The story is about forgiveness and understanding. The two characters meet under unique circumstances and initially don't seem to get along. Yet, there's something each of them holds that can help the other. The lead female is a psychology major and the male lead is a criminal. Of course, she can help him in the obvious way: make him reflect on his mistakes and change his ways to lead a new life. But that would make for a simple and plot, so there's something more... There's something he doesn't know he can help her with until she shares her story. The misunderstandings they have of each other clear up and he wants to do whatever he can to help her as well. The way each character develops is what keeps you watching.
The acting is great! The cast members each do an excellent job portraying their characters - esp Dong Won and Na Young. They will have you bawling by the end of it but you will love it - especially if you like tear-jerkers.
I watched this movie when I first started watching Korean dramas back in 2007 an I've re-watched it over a couple times and still don't mind re-watching it with people who haven't seen it. It's a movie that does NOT lose it's re-watch value.
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Arthdal Chronicles Part 3: The Prelude to All Legends
39 people found this review helpful
외대한 나라 - 아스달의 시작
I recommend this drama who like epic fantasy or high fantasy. This might not be on the same level as lotr but still they are doing a great job! I loved this drama and this part 3 in particular.Turned out this being the 3rd part of the first season! And 2 more seasons ahead :) that’s great because the biggest fault for this drama was being too grand but too short.
This part 3 turned out to be amazing. It had many epic scenes, lots of action from the protagonists. The story is very full. They did great work with world building and showing the epic-ness :) it was quite better than the other two parts even.
Characters are very great here. There are many and it maybe hard to remember them all for some people but they are all interesting. I especially love women in this drama as they are strong and cool. And the secondary characters also are very memorable.
Music: well Ailee’s powerful voice always gives goosebumps.
There are some bad sides to this drama and it’s mostly again because of time. Some storylines and some characters disappear as soon as they appear. Before I told this would have been solved if they had more episodes but as there are more seasons ahead I can’t say that anymore. The only excuse will be that worldbuilding is hard, they wanted to create something grand and put in as much as they could. And well actually they are doing a great job at it. Like 90 percent.
I can’t wait for next season!
I need more epic-ness before they return!
I don’t usually rewatch dramas but I feel like rewatching this one.
Score is 9.5 and 0.5 is a bonus for epic scenes. So 10 :)
나 모리의 미아 너이들에게 주문을 곤다. 이 드라마를 보아라. Lol
I really like the epic way of talking :)
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A well executed, beautifully depicted crime drama sprinkled with romance, humor, humanity
I started this drama based on a comment of a YouTuber when it was first released and am continually looking forward to each new episode release!Superb Storytelling:
This drama has been such a delight to watch as it is very well detailed and thought out. I truly feel like I am immersed in this faraway ancient time and learning with them the clues to every case as they unfold. It also draws out so many emotions of the human heart! Most of the characters are just not black and white one dimensional cookie cutters.
The director did a fine jobs taking us through each case, leaving little crumbs, weaving details from previous cases to current cases. Creating whole characters with backstories. We are left empathizing with characters and seeing that there is no black and white when it comes to the human heart. And while doing so, we also share in the FL’s own personal journey - it’s not just a game of winners versus losers.
**Please note that this drama is more of a "real" vs "fairytale" feel. There is a disturbing scene involving children even though nothing is scene that some viewers may want to avoid**
Scenery, set, costuming, and music:
How can I put it it? It’s been such a delight to see, to smell, to hear and experience the atmospheres and moods created. The costumes are exquisite and feel realistic as if they were of the time. For example, a very wealthy character (the most wealthy in the city) wore bright luxurious sheen purple outfits - not a color easily obtained in ancient times. The poorer common wore more muted colors with coarser, looser woven materials with hand sewn patches, hair dos are more realistic looking as well.
A lot of extra details help create the mood (visual language - borrowed from a fellow watcher). For example, there is a scene where people are preparing and celebrating the new year. Not only are the streets decked out for our eyes to see, but we can also feel and smell, and even taste the vibrant atmosphere. We see the skills in candy making and get a bit of a taste of it through our actors. Also displayed are noodle pulling, deep frying pulled dough, puppetry, dragons, drums, lanterns, performers doing some amazing shows. Children captivated by the shadow puppet show. Bustling crowds. At the Qi family household, we see a plethora of dishes served and the joy and warmth of a family gathering followed by an opera show. They didn’t need to go into such details but they chose to and it elevated the drama watching experience.
Music -
Oh my goodness, I didn’t pay attention at the beginning because it was so subtle I didn’t notice. However, as I continued to watch I discover how well the music and sound effects merged in with the story and enhanced the necessary moods. The fading in and out of the sounds and music were perfectly executed and timed even to specific words spoken and needed attention paid. The instruments used sounded wonderful. I can tell someone carefully and lovingly paid attention to every detail.
