This review may contain spoilers
Is it possible for a show to choke?
This Show starts well and showed a lot of potential. It was fast paced, funny and really hooks you within the first couple of episodes. The leads have great visuals and are charismatic. The OTP also has good chemistry and their love line is quite swoon worthy. Throw in some unusual litigations and messy family dynamics and we have a nice smorgasbord of stories. What more can you ask?Everything was humming along and plots are developing nicely. The love story of the leads are progressing well. We even have a psycho antagonist which really spiced up the proceedings. That is why it is so baffling when the story telling seemed to goes off the rails at the last 1/3 of the show.
The cracks starts to appear when Team Law Cafe took on a sexual harassment case.
It is set up nicely, all the background stuff was dip fed to us. Very troubling but impactful. The veiled threats and actual dangers are there to heighten the tension. Everything is set for a multi-episodic arc with a David vs goliath style battle both in and out of the courtroom. What I didn't expect was a seemingly rushed conclusion to that storyline just when it got interesting and the tension is rising. It just feels underdone.
Yes, it does set up the big showdown with the main antagonist but the handling of this key plot felts arbitrary. It sounds like the back of a napkin type of writing rather than a finely tuned one.
Next, the hostage scene at the church is laughable. It was really illogical. We are talking about a dozen or more armed police with guns drawn standing by while the antagonist stood in plain sight waving a knife and threatening the hostage. He stood like that for minutes while ranting at the assembled police. The sorry saga only ends when the injured ML tackled the antagonist single-handedly. Yes, we get the heroic act but it really defies logic and looks farcical. Not sure how that passed script review. That was the moment the Show jumped the shark.
The acting on the whole was good. The antagonist did a very good job of portraying an unhinged person. The FL was bold and sassy and she really had fun with that. The ML was low key and conflicted. He feels out of sorts around the FL and is over protective. It worked well in the early stage of the Show but it does get a bit tiring towards the end.
I enjoyed most of the show and loved the spunky FL and the OTP's cute interactions but the weird misstep in the story telling did give me pause and took me out of immersion. The last episode is pretty much fan service. I can't rewatch the whole show but a highlight reel will not be a chore. Peace out.
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Team Alex
So like most of us, I'm here cause I fell in love with Pearl's spunky personality and beauty from the prequel Gameboys. She brings all the spice here as well and I loved it! I had an issue with the run around the story created but that's legit due to my own personal beliefs and feelings on relationships. Visuals all around and I think even straight people could learn something/enjoy this series lol I think the acting was better than the story itself but I'm glad the story wasn't anywhere near as basic as I had prepared myself for. This is definitely worth the watch and the ending was so much better than I expected. Enjoy...Was this review helpful to you?
It was nice, it made me cringed and almost made me puke due to the over endearing cuteness of these two...
All in all what I like about it is the story, somewhat believable if it was less dramatic but at the same time it was cute which didn't make me hate it.
I really wish they made it a real drama to make it longer because it was an amazing watch.
Another thing I liked is the natural skin ship of the main characters. It reminded me so much of Coffee Prince and the kisses, OMG how I love the kisses...not saying anything more but it was really good.
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Surprisingly good
Good series. I’m not a big fan of mini series (I.e, less than 30 minutes) but this was actually really good. The acting, the scenery, cinematography and wardrobe were all excellent for such a short series.Series definitely has some twist and turns which were executed well within the time. It revolves around a mystery affliction that affects people in a way that causes them to become violent. Before you run, it’s not to over the top. Most of the story revolves around relationships and finding the cure. Their action, some humor and swoon worthy moments. There was character growth that was portrayed so well in this series that I must commend the writer/directors. In series much longer, you may not see growth until the last episode but this didn’t drag.
It was short, sweet and worth the watch.
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A show that really makes you think
Good Old Days has a unique concept and pretty different from GMMTV's usual fare. I started late on this show, but, once I got going, it didn't take me long to get caught up. Certainly, some stories are stronger than others, but all of them captivated me in their own turn. While the show ties up loose ends by the end of the series, at the time, none of the stories really had a happy ending and that's alright. It makes the show more real and the characters more human.First of all, I appreciate shows with an anthology narrative. Each of the 6 stories exist on their own and yet are tied back to the running narrative of Hey's life as the shopkeeper. It's something GMMTV doesn't tackle very often, but they did an amazing job with this one. If I had to rank them I would put them in this order: 1)Bond and Relationships, 2) Road to Regret, 3) Memory of Happiness, 4) Love Wins, 5) Somewhere Only We Belong, 6) Our Soundtrack
However, the stories at the bottom aren't bad, just not as good the ones above them. This show tackles a lot of difficult (and dark) issues but in a very real way. The characters are forced to face these issues one way or another and they all have to sacrifice or lose something before they come out on the other side. None of these stories have a true happy ending, but rather a satisfactory ending. The objects in this show are also "stars" in their own way. It would be very easy for the object to just exist in the background of the story, following the characters, but all of the objects carry so much meaning and you feel that. In some stories, the object is the focus of the story and in others it fades into the background but in an ever present way. I never felt like I lost sight of the objects' importance and the weight they were carrying for both the characters and the story. It really captures the idea of that "every object has a soul."
