The worst season so far
Can we please spend some screen time on someone other than Gwan hee? I thought most of the female cast was ridiculously shallow and most of the men had very little screen time. In the previous seasons I could at least pretend that the cast wanted to find love. S3 is clearly about increasing their follower counts, etc. Everyone was just so fake. The producers clearly wanted more swimsuit time which just made this season feel trashy. I watch Korean dating shows because they tend to be less trashy. Oh well.I disliked this season so much I'm not looking forward to a season 4.
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This review may contain spoilers
Chinese Writers need to create better material and stronger female leads.
Back when I started watching dramas in 2018 I preferred Chinese Dramas over Korean Dramas. Now here I am in 2024 and it's hard to find good-quality Chinese Dramas. This Drama was the worst for many reasons. I absolutely HATE how mild-mannered they make FL in these dramas. The first half of the show was just the FL with no backbone being bossed around by the ML who slowly started to develop feelings for her. Even the build-up to their dating was so anti-climatic and immature. The female lead acted like an abused victim who mumbled when she spoke and never spoke up for herself. I guess she was good at her job but not really she was just passive and gave good customer service. The case from episode 15 I think it was really irritated me. It was messed up for them to interfere with the mistress, wife, and daughter. It was clear the mistress wasn't a good person and that doing the DNA test would only hurt the daughter who was the most genuine out of the situation. That situation bothered me and the fact they never corrected the error and just let the story die out like that was ugh! I also think the revenge on the sister's ex-husband was so anti-climatic it was like girl this was your big payback... I feel like if this were a Kdrama revenge would've been sweeter.I started to fast forward after a certain point and here is why It took the FL half the show to figure out the lead liked her (episode 21) and then we get to episode 26 where the ML's admirer comes back and is about to play mind games with her. The second female lead was only there for a day and threw some compliments at the FL and defended the FL in a situation she started to gain the FL's trust and with that the 2nd FL was able to convince the FL to join her team. Of course, when she switched teams the 2nd FL was able to make her feel so insecure she ended up leaving the company altogether. I just wish they would write better, stronger, and smarter female leads in Chinese dramas. The 2nd FL is always more competent than the weak mild-mannered FL. It's crazy to me that the FL was so awestruck by the 2nd FL all it took was some kind words for her to switch teams. so annoying. This drama has no re-watch value and I'd only recommend it if you like the cliche dumb FL smart ML asian drama.
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Reason why you should watch it:
ROMANCE & CHEMISTRY: I put this here first because for me, watching Korean drama is first and foremost about the heart and soul…they are spectacularly great in depicting this (I watch Western industry films/drama for other stuff but the love and romance I go to K-drama for). This pairing of the two main characters Do Min Joon and Cheon Song Yi (KSH & JJH) is one of the best if not the best on screen couple to date. Their romance unfolds like a baby bud blooming into a most spectacular flora, it’s an absolute joy to witness and completely unforgettable. The journey was poignant, laughable, and angst ridden, an intermingle of two different species pulled off so believably that you feel as if these characters are REAL and not just characters. Let’s talk kisses-there’s like a total of 10 kisses (1 on forehead, 1 on cheek, the rest on lips) in a 21 episodes, that average to like one every other episodes! I can’t recall a show showing this much smooches! (Secret Garden maybe…but not even then)….the kisses start out innocent and keeps getting hotter and hotter each episodes until it reach the most elaborate, heartfelt, swoon-worthy lip-lock at the last episode. But beyond just their kissing chemistry, these two are so natural together it’s sometimes hard to separate them from their characters (and to think one of them is already married in real life!)…from the many longing glances to the most hand-holding in any drama history (I literally lost count of how many times they hold each other's hands, arms linking, front hugs and back hugs, and lounging times in bed!...talk about bed scenes so many of those cute innocent ones too!). And the things they say to each other?? Wow, can you take my breath away anymore? So in this regards, spectacular, Spectacular, SPECTACULAR from beginning to end!
