This review may contain spoilers
great visuals but repetitive
This is the kind of drama where you know it is going to end badly but you find yourself watching anyway. I have no idea where this story is going to go because I didn't read the webtoon but I have an idea and it's not good.This drama definitely has a few appeals: visually appealing leads, beautiful cinematography, and the romanticism of a toxic relationship. And sure we've seen college dramas, but this one centers around art majors. That's an interesting and unique touch to this show that I like a lot. But despite these things, the show still feels a bit bland. It kinda feels like the same thing happens every episode but in different ways and I'm kinda tired of it. Nabi puts her foot down, calls Jae-eon out on his bs, puts him in his place, and ghosts him, then he'll come crawling back and do something swoon-worthy and Nabi will let him off the hook again and again and again. I get that's kinda the whole point with this drama but my god did it get repetitive fast.
Song Kang has really surprised me by how many shows he's been in lately, not to mention how diverse his roles are. I hear he might be enlisting soon so he's probably trying to establish himself before serving, and I think he has already. His acting still needs improvement on the emotional side. Or maybe I'm just saying all this because the only thing I've seen him in besides this is Love Alarm. We know he can play the handsome, likable guy but I wanna see more depth from him as an actor. Han So Hee is okay here. Her performance is alright but I really expected more from her after her performance in TWOTM. She was very good there even tho her role was kinda minor so I was expecting a lot from her first lead role. Sadly I was disappointed. I like her character's background but it's frustrating watching her make the same mistakes with Jae-eon in every episode. At least she looks incredibly good with the ML, ri
Now unto Yang Do Hyuck a.k.a. potato boy. He is so gosh darn cute. He's so kind and sweet and humble-the opposite of Jae-eon. You prob already know which team I'm on(lol) but if Nabi ends up with Jae-eon and not him I will be so mad. How can you say no to his puppy eyes?
- I'm back after a month of seeing the finale and I gotta say in really disappointed in the ending.
(CAUTION: SPOILER ALERT)
So unrealistic yet unrealistic at the same time. Maybe I played myself but I had a small glimmer of hope that Nabi would choose neither of the MLs and perhaps take the self-improvement route. That to me was the more ideal and healthy ending. It's clear guy #1 wasn't good for Nabi AT ALL and I find it hard to believe that he really changed for her, but at the same time Potato Boy wasn't a good choice either. Yes he is the boyfriend that Nabi deserves but not the one she needs atm. She really needs to stop dating altogether and develop some sense of self worth, make get therapy for her previous traumatic relationship, and then seek someone who will truly value her for who she is and not what someone can get out of her. But instead we got her openly admitting to the second lead that she knows Jae-eon is bad for her and constantly hurts her, but she cant control her feelings for him so she ultimately choose him. I'm gonna be honest, I understand her logic as a girl with no self esteem or worth, but that did not make me any less livid. The last ending scene was the icing on the cake for me. Its just not possible for Jae-eon to do a complete 180 with his behavior because he "loves" Nabi. When he refused the girls advances and numbers, I thought the only reason he did that was because Nabi was around, bit given his track record, I guarantee if Nabi wasn't there he def would've entertained those girls. And that's the gripe I have with the writing the last episode. Jae-eon's "change" towards his relationship with Nabi was horribly done and felt insincere because it wasn't earned. I'm sorry but once a fuc boi always a fuc boi. Guys like Jae-eon don't change, especially for nice naive girls like Nabi. I already wasn't going to rate the drama so high but ep. 16 made me drop my rating even more.
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A classic combination of wuxia and romance!
This wuxia drama is based on the novel by Wen Rui An, and is one of the many TV and movie adaptations. I decided to watch this since I was looking for a wuxia or historical drama after finishing a modern one (Age of Legends), not to mention that the leads here are a treat to watch. I was not disappointed!What I like:
1) Amazing chemistry between Zhang Han and Janine Chang! I was eagerly looking forward to their scenes together, and looking for video clips of the two.
2) The strong bond/friendship of the four infamous deputies, as they solve cases and fight their enemies together. I also like that there are female deputies in the Shen Hou mansion.
