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1In the land of the scorpion the rooster is king.
This drama adapts Wei Yu's well loved romantic and suspenseful adventure novel Xī Chū Yù Mén /西出玉门 or West out of the Yumen (Jade Gate). The spirited and mysterious Ye Liuxi's first waking memory is of the desert with scant personal belongings to point to who she was and where she is from. A picture links her to Chang Dong, who lost all he held dear in that same patch of sand. Liuxi persuades Chang Dong to return to that most treacherous part of the desert with her. Together with a team of three others, they set out to crack the mystery of the Yumen Pass. On their quest to face their past, they stumble into a different, frightening and dangerous world where they find love, adventure, friendship and betrayal.The most fabulous thing about this drama is that Ye Liuxi is a force of nature that simply sweeps you away with her beauty, strength and charisma. It is a role that must have been written for Ni Ni, whose portrayal of Liuxi is nothing short of iconic. Bai Yu's rendition of Chang Dong's quiet might and reserved brilliance is the perfect foil for Liuxi's more vivid personality. Their chemistry is so natural and shockingly scrumptious that I replay most of their couple scenes with a silly, lovesick grin on my face. I now have a whole new appreciation for Bai Yu's hotness. The other two romances are quite cute and endearing but neither is compelling or even necessary. Skipping or toning down one or both of these secondary romances could have helped the pacing of this drama.
The acting, rapport and comedic timing of the main cast is terrific and a heavier focus on their friendship over romance would have been no less enjoyable. It was a lot of fun to watch them humorously pull off their clone geminus selves. It is nice to see Jin Han in his element again as a misguided and flawed character. Lu Yuxiao makes an impression again as a young actor to watch. I also found both Gao Shen and Ding Liu's kick ass youthful exuberance a joy to watch. Sadly Meng Ziyi is the biggest let down in the cast. Long Zhi is an interesting role, a character with a world vision and the ruthlessness to achieve it. Sadly Meng Ziyi delivers a shallow and uninspired interpretation with two expressions - stone-faced and pissed off. She manages to turn a layered character into a cardboard and archetypal one. I used to wonder why such a lovely and charming actor didn't get more lead roles. Now I know.
Where this drama falters is in the pacing and narrative style. The transitions between sub-plots are not well handled with abrupt cuts to a side romance or worse, the narrator and the painter in the middle of action scenes or as momentum is building nicely into an interrupted reveal. The world within the Yumen Pass itself is well designed, rich in history and lore and occupied by dangerous and fascinating characters. The world building mostly takes place via exposition and usually right before the viewer needs that information. This kind of heavy foreshadowing diminishes the surprise factor in what comes next. This also comes with few pay-offs; in the end all I really needed to know is that in the land of the scorpion the rooster is king.
Even though this drama wraps up nicely with no major loose ends, the ending is anti-climatic. With one notable exception, most characters have fitting endings. However, the climax on the action adventure side takes place very early in the drama and the main romance peaks shortly after the mid-point. After that, the pieces of the puzzle fall into place and the plot seems to build towards a final, badass showdown that doesn't quite materialise. The writers decided it is better to jaw jaw than to war war which would be fine if this weren't a fantasy action adventure. I am also miffed that my thirst for justice and symmetry that demands some serious loss of limbs is not satisfied, nary a hair was even harmed! I console myself with the fact that the roosters once again show the scorpions who is the boss!
This is a must watch drama for just Ni Ni and Bai Yi's acting and chemistry alone. If anyone else were in the lead roles, I would only rate this an 8.0/10.0 but I am bumping my rating up to an 8.5 to recognize their riveting performances.
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The Quintessential Japanese Drama of 2019
First, I want to let you know that in Japanese Drama, THEMES is always more significant than the plot. It's doesn't matter who Nagi would end up with or how the drama would end. What important is how the show will convey its message. This drama is not your typical two-boys-one-girl type of story or other overrated romance crap. You could choose your ship if that entertains you, but just to let you know, this drama was not meant to make your heart flutter, it was meant to speak to your soul.This drama is about the so-called "Hard Reset", not the one you do with your phone but the one you apply with your own life. The important decision you do to make a significant change and start anew. Completely changing your environment is essential, which is what the main protagonist did in this drama, a long vacation. It made her discover more about herself and broaden her perspective of the world, or to make it more precise; it made her have her dream.