Acting -
Most of the actors, except the ML, are new faces to me but I’m sure they’ve been around for a while because their performances were superb. Subtle expressions, postures, actions, motions, gestures created interesting characters and interactions.
The Main Lead (Qi Meng Li) is the youngest son (2 very capable elder brothers) of a wealthy and powerful governor. He is like a naive foolish kid, raised with a silver spoon in a warm and loving family, without a care in the world, and sheltered all his life. He sets out to explore and experience the romanticized world that he’s been reading in his novels. The actor does a fine job portraying his character (even to our and the FL’s annoyance). However, we also see him grow and slowly mature as he interacts with the world and our FL and those around her.
The female lead - she is a very resolute and determined person with a very painful background that oppresses her but she works very hard to overcome it on her terms with her wits and smarts. Although she is a very upright person, she is also realistic, level minded, humble but not a doormat, smart but not condescending, no pretense. She’s a character admired by many and the actress is just great and conveying all this. The makeup is just right and not over the top ridiculous. Her determination sis admirable yet I don’t feel like a modern day female centric view is shoved in my face. It would be out of place like some other costume dramas I’ve watched. Also, the actress looks more mature which I thinks suits the character since she has faced so much hardships, suffering, and oppression.
I’ll spend some time mentioning the actor of the second male lead (He Peng) because his acting is just amazing. He plays a smart, gentle, educated scholar who earns his position as a magistrate of Linfen (a smaller town) purely on his own merits. His heart is to serve the country and the people and he stands his course even when it doesn’t benefit his career. However, he also has to tread carefully because his one backer is powerful not does not share his view of justice and compassion for the commoners . He is also under a LOT a lot of pressure from others and is a cautious character not always certain what to do when it comes to actions for his own future because he’s constantly considering all the factors. So he holds back a lot. This actor is amazing at portraying this character. I actually fell in love with his character and even wished he could be with our FL.
I appreciate story doesn’t dwell on milking unnecessary emotions from us. Yes, we feel for the different characters but in no way does it drag on and on.
Ok, if you’ve kept up this far, just go and watch it already. I don’t tend to write a review, especially while airing, unless it really left a strong positive impression on me.
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Japan's answer to Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue
Most people know Japanese dramas for being formulaic, repetitive, full of tropes etc. and that is because of the vast amount of high school and job oriented shows they release each season. Little did they know there is one aspect Japan excels a lot, and that is when their creativity takes over and start to think outside the box. They are by far the most innovative when it comes to script and ideas. This risk would sometimes result in some pretentious crap, but when struck gold, it would be a masterpiece that would stand the test of time. Masterpieces that makeup Japan's rich film history, but it's not only in movies as it happens in their dramas as well."Dakara Watashi wa Oshimashita" is the modern example of that. A story with a moving theme portrayed in an unusual setting. An underground idol who is desperate to improve and an office lady who seeks likes from her social media friends. Both are looking for that elusive attention, or should I say connection. The human connection theme is well portrayed and explored. It's not just a simple handshake, but a sincere thought of support to someone. Different people have different reasons for being a fan. To some, it's physical attraction, but for Endo Ai meeting Hana is the most significant turning point in her life.
The plot is timely and original. In today's world where the number of idol fans is on its peak, I think it's safe to say that this story will hit home on so many levels. The drama is well layered and also very raw. They show you all the good and the bad things about idol culture, from fun chants, idol festivals to unfair wage practices in idol industry. I also love how they didn't stereotype idol otakus. They portray them as ordinary people with regular jobs. It's too detailed and well researched with so many references about idol culture. It's been years since that anime movie "Perfect Blue" which many considered as a masterpiece for its time but mostly known for giving negative connotation towards idol otakus or idol culture in general. Now that 22 years later, Yoshiko Morisita counters that with her own masterpiece of a drama. For me "Dakara Watashi wa Oshimashita" is Japan's answer to Satoshi Kon's "Perfect Blue".
Before I thought all idol groups are the same, but watching this drama, I realized underground idol groups are a bit different. The drama did a great job in showing the appeal of these type of idol groups. You are not just an average fan who fangirl/fanboy in front of tv. You also go to their events and interact with them. It feels you are helping them to get better like you are also part of the process. Unlike other idol groups who have years of training to master their craft, their fans only appreciate the final product.
Though the writing in this drama is its strongest asset, it's those damn visual what takes it on another level. The cinematography is perfect. It's very poetic. I love the use of colors, especially whenever neon lights are present. I dare to say this is what they called cinematic storytelling, which you can't separate visual style to visual language. Sound design is also excellent, and with the help of brilliant editing makes such scenes very compelling. Not just powerful scenes, but it also has a fair share of scenes that will deliver goosebumps. Music used during those scenes fits perfectly. It underlines the mood and evokes characters emotion.