3) Zhang Han as Leng Xue (Cold Blood), Janine Chang as Chu Li Mo and William Chan as Zhui Ming (Chaser) – they are my favorite characters in this drama! Leng Xue, as his name implies, appears cold and uncaring towards others, but is actually a man who cares deeply for the people dear to him. Chu Li Mo is the eldest but unfavored daughter of the government official in her hometown (she grew up with her father and stepmother), who tried to run away from her fate of being one of the emperor's women. She is pretty, smart but can be naive at times. As for Zhui Ming, he is the life of the party, the ladies' man and happy-go-lucky type, but who is also very devoted to his lady love.
4) Yang Yang as Wu Qing (Heartless) – Yang Yang looked so young here, not as manly as Zhang Han, but he was able to carry his role as Wu Qing, a man who looked calm and otherworldly, but was actually very emotional, and struggled to move on from his past love.
5) Mao Ji Jun as Tie Shou (Iron Fist) – he is straight-forward and loyal, but not as strategic as the others.
6) Mickey He as An Shi Geng – A villain you'd love to hate, he was really convincing as a man who becomes mentally unstable and cold-blooded as his thirst for revenge and power consumed him.
7) As this is a wuxia series, it has many fight scenes, and most of them were well-executed. The special effects during the fight scenes in the beginning were a bit over the top, though.
8) Good costume design, hair and makeup, and set design. I like Janine Chang’s look!
9) Although this is mainly a wuxia series with romance, there were also funny/light moments in the drama.
10) The ending was nicely wrapped up, though I would have wanted more sweet scenes between our main couple.
Other comments:
1) Some of the supporting female characters were quite irritating, such as the maids (except Ye Er) and the two sidekicks of Ji Yao Hua.
2) Princess Zi Luo and Ling Yi Yi were annoying in many instances, but I’m glad their characters grew up and were able to eventually redeem themselves.
3) I think there were a bit too many scenes of An Shi Geng reminiscing over his lady love, although I understand it’s meant to show his devotion to her.
4) Since it’s known from the start who the villain is, many of the twists were predictable. Nevertheless, it’s still very engaging and enjoyable to watch.
Final Verdict: I thoroughly enjoyed this, so I would gladly recommend it, especially if you like wuxia with romance!
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If you want to watch this for the romance, it all happens in the first steamy, passionate episode. This is more of a revenge drama, which makes it rather unique. Mi Ran is reminiscent of Glen Close in the American classic, Fatal Attraction. Yes, it's not a relaxing watch, but it is definitely entertaining. The acting is exceptional and the music has some of the best pieces in any drama.
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A Sublime Emotional Journey
I was incredibly excited to be able to see Tan Jianci in a movie theatre on the big screen and was not disappointed. I went with my partner who is not someone who interacts with Chinese entertainment (except through me) and he was also very impressed with the story and acting. I'm thrilled to have gotten the experience and to be able to write this review.TJC plays Li Qi, a lawyer who just wanted to rise above his circumstances. But it's not a kind world for a hearing child with deaf parents (known as CODA) who grew up bullied and in poverty. TJC did a stunning job getting across his struggles between trying to be a good human, who remembers and honors his roots, and his exhaustion with a world that has always pushed him down and never had open doors for him. I'm especially blown away by how adept he seemed at sign language. He looked natural and gave so much emotion through his nonverbal speech.
The main role of Zhang Xiaorui (portrayed by Lan Xiya) was also immensely impressive and moving. Xiaorui is a young deaf woman with the cards stacked against her, but a strong will and an unwillingness to give up or compromise her values. Her scenes with Li Qi were heartfelt and poignant. The juxtaposition of two people from similar backgrounds who clash on their values and approach really helped move the story along in character growth and motivations. Again, the comfort in which the actress used sign language spoke volumes (even when the sound was often muted for effect!) as to the quality of the production, direction, and acting.
An incredibly important shout out also needs to be given to the deep supporting cast of deaf actors. Their stories were equally moving and believable. It is a thoughtful look into the lives of a community that is close knit, but very much disadvantaged and oppressed. I felt that the movie really did a great job highlighting the plight of a marginalized community that falls through the cracks of societal support and is easy prey for those with bad intentions.
I think my only complaint (and why I give this movie a 9.5 instead of a perfect 10) is that the villain, in trying to tell a complex story in 2 hours runtime, lacked depth compared to the rest of the story. I thought his motivations and actions were believable, but the portrayal was almost comical in the lack of nuance. The metaphorical moustache twirling from the antagonist felt contrived when the acting and story were generally so full of thoughtfulness.