With such a large cast, it's hard to address all the actors and actresses, but I think they all did an amazing job and gave great performances. I especially liked Krist and his role as the shopkeeper. His character development is very different because we don't see his story until the end, but up until that point he plays the role of omnipotent shopkeeper very well. In these types of shows, usually the shopkeeper is some old, worldly person, but the irony of Hey is he experiences the world through other people and yet that's how he able to understand people. I thought Krist did an excellent job capturing this essence of the character.
The only real disappointment I have with this show is they wrapped everything up so nicely. I don't know how extensive the source material for this show is, but I would watch a sequel series with new stories. Good Old Days is definitely worth a watch and is definitely a higher show than most. It's really a show that will make you think and reflect on life and how people face their problems.
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Engrossing series of a personal life and its trials. Kim Go Eun is gold.
Yumi's Cells series was definitely different, in a great way. I had to adjust to what they were doing with the animation. After episode one, it clicked. duh! lol. It made a lot of sense. Personally, I give the actress Kim Go-Eun a ton of credit for selling the emotions empathized by the cells. And I just finished seeing her "Little Women" about 17 days before. She's been good in most of the dramas I've watched with her. But in "Cells," her acting performance was stellar.Overall, I enjoyed the series. So many scenarios and scenes reminded me of my times when I was in my 20s. Good and not so good decisions, learning my way through life itself. Especially when it came to personal relationships.
Yumi's character's issues appeared self-produced at times. It all falls back to your inner core beliefs, your mental state, your self-esteem, and the core friendships and loves in your life. I'm trying not to reveal spoilers in this take, but there was one character that got on my nerves. That character's overly convenient appearances soon began to feel wedged. While I understand (a little) what they were trying to accomplish, I just feel that it began to dilute the great writing and story a little. I look forward to watching season 2.
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Slapstick Humor, Great Story, Great Acting, Abrupt Ending
This drama is a satire that pokes fun at what seemingly the most powerful figure of the land. In the story, the emperor feels that he is almost similar to a slave as all the decisions are made by others and his desires ignored; he has no freedom in doing anything he enjoys, going anywhere he wants, eating any food he loves. He has to obey everything his mother, the Empress Dowager, says and agree to his uncle who untiredly criticizes him and tries to claim the throne. Life is miserable in the palace, until one fateful day.The 17-year-old young emperor (Victor Qin) loves opera but his mother bans opera in the palace because she wants him to focus in his studies. One day, he accidentally finds a secret underground passage that leads to a theater house. He disguises himself as a kid looking for a job. The owner of the theater house, Bai Xiaoqing (Zhao Xiaotang), a fierce and mean lady who dresses in man’s clothing, takes him in. There, he meets his idol, the once famous opera singer Lan Ling (Meng Hetang) and becomes his assistant. There is also a cook who was once an assassin, a mediocre script composer who cannot even write a proper story and a fortune teller girl who uses talismans that always work the wrong way. Together they form the six idiots of the theater house and claim not to separate but always search own way out in times of trouble.
In the theater house, the emperor is being ordered to do all kinds of menial chores that he has never done before in his life. He is even ordered to taste suspicious food for poisons. To hide his real identity, he endures all abuses and happily complies to all demands, and quickly he learns to serve others. Victor Qin’s acting is fantastic – he can be as sorry looking as a nobody, and at the flip of a coin, turns into an esteemed emperor. Of course, he’s the smartest of the six but to stay low profile, he acts as silly as the others. Each character has a story and a "counting-the-eggs" dream with wild imaginations. Each episode tells a different story with a lesson to learn. Any trouble always resolves by itself through blind luck. And yet, lurking under, unseen dangers developed for the young emperor.
My Verdict
I have really enjoyed the story, the acting of all the characters, the jokes, the humor. It makes me laugh so hard in every episode. This feels like a live stage comedy, with dialogues that sound impromptu, yet every sentence rhymes. There are modern vibes inserted here and there with modern terms used in the dialogues. I love the play of homophones in the jokes. This is some really great script writing here. Each episode is preceded by a summary of the previous episode through a storyteller in the form of a narrative poetry. The recount poems are precise and funny. The camera work is good in capturing every expression and every emotion. My only disappointment is the abrupt ending of the story. There would be a season 2 that no one knows if it would ever be released.
