The KMovie is carefree, harmless and heartily. However, it is not trivial.
"Dream" is about team spirit as a positive force that allows a group to excel itself. The KMovie is carefree, harmless and heartily. However, it is not trivial, as it sides with those commonly referred to in society as the weak.You shouldn't expect too much, then everything works quite well. Obviously, IU and Park So-joon are the show's carthorses. But that doesn't do justice to the rest of the cast, who all contribute their unique esprit. “Dream” comes across as teamwork through and through.
Although it was filmed at original locations in Budapest, somehow, in my opinion, the casting (unfortunately) often enough doesn't work so well, when Korean productions are dependent on actors from different origin. For whatever reason. Even if it's only supporting roles or extras in this case, they seem to be rather amateurish. Hm.
All in all: “Dream” is a KMovie for high spirits and light fare. Not intrusive. With a few flaws here and there. However, also with some well-placed, wonderful and valuable messages in passing.
Was this review helpful to you?
What I really found endearing is the frankness of the lead male Shuji and his inner monologue/narration. I like that he was outwardly popular but inwardly unsure, bored, scared and lonely. The theme of this show is a simple one. Finding true friendship...whether you are a popular kid, a quirky loner or a withdrawn, scared and painfully shy newcomer.
Each episode is written to show the development of this core friendship. As the synopsis and title reveal, these three come together to 'produce' Nobuta and make her popular but...wow is that so not what really matters here. I loved the way the story unfolded in such an original manner compared to the way a westernized show would have handled this. Lovely.
The acting is great. Not perfect but very good. My favorite was Yamashita Tomohisa who played Akira. He was so quirky, clumsy and strange but what a loyal and steadfast friend. Yamapi was great. There are a lot of wonderful characters to be found within the setting of their school; teachers and students alike. I enjoyed Shuji's family. They were a hoot! Nobuta was like a flower opening up to the sun when Shuji and Akira found her. I loved the development of her strength and their loyalty to her. Wonderful!
At 10 episodes, this series was a fast and entertaining watch. No story line or plot point dragged on too long or bogged down the pace. The music was fine..not memorable but not bad either. But this drama isn't really about a standout soundtrack so I did not find it distracting or lacking in any way. I gave the re-watch value an 8 because while I might not watch it again this was a very entertaining drama and others might really enjoy watching more than once.
I recommend this drama highly. It's quick, it's sweet, it's touching and fun. Give it try if you are hesitating.
Was this review helpful to you?
Old-fashioned Sweet
Sweet Teeth is a drama adapted from a novel (世界微尘里-A Speck Amid the Dust of The World). The drama tells the story of Zeng Li, a down-to-earth girl and someone who didn’t have the courage to love due to her past. However, it all changes until she met Ai Jingchu.The drama narrative revolves around Zeng Li and her two best friend’s love story. There are 3 couples in this drama:
1. Zeng Li (librarian) and Ai Jingchu (dentist): both of them start off on the wrong foot but eventually fall for each other
2. Wu Ying (doctor) and Liu Yucheng (traditional Chinese medicine student): Liu Yucheng basically fall in love at first sight with Wu Ying, and starts to pursue her
3. Ma Yiyi (Influencer) and Deng Haoran (entrepreneur): both of them have known each other for a long time because Deng Haoran is Zeng Li’s stepbrother. And round and round, their feelings towards each other sparked again.
The storyline is not new, it has all idol drama cliche tropes: the cold yet brilliant male lead, the scatter-brained yet warm female lead, slow motion, drunken love confession and more. Though the storyline is not new, the script is written in a very heart-warming way that it lulls you into the drama. Two complete strangers, getting to know each other, learn and understand each other and eventually fall in love.
The pacing of this drama is so fast, but looking at its only 22 episodes it makes sense how they are trying to squeeze everything. The love story between all the three couples progresses really fast, to a point that you don’t really feel the chemistry between the leads, they are only together for the sake of the script (unless you read the novel before). However, in the second half of the drama, you can start to feel the chemistry between the couples. This drama does not have any really heavy conflict, most of them are sweet moments!!