The cinematography and sound design deserve a special shout out. The beautifully filmed scenes of a community mired in adversity conveyed much grit but also grim determination. In contrast, the scenes of glitz and glamour gave a sense of the fleetingness and shallowness of eschewing one's morals. The use of music, but especially the use of silence, was phenomenal. It all helped land the beats of this thoughtful story.
If it's at a theatre near you, I highly recommend you take the opportunity to see it. I will say, however, that the subtitles are not as polished as I would have liked. An important note is that the use of the word "dumb" refers to the fairly outdated use of the word to refer to people who are mute. And there was definitely at least one typo. But otherwise, I'm just overcome with joy that I was able to see it in a theatre.
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This review may contain spoilers
Sweeeeeeeeetest Drama
Where Stars LandFinished on 11 July 2020
I watched a bollywood mv of this drama on youtube and it looked so sweet that I decided to watch the drama.
And now I love this drama! (And it's every main character.)
First of all, this is the most sweeeeeeeeeeeetest drama I have ever watched. It is sweet and sad, like sugar with salt of tears. Just wonderful!
The plot summary above makes it seem like the story of hero and heroine is secondary and the stories of people on the airport are the main concept. Nope. The hero heroine are the main characters of this story, the rest is there to support them. While the story of our hero Lee So Yeon and heroine Han Yoo Ruem goes on constantly, each episode has a new problem at the airport for the employees to work on.
And it doesn't get boring in any way. If only, it makes the drama better.
I have never been to an airport, because I or anyone close to me had never been on a plane. But if I were to start travelling in planes someday, I would understand the people there a little. The lives of people working in airports, I kinda understand them now.
The heroine, Han Yoo Ruem: She is one of the best kdrama heroine I have ever seen! She did everything I wanted her to do, and nothing I expected of her due to my having watched 50+ kdrama heroines.
Yes, she is a bit annoying in the first one or two episodes, but she learns quickly. You would understand her reasons later. Give her time. (Though I wish they had shown more of her past.)
She isn't the typical kdrama heroine. She doesn't go around asking annoying questions to hero. She is brilliantly understanding. And I admire and respect her for doing what is right despite all the opposition she gets from people around her. She gives me courage and inspiration. I wish I was more like her. Braver about speaking my mind and doing what is right no matter what.
Hero, Lee Seo Yeon: He is a quiet and mature man, exactly the kind of heroes I like to see, and I usually don't see in kdramas. He rarely raises his voice, but can get scary for others pretty quickly with his demeanour.
Anddddd he really really loves Han Yoo Ruem (Another reason that makes him likable). You can see it in the way he looks at her. The actor, Lee Je Hoon, did a great job of portraying Lee Seo Yeon's emotions. I don't think any other actor could have done justice to this character. A big thank you to whoever selected Lee Je Hoon for this role. (I wonder why we don't see more of such a great actor?)
He is also not a typical kdrama hero. He is kinda aloof sometimes, but he isn't arrogant. He doesn't have a big ego. If something is in his heart, he doesn't hide it out of embarrassment or something. His smiles are rare, but precious. He almost looks like an anime character. He behaves like one too (the way he moves and talks).
Sometime before watching this drama, I happened to read a book which had a similar character as Lee Seo Yeon, so that made me sympathise more with him. (Can't mention the book, as it can give away spoilers). I cried a little for him from time to time, and for them both.
I am gonna give some spoilers here, so please scroll down till you can see 'spoiler ends here' written in capital.
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My favourite scenes were:
When heroine asks him if he likes her, and he says yes. I was also expecting him to say no, as most kdrama heroes do.
When he is going through the hallways of office quickly while covering his arm with his jacket, dodging people. Although this drama had many heartbreaking scenes, this scene was the most heartbreaking one for me. And in the background they were playing, "Someday in your life, walking in different ways. Can someone come and take me to my way." He was trying to go home, and when he couldn't, he tried to hide, to find a place to disappear from people's eyes.
When he tells her he is breaking.
Everytime he saves her.
When he beats up that guy for her. He was feeling guilty and he cried later. But he loved her a lot and I think he was feeling more guilty about not being able to protect her and being by her side.
When heroine tells him that she would be his arm and leg. My heart melted there. Hero's expressions at that time, mirrored my own.
When her compass gets stuck to his arm.
That robot scene was so cuuute, when he almost collides into her while running away from the robot.
My favourite episode was the one where that philipine foreigner refuses to go because he needs to see his baby.
So the spoilers end here.
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Other characters were given a good writing too.