Another theme is reading the atmosphere/mood or reading between the lines and I'm sure most of us are familiar with that feeling. When you enter a room full of strangers, most people will remain silent for a while. Judge people's faces, their expressions, their manner of talking etc. "reading the atmosphere" is everywhere, from school, workplace, family and even your relationship. Whether consciously or unconsciously, people do this all the time, this ability is ingrained firmly into us as a species. We as human, always look for a place we can call our own, and we need strong social bonds for that. We always try to "fit in" or wear all the right mask whenever it feels right.
"Stop Trying to Fit In, Aim to Belong Instead"
This drama will teach you fitting in will never get you home because fitting in is trying to adapt to a world that is not your own. Just like Nagi, you have to have your dream and not just live for other people. You have to forget the cool people; you have to find your people. Nagi found these people who help her reboot her life, the film buff grandma, scammer turned best friend Sakamoto, The most level headed mother and daughter (total opposite of Nagi and her mom), the bar owner mama and the most insensitive playboy neighbour. These characters don't only serve up as an exposition for the main character, but their story also conveys the theme of this drama, and the writer did a brilliant job on weaving them in a beautiful pattern.
The Pacing, Setting and Music add so much to the slice of life feels of this drama. Nagi's long vacation is a very well-paced drama; no time is wasted but doesn't felt rushed as well. It is entertaining enough to keep you engaged as you watch it. It also has mundane elements that if you notice would give a smile to your face like shirts worn by Nagi, it seems trivial, but those are valuable shirts you would find in thrift stores. Little details like this make me appreciate the drama more. The location would look very familiar to you after you watched the drama like it seems you also live there along with the characters. The cinematography is terrific in showing the green landscape, clear blue sky and by capturing the calmness and serenity of the laidback way of living. The OST is chill and relax, which complements the slice of life nature of this plot, but it can also get emotional when requires. I also never get tired of hearing the theme song "Reboot" sung by Miwa. It captured the whole theme of this drama.
The acting is ten out of ten, Haru Kuroki never disappoints. She is one of the best actresses in Japan right now and is indeed a national treasure in dramaland. Nagi's portrayal of inner growth is well portrayed, you might get pissed by her actions and decisions, but you always find yourself rooting for her. Haru Kuroki is very skilled as an actress, but it's her sincerity that makes Nagi such a lovable character. The title, Nagi's Long Vacation suggest this is only about Nagi, but this drama can easily be about Shinji as well, the only difference is Nagi only suppress her feelings where Shinji also hurts people around him. Shinji is a character you will despise at the beginning, but you would understand a bit about the character in the end. The writers gave him one of the best character development I've seen in recent years, and the way Takahashi Issei handled it is brilliant, probably his best performance ever. The way he controlled his emotions is masterful like at one moment his character angered you then you will laugh at his comic relief antics then you will feel him as he cries like a baby, what a man child lol.
Nagi's Long Vacation is the quintessential Japanese drama. They are the best when it comes to thought-provoking slice of life genre. You may find the characters caricatures until they slap you with realization quotes that will speak to you on a personal level.
Check my Blog for other reviews & other JDramas stuffs. (｡◕‿‿◕｡)
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/
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I don't know how this drama didn't get as much hype as I expected
I haven't seen many people talking about this drama and this pissed me off a little bit because of how good it is. I just finished it and I can say this was one of the best dramas I've watched ever. I thought it would only be a comedy drama without much depth, but it was so much more than that, it was so interesting, heartbreaking and funny all at the same time.The cast of this drama is simply amazing, Shin Hyesun was the perfect choice to portrait our beloved Mr. Queen, she did an amazing job and never failed at making me laugh, and at making me love the character each time more and more.
I don't know how to say more this without getting super excited and spoiling the story, so I'll leave my review at that, and I will leave my recommendation to those who came here to decided if they'll either watch it or not.