Speaking of characters, even if the drama achieved excellence in writing, cinematography, and music, the drama would have failed without good actors aboard. The good thing is this drama has good and capable actors. Sakurai Yuki and Shiraishi Sei's acting is on point, and should I say they have cute chemistry as well? That chemistry is a huge reason why these characters are well portrayed.
A fresh concept, brilliant writing, strong theme with excellent execution, this drama have it all. Its a toss-up between "Saka no Tochu no Ie" and this drama for my best Japanese drama this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-8Pt2B66RE
It's recommended to watch this MV after you see the drama. It has additional scenes that makes the ending more beautiful.
Check my Blog for other reviews & other JDramas stuffs. (｡◕‿‿◕｡)
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/
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The female lead is annoying to a point where I stopped feeling any empathy around her at all. A lot of people hate loud and excessive FLs and while that is a thing of taste (not mine, because I love screaming FLs, I even like most of Hwang Jung-eum characters), this is not the reason why the FL here is so annoying. Is mostly because the writing makes her unlikeable, the reasoning behind her every move is motivated by selfish reasons only. She is supposed to be this empowering and admirable woman but in fact she's a lying, unreasonable woman who is never hold responsible for her own mess.
Now, about the (various) male leads... This is tricky, because is more of a "the best of the worst" type of situation. The ML is probably the lesser evil from the three (there's a fourth one, but he's not exactly a candidate and if he were, he would be the best one easily). He is a bit creepy and annoying, but relatable at times and you can feel some empathy towards him considering he really does suffer a lot in this. The other two candidates, one is pure evil and the fact that he does terrible things in the name of "I SAW HER FIRST SO I SHOULD GET HER!!!" is villain-like and yet it's never portrayed as That Bad. The other one is not exactly evil, just a bit bland, and ironically the writers seem to have forgotten about him by the end.
The only joy I found in this came from the two kids and the bar owner and the mom. But that's like 7% of this mess. It's really not worth it.
If you're looking for romance, AVOID THIS ONE.
(It doesn't have even two whole episodes of that)
If you're looking for a strong lead character who is a single hard working mom, AVOID THIS ONE.
(She is really the worst)
If you're looking for a great story about the korean movie industry, AVOID THIS ONE.
(They forget about the movie by episode 6 or something and unfortunately this topic is never touched in any substantial form)
If you're looking for comedy, for the love of GOD, AVOID THIS ONE.
(I don't remember laughing at all in this, there isn't a single hint of comedy)
If you're looking for a frustrating show with frustracting people and poorly written characters and situations, THIS IS YOUR DRAMA.
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This review may contain spoilers
There are times, I think, when nothing beats a KDrama from the early 2000s
"Spring Day" is a love story told in a triangle. So drama in drama feels right at home here. And "Spring Day" has a lot more to offer in the proven makjang-mix to really heat up the story. If the merry-go-round isn't going straight forward, than simply because it's going backwards.Three is one too many. Being well aware of the consequences and where the story must lead towards, it is nevertheless the path that paves the series pleasure of cathartic ups and downs. You can get really upset about this and that. The rhythms of the soundtrack whip your emotions through the most varied of situations. The assorted mix of (by now long) proven actors give the protagonists their three dimensional profile. None of those characters is really grippy, smooth or edgeless, though. Whether brotherly relationship, romance or parental relationship, it´s all full of sometimes touching, sometimes pathetic ambivalences – sometimes hurting, sometimes soothing and hurting at the same time. In short, the KDrama presents quite some space for compassion and catharsis.
There are times, I think, when nothing beats a KDrama from the early 2000s. I couldn't have timed my ´Spring Day´ better (in Spring 2023). After a flood of stories about contemporary scheming, autocratic backroom politics, bullying among students and misogyny, "Spring Day" feels like an island in many ways. The world is not safe there, on the contrary. Makjang rocks the turbulence upwards. Nevertheless, there are 'only' personal destinies and family tragedies here that do not have the social impact of some current series topics. We get thrown around in an ambivalent emotional swell between 'soothing' and 'hurting'. In the end the story is told to the end. The ending may or may not please, but it has its ending. (A lot of recent KDrama with current underlying social issues tend to deep down leave a thorn after the end of the story, as the social swamp that fueled the story remains a given reality and lingers on…)
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By the way:
With "Spring Day" in 2005, Go Hyun-jung marks her comeback after a War-of-Roses divorce with a Jaebeol of the Samsung Dynasty. So in 2003 she actually had just finished her own Makjang drama personally. Eventually, she was able to free herself from the obviously tormenting clutches of her husband and his dominant, oppressive family, who (so it is said) permanently devalued her because of her humble origins, simply making use of her beauty for bearing pretty children. Yet the price for liberation was high. Above all, she had to leave her children behind and give up visitation and custody rights. Although she was able to re-establish her life somehow against all (by her husband´s family deliberately implemented) odds , she (so it is said) still is not allowed to see her children to this day.