I particularly liked Oh Dae Gi and Na Yeong Jo's character. They were funny at times. These are two security members who work in a team. Na Yeong Jo is curt and often cold and scary. I wished they showed her past story too. So that we can understand. Oh Dae Gi is a softie totally. This one actor doesnt often show up on our screens too despite the talent.
Seo In Woo, actor Lee Dong Gun was annoying sometimes. But I understood him by the end. I am glad they showed his side of the story.
Yang Seo Geon, their team manager, was a good character to see on screen. I wish we say more characters like her.
The drama dealt with everyone's story. They showed what everyone was like outside the office but they did it inside.
Their Director Kwon, he was an interesting character too. An ambitious man, who exchanged his name for a title. His character told me to never run after titles. Because then you loss your own identity. Now you are somewhere someone or something's director.
And it's ost! This drama's ost Mystic World is one of the best things about this drama! It suited well for whatever scene they played it for. Mystic World is now in my playlist.
Admittedly, this drama was not completely realistic, and had some flaws. Like some things were left unexplained. But it still left me with good feelings. There are heart warming stories in it, and there are heartbreaking stories too. I would definitely rewatch it after some time. I loved it.
Here are some of my favourite quotes:
"Why is that important? It could take a person three weeks, three years, or three seconds to suddenly start liking someone."
Lee Seo Yeon
"We are not much different from these passengers. Just like how they pass through here to get to somewhere, we are here temporarily before we move on. There is no need to attach a meaning to it."
Said by a worker at airpot on his last day before retirement. This quote made me think a lot. Maybe he was talking about life.
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Such an Astonishing Story and filled with Excellent Actors and Actresses
This drama is one of the most SUPERB Drama project this 2021 joining The Long Ballad, the story was just amazing, very well balanced and its one of a kind drama (For me:) ).Besides from the good story this drama has their very Superb Actors Starting from the main leads down to the supporting casts, guests and extras they are all really really good all of them played their parts very well, so Salute to the ones that have done the casting.The story is very balanced, systematically arranged and well spiced. The story may have all the things that you have been looking for, Romance with great chemistry, Friendship, Life, Dreams, About social issues, government and has a little bit of comedy sometimes and many more.
One of the things that I was impressed of this drama was that how every single character developed, and you can see the character progress and how they changed from the 1st episode to the last, just like how Yi Zhi and Li Zi's Character.
I cried for some of the scene but the one that I cried the most was because of the reason that we've lost a lot of really good characters in this drama, their deaths really caught me off-guard, and how I wish that they could have make it to the end of the drama but then well as they say everything happens for a reason and their death made a big part on the story.
If you're wondering if there is a Love triangle I cannot say exactly say its a love triangle but I'll just term it as a Love interest there are people that are going to have interest to them, both ML and FL, but the feelings of ML and FL still remains for each other.
As soon as I have finished the drama I miss them all so much that I went back to the 1st episode and started re-watching it again.
I RECOMMNED this drama so much and If you're thinking if you should watch this or not all I can say is that_ "STOP scrolling and reading comments and spoilers and JUMP-in to the drama NOW and go find it out yourself I promise this drama is WORTH WATCHING." ;-)
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1Story-The Good
A lot of US shows I’ve watched have a 6 to 2 or 7 to 2 ratio of male to female characters unlike real life. Strong female relationships are often sorely lacking. The writer of OSN has about a 50/50 ratio of male to female characters. The FL has close relationships with her sisters and friends! And surprisingly the mothers aren’t harpies. I found this encouraging and refreshing. I will seek out future dramas by this writer.
The Bad
I have no problem with slow burn romances but someone forgot to turn the crockpot on for this one. As of episode 18 the story was still trying to find traction. I struggled to connect with the FL’s motivation, the ML’s and her ex’s.
The Ugly
The FL had the characteristics of MLs I dislike. She was domineering, selfish, and unsympathetic. Just when she seemed to have some character growth she would revert back. The one time the ML showed vulnerability she pulled back instead of reassuring him and later punished him in a humiliating way. I couldn’t figure out what he saw in her and why he fell so hard when he had been burned badly before. I wanted to feel caught up in their romance but it felt flat to me.
Acting
I was underwhelmed by Han Ji Min and I loved her in Hyde,Jekyll, and Me. And who took the light out of Jung Hae In’s smile and the salt out of his tears? The baddies seemed tired and toothless as if they couldn’t figure out why they were doing what they were doing. Overall the acting wasn’t terrible but I’ve seen several of these actors do a much better job.