STORYLINE: The storyline is probably one the most tightly written and well executed that I’ve witness to date. There was never a dull moment for me. Every episode was anticipated with abated breathe and every episode not just deliver but outdo my own expectation…one after the next after the next and continually so until the very end. Halfway through the show I was already deeply in love. You generally know the premise of yes an alien gradually fall for the star and figure out how to be with her….it’s a given, just look at the title “My Love From Another Star”…but it’s the journey of getting there that is just so masterfully done. It steers away from most clichés in K-dramas, it doesn’t drag one situation for too long, and it solves issue with realism that doesn’t annoy the heck out of you. To put bluntly, a show about an alien that stranded on earth for over 400 years with a spoiled egotistic superstar with a super-rich chaebol psychotic killer blended together…are you kidding me? BUT IT WORKS! It works so well together that I’m amazed beyond words. Then let’s talk about the emotions this story wrung out of you. I can’t even begin to explain. I’m a tough cookie when it comes to laughing and crying in movies and shows, some shows make me laugh a little here and there and some shows made me shed a tear or two (sometimes bucket loads) but these are far and few in between. MLFAS cracks me up!! If someone were to look at me, they’d thought I’m a lunatic…and the crying? I was able to hold out until the last few episodes which really did me in, I sobbed like a baby and re-watching those same scenes over 4 times still have the same effect. Even though the story of this show may seem melo and dramatic, it actually weaves in so much laughter and lightheartedness that just floored me! I feel that the show really did turn me (and many others) into bi-polar human beings! It can take you from laughter straight to painful hurt, to being scared, to fluttering butterflies in your stomach, and back to laughter again….sometimes within a span of a few minutes and it does it so well, I’m still left flabbergasted. And don’t get me started on how well executed their cliff hangers are. I feel like dying every episode waiting for the new one….those that get to see it straight through now should feel lucky you don’t have to endure this waiting pain, ugh. Let's not forget the Cinematography, that would be another long rant…just know that I LOVE IT!...the special effect is great and even comparable to Western movies! Lastly, I want to mention the creativity of this show…the “self-interview” mode that’s usually in the beginning and the awesome epilogues in each and every episode at the end is very unique and one of kind, it explains and enlighten so, so much! When a story-line is unpredictable for me to guess from the very beginning to the very end, then in my eyes it’s a WINNER!
CASTING/ACTING: The casting for the main lead, I already state is spectacular amazing and I wouldn’t change it for the world. No one else besides KSH & JJH could do the character justice…no one. But beside them all the other casts was picked and executed nicely as well. I loved every single one of them, that’s actually saying a lot because every drama I watch previously there’s one or two or more (and sometimes the main characters themselves) urks me to no end. Everyone seems to have their fair share of lime-light at one point or another even though the show exclusively zoom in a lot on our 2 main leads. The bromance here is one the best I’ve seen as well. One very poignant and heartbreaking, the other hilariously funny! For a second male lead, HK, they really did develop his story quite nicely and the actor definitely step up the plate when it comes time for him to shine….and boy did he shine! I applaud everyone down to even the cameos in this show.
MUSIC: I’m a little conflicted on how to rate this one. I feel I should give it a 10 because frankly before this show comes along, I could care less for the background music in any show….heck I don’t even know what OST means! But after this show, I have downloaded 3 songs and had repeatedly rape my replay button to death. No people, there’s not just the song “My Destiny” so don’t rate it base on just that. My favorite is actually “Hello Goodbye” and “Tears Like Today”…”My Destiny” was good too and some others like “Every Moment of You”, etc…and I also LOVE the remake song KSH (aka Do Min Joon) sings to our character Song Yi called “Promise” in episode 19 in a very special occasion. It’s not an OST but I fell in love with that song immediately. But there were other OST songs that weren’t as mind-blowing so I guess I’ll stick with a 9 on this.
Why some people might not want to watch it or dislike it:
1. The story does not explain everything (including the ending). I guess some people wanted everything spelled out and written in stone, I’m not one of those so I enjoy this aspect. Yes, his alien life and the sci-fi area were not really delved into and explained much but that’s because the story’s focus has always been the trial and tribulation of the relationship between two different species and how they overcome it. If the show try to tackle everything, I’m pretty sure it would have been a hot mess all over the place and would surely lose most of its focus…I’m glad it always kept the aim on the romance and that everything else is just a means to that end…leave some for our deductive reasoning and imagination please!
2. Some might complain of the casting of the two main characters (she’s too old for him?)…if you’re that immature to judge based on age and looks, then yes please do skip this show as you’re not mature enough to handle it.
