This review may contain spoilers
i will be the odd one out... this much ado about nothing
will start off with a basic fact, i think ballroom dancing is repetitive & boring. when u 1st see a competition it's glamorous cause of how they r dressed (especially the women) & the moves r cool, but the more u watch - it's basically the same moves in each dance, performed the same by all the couples on the floor. yeah others might enjoy this, to me this not entertaing after the novelty wears off.& ironically or not, i found this BL to be much the same. i aint faulting the actors (that brought their A game) - but the plot - where did it take us?!? the culmination wasn't even the 10 dance competition - which this freakin movies is titled after & the illusion of an open end, was a farce.
1st off my favorite character here was Tajima Aki (Suzuki Shinya's dance partner) i liked her personality & even though she & Yagami Fusako were treated like a prop - like marionette's to use when needed & then tossed aside, cause they weren't the mains, Tajima was still very visible to me. Yagami just made me feel sad.
the mains, was this even a love story?!? & NO i don't need sex or even a kiss (mentioning the kisses OMG but it felt like they weren't insync even there) for it to indicate this a romance. yeah Suzuki fell hard & fast, even showed signs of jealously, frustration & yearning. while Sugiki had eyes only for the dance, even if he ran after Suzuki, kissed him & then offered him the last dance. what he really offer of himself?!?
when Suzuki wanted to get closer he pushed him, saying they were enemies. after every woman Sugiki encountered, told him that the one thing he lacked was 'love'. so when he finally had a chance to open up & give of himself - he put up a wall & pushed Suzuki away.
so the end, where he came to Suzuki & requested he accompany him on the dance floor, to me that was his way of getting Suzuki back into the 10 dance competition (which he had no intention of being a part off) after the way Sugiki rejected him. the fact Suzuki smiled, means he is as deluded as some of the comments i read - thinking Sugiki is now ready for them to be together. heck from what we had in this movie, was there even a grand anything or just intense psychical attraction that could amount to nothing more, then a one night stand?!??? the writer's gave us nothing to draw from IMO.
2 plus hrs & i didn't see any growth in Sugiki, not one that would indicate he is ready to put another human above his ambition's to win or above the dance. maybe i am being to harsh, but i don't get the hype, yeah great looking guys & they had good chemistry, but does that amount to a great movie? meeh - this was just ok...
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Rant review
Hi, this is my personal review so you guys are welcome to disagree. No hate, please. I am going to go over the good and bad aspects of this drama.THE GOOD:
1. The story is quite unique. On paper, this story is perfect for a blockbuster series. You get three lifetimes of our main character where they will live differently each time. A perfect pitch for a great drama.
2. The chemistry of the main lead was off the chart. Bai Lu and Luo Yunxi have great chemistry together. As we saw from their previous drama "Love is Sweet". So there was no doubt that they will be great together opposite each other.
3. Music is somewhat good. Nothing unique though.
4. The fight scenes, where they fought instead of jump cuts and wire work, were actually good.
5. VFX in some parts was awesome. It would have been nice if it was consistent. You can actually see the potential of the VFX team in some parts of the drama.
THE BAD:
1. Execution of this drama was so bad. The whole drama repeated the same things over and over again. This drama was all over the place. The repetition of the same story made it boring. The three life showed the same old sappy drama, crying, and betrayal. You guys got three lifetimes, could have tried to do something different.
2. 0 character development of the female lead. Throughout the whole drama, the male lead tries to prove himself multiple times that he is a good person. Whenever there is some development between the main leads something happens and they are back to square one. If you actually love someone love like you mean it. The things that the female lead does was actually harsh and I get that was the main point of this drama. However, after living as Mingye and Sangjiu, there needed to have some significant development in their character and perception of each other.
3. Everything was way too rushed. At one point they were doing something, and in the next, they were doing another thing. Especially after the first 15-20 episodes everything happened in a blink. The characters didn't have any space to breathe. It was like the drama was in a fast mode and they needed to show the three lifetimes quickly.
4. Choppy editing. I don't want to judge the editors but man please do a better job next time. Apart from the jump cut, your drama needs to have some flow. Don't cut out important moments just because you are in a time restraint.
5. The second lead relational developments were so bad that it makes me want to cry at the wasted potential. Some of the character choices were also bad and unnecessary.
6. The costumes were so ridiculous that even the actors made fun of them in their BTS. Come on it's 2023 and we seriously need an upgrade from the typical costumes and color palate. "Sangjiu and Ye Xiwu's wedding dress was cool though."
7. Make-up was all over the place. In some scenes it was good and in some scenes, they just did the actors dirty. Stop whitewashing your actors. they look like dead people, especially Luo. In some cases, I get it was a creative decision but it shouldn't have been the case for most of the scenes.
8. Whoever thought that blood spitting is a great idea is clearly a sadist. When a character spits blood it conveys a message to the audience that something bad is happening or they are in danger. However, if you do it in every scene it just becomes nasty. At one point I was counting splatters on the actors' faces from the blood spits instead of focusing on the story.
Final Thoughts:
This drama needed to be divided into two seasons. In that way, the characters would have had the space to breathe and develop. The story would have also had the substance that it desperately needed. The only reason I finished this drama was because of the main leads. However, the initial excitement I felt at the beginning of the drama died out at the midpoint. The ending was super disappointing, could have done better. Hopefully, we will be able to see Bai Lu and Luo Yunxi together again in another drama. They are a super cute couple.
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This review may contain spoilers
Lost the potential of adapting a classic original romance story.
I have watched every Boy over flower adaptation: Meteor garden(2001/2018), Hana Yori Dango(2005), Boys over flower(2009) and have re-read the manga too many times to count. I'm trash for this franchise, so when I heard a Thai version was announced, I was super excited to see how it would go! I loved the first half of the drama, but unfortunately, after finishing the second half, it lost a lot of potential by having an unsatisfying execution of the boys over flower storyline. If you are a fan of the boys over flower franchise or want to know what the fuss is about, I'd still recommend this drama; just don't expect a lot of screentime for the main couple's romance in this drama remake. It's not the best Boys over flower adaptation for everyone, but it's entertaining most of the time.SPOILERS
Story:
Rating for first 8-9 episodes: 9/10-9.5/10
I absolutely fell in love with this adaptation for the first half of the story; as a college student too stressed to take a break, the only highlight of my weekend was catching a new episode of F4 Thailand! It started with a bang! The Japanese version(Hana yori dango) is my absolute favorite franchise adaptation. I was so thrilled to see that the Thai adaptation followed a similar storyline in the drama's first half. It did a great job to set up how Gorya started to fall for Thyme; I hated the whole Betrayal scene at the beach with a burning passion in the manga/meteor garden/BOF. I'm glad the Thai version also omitted that scene, similar to how HYD did. So things I liked OVERALL in the series
F4 friendship- it was a good amount of screentime to show how close and strong their friendship is and they had their bromance moments. Kavin and MJ were a funny pair! You can see how close the F4 are super close to each other.
Ren was the best version of Rui. I was never a huge fan of Ren's characters and never got second lead syndrome from him or the drama other version. I would either think he was pretty bland or feel bad for him since he always remained alone at the end of the story. The Thai version is the only one where I looked forward to seeing Ren! Ren falls in the list of characters in the story who didn't get the screen time they deserved! Still, given that only 16 episodes, I liked Ren! He supported Gorya whenever he could. There isn't a lot of screentime for Ren after episode 7, so maybe the writers just didn't have time to add Ren pursuing Gorya more, which I honestly didn't mind since I'm not a huge fan of the love triangle in the story anyway, lol.
