Completed
Across the Furious Sea
10 people found this review helpful
by AnHua
Feb 13, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Revenge vs Protection

Across the Furious Sea is a cinematic ride for those who like their drama grim, gritty and in constant unpredictable movement. A cat and mouse game of revenge versus protection that conveys in subtext the disparity of parenthood between the classes.
Ultimately this is a story about facing the truth , whether about oneself, or those we love and accepting responsibility for our actions & treatment of others.
It has violence both bloody and sexual but the real darkness is in the characters.
While it was messed up, sad, tragic , thrilling and so well done at same time ,the end message of the movie comes across the sea loud and clear.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Meteor Garden
9 people found this review helpful
by Macy
Jan 5, 2018
19 of 19 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5
A lot of reviews compare "Meteor Garden" to the other "Hana Yori Dango" adaptations, which I don't think is really fair... Not only was MG the first drama version, it was made on a pretty low budget. Producer Angie Chai bought most of the F4's clothes from local thrift shops and had a hard time getting funding for some of the scenes. Nevertheless, Chai had a vision and it paid off. "Meteor Garden" is considered the first of the popular "idol drama" trend and launched her career as a prolific producer. The drama made household names out of Barbie Hsu, Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, Ken Chu, and Vanness Wu. All went on to have good careers, though to varying degrees of success. It also introduced the sweet and popular Rainie Yang.As an adaptation of "Hana Yori Dango" (or "Boys Over Flowers"), MG is probably the most faithful to the manga. MG combined a few characters (notably Makiko and Sakurako [Li Zhen] and Seinosuke and Junpei [Xiao Shun]), but I was pleasantly surprised to see Matsutaro (Ah Song, played by Wallace Chung) and Amon (Ya Men, played by Blue Lan). Neither of the latter characters have been featured in any other drama, not even the Japanese version. Additionally, MG follows the manga almost scene by scene, only skipping over about one arc. It's unfortunate that the manga was not finished yet, so the writers had to make up an ending. I was not really a fan of the last episode, besides the very last scene.For fans of the manga, I would say this is a must-watch, despite the low production values. Barbie Hsu's (Shan Cai) and Jerry Yan's (Dao Ming Si) chemistry was also on point. It's no wonder this version was so popular at the time that it aired. A popularity that endures to this day. I'm very excited for the upcoming remake since Chai has promised to make another faithful (but updated and flashy) rendition.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Sunny Sisters
10 people found this review helpful
by adel
Oct 12, 2021
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0

A good watch

Story
Compared to the other versions, the plotline were pretty much the same. This version have a more sentimental feel to it. And even though i knew the ending, i still cried.

Acting/Cast
The acting was good. Casting wasn't really spot on like other versions, but still good.

Music
The music were nostalgic. My favorite was 很高兴认识你 by Twins

Overall
It's a touching story about the friendship of 7 different girls. If you like retro setting, i think you'll enjoy this.
Cinematography was really good and really pleasing to see. I really liked their outfits on the 90's setting.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Star and Sky: Star in My Mind
10 people found this review helpful
Oct 20, 2022
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 7.5
This review may contain spoilers
I really liked this series, it wasn't until the last two eps that I kinda got bored a little. Turns out that I need some... drama... in my drama, not just pure fluff. I prefer it when my dramas end with a bang and not a soft plop.

I mean, there was a bang, literally, just not for the main couple, it was a set-up for Sky in Your Heart. Definitely an interesting set-up, that's for sure, the main couple just sort of fluffily fizzled out into cuteness, though. And I'm more of a give me angst or give me death kinda gal.

But regarding the drama itself and its characters, I ended up loving Kluen which I didn't expect at first because I thought he was leading Nuea on out of pure... whatever. But when I got to know him, how hard it was for Kluen to express himself, he become my favorite!

What I adored were the relationships the main characters had with others, mainly Nuea's relationship with his older brother Fah, it was so touching, and Kluen's friendship with Noel who truly understood Kluen and his issues and tried to help him in any way he could.