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It's good, but...
Given the limited budget, this is extremely well-made, with obvious passion invested by everyone involved, which I've come to expect from this group. The cinematography and directing are wonderful with fantastic performances pulled out of talented actors, the music selections ar great, and the German subtitles are first rate, so I hear.It's great to see Art Pakpoom in a leading role again, and Michael Kiettisak puts in another top-tier performance - he may be the most underrated actor in BL - I'm still haunted by his horrifying abuse victim in Call It What You Want.
The story, however, prevents these ingredients from reaching their full potential. It perhaps tries to do too much - social commentary, messaging about how short life is, wanting to be a '90s Gregg Araki film, horror, adventure, romance, comedy...
So while I appreciate how well-done this is, the big question is, did I enjoy watching it? Not really. It's very violent, it's a bit all-over-the-place as a genre, and commentary about the corruption in society and the human condition are either extremely unsubtle (like who gets to go to the bunker - that was hammer-over-the-head commentary), or undermined by the contrasting trio of antagonists. Because the villains were all psychopaths, they contributed no meaning. If we're looking at different choices in how to spend the last two weeks of your life, basically good people versus people who want to violently murder as many people as possible before they die says nothing. There is nothing about them identify with, you can have no sympathy for them, they have no point to make, they're just evil and must be destroyed.
Why not have people who are so greedy that they steal and accumulate wealth, or so desire power that they try to rule everyone else? Or even if they had wanted to have sex with as many people as possible before the worlds ends, that would be relatable, for sure if everyone looks like the cast.
So as a result, the series gets bogged down in with a large amount of screentime being chewed up by horrible people who have nothing to do but have surprisingly graphic and sweaty sex (probably the most realistic sex scene ever in a BL) and kill people, which they do, a lot (unfortunately the killing, not the sex).
In addition, instead of examining how impending doom might affect the course of romance, the main pair fall into a depressingly conventional seme-uke pattern, where Art acts like a Victorian twelve-year-old, when even a Victorian twelve-year-old would throw up her hands, say 'f$%& propriety', and want to bang Golf and his brother 24/7 if the world were ending. But Art acts like a kiss on the cheek in a completely abandoned world is scandalous. Art has no agency and is helpless and useless, requiring Golf to do everything for him.
Everything is too predictable, and you end up stressed out knowing characters you don't want to die are going to die, stupid decisions to be made are telegraphed - decisions that are inexplicably out of character, which is lazy writing.
And to get it out of the way, there was an incredible amount of criticism of the faulty astrophysics - if the moon were on a collision course with the Earth, the Earth's gravity would break it up, and there would be horrendous natural disasters, so this is too unrealistic. THAT'S the line you're going to draw in the sand? There are BLs where one of the main pair is dead, or a vampire, nobody sweats after running a mile through Bangkok in the afteroon while wearing a wool suit, every male student at the school is gay and rich, you can turn a straight guy gay if you trip and have him catch you - but not having earthquakes and tsunamis in a project that likely had a 5-figure budget is unacceptable? Anyway, the moon crashing into the earth is symbolic and metaphorical - it doesn't need to be realistic.
So do I recommend this? Yes, unless you don't like gore. All the positives I mentioned at the top make it worth your time - this isn't a rehashed plot, it's not full of tropes and cliches, and you get to watch very attractive people who can both act and look great with their shirts off. If that seemed like a lot of criticism, it's because I think this could have been one of the best BLs of all time instead of merely good. While the characters are largely more appealing, this doesn't quite have the polished genius of Call It What You Want.
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This review may contain spoilers
Not a typical BL, coming of age and discovering yourself
While many of us not understanding japanese have gripes with some of the subtitles, the second negative was the wig. It was a distraction in the whole series. It's not such projects are done overnight, so after casting they could have told him to grow his hair and use extensions.The third negative is the ending for one of the characters, keeping in the closet, being at least gay and denying himself to be truly happy but getting married for the "family".
The ending for Mishima could be closer to the manga where you see him living with Fujimoto together as a happy couple.
Other than that, the team removed some of the harshest scenes from the manga and tuned it down for normal viewers in contrast to "Happy of the End" which was raw. Other than that, the story was very close to the manga, the acting and cinematography was really good.
Mishima grows after enduring mental and sexual abuse, also with help of his understanding mother. The change of Fujimoto from bully to lover was also nicely done.
Overall a depiction of the harsh reality in a rural area in the 1990ties which is still common nowadways where especially boys who do not conform to expectations of society are still bullied without reason and due to bad parenting. There should be licence to be a parent imho, because it's a lot harder than driving a car.
When you find a service which offers good subtitles, you should watch it, but don't expect a BL, because it's a gay series which is a trend I wholeheartedly approve of.
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A melancholically beautiful, heartbreaking and heartwarming tearjerker! + Underrated!