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This review may contain spoilers
12? Doesnt even deserve a 5. One of the worst of the year
Sad and crappy doesnt even sum up how i feel about this drama. ANd they have the gulls to tease us of a second season?Putting Ma Dong Seok Park Hyung Sik and Seo in Guk in one drama got me so excited although right at the beginning i had reservations why Seo in Guk wasnt used enough in the trailers to sell the drama. Netizens say give the series a chance, and why not? The show promises an epic battle between angels and demons - and who isnt intrigued to see Park Hyung Sik in a differnet role. Sadly the show didnt deliver at all and was such a disappointment and my fears were realized as SIG is actually just a second fiddle and PHS wasnt actually the villain.
I dont even know how much the actors got paid for them to accept working in this trash. Didnt they (or dont they pay people to) read the script before signing up? They should be firing their agents and managers.
BAD WIGS. BAD COSTUMES. BAD MAKEUP. BAD ACTING. BAD PRODUCTION DESIGN. BAD SPECIAL EFFECTS. BAD SCRIPT. BAD STORYTELLING. BAD FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY. if someone confesses that this show is made entirely by bad AI, i would totally believe it.
There was literally NO ONE among the characters to love and get attached to.
And to the cinematographers and editors and special effects people out there please take note that this kind of weird ugly colorgrading and filters and smoke cloudy effects are not fooling anyone and its not hiding how poor the visual effects are. they just make it worse.
Is there anything good? Nothing.
This is the lowest grade Ive ever given a Korean drama. It is that bad. Stay away like your life depends on it.
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Story
A perfect combination of reality and life presented in the best manner it could be presented in. The writer managed to keep the story true and realistic with real life issues (based on experience it's all real) and yet kept it fresh and fun to watch. This drama carried out a strong message "it's better late than never" "the present is really a present (gift)". Try to live your life without regrets, live your life first for YOU before anyone else, appreciate the time you have now and live it to the max. This is the 1st drama that made me think of my own life and gave me hope and refreshed my memory with my past life and made me think of my present and future. This drama has boosted my energy and gave me positive insight even with all the issues that were discussed in the drama there is always bright side to everything. For once no villains no insane characters.
Acting
The whole cast were so true and natural to their characters but Choi Ji Woo and Lee Sang Yoon are the show's strongest point!! They had an amazing on screen chemistry they seemed so true so real and so adorable. They managed to present such normal average characters and bring them out into life in a very delightful manner (and people say it's the character that makes the actor) that's not true at all even with such plain characters those two have managed to show us how wonderful of actors they are.
Rewatch?
Definitely YES I would rewatch it over and over again because I need something as positive as this to boost my energy and remind me that it really is never too late.
Overall
Are you a drama lover? This drama fits everyone's taste because it's a slice of life and yet it has everything that we as drama fans love and would wanna watch. If I could I would personally go and thank everyone who helped making it.
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This review may contain spoilers
A PLEASANT SURPRISE!!!!
"Rise of Ning" is a captivating historical drama that tells the story of Yining, a girl who returns home after being cast away by her father as punishment. Upon her return, she navigates the complexities of her family relationships and the intricate politics surrounding them. The drama delves into the mysteries of her mother's death and the secrets of her birth, adding layers to the narrative.As Yining reconnects with her family, she encounters a man who is intricately linked to her past and is also ostracized due to his origins. This relationship adds depth to the story, as both characters work together to confront the adversities posed by their family dynamics. The series primarily focuses on the various family relationships and the political intrigue within them, showcasing how the female and male leads support each other in their individual battles.
I initially watched this drama for the cast, particularly Ren Min, who portrays the female lead. I have admired her work in various projects before. Similarly, I was drawn to Zhang Wanyi, the male lead, who I had previously seen in the historical drama "Are You the One." However, beyond the impressive casting, I found myself falling in love with the story's buildup and development.
The narrative, centered around family, adversities, and complicated relationships, is both intriguing and engaging. The writer skillfully navigates potential pitfalls in the plot, ensuring that the story remains cohesive and captivating. Although the pacing starts off a bit slow, it serves as an essential part of the overall buildup, ultimately keeping me entertained and invested in the characters' journeys.
