Arthdal Chronicles Part 1: The Children of Prophecy
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This review may contain spoilers
I recommend this drama to anyone who loves historical fantasies.I don't recommend it to people who like mostly lovely bubbly romcoms.
What I didn't like:
- seasons.... lol so meaningless, why separate it into seasons... ><
-too many names at the begging might be overwhelming plus the first episode is hectic as it doesn't show "passed...years" every time they time-skip.
What i liked:
- the story. It's different from what we usually see so i like it.
- twists and turns.
-costumes
-scenery
Overall I liked this first half of the drama :) but the whole season is more like an intro. and the real stuff will start i guess in the second. the story is nice and it gets more and more interesting later. as I said it is more like an intro and it gets power mostly during the 6th episode. However many historical dramas (and not only) have long introductions that are necessary for us to learn about characters, so it was okay for me. I liked this first season. The only thing is left is for the second and especially the last to be great. because an ending can ruin a drama lol. the first season is nice though.
MYTHOLOGY:
This series are based on Korean mythology about Dangun, who is considered the founder of Koreans. you can read about him on the internet. It is set in Ancient Jeoson and about Korea's first nation and Bronze Age. The myth depicts a story how a Heaven's Son comes to Korean Peninsula and makes The First Kingdom. Because he was the second or third son and couldn't become the ruler of Heaven. He lands on Great White Mountain. Later a Tiger and Bear come to him and ask him to turn them into human. So he tells them to go and eat mugwort and garlic only during 100 days or something. The Tiger gives up in the middle. But the bear eat's it and becomes a woman. The bear woman and Heaven's son have a child, Dangun. Dangun becomes the first real ruler of korea. Actually people say that he symbolizes a human as he was born from meeting of a spirit and an animal. Also he symbolizes the start of Bronze age in Korea. later he goes into a mountain and his spirit rests there. Well there are several versions and in one of them the capital they make is called Asadal. To compare it to the drama Dangun must be the Aramun Haesseula in the drama. Nheantals are the tiger tribe and Sarams (which means literally "human/person" in Korean) are the bear tribe. As you can see in the first episode, Naeanthals come to the meeting with tiger fur, tiger skulls, and Sanung Niruha (at the time ruler of Sarams) wears a bear mask. So this drama took this myth about creation of Koreans and made a fantasy :)
I think the production team just made several mistakes and that's why got so much criticism and low ratings. maybe im wrong, this is just my opinion but:1. they made this show come out not long after GoT ended.... many fans fresh from GoT came to this and saw many similarities. However historical fantasies all have similar clothes and similar power struggle. This series are based on Korean mythology. 2. they overestimated viewers lol I think many were not ready to get a different-like kinda a bit European setting fantasy from Korea. And were just too used to that the Korea usually does historicals mostly in Jeoson or Georyo (and sometimes Silla).
So if you are interested in this genre, don't let these things stop you from trying :) watch till the 4th or 5th episode and then decide if you like it or not :)
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This review may contain spoilers
Sophisticated genre mix. Soulful. Well grounded. At a comfortable pace.
With "My Perfect Stranger" KBS has succeeded in creating a sophisticated genre mix: there is a complex crime thriller that is excitingly intertwined across time and space, colored with its ultimately opaque interdependencies. There is charming time-travel with the chance to heal emotionally troubled family relationships and with the distinctive complexion of the late 1980s in the transition from dictatorship to democracy. There is also the pointed coming-of-age of the protagonist's parents and their classmates of that time. At last, even a (though rather tender, cautious) love story emerges out of the common fate of the two time travelers.The KDrama thus is presenting (in my opinion) a thorough emotional variety, which has a lot to offer from suspense to amusement an even romantic vibes. So all of this comes rather casually. Well grounded. At a comfortable pace. With feeling, especially around the diverse family dynamics, which are allowed to take their distinct twists and turns from the different perspectives of time and space.
A coherent, harmonious KDrama experience. Worthwhile.
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Arghh... and don't get me started on the FL!
What a waste of drama. What a waste of the actor talents like Lee Jae Wook and Lee Jun Young.I was so excited for this drama because of the both male leads. I have loved most of their previous works, especially LJY. But here I am, frustrated and disappointed in this show. The unnecessary love triangle is the first drawback of this drama. Even by just putting it in the back of my mind hoping to focus on the revenge and all the scheming the main lead would be doing, all we get is some discussion here and there and no action. Very boring... Whereas, we are shoved in with the infuriating love triangle which honestly doesn't make sense, like as if the FL is the only woman in this world for these two male leads. I don't even get what these two sees in her. It's more like, they just want to win her over the other than actually want her for herself.