Amnesia arc- It definitely should NOT have been that fast pace BUT since it was super short, the writers didn't have to add the bitch character who tries to steal the Thyme from the Gorya due to memory lose( I strongly dislike that whole arc in every adaptation/manga haha)
The chemistry between the leads - I like it! Despite the lack of many potential romance scenes, the casting choice was well done.I don't know why many people have a problem with Bright's acting; he was able to portray Domyouji(Thyme)'s character pretty well by pulling of a variety of wild emotions from acting angry, sad, confused dork, and love he gives Gorya takes a lot of energy to pull of this character. Thyme is not my best version of Domyouji for me cause Matsumoto Jun will always be my all-time favorite to pull the lovable dork off; however, I really liked Thyme and was always rooting for him whenever shit was getting bad; so well done, Bright! Even though I'm not a huge fan of Gorya's character development, but Tu completely nailed her acting for whatever the script told her to do. She's definitely a monster rookie actress; I still can't believe we're the same age! She's got a great acting career ahead of her! Bright and Tu have great chemistry, and it's a shame they weren't promoted as much as a pair due to their company; I'm hoping they can be a couple again in another drama someday!
Cinematography- I don't think it's the most important thing in a drama since the story is most important. However, it does add a nice extra layer, such as the directing shots/ locations chosen and camera angles that made the drama look pretty to watch.
Rating last half for episodes 10-16: 6/10-7/10
Pretty much the downfall of the series. Too many story arcs were being squeezed into one episode, resulting in Thyme and Gorya's love story being poorly executed since it was so rushed. There was soo much lack of romance between Thyme and Gorya; it was completely frustrating. Hana yori dango is a ROMANCE story between a rich guy and poor girl being the main center of the plot, but F4 Thailand made me question if I'm watching a coming of age/drama/comedy instead and having the romance be a filler. Based on the original Hana Yori dango series, the main leads have a very strong, passionate, and emotional love toward each other because they spent so much time in a relationship. But Thyme and Gorya's love was more like puppy love; it was not strongly developed as it should be since there was already a lack of romance in the second part of the story. Gorya and Thyme BARELY spent time as a couple. So when they had their rain breakup, it was so underwhelming, I didn't feel emotionally super sad about it cause they didn't spend so much time developing a deep, strong love relationship. Suddenly there was a 1-year time skip yet, after which felt strange. And I always felt like Thyme loved Gorya WAY more than Gorya loving Thyme equally back. They should equally love each other; if only they had more time to be a couple at least it would have shown. The drama tried to make up more of Goya's affections for Thyme in the last episode, but it wasn't enough to convince me they both strongly equaling loved each other.
Here are the many issues I had in the story:
Lack of screen time for some supporting characters that I grew to appreciate and enjoy in the original storyline and relationships built, which could have been improved if they had done 20 episodes rather than 16 potentially.
Thyme's sister
Gorya's funny dynamic family
Thyme's maid- The original story she was such a huge support to get the main leads getting together in the maid arc!! Where the hell did she go? She even had her own bittersweet backstory with helping Thyme in the original plot.
Thyme and Gorya's brother: I thought the writers would bring them even closer like how the Japanese version did. That would have been nice to see.
Kaning and Gorya's friendship- I absolutely loved Makino and Yuki's friendship in the manga! Yuki(Kaning)was such a good best friend; she was very important in the story for Makino(Gorya) to bounce her feelings to whenever she was confused about what to do with her relationship with Tsukusa(Thyme). Yuki's character was well done in all the other drama adaptations. However, I'm very disappointed with how the Thai version did to Kaning. I think she had the potential to be better from episodes 1-4, but afterward, I barely felt her existence in her characters.
Kaning and Kavin's relationship was not very development and underwhelming: second lead's relationship in this adaptation feels like a complete joke! It's so sad cause I liked the relationship built in the manga and other drama versions, but here, the Thai version doesn't care about them and gives a poor wrap of their relationship in one episode. Sometimes I forget they were even dating until the last episode.
Talay's (kidnapper) story was too long and unnecessary, I honestly couldn't care less about how close and special his backstory was with his friend which Thyme beated up. Instead, the drama should have focused and included more screentime to see how Thyme is not fighting back and getting beat up for Gorya since she could get hurt by the kidnappers. This was supposed to be a sad romantic scene between the leads, but oh well….
Thyme should have given Gorya the necklace AFTER ending with relationship with Lita, it was felt odd and concerning for him to completely forget that he is still in a relationship wit Lita when he did that.
Gorya's downfall: I like Gorya but sometimes I didn't because she was violent with Thyme. It was okay, I guess, back when she didn't like him and still felt Thyme was a bully; however, even after she came to love Thyme, she was still abusive by punching him on the balls, like wtf. How is this comedy? I might have let this pass if I was still in middle school; however, I'm in my early 20's now, and this is just wrong to see. It makes Gorya unlikable and hard to root for her to be in a relationship with Thyme:( Also, not trusting Thyme by blindly believing the Talay about the red card completely messed up all the buildup she had with her relationship with Thyme after episode 7. I know Makino(Gorya) is way too ridiculously naive in the manga at times and believes and forgives a lot of characters that she should not have done; however, I don't think Gorya should have been portrayed this extremely naive. Also, what are Gorya's goals in life?! We don't even know what she wants to do? At least in Hana Yori dango ,meteor garden and boys over flower, we know that Makino wants to be a lawyer, Shancai wants to be a chef and Jandi became a doctor. But Gorya doesn't even have any ambitions besides yelling all the time lol. Another reason why 16 episodes is not enough.
Thyme's mom redemption- so rushed at the last episode by squeezing it with the amnesia arc drama in just 20-25 minutes lol. The Thai version made the mom probably the cruelest and most evil out of all the adaptations, including the manga! The mom lied about having an illness to Gorya and not giving Thyme his medication to regain his memories until the very last 20 MINUTES of the drama. Last-minute, she finally lets Thyme and Gorya be together after all that so fast?! it just feels too rushed for her redemption. It could have been done in 2 episodes and slowly have her change and think things differently about Thyme and Gorya's relationship instead since she was so cruel from the beginning anyway. Suppose the drama was going to do their way. In that case, they should have cut the whole amnesia arc drama and just focused on ONLY the mom's redemption arc in the final episode, similar to how t Meteor garden 2001 handled it.
It's like the series lost its sense of direction of what made it so good in the first half of the series; maybe the writers were rushed when they had to make it 16 episodes cause the drama had so much potential to be better than what it became, it could have been 20 episodes max to improve on a lot of issues like deepening Thyme and Gorya's relationship, but unfortunately, a lot of things felt flat, rushed and underwhelming when the characters overcame to their challenges :( Maybe I would have enjoyed the drama more if I binged it like I was normally planning to, but waiting every week for a new episode made me very critical and reflected on each episode during that time.
I did like the final 10 minutes of the drama; glad they included the odd memorable F4 dance that happens in almost every drama adaptation! I was just bummed out Thyme and Gorya didn't get engaged; I was anticipating so much for a proposal, similar to how Hana Yori Dango did lol.
Anyway, I'm glad the drama is finally over with Thyme and Gorya having their happy ending.
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OFFGUN IN THE KITCHEN HITS SWEETLY DIFFERENT
I must say that people are being just too paranoid about this. After Not Me, Senior Secret Love Puppy Honey, Theory of Love. Everything about Offgun makes these guys undoubtedly one of the best and most successful onscreen couples in Thai BL. While of course each of these shows portrays them as relatively mature characters, I guess Cooking crush has given me something different.We've seen these guys act cute before, I mean there was I'M TEE ME TO but that was literally like a pure bromance, Cooking Crush on the other hand has given me a chance to appreciate these guys as a pair of naive Campus kids and the Comedy in this story feels right.
First and foremost, I feel it's worth noting that for me, seeing these two in a rom-com kind of plot after a full year is quite good, I have seen funny shows like VENUS IN THE SKY but on Screen I have never seen a couple that makes it seem that they are so meant to be like Offgun.
The Offgun Chemistry never dies out as I feel each of the actors are comfortable in their roles. Besides, I feel that they have got a more sincere progression in their onscreen Cooking Crush relationship than in pretty much any of those other shows that make the actors look like hungry sex addicts that I do not want to mention.
On top of that, a rom-com like trope is one you'll hardly expect to see Off and Gun executing very well but Cooking Crush will surpass your expectations. Trust me, the storyline feels simple, and we have seen how very many so called "simple and complicated storylines" have ended up this year, but Cooking Crush is nothing like that.