3. KSH acting was underwhelming? I heard this before and I couldn’t disagree more. People expect him to act like a “human” when he’s actually an “alien”! If you wanted human emotions go watch him in Dream High, Secretly Greatly, TMTETS, etc. I personally loved his innocent depiction when first landed on earth, to harden reserve, staying away from human in a cold, detached manner after 400+ years of jadedness, and then falling in love and feeling that first twig of jealousy, to an all-out consuming love for one woman…beautiful characterization from beginning to end! The subtlety in his emotions reflect off so well from the all-out-there-craziness of SY's emotions that makes it even more hilarious to watch.
4. Some couldn't stand CSY character as the spoiled, bratty, sometimes bitchy and egotistic star profile. Personally, I think she’s THE BEST 4-D character ever introduced to K-Dramaland (and I’m not standing alone in this!). Fierce, Ditzy, Honest, Bold, Loyal, Caring, Childish, Egotistic, Vulnerable, are just a few of the words I would describe her character. Outwardly she’s flawed but she has so many layers about her that it’s a fascination within itself just seeing her changes range from one moment to the next. It’s never been so much fun to look at a character before…and a female character at it! Some arguably would say, “she stole the show!” or “she made the show!” I couldn't agree more, it wouldn't be a masterpiece without her, JJH and her character depiction of Song Yi is the glue that binds all the elements to create one heck of an astounding show....BRAVO!
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First off I feel like Kim Woobin's character didn't even get a chance there is hardly any love triangle going on its just Park Shin Hye moving all over the place. I feel like Krystal and Minhyuk love story was cute but they weren't really needed in the cast and Krystal just became PSH friend out of no where. That Rachel girl wasn't needed either she didn't create any drama she was just there. PSH was crying in almost every scene and it was worst than Jandi in BOF.
Anyways the drama was the worst I watched so far even though I loved the cast
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This review may contain spoilers
This is bigger than us
Who always expects a typical BL will probably be disappointed because this series is so much more. Instead of just giving us a series with a good plot, Not Me manages to combine sophistication and entertainment to create unique art.This series breaks conventions on so many levels, be it visual, auditory (one of the best soundtracks!), or narrative, and ultimately sweeps you away with a storm of emotion.
It has a lot of epic scenes to offer when the sun shines through the palm of a hand and the words "Freedom is the oxygen of life" can be heard, it touches you just as much when a deaf-mute mother tells of her unemployment or when main character Gun dances under a rainbow flag and shouts loudly for equality and justice.
But Not Me is not a clean, beautiful series. It is a bloody and dirty ballad, told with rage, but also a vulnerability, as only the affected themselves can do.
To sum it up, Not Me is an exceptional show that breaks up multiple genres and takes you on a trip, that leaves you breathless and exhausted. But it’s also an important series, who dares to say true things in a world that is getting more and more out of joint.
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Echoes of Emotion..
5 Friends.. 2 Love Stories.. Both as good as the other in their own way.. Beautiful friendship.. Well written story and executed even better.. From the beginning to end there's absolutely no nonsense in this one.. Just pure love and friendship.. This is what you get when the writers/directors/producers dont force include an annoying SML/SFL, Annoying misunderstandings, forced feminism, Unnecessary breakups for absolutely stupid reasons.. The ending was well paced and I think that this is one of the most acceptable happy endings.. I hope other producers and everyone watch this and take notes..Was this review helpful to you?
More of the same…
For me, I would say this drama is a little overrated. It’s more of the same type of Xianxia that many of us CDrama watchers have seen many times before. It does have some high points that many shows within this genre doesn’t have.The Good
Production quality was definitely higher than a lot of Xianxias but by no means perfect. The CGI was more polished, the costumes looked pretty well. I can appreciate that ShenLi did not have a million dangly bits and fake jewels hanging from her. The OST was one of the highlights as the music was very nice. The overall acting was good which I typically expect from an older cast. If this would have been played out by a younger cast, the perception may have not been received well by older watchers due to many younger actors having limited experience in acting. Although this was a serious drama, the comedy was well balanced through out.
The Bad
The plot is typical and predictable. These CDrama Xianxias tend to go through the same cycles and not too many of these stories offer anything new. This story was a character driven plot which they tend to be very slow and at times, not much was happening in most of the episodes. I found myself starting to skip through it towards the end. There were a lot of throwaway episodes that could have shorten this show down to 24 episodes. Although I liked the overall production, the skin smoothing and whitening was overdone and sometimes made them look too unnatural and unrecognizable. I would have also liked to see the actors dub themselves. With more CDramas doing away with dubbing, it’s refreshing to see the actors display their real talent. The credit in this drama goes to the great voice actors who can pull off different emotions in their voices.
