Unique, Quirky, and GOOD!!
I had to write a review for this one as it will probably be under rated and it is worth its weight in gold so far. This cdrama stands out with it's unique storyline that has a dark whimsical vibe to it. It engages the viewer with each case that ties into the overall mystery between the ML and FL. The high quality of the cinematography and production value makes it seem more like a movie. I liked how they had different actors and actresses take on more lead like roles in each case story, the acting is well done and kudos for giving screen time to them. There is also dark humor sprinkled throughout the episodes that was done pretty well. There are some plot holes as it's in the mystery fantasy genre but it was acceptable to me as the good far outweighed the bad.The series is compact by Cdrama standards at 12 episodes, it seems to eliminate the long drag out meandering storylines that plague some of the CDramas with lots of episodes. I hope the CDrama industry will continue to take more risks in investing in unique and unconventional dramas like this.
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Great show
I absolutely LOVED watching this! I finished it in three days. If I didn't have school, I would probably have finished it faster. I can't wait for season 2!Here are a few things I liked and disliked (in no particular order):
1 THE ACTING
LIKE: I really like the way Bai Zhu plays his character(A Zhai). His facial expressions and the way he brings his lines are adorable and unique. Some people seem to dislike A Zhai, which I kind of get when looking at certain scenes. Particularly the ones where he mistreats Adam or doesn't listen to his advice, which then results in problems that could've been avoided if he did listen. That aside I think he is a really fun character that brings life to the show.
DISLIKE: A ZHAI IS SUCH. AN. IDIOT! Seriously, I love him, but he is so stubborn, self-centered and in some moments pretty mean. Adam really didn't deserve the way A Zhai treated him in some episodes. Especially since Adam is the one who keeps saving and protecting A Zhai when things turn sour. Which is A LOT of times.
2 FRIENDSHIP
A Zhai and his best friend cracked me up everytime they were together. I loved it when they were scheming and going on missions together. You would think that two heads/two brains would be able to think of at least a simple, good working plan, but I guess that's not the case with A Zhai and Wang Fu Gui. They are also really bad at lying. It's funny to watch. Their friendship is really cute.
3 THE CINEMATOGRAPHY
The camera work is done very well. The set also looks great! The whole show gives you a comic kinda feel with all the sound/visual effects they've put in it. All this put together makes the show aesthetically pleasing.
4 STORYLINE
LIKE: The story is surprising and unique. There are a lot of turns and twists that make you want to see the next episode as fast as possible. The pace of the storyline is just right. Not too slow, not too fast. I also like how they sometimes break the 4th wall by talking to us (the audience) directly.
DISLIKE: One aspect of the storyline that gets dragged out too much is A Zhai's obsession with Eve. FOR REAL, MAN It just keeps going on and on and on and on and on. I rolled with my eyes a lot.
5 A ZHAI AND ADAM
I can conclude from the comments of some other people that they mainly started to watch the show because of these two. I wouldn't recommend watching it just for them. Except for a few cute scenes, there isn't much action. I can't even say ''just watch it for their friendship' because as I said earlier: A Zhai is pretty mean to Adam. Unless there are more scenes coming in season 2 that will build on their relationship. 80% of this show is A Zhai chasing after Eve.
CONCLUSION:
It's a really cute show and you should definitely watch it for the cool actors, the humor and fun scenes.
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Simple. loses it way in the middle but finds it's way in the end.
Typical BL yes. Mediocre? probably especially when the writing was stale in the middle(eps 5-7) with all the miscommuication & misunderstandings but still pretty enjoyable imo. Honestly? I've seen way worse ones recently: Enchante, Rainbow Prince and Cutie Pie were horrible imo. Is this one of the best? No. But I still enjoyed it more than those 3. At least Star in My Mind had likable characters. And one thing I felt charming about this series is that it starts out fresh even if we've seen this story billions of times before it felt like something new. Both Dao and Kluen start this series with a lot of charm even if they are cookie cutters of other characters seen before. I was instantly drawn to them.Dunk is a newbie but for the most part he pulls off what is needed of him. Yes there's still room for improvement but I see lots of potential especially since I felt he did good for his first majjor role. He could emote which is always a plus in my book. Joong hmm he wasn't horrible or anything and I do feel like he can act it's just that in some scenes he was wooden and that didn't do his character, Kluen, much favors when it should have. But for the most part he held his own and had great chemistry with Dunk. And the chemistry is what guided the series sometimes.