Is the show worth it? Yes. Cooking Crush will most likely drop in my top 10 BLS of 2024 because it has a catchy opening theme, it is a well paced narrative and shows you that even something simple doesn't need a lot of effort to become beautiful as long as it is sincere. Besides for Offgun fans, I dunno about most of ue but for me, this show hits just right.
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God bless you TV network and may you always entertain us with such dramas that I consider jewels. I can't possibly think of a any better way to say goodbye to year 2015 and welcome year 2016 than watching this beautiful masterpiece. I'm not the best writer and I'm not english native speaker, I don't have much vocabularies to support my reviews or to say the least about this drama so I really thought this over and over and decided to write one even though I'm sure it won't be good enough (that's how much I loved this drama).
I never had feelings for any show the way I have for this one, as soon as I open my eyes in the morning and as soon as I close them at night this drama never left my mind all day long. How long has it been for me to think about a drama during my daily life, and recall scenes and smile by myself just from recalling flashbacks? To be honest I don't think it ever went to that extent with dramas that I've seen, I don't think I got attached this deep before. I'm definitely going to have hard time letting go of this one and hard time getting back on track with other dramas.
Story
Taken from life, there is nothing new here everything you've seen and watched and might even have experienced. Two childhood best friends, never relaised their feelings for each other because of certain circumstances. Their friendship is so beautiful you'd wish you had someone like that next to you. I've seen friends turn into lovers but I've never seen it or felt the way I felt with this one. I love how simple yet deep this story is. As I'm writing this review now I find myself smiling...The story had so much depth had so much feelings to share. I find it hard to relate on the emotional and mental level when I'm watching dramas or shows because at the end of the day I'm very much aware that all this is created even if it's presenting real life it isn't real and those are actors.
However Bubblegum has managed to connect with me in every level possible I can't express enough how happy I am with this and how long I've waited for such a drama. To some of you this might be seen as a slow based story because unlike other dramas this drama does not have side stories, pretty much no events happening therefore it is taken as it's going no where and dull. I don't know how can I explain that this is not the case at all I really wish I can and I will try to. This is not a dull not a slow based story this is actually the THE ONLY drama that I've seen so far has something new each ep. In every ep the story has new feelings to share and new development of feelings. I never watched drama with a smile on my face all the time, I never cried in a happy scene in my life. In fact, of all the dramas that I've seen I cried in only two of them and they were sad scenes, I never thought that I would tear up for a happy scene. I guess I have completely forgotten that this is a drama I'm watching and those people aren't real, I felt for them I was supporting them I cheered for them I got hurt for them I felt their pain and finally I felt their happiness. Nothing was taken for granted in this story including their love it wasn't taken for granted and it wasn't easy to make it happen.
Acting
Lee Dong Wook as Ri Hwan: I love this guy, I respect him as an actor he never disappointed me even if his drama did. I was feeling sad for him because he's such a great actor yet his past dramas after Scent of a Woman were all flops. Everyone was telling him to take on a cable drama and I'm so glad he did!! I can never imagine Ri Hwan being anyone but LDW. This is when the character is written well enough which gives a great actor a chance to prove his worth and show his acting skills. Ri Hwan as a character is someone you will definitely be thinking "Can I have a friend like him" He is so sweet so kind and so caring, he chose to be traditional medicine doctor in consideration for those who fear hospitals (as his best friend did). I could't help but feel envious towards Haeng Ah for having such a friend. Ri Hwan's "Believe in me, if we are together we will be Happy".
Jung Ryeo Won as Haeng Ah: She is such a wonderful actress with a great smile, I always admired her which surprised me how come I have only seen few of her dramas!! This will change as I'm definitely going to be watching everything I missed on. I can't imagine anyone else as Hang Ah other than JRW she took in a simple yet deep character and gave it life and more depth I really believed that she is Haeng Ah and when I searched it turned out that she felt the character was very close to her personality (no wonder why it felt so natural). Haeng Ah is simple kind girl, she's very caring and sweet to everyone but not weak. Her character just like all the characters in this show felt real, not over the top not angels or devils but simply normal human beings with flaws. Haeng Ah's "The Happy Child is the meaning of my name, and I want to be happy".
Park Hee Bon as Yi Seul: One of the drama's strongest points, she portrays a very rich girl but how was it presented in this drama? very much different than all that I've seen so far, she is not skinny (which in korea means fat thick huge... you name it), her face is very much natural (I find it pretty) but according to their standards Big = Ugly, she doesn't dress up like all the rich female characters in every other drama, she is down to earth the most modest the simplest girl I've ever seen in drama and the most natural one. Korean dramas finally presented someone who I could see as normal and could be the girl next door, the girl I can see in my real daily life. Even though her self-esteem is broken because of her mother (which is also a character that is taken from real life as I know some mothers are like that) she still stands up for herself and makes a point without disrespecting her mother. She continues to be herself refusing to change anything she believes that is her true identity, yet she is still the obedient daughter who would listen to all her mother's demands as long as it does not involve her changing herself.
Kim Ri Na as Tae Hee: I love this character very much I love the kind of female character she is presenting. Tae Hee is a very straightforward woman, she speaks up her mind without the slightest of hesitation. Her spirit is strong, her personality is strong, she is open up with her feelings and is very comfortable to talk about them. She would go straight up on a guy and tell him that she likes him, she doesn't waste her time playing around with words or worrying how strange people would think about her. She may seem cold on surface because she's very honest but deep down she's very caring person and always looks out for the ones she love. I really admire her character and I wish to be as strong as her.
I would love to write about each and every character is this drama because I loved them all but because I loved all of them that's too many which would make review even longer. I love every single character, I love ALL the female characters (this never happened before). Every character was essential I wouldn't imagine it any other way.
Music
Beautiful!! I loved two OSTs
Because I by Lasse Lindh: This is my favourite, it's so beautiful that even my friends who haven't watched the drama loved the song so much they will watch the drama.
My Time Towards You by Alex: My 2nd favourite, I don't know how were they able to make such fitting OSTs 10/10 doesn't even begin to say it.
Rewatch
Are you kidding me? I'm rewatching this as soon as I submit my review. I have it saved on my computer.
Overall
When I talked about this drama I'm not just talking about the main couple's story, it's not just their happiness or their love story. It was about every single one of them every character got to share his/her story and love and their pursuit of happiness. This drama has different feel to it, so it may not appeal to some of you, I think it takes much more than reason of "entertainment" to watch this. I do hope that there are people who enjoy, love and appreciate it the way I do. All I can say is that I do very much from the bottom of my heart recommend this drama.
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Extremely Strong 1st Half Which Slightly Fizzles Out in its 2nd Half...
This was my first K-drama that I watch while it was currently airing. To be honest, I've never heard of this K-drama before. I was just randomly browsing through Netflix, saw the notification bubble, clicked it out of curiosity and the title "It's Okay To Not Be Okay" piqued my interest. So, I clicked on it, read the synopsis and watched the trailer. It seemed interesting so I gave it a try and BOY, am I glad that I did! The production was stunning! The animated opening was beautiful! The cinematography was interesting and caught my eye for being adventurous. By the middle of the first episode, I was hooked! With her stories, Go Moon Young is like a female Tim Burton, who I was completely in awe of back in the day when I was in high school. She also reminded me of Jo Yi Seo from Itaewon Class with her antisocial behaviour though I do prefer Go Moon Young more. Moon Kang Tae is extremely attractive and the most attractive male lead of a K-drama that I've seen thus far no doubt. The chemistry between Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji is electric! The acting is all-around top notch! The story is intriguing and engaging! I loved how this is a drama with a mystery in its background about the unsolved deaths of the two leads' parents and the reason for the mental illness in each family. Without a doubt, the best drama that I am currently watching at the moment! Hopefully, the drama is able to maintain its momentum throughout the rest of its episodes!Upon watching Episodes 3, I continue to be impressed! Everything is just so good! The story. The acting. The production. The visuals. The costumes. Ugh. The back-and-forth banter between the two leads is just perfect! And I love how they can help each other to grow to become more fully themselves. And that last scene at the end where Kwon Gi Do is on stage having his voice heard whilst avoiding his father's campaign workers while Gang-Tae looks on longingly at his freedom and utter joy. STUNNING! To stop being so repressed and to just let go. To be free and have fun. I can only wish...