I am a fan of the genre and will keep hoping and waiting for a new thrill. This one was average and I likely wouldn’t rewatch it. If you are a fan of the cast, it’s worth checking out. Make your own judgement.
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This review may contain spoilers
Boring...
This drama focused more on the ml's career as an areospace engineer rather than the romance between the ml and fl. I felt it was more sci fi based with a hint of romance rather than the other way around. The couples relationship felt realistic because of how little time they had for each other, it was an accurate depiction...thats probably why I didnt enjoy it as much.Spoiler:
The fl liked the ml is hs but he rejected her bcz he felt she wasnt good enough, which he came to regret 10 yrs later after getting to know her, then he felt he wasnt good enough for her and turned her down again. This plus eng shit literally sums up the plot for the first 18 episodes.
They start dating offically in the 21 ish episode I think.
They get togther, bunch of kiss scenes, fl is busy with work, ml is busy with work, they get together on their break, kiss scene - bed scene,
ml is busy with work, fl is busy with work, they get together on their break, kiss scene - bed scene... just a continuation of that along with areospace eng scenes then they get married two years later.
Honestly their romance had zero plot it was soooo boring to watch...felt no excitment at all.
There is a five year time jump (ep 31-32) they are 38 yrs old have NO kid and it ends with a fucking rocket launch!!!...
The story was boring but I really enjoyed dilraba's acting. That and the special effects...the first couple of eps werent too bad either, but it just got really boring when the ml talked about rockets which was literally half the drama!. If you enjoy that kind of stuff I say go for it but I zoned out, my brain wasnt willing to compute.
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1just another fluffy drama
The trailer and the advertisements leading up to this show gave me very high expectations. I like yangyang and reba, they are honestly very good looking which I felt was the thing that gave this show its popularity boost. Acting-wise, it's all fine, no extraordinary emotional scenes or anything but that's not on them, it's on the script.Do not expect a deep or emotional slice of life type of plot. This is simplicity at its finest, full on fluff for the majority of the episodes. I like that there aren't any ridiculous misunderstandings or annoying exes and the couple communicates well. Plotwise, I felt like there were too many unnecessary romantic scenes which other than satisfying cp fans, serve absolutely no purpose in the storyline. I think they are cute but sometimes, it's really too much. Even yangyang was shocked at the extent they have to go to in the behind the scenes footages. To be honest, the plot is very unrealistic and doesn't fully depict the lives of 30 years olds (even more so for an aerospace engineer and big celebrity) but take it with a pinch of salt that this is meant to be a very fluffy romcom. It's just that with all the anticipation building up for this drama, I expected a LOT more... this wasn't exciting or interesting, just very romantic.
I would recommend this if you're looking for a chill fluffy visual explosion drama that doesn't require thinking. But if you are expecting an intricate plot or emotion laden scenes then this is not for you.
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A fun, light-hearted watch for the rom-com lovers
As a die-hard fan of the webtoon, I was over the moon to see the drama adaption finally coming out!It's the contract dating / marriage trope that fakes it till you make it once again. Cliché and exaggerated at times, but still extremely entertaining. In fact, rather than being pure cringey, I love how the screenwriters just absorb the clichés like a sponge and turn them into A+ grade comedy. It's a fluffy rom-com that hit all the right spots, making you laugh and swoon like there's no tomorrow. And the editing is just spot on with the fun and comic-like transitions.
We have an interesting cast here. It's a little scary how much Ahn Hyo Seop fits right into the ML's role with that side-parted hair and dashing suit, like he just steps out of a webtoon. The way he slicks his hair back gives me major What's Wrong With Secretary Kim vibes (I can almost hear Park Se Joon yelling "Aura" in the background). I like Kim Se Jeong's singing but I have yet to see her in a drama. Oh my goodness, she got me doubling over from laughing so hard when she called Ahn Hyo Seop an Archaeopteryx. And don't even get me started on who's Samantha and Rachel. Their blind dates are absurdly hilarious and you'll wheeze in laughter before you know it. It's a bit different from how I envisioned Shin Ha Ri would be, but definitely a refreshing twist for the webtoon fans.