As for the story it could be considered mediocre in the middle but I thought that the beginning and end were pretty good. I especially liked how once the misunderstandings and miscommunication between Dao and Kluen was handled there was no more unnecessary drama thrown at them. They were allowed to be happy and cute the last two episodes which is way more than some BL couples get.
All in all I give this a 9.0 overall despite all it's flaws it's one of my favorites this year. Sky in Your Heart is next hopefully that one doesn't have the mistakes it's predecessor did.
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This film was good.
It was nicely done and i loved the story behind it .Very beautiful, the play in lighting, once again in bl films is striking. How love blossom even in the darkest of places and i love how the story changes from dark to light to dark and light once again. Showing the struggles of his love on both sides.The guys were hot so its a plus. it was a nice watch. had alot of symbolism at play, especially towards the end where im sure alot of people will start to get lost especially first time watchers i believe, since it starts becoming darker and brutal in terms of emotion and displaying that emotion.
The scene towards the end had alot of depth into it. how one can become blinded by love and the other still not able to express it correctly. and how the Title of this Film literally Takes a role in this movie. the ending scene although it was slightly over the top it showed that revenge is never the answer so much struggles were captured in this move, from love,social acceptance,revenge,hope, change. personally i liked this film i have seen far greater films but these types of films although underrated are probably the most beautiful because not everything is able to mesh but u see what is going on and again reminds me of society how we assume it should go well but sadily it doesnt not everything is as u believe it should be. would recommend if u are into capturing the depth of movies or if u have free time to kill.
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STRUCK MY HEART!!!
Can this be considered as a drama or whattttt??It is one of the best drama i have ever seen
The Story - WOW!!
The Cast - WOW!!
The Acting - WOW!!
The Music- WOW!!
THE DRAMA - JUST WOWWWWW!!!!
The Main thing about this drama is that it is light and soothing , it gives a feel. of satisfaction , happiness , etc.
Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu have the best chemistry and no words can be used to express that
So Hidden Love is a 10/10 for me for being that perfect light romance drama that makes you blush in and out with the butterflies. it's worth checking out for the fluffy, sugar factor!! Would definitely recommend it!!
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Underwhelming time slip drama: strong start, uninteresting midpoint, OK ending
The first episodes grip you in entirely as the series introduces the fantasy aspect through a time slip, right in the middle of an inciting incident—from here on and for the entirety of the series, the female lead navigates her second chance in life with a playbook as her compass.There were definitely plot devices and symbolisms used, but like other fantasy series, they were not elucidated as time slip is not the focus of the story, but merely an incident that sets off the story.
The first few episodes are also used to establish the female lead and male lead as the couple, which is one of the contributing elements to the romance in the series. However, once this has been introduced, the story’s focus deliberately shifts, with politics taking the centerpiece.
That being said, while there is romance in the drama (both for the main and secondary characters), this is not the main theme of the series. The romance is merely a subplot.
Casting Meng Zi Yi and Li Yun Rui, who have been constantly secondary leads in their previous projects, is not a bad choice, though.
Meng Zi Yi is not stiff and conscious when acting, while Li Yun Rui has the standard characteristics of a male lead. Li Yun Rui, though, still has a lot of areas to improve on, specifically in using his expressions.
I have no qualms with the pacing as it's pretty consistent throughout the series. Still, while the drama started off strong, the second half of the series hit a sharp decline in the quality of storytelling.
By the second half, I was struggling to keep my attention on the drama and was seriously considering skipping a few scenes just to fast track.
As the drama comes close to conclusion, nothing was making any impact anymore: writing was steadily becoming askew. And while the drama occasionally delivered good cinematography, the OST is mediocre at best and did not help elevate the experience in any scenes. The political turmoil plot alone cannot carry the entire series.
There was an effort to tie loose ends, and the ending was definitely conclusive, which is an important factor to the majority, but aside from introducing the potentials of Meng Zi Yi and Li Yun Rui as actors, and having a strong and smart female lead (with a good head on her shoulders) who actually (and finally) takes the lead (and is dominant in the relationship with the male lead), I will give this a pass. Romance, politics, time slip, rebirth—there are far better choices, with mid dramas that can easily topple this.
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Enemies to lovers finally done right
Rarely comment on dramas but after some serious ongoing withdrawal symptoms, I had to express how much I enjoyed this drama.Definitely not a 'light rom com watch'. This was an intense, emotional roller-coaster with enemies to lovers done right. The political intrigue fits well into the plot without being overdone and needing to be fast forwarded (like most cdramas). The chemistry and the intensity between the leads and the fun banter between the second leads stole the show. The side characters all had some roles to play with their own quirks and personalities.