Overall, a very sweet story and I will definitely watch the follow-up!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Hana Yori Dango
10 people found this review helpful
Mar 7, 2013
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
As a fan of the huge, multi-cultural, franchise that is HYD adaptations, I had to watch the ancestor of them all. Made in 1995, you should be warned that this movie showcases some of the most hilarious outfits I’ve ever seen. I mean…Domyoji, if you’re so rich, why can’t you seem to afford a shirt to put under that hideous vest you wear everywhere? Anyway, if you can get past the 90s vibe (or appreciate it as added humor), this movie actually has a lot of positives. It takes the familiar story (in part at least) and manages to fit it into a movie without making the viewers feel overwhelmed. The acting was decent, if a bit over the top and it was really fun to see some Japanese stars back in their young days (Looking at you Tanihara Shosuke). It was entertaining, and for something I only turned on in order to say I had watched it before, turned out to be better than expectations.

(Review originally from my blog)

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
A Tale of Thousand Stars
9 people found this review helpful
by ashley
Apr 3, 2021
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

YOU MUST WATCH IT AND RATE IT FAIR!

Omg. I’m speechless.
This was one beautiful one I found after I almost gave up on gmmtv and thai bls.
WHAT A MASTERPIECE.
THERE IS NOTHING NOT TO LOVE.
EVERY SCENE IS MAGICAL AND IS SUPER SOOTHING.
THE CINEMATOGRAPHY IS TO DIE FOR.
THE ACTING IS INCREDIBLE. ESPECIALLY EARTH’s. I wish they didn’t make mix cry so much but other than that THIS ONE IS IT.
IM GONNA WATCH IT EVERY NIGHT.
AND LET THAT MAGICAL MUSIC - (NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE HOW BEAUTIFUL THE OSTS ARE) PUT ME TO SLEEP.
I have one thing to tell you.
WATCH IT.
AND HELP THEM BRING BACK ANOTHER SEASON.
<3 #phapundao #showsomelove #its time to give credits to such good bls. Cause it’s not fair when ones which are barely good enough gain so much popularity when these kinda good ones stay underrated.
THIS IS WORTH IT. Love y’all!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
The Starry Love
10 people found this review helpful
Apr 26, 2023
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

A fun and enjoyable ride ~ It's worth spending your time on!

It's been a while since I last watched a xianxia drama, and The Starry Love was on my watchlist mainly because of Chen Xing Xu. However, when it started airing, I was hooked on another drama, and watched 2 more dramas after that, before coming back to it. I finished it a few weeks ago, and I must say, I really like and thoroughly enjoyed this drama ! :)

In the midst of the fantasy set-up, I love the drama's focus on comedy, romance, action, family relationships and friendship. Of course, there is angst woven into the story, but not too much that it becomes dragging and annoying. The story of the main couple, You Qin and Ye Tan, developed slowly in the first few episodes, as they seemed to be getting on each other's nerves more. In comparison, the romance of the second couple, Chao Feng and Qing Kui, developed faster. But You Qin and Ye Tan's relationship and the overall plot development gets better and better as the story progresses. I like the episodes when Ye Tan went to the mortal realm to find the 3 soul shards and the different antics, heartwarming acts and comedic moments that she (with help from her "cohorts") did to make them fall in love with her. And how, in the process, she fell for the 3 soul shards, and eventually realized her feelings for You Qin. And of course, I love the parts with You Qin version 2.0! He became more expressive and in tune with his emotions when the 3 soul shards merged. There are many swoon-worthy and heartwarming moments, as well as light-hearted scenes between You Qin and Ye Tan. Their chemistry is palpable! I also like how the drama portrayed the sisterly love and bond between Ye Tan and Qing Kui; there were no jealousy and hate, just love and support for each other. The strong friendships and family dynamics are also a joy to watch.

