controversial for the sake of being so, and this is what makes Visitor Q a surprisingly deep and touching film. I warn you though, Visitor Q is not an easy or comfortable film to view.
Even for the most hardened viewer this is hard to stomach. It is violent, there is incest and necrophilia and many odd fetishes throughout. This would deter most people but if you are open minded and willing to break out of your shell this movie is oddly funny and touching and has a really good message about family.
The story is simple, but this is not a bad thing, it allows room for all the characters to develop over the course of the film. It is the actors who should be commended for taking on such a challenging film, they all do such amazing jobs at portraying sick, perverted people.
If this is your first Miike film I would strongly recommend seeing Audition, Ichi the Killer or the Dead or Alive trilogy before seeing this as this is easily his most confronting film.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Went out on a whimper
This one started off so well and it had so much potential. Then for some reason the writers decided they wanted it to become a melodrama so we had like 3 episodes of unnecessary drama instead of getting actual rom-com moments. The final episode felt too rushed, especially since episode 11 felt like a waste of time. I'm really disappointed because I really liked the cast and story and in the beginning I was so excited because I thought this would end up being a great rom-com drama, but I should have known better than to trust kdrama writers. They inserted the same old tropes that I am sick of and yeah, annoying. Disappointing. I still enjoyed it up until like ep 7-8? But after that, it just got worse and worse and by the final episode it was too late to salvage it.Was this review helpful to you?
I like this couple in Kissable Lips, but that drama's storyline is not my favorite. I honestly like this office romance better.
Even the side characters isn't boring, they actually helped to make the story more entertaining.
The acting felt awkward sometimes, i think that's also because of the camera angle. They could've done the flashbacks part better, it looks choppy. And idk where, but it feels like there's some plot holes.
It's just one of those dramas that's not great, but still entertaining.
Was this review helpful to you?
I felt like this drama depicted a few different sides of being a fan of someone's work. The lead character, played by Min Young, has a successful career and, although she genuinely cares about her idol, she puts her life and responsibilities before any fansite work or other type of fangirling. Her best friend, whom she met through a common idol, has put fangirling aside in order to take care of her business and family. There is a slightly judgmental husband, who ultimately does support his wife having idols, a "brother" who is pretty much the same, and a boyfriend who is completely sold on the idea of his girlfriend appreciating art and showing her support by being an active fan.
The twists and turns of the childhood connection between the leads requires you to completely suspend your disbelief, but that is a common trope for kdramas so I have a hard time complaining. The acting in the most dramatic moments helped, too, and it's difficult not to feel sorry for the characters even in their extraordinary circumstances.
I think the main characteristic of this show is that every character is beyond likable. They are endearing, funny and have well developed personalities. This is a story that's fun to watch, even if it could potentially make you cry toward the end. It has a lot of fluff, the soundtrack has the cutest pop songs of any other drama I've seen, and it will be difficult to finish this without looking forward to seeing all of the cast again.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
So good!
I have been watching Godzilla movies as long as I can remember. Most are enjoyable and enteretaining except the 1998 American made one. It's one of the worse movies I have ever seen.This movie has no right to be as good as it is! But it is good. Very good and a great movie to celebrate the 70th anniversay of the most well known kaiju in the world. Must be seen on the big screen.
I didn't know a Godzilla movie could pack an emotional punch the way this film did. It's a testament to the writing and acting in this film. Kamiki Ryunosuke, Hamabe Minami, Yamada Yuki, Aoki Munetaka, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Ando Sakura and Sasaki Kuranosuke. I'm listing all the actotrs here b/c everyone played their roles well. I also, must shout out the little girl actress. I don't know her name b/c she's not listed in MDL for this film but she was magnificent and I think she was only 3 or 4 years old. I can't give much away but the film explores survivors guilt, shame and forgiveness.
12/3/23
Was this review helpful to you?