Given that this drama revolves around family politics, one might expect it to lean heavily into darker themes. However, despite its deep and heavy plot, "Rise of Ning" manages to maintain a light and relaxing tone, which I found refreshing.
One of the standout aspects of the series is the way its characters are written, particularly the main leads. The female lead is portrayed as quick-witted, smart, and emotionally and mentally strong. While she may not be physically powerful, her vulnerability makes her relatable and human. I loved how she embodies both strength and vulnerability; she isn't a warrior and doesn't rely on physical combat but instead uses her intelligence to navigate various challenges. She also assists the male lead in overcoming his own obstacles.
On the other hand, the male lead is characterized by his calm and gentle demeanor, combined with a sharp intellect. He possesses a tough side that emerges only when provoked, which I admired. Together, these two characters shine throughout the series. For the first time, I felt that neither lead overshadowed the other; instead, they both stood out in their own right, complementing each other beautifully. Their dynamic as a team was incredible, and I loved their teamwork.
Additionally, the supporting characters were interesting and added depth to the story. This drama features a diverse cast, and whether good or bad, each character contributed to making the show even more engaging.
The character development and the balance between the leads created a captivating viewing experience. It's great to see a drama that successfully highlights the strengths and vulnerabilities of its characters while keeping the tone enjoyable.....
The relationship between the leads is developed in a slow yet delicate manner, considering they start off as a sort of family and then evolve into something more. I love how they drew that line; as family, their bond was portrayed in a pure and heartwarming way, allowing the audience to feel the fondness between them. When they transitioned into lovers, it was a simple yet profound change. The shift was nothing grand but rather subtle, with each step taken carefully, which I appreciated a lot.
The chemistry between the leads was beautiful to watch. Their interactions made me giggle, and I adored seeing them together—both as supportive family members and as romantic partners. It was a beautiful, delicate, and heartwarming relationship that felt comfortable.
What stood out to me was the equality in their relationship. The writer made a conscious effort to avoid misunderstandings between them by emphasizing communication. This, combined with the carefully built trust, made their bond even stronger. He was always willing to protect her, even when she didn’t ask for it, and she was equally willing to help him out. Their overall dynamic was amazing to watch.
They don’t delve into the romantic aspect until later in the series, but the buildup of their relationship was so well done that the transition felt smooth.
I also loved how they inserted moments of comedy here and there, which lightened the mood even more. This balance made the series not only engaging but also enjoyable to watch!
The ending was beautiful, I love how they tied the knots and everything felt pretty much sorted out....this drama was such a wonderful experience..from a personal view and perspective...I loved every moment of it and actually needed more..but it was wrapped up beautifully.
Overall rise of Ning was such a pleasant surprise, and I'm really glad I gave it a chance! From the impressive cast to the engaging plot, everything just clicked. I know some people have reservations about the female lead, but honestly, she nailed her role! And of course, Zhang Wanyi did it again—his performance was fantastic, and I can't wait to see more of his work in the future.
The characters were well-written, and the relationship development between the leads was so captivating. The plot execution was spot on, and I never felt like the drama fell short at any moment. This has definitely become one of the best Chinese dramas I've watched this year!
Do I recommend it ? YES like there is no other answer I would give exept give it a chance and it might be exactly what you want.....