The cast's acting, as a whole, was very good! They gave an overall great performance to drive the story. I will mention some of them:
• Chen Xing Xu certainly delivered in this role as Shao Dian You Qin (plus the 3 soul shards). His portrayal of the 5 personalities is spot on and convincing! He proved his versatility again as an actor. I love the 3 soul shards, because each of them represents a different facet of You Qin, which makes him a more well-rounded, complete and likable character. My personal favorite is Mei You Qing. He's so funny and smart! :)
• Li Lan Di is excellent as Li Guang Ye Tan; she truly fits the role. She has great comedic timing, and was able to portray the funny, mischievous and serious sides of Ye Tan. And in the heavier scenes, she was able to convey the depth of her emotions.
• He Xuan Lin as Li Guang Qing Kui was able to exude gentleness and kindness, but showed her inner strength and wits when faced with different challenges.
• Chen Mu Chi's Chao Feng, although he started out as a cunning and deceptive 3rd prince of the Void, gradually grew and matured as a character. I think CMC was able to show this development.
• And let's not forget the besties, Man Man (Wang Li Na), Di Lan Jue (Qin Tian Yu) and Hai Chao (Cao Bo)! I love these three. They are the kind of friends we need - loyal, supportive, gives encouragement, and unafraid to say what needs to be said, even if it hurts sometimes. Not to mention they have a good sense of humor.
• I also like Zi Wu (Dai Ya Qi), Qing Heng (Zhou Zhan), and the Heavenly Empress (Kong Song Jin) – family members who were fiercely loving, loyal and supportive of You Qin.

The rest of the cast did very well too, thus giving this drama its overall quality and making it a memorable one.

The OST is fitting for this drama and adds to my enjoyment of the show. I like both the opening and ending theme songs. As for the CGI and fight scenes, they were aesthetically done and didn't look fake. The production – costumes, locations, sets, props – are on point.

Regarding the ending, I went into this with a general idea of how the story would end, so I wasn't too caught off guard. Although the ending could have been better and more definite, I think it is still good because it gives a sense of hope - it's not a sad ending.

I have rewatched a number of episodes already, and I plan to rewatch the rest in the future.

Final verdict: I highly recommend this one. It is a fun and enjoyable ride, and worth spending your time on!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Mop Girl
10 people found this review helpful
by Emily
Dec 8, 2012
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
Skip to the Overview if this is TL;DR.
This drama very much fits the usual standard for Japanese dramas; a series of events, usually with a pattern, and an underlying storyline.
SPECIAL NOTE: I cried in 3 episodes. In a 10 Episode drama. Usually, the only dramas that get me crying are the epic 25 episode long ones- and even then, they have to have POSITIVELY HEART-SHATTERINGLY SAD ENDINGS. Or no tears are shed. In this way, this drama is impressive.

Story- It had a very good idea for the story, but I don't know if I agreed with how it was executed. There were definitely some loose ends I would like tied up, and the ending wasn't satisfactory.

Cast- I thoroughly enjoyed the cast, I think they all did very well. :) The lady that plays Momoko is a very good actress; I'm currently watching her in another drama and she plays the polar opposite character of Momoko, to the extent that I can barely believe it's her.

Music- I actually remember a lot of the music from this one, which is a little bit of a surprise (in a good way). It was really quirky and it always fit with the scene. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and sometimes tense. The intro song is beautiful as well.

I wouldn't watch this drama again any time soon, although I enjoyed it. It simply isn't a drama made for rewatching is all.

Overall, it's a little bit of a frivolous drama, very funny (I legitimately lol'ed several times) and heart touching. Don't watch it if you're looking for romance, a completely sensical and complete storyline, or a particularly unpredictable or serious drama.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Our Skyy 2: A Tale of Thousand Stars
10 people found this review helpful
Jun 9, 2023
1 of 1 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.5

they saved the best our skyy 2 episode till last

this episode.. i don't even know where to start, it had my crying multiple times but with tears of happiness, it was everything i needed and more.

we got to see many more sweet earthmix moments we did not get to see in the bad buddy crossover which i am so grateful for. whilst i did not wait as long for this as other atots viewers did, as i did not see atots for the first time until last year, it was still a long time to wait to see tian and phupha again and it was definitely worth the wait to see their happy moments together.

if you have seen the cross over episodes with bad buddy you will see this one has a bigger focus on their sweet and loving moments, which i suppose is obvious and bound to happen since this was now their 'own' episode but it was not expecting that much sweetness given how phupha was acting in those cross over episodes.. it made me so emotional :')

this episode has some of the most beautiful moments out of all 16 in the our skyy 2 series, and is potentially my favourite out of them all, i urge you to watch this if you like a tale of thousand stars, earthmix truly deserve all the love and support for this episode, as well as the cross over episodes (however i much prefer this one..)

the ost they sung for this is great, and sung beautifully by them both as always!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Fermat's Cuisine
10 people found this review helpful
by Jojo
Jun 8, 2024
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 4
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.5

Culinary Alchemy: Cooking up self discovery with side of food and formulas!

