This review may contain spoilers
Probably 1 of the best Asian dramas in 2020
Japanese filmmakers are really good at using small, simple moments to tell a story. No exaggeration (unless it is a comedy) and no over-abundance of subplots. This is minimalist filmmaking. Matsumoto Hana's recent works are really good, an actress-director to keep an eye on :)Honestly, I have picked Neko to watch on a whim. I love cats and well, there is cat in the title ^^ But oh, do not be mistaken, this drama is not about cats. Rather, it is about how 2 lonely people met over a cat, how they became companions and fell in love with each other.....
The script is very honest. Right in ep 1, FL tells ML that she has brain tumor and is expected to die from it soon. He is homeless so she offered him to stay at her home, on condition that he does what a family member would-- FL is living alone and craves for companionship. Of course, they fell in love. You would watch them struggle with the love, she wasn't sure if to accept him as he would eventually be heartbroken, but he convinced her. Better to have loved and lost, than not love at all. But life is unpredictable.....
Neko is an excellent mini drama that is a role model for how with good script and cinematography, you can present loneliness, love, companionship, loss, sadness and recovery in a few short scenes. This drama is 6 episodes of 20 mins each, the length of a movie. But the production is right to make this into a drama, to present the different arcs and emotions, and give viewers time to absorb in what was shown. By the end of this drama, it would make you rethink about life and death.
I know the story seems too heavy (I suspect that is why the title is "Neko", to trick us into watching it, lol) but trust me, you would be very glad to spend 2 hours on this drama. We all love those lighthearted, idol romcoms or gritty mysteries dramas, but when such a good slice-of-life drama comes along, it deserves your time.
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This review may contain spoilers
MUST WATCH THIS DRAMA GUYS
The ending of this drama really satisfied me. All the questions of the story from 17 years ago finally got discovered and answered. The storyline and plot twist arranged perfectly and does not confuse me at all. At first, I felt weird when ML fell in love with FL who looks exactly like his sister but eventually I got to understand. There must be some differents from his sister because even the twins also have some differents. So I just accepted the flow of the story.I fall in love with the chemistry between ML and FL and everytime they appeared I screamed loudly because their scenes really excited, intense, anxious and blushing HAHAHAHAHA! I love how ML protect and encourage the FL in the earlier episodes. I kinda felt touched when FL always preserve, consistent, and stronghold their relationship. She always stay by his side no matter what and support him ups and downs. She made him feel being loved again and not leave him alone. I love her character for being such a strong and supportive girlfriend.
I wonder why there are so many people commented bad about the actress? I think she really good in acting. She also expressed a lot and I dont feel cringe at all between the actor and actress even she is older than him. I love how she characterized both of the characters. I believe it is so hard to visualize two different characters at the same time but she did it very well. For the ML, I adore him so much since Our Secrets and he is genuinely good in acting. He has so many facial expression and when his face turned into resentful expression, I screamed so hard because he was so hot and handsome!!!
This drama will let you feel like a roller coaster because each episodes are really exciting and thrilling. If you guys wondering should watch it or not, I recommend you guys MUST watch it. This drama kinda like a hate to love relationship. It's worth in every episode. I'm not regret watching this drama and definitely will repeat to watch it again ><
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Phenomenal casting
I admittedly am not a historical Cdrama fan usually. but I am a fan of Liu Yuning, so I started watching this drama for him. Needless to say, he did not disappoint. What truly drew me in however, was the caliber of acting from this whole crew. Of particular note for me was Song Zuer, Xuan Lu, and Li Xue Qin. I'm used to seeing the first two in modern dramas, and while their performances have always been solid -- this drama allowed them to showcase the depth of their skills and range. Song Zuer embodied her role as the ethereal yet strong maiden perfectly; and Xuan Lu was her equally compelling counterpart -- a woman who appeared strong on the outside, but was so fragile and desperate on the inside. I rooted for one, and hated the other -- which meant that they all portrayed their roles 1000% convincingly.Li Xue Qin blew me away! She's well-known as a crosstalk (Chinese stand-up) and Chinese variety show star -- but she absolutely held her own in this drama, and was adorable as Xiao Tao. She was expectedly funny as always, and I was absolutely heartbroken for how her story ended, but the depth of emotion she brought to the role was astounding. So incredibly talented!