Wu Xuanyi acted as Zeng Li in this drama and I can say that she pulled it off. She did a good job in pulling off the typical 傻白甜, sweet and silly girl. However, she did exaggerate her acting too much in some scenes, that I cringed at some of her scenes. On the other hand, Bi Wenjun is kinda stiff and robotic in the first few episodes, however, it gets better in the later episodes. The supporting actors in this drama did a really commendable job. All of them acted so well in their own role, to a point that they outshone the main lead. Nevertheless, while watching it, you’ll slowly fall in love with every character.
As a part of the Iqiyi Sweet On drama lineup, I feel that this drama has weaker cinematography compared to other Sweet On series (for now). The shots and sequences are taken simply and beautifully, it evokes a warm and home-y feeling. However, there are also lots of shaky shots, weird close-up shots, and choppy editing.
The drama soundtrack definitely plays a huge part in this drama, as it elevates the whole drama atmosphere. The soundtrack has an ecstatic beat and flow that goes really well with the drama. It is also very memorable.
Though Sweet Teeth has some cliches, its supporting actors, well-written and heart-warming script makes it unique and special. While watching it, you can feel a warm glow, as if you are basking on the beach watching the sunset.
If you looking for a hearty laugh, fluffy love story and interesting supporting and side characters, this drama is definitely for you!!
Was this review helpful to you?
This was the best Japanese romance production I have seen to date.
The acting was stunning. The fine skills exhibited by all the cast (also the support roles) was just brilliant.
Japanese productions tend to be either overly melodramatic or greatly exaggerated acting-wise. But this was neither.
It was just beautful from start till the end (and by that I mean the very end. The part after the credits...)
Story: Aki is the genius songwriter of CrudePlay, a band of highschool friends in which he formerly used to play. When he meets Riko, he wants her to like him as himself, not as the famous composer he is. So he lies. This is revealed when Riko is scouted by the same label. Will they overcome the obstacles of the industry and the rival from his own band?
Characters: I loved every single character in this drama. Aki, the tormented genious whos heart is slowly opening to the young and sweet Riko. Riko, the gentle singer who admires Aki as a composer and has a passion for singing. The chemistry between the leads was very real. I liked the way they interacted when the were on screen together.
Shou, the cool best friend. He's singer of CrudePlay and I think just as cool as Aki. His acting was very sophisticated, very detailed and perfectly portrayed the friendship between him and Aki. I think he is also my favourite character. And I am not (just) saying that out of 2nd lead bias. I just think he acting was so mesmerising.
And all the other loveable side characters.
Music: Well this is a music-themed film, so this only could be good, right? It's very light pop based. Not really catching, but definitely easy to listen to. I appreaciate that it is not one or 2 main songs that get repeated over and over like in many other dramas.
Rewatch Value: I don't rewatch much. But I may just rewatch this some time. You can probably pick up more details and emotions in this movie during a rewatch. You can look at the beautiful characters more closely and find new expressions that will make you like them even more.
Overall: I can highly recommend this drama to everyone who likes music-themed stories, a sublime romance, fantastic acting, loveable characters, and a magnificent story.
Was this review helpful to you?
The Scent of a Woman
I was sold on this drama the moment I eyeballed the three hot main dudes - I mean what's not to like about a light and funny drama with some serious eye candy? But somehow this morphed from just another fun and light young adult comedy into a hilarious and empowering story of friendship and the shining idealism of youth that made a deeper than expected impression on me.Xue Wenxi disguises herself as her brother Wenbin to support her family as a talented copywriter and author of illicit romantic fiction. A chance encounter and a series of mishaps leads to her reluctant enrollment at the prestigious Yunshang Academy. There she becomes the glue that bonds the "Yunshang Four" an uncommon friendship between the scholarly and noble Feng Chengjun, the savvy Yu Lexuan and the rebellious Lei Zexin. Together they prevail over many coming of age challenges and overcome past secrets and misdeeds of the previous generation.