On a side note, I'm having a hard time trying to put my feelings of this drama into words. Everything is just so good! It's easier for me to criticize than to praise as I can point out plot points or story elements that don't make sense. However, if everything is consistently good from episode to episode, I don't really need to point out anything.
Upon watching Episodes 5 and 6, I felt that Gang-Tae's transition from being nervous and suppressed around Moon Young to being happy and loving seems a bit rushed. Same with Moon Young being cold and calculating to being warm and affectionate to Gang-Tae.
Watching Episodes 7 and 8, I kinda felt like this series is losing steam as it was pedal to the metal in the beginning but was unable to keep that momentum, which is understandably hard to do. The episodes are still entertaining, but I wouldn't say that they're compelling unlike the first few episodes.
Upon watching Episodes 9 and 10, I realized that the horror-fantasy elements that were present in the first few episodes kinda disappeared for some reason and the series became just a standard drama, though still a good one at that.
Episodes 11 and 12 were quite riveting as the mystery surrounding Gang-Tae and Sang-Tae's murder gets revealed and the romance between GT and MY is shown to be ill-fated. I hope that GT is realizes that it is not MY's fault that her mother killed his mother. We can't blame the actions of one's parents on them. And it looks from the preview of the next episodes that he doesn't blame MY. I truly hope that MY's mother will be caught and that MY and GT will have a happy ending... I'm so sad that there is only 2 weeks (4 episodes) left. I'm going to miss waking up late on the weekend and watching this drama right after I eat lunch :'(
Episode 13 was very slow and a bit dull to be honest. Only the last scene was interesting as it was shown that the nurse was the mother, not the patient. What an unexpected twist! I've always thought that the nurse was kinda weird and a bit off. But if I remember correctly, the nurse never interacted with MY. For someone who is willing to kill another to keep her daughter, the fact that she is able to distance herself from her daughter whenever MY visits the hospital doesn't make much sense. Either way, I'm hyped for the next few episodes! We're in the home stretch now...
Episode 14 was also quite slow and dull to be honest. I felt that there was a lot of filler as they drag out the confrontation with the mother. Also, there were a few questionable plot points, such as why GT decided to leave ST unprotected at the house instead of stay with him and MY at the cursed castle where he could protect them both. Also, why wasn't there any police at the cursed castle or any protecting MY, GT or ST? There weren't any police even looking for the mother, which didn't make any sense. And why didn't GT call the police after the mother kidnapped ST? Anyways, there's only two more episodes to go. I'm still interested in seeing how this series ends.
Episode 15 was underwhelming with quite a few plot points that don't make sense. The mother is angry that MY doesn't listen to her because of GT but MY thinks that her mother is dead. So, how can she listen to her mother when her mother is literally hiding underneath a different face? That doesn't make any sense. The mother's reason for killing GT's mother makes no sense either. All GT's mother did was suggest that MY go get help. She didn't try to take her daughter away or try to report to the authorities. There must have been teachers or other adults who saw MY's antisocial behaviour and talked to her mother about getting her help. If MY's mother is triggered that easily, she must have killed several people before which she hasn't. So, it doesn't make any sense. And anyways, I'm pretty sure that MY would be completely fine with GT killing her mother since her mother did kill his mother and she actually wanted to kill her anyways. But no, save the mother so that the mother could kill MY or GT. And anyways, how did MY get there so quickly without a car? The climax where GT and MY truffle with MY's mother was also quite underwhelming. Hopefully, the season finale will be better.
Episode 16, the season finale, was good. It wrapped up all the plot lines in a nice way and showed ST seeking independence from GT, allowing him to live for himself.
All in all, this Kdrama was entertaining. The cinematography and production design were excellent. The characters were well-developed. The acting was all-around good, especially Oh Jung Se who portrayed the autistic ST perfectly! His performance was Oscar-worthy! The story however was lacking. The first half of the series was strong! It was unique, interesting and fascinating. There was a fantasy/horror edge to it. However, the series delved into a standard melodrama in its second half and all that potential was wasted. The drama was good, but nowhere near what it could've been if it leaned into its macabre, fantastical element which would have differentiated it from the other Kdramas out there. Crash Landing on You, the first Kdrama that I watched, still remains as my favorite K-drama so far...
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This review may contain spoilers
I've never wanted amnesia until this bl
I want to address the fact that some reviews are saying "it depends on what genre you like" how does that make any sense? The genre has nothing to do with how most of us feel negatively about this drama right? So, I'm going to be blunt about how much I hate this series. Also, at episode 10 I couldn't take how slow this show was going so I watched it in 1.75 speed.STORY- TW: Pedophilia/Grooming, Non-consensual Sex
The story is dry, and the script is so shit. The same problems were repeated over and over again where the characters keep lying to one another. They put in some sex scenes so we can ignore the fact that they're in a toxic relationship of lying, abuse of power, pedophilia/grooming, etc. However, the sex scenes still fall flat cause there was no build up and it's just Lian forcing Kuea to have sex with him. This drama is a BL it's not a porno, so a sex scene was so unexpected. Also, the people who were praising this show for "consent" are absolutely wrong because after halfway through the show they throw consent out the window because whenever Kuea kept telling Lian to "stop it" he never stopped and just kept going. This is also true for Hia Yi, and Diao cause their sex scene was so out of the blue and came just after Hia Yi confessed to him and there was no verbal communication, just did it without even saying anything.
About the pedophilia/grooming part, Lian was 7-12 when Kuea was born so there is a big age gap. If I can re-call I think Lian said something about loving him since the day he was born which I find really weird because I assume the type of love he is talking about is romantic and not platonic. The abuse of power comes from how Lian forces Kuea to live with him and doesn't take no for an answer. They're lying to each other because they can't trust the other. Trust is an important factor of a relationship, so this just further shows how they don't have a healthy one.
At the beginning of the show, they made it seem like Diao also had a fiancé but that wasn't even close to what was going on between him and Yi because they weren't even in a relationship. The plot was dragged on and on and didn't develop till the last 2 episodes either.
The arranged marriage part wasn't necessary since there was no reason for the adults to arrange one in the first place. Also, the way Kuea's father just arranges a marriage for them even though Kuea is just an infant is so odd and gross to me.
Diao interfered in Kuea and Lian's relationship after being told he shouldn't which is so childish. Diao and Hia Yi have a major plot hole in their relationship because their past relationship and how they met and what happened to Diao wasn't cleared up.
Lian says to Kuea "I don't think it is love yet" so Lian didn't love him but after Kuea says he's going to call off the engagement he suddenly loves him? They also didn't explain how Lian and Kuea's family became friends. It's also just insane how they make Lian hide the fact that he bought the Keerati family's property from Kuea because something as important as that I think Kuea should definitely know. Honestly, this show is just absurd.
CHARACTERS-
Kuea:
Lian proposed to Kuea, but Kuea rejects him and even after all the "misunderstandings" are cleared he still won't accept his proposal because he wanted to propose to him instead which shows how selfish Kuea is. Kuea is also one who doesn't clear things up and just makes assumptions like, "they didn't tell me because they think I'm a kid". Kuea assumes that Lian doesn't love him despite Lian CLEARLY repeating that he loves him over and over again. He also overreacts and cries way too much. A good example of a character crying a lot is in Theory of Love where they made me actually feel the pain the character is going through and for good reason too. Also, Kuea's real character wasn't elaborated on enough cause the only things we know is that he's a biker, a singer, wears cool clothes, and an engineer student. And once Kuea revealed his true self to Lian he hasn't changed at all and still acts somewhat like a doll.