Don’t be deceived by the few viewers on MDL. This is due to no proper English subs available at the time of the airing. This series is interesting and hilarious though it has no prominent actors. This is a great series to release stress as laughter is the best medicine. Don’t miss it.
Strongly recommended!
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Story : CUTE&SWEET;. These two words describe it the best. Its heart-warming and relates very well to people who hold little similarity with Sawako's character. Also it shows the bond of friendship that involves sacrifice, strength, togetherness, trust, love, belief against all odds.
It shows how a quiet person can be misunderstood because of their no efforts on socializing. And also cherry blossom trees play a very wonderful part in the movie.
Acting : I love Miura's character. He proves that he is best suited for the role of Kazehaya. So, if you're a BIG fan of Hamura Miura, he's all the reason why you should watch this. I really liked Yano-san and Yoshida-san as well and Sawako's sincerity towards them. Also a special mention on Sawako's parents who love her unconditionally because no matter how she was to the world, she was their precious jewel. :)
Music : I didn't really hear much of the soundtrack as the acting by everyone kept me happy at bay. But I'm sure, it'd be nice.
I watch it when I stumble upon it. Its a very light story and will make you smile. A very simple story, yet hooking. If my will could be forced on everyone who like Miura and this kind of genre, I'd make you watch it :P
Happy Watching :)
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Another reviewer pointed out the plot cohesiveness and it is not one of the many k-dramas that start so exciting only to fall apart somewhere between half time and the end.
The actors do well, the chemistry is there, nobody important is a psycho or even psychic to make a dodgy plot somewhat plausible, it is interesting throughout and everything gets wrapped up extremely satisfactory and without saccharine sweetness - that is better than most dramas in the 8.5-9 star category here have to offer.
It seems a shame if people were to miss this little gem on account of its rating .
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This review may contain spoilers
Maybe watch only 1st and last episode?
It started out amusing and interesting. Unfortunately, after a few episodes came the pain. Pain of disappointment and frustration. To go into details would be too much trouble. Only this much: The pithy entrepreneur lets himself be beaten down. He responds to attacks from business rivals with love, even though he is almost ruined.For long stretches, the romance was gone and we found ourselves in a chick flick. Women's problems and women's problems. And women's problems. Then parental problems, marginal problems, a tiring merry-go-round also with plenty of marginal characters, while the FL and ML often make themselves invisible.
Johnny Huang and Dilraba, whom I saw for the first time in a drama, were good and a small salvation of this waste of lifetime. Whereas unfortunately the wonderful Dilraba had to play a dubious unsolidary character. But that is probably seen differently by the author, but how? Johnny was just great!
The author has probably also processed plenty of their own generational conflicts, it is really torture to have to watch this crap.
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My new blueprint for the childhood friends to lovers trope.
I… don't ever watch high school dramas. I find it hard to find the appeal in a time that's been so long ago for me now & triggers some unpleasant memories. So it's a wonder to me too that I watched this drama – and stuck with it til the end, completely engrossed and invested. Why?First off, I have to thank the cinematography and editing department for that. Summer Again is shot and coloured in such a way that elicits very specific sensual responses of well, summer: the fresh sea breeze playing with your hair, the lush greens and the smell of fresh flowers in the park next to your house, the way you have to squint your eyes right after waking up because the summer sun is so bright in the early mornings, the magic sensation of staying up late on mild summer nights, and the constant buzz of life compared to dreary winters or rainy autumns. Summer Again, short, is a visual feast that transports you right to life in a small, seaside holiday town.
In this setting we meet our heroes Tong Xi, a ballerina from the big city, and Lin Nan Yi, her childhood sweetheart & secret manga artist. Surround the two leads with two faithful and cute friends (a pair of childhood friends as well), a rivalling girl & some seniors to look up to and you have the story. Sounds clichéd? Yeah. But sometimes all I want for a drama is to execute the tropes and clichés it commits to well. And unexpectedly, Summer Again excels in that. If I had to describe the way the story was told, I would describe it as "fresh", "unpretentious" and most of all, "sincere".
There is a beautiful sincerity in the way this drama captures the peak of high school life, our sweet 17s, its ups and downs and that pure & innocent heart most of us were carrying then: from the drama that the characters defined as problems to the way they tried to solve them and gave each other advice, it's all really realistically told from the (limited) worldview of teenagers. It's this realism that balanced the drama throughout. There was drama, but there was never hysteria as dramaland is wont to do. Watching Summer Again is an easy-breezy feat that sends you right back down memory lane to simpler days.