And don't get me started on the FL. How did this lady even get a main role? HOW? Did no one make her audition or ask her if she can act? Ya, I know it sounds harsh, but gosh she is so bad in acting that I just skip her scenes rather than watch her trying to emote nothingness. And before any of you come at me saying, hey it's her first role and cut her some slack... I would understand if it was a supporting role, I would agree she is learning but to land a main lead and to do a horrendous job out of it. Yikes. Give it to some other talented person rather than ruin it for everyone else. I am sorry but she really is so bad I would not recommend this drama to anyone. And also will be staying away from any of her projects in the future. Argh!
Rating: 1/10
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Awesome show with badass fl & sweetheart ml!
I just wanna say that till now ( i. e 12th April 2020) 9.5/10 is the highest rating I have given for a show and this is the only show I have given that rating to! This show is that awesome! :)If you don't mind grey characters (Everyone's grey here, including ML & FL) and love to watch a really good romance between a badass FL and a smart ML set in a shady legal world, then this drama is for you! :)
This drama had everything I ever hope for in a show:
1) Fast pacing of the scenes, no dragging or filler scenes whatsoever! I am just sad it wasn’t extended for few more episodes...
2) Strong FL (not just physically strong but most importantly, emotionally strong!). Jgj has entered into my list of all time fav heroines!
3) Smart ML who is willing to adapt to new ideas and is super witty on top of it! Did I mention he's super loyal too? <3 :) He makes you go "awwww" so many times that you will lose count! ;)
4) Smart opponents! Because the game will be boring if your opponents are complete pushovers...
5) Awesome BGM/ost that actually suit the narrative instead of hindering the flow of the scenes.
6) Beautiful set designs and cinematography for that added visual appeal.
7) Awesome set of actors, right from both the fantastic lead actors (I have become a fan of them both after this) to the equally entertaining supporting actors. It was a fab cast! Spl mention for the quirky secretary of our FL in the supporting cast, the show wouldn't have been the same without her! :)
8) Entertaining story. I wouldn't say that the story was something out of this world or anything, but it surely had a bit of everything for everyone... It had a good dose of romance and comedy with a decent amount of legal /investigation drama. It also had a generous peppering of feel good scenes between all the team members. And on top of it all, it has a really really satisfying ending too! :)
Plus it gave me the same feels I used to get while watching 'Castle', an US drama series. Especially the leads romance gave me CasKett feels! <3 So basically, highly recommended! :D
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The story was quite new in the KDrama world, which I appreciated. And where else can you see the leads get married by the third episode? The first half of the drama was quite light, mostly centered on their romance while the second half had lots of angst and suspense. What this drama did well was weave the past, the present, and the future in which he traveled to into a clear and coherent storyline. Most of the show is actually foreshadowing, and finally in the last few episodes are the viewers exposed to what actually happened. It did build up suspense and intrigue, as you had no idea what would happen. It was unpredictable, but by doing that they lost a few people (and provoked lots of fan theories), but I promise if you stick with it, everything will build up to a satisfying end.
The acting was done really well on Lee Je Hoon's part. This was my first time watching any work of his and I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't particularly like Shin Min Ah's character, as sometimes I felt like she was unreasonable. Their chemistry was off the charts though, and perhaps because they were married early on in the series, we're given a ton of fanservice (aka steamy scenes). At first I was skeptical because the circumstances of which he married her wasn't the best, but soon you could really believe that they're in love. There isn't a moment where the music fades and the camera pans over their face in slow motion that tells you they've fallen for each other, but trust me you'll know.
I really loved the music. I think there were only about three main OSTs , significantly less than that of other dramas, but all of them fit the drama so well. They also played some beautiful piano instrumental tracks pretty often, which created a sort of gloomy mood befitting the storyline.
While I may not watch the entire drama over again, I would definitely rewatch some of the scenes.
Overall, I loved the way the story was told, despite the pace. I have to mention the color scheme again, because it was really genius and beautiful. Right off the bat, it helps you get into the solemn mood constantly reminding you of the overarching plot despite the cheesy happy scenes. I would recommend this drama for those who don't mind a slower storyline, because it's definitely worth the watch.
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There is NOTHING to hate.
UPDATED REVIEW:- perfect pacing, no boring scenes
- literally will make you feel satisfied, anxious, happy, giggly, scared, you also WILL cry on the last episodes.
- warning, you WILL get attached to the characters
- music was 10/10
- character development was top notch for ALL the characters
- main villain got her ass kicked (very very satisfying)
- a MUST WATCHHH 10/10
OLD Review after watching 5/10 eps
at first I gave this drama an 8.5 but then I sat down and really thought about it and realised that there is actually NOTHING I don’t like.
Side note: MYEONG Ja Eun is the most adorable pookie pie to ever pookie I just love her so much and the actress needs more roles!!