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This review may contain spoilers
I, like most people, began watching because of the high ratings (9.1 atm) and the intriguing synopsis. MC in a comic book trying to fight against her fate? Sign me up! The first few episodes did pretty well in setting up the story and world-building. You have Dan Oh who is headstrong and determined to change her fight as a sick girl who has a crush on Baek Kyung, Baek Kyung who treats Dan Oh like trash, Haru who tries to help Dan Oh change her fate, Joo Da who is your typical helpless female lead in the comic, Nam Joo who is your typical rich male lead in the comic, and Do Hwa who is your typical sweet second-male lead. However, towards the middle of the story, Dan Oh's goal switches and she turns into the cliche girl whose life now centers around romance and being with Haru. Scenes become repetitive as characters lose their memories, scenes successfully manage to be changed only with slight tweaks, and Dan Oh continuously suffers from her sickness without being able to do anything about it. You're up to the last four episodes and you're thinking, what's progressed between Dan Oh and achieving her sickness goal? NOTHING! The only progress there has been in Dan Oh's life is in the romance department between her and Haru. And of course, the last four episodes rush everything and almost nothing is explained or satisfyingly resolved in the end. Who is the writer? Why do shadows exist in the first place? Why don't the characters just get skipped to the next important scene automatically? How do the changed scenes affect the writer's planning in real life? What's the point of this whole drama if the characters will face the same problem in the other works the author writes? What happens to the characters after a story is completed? Why does Haru sleep in school? Is he homeless? Where's his parents? Why don't we know anything about him after 30 episodes other than that he likes Dan Oh? Dan Oh's best friend is Ju Da's bully, yet why does Dan Oh never do anything about it?Pros:
- Unique concept (even though a lot of potential is wasted)
- Charming and complex characters (especially Do Hwa and shadow Ju Da)
- Superb acting despite messy storyline (major props to Baek Kyung's actor)
- Great character developments (Baek Kyung)
- Mix of historical drama background
Cons:
- Turns into your typical romance story with a high school girl infatuated with a guy and prioritizing him over her own life
- Undeveloped characters (looking at you, Haru)
- Sends bad messages (romance vs. life, no free will, can't change your fate, bullying)
- TONS of plotholes
- Not a lot of questions answered
- Repetitive scenes
- Terrible and rushed ending
All in all, if you're looking for a romance drama with a bit of a "forbidden love" twist and angst in it, this is for you. Just don't look too deep into the whole character-being-unable-to-change-her-fate concept. If you're planning on watching it because the synopsis sounds interesting, brace yourself for the disappointment. The rushed ending leaving millions of questions unanswered will crush you.
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The Best Japanese BL EVER
The funny thing to me is.... I started off liking Kieta Hatsukoi more... and I just thought My Beautiful Man first episode was JUST OK... but in the end I liked My Beautiful slightly more than I did Kieta.. both shows are beautiful but the story build up in My Beautiful Man was just perfection.The acting performance from the two leads were so stellar and gripping. The show builds episode by episode and it leaves u on the edge of your seat... This is definitely the best Japanese BL I've ever seen and definitely top 10 among all time BL's for me. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves boy love content.
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This review may contain spoilers
One of those heartbreaking movies...
I know there are a lot of people out there who loves to watch a movie that makes them smile a little bit and cry a whole lot more. Then "2037" is the film for you.Let's talk about Hong Ye Ji's acting playing Yoon young, knowing now that this is her first work in acting has actually left me speecheless. The amount of feelings that she succeeded to convey to me was tremoundous.
The pain, the sadness, the unfairness and the desperateness were all very well acted out by her.
She dropped out of school without her mother knowing to pay off the medication and her father's debt, but she still wanted to take the governemant exam eventually. They were happy or let's stay stable until IT happened. You know what happened : the unexpected things that life throws at you. I'll leave them for you to discover.
I'm not sure how to feel about the fact that a 19 years old girl went through all of this and also knowing that there are girls out there who were hurt the same way. I'm hurting for them and want them to know that they are a strong loved person if they've ever come to read this.
About her mother Kyeong Sook whenever she appeared i was crying buckets because Kim Ji Young's acting was on another level. She is a deaf person with asthma, she learned how to speak for her daughter, she was hurting for her daughter but as Soon Je, a co-inmate in a death row sentence within the Cell No. 12, said: For their kids, mothers are much stronger than you think. She was so sorry that she couldn't protect her daughter and give her the life that she wanted for her. As i saw her holding that pizza and wandering barefooted, my heart was wrecked, she really wanted to believe that her daughter is fine, that she is going to be fine.
All the co-inmates in Cell No. 12 had their own stories unfolded and then comforted by Yoon Young at the end, they offered protection and nurtered her each in their own way.
This is the end for those who haven't watched it yet, i would highly advise you to go watch it and get some tissues and band-aids for your heart ready!