Fermat no Ryori—where culinary arts meet math, two things I'm about as skilled at as a fish on a bicycle. Yet, surprisingly, this quirky blend managed to hook me in with its mix of food and formulas.

Onto the main course—the food and math combo. The series isn't just about cooking up dishes as I expected but it emphasized more about cooking up some self-discovery. Our main leads Gaku and Kai are as complex as a recipe with too many ingredients.
Their attempts to adapt to each other's ways, followed by failures and subsequent self realizations kept me hooked. The narrative emphasizes on the importance of personal growth within any kind of relationship.
Honestly I came here looking for all the food talk (which I did get) but stayed for the stories of those who made it.

While it was an unconventionally tasty and intriguing concept, sometimes it felt forced and a bit gimmicky. And speaking of issues, the pacing was a bit like Swiss cheese—full of gaps. I don't mind a slow-paced drama, but at times it felt a little draggy.

The bromance between Gaku and Kai was the dessert! It was entertaining to watch especially the hug where Gaku comforts Kai. As for the ending, it was happy and melodramatic, but that smile while cooking in the last scene made me swoon.

Overall, the drama serves up a strong premise, with execution as uneven as a lumpy gravy, but with decent acting!
Bon appétit!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Yumi's Cells
10 people found this review helpful
Nov 1, 2021
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.0
Breath in..... breath out.... calm.... calm.... calm......
NOT CALM!!! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ENDING!??! I NEED SEASON 2, RIGHT NOW!!!

I without a doubt loved this show.... which is crazy to me because I never planned to watch it. Mostly because the whole concept screamed "Inside Out" to me and I'm not really hip to the whole coattail thing, but I gotta admit, they did a amazing job with this and I'm obsessed with all the cells! Hunger cell is my purly my reason for living. Lol

I remember seeing a post (that I really wish I could remember what it was about) and it made me more curious about the show than anything and I thought "eh why not" so -- I looked it up and only intended to watch a few minutes of it just to see what the hype was about.... It quickly turned into a binge watch black hole. Lol I mean, when your opening scene has a shirtless Minho, who in their right minds can turn that down? LOL!!!
But in all realness, I get it now. This show -- I have no words. Least none that cover how mind blowing awesome it was.

If you saw any of my updates, you know for a fact, I want to fight Woong and Sae Yi should maybe meet her match of the white truck of doom. I SAID WHAT I SAID!!! These two drove me up the wall with madness every time I saw them.
Yumi really didn't deserve everything Woong put her through. And gosh damn they needed to learn communication. Why is it so damn HARD to open your mouth and be like "hey we need to talk about some stuff"? or just be honest. Sheesh.
Let's just say this, the second he said "I can't lie" -- you knew, we all knew, that was a damn lie and a red flag straight from hell. It was like a ominus bell of doom the moment he said that. Not saying Yumi was perfect, but she really did try. Even when she kept getting sus over Sae Yi, Yumi really self sabotaged a lot around that time but I'm glad in the end, she talked to him about it. But I'm more pissed that he defended Sae Yi literally till the last moment. I get friendship is strong and everything but come on... you know damn well what she is doing and how she feels. It's insulting to Yumi to play the way he did. "I was handling it" pshhhh my ass!!!

I still have mixed feelings because when Yumi and Woong were happy together and had those great moments, I would forget how much I hated him.... of course, it would quickly get squished when he would pull some shit again. It was like a yo-yo constantly. back and forth and every now and then a trick would have you spinning around, then back to back and forth. Lol

I really hope next season we get to see more of Minho and Jin Young's characters. Which I feel like we will see more Jin Young, but not sure about Minho. Kinda want to see where his love life will be going. Lol Though can we all agree it's a little weird Minho's character and Yumi's ex kinda had the same character name (Ugi/U-gi) lol
I would even love to see where Ruby will be headed in the story... mind you, I couldn't stand her at all through most of the show but close to the end she grew on me a bit. Not sure why. Either way, if she is in season 2, I hope she grows up a little.