In a departure from the acclaimed Korean adaption (which I did not watch), this Chinese version portrays an unmistakably feminine version of Wenbin, from the casting of the very petite and lovely Ju Jingyi as Wenbin to surrounding her with uncommonly tall male leads. If you are unable to suspend disbelief that she is not busted as a girl on day one, then your time is better spent on the earlier version. If you get overly hung up on how she looks, you will not enjoy the witty script and brilliant comedic rapport between the leads nor appreciate the more important themes that this adaptation chooses to focus on instead. The casting visibly illustrates the daunting physical challenges Wenbin faces in an academy that has an equally vigorous physical curriculum.
What I love most about this drama is that it avoids sending the message that in order succeed in a man's world, a woman must look like a man and act like one too. It points out multiple times throughout the drama that Wenbin is a beautiful and delicate gentleman. It is clearly on the edge of everyone's consciousness that he is a girl because all of the boys are drawn to her like bees to a honeypot and when her gender is revealed no one faints from shock. Indeed one of my favorite early moments is the look on Chengjun's face when he sniffs her and gets his first whiff of the scent of a woman. It is unmistakable, all of those boys sense it but no self respecting dude is going to blurt out the unthinkable and ruin the fun of having a girl on campus! Our Wenbin revels in being herself, a young girl - at times she is annoying as hell - naggy, bitchy, petty, jealous but most of the time she is mischievous, charming, sensitive and comforting. For me, it is much more fun to watch a girl having a blast just being herself at an all-boys school than watching the tired routine of a woman trying to fit in by aping a man.
The script is very cleverly written and funny and the characters are so lovable and relateable they all give me that magical deja vu of people I know. I am floored by the seamless interactions and comedic timing between the cast as witty banter is conveyed in as much via body language and facial expressions as it is in words. The humor is just my speed - a slightly wicked roasting of all too familiar human emotions, traits and rites of passage. This is a heavily character driven drama with very satisfying character growth. The headmaster is priceless and is the show's true unsung hero. The pacing however gets hijacked by too many (albeit hilarious) comedic sketches without plot advancement to the point it drags slightly in the middle. And then everything happens a bit too quickly at the end as the romance peaks at almost at the same time the conspiracy is revealed. It could be better balanced if Wenbin's reveal happens earlier and without toying with Han Shumin's heart - it is unnecessary angst and a small stain on Chengjun's character and judgment.
Chengjun and Wenbin are smitten with each other from the beginning and their attraction and chemistry grows convincingly into something that hilariously both thrills and terrifies Chengjun. He is not my pick of the three but it is clear that his patience, wisdom and quiet indulgence is the perfect foil for the more high strung, impetuous and sometimes willful Wenbin. And her intelligence, lively and infectious sense of humor and mischief rescues him from being boring. It is a good match. Sadly my personal choice, the clever and diabolically cheeky Lexuan appears subtly more into Zexin than Wenbin. He is by far the most layered, complicated and thus interesting character. Zexin has the most character growth but would never work with Wenbin - they would just bring out the worst of their mutual immaturity, quick temper and impulsiveness. For me, their comaraderie and unflinching support for each other as they find the courage of their own convictions is far more riveting than the romance. My weary old soul is unaccountably moved by the youthful idealism and sense of justice and equality that culminates in a moving Oh Captain My Captain moment. It is also amazing that they got away with student protests, vigilante justice, and even subversive propaganda.
There is at least one hilarious laugh out loud moment in literally every episode of this drama that has men clammoring to follow the scent of a woman to the female version of Yunshang Academy! I haven't enjoyed myself so much in a long time. Sure there are flaws but think about watching this as like having a fling and not till death do us part; no need to over analyze, just go along, get along and enjoy the ride. This is overall a 9.0 for me but on just enjoyment factor alone I would call it a 9.5/10.0.