This series needs to be higher rated! The series is beautiful in terms of story and values despite its melancholic approach. It's a heart-breaking yet heart-warming series that teach us the values of life and grief. What's more, it makes us believe in eternal love even though the time of the couple is painfully short.In terms of character development, the series shows a complete picture how love develops a person silently yet does not change that person. Koichi is still Koichi, Micchan is still Micchan but they become better versions of themselves - love and being loved.
Regarding casting, Komiya Rio and Inoue Sora excellently and vividly depict Koichi and Micchan. It's not exaggerating to say withouth Rio and Sora, the series wouldn't have been that successful and tearjerking. Chemistry overflowers and very good acting skills.
The director/ screen writer also did their best in telling us a story that is not just heartbreaking but heartfelt.
Please don't miss it!
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Nirvana in Fire Season 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin
32 people found this review helpful
Story:
The story is much more different than the story of NIF1. In this drama, the theme focuses more around familial ties as well as loyalty and righteousness towards the emperor, the country, and the people in general. Overall I loved the story, although I must admit that the final few episodes were just a tiny-bit underwhelming.
I personally feel that the characters in NIF2 were much more "human" and relatable than the characters in NIF1. But the plot in NIF1 is a bit more complex since it focused more on the political aspect rather than the familial aspect. I sincerely ADORED so many of the characters. I loved Pingzhang's cautiousness and wisdom, Pingjing's playful and carefree manners, Lin Xi's calm and collected poise, Qianxue's love and understanding, Tingsheng's awesome fathering skills and loyalty to his brother and his country, oh I could go on with Xun Fei Zhan and Lin Jiu, and etc.
Plus every time they hinted at or mentioned someone from NIF1, the feels would really start to hit :')
Acting:
I'm sure everyone was in doubt towards the actors when the casting was first announced. Much to my surprise, HXM did wayyyyyy better than I expected. LHR is very young (only 20 yrs old) and I think for his age, he did amazing and portrayed his character of Xiao Pingjing very well, from playful/carefree young lad to a changed/more solemn young man. I loved the female actresses too; TLY and ZHW both portrayed their characters very well. And of course, all of the supporting casts that Daylight Entertainment likes to reuse in all of their productions also acted very well.
Music:
Opening theme is a variation of the opening theme of NIF1, with a slightly more hopeful melody (as with the more happy ending than in NIF1). I love the ending theme song as well (both the female and male versions). Instrumental was good too.
Rewatch:
There are A LOT of specific scenes that I think are very worth rewatching, such as a lot of the early wuxia-fighting scenes were wonderfully filmed. And of course, all of the deep and emotional family scenes (Tingsheng and Pingjing!) as well as the daily Xiao family shenanigans. I wouldn't rewatch the whole drama though, but there are a lot of scenes I will definitely rewatch.
Overall:
Absolutely loved this show. Compared to all the sequels of movies/dramas I've ever seen in my life, this is a sequel that can almost be equal to its prequel. Both NIF1 and NIF2 are equal in my heart, and both have their pros and cons. Definitely worth giving it a shot if you've seen NIF1 and are debating or not whether to watch this!! If you haven't seen NIF1, then by all means, watch this, because this is still a very good quality drama on its own.
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This review may contain spoilers
Not a good story
Not worth it to watch 42 episodes.We generally expect only one ML & want FL to love only ML through the series.
Here it was shown as the FL doesn't have any feeling for ML anymore due to some conflicts between families, and almost tried to develop feelings for SML.
It looks like writer tried to give same importance to ML & SML which caused this disaster.
ML significance gradually reduces & SML significance gradually increases after the divorce between FL & ML. we can tolerate this for 1 or 2 episodes but as an audience how do you tolerate this for around 10 episodes, ML wasn't even there in some episodes.
At the end, FL came back from US after 3 years & she still doesn't know what she wants. FL gives hug to SML as a friend after forgiving him, but it is not shown whether FL would like to get back to ML or not ? ML clearly would like to get back to FL but FL mind is not clear.
FL called both ML & SML as good friends & even sang a song for them.
FL & ML will only be friends ? will they become couple again ? it was left for audience imagination.
After watching 42 episodes, you will not like FL character anymore & you would feel FL doesn't deserve ML (FL doesn't show any regret for leaving ML).
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1Justice is blind and not heartless.