Doesn't mean that the drama is not meaningful: our characters are confronted throughout with navigating that period of life when we first started to think about who we are, what we want, what we expect from ourselves and what others expect from us & how we can be our most authentic self. The conflict between "just wanting to be a simple teenager" and all the pressure that our circumstances put on ourself is maybe best shown in Ni Xiao Wan, the "antagonist". I can't even dislike her; the show gives us too good of an explanation of why she behaves the way she does. It doesn't excuse her mistakes but it humanises her.
Our leads on the other hand, are my new blueprint for a childhood friends to lover story. While Tong Xi's growth can be observed like a beautiful arc spanning the show (look out for how she solves problems), Lin Nan Yi is maybe an almost too perfect classic male lead; I guess his only weakness is that he doesn't like to rely on others for help much and can be too secretive. But the way he handles issues is so relatable and impressive that I forget how little flaws they gave him to begin with. Though they are teenagers, Tong Xi & Lin Nan Yi resolve issues better than most adult drama pairings I've seen.
They are open, honest & forthright with each other. Encourage and support each other. They communicate, a lot. They are not afraid of countering the other, but always give them enough room to come to their own conclusions. Ni Kexin & Chen Heyi are rookie actors but absolutely sell their roles to me. It's to this drama's benefit that they are rather unknown; they play their roles so relaxedly that I have a hard time differentiating between what's acted & what's their real persona. And OMG Chen Heyi's eyes: any ice block would melt at how his Lin Nan Yi looks at Tong Xi. Their story never felt forced and was beautifully and organically told from their rekindling, their clashing and their getting closer. It makes absolute sense for them to be attracted to each other.
I'm starting to ramble and I didn't even get into the second leads yet. But to cut it short: their group of friends is adorable, the actors have great rapport together & I just want all four cast in another project again. Last up, OST-wise this drama is a gem. So yes, please do check it out. Let me tell you, by the end of it, just like downing a glass of fresh, cold (mint) water in a hot summer, you'll want to rewatch it again!
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Acting was great by all the actors -the children in the beginning did well too, but overacted at times.
The music did get a little repetetive at times, but there were no songs I absolutely couldn't stand so it was ok.
Rewatch value is lower just due to the fact that the drama will be less interesting the second time around, since you know where all the twists and turns in the plot will go.
I would recommend this drama if you enjoyed Shining Inheritance due to a somewhat similar plotline and premise of the drama.
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"Why I gave 9 stars instead of 10"
Recently completed and I must admit that It was an excellent drama. Again My Life is a thrilling mix of fantasy, legal drama, and revenge. Lee Joon-gi delivers a strong performance as a prosecutor who gets a second chance at life after being murdered during an investigation. With his knowledge of the future, he carefully rewrites his path to bring down a corrupt politician.The plot is engaging, the pacing tight, and the mix of action and emotional moments keeps things interesting. It’s not just about revenge—it’s about using power wisely and fighting for justice. The supporting cast adds depth, and the direction keeps everything sharp and focused.
While Again My Life maintains a solid pace throughout most of its run, the last two episodes feel noticeably rushed. The story suddenly speeds up, skipping over key moments and character interactions that could have added more emotional weight. In the push toward the final confrontation between the two leads, many supporting characters are sidelined, making the ending feel a bit unbalanced compared to the rest of the series.
I gave Again My Life 9 stars because of its gripping plot and Lee Joon-gi's powerful performance. The blend of action, suspense, and second-chance storytelling kept me hooked throughout. I deducted 1 star because the final episodes felt rushed, skipping meaningful moments and sidelining key characters in favor of wrapping up the main conflict too quickly.
This drama hooks you from the start and delivers all the way through. Highly recommended for fans of smart, action-packed stories with a twist.
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This review may contain spoilers
Good combination of tropes
Is this another poor woman/rich man baseline? Yes.Are there many unrealistic coincidental occurrences where there are even doppelgangers? Yes.
Are our leads almost perfect in everything they do and unattainably idealist? Yes.
Does the leads looks exactly the same despite a decade in passing of time? Yes.
Is the plot unique to others? Not really.
BUT... the chemistry the cast exhibits mostly overrides all of the above. This was a very fun series that does well with not leaning too heavily into any theme (politics, legal, romance, humor, etc.) in particular, which created a really good balance for any easy watch. It also does a good job with moving the plot forward in a condensed format. There are tearjerker moments early on and the story could have been ended by around episode six.
I also came in thinking this was going lean mostly towards resolving multiple legal cases in Joseon. While it is an importance aspect of the series, it's really just straightforward cases sprinkled in, with a lean toward the overall main culprit.
This type of series has a bit of everything for those with different genre preferences as long as you can get over the initial "not another one of these..." thought process. And as a slight spoiler, it was quite humorous to see the slight role reversal where the man is the graceful dancer (don't think I've ever seen this in any other historical series before) and the woman is more of the brute. Kudos to the cast.
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