Was this review helpful to you?
1'Cause I saw the end, before we'd began.
Zhousheng Chen pledged his life to protect the realm with an unbreakable vow to never marry or father children. Cui Shiyi, a peerless beauty 倾国倾城 (qing guo qing cheng) was promised to the Crown Prince from birth. He is her shifu, her master; thus any romantic relationship between them is forbidden. This kind of story never ends well - Zhousheng Chen knew it, Shiyi knew it and I knew it. Yet I fell helplessly down the rabbit hole with them and almost drowned myself with tears. I did not expect to be so moved or so heartbroken 'cause I saw the end, before we'd began. So be warned, this moving, legendary love story between the noble Nanchen wang and Shiyi is sad and unforgettable.This drama's production values are incredible from the movie aspect ratio, stunning sets, gorgeous costumes drenched in a soft palette that accentuates the beauty and ethos of the unspoken, unspeakable emotions that encompasses every loaded moment. The haunting and poignant OSTs are the only times their feelings and promises are verbalized. The lyrics are layered with meaning that compliments the beautiful prose of Mo Bao Fei Bao's popular novel 一生一世美人骨., that is woven seamlessly into the script.
I love how Mo Bao Fei Bao writes - her composition style is simple and profound at the same time and yet I am unable to finish the novel. It is set in the present, with Shiyi flashing back to their past. I simply can't relate to a docile modern woman with such ancient values, whose whole reason for existence is one man. The drama adaptation that starts with the past makes for far better storytelling as Shiyi is a product of her time, a Northern Wei noblewoman raised to dutifully abide by all the social strictures and expectations of the day. Underlying her gentle, serene expression, she is incredibly single minded ("my heart already belongs to someone, it will not change") and the imperceptible flashes of fury in her magnificent eyes says she is far from docile. Bai Lu interprets Shiyi brilliantly and brings her gentle strength and courage to life in a way that vastly exceeds the novel.
As for Ren Jialun, he is truly one of those rare actors who says it best when he says nothing at all. He never has to tell Shiyi how he feels about her, it it is evident in all the small gestures and most of all, it is in his eyes, in the sublimely romantic way he eyes her ever so longingly... and so regretfully. It emanates from the core of his being and breaks free from all of the constraints imposed by duty, responsibility and his toxic oath. With this mature, charismatic and substantive performance, Ren Jialun sheds his more youthful persona and proves his ability to compel in more complex roles that require some heft and gravitas. That said, I wish Zhousheng Chen wasn't quite so restrained; that they had given us at least one moment of temptation, where for once if only briefly, he forgets he is Nanchen wang so that they can be just Chen and Shiyi. If I remember correctly it is hinted heavily that there was one such moment in the novel. Nonetheless the palpable chemistry between the leads convinces that while not in deed, they are lovers in every other sense and meaning of the word. This captivating and shattering performance by both leads underpinned by their remarkable chemistry makes this slow burn, tragic romance a must watch.
Even though the drama adaptation attempts to better flesh out the past, the story's focus remains predominantly on the romance and that is where it shines. The external political plot is designed almost solely to either frustrate or facilitate the romance and thus does not bear close scrutiny. It is clear that political plots are not the screenwriter/novelist's forte although she does a credible job pulling together perhaps too many common tropes - rival clans, power struggles, Wu Tzetian-lite (brainless) and thwarted love rival wrapped up in filicide, murder and betrayal. Although all of the supporting roles including the villains are very well acted, there are many side characters who do not advance the plot and the inter-relationships and rivalries among the main clans and the consequent political dynamics are not well explained. And then there are characters like Yang Shao who conveniently pops up as alternately friend or foe as and when required by the plot. His motives and loyalties are not obvious and for such a poorly developed character, he gets to do some pretty important stuff. Neither villain is that complex and they both seize power without the means to secure the border and thus the empire without Nanchen wang. They are not intelligent or worthy opponents - even when they win, it is by foul means that lead to self destruction. Nonetheless, I watched this with a forgiving eye, mostly because I was too busy emptying my tear ducts to have the emotional energy to be bothered by the logic flaws.