On the other hand, Kim Min Gue is the ideal secretary sidekick for the ML. This is the bromance I was most excited about, snarky but sweet. Seol In Ah plays the free-spirited bestie for the FL, one that you always wish for yet never have. Together, they make up one of the most iconic second couples I've ever seen. They're so scandalously cute in their own way. It's great that not only each couple has its own arch but we also have so much bromance and sismance energy here. The grandfather is so loveable with his outrageous marriage "project", a quest to find blind dates for his workaholic grandson. It's a bit hard to believe this was also the mad king we saw in The Red Sleeve. And that makjang he's watching really hits home for me, it's like they're watching their own drama unfolding.
The OSTs are also overwhelmingly sweet, almost to a diabetes level. My absolute favourites would be Love Maybe by MeloMance, You Are Mine by VICTON and Spring Breeze by New (The Boyz). All in all, it was an extremely witty script with as many unexpected turns as there are clichés. If you're a fluffy rom-com lover and don't mind a bit of silliness to de-stress, then here's the perfect pick for you!
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A MEMORABLE MINI MAKJANG!
***DISCLAIMER: This is just my opinion. We don’t have to agree and I’m not here to argue with anyone.***I'm gonna keep this brief because I don't have the time to say everything I want to say.
Main Takeaway: "Revenge is a dish best served cold."
IDK IF THEY PUT CRACK IN THIS OR WHAT BUT FROM THE VERY FIRST EPISODE THIS DRAMA HOOKED ME AND I’VE NEVER LOOKED BACK. IT IS SOOOO ADDICTING!
First things first, "What’s better than a contractual time travel romance with mystery, revenge and lots and lots of drama?!" This show legit has it all. They said spicy makjang in 12 episodes and thats exactly what they meant!
When I tell you the pacing feels just right and no episode feels like a filler, just know I’m being so serious. I have never been bored for even one second. This drama starts out confusing in episode one but by the end of the episode and onwards you understand everything perfectly.
I LOVE LOVE LOVED the chemistry between Do Guk and Yi Joo!!!! These two are masterful performers and you can literally feel the tension, angst and passion dripping from them anytime they have a really intense scene together. The chemistry between these two is to die for and I feel like they truly fed us with the development of their relationship. They have definitely made top 5 best kdrama couples of 2023 for me.
AHHHH I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS DRAMA. Even the characters I hated… you must know they’re doing an amazing job for me to want them to die, rot in jail or be hit down by the infamous big white truck. I know I keep saying it but drama is just so so so so good!
Like many others I do believe it is one of the best webtoon to drama adaptations. They kept the major plot points and original webtoon readers seemed to be satisfied with the outcome. So there aren't much complaints here!
One of the main things I disliked about this drama was the 3rd act conflict breakup. It was cliche and unnecessary to say the least. I also feel like Yi Joo struggled and endured so much even when she set out to get her revenge. It was heartbreaking watching her be in constant pain and agony as she uncovered all the secrets as the story unfolded.
Another minor thing I disliked was Do Guk's wardrobe. It was evident the production team went ham and spent all the money on the women's wardrobe leaving very little for the men. They definitely could have budgeted better and put more of an effort into our leading man's fashion. To be honest I just ovelooked it because Sung Hoon's visuals and performance made up for all of that.
Additionally there are some plot holes and aspects that could have been more properly developed but I feel like they did the best they could with the 12 episodes.
In my opinion, more makjang's should take a leaf out of this one. Unlike others it did not need 100+ episodes to make a good and convincing story. I feel like had the drama been any longer then people would have started to lose interest.
Perfect Marriage Revenge is definitely one of the most enjoyable dramas I've watched in 2023 and I would rewatch it in a heartbeat!
If you are on the fence about starting it I suggest you do so immediately! It’s seriously such a treat and you do not want to miss out.
With all of that said I gave this an 8.5 rounded up to a 9/10.
Tysm for reading!
❤️
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bananakim (first review)is trash and false so here is the real info...
"The Wanted Detective" is a captivating Chinese crime drama that blends mystery, action, and emotional depth into an enthralling viewing experience. From the very first episode, the show grips you with its clever storytelling, well-written characters, and a refreshing take on the classic detective genre.The story revolves around a detective who is not only solving crimes but is also a fugitive himself. This duality makes for a highly engaging narrative. As he solves each case, he is also running from the law, hiding secrets, and trying to uncover a larger conspiracy tied to his own mysterious past. The pacing is tight, with each episode ending on a hook that keeps you coming back for more. The drama does an excellent job balancing episodic crime-solving with an overarching storyline that grows darker and more personal as it unfolds.