I think I have blabbed incoherently enough X_X what I'm trying to fully say is, if you're curious about this show, WATCH IT NOW!! Trust me, the cute cells are totally worth it and are what made this show what it was (for me). Can't NOT love hunger and lust cell. lol -- I seriously want to see other character cells in season 2. (that sounds weird to say hahaha)

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Hwayi: A Monster Boy
10 people found this review helpful
Jan 16, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 6.0

“Nature or Nurture?”; The Ultimate Question of ‘ Hwayi:A Monster Boy’



Director Jang Joon Hwan and screenwriter Park Joo Seok’s attempted to delve deeper into the ultimate debate of “ nature vs nurture” with ‘Hwayi: A Monster Boy’ - a savage action-thriller that is expedited by its gratuitous fight scenes. Despite Jang Joon Hwan’s film bringing forward TV star Yeo Jin-goo’s first silver-screen debut, the film’s scant insight into the motives and drives of its odd ensemble of characters alongside shoehorned storytelling and dialogue, will likely test the patience (at times) of action-genre enthusiasts and casual watchers alike.

The movie focused upon the titular main lead Hwayi ( Yeo Jin Goo); a high-school boy who was kidnapped as an infant and brought up by a gang of sadistic thugs. From a young age Hwayi has been reared into becoming a perfect killer by his five “ dads”: Suk-tae (Kim Yun-seok), Jin-sung (Jang Hyun-sung), Ki-tae (Cho Jin-woong), Dong-beom (Kim Sung-kyun) and Beom-soo (Park Hae-jun). However after turning seventeen, Hwayi is soon forced to face the reality of his upbringing as questions soon rise towards his birth parents against his violent nurturing and environment.

Jang Joon Hwan’s 2003 success ‘ Save The Green Planet’ was a work that combined graphic violence, fantasy and social critique to create a daring result. In many ways ‘ Hwayi: A Monster Boy’ shared a lot of similar themes with its predecessor- bloodlust gore and themes revolving around captivity and humanity blooming to life in an attempt to hook and intrigue viewers. However, whilst ‘ Save The Green Planet’ was a movie that possessed tactful multilayered themes and topics, ‘ Hwayi: A Monster Boy’ struggled to sketch-out the same depth as Joon Hwan’s previous work due to a notable key issue; writing.

In theory, Hwayi’s complicated relationships with his five fathers should have been the backbone of the entire movie. However, their character-drives and definitive personality traits were so ineptly draw together at times in Park Joo Seok’s fictional and niche microcosm of convicts and killers, that it was often difficult to truly differentiate them apart. Aside from Suk-tae acting as the boy’s main rearer and as the leader of the group( who is revealed to have his own motives in a twist which whilst climatic, lacked pretension, )and doltish Ki-Tae who sincerely showed affection for the boy , the other men’s reasons and personal motives for bringing up the boy and corrupting Hwayi were rarely tackled or given convincing explanations.


Playing Hwayi as a character pushed over the edge, Yeo Jin Goo could admittedly often lack an air of subtlety by overstating his character’s angst. Nonetheless Yeo Jin Goo gives the main lead an edge of complex fragility, instability and sympathy for audiences. His budding romance for classmate and potential love interest Yoo-kyung (Nam Ji-hyun), one of the few female characters of the movie( who lacked definitive qualities) , acted as a lighthearted respite from the movie’s downbeat narrative.

Costarring alongside Yeo was Kim Yun Seok. The venerable actor added a running streak of brutality and viciousness to his onscreen persona Suk-Tae. Nevertheless despite the brilliant dynamic charm of Kim Yun Seok onscreen, tedious dialogue exchanges against lukewarm chemistry between him and Yeo during scenes rarely instilled tour de force moments when ambiguous feelings of love and contempt became apparent in their final conflict.

In terms of pacing the narrative is filled with adrenal energy- suspenseful and expedited by its violence, but given the myriad of action sequences and locations shown throughout the film, the pinnacle conflict of the movie was climatic yet slightly incoherent also . ( Especially due to sporadic editing at times.) A notable issue which should also be addressed within ‘ Hwayi: A Monster Boy’ was its presentation of female characters. Whilst it is arguable that Joon Hwan and Joo Seok may have been trying to present a critique towards the infringement of gender stereotypes within South-Korean society, the lacking scope for female archetypes aside from the nameless, abused wife of Im Hyung Taek ( Seo Hyung Hwa), and “ love interest” Yoo-Kyung, served little purpose or depth exploration aside from being plot devices to keep the storyline moving.