Lian:
He thinks that Kuea is a "bad boy", who needs to be forced into an environment where he has no choice but confess who he really is. Lian has a small set of facial expressions and is supposed to appear as a cold boss of a big company but clearly doesn't seem to appear that way. Lian at the start of the drama payed little to no attention to Kuea and was cold to him. At the end he has completely fallen for him and acts like a puppy desperate for the other's affection. Lian also is someone who does things behind his lover's back like stalking and getting information on him from people he knows which is really weird.
Diao:
Making it seem like he is a kid who needs to have someone look after him and keep him in check. Diao acts like a kid and still does things like interfering in someone else's relationship. Making NC scenes between him and Yi uncomfortable.
Yi:
A man who pities a guy he loves. Hia Yi got in an accident with Diao at some point and pitied him for what he had done so he gave him a house to stay in. Hia Yi is possessive and controlling to the point where he wants to know where Diao is almost 24/7. Hia Yi and Diao can't properly communicate (which is really bad for a relationship) so Yi buys Diao a dog instead hoping to make up with him.
University friends:
Kuea is a university student and studies engineering. seem familiar? bet it does. Well although his university life doesn't appear a lot in the show there is a side couple of Syn and Nuer. Syn and Nuer had chemistry but barely any screen time at all. The show showed one scene of Kuea's university friend Nuchy where she stood up for how when a woman is mad it doesn't mean they're on their period. This drama has made 1-3 attempts to show how they "care" about lgbtq+ people and women. However, I don't see it as how they care they're just trying to gain likeability.
ACTORS/CAST-
The actors are all good looking and some have great acting experience. I like the cast but their acting in this show wasn't their best. NuNew's acting was.. it was good enough, but he doesn't have any other experience in acting and also the only times he didn't seem cringe to me was when he's at university and when he's on stage.
CHEMISTRY-
Lian and Kuea:
Their chemistry was practically non-existent for me. Only during NC scenes did I feel like they had some tiny bit of chemistry.
Yi and Diao:
Not a lot of chemistry.
Syn and Nuer:
They had good chemistry and a healthy relationship, but I feel like they could pull it off better if they had more screen time. I hope they get to act in a different series together with more screen time.
MUSIC-
2 birds with 1 stone. Thats what it was. NuNew is a singer and an actor he is also good looking. They made him sing the opening song (which I didn't like). He also sang a lot of other songs in the show, but I only liked 1 of them. I feel like they could've just made him the singer and have a different actor for Kuea.
PRODUCTION-
Production quality was definitely great.
TROPES/OVERUSAGE-
The childhood friend trope is definitely an overused one to be honest. Also, Kuea is in university and does engineering which is obviously overused and anyone would know this if you've seen university based bl's. Like they could've made Kuea be in computer engineering and that would honestly make me feel better about this.
OVERALL-
This series is a waste of budget and a waste of your time. This show makes people think being controlled and manipulated is "hot" when it isn't.
P.S.-
Why is an 18+ rated drama on YouTube? that makes no sense whatsoever. If I could give this show a lower rating I would.
If you actually read all my nonsense then thanks. (This is my 3rd review, so I bet it's really shitty)
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I would like to reiterate that this Korean version was not written by the original Bu Bu Jing Xing writer. This is entirely a Korean written drama. The biggest difference are the characters. The main male lead in this drama is a bit of a ruffian and pariah with tendencies towards brutality. The female lead of this drama is a weak character who is always the victim and never a success of her own (which is so unlike the female lead in BBJX!). Maybe the idea of a strong, arrogant, cold male with tendencies towards brutality and a weak, simpering, without backbone and a blur-bordering-on-being-stupid heroine appeals to the Korean audience as per the rich, arrogant, powerful, abusive chaebol guy and the poor, happy, innocent woman formula. In any case, the lack of strong lead characters (including that of the second male lead) totally spoiled this drama for me.
The charm and success of BBJX relied heavily on its unforgettable characters. The storyline of time-traveling and involvement in palace politics itself is not new and pretty 'standard' in the Chinese drama scene. Popular examples include Palace: Lock Heart, The Myth and the recent web-drama comedic hit Go Princess Go. The Chinese have been making such time-traveling dramas for decades now. What made BBJX achieved such a big success was mainly because of its unforgettable characters and not necessarily the storyline itself. The Koreans went and adapt the main idea of the story and the open ended ending but pretty much made a mess of all of its characters.
Do not get me wrong here. I am not comparing the Korean version with the Chinese version. To do so, will be like comparing chicken to duck. Both are two very different products although from the same story idea! I am merely stating that if the Koreans had decided to do a drama based on time-traveling, palace politics and romance - they could learn much from their Chinese counterparts about writing characters that create lasting and strong impacts instead of following the usual mold of what constitutes a successful Korean romance pairing (rich abusive guy with poor weak woman). I believe if they had dared to break away from this mold and give the audience a strong female character with a strong, upright and strategist of a male character against a kind but ambitious second male lead, the drama would have been a much bigger hit. The only characters that this drama did well are the characters of the 10th prince and his wife. To this day, I cannot decide if I like BBJX's 10th prince and wife better or this Korean version's 10th prince and wife. In both versions, the characters of the 10th prince and wife were given good justice although both had different stories and endings for the 10th prince and wife.
Acting/Cast: Most of the male casts did well, as did the supporting actresses. The female lead, however, was a total let down. She only had three expressions: shy smile, expressionless and shocked. Her body language was a bit stiff too - making it hard for me to be convinced that there's even chemistry between her and the male leads; hence making this so-called 'great romance that caused brothers to fight against each other for the throne' less convincing. Even the shocked look looked rather unconvincing. In cases like these, there are 3 possibilities: 1- This was how the character was depicted in the script, or 2- The actress is bad in acting and shouldn't be acting, or 3- Both 1 and 2. I do not know much about the female lead as I do not follow news of Korean young idols and since this is the first drama of hers that I'd watched, I cannot make a concrete judgment of her acting skills. The jury is out on this matter. What I can say for absolute certain was the lead female character was the reason why I dropped this drama after 6 episodes and only caught up after it has finished airing (with fingers firmly on the fast forward button!).
Music: Nothing that stuck in my head.
Rewatch value: I will not be re-watching this.
Overall: Enough said. I recommend that you go watch Bu Bu Jing Xing instead if you haven't watch it.
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1This review may contain spoilers
A Drama About Politics, Humanity, Power, and Emotional Survival
I just completed A Splendid Match and honestly… this drama completely exceeded my expectations. 🍂⚔️✨I had no expectations about this drama. I also had no specific intentions about the cast. I did not think they would do a great job. I liked the plot premise but not the cast. Actually, I thought about not watching this drama at all because the cast looked average and not prominent. And I have seen this type of plot before: historical romance with clever female leads, political scheming, wealthy noble families, and the usual marriage alliances.
But somewhere along the way, this story quietly transformed into something far more interesting.
Because beneath its elegant costumes, marriages, dowries, and aristocratic politics, this drama is actually about loneliness, emotional restraint, power struggles, morality, survival, class systems, sacrifice, and the terrifying cost of living inside political machinery.
And what surprised me most is how emotionally intelligent the writing became.
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🌑 FIRST IMPRESSIONS — A DRAMA THAT HIDES ITS TRUE DEPTH
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At the beginning, I enjoyed the drama, but I did not immediately think it would become something better than expected. The early episodes felt familiar: wealthy households, family rivalries, marriage negotiations, clever female lead, political officials, hidden schemes. And suddenly I realized this was not simply a romance drama. It was a drama about people trapped inside systems. Systems of family. Systems of power. Systems of reputation. Systems of political loyalty.
Every single character is constantly suffocating under expectations. And that is exactly what made the drama feel so human. No character here feels entirely pure. No character feels completely evil. Even the cruelest people often act out of fear, survival instinct, ambition, resentment, or emotional emptiness. This drama understands something many costume dramas forget: people are contradictions. 🎭
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🖤 CHEN YANYUN — ONE OF THE MOST COMPOSED YET TRAGIC MALE LEADS
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Chen Yanyun became one of the most fascinating male leads I have watched. At first glance, he appears calm, elegant, intelligent, and emotionally controlled — almost untouchable. But underneath that composure is a man constantly walking on political knives. What makes him so compelling is that his suffering is never loud. He rarely raises his voice. Rarely loses emotional control. Rarely dramatizes his pain. Instead, the drama shows his exhaustion through restraint. Through long silences. Through calculated words. Through the way he quietly carries responsibilities that would destroy most people.