What sets "The Wanted Detective" apart is its character development. The lead actor delivers a powerful performance, portraying a man torn between justice and survival. He’s flawed, complex, and entirely human. You can’t help but root for him even when he makes questionable choices. The supporting cast is equally strong. Each character, from the determined police officers chasing him to the civilians caught in the crossfire, is given layers of personality and motivation.
Visually, the series is polished. The cinematography is sharp and atmospheric, often using shadow and lighting to enhance the suspense. Action scenes are well-choreographed without being over-the-top, lending a sense of realism to the drama. The urban setting, often gritty and moody, fits the tone perfectly and helps ground the story in a believable world.
One of the show's biggest strengths is how it explores moral gray areas. It poses important questions: What does it mean to do the right thing? Can a person be both a hero and a criminal? The detective’s journey forces viewers to think beyond black and white justice. It’s this psychological and emotional depth that keeps the show from being just another procedural.
The writing deserves praise too. Dialogue is tight, and each case is thoughtfully constructed. Clues are cleverly planted, and the reveals are satisfying without feeling forced. The show also avoids dragging its plot with unnecessary filler, making every scene feel purposeful.
Another standout element is the soundtrack. The music heightens the tension at just the right moments and adds emotional weight during character-driven scenes. It complements the story without overshadowing it.
In conclusion, "The Wanted Detective" is an excellent Chinese drama that offers much more than standard crime-solving. It’s a mix of thriller, mystery, and emotional storytelling done right. With strong performances, a gripping plot, and thought-provoking themes, this drama is definitely worth watching. Whether you’re a fan of detective stories or just looking for a compelling drama with depth and excitement, "The Wanted Detective" will not disappoint.
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Is This A ‘Hellbound’ Experience?
With director and screenwriter Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan) and co-writer Choi Kyu-Seok basing the series upon their own webcomic and original production, this does leave viewers with one ultimate question; “ is ‘ Hellbound’ actually worth watching ?”
For jaded and cynical detective Jin Kyeong-hoon (Yang Ik-june) humanity has offered him nothing but pain and sorrow. Still trying to come to grips with his wife’s brutal murder and having a fractious relationship with teenage daughter Hee-jeong (Lee Re), Jin’s research into the cases leads him face to face with leader of the mysterious cult ‘ New Truth’, Chairman Jeong Jin- Soo ( Yoo Ah-in). The cult has pledged salvation for “ sinners” by spreading gospels of the angels and encourage them to “ repent”. However as episodes progress it soon becomes slowly apparent towards Jin-Soo’s true nature and the brutal goals of the group, with attorney Min Hye-jin (Kim Hyun-joo) pledging representation for the alleged “ sinners”.
The biggest thing to address about ‘ Hellbound’ is that it isn’t a show for the lighthearted. Whilst devoted fans of the webcomic may notice some subtle storyline changes ,the show is violent and not afraid to present brutal murders alongside people being combusted like human torches throughout the series.
Intertwined amongst the shoddy CGI monsters of ‘ Hellbound’ as well as alongside the spine-tingling OST by Kim Dong-wook, ‘ Hellbound ‘ expertly paces its descent into chaos, knowing when to slow down on abominable killings and when to present its moral deadlocks . From the rising corruption of religion and the cultural phenomenon in South Korea of hysterical puritanism, hypocrisy as well as the rise of extreme conservative views paradoxical to the insatiable appetite of society for violence through popular culture, ‘ Hellbound’ addresses a lot of issues without shame or embarrassment and with the entire purpose to expose current issues and realities in South-Korean society. However this is also where the series began to hit a rut after the midway point; it never really carried through these messages with regards to the medium of the series . Whilst some characters are used with a purpose, some seemingly quintessential main characters have rushed arcs or suddenly disappear without rhyme or reason, whilst the climax and rising tension of the drama often went on a downwards slope after the halfway point.
The acting front is admittedly a mixed-bag ( especially with some line deliverances by the supporting characters.) Of course whilst the main cast shone throughout, one of the most dynamic performances throughout the show was surprisingly Yoo Ah-In’s performance as fanatic cult leader Chairman Jin Soo .