This drama was the first time of only a few where I was immersed into the olden world of these characters, and didn't want it to end. I applaud the casting director of this drama. Putting the right person into the right role makes for a phenomenal story!
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I am not watching thai drama but tis lakorn teach me to watch thai drama than kdram and taiwan ...
The story was great its all about sacrifice and love for their loves once and for the country.Even they betray their love once in they end they still care and proctect theme. The cast are awesome especially Kamin who sacrifice his love just to serve his country and the Royal family, He care for his country even in death and he protcet the women she love and for Mattana even she is spoiled brat but in a good way she know what she wants .Mattana is very brave lady she fight for her love but still she considered the consequence on her action what will be effect on her love once and her country.She sacrifice her love to proctect the man she love and for her family.I love to watch korean drama but when i watched this lakorn whoa i got addicted to it.Even this is 2014 lakorn i enjoyed watching it . Hope more Lakorn for this two main cast ( Min and Weir).
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Certainly this drama has become quite dear to me!
Saiai is the first drama I have seen this year. It was an amazing series. Very entertaining and emotional. The drama revolves around many themes. The English title of the drama is 'dearest', one of the main themes of the drama is how much a person can sacrifice something for a person who is very dear to them. The story is well written, though it had a few inconsistencies, it still managed to keep me at the edge of my seat till the last moment. Every episode is narrated by different characters in the show.The three main characters were very intriguing. Yuriko, Kouhei and Iura-san have given a very good and promising performance. Special mention to Takahashi Fumiya as Yuu and Tanaka Minami as Tachibana Shiori. I loved them here.
The music is wonderful as well, the ending theme gives me chills at the end of every episode.
Its not surprising that saiai was produced by the same director behind jdramas like MIU404 and Unnatural. All of them were interesting, emotional and amazing character driven dramas. Definitely a must watch for all jdrama fans!
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The actors were definitely seasoned and I have just added JKH to my list of best actors. I liked him in Heartless City but now I am in awe of his acting ability.
I liked the music because it had a patriotic feel to it which I felt went well with the story plot.
As for re-watch value....quite a difficult one for me to rewatch because it is such a depressing drama.
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Politics at its peak
Swords into Plowshares is set around the 5 Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period after the fall of the Tang Dynasty and thus set upon a time in medieval China where multiple general warlords ascending into royalty have become common as such is the turmoil spread all throughout. It follows the story of three prominent characters, Qian Hong Chu, Zhao Kuang Yin and Guo Rong and their experiences and tribulations throughout this period.The story and setting isn't the usual chinese costume drama. Its setting is based on actual history. The politics is heavy while presenting realistic themes and characters full of meaning and nuance. Genuinely, it has been a while since I've seen something of this caliber in chinese costume dramas and I am thankful this one caught my attention around here in MDL and gave it a try. If you ever get tired of idol dramas from modern to costume dramas and is seeking a quality inducing drama, then this is the start for you. It has everything you're looking for if you want a dynamic setting, characters and plot that by episode 18 above much has happened that it feels like its been many episodes.
I want more like this please
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The film made me rewatch the anime
"Cells at Work!" is a refreshing and imaginative anime film that takes viewers on an extraordinary journey inside the human body. Adapted from the popular manga series by Akane Shimizu, this film brings to life the bustling activities and epic battles of anthropomorphised cells dedicated to keeping the body healthy and functioning. At the heart of the story are the main characters: a diligent yet somewhat scatterbrained Red Blood Cell, responsible for transporting oxygen, and a brave White Blood Cell, charged with defending the body against pathogens.The film skillfully blends educational content with entertainment, providing viewers with a unique insight into complex biological processes. Each cell is portrayed with quirky personalities, making the scientific concepts more relatable and engaging. The narrative is peppered with action-packed sequences as White Blood Cell battles various invaders, delivering a thrilling experience akin to an epic hero's journey.
Visually, the animation is stunning, with a vibrant colour palette that vividly represents the bustling world inside the human body. The character designs are both whimsical and scientifically accurate, maintaining a balance that appeals to both anime fans and science enthusiasts. The attention to detail in depicting bodily functions and cellular interactions demonstrates the creators' commitment to delivering an experience that is both educational and aesthetically pleasing.