One of the most unforgettable moments was the undated divorce letter. That single scene revealed everything about his love for Gu Jinzhao. Instead of trying to possess her after marriage, he gives her freedom. Instead of demanding loyalty, he gives her a safe escape. That is not performative romance. That is trust.
And the tragedy of Chen Yanyun is that he understands power too well. The more politically intelligent he becomes, the lonelier he grows. After the grain scandal arc, you can feel him emotionally distancing himself from Lord Fu while realizing he may eventually stand alone in court. His relationship with power is deeply tragic because he knows survival often requires moral compromise — yet part of him still desperately wants to remain humane. 🥀
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🌸 GU JINZHAO — A FEMALE LEAD WRITTEN WITH REAL INTELLIGENCE
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Gu Jinzhao — I really loved her as a smart female lead. Not because the drama constantly tells us she is smart. But because the writing consistently proves it. She understands politics, reputation warfare, commerce, law, emotional manipulation, and social psychology. What I loved most is that her intelligence never feels unrealistic. She survives because she observes people carefully. Even during terrifying situations, she remains emotionally composed enough to think strategically.
The Sun Shitao corpse-switch plan was brilliant. Her handling of Madam Wang during the tea gathering was brilliant. Her usury loan trap to neutralize Madam Wang was masterful. But despite all her cleverness, she still feels emotionally human. The night before her wedding day, the way she expressed her real self beneath her cleverness — I really felt it. She fears things. She hesitates. She questions herself. She feels guilt. She feels emotional exhaustion.
What makes Gu Jinzhao special is that she never sacrifices her humanity to become strong. Even when everyone around her prioritizes political survival, she still tries to protect people emotionally. Ren Min did a great job. I did not think she would play her role this perfectly. 👏
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⚔️ YE XIAN — THE MOST PAINFUL CHARACTER IN THE ENTIRE DRAMA
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Honestly… Ye Xian’s storyline devastated me. 🥲 He is one of the most emotionally tragic second male leads I have seen. The drama never portrays him as merely a romantic obstacle. Instead, he feels like a man constantly arriving too late to his own life. Too late to confess. Too late to protect his family. Too late to save his father. Too late to keep Gu Jinzhao.
The wedding and funeral procession scene was absolutely heartbreaking. A bridal carriage moving toward a new future. A funeral procession carrying away an ending. Ye Xian stepping aside and yielding the road. It symbolized an entire emotional era dying.
His love for Gu Jinzhao feels less like youthful romance and more like emotional grief. Gu Jinzhao and Ye Xian understand each other deeply, but they would have destroyed each other emotionally in the long run. They are too similar. Too stubborn. Too emotionally guarded. Too self-destructive. That realization made their relationship even sadder. Ultimately, he died gloriously and just as he wanted. I cried when he was pierced and hoped he would only be injured, but his death was beautifully tragic. 💔
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🏛️ THE DRAMA’S BIGGEST STRENGTH — POLITICS THAT FEEL HUMAN
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One thing I deeply appreciated is how political conflicts are never treated as abstract strategy games. Every political decision affects human lives. The grain scandal arc especially elevated the drama enormously. Two hundred thousand dan of relief grain replaced with wheat bran. That single act exposed corruption, faction warfare, bureaucratic cruelty, and the terrifying reality that ordinary starving people become disposable tools for powerful officials.
Lord Fu is especially fascinating. He is intelligent, cultured, patient, visionary, and yet terrifying. Because he genuinely believes sacrificing people is acceptable if it achieves political stability. That complexity made him far more frightening than a simple villain. Chen Yanyun is so underrated because even in the end, it is clear he was a visionary when he chose to take up his mentor’s book. Others might have disagreed, seeing it as the work of an evil man, but he understood that Fu Hailian’s policies weren’t the problem — it was his actions and power hunger that were evil.
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💔 THE ROMANCE — BUILT ON TRUST RATHER THAN POSSESSION
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One of the best things about this drama is that the romance feels emotionally mature. Chen Yanyun and Gu Jinzhao do not fall in love through endless misunderstandings or exaggerated jealousy. Their relationship develops through mutual respect, emotional understanding, trust, political partnership, and quiet emotional intimacy. They genuinely listen to each other.
Even after marriage, the drama does not suddenly turn them into a perfect fantasy couple. Instead, their marriage becomes another battlefield. Political enemies target them. Families pressure them. Rumors surround them. But they continue choosing each other again and again. Gu Jinzhao’s love for Yanyun is evident as she is willing to take poison and die, which is incredible considering how much she values her life. ❤️
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🌑 THE CHEN FAMILY — A HOUSEHOLD BUILT ON SILENCE AND ROT
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One of the most fascinating aspects of the drama is how the Chen family slowly transforms into something psychologically unsettling.
At first, they appear like a prestigious noble household.
But beneath the elegance lies emotional decay.
Fourth Master Chen especially shocked me. His confession about drowning the fifth brother completely changed the atmosphere of the drama. Suddenly the household no longer felt politically dangerous alone. It felt emotionally haunted.
And Chen Xuanqing’s gradual deterioration is equally disturbing.
At first, he seems like a melancholic young man trapped by regret.
But slowly: obsession replaces affection, silence replaces sincerity, and emotional instability replaces morality.
After that, he no longer feels romantic. He feels dangerous.
Especially during the kidnapping arc, the earring scene, and his emotional coldness toward Yu Wanxue.
The drama is quietly showing how unresolved desire can become destructive. 🥀
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🎥 VISUAL STORYTELLING — POWER, LONELINESS, AND EMOTIONS SPOKEN WITHOUT WORDS
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One of the strongest aspects of A Splendid Match is honestly its visual storytelling.
This drama does not rely only on dialogue to explain emotions or political tension. Very often, the directing, framing, lighting, costumes, and even physical distance between characters quietly reveal things before the characters themselves say them aloud.
And that is exactly why many scenes feel emotionally heavy even when very little is happening on the surface. 🍂
Contrast Between Warmth and Isolation 🌓
What impressed me most is how the drama constantly contrasts warmth and isolation.
Chen Yanyun is usually surrounded by grand halls, political officials, luxurious robes, and authority — yet visually, he is often framed alone. Even in crowded rooms, the camera repeatedly isolates him within the frame, reminding us that power in this drama is deeply lonely. He stands at the center of the court, but emotionally he belongs nowhere.
Gu Jinzhao's scenes often feel more "alive." Her environments contain movement, warm candlelight, busy markets, family courtyards, flowing fabrics, and softer colors. Even when she is suffering, the drama visually connects her to humanity and earthly warmth in a way Chen Yanyun lacks.
That contrast becomes one of the drama's quiet emotional foundations.
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💎 THE UNIQUE CONNECTION BETWEEN ML AND SML
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One thing I noticed in this drama that I have not seen in others is the connection between the male lead and the second male lead. They loved the same woman. They were love rivals. That means they must be enemies. But in their personal lives, yes they fought and were rivals. But beyond that, they worked together for the country. They served under the same ruler. They forgot their personal grudges and fought in the same battle for the empire. They were righteous. They put the people and their country before their personal grudges. When someone faced difficulties, the other helped him. They did not take revenge for love. They worked together against corruption for the sake of the country.