Whilst main lead Jin Kyeong-hoon is admittedly a complex character type as the “ cynical cop” and female lead Hye-Jin as the “ attorney”, they often felt tightly crammed into their roles as stock characters tropes . This isn’t necessarily a bad approach per say and did give director and screenwriter Sang-Ho opportunities to reimburse old character tropes for his own gain, but it did little to really diverge these main leads from their expected decisions and actions, often leading them to be shoehorned into the plot ( as well as lacking more profound depth) rather than allowing the characters to move coherently within the contents of the storyline. For example a major subplot surrounding the series for Kyeong-Hoon is the murder of his wife. Whilst later revelations play briefly upon this subplot, the profound details surrounding Hoon’s reactions as well as his relationship with daughter as a consequence were left underexposed, and therefore lacked more sound emotional-depth also.
Of course getting back to our mysterious chairman it isn’t necessarily the case that he was executed as an entirely “ original villain” as after all Sang-Ho does enjoy playing upon Jin Soo as the “ calm and quiet” archetype. However where Sang-Ho creates mystery surrounding Jin-Soo is that he isn’t a “ redeemable antagonist with a painful past” or “twirling his moustache planning world domination”, but just a regular person with a megalomaniacal desire to deliver his warped sense of “ justice”. However whilst Jin Soo helped us to bring together our main characters and kept the storyline moving, his anticlimactic character arc and exit from the series raided more questions than answers afterwards.
This was often a major problem with ‘ Hellbound’- plot points which could’ve been meticulously executed onscreen or poignant for audiences to reflect upon, felt missed out completely by Sang-Ho’s imbalance of subtext against plot. For example even through the cinematography and as the director Sang-Ho never seemed entirely sure how he wanted to capture the world of the characters. Seemingly ordinary or gritty early episode scenes hinting at the unexpected, turned into moody and drab aesthetic shots of Seoul straight out of a noir crime series. This isn’t necessarily unheard of a director playing with mood or lighting to convey messages or by transcending genres. However , directors or cinematographers usually have a vision in mind when invoking these scenes for viewers. Sang-Ho seemed often uncertain even through the objective lens of the director with how this truly captured or presented the emotional mind-frame of his characters . . Adding to this Yeon and Choi weigh down each dramatic scene straight out of a jump-scare movie; the monsters’ attacks feel animalistic and playfully sadistic, but never truly added a more profound and impactful tone for audiences.
The ending of the series attempt to crank up the shock value to the maximum with the delivered revelations of the finale. However whilst the series does leave a more open ending through a cliffhanger major characters arcs, subplots and storyline moments were rarely tied together or felt more complete as a consequence.
So what is left to take from ‘ Hellbound’? ‘ Hellbound’ is a pacy supernatural thriller with an intriguing plot wrapped into six episodes. Aside from some dodgy acting by our side characters, the main cast were decent enough and the standalone performance by Yoo Ah-In did give the drama some undeniably charisma. However one of the major problems with the Netflix series is that it becomes lost in a maze of its own doing; subtext themes and plot were often lacking in depth and more profound deliverance, whilst even some of our main characters lost their gravitation to audiences by abrupt exploration and coverage alongside an incomplete ending. The series attempts to deliver a “ terrifying” experience through the CGI “ monsters” of the series whose design and presence onscreen felt insipid. Overall ‘ Hellbound’ is not a bad per say during a binge-watch session with an intriguing enough plot to keep you engaged, but certainly lacking within delivering a more sound impact for viewers also.
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Despite vowing not to touch any more Thai BL after the unfolding disaster that was this year, I nonetheless pressed play on TharnType: 7 Years of Dysfunction (sorry, love) and here I am. I know this is the review you have all been waiting for.
Well, it's been seven years since Tharn and Type got together and refused to deal with any of their internal relationship issues. So here we are, kind of tired and muted and a bit sad after seven years of Tharn avoiding conflict because of his fear of rejection and Type being publicly in the closet because he refuses to admit he's gay. The two do nothing but bottle things up, have a kind of passive-aggressive fight and then have sexy times to cover the cracks. I suspect as viewers we're just supposed to enjoy the sexy times and not notice that this relationship is terrible. But it is. It's terrible. I desperately want both of them to break up and go find somebody else better suited to them. Or at least FINALLY deal with the issues in their relationship. Also, Tharn has these moments where he's absolutely f'ing creepy to younger gay men and it only reminds me that he was abused as an adolescent and nobody is doing anything about it. His abuser is practically living at his family's house. But at least he's no longer dating a literal child.