This drama really enraged me at the end. The lovers' fates are well telegraphed from the get go so that is not my issue. My problem is with how Zhousheng Chen the character was mutilated by the writers at the end. The core of what makes Zhousheng Chen noble down to his beautiful bones is the conviction that his sacrifice, their sacrifice is worthy. And it is manifestly not worthy - he makes the same mistake twice of shoring up a ruler who simply cannot hold on to the throne and is bound to be a puppet. What it comes down to is he chose to save his bloodline and a bunch of worthless, doomed ministers at the cost of peace at the border, his beloved Nanchen army and Shiyi; leaving the country defenseless and in the hands of a sociopath. Even though the writers acknowledge they did him dirty when Shiyi piteously comes to the same damning conclusion and it just breaks her, how they wrote themselves into this corner is unforgiveable. It could have been avoided if the external plot were better configured to begin with and if they had the courage to change some aspects of the novel rather than simply writing to back-solve for certain outcomes. In doing so, they made an incredibly compelling case for Zhousheng Chen to just kiss the girl, revolt and seize power or to ride off with her in the sunset and defect to Nanxiao. He would still stay more true to character because that is what would have achieved the greater good instead of simply protecting his brother's legacy at all cost. Thus with regret that oozes from every pore, Zhousheng Chen foolishly forsakes both the common people and his Shiyi for the king and country that forsook him. There is no level on which this is a satisfying outcome and Zhousheng Chen deserves better than that.
Since I am ranting, I would add that I am not in the least consoled by the fact their unfulfilled love even moves the universe to give them another shot in the modern sequel Forever and Ever. First of all, this takes thousands of years. Secondly, if I were Shiyi, I would run, run, run, run, run AWAY from Zhousheng Chen after what he did. And finally, to get my much needed closure, I am really irritated at having to try to watch a darned modern romance, a genre I normally avoid like covid.
I still rate this a 9.0 largely due to mesmerizing performances by both Bail Lu and Ren Jialun, in their rendition of this love story that captured my heart and soul in a stunning depiction of 色授魂与 (se shou hun yu). I don't need to elaborate on what that means, it is there in every glance, every word, every interaction.
Postscript:
For those of you who need closure, there is a very well fan made alternate ending ending produced by industry professionals. I have fan subbed it and hidden it as a spoiler in the comment section of this review.
Was this review helpful to you?
Best Historical Romantic Drama of 2019
This is one of the very few dramas that has more depth and lets the viewers experience all kinds of emotions – love, hatred, happiness, sadness, kindness, cruelty, trust, betrayal, amongst others. Being a tragedy, this drama has captured my heart and emotions, and takes me through the journey of joy and pain.The female lead grows from an innocent and naive girl living on the steppes/desert, into a thoughtful and self-sacrificing woman living in the palace. Her role makes her the most loved character in the drama, and Peng Xiao Ran has effortlessly achieved the high standard in her acting. She is an amazing actress – natural, beautiful and authentic.
The first male lead, Chen Xing Xu, is very young in his early 20s. He has also achieved successfully his role as the 5th Prince with a boyish personality. He gives viewers the impression of a silly thoughtless youth, and yet, he is a smart scheming lethal strategist deep down. This is a very complex character to portray and Chen has done it with flying colors.
This is a high-quality production, from acting to costumes to props. The whole cast plays their roles convincingly and effectively. All details are taken care of. There are no or few holes/loose ends.
The story itself is heart-wrenching and sad, but it also calls up many questions we may have within ourselves about life and about decisions we make daily – things may not always be what they seem to be.