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD, DON'T READ, GO WATCH THEN COME BACK. (It's sort of a conclusion to me personally)
Yoon Young's wish was that it's all going to be a dream, it was granted at he end after much suffering both physically and much more mentally. She gave up her daughter named by her inmates "Boni" for adoption, she wished her to grow well and beautiful, she didn't abandon her but she did this to protect her as she said it about Sa Rang's parents, so i can conclude for the sake of my heart that she accepted her and loved her at the end. Most importantly, she did end up again happy with her mother and having an interview to become a government employee.
I was trying to avoid watching a heartwrenching movie like this for so long now because it affects me so much and i know it will stay with me for so long but yeah it is what it is.
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This is possibly the weirdest and most surprising dorama I've ever come across. Nothing is what is expected, or what it seems.
It's just as hard to define its genre, because while it could be listed as a science fiction drama, the fantasy part is just a device to make a very human, touching and very present message come across: are we really capable of cherishing our lives? Do we truly appreciate all the little and big things thrown onto our path or do we give them for granted?
Were I to base the overall rating only on how much I liked it, I would give it a 10. But it's undeniable that it doesn't deserve it on the cinematographic level: the shooting quality is average at best, it reminded me of those catastrophe movies from the 70ies, like Poseidon, or Empire of the Ants, often naive, with some ludicrous special effects. And it certainly does not shine for its photography.
The music goes from ordinary to completely random.
But characterization, dialogues and acting make up in heaps for whatever flaw. If you have read The Lord of The Flies by William Golding, this drama may remind you of it. Mix it with the most classical concept of Carpe Diem - seize the day - and you have Long Love Letter.
Kubozuka Yousuke is adorable here, at times childishly clumsy, at others emotionally intense. But it's Takako Tokiwa who really steals the screen, her character being the epitome of strength of will, sweetness and courage.
In fact, this drama is acutely feminine, like mother Earth herself.
The kids play their part very well, one ends up liking a quite stony Yamashita Tomohisa too.
I adored the ending. It makes this into one of those dramas one is emotionally compelled to talk about with someone, share opinions and questions. Like it or not, it doesn't leave you untouched.
So, by now you have 2 choices: decide that both the drama and the reviewer are deranged and leave it be, or watch it.
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An inverse function... Consider the journey the reward. Truly captivating.
Two core components of KDrama characterize the recipe of "Secret": Firstly, the rich and powerful can obviously get away with anything. Secondly, a secret not only changes those who know about it, but eventually comes to light. Yet the brilliant mixture of this pastry makes the difference: the fatal initial constellation of the relationship dynamics is so cleverly shifted, twisted and tricky in several emotional loopings that the emotional world is completely turned upside down - an inverse function...For quite some time I avoided this KDrama, because (from the description) I thought I already knew how the story was going to go. ...Quite familiar, already seen many times... However, at some point I just wanted to have a glimpse (probably because of Ji Sung). What a surprise: it was truly captivating...
Moments of foreboding and predictability, yes, there are. But believe me, that doesn't stop you from wanting to see HOW things in their complicated entanglement can still turn out for the best. On the contrary, you CAN´T WAIT to experience that! The destination may be known, however, consider the journey the reward.
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Political thriller, eloquently dealing with SK´s struggle for true democracy. Inspired. Profound.
Election campaign is a fight. But what rules should be applied? Do you inevitably have to hand in your ideals and ethics at the entrance as price for political success?Critical processing of South Korea's recent past - the democracy movement - is still in its infancy, because the dictatorship just finished a few decades ago and its proven structures within conservative circles are still resonating today. Increasingly, however, this topic is also taking up its media space. The political thriller "Kingmaker" sets a bold milestone by taking on a dazzling, comparatively upright, almost exemplary political personality, who for a long time seemed to have no chance in his sincere, ambitious fight for real democracy: Kim Dae-jung. He was the first opposition candidate to be elected President of the Republic. He is also the only South Korean to ever receive a Nobel Prize for his work on democracy and human rights. Some call him the Nelson Mandela of Asia...