Of course it’s wrong to entirely critique the movie. Admittedly well-mounted cinematography served as aesthetic eye candy for viewers with inventive and intuitive choreographed fight scenes paired together with a subtle yet momentous score.


Overall ‘ Hwayi: A Monster Boy’ was a film which will likely appease and irk audiences alike. The notable cast lineup did not disappoint and whilst the polished and slick fight sequences and gruesome violence will likely appeal to many fans of the genre, the bogged-down dialogue against cliche-ridden characters and plot will test genre aficionados and casual watchers alike. However, whilst the ending certainly helped to wrap up several key plot points, the end outcome of ‘ Hwayi: A Monster Boy’ was a mixed-result of gory and hare-brained carnage against some insightful delves into nurture, crime and parenting along the way.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
F4 Thailand: Boys over Flowers
10 people found this review helpful
Apr 9, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

A more relevant and modernized version of a classic story done amazingly well!!

Review Summary/TLDR;
1. The classic plot has been revamped to make it more relevant and interesting
2. Plot holes have been fixed and details added, making the story richer
3. Well-paced episodes, that don't feel too slow or rushed
4. Dynamic and fleshed out characters, made to be more real and complex
5. Excellent character development
6. Stellar acting from the cast
7. Incredible chemistry between characters, whether it be as friends or romantic partners
8. Good music, that really enhanced the story

Overall, a great watch that will have you laughing, crying, squealing, and feeling all the other emotions possible.


Full Review
Of all the various remakes, I have to say Thailand did it best. Whether it be in production, music, visuals, acting, or anything else. I completely enjoyed watching this version of F4.

Let's start with the plot. While it's true they didn't change much of the plot, they changed it in ways that matter. They've added details, backstories, and even some new plot lines that really explain character motivations and honestly help the viewers connect and empathize more with the characters. The focus on the world of business, the harshness associated with it, and the privilege the rich get, is something extremely relevant to society today. They were able to incorporate this into the plot and make it seem like it was always meant to be there. I liked that they also aimed at exploring the power of social media throughout the show, whether it be at school or following the lives of the boys. Essentially they've fixed up plot holes and added in details, that make the entire thing fresh and new, which is exactly what it needed. Even If you have seen another adaptation of F4, there is no way you would find this boring or repetitive. It was the perfect blend of romance, humor, angst, and emotional payoff. The pacing was incredibly well done as well, the 16 episodes were structured and planned out so well, I can't think of a single thing they missed. Of course, I wouldn't be mad if we got more fluffy moments between the main leads though. If I had to complain, I should say that there were a few scenes that were much more dramatic than they should have been or plots that were taken a little too far. I think it's just something inherent to Thai dramas as a whole, and it didn't happen often, so it didn't really bother me too much.

In terms of production, F4 really outdid itself. Everything looked amazing, the cars, the clothes, the houses, the school. In addition, every scene was shot beautifully, and with meaning. Everything thing had a touch of symbolism to it, representing a bigger picture. I loved that. Even flower garlands were used as metaphors at one point. I haven't seen any other works from this director, but you can be sure I am going to check them out. They are extremely talented.

Now my favorite part of the entire series, the characters and acting. In my opinion, everyone did an amazing job, but some did stand out more than others. First of all, for this to be Tu and Dew's first series, my mind is blown. They did so well. Tu was perfect as the strong-headed FL and Dew made me swoon with every move he made as Ren. Win and Nani did great as well. I love that they and their characters were given more of a chance to shine as well. In past versions, they seemed like side characters, who were just there, but here they had dynamic personalities and actually advanced the plot. I love love love what they did with MJ, and I am a fan now. You can bet I am going to watch everything Nani is now. Even Prim as Kaning was adorable, and I enjoyed watching her relationship with Kavin develop.