Since it is a tragedy, the ending is what it is expected, a tragedy. I love the ending because there is proper closure for every character; no unnecessary killings just to write-off a character. Everyone gets what he/she deserves.
The sound tracks are the most unforgettable tunes for this drama. Each song is meaningful with sorrow and longing that are sung in beautiful melodies. I don’t know how many times I have listened to the “Little Fox” which gives me the deepest impression. The song conjures up images of a girl riding a horse running freely on the steppes, long gone is the pain one has to endure in life.
Despite it is heart-wrenching to watch some episodes that involve betrayal and killings, this is a must-watch drama. I give it a two-thumbs up.
Was this review helpful to you?
Best web drama!
Everything about this drama is superb! Their chemistry is out of this world. The most romantic korean series i ever watched . Every episode in this drama always make me melt. This drama gives a roller coaster of emotions. I love Ji chang wook and Kim ji won. The original soundtrack, cinematography, unique concept, i am in love with this drama. Ji chang wook is very handsome and kim ji won is very beautiful, they both look together. Fighting lovestruck in the city, i hope there’s will be season 2.Was this review helpful to you?
Last Twilight but Our First Twilight
"Last Twilight" emerges as an exceptional masterpiece, leaving an inerasible impact on us viewers. The year-long wait for this series was undoubtedly worth it, as it took time to craft its brilliance. My admiration for JimmySea, immersed by "Vice Versa," only deepened with "Last Twilight." Upon experiencing the series, I was left astounded. Jimmy and Sea surpassed my expectations for BL dramas, showcasing a well-developed chemistry not only on screen but also in real life. Sea's portrayal of a person with a visual disability demonstrated remarkable improvement, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative."Last Twilight" arrived at the perfect moment amidst a sea of hit-or-miss series. It concluded my 2023 on a high note and ushered in my 2024, infusing the transition with a renewed sense of optimism and possibility. What more is there to say? To truly understand the magic in "Last Twilight," one must embark on the journey themselves, engaging in its allure and experiencing its wonders firsthand.
Struggling under substantial debt, Mhok (Jimmy), a technical college student, seeks a well-paying job and lands a position as a caregiver for Day (Sea), a badminton player grappling with partial blindness caused by infectious keratitis. Mhok, in contrast to other candidates, shows no signs of pity for Day. As they spend more time together, a profound connection forms between them. However, when Day receives the news that he has approximately 180 days left until complete vision loss, the challenges ahead will test their bond's strength.
"And now here is my secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." - Day (A reference from the Little Prince)
Read more here from LauLastWonderland. This is an excellent review to clear up the misconception, especially with the last few episodes. (Spoilers ahead) https://mydramalist.com/profile/LauLastWonderland/review/336399
Was this review helpful to you?
Phenomenal and addicting! So good!
I normally only leave reviews for shows that really impresses me. I can only say wow! It's rare to see a story with strong leads that stay strong all throughout the series--when I say strong I mean leads who aren't foolishly blinded because of "love" and are strong all on their own regardless of the other person(s). They are independent and can make their own decisions. I love that there aren't any of those annoying drawn-out misunderstandings that historical dramas usually have.Both characters of ML and FL are very likeable and loveable all on their own, with their own individual quirks which makes their coupling even better. Also, for once the main girl has a good family--no family drama which is really refreshing for me. The FL is strong, fierce, smart, has good martial arts, has influence and confident which is uncommon for historical dramas. The ML is equally great. I also especially love that they incorporated comedy appropriately into the show. I laughed so much almost every episode and there were a lot of "aww!" scenes. This is a very fun and wholesome show.
Both Neo and Gabrielle did such a phenomenal job displaying their character and roles. The storyline is unique and refreshing; misunderstandings are resolved without viewers having to pull their hair out from frustrations. I'm currently on episode 36 of 40 and will be sad once the series is over. I already know this show is worth a re-watch!