In episode 39, it was so heartfelt and emotional to see Yanyun embrace Ye Xian. The way Yanyun carried him. Even if they did not speak to each other as friends, they were friends at heart. I once thought the most heartfelt scene in the entire drama was the funeral procession meeting the wedding procession. But no, this was the one. Once they fought with each other, then fought together for the country, though they were destined to be enemies hated to the bone, yet Yan Yun cried bitterly for Ye Xian. Ye Xian was jealous of Chen Yanyun but held him in incredible high regard. Towards the end, he thought of him as a teacher and friend. 🫂
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🎭 ACTING PERFORMANCES — REN MIN AND CI SHA
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Ren Min’s performance can score ninety points. She is charmingly playful yet natural. About the mother’s death scenes: some say she was too wooden. But I think that was just right. When her mother apologized, Jinzhao was shocked, not moved. Her lifelong belief was completely shaken. When her mother died, Jinzhao was grief-stricken but even more enraged. She had no space left to feel sadness. Only after things were accomplished, while listening to Yanyun play the xun and reading her mother’s letter, could she cry quietly. That is nuanced acting. She cried bitterly for Ye Xian, her true friend, and I hope no one criticizes her for that. Too many dramas portray detachment from second male leads who were genuinely good, as if ignoring one relationship diminishes another. He was her best friend and held a special place in her heart. 👏
Ci Sha’s performance gets eighty points. His eyes are especially deep. His mouth is distinctive — sometimes slightly smiling, sometimes seeming not to. I especially love his emotionally exposed scenes: slapping Fourth Master, stumbling when rushing to rescue Jinzhao. His features do not fly wildly — fitting Yanyun’s character. As for his scenes with Jinzhao, those are the drama’s essence. Sending the cloak with eyes that drive you crazy. Confessing love directly. Once aware of his feelings, he never hesitates. 😄
🔥 FINAL VERDICT
Is A Splendid Match perfect? No. The OST is genuinely bad. Some shots are awkward. The ending felt rushed. I wish they had given us a longer ending. Even an extra 10 minutes would have been enough. We never saw Chen Yanyun receive the acknowledgement and rewards he deserved, nor did we get to see them as a couple after all the drama.
But honestly? That is exactly what made this drama memorable for me. Because beneath the beautiful costumes lies a deeply human story about loneliness, power, emotional survival, sacrifice, trust, and the painful cost of remaining humane inside cruel systems.
This drama does not simply ask who loves whom. It asks what kind of person can survive this world without losing themselves. And that question stayed with me.
Overall, it is an incredible drama. I hope the couple give us some special episodes, even if just 10 minutes.
Layered political storytelling ✨ Emotionally intelligent characters ✨ Mature romance ✨ Complex morality ✨ Beautiful symbolism ✨ Quiet but powerful acting ✨ Deep emotional atmosphere ✨
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Or rather that it would be nothing special except for one very big issue. That this light vaguely nonsense story was set in North Korea. You know the actual hell on earth, a dictatorship with prison camps, and no regard for human rights. I HATED how it was portrayed. There were many instances where I cringed at how tone-deaf it was . One example would be the opening sequence of a bird flying over the demilitarised zone with almost magical music playing over it. I was so taken aback by this that I showed it to my friend without any context and asked what she thinks. She said: "This is totally like the Harry Potter scene with Hedwig flying over the castle."... IN NO SHAPE OR FORM, NORTH KOREA SHOULD EVER BE FRAMED IN THE SAME WAY AS HOGWARTS.
Framing is powerful. Framing is key. Even if you do all the research right, to get some small details correct it will all crumble if you don't portray it as what it is: a nightmare.
Another thing that bothered me was the fact that the main plot on the North Korean side was about a corrupt evil dude within the system. Which any other time would be great and we've gotten many like that in the Kdrama world. However, the situation changes when the system we are talking about is the North Korean military. In this case, making a story about a corrupt man abusing a system for his evil doing ... helps to maintain a status quo by suggesting the man is evil, not the system. To some extent, I can understand it...South Korea is trying to maintain a good relationship with the North so a drama really digging into the topic could have been an issue for them. Before it aired I was really curious how it will go down on the political scene. Clearly for nothing since this drama refrained from making any meaningful commentary keeping it in the unrealistic Kdrama World.
Sure one can say "it's not that deep" just enjoy a cheesy romcom. And normally I agree with that. It was boring for me but sure was a cute romcom. But the creators really stepped on a minefield choosing to set it in North Korea.
Idk maybe I missed something important since in the later half of the show I just started skipping since I got too board.
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The new and promising premise that couldn't keep up!
This drama had a lot of potential. The premise and the whole concept seemed fresh and the idea of a dark mystery mixed with suspense had a lot of promise. But, honestly, the show ended up being way slower than expected and the pacing really hurt it. What could have been an exciting ride just felt like it dragged on for way too long.There were way too many flashbacks and instead of adding something meaningful or exciting to the story, they just made it repetitive. The plot could’ve been so much tighter if it was wrapped up in lesser episodes. Instead, it felt like the show was just going in circles. The big reveals didn’t hit the way it should have because the show stretched everything out. It just ended up feeling like a slow crawl with no real payoff.
As for the leads, they really should have dropped the romance angle. This story would have worked way better for me as a just mystery or supernatural plot. There was zero chemistry between the leads and honestly, the romance felt out of place considering the whole "curse".
The ML's behavior at times even came across as stalker-ish. Sure, I might overlook it because it’s JinYoung playing the role, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was uncomfortable. The romantic dynamic just didn’t fit and it pulled focus from what could’ve been a much stronger plot.
The second lead’s romance felt like it was just thrown in for the sake of it. The whole subplot seemed forced and felt more like filler than anything that genuinely connects to the main plot to add value. It just wasn’t needed at all. Also the twist with the detective was interesting but again lazy writing that confuses more than it summarises.
Acting wise, I do feel the actors across the board did a decent job but I wouldn’t say it was anything super memorable. With what they had, it was okay but not something that sticks out.
On the plus side, the cinematography is solid and there are moments where the direction really stands out. Some of the visuals do a good job of setting the whole mood. It’s honestly one of the few things that kept me engaged when the story felt like it wasn't ending.
The direction is decent, but it doesn’t do enough to fix how slow everything feels. There are a few tense moments which absolutely intrigued me but they were rare. The visuals catch the eye, but they can't make up for the lack of momentum in the plot.
Overall, while the concept had promise, the execution didn’t live up to expectations. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are willing to overlook the pacing issues or are a fan of the actors.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Thrilling Descent into Chaos
*Hellbound* Season 2 wastes no time plunging viewers back into its dark, morally complex universe where divine judgment and human corruption intertwine. This season raises the stakes, delving deeper into the mysteries surrounding the resurrection phenomenon while expanding its character dynamics in ways both shocking and exhilarating.The return of Jinsu (Kim Sung-cheol): His visions and ultimate transformation into one of the very monsters that once terrified humanity underscore the show’s central theme: no one is above judgment, not even the messiah-like figures they create.
Kim Jeongchil’s political machinations, in alliance with the government, form another key pillar of the season. His desperate attempt to maintain control over the New Truth by using Park Jungja (Kim Shin-rok) as a pawn adds a layer of intrigue and treachery.
Thematically, this season explores the devastating consequences of blind faith and power-hungry institutions. The New Truth’s “Resurrected One” plan, though initially grand in its ambition, becomes a symbol of their crumbling control. The demonic monsters serve as an ever-present reminder that divine retribution, though wielded by men like tools, remains uncontrollable and terrifying.
Meanwhile, Hyejin (Kim Hyun-joo) continues to act as the moral center of the show, pushing against the tide of corruption and madness. Her rescue mission for Park Jungja is one of the season's most thrilling arcs, showcasing her resilience and determination to protect the innocent, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The poignant moment of Jungja reuniting with her son provides a much-needed emotional reprieve amidst the chaos.
Director Yeon Sang-ho masterfully balances action, horror, and character-driven drama, creating a tense, chaotic atmosphere that builds relentlessly toward the finale. The introduction of new power players like Senior Secretary Lee, who manipulates events from the sidelines, adds political intrigue that complements the show’s exploration of spiritual fanaticism.
While the season provides plenty of answers, it also raises new questions, particularly about the resurrection and the true nature of divine judgment. The ending leave the future wide open for another chapter, rife with potential.
In short, *Hellbound* Season 2 intensifies its exploration of morality, faith, and the consequences of power, delivering a season that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. It masterfully intertwines human emotion with its dark, supernatural premise, making it a must-watch for fans of psychological and religious horror.