The standouts for me have to be Bright and Cindy though. Oh my god. Bright is already a well-established popular actor, and as always he did great, but his version of Thyme is honestly the best one I have ever seen. He isn't a single-minded arrogant bully, who was turned good by the power of love, no. He is a real person with real flaws and actual motivations that lead him to do the things he does. From the very first episode, we see a glimpse behind the curtain of his facade as a ruthless bully allowing the viewers to truly understand, empathize with him, and at one point even start caring for him. Something we never saw in other versions. Instead of just watching his journey of falling in love, growing up, and becoming a better person, it feels like we are taken along with him. We see every instance where Gorya has an impact on him and how it slowly starts to change him for the better. His personality is much more dynamic and well fleshed out, which is honestly one of the biggest reasons why this may be the best F4 adaptation. I love character development, and Thyme had the best of it.

Cindy though, wow! We didn't really get to see her shine until the last few episodes, but every time she was on screen I was captivated by her. Her acting was outstanding, easily my favorite of the entire series. She has been acting for a while, and you can see the experience, but I know some veteran actors who aren't as good as her. She did amazing. Thyme's mother is such a complex, intriguing character. She has actual motivations and reasons for her actions, which is one of the best things that can be done for an antagonist. But an antagonist who does what she does out of love is such a hard character to play, and she nailed it. With every expression, and look in her eyes, you can see the emotion just rolling off her in spades. Whether it be hate, arrogance, love, sadness, or fear, she expressed everything so beautifully, even if I tried I couldn't tear my eyes off her. Even though it came off a little rushed, I was so glad to see her character development because it was something I was waiting for. From the beginning, you could tell, that while her actions appear selfish, her motivations weren't, and we just had to wait for her to realize what's truly best for her son.

As amazing as each actor was individually, the chemistry between all of them was outstanding. The couples were cute and made me squeal, but it was their friendship that sealed the deal for me. They had an actual bond and truly cared for each other. They were real friends that were truly supportive no matter what and it was amazing to watch. It showed that as important as romantic love is, friendship and family are just as important in shaping a person and helping them grow. Even F4s interactions with Gorya were adorable, in my head, I call them the Gorya protection squad, and honestly, that should be canon. Also, I don't care what anyone says, but Kavin and MJ are the true MVPs, they never failed to make me laugh.

Lastly, the music. It was so good, I loved it. Who am I (the intro song), is easily my favorite, shooting star is really good too, and I personally enjoyed Nani's Best Life. I am not a huge music buff, so I don't really pay much attention to the music, but F4 did an amazing job. Nowhere did I feel that the music was odd or mistimed, in fact, it only enhanced every scene it was in.

This was an enjoyable watch and my favorite part of Saturdays. Every week, without fail, I would wait to watch this, and promptly after the episode was over I would be in anticipation for the next. Without a doubt, the best remake of Hana Yori Dango. If you are skeptical about picking this up because you didn't like the previous adaptations or are worried it's going to be more of the same old thing, let go of your doubts and give it a try. I guarantee you will be hooked.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Love in Between
10 people found this review helpful
Jul 25, 2020
43 of 43 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 7.0

a well-made drama

This is the type of drama that I like. Truly enjoy the interactions between the characters as well as their developments throughout the story. The casting in my opinion is excellent. My favorite couple is the ML and FL, but the other couples' stories are equally interesting to watch with the right amount of screen time for the romance part. Towards the last arc (the end), the story is a bit loosened and I don't quite grasp all that is going on, and the ending leaves me with questions too, but overall, each episode is well made and captivating, with music accompaniment at the right amount. This is a superb, enjoyable drama that I don't mind to rewatch again and again.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories
10 people found this review helpful
by Erin
Jul 9, 2019
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This series has quickly become one of my all time favorites, for forever and ever. Kobayashi Kaoru is the absolute perfect man for the role of Master in this series; his voice, his personality and unique traits, and his wonderful talents are mesmerizing to watch!! I've never fallen in love with a series, let alone a show or movie or book, as quickly as I have with the entire "Shinya Shokudo" series.

Everyone's personal stories were so genuine and full of honest, relatable, real humanity, respect, and unique stories I've never seen on screen(s) or read about before. I laughed or cried of worried or got angry with each character of each episode. This show is full of chaos and calm, love and heartbreak, happiness and depression, anger and kindness, respect and fear, understanding and knowledge, but most of all this show has so much honest to goodness love, kindness, respect, light, and relatable humanity! If you have the time to watch this series from beginning to end, I sincerely suggest and hope that you do!!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?