OST
As always, I love Rachael Yamagata’s music. However, the music clips often didn’t match the mood of the scene.
Rewatch Value
Not likely. Or maybe one day I’ll try again when I’m in a different mood and it will speak to me. Sadly I don’t think that it will as much as I will want it to.
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This series continues to utilize it's format as a web drama very well, with excellent pacing and well put together episodes that manage to discuss and deal with difficult topics in a short period of time without leaving the viewer feeling wanting. It also manages to handle the complexities of the issues in a way that emphasizes how frustrating they can be while still putting forward a positive message.
This season dealt with issues in the workplace, a good continuation from the first season, and also managed to capture the difficult nuances of workplace harassment, the complicated nature of reporting problems, and the very real issue that is the lack of support and belief in the workplace. It also demonstrated the importance of women supporting women, particularly female mentors and superiors, and the role of male peers supporting women. One message I especially liked was that you do not have to forgive someone who harasses you, especially someone who doesn't actually apologize.
"Let's try our best and become happy together."
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An Irresistible Blend of Laughter and Love
"Hilarious Family" is a slapstick drama characterized by its exaggerated expressions and actions. Despite this, the comedy remains relatable, with natural and genuinely hilarious jokes. Each character is distinctly unique, realistically portrayed, endearing, and undergoes well-developed growth. The deliberately exaggerated acting, though, is both convincing and playful. At its core, the story follows a widow who raises her four daughters by selling tofu. Now that the daughters are grown, the widow is focused on finding suitable husbands for them, providing a satirical commentary on societal norms that still resonate in today's world.The story introduces multiple romantic couples, each with their own amusing yet heartwarming stories. The music dances with a whimsical charm, amplifying the actions and emotions of both the events and the characters.
Du Ruyu (Liu Lin) adores all of her daughters equally, though there are moments when it may seem like she favors the eldest and overlooks the second. This, as it turns out, is a misunderstanding. Her strong sense of pride and concern for social image often lead to comedic mishaps. Her own romantic subplot adds a sweet and amusing touch to the story.
The eldest daughter, Chun Jinrong (Han Yunyun), at 29 years and 18 months, is fervently in pursuit of a husband. Her mother pulls out all the stops to assist her in this quest. Jinrong is the most refined among the daughters and invests the family's limited resources in clothing and accessories, all in the hopes of attracting a wealthy suitor. Initially appearing as a potential gold digger, as the story unfolds, we come to understand her motives and see her love for her family. Her escapades and encounters are hilarious.
Chun Peilan (Jackie Li), the second daughter, is a gentle and domestic individual. Her aspirations are centered around cooking, managing household chores, and caring for the family. While no one anticipates her finding love, she captures the heart of a very handsome man with dreams of becoming a valiant hero and a dashing sword fighter, but he couldn't use a sword.
The third daughter, Chun Banxia (Wu Jiayi), is a principled individual intolerant of any hint of wrongdoing. She is well-versed in the law and medicine, and assists her uncle in running a small clinic from home. The humorous exchanges she has with her mother underscore her sharp wit and determination.
Finally, the youngest daughter, Chun Keling (Li Jiaqi), is a spirited tomboy known for her youthful courage and impulsiveness. She enjoys venturing outside, often accompanied by a pair of friends, to confront bullies and teach them a lesson. Unbeknownst to her, a remarkably handsome young man falls in love with her for her distinctive qualities. However, not every girl dreams of marrying a prince, and Keling is no exception.
The final episode strikes a poignant and insightful note, yet the comedy continues, offering a delightful contrast. Lu Buping's hilarious kitchen scene and his comical daikon cutting leave deep impression. Chun Peilan originally requests the daikon to be diced into small cubes (丁), which is the true essence of cutting into "ding". Lu Buping, however, took a more literal approach, sculpting it into the shape of the character 丁("ding"). Despite its slapstick nature, I'm consistently impressed by the exceptional writing and acting on display.
My Verdict
Rowdy and constantly chaotic, this heartwarming story does away with traditional antagonists. Challenges faced by the characters often find resolution through serendipity. Every chaotic mishap can be traced back to a series of comically absurd misunderstandings. The romance is tender, endearing, and injected with humor. The dialogue is natural and witty, and the performances are praiseworthy. It's an easy-to-follow, enjoyable relaxation suitable for the entire family.