I have never had a good impression of China's opaque legal system so I was both curious and skeptical about Draw the Line. This drama is a fascinating tour of the inner workings of China's grassroots level judicial system. It shines a surprisingly candid spotlight on gaps in the Chinese judicial system from rapid economic growth, modernisation, changing social values and the proliferation of the internet and social media.Fang Yuan is the presiding judge at the Xingcheng District Court, a local people's court of first instance which handles both civil and criminal cases. Fang Yuan's division handles civil cases while criminal matters are adjudicated by his colleague Song Yufei, a deputy chief judge of the intermediate people's court. What surprises me most is how hands on the grassroots judges are in the Chinese legal system. They do a lot of field work themselves from directing the gathering of evidence to personally interviewing plaintiffs, defendants and witnesses. The role of lawyers is so passive and marginalized it is as if they are for decorative purposes only. For civil cases, the court first seeks to resolve conflicts through court sponsored mediation. If an agreement, is reached, it becomes legally binding once it is reviewed and documented by a judge. Mediation can be a draining process, especially when dealing with less educated, unreasonable and belligerent citizens. Thus beyond legal knowledge it takes a combination of investigative and persuasive skills and a healthy dose of patience to be effective as a grassroots judge in China.
The arrival of Ye Xin, a young researcher from the Supreme Court is met with speculation and trepidation by the close knit community at the Xingcheng District Court. She is an annoying character in the beginning because she has no practical experience, and adopts a rigid by the book approach to interpreting the law. Experienced grassroots judges like Fang Yuan and his mentee Zhou Yian are more pragmatic about bridging the inevitable gaps between static legal codes and the myriad complexities of real life cases. Still it is never easy to figure out where to draw the line between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. Beyond the heavy case load, the courts also face the challenge of social media, where cases are tried in the court of public opinion on distorted facts. Although the judges do their best to weigh the the practical, moral and humane aspects of their decisions, they don't always get it right. They have their own flaws, biases and personal or familial pressures. These dynamics set Chinese Supreme Court down the path of judicial reform, where case law is increasingly implemented instead of just statutory law.
The impeccably curated cases create a fascinating mosaic of moral, familial, commercial and social issues great and small confronting the Chinese public today. They are based on thought provoking and relevant real life cases; some of which have sparked public debate and controversy. The drama is very even handed about presenting both the plaintiff and defendant's point of view. The writers very effectively showcase resembling cases to illustrate the range of different human emotions, motives and outcomes. There are cases where two sons are driven to kill because of their mother, sexual harassment cases with different power dynamics and common reasons for the breakdown of marriages and related child custody disputes. From the mundane and petty to the serious and complex, the cases strike a riveting, sometimes heart rending chord because we have all read about or heard about or experienced something similar. At the same time, these cases deftly illustrate the many challenges faced by grassroots judges. They are the everyday heroes who navigate the grey areas of the law and morality with compassion to deliver justice that is blind and not heartless.
The cast in this drama needs no introduction and does a stellar job in drawing out the complex human aspects of the cases. Jin Dong delivers a multi-faceted Fang Yuan who is everything to everyone at work - a stern and impartial judge, a tireless and persuasive mediator, a wise mentor and a playful colleague. This leaves him with much less to give at home as a father and husband. We see a very down to earth version Cheng Yi as the introspective Zhou Yian, the young judge who must surely cut his own hair! He convincingly navigates a crisis of conviction after making some mis-steps. Both Yian and Cai Wenjing's Ye Xin are the characters who show the most growth in this drama but the characters that move me most are either defendants or plaintiffs in some of the more heart rending cases.
The best, most thought provoking case to me is the one about the roommates that is analogous to tripping a friend to escape a bear attack. Even though all the cases are interesting, there are too many of the cases in the back half that personally entangle various court personnel. This requires repeated suspension of disbelief in terms of how impartial and self sacrificing the various protagonists managed to be. It also highlights in my opinion an area that still needs judicial reform, which is how conflicts of interest are handled. It seems there is no requirement for judges to recuse themselves when their colleagues end up as defendants. The ending case is just too personal with too many coincidences and conflicts and an outcome that I find the least equitable with some defendants getting off too lightly while others are very harshly indicted. It is not the right note to end on and as a result I rate this an 8.0 instead of an 8.5. Overall a highly recommended, eye opening, thought provoking and fascinating watch with heart felt performances from some of my favourite Chinese actors.
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Not what I expected...
I was excited to hear about this sequel starring the daughter of Ying Luo and non-biological son of Fu Heng, but now that I've finished, it was rather disappointing.It started off strong, with beautiful costume/production/music and the plot was developing smoothly. They used the same OST and BGM from the parent story, Story of Yanxi Palace, so I liked the nostalgic feel to it. Especially the dramatic BGM that was added at certain moments.
However, as there were only 6 episodes, the pacing was rather fast? I couldn't catch up. Prince Chaoyong didn't have as much screen time as Fu Kang'an, but he started off not liking Zhao Hua and then in episode 2 or 3, he suddenly started loving her? One minute Zhao Hua didn't like Fu Kang'an and later, she did. Then, when he betrayed her and she disappeared, it got even more confusing. I didn't get what was going on. I'm guessing they didn't have the time to explain it so they rushed it at the end when Zhao Hua and Prince Chaoyong got married and the truth was revealed as the plot twist. I suppose it was satisfying to find out Zhao Hua got her revenge on Princess Siwan, Fu Kang'an, and Prince Chaoyong, but I wish they showed the process more instead of just throwing it out there at the end with a few words.