So it's seven years later and Type is struggling at work in probably the only plotline that is possibly about something (there IS a big difference between studying and working and dealing with workplace nonsense can be exhausting). And I'll expand on the implied point here - there is literally nothing else in this drama so far that is about anything. There is no plot. At all. The show is lacklustre and paint by numbers. Even the shoe-horned soft-core porn I'm supposed to be distracted by is phoned in. They devoted actual screentime to Type being jealous over a woman despite his boyfriend being completely 100% gay. And if I touched on the screaming misoygnism of that whole plotline I'd be here all week.
Tharn wants to get married because he think that means that Type will be his possession and can therefore NEVER LEAVE (marriage doesn't work like this, my damaged friend) and Type doesn't want to get married because if he marries a man he might have to admit he's gay and we can't have that because this is Thai BL and we all know GAY IS BAD. And of course you'll remember show completely glossed over this conflict at multiple points even though it's the main one. Possibly if Tharn needs constant emotional reassurance he shouldn't have spent seven years with a man who's already married to his closet and again - these two are TERRIBLE for each other. Break up! Do better. I get it, you love each other. It's not enough!
Since this show is unlikely to be about these two actually working out any of these issues but will inevitably find an external conflict for them to pretend they're a rock under siege then I should bow out now. But if I did then how could I reliably report back that TharnType is a bad show about a dysfunctional couple and you shouldn't bother getting invested.
This has been my much-anticipated review of TharnType: 7 Years of Ignoring All Our Real Issues.
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This review may contain spoilers
Started out really really well with that 2-episode premier, i initially thought they are releasing 2 episodes per week. The fire fizzled out in the middle but even the little smoke left died out in the last episode.This is the type of story/show that should have been released in one single sweep to be binged or should have been edited as a movie - would have been a better experience. The basic story premise was good but the execution was as paper thin that as the show progressed youd start to wonder whats the whole point of the entire show. By the seventh episode as the relationship between the pairs are developing, i was already fearing that their journey as singers/performers will not reach the peak and sad to say i was right to fear it. The comeback concert we were teased turned into nothing but a bar performance. And that ending, why??? You will thik Im joking if i tell you all this turned out to be nothng but a school project (with an AI video at that). After telling us for 11 episodes that this is a journey of a washed up artist being paired up with an upcoming artist to usher them into new greater heights it all ended into nothing without any explanation whatsoever why the characters chose that route.
The camera work was ok at times and makes you think youre watching a Korean show with the extra shiny filter, but the limitation of the budget can be seen in a lot of scenes. For a show about music stars, they did have good songs, but are very few that its evident they cannot afford to make/acquire more songs. There is this one main song that was overused for so many episodes. By the final concert performance, i was already thinking do they really only have 3 or 4 songs made for the entire series? Its a wasted opportunity cause they could have produced an entire album of songs that would have elevated and provided extra boost to promote the show. Also the few "concert" performance scenes (there were 3 if i remember correctly) have very few watchers - maybe not more than a hundred which i suspect are mostly the production crews anyway (strategically placed like few meters away from each other to make them look a lot) that its obvious they cannot even afford to pay more extras. These are shortcomings that can detach you from believing the story they are selling.
Whats also very evident is that they didnt have enough material to last 12 episodes and with the limited story arc they should have compressed it into 8 and it could have made the weekly waiting less painful than it was. I am saying it again, and I really cannot emphasize it enough, that this show should have been released as a movie or a one-time binge. There were no cliffhanger endings and suspense in each episodes to make you want to come back the next week. This series only felt like an expanded version and very eerily similar to the KBL "Wish You: Your Melody From My Heart".
Even if you consider those silly silly hairstyle choices, the show is not without merits. First, all the actors did a good job, and eventhough the story and pacing towards the end became unbearable, Charles and Michael were both believable as lovers and performers and were the main reason i stayed watching till the end. Second, I also have to mention that although i still dont like the multi-racial actors who dont speak the same language in the same scene, at least here it was bearable. Third i have to mention how lovely the sets and the posters are - i even use the main poster as my phone wallpaper for the past 2 months.
So as a final verdict will i recommend the show? Now that all episodes are out, yes, watch it in one bingeing. Will i rewatch, probably not.
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