Recommended!
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not communicating hurts more than can imagine...
This time TrueFilm surprised us with an established couple - but as it's typical with their short-stories, they have a problem communicating. You may think it's the same old same old, but it's not. It's a result of social pressure in Korea and someones inability to accept all the love he receives witout being able to give it back 1:1.In this short series (around 30 minutes without last episodes repeat) they acting was a much higher as before. Both leads did a very good job in conveing their characters, so they are very believable. There are of course some production lapses, they had to lip-sync one scene (or they did remove all other noises which made it look a bit steril). Also on-body microphones can hinder a delivery in a scene especially in an emotional scene in the finale, a boom microphone would have been the better choice. Of course they still could not get into a real bar - but I guess that's a running gag for them now 🤣
Overall this was not really entertaining, because it was not fun to watch, but it was a very good watch. Some stories don't need 10 or 12 episodes with 45 minutes to convey a story and they did nail it this time.
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Forbidden thirst
Loved it. Obsessed with it. Could write a thesis about it. Fearing I will find everything bland after it. ZZD and Zuo Yi are completely immersed in their roles. I wish I knew who directed and wrote the drama because there was some really standout work done here, as usual for verticals you have to work with limited means (sets, extras, music, costumes, time, etc.) to sell your story, and they achieved quite a feat of magic, creating this fascinating, enchanting piece of drama set in an exotic, lush bubble.The ambitious story is about the 10-years long tragic, love/hate, push/pull relationship between an immature, self-destructive teenage HK heiress and her ex-criminal guardian running away from his violent past, trying very hard to keep the word he gave to her mother to raise her without touching her, while being desperatly in love with her (mission : impossible). ZZD ad Zuo Yi lit my screen on fire with their raw chemistry, and their romance gave me strong vibes of 90's/00's angtsy melo shoujos like Fuyumi Soryo's Mars, or Saito Chiho's messed up love affairs (he even wears a frilly open-neck chemise, a staple of even older golden era shoujos). She's in a hurry to grow up, he's torn between lust and his duty to see her live her youth without burning steps. Of course she has no idea how much her playful, abrasive and curious behavior is cruel to him until he starts losing control and she finds herself overwhelmed and scared of what she aroused. It's perfect, and then it becomes even more complex as they start to involve other people in their toxic relationship. Complaints were made against the drama for being too confusing, but I think this is half due to brutal edits (some scenes are clearly missing parts) and half the case of a drama that is not overtly explicit, needing you to pay more attention to implied meaning, frame composition, and physical acting/choreography than any telling (they even repeat like a mantra that love is about action, not intention, or something like that according to the subs, I think that's the gist).
For example, they use a TON of water imagery because the story is all about...thirst, and pent-up lust (also water is one of the first visual or sound clue used in dramas to imply desire). There is also the idea that the heroes need each other like they need water to drink or air to breath, combined with the very delicious (yet again kinda old school) plot of the tragic couple that everything pulls apart (danger, age, distance, family ties, generations, engagements, class, even country as he's given a stranger vibe with blond hair and can speak italian). I don't think we need to understand precisely what is going on with the mafia (he's running from a very shady past, thinks he's cursed to cause doom to every woman he's close to : that explains most of his actions until the end). I also think that it's a drama you can re-watch to understand better, as many scenes are quite rich in symbolism (I watched it three times when I discovered it, have since watched it two more times, and know I will come back to it).
Finally, I will fight for the idea that the ending is 100% a true HE : the final arc fell victim big time to obvious limitations in costumes and sets, but there are some definitive clues that it is not a dream (the necklace, the phonecall, the change of scene), at this point of the story she has risen to his level, confessed her feelings (great scene by the way, all done without explicit words) and what he tells her in their little eden is going full circle with their first meeting. Language is very important to the show (love language, foreign language and dialects, body language, what can't be said, the gap between adult's and kid's words, between what you say and what you feel), and I don't know why they would put such an obvious reference to what she first said to him if they didn't intend that precise scene to be his belated, real answer. There is also the fact that he was no stranger to disappearing from her life with no warning, and the way he reappears (while they play the "prove love with your actions" line !) is coherent with the idea that he had to be "reborn" and shed his past to be with her, fully and without pretense (also a staple in romance and dramas in general, using bodies of water all the time to mean the death of an old self and the birth of a new one). Also note how the drama starts at night in dark, troubled waters and ends with them basking in the sun in clear waters after what felt like a never-ending damp, rainy season (I can go on forever with the water symbolism).