I feel like with the limited 6 episodes, the falling in love and later betrayal of Fu Kang'an wasn't as heartfelt to me as a viewer. Everything happened so fast. There wasn't enough time for me to take in each character and how they slowly grew to have feelings for another. The plot twist revealed at the last minute of the last episode also didn't land well for me. I wish they explained it more?
The plot twist for how Fu Kang'an was not the Emperor's son was greatly executed though! I was shocked and loved how they revealed it through Wei Ying Luo's speculations. :) My favorite scene of the drama. I just love it when Wei Ying Luo has the upper hand and reveals it. Really reminded me of the parent story. I loved seeing the old cast too, it was nice that they didn't replace them and got them all back to act their parts. Wei Ying Luo's scenes were the most satisfying parts to watch- especially when she went to Fuca House after Zhao Hua disappears.
Overall, super fast-paced, historical romance but it was nice to see the old cast if you loved the parent story. Plot was alright, used up all the cliches for the romance and was rushed in my opinion for 6 episodes. Some scenes could have been better explained. Give it a try if you miss Wei Ying Luo and you're curious about her daughter, Zhao Hua, who is more like her mother than others believe.
The actors seem to do a good job overall but the plot got me confused and was the problem for me. Production was top-notch like the original story with its beautiful sets and costumes.
"Everybody says I'm not like my mother. They're wrong."
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Home is a feeling, and this felt like home
This will go down as one of my favourite feel good dramas because of how much I loved every single thing about this show, from the actors to the characters they played, to the writing. I felt compelled to write this review, because I hope & want more people to watch this show, and shower their love for this gem.The writing was definitely the winning aspect of the show, which was perfectly complemented by actors who brought the script to life. Whoever that casted for this show needs a raise because replacing any of the actors would not make this show what it is. The acting was A1 and the entire cast had explosive chemistry together. I believed in their world, and wanted to be a part of it so bad. Their interactions together (right from the main leads to the supporting cast) felt real, organic and fun. Watching them made me feel like I was third wheeling because it looked so intimate. Conversations would sometimes start at point A and end at point Z, making me grin. The fun was well balanced with the heart, in the way the characters looked out for each other, loved each other & supported each other. I connected with them, & rooted for them each step of the way like they were real people that I cared about.
Kitagawa Eriko clearly surpassed herself with this drama, giving us a peek into a mother and daughter's heartwarming journey, a journey of unrequited love & a journey of friendship. The writing was sensitive in the subtle way that the writer didn't feel the need for the characters' relationships to be defined or confined by terms. They were all special to each other without having the need for their relationship to be spelled out. Aoi/Gon and Sora/Hikaru did not need to be partners for their relationship to be any more complete. You can see there was unrequited love there, but it wasn't presented in a heart-breaking profound way. It was what it was (and I loved that they were all self aware of each other), & you can see that they would still continue to love each other regardless. Sora and Aoi, despite not being real mother/daughter were probably more intimate than any mother/daughter. All the characters were friends, yet they were more than that, and I love that the finale did not give us an answer to this. They may or may not be any more. It’s like a puzzle where every piece forms a crucial part for it to be complete. It’s the same thing with this drama. Each character came together to make this what it was & they would continue to exist in each other's world. They are all inseparable regardless of how their relationship to each other changes.
There was no major dramatic moment or climax or decision that the characters had to make, and this is where the writing shone so much in keeping you engaged with the characters' emotional states. The world of Uchi No Musume felt small sometimes with just these small group of characters interacting with each other, yet it was huge & limitless at the same time, thanks to how progressive & real it was. Don't ask me to describe the plot of this show because I don't know how to.
I love that the show represented characters of different age groups (right from college students Sora/Hikaru to old man Shinchiro) & subverted society's expectations of how they were to behave or be. And the show never told us that, it showed us that in the way the characters interacted with each other & in the representation of the turmoils they faced. Aoi despite being a 40 year old was ditzy. Sora despite being an otaku was not socially awkward. Irino who looked to be image conscious turned out to be a sincere & mature guy. Gon who seemed mature but was somewhat a manchild looking for love. Shinchiro despite being 70+ had romantic relationships & was technologically advanced. Sally acknowledging that she had toxic parents & was looking for the stability that calm 70+ Shinchiro offered. Wataru who did not have romantic relationships because he was waiting for his school friend (the show mocked this trope).
The ending OST was beautiful & while I don't know what it means, it always uplifted me each time it played with the credits rolling. The styling was on point (keeping the characters in mind). I love how all of them dressed comfortably most of the time. That felt real. The set design was extremely beautiful, esp Aoi's room which had clouds on the wall, and stars on the ceiling. I want a room like that so so bad. I love how Aoi's big white, expensive house was contrasted with Odaya's design that felt cheap and warm yet claustrophic. Interesting how most of the cast interactions happened there, in that little space, making it look all the more intimate.