**EDIT: I have now completed the series--all 40 episodes. I am so sad that this show is over, but really enjoyed watching it. I have already re-watched twice. A very addicting show and also quite uplifting and wholesome. This is a great show to watch, especially for those who hate angst-filled dramas because this drama is not--it's more light and fluffy. ♥
Was this review helpful to you?
Story: Lots of clitches and sometimes plot holes, historical inconsistency etc, but hey what the heck, it is a web drama so you have to over look it if you really want to enjoy it, at least I did and it worked out for me.
Acting/Cast: Superb, they cast all 5 main leads and supporting cast perfectly, specially the main couple I heard they were in WGM top couples and definitely the director made a great choice casting people with great chemistry because everything looked so natural, skin ship, falling in love and kisses looked real. I have to point out the flower boy villain, this guy acting was superb over the top at times but that's what it made this show stand out for me.
Music: It was ok not memorable but ok.
Rewatch Value: I had cancelled my subscription to Netflix but I just renewed it so I could go back and for to watch what I missed.
If you guys have netflix please try to watch it there as much as you can, I have had problems with drama sites it takes forever.
Overall: A very well done, dorky, odd rom-com historical drama. Highly recommend it. It had a feeling like Go Princess Go (TDrama)
Was this review helpful to you?
Another perfect season of Forest of Secrets (Stranger)
Forest of Secrets continues to shows Korea how it should be done. This is what happens when a writer as skillful as Lee Soo-yeon gets teamed up with brilliant actors, a talented director and a PD that understands how to bring all of that talent together.Jo Seung -woo is back as Hwang Shi-mok, the incorruptible prosecutor suffering from brain damage following surgery when he was young. He is joined once again by idealistic police officer Han Yeo-jin (Bae Doo-na). Set several years after the events of the first season, time and an inherently corrupt system has not been kind to either character, both ground down by the machinery of justice and both clearly nearing burnout.
This season starts with fog, Shi-mok's headlights illuminating it faintly and this image underpins everything the writer is trying to tell us about the quest for justice. Which way do we go through the fog? What step do we take? Which direction is the right one and which just gets us more lost? While blood splatter led us through the forest in the first season, there is no clear direction here: just people going through the motions and wondering whether they make any difference in the world.
The tone of season 2 is not just grim, it's leaden. The weight of those years bears heavily on our two protagonists as they attempt to navigate their way out of the fog, their path lit however dimly by a belief that justice is possible even if the pursuit of it is exhausting.
Forest of Secrets has grounded its narrative in this season in the fight between the police and the prosecution over investigative rights. As the infighting accelerates and the two sides seem more intent in slinging dirt than in serving the public, corruption gathers apace as it always does. And with our eternal partners Shi-mok and Yeo-jin on opposite sides, both will begin to question their role, their ethics and their ability to retain their independence and objectivity in an environment where it seems everyone is compromised in some way.
Forest of Secrets 2 may not be as rollicking as its first season but the writing is even more skillful, insightful and mature. We flounder in the dense fog as much as our characters do at first, waiting for that path out. And by putting us there and building that atmosphere, everyone involved shows us that they are truly at the top of their game.
Everything - the writing, direction, music, design - every aspect of this drama is almost perfect as its first year was as well.
This remains the pinnacle of Korean drama and its sophomore season merely cements that rank.
Was this review helpful to you?
1. No overglorification of a single character.
2. Good romance and chemistry between the lead pair(s).
3. Decent CG.
4. Good costumes.
5. A somewhat good ending (All those "see you in the next life" endings are annoying when they pop up without warning)
Story: It is yet another adaptation of Si Da Ming Bu by Wen Rui'an. The title literally means "The Four Great Constables" and chronicles the journey of the Infamous Four of the Divine Deputy Bureau as they try to maintain peace, investigate cases, destroy the great villains and put an end to the devious plans of the Royal Lord An Shi Di.