So yeah, She's Trouble (hate the "god is a girl" dumb english title that has nothing to do with anything) is getting on my vertical pantheon, and it has ruined me : give me all the pretentiously artsy, indie-like romantic verticals that have deep messages, SYMBOLISM, and the hottest, most talented actors of the vertical industry drowning their existential crisis and sexual frustration in cheap whisky and cold showers while looking fabulous. I'm desperate for a director's cut of it or at least a version with all scenes intact and a solid translation.
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Beautifully shot and quietly observed coming of age drama.
Kanto is an Ainu teenager living in a small tourist town of Japan’s northern Island, Hokkaido. Still struggling with his father's death one year prior, he's eager to leave behind the rural and isolated town he grew up in. When the village elder Debo tries to educate Kanto in Ainu traditions, two ways of living collide.The Ainu are an ethnic group indigenous to northern Japan. Through the film the viewer gets to experience several Ainu traditions such as dances, music, rituals and feasts. It also shows different generations struggling with their identity and doesn't shy away from social commentary. My favorite being the moment a tourist compliments Kanto's mother, a fellow Japanese, on her Japanese skills. The irony of that hits pretty hard.
Nature plays a huge part in the life of the Ainu, so it felt only natural that it was a big part of the movie as well.
It offers an abundance of gorgeous shots of deep, green forests, beautiful seashores and the rural town. The changing seasons as well as the long and calming shots give the movie an incredibly relaxing atmosphere.
This felt like taking a relaxing walk through a beautiful landscape.
With its documentary style, 'Ainu Mosir' quietly observes younger and older Ainu generations trying to find their place in our modern times. Never judging but simply exploring their day-to-day life. Paired with the convincing performances of the non-professional Ainu actors, this makes for a compelling, grounded and authentic watch.
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I kind of liked it? It wasn't extremely special in some kind but it is a really good lakorn in it's genre. These days the theme internet gets more and more attention in movies, series and books. And this lakorn was about it. Facebook, Instagram, Line and Tinder (!) were the means to get to know each other to communicate with each other. You could see yourself in the characters.
They were ordinary stories every could relate to one of them or more and the actors did a good job, as everything seemed really natural, they were just some students who felt lonely in this society.
The music was good for those pats that I listened to them, it didn't disturb the flow or was annoying (like in some tw & k-dramas).
You should watch it if you want more GMM, youth dramas, light fluffy dramas :D
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Huge potential, poor execution and disappointing ending
Let me preface this by saying this was one of my most anticipated dramas of 2021. From the trailer, it looked like we were finally getting a good sapphic love story with an actual, intriguing plot. I was so, so wrong.The story revolves around Beth and Cindy, an online couple with thousands of followers. They seem to be the perfect couple in their fans, the Umamis, eyes. But unbeknownst to others, every thing they post is a facade of what they want other to see, with one cheating and the other exploiting their relationship for likes/subscribers. When Beth finally snaps and demands they call it quits so she can move in with the person's she's been cheating with, Cindy reluctantly agrees. Right before they can announce their breakup, fate sends them a message that could change everything. They could earn millions — only if they can convince others they are head-over-heels in love, and therefore deserving of the cash prize in a relationship goals contest.
They only have to pretend for 10 days to achieve this. What could go wrong? A lot, as this drama properly showcased. What could've possibly gone right? A lot, as this drama didn't showcase at all.
This was one of the most toxic relationships I've seen in a series. There wasn't a single moment in the show where I wished they'd end up together. All I wanted to do was put them on opposite sides of the Earth and wish they never interacted with each other again. Cindy was extremely manipulative and never really expressed remorse for her actions. Making bad decisions without thinking was Beth's strong point, as she proved continuously over the span of 8 episodes. At the penultimate episode, there was a small glimmer of hope — maybe they were about to do right thing for once. But the ending completely crushed my hopes. It felt unsatisfying and abrupt. In a way, it also filled me with dread. Every lesson they had learnt was suddenly un-learnt. There was no point in this drama at all.
They tried to distract us from the weak plot and irritating characters with a dash of humour every now and then. Unfortunately, it didn't work. I didn't really notice the music in the show because I was too busy seething with rage. Rewatch value is 1.0 only because MDL doesn't allow a lower rating than that. I wouldn't touch this drama again with a 10-foot pole.
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