I don't know what else to say except that it's been a long time since I watched a show that had me so attached to the characters, and their world that leaving this makes me feel sad. They will always be a part of me, and many years to come, I will be thinking of what they are up to. These were not just characters. For me, they were real people that exist somewhere in this universe.
S2 please, writer san!
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Welcome Home, Mone!
This drama is the 104th NHK Asadora series in the network’s long line of serialised dramas that air a 15-minute episode every weekday morning. It is my second ever Asadora, following Oshin back in the 1990s.Okaeri Mone translates as welcome home Mone, which refers to the titular character of Nagaura Momone. The premise focuses on Mone’s journey of growth, healing and love where she struggles to overcome the burden of a traumatic past before eventually determining her path in life and finally realising her aspirations of being a weather forecaster. Set in 2014 and spanning some seven years up to the present day, Mone’s story begins from her hometown of Kesennuma Bay in Miyagi Prefecture as she travels to the coastal city of Tome and subsequently Tokyo, before completing a full circle by returning to her home.
Based on the original screenplay written by Adachi Naoko (Code Blue 3) and directed by Masae Ichiki (Yae no Sakura, Idaten) and Tomohiro Kuwano (Amachan, Idaten). Takagi Masakatsu (Mirai, Wolf Children) serves as composer while the theme song Nanairo is performed by the popular alt-rock band, BUMP OF CHICKEN. Principal photography took place in Kesennuma Bay, Tome City, Sendai and Tokyo.
As far as the production quality and technical execution are concerned, I have absolutely no complaints. The exotic filming locales comprising the rustic fishing village, expansive mountainous forest reserves, gorgeous coastline are utterly breathtaking to witness, which is credit to the wonderful cinematography. I love the upbeat and inspiring theme song, Nanairo, that accompanies the title sequence during every episode.
The same goes for the quality of the screenplay which manages to convey the weekly story arcs of the main plot in a cohesive and coherent manner. There are many themes explored, as is typical in a long running Asadora. There is no shortage of the rainbows and sunshine involving heartwarming moments of family bonding and camaraderie among friends. We also see the infusion of bittersweet moments relating to tragedy, loss and trauma arising mainly from the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami which sadly impacted Kesennuma Bay, the setting of the drama. Perhaps the only reservation I have is on the subplot concerning the sibling relationship and the interactions between the childhood friends where some tension and angst are present, which I felt was somewhat needlessly stretched.
The character design of the main as well as supporting characters is generally well developed to imbue them with the necessary depth and realism that allows an attachment as well as connection to be formed with viewers. This certainly was the case for me and none more so than the eponymous main character of Mone, along with her parents, grandfather, the doctor friend and her colleagues at the Weather Experts in particular.
It’s worth mentioning the inclusion of technical aspects pertaining to weather forecasting and analysis of meteorological data which plays a major part of the premise of the drama. In addition to that, the aquaculture practices in the form of oyster cultivation and farming is featured in detail due to the involvement of Mone’s family in oyster harvesting and supply. I appreciate the fact that the technicalities of these real-life activities are showcased in a straightforward and uncomplicated fashion which integrate seamlessly into the storytelling.
In terms of the cast, major kudos go to Kiyohara Kaya. This is my first time seeing her and what an absorbing performance she has delivered. Such incredible talent to breathe life into the character of Mone. Throughout the entire 120 episodes, I was simply immersed in her portrayal and rooting for her during the many pivotal moments of her journey. From her depiction of insecurity, uncertainty and vulnerability right through to her maturity as a person and a professional in projecting the self-confidence of a seasoned meteorologist and weather forecaster. I'll be keeping a close eye on her projects from now on.
Sakaguchi Kentaro’s awkwardly charming Suganami Koutaro is quite fascinating. Initially displaying tsundere-like traits, he gradually evolves into a more endearing personality which subtly complements Mone’s down-to-earth personality as part of their blossoming relationship. Mone's parents are portrayed by the experienced Uchino Seiyou and Suzuki Kyoka. They have a rather amusing story arc in an extensive flashback sequence while their numerous memorable scenes together are quite wholesome to observe. Nishijima Hidetoshi's calm demeanour fits the charisma of his weatherman Asaoka Satoru. Likewise I really enjoyed Takaoka Saki's interpretation of the sophisticated Takamura Satoko. Asano Tadanobu needs no introduction and his depiction of Oikawa Shinji is probably the most emotional among the supporting cast.
From my perspective, Okaeri Mone has been an utter joy to watch and an extremely worthwhile experience. From the cultural facets to the intricacies of weather forecasting as well as the beautiful landscapes of Miyagi Prefecture, there is much to savour in this very well-made production indeed.
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