I am a sucker for happy endings so for the ML to gradually fall in love with the FL was a delight to watch. He has been through horrible trauma and lost loved ones due to broken promises by the FL's clan.
However, after they are married, he never mistreats her due to her family. He's closed off, cold and very suspicious of the FL which is of course, natural but he also appreciates and admires her (secretly and then openly later).
The FL is also no pushover, she fights and stands up for herself diplomatically. Her strength is in the steadfastness of her character, akin to flowing water eroding rocks over time. She has trust issues in the beginning too and tries to protect her clan from a waging war by the ML. This is a very reasonable reaction given how the ML first treated her and makes a promise to destroy her people. She later regrets her decision and reforms her thinking but I think this just humanises her character.
What made this drama different from other enemies to lovers is that you see the trauma, the hatred, the vengeance for revenge and gradually breaking down of walls, trust developing, the endless yearning for something forbidden and the care and attention they both show to each other in little gestures that they do later transforming to love. Drama aside, you want a partner in life, who just gets you without you having to spell everything out. You can share your deepest and darkest past and trauma and they will listen and never use that against you (confidant for life). They will help you heal and move past it. In the end, this is what happened to the ML. He was so helpless in front of the FL's care and love for everyone including him that he had no space for hatred and revenge in his heart. This doesn't mean he easily accepts her and let's her in, but rather he is too helpless to resist her. I loved, in particular, that despite what her grandfather did, he also accepted her family, visited her clan and people and wanted to understand why she was the way she was. To me, that was true selfless love.
If you've read this far, kudos to you. I just needed to get this off my chest so I can move past this drama without comparing all other dramas to this (as that would be unfair). This drama will take some time to leave my system and I can't say I hate that.
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Second, there were a lot of extra unnecessary characters and dialogue where the obvious story is repeated.
Third, nevermind...this list will just get too long.
There are some good things that kept me interested, but I'm still disappointed. A rating of 6 may be too high.
The acting is ok. Jun Kwang Ryul as Moon Doo stole the show.
The music is ok.
I won't rewatch this.
I don't recommend this drama unless you have a good imagination.
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I'm a big fan of this kind of drama cause i know in the end it will have a happy ending.. it makes me escape to the reality for a while and it makes me feel that love is always around. :)
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This review may contain spoilers
Where do we even start?
TW// mentions of sexual harassment/getting outed also use of strong languageDisclaimer: i only heard of the Novel, i've never read it // also this is just me ranting
Well what a shitshow.
What were the producers and directors thinking? This had the potential to be a feel-good drama. They really could've made a drama where the main couple is just learning to love each other without the whole homophobic plotline. They did Tonhon so fucking dirty, made him look like this jerk who hates people that are not like him even tho in the novel - he's just not like that. They could've made Tonhon this man who is just figuring out his sexuality with and Chonlatee just being there by his side and be the beautiful boy he is. This is really frustrating because there just could've been so much more. Also the storyline with Amp? So toxic, just like in so many other dramas, making women look like crazy, mean and dumb girls that don't know what they're doing anyways. Her outing Ton to his parents like that just just the cherry on top.
It's sad because Tonhons and Chonlatees actors seem to be really good friends in real life that are genuine and i was looking forward for them to have a chance to make something cute and wholesome. I hope they will get another chance to act with each other.
By the way, how is that one dude that tried to drug and rape Chon not in fucking jail????? My dude, my guy, how did Chon just walk away from that like it never happened??? And the story with Tons dad? My guy, we already have enough people on this world,,, you treating your children like breeding machines is just not it. Who even thought that that would be a good storyline?? If you wanna make him homophobic, just make him homophobic! Ton and Chon could've just worked around that because after the dad has a crackin' stroke, Tonhon just doesn't seem to be that worried anyways. I loved Chons mum though but i wanted to see her fistfighting Tons dad so bad.
When Tonhon kissed Amp in that one club or bar they were sitting in, i just knew, nah my guy, you don't deserve a happy ending. And to be honest, after all that i would've been very okay with not having a happy ending because he just didn't deserve it. Are you really that fragile, my guy? Do you really have to prove your EX that you're still into girls? That you're are so unsure in your masculinity, that you just can't let people think that there is a possibility you could be gay? You, my dude, are the weakest link! If you guys ever meet someone like that, RUN, or you will feel your braincells just packing it together and fleeing to another country.