The film also weaves in elements of humour and camaraderie, with its characters forming unlikely alliances and friendships. This adds an emotional depth to the storyline, making it more than just an educational film. The movie’s ability to explain complex scientific concepts through engaging storytelling is commendable, making it suitable for audiences of all ages.
"Cells at Work!" is not only a visual treat but also an educational tool that encourages viewers to appreciate the intricate workings of the human body. By turning the inner workings of our anatomy into an epic adventure, the film leaves its audience both entertained and informed, fostering a deeper appreciation for the marvel that is the human body. It successfully transforms a textbook subject into a thrilling narrative, making it a standout in the world of educational entertainment.
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Just a filler drama
The plot revolves around the romance between a hotel trainee and the boss. I was expecting stories about customers and everyday encounters of trainees but that was minimal. It was mainly around the couple. The first half was good - cute and fluffy. The second half was tiring - annoying unreasonable characters and the FL being over dramatic. The drama lacks plot but compensates by fluff (but I've seen better fluff).The acting is very average. I like Eden Zhao and he's the reason I got through. But apart from that the other characters were not well developed. The FL was very unreasonable at times, which was hard to watch.
It's an okay watch. I would recommend this only if you're in between dramas, and need a light hearted -no plot- kind of watch. The direction had some issues. The scenes felt like clips put together at times. Made you doubt if you've missed a scene in between.
Plus Point : Fluffy. Cute and non-toxic ML. Never gets very angsty.
Negative points: Only focused on main characters and other characters (though plenty) were under-developed. Too many cliches.
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Slapstick Bromance not BL
Overall, it was quite good. However, there were a few things that I didn’t like about this.The first thing I didn’t like is how short the episodes are, the actual content is quite good but there is just not enough of it.
The second thing I didn’t like is that there are some errors in what I presume is the editing wherein the screen just cuts black for a second.
And, finally, the only other issue I have, which is only really a minor problem, is that the description gives off the impression that it is a romantic relationship between the two characters but it is actually more of a brotherhood.
The acting is over exaggerated but that is just part of its comedic value. The characters show a refreshingly fun relationship and there are many moments where you can just burst out laughing.
This is a good fairly lighthearted comedy and is definitely worth the watch. However, if you are looking for a serious bl romance like it seems this may be from the description and category tags, this may not be the one for you.
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This review may contain spoilers
meh. I hate that they made a big deal over HER (stopped before it was too late and when she was super vulnerable) indiscretion when he was a cheatin' asshole. MEH. That ruined it for me and honestly I hate it when the original couple stays together after the hell his "mistake" put them through. I would have rather her ending up with ANY of the other guys in the show. ICK. I gotta say that chick was a crazy one though. YIKES. Until the very end she was creepily stalking and ruining lives. I'm also of the super firm belief that basically 0 relationships will ever be the same after a cheat. There is NO way you wouldn't have some sort of worry in the back of your mind that it wouldn't happen again. Does he smell like perfume? Was he really late just because of traffic? Business trips? noooooope. Once that trust is broken it may be glued back together, but the crack will always remain. And the relationship with be fragile as a result of that crack.
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Can be found on YouTube under the caption: “After letting go of her crush on brother, the powerful CEO fell for her and pampered her” or “She was asked by her brother's friend to be his secret lover”.
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It's really cute and funny, especially for a DBSK fan.
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Male Actor Playing a Transgender Woman
This movie was so cute and sweet, but as a queer person I can't help but hate the fact that a cisgender male is playing a physically transitioned transgender woman.I understand that it's sometimes difficult to cast trans actors, but in that case, they should have hired a cisgender woman to play Rinko. Despite the hidden transphobia in the casting of Rinko, Ikuta Toma did do an amazing job portraying her.
As often LGBTQ+ films do, this movie is no fail to the trope of trying to show queer people they can't have happy endings.
All it's faults aside, this movie is an incredible, understated, gem. I'd recommend anyone to watch it, and look further into the lives of trans people, and the everyday struggles of passive aggressive discrimination we face.
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