In particular "Kingmaker" tells (in the plot prepared with some poetic freedom) about the early years of his political struggle and the arduous path that ultimately led him to the Blue House. The focus is less on his biography and more on what he still stands for in the eyes of most South Koreans today: real democracy. Or rather, against what he wanted to compete: the conservative, elitist, political cronies who stand in the way of progress and justice, if it is not in their own interest.
In the service of the electoral success, Kim (like so many politicians on this planet) was probably tried more than once to sanctify the 'good' purpose in the sights of many a morally questionable means. This difficult balancing act between an upright political attitude and one's own venality in a pact with a promising "devil" is illuminated and processed here in an impressive way. The temptation of a promising shortcut to success usually comes with a price that has to be paid sooner or later. (The internal struggle of 'for' versus 'against' shapes the decision-makers in South Korea with their well-established, conservative, shadowy networks to this day. This is actually writing daily history. And the TV and movie productions are full of it, too.)
The status quo - submission to the apparently influential 'more powerful' - is contrasted with a historically real personality. In order to convey the emotional dilemma in a dramaturgically clear way, Kim's campaign strategist of the first hours, Eom Chang-rok, was stylized as the main character and staged fictionally. In fact, little is known about him other than that he is said to have been brilliant and downright genius.
The story is about Eom Chang-rok's intelligent crisis interventions, solution approaches and election campaign strategies, some of which are in stark contrast to Kim's idealistic democratic values, that are always geared towards serving the people. The audience is confronted more than once with the question of whether the end might justify the means. Isn't the power of the people just a well-meant illusion after all? Wouldn't it be more efficient for the state leadership if a few (more or less) smart people decided for the many others in a short decision-making process? "Kingmaker" touches the foundations of political morality and ideology.
However, the KMovie also touches on very human weaknesses: the need for approval and the temptation to be seduced. These weaknesses are truly human and have to be dealt with by everybody - somehow, someday.
"Kingmaker" is a moving political thriller set in recent South Korean contemporary history about the stumbling blocks and challenges of true democracy. A democracy, that requires responsible, mature and accountable citizens. A democracy, that will always be challenged by the forces and networks operating in the shadows, whose goal is to incapacitate the citizens and instead rule for their own personal benefits.
An unpleasant subject, indeed. Yet the KMovie is eloquently dealing with this crucial issue for any democratic society.
A brilliant approach to this topic as well as to a younger chapter of South Korea´s history.
Inspired storytelling.
A profound production.
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A highlight in KDrama history in terms of the processing of women´s beauty-dilemma
Admittedly, "My Name is Kim Sam-soon" is comparatively old. Here you can experience Hyun Bin very young, almost boyish in his early 20s. Nevertheless, I consider this series to be a highlight in KDrama history in terms of the thematic processing of its content. Yes, there's a lot of nagging going on in Korean style. But the arguments and what is being carried out, it has it all.It's about women's beauty ideals, especially about being slim. About last-minute panic among women over 30. About romantic ideals and the reality of relationships. About professionally successful women (and those who want to become or thus have big dreams) - not only the protagonist, but also her mother, her potential mother-in-law and the male protagonist's restaurant manager and ultimately also the male protagonist's ex.
The underlying question is whether a woman, who does not define herself by her slimness and beauty, has a chance of 'getting' a handsome, nice man. Is she even perceived as a woman? Taken seriously? From what else can a woman draw her self-esteem beyond 'beauty' to find her place in life - self-confident and happy. Is that even possible? Is attractiveness in the sense of the ideal of beauty a prerequisite for marriage, family and/or for success at work? And is all this the prerequisite for a happy life? Or maybe the question is completely wrong? Shouldn´t it not be a happy, healthy life at the beginning and then you see what else might be added to it? ...love and self-love - the thing with the chicken and the egg...
"My Name is Kim Sam-soon" tells the story about the female flaw without miraculous transformation. At the beginning (and at the end!) there is a self-confident young woman who is overweight (I would say ´normal´ (vs ´ideal´) weight, but obviously not by Korean standards). She has quirks and doubts, talents and visions, hopes and charm. She doesn't let the adverse winds in her life get her down. Her courage sometimes fails her, but she knows exactly what she wants and even better, what she doesn't want. Although her body dimensions do not meet the standards of the fashion industry - she is painfully aware of this, because that is what those around her tirelessly mirror - she does not question herself. As best as she can, she stands by herself and what she thinks is right.