I don't think i will ever rewatch this and i hope there are people getting back into studying film and screenwriting because this just ain't it.
Please, don't take me too seriously. This is just me ranting on an empty stomach and posting it without reading over it.
If you haven't watched this series yet, don't waste your time with it. Go rewatch your favourite BLs or something.
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STORY AND ACTING/CAST -
Want to see a heroine in a Korean drama who can kick butt and take names? Watch this drama.
Han Groo is impressive and charismatic as the female lead who was trained as an assassin once her mother is killed in front of her very eyes. She never acts cute or pretty or stupid (It's freaking refreshing).
The drama stands out to me because it is 3 episodes of slick fight sequences and good cinematography and devilish villains played to perfection.
LAST THOUGHTS
A great watch for those craving a short and gritty drama with tons of action.
And a word of caution: the drama does have a lot of violent and sexual sequences as well.
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Not my ORV
I've never saw a live action being this DISRESPECTFUL.If I could erase this movie from existence I would with no regret, I hope this sh*tty *ss director never dare to do a second movieThe story is literally not the same AT ALL ? the mischaracterisation ??
Yoo Sangah being a healer ? What the actual f*ck ?? Yoo Sangah is a strong woman who would not hesitate to kill if she has too
Bihyung being a labubu instead of a dokkaebi, justice for Bihyung
Lee Jihye holding a sniper ? In ORV it's clearly stated that gun or anything like that is USELESS in their apocalyptic world, the author even said it, swords are the most effective weapon in ORV
Kim Dokja being a bully?? Trashtalking TWSA the novel who saved his life ?? Kim Dokja being a writer when his name literally means " READER " ??? Kim Dokja having no Fourth Wall ? No Bookmark ? These are literally his most important skills ?? Kim Dokja communicating with TLS123 ?? Kim Dokja reviving Yoo Joonghyuk?? What is happening in this sh*itty movie ??
Jung Heewon being SA'd was not even mentioned, the just cut out the scene, it's disgusting
And the dialogue ?? Nothing is the same
This is just a trash movie who deserves nothing, a disappointment, a failure, a flop, a fiasco, catastrophic, good for nothing, a waste of time, garbage, a junk movie
If I could use all the synonyms of trash I would do it
I recommend reading the novel or the manwha of ORV to see of f*cked up this live action is
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Short but what a gem !
It's amazing to think that 16 minutes of movie has such a big impact on you. Final note 8.8 / 10A first love story has that lightness that you feel when you are in a place where you feel safe.
There's a kind of shyness, a modesty, an awkwardness in the way they express themselves, whether it's in the dialogue or in their body language.
I like the way this film is anchored in reality and pushes us not to have regrets.
It's worth to watch, well written, well directed each gesture has a symbolism and well acted, the actors manage to share with us this relationship between these two friends.
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This review may contain spoilers
Disappointed
What to say about this ending? They romanticized a toxic and abusive relationship. They romanticized that a woman is indeed a repair shop for men. I feel shame and pity for Na-bi because in that conversation where they return their relationship, it is evident how emotionally dependent she is on him. She knew what he was like, what he put her through, and yet she threw herself into his arms again. I am disappointed! Fortunately the secondary couples - Sol and Jiwan, Bit-Na and Kyuhyun, Min Young and Kyung Jun - saved that story.
They could have made Na-bi discover female empowerment. They could have made her realize with Jae-eon that no one deserves to go through an abusive relationship. What about Jae-eon saying he fell in love with her at first sight? This was never a crush because if he really had fallen in love with her, he would have had intentions of getting into a serious relationship with her from the start. And not just after losing her. What starts wrong will never work. Except in Nevertheless, history made people think everything that happened was normal.
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It was very symbolic and heartfelt. I enjoyed the upbeat moments and the internal conflicts that were exposed and conquered. A bit thought provoking.
What I did not like about this series was the female leads behavior. Although the series was about artificial intelligence and I do know this is TV, I still found it quite strange that there were parts of this series where it seemed like the female lead cared more for a computer than another human. That just didn’t sit well with me and it just seemed irrational and weird.
I finished it through to the end. It was good, sweet and a good pace. The history of the characters came together well. The plot was consistent and the pace stayed true. If you’re into technology, robotics and artificial intelligence you’ll enjoy this.
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