Characters:
"Cold Blood" Ling Xie: The leader of the Infamous Four. Rude and indifferent on the outside, but it all stems from his tragic past. He is the prince of the wolf tribe who lives for vengeance on those who killed his people. Though his life span is shortened by the wolf poison in his heart, revenge is his sole purpose in life till he meets Chu Ying Xue (as expected?).
"Heartless" Wu Qing: Kind and gentle - in many ways the opposite of Cold Blood, but is eternally suffering due to a tragic love. But is his lover actually dead? Can they be still reunited? Or is she the one actually destined for him? The questions are answered as the story progresses. Keep your napkins ready though.
"Chaser" Zhui Ming: A jolly fellow and also a friend of the princess. Has been in love with the princess, but she is infatuated with Cold Blood.
"Iron Fist"; Tie Shou: Gets his name from the iron gauntlet on his hand and a prodigy as hand-to-hand combat. Has his own romantic interest.
Chu Ying Xue / Chu Li Mo: A seemingly naive girl, who is actually the daughter of the Holy Moon Sect's leader and has the ability to read minds. Her stepparents force her to become a royal concubine, but she escapes and is taken in the Divine Deputy Bureau as a maid. Initially dislikes Cold Blood, but starts caring for him after learning about his past and eventually falls in love with him.
Ji Yao Hua: Member of the Divine Deputy Bureau and grew up with the Infamous Four. Has been in love with Cold Blood despite knowing his secret. In her own words, "When he dies, I wish to die with him." One character we really learn to love and pity in the first half. But does she really give up on Cold Blood? Or is this the beginning of something sinister?
An Shi Di: The primary villain in the series. Wishes to obtain the divine skills and would go to any lengths to do it. But what is his aim? World domination? Or something more?
Others: There are others who might be considered primary characters, but in my opinion, the story revolves around these 7.
The main reason I finished the drama so quickly is Janine. She looks absolutely adorable in traditional Chinese dresses. Her on-screen chemistry with Zhang Han is pretty good as well. Jia Qing did her bit very well. There are so many times one wishes a better future for her - but Janine still comes first :| The four male leads do justice to their roles. Though Zhang Han and Yang Yang get more screen time, the others are not neglected either. A couple of the other female leads are downright irritating, but I guess we just oughta live with it. Loved the costumes on the actresses. Always feels good having multiple romantic threads in the story, with most, if not all, having happy endings.
Music: Fits the story, though nothing great about it.
Rewatch: Yes, it is lengthy and yes, it might get repetitive at times. But nevertheless, it can be watched again and again if you fell in love with the characters (which I did).
PS: I feel this review is kinda lengthy yet inadequate in places. I'll try to edit it later when I have time. Thanks for reading!
Was this review helpful to you?
QUEEN OF IDIOCY AND HER BIGGEST SIMP.
A show that looked quite interesting and engaging from its trailer and previews only to end up as a total dud. The episodes get boring with each case and rarely are moments of anything exciting. It is draggy and even gets annoying sometimes especially the entire relationshit arc between the leads.One of the most dumbest female leads to ever exist. I still don't know how she even managed to become a lawyer. From the previews it looked like she will be one strong willed and badass lady but all you get is an idiotic damsel in distress who just keeps putting herself into dangerous situations, only to be rescued by ML. In almost very ep, she just keep crying and lamenting.
Kang Ki Young finally getting a lead role but just the wrong show. His character is a huge doormat of a simp who just cannot move on from a lady who dumped him to marry someone richer and influential. The entire past love arc was pure crap and would have been better if not kept in the show. Dude keeps on getting hurt by FL's decisions and keeps coming back wiggling his tail.
There is no chemistry between the leads and neither is any character progression. I would say the relation arc between Sara and her ex husband was way better than the ex boyfriend turned coworker dude.
I would say the antagonists were way better than the leads and at some parts I even wanted them to win be it the ex husband or his mother. They did really well with their part.
If you are looking for some exciting law and thriller stuff, this show ain't worth your time.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