Kim Sun-ah has won multiple awards for her portrayal of Kim Sam-soon. I have the greatest respect for her, because she lives her role to the fullest, just as if she were Sam-soon for real. In a world dominated by the eyes of men, she convincingly fights on behalf of several generations of women for gender-independent self-confidence, for quick-wittedness and for unconditional self love. She had put on quite a few kilos for this role in order to get away from the usual ideal of beauty. So she wins tons of hearts of women (from all over the world), for whom she carries out her inner and outer struggles on their behalf. In 2004, ratings at times reached almost 50 percent. ...The topicality of the subject has not diminished around 20 years later (one could say: "unfortunately").
The original title is: 'My name is Kim Sam-soon'. Internationally, the KDrama is marketed with the title "My Lovely Sam-soon". That's actually an insult (in my opinion). Didn't the 'decision makers' (they must have been men) actually see the series? Why do they focus the narrative perspective on the male protagonist and also emphasize his possessiveness with this possessive pronoun? And why do they only reduce Sam-soon to her appearance again? I do not get it. I assume that these ´decision makers´ probably didn´t understand anything. Even if it's possibly meant to be ironic, I consider that impossible... In any case, I choose the appropriate international title "My Name is Kim Sam-soon".
By the way, "Sam-soon" is an old-fashioned name for the third-born. It has a certain charm that this 'old-fashioned' birth name represents a bigger self-esteem problem for the female protagonist than her looks...
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For series made out of mangas, I think japanese versions are better.
Not because korean or taiwanese versions are not good, but because there are some things just japanese culture can express when it comes to manga/dorama adaptations.
I never read the manga but I know the mangaka's style; I can say I liked this very much but there are also things I'd like to point out.
I made some considerations thinking also of the korean version.
The plot; The plot is nice and the things that happen not so unreal. It is a cute and sometimes moving story about love and about growing up.
Even though some episodes are boring, it is not difficult to watch since you fell for the characters.
The characters and the casting;
Naoki was good; good looking and well played by Furukawa Yuki. I liked him better than the korean one, because I felt like he was more professional and more like the real Naoki. I mean, you have the feeling the actor is doing a great job because you can feel the cold-and-warm-at-the-same-time heart of Naoki.
The only thing that I have to point out is that at the end his character changes too fast, and it seems a little weird. I think it is something that is in the manga too, but well, he is just perfect this way.
Kotoko is a character I love and hate at the same time. I love her because she never gives up, but I hate her because she is a little bit too much in stalkering Naoki. Anyway, it is a good and fresh character that makes you smile.
Despite of what everybody says, I liked Miki Honoka. She's 16, ok, but she is good to be a 16 yo girl! Her exaggerated expressions were part of the script, in almost every comedy japanese doramas there are this kind of expressions. Most of all, I could really feel the change between the firstepisodesKotoko and the lastepisodesKotoko. Everything was good.
Speaking of the age incompatibility between Honoka and Yuki, Yuki said himself he thinks Honoka is very mature to be 16, he didn't feel the age differences at all, and I think so.
I liked the other characters too, both families, and the friends.
Kinchan was portraied better than the korean version: funny, immature but also mature when it comes to be like that.
Music: I liked the op, it was just perfect for this drama, very japanese style.
Also the other songs of the ost are good and suitable for the drama.
In the end, I liked it very much. I recommend this to everyone who wants romance, and also who wants to see something about school, friendship and growing up.
A very good drama!
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The best thing about the movie is, that its not over dramatic, or too sad, depressing and so. The story is actually very simple, cute and optimistic - just a little untraditional love story about two young people who just met each other :)
There is not much speaking in the movie, they mostly use the sign language. Thats why someone could say that it will be boring, but thats absolutely not true. The way they use sign language is so interesting, that it catches your eyes and make it more interesting.
If you are looking for a movie, that is positive, nice and optimistic, this is for you. It a good way to spend your time whenever you are depressed :)
(sorry for my english)
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