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Theories I found good:
While Jin-su taunts Se-hyeong for wasting his last chance by trusting Jin-su, it is ultimately proven to be Jin-su who wastes his resurrection. He spends his second chance the same way he did most of his first life: selfishly, seeking a salve for his emotional pain without care for the pain he knowingly inflicts on others. Jung-ja’s declaration is its own kind of decree, as Jin-su realizes they are not the same.
Jae-hyeon may have a latent power, just as Jung-ja does.
What we do in this life, and how we care for each other, does matter. Even when Jin-su came back from hell, he feared he might still be in it. We create our own hell, individually and collectively, and even when there is a supernatural power also getting in on the game.
Stories have power, and Hye-jin is giving Jae-hyeon a good and true one. It is the kind of story that Jin-su was never told when he was little and alone. The kind of story Secretary Lee, the New Truth Society, or the Arrowhead would never bother telling because it doesn’t feed the kind of fast, uncaring power they are looking to grow. The kind of story Detective Jin Kyung-hun (Yang Ik-june) tells his daughter, Hee-jung (Lee Re), as she dies from cancer in his arms. Hee-jung lived most of her life under the thrall of Jung Jin-su and his empty promises, but it’s a family picture, a story of love, that gives her comfort in her final moments.
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This review may contain spoilers
A HEARTBREAKING YET BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED FILM
*Uprising* is a heartbreaking yet beautifully crafted film that takes us on an emotional journey through the friendship of Jong-Ryeo and Cheon-Yeong, set in a time of brutal class divisions in historical Korea. The plot centers on how the rigid social hierarchy affects their lives, particularly Cheon-Yeong, a slave who is forced to endure countless hardships in place of Jong-Ryeo.What starts as a cruel situation, Cheon-Yeong being beaten in Jong-Ryeo’s stead, evolves into a deep bond. Despite the fact that Cheon-Yeong isn’t born a slave, his family’s downfall forces him into this role, and it's his strength and refusal to accept the established hierarchy that makes him stand out. When he begins secretly teaching Jong-Ryeo how to fight, the dynamics between the two change, leading to a friendship that feels genuine despite the social disparity.
However, the film doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of their world. Even after helping Jong-Ryeo win a prestigious sword-fighting competition, Cheon-Yeong is denied his freedom by Jong-Ryeo’s father, who breaks the promise of releasing him from slavery. This betrayal deeply scars Cheon-Yeong, though Jong-Ryeo still tries to protect him by sending him off to fight the Japanese invaders, hoping this will finally earn him his freedom. The film is filled with these moments of hope and crushing disappointment.
After years of fighting, Cheon-Yeong returns home only to find the world he left behind in ruins. Jong-Ryeo’s family home has been burned down by the people who suffered under the oppressive rule of his father. In one of the film’s most gut-wrenching moments, Cheon-Yeong tries to save Jong-Ryeo’s wife and son from the flames, but she refuses his help out of pride, seeing him as a slave rather than a person who might save her life. Her death serves as a stark reminder of how deeply ingrained social prejudice was, even to the point of self-destruction.
The climax of *Uprising* sees a tragic reunion between Jong-Ryeo and Cheon-Yeong after seven years of separation. Jong-Ryeo, unaware of the full story, initially believes Cheon-Yeong is responsible for his wife and son's deaths. Their final confrontation is tense, but as the truth is revealed, the film shifts focus from their conflict to a bittersweet reconciliation. Just when they finally resolve their long-standing misunderstanding, Jong-Ryeo is mortally wounded in battle against the Japanese. Cheon-Yeong kills the Japanese leader, Genshin, in a satisfying act of revenge, but it’s too late to save Jong-Ryeo.
In Jong-Ryeo’s final moments, he asks Cheon-Yeong if they’re still friends, referencing an earlier lighthearted exchange from their youth. It’s a poignant moment that captures both the tragedy and beauty of their relationship. Despite everything that has happened, the film shows that love and loyalty can persist, even in death. This scene is devastating, but it offers closure, showing that their bond was real despite the cruel world they lived in.
On a larger scale, *Uprising* also critiques the corruption of the ruling class, embodied by King Seonjo, whose greed and cowardice lead to the suffering of the common people. His alliance with the Japanese and subsequent desertion of his own throne during the invasion sparks the uprising that defines the film. The subplot involving Seonjo and the infamous Japanese leader Genshin, known as the “nose-snatcher,” adds layers of historical context and brutality to the narrative. In a symbolic twist, Seonjo’s greed is punished when the treasure he’s promised turns out to be boxes of human body parts, noses, to be precise, reflecting the horrors of war and the consequences of his betrayal.
In the end, Cheon-Yeong and a few of his fellow survivors form a new community, symbolically named “Beom Dong,” meaning “A world together.” It’s a hopeful note to close the film on, but *Uprising* doesn’t let the audience forget the price paid for such unity. The film leaves you with a lingering sense that although there’s hope for change, the struggle against social inequality is far from over.
*Uprising* masterfully balances personal and political themes, offering a powerful meditation on friendship, loyalty, and the fight for justice. It’s a tearjerker that hits hard, especially as it reveals the lasting impact of societal divisions, even as it tries to inspire hope for a better future.
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2A Recipe for Gastronomic JBLs
Or: How to trap a man in 9 easy episodes.Ingredients:
For the series:
10-15 year age-gap
6-10 inch height gap
2-4 side characters with no depth or individuality
1 astonishingly small kitchen
1 knife and 1 pair of ryouribashi (cooking chopsticks)
1 serving (at least) of onigiri
1 serving (at least) of a Western dessert (preferably cake, preferably for a birthday)
2-4 instances (at least) of misunderstanding & miscommunication
1 episode of illness or indisposition
1 wet white towel, to tend to that indisposition
(Story or plot optional)
For each episode:
10 mins. of food porn, of which:
2 mins. for broth-based dishes
2 mins. for rice-based dishes
2 mins. for curry
2 min. for lingering shots of chopping
1 min. for serving
1 min. for presentation
2 min. (at most) of interaction with the side characters
1 exclamation (at least) of "oishii" or "umai"
(Plot and character development optional)
For serving:
2-4 shots of chopstick choreography per episode
3-5 near-kisses per series
1 fish-eye or camera-angle non-kiss per series (optional)
(Payoff optional)
Preparation:
1. Toss the ingredients together in a medium-sized show
2. Be careful to keep the right proportions for each episode
3. Simmer slowly to break down all chemistry and tension
4. Gently stir the camera around the top of the pans and apply suitable filters
5. Decant the bland broth into clean 25-minute containers
6. Garnish with the non-kiss
7. Serve lukewarm immediately, or tomorrow, or five years from now. It doesn’t matter.
Special Notes for Sugar Dog Life:
1. I-su-mi-kun! I-su-mi-kun!
2. Do people really check for fever by huddling their heads together?
3. Kyosuke is coded as the husband and Isumi as the wife, right? Look at the poster.
4. What on earth is a sugar dog life? Is it a Japanese idiom? Can someone enlighten me?
Note: This review also appears under Mitsuya Sensei no Keikakutekina Ezuke, but with a different set of notes.
Reader's Digest:
DO SAY: Itadakimasu.
DON’T SAY: Ittakimasu.
See Also: Mitsuya Sensei no Keikakutekina Ezuke, Bokura no Shokutaku, Kinou Nani Tabeta, Perfect Propose.
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Amazing
What an amazing drama. Honestly, what can I say that's bad about it? Nothing. It was completely new and like nothing I've seen before. It was really different and fantastastical. It had romance, humour, fight scenes, and fantasy elements. All in all, it was just a really great drama. I loved it a lot and the ending was perfect and made sure everyone got their happy ending. I would for sure rewatch it and recommend it to anyone. Don't let the bad reviews get to you and stop you from watching because we all have different tastes and to those who are up for trying it out, I would definitely back you up! Good luck and enjoy.Was this review helpful to you?