1. All the actresses are really good. This drama is the debut of Shin Seulki & Jang Daah and they are BOTH SO GOOD! Not to compare but if you look at the actress in the impossible heir, it’s her debut drama but she is terrible and everyone agrees. Seulki and Daah both show how it’s possible to act well in your debut drama.
2. The plot is really good.Definitely keeps you on your toes wondering what our female lead and the villain Jan Daah will do next.
3. Everything is just executed so well. The Ost fits the scenes, it’s very well written.
4. It’s very well paced and there is not a single boring part. I usually watch my dramas in 1.25x or 1.5x speed but not this one, I didn’t even use the 10x much.
Overall: there is a nothing to hate about the drama. It is very satisfying whenever our female lead has the upper hand and gets your heart pumping whenever she’s “losing”. It is worth your watch, no disappointment here!
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This series is among the best of the best. It is one of those rare shows where every episode matters. The plot was never left hanging in order to extend the series. Instead, every single scene was developed in service of the narrative.
The transitions from tension-filled scenes to sweeter ones was flawless. It made watching the series easy and enjoyable. The narrative was also organic, with nothing feeling forced or out of place.
Overall, prepare yourself. This drama will demand your complete attention, push you to the edge of your seat, steal your breath away and have you rooting for more than just the main leads.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Memorable
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The main leads were remarkably three dimensional. They were given as many strengths as weaknesses and every single one made sense. The development of the characters was consistent and coherent. Every action had a lasting consequence, and every instinctive reaction demanded a hefty price.
Yoon Na Moo (male lead, aka Chae Do Jin): His complex character was handled masterfully. He was presented as a sympathetic and strong figure, but realistically so. The best way I could describe him is with the saying, "courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it." Throughout the short series, this character struggled with his inner fears but accepted his vulnerabilities rather than hide them. He was strong precisely because he was afraid... but he didn't let that fear rule him.
Gil Nak Won (female lead, aka Han Jae Yi): Despite her tragic backstory, she was well written and very well portrayed. She's strong, not because she got over her past, but because she's able to face her present while accepting what happened. Her strength is quiet and subtle; allowing her actions to show her defiance rather than voice them loudly. She's also very nurturing towards Na Moo and I love that she never once runs from her problems, but faces them head-on. Because of the nature of the story, Na Moo's side of the story was more intense, but she is without a doubt one of the strongest female leads I've seen in Kdramas so far.
ANTAGONIST: Imposingly petrifying
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Yoon Hui Jae (ML's father): Heon Joon Ho deserves an award for his performance. Every time he stepped into a scene, he dominated and filled it with almost palpable tension. He cast a terrifying shadow over every character, continually reminding you that he was a prowling beast ready to strike. Forget Hollywood "horror" movies and "frightful" tv shows. From now on, Yoon Hui Jae is my new standard for blood-curdling terror.
SUPPORT CHARACTERS: Relatable & complex
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Though this series has an amazing cast of characters that bring something of importance to the table, I'll focus on the top three characters that merit a special recognition...
Chae Ok Hee (ML's adoptive mother): Talk about a character caught between a sword and a hard place. Her performance was absolutely brilliant and her character was probably the most relatable. Ok Hee is going to go down as the definition of a strong mother. She's a testament that water can be thicker than blood and, when push comes to shove, any mother will pull her claws out to protect her children.
Yoon Hyun Moo (ML's brother): Kim Kyung Nam deserves an award for his superb performance. Alongside Hui Jae, he stole the show for me. He had some of the most powerful scenes and the strength he displayed was of a different kind than usual. He was a sacrificial character (a spot almost always reserved for the female lead) but with a strong purpose. He loves, selflessly and fully, without expecting anything from anyone in return. I found myself hurting alongside him and rooting for him throughout most of the show.
Gil Moo Won (FL's brother): Another character that stood out with his complexity and excellent portrayal. We were given his backstory in small doses until the picture was completed. This was a character that lingered in his pain but who was strong enough to accept and ask for help when things got tough. He understood and empathized with Hyun Moo because they were both shades of grey, which gave them an undeniable bond. The fact that he plays off of Hyun Moo so well, made me wish they could've shared more screentime together.
PORTRAYAL OF ROMANCE: Sweet & nurturing
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The relationship between Na Moo and Nak Won was exceptionally balanced. It was an exchange of giving and taking; of want and need. They were loving, sweet and nurturing towards one another. They were also both hurting and, rather than taking the easy way out by keeping away from each other, they actively decided to pave a path out together. The quote: "You lean on me, I'll lean on you and we'll be okay" is enough to describe this beautiful relationship.
Here are some of the highlights:
1) They each have moments where one of them is vulnerable and the other strong; so it never feels one-sided.
2) There are no misunderstandings because they communicate with each other in a very honest and straightforward way.
3) The chemistry between them makes their relationship feel natural together. You can tell how much they care for each other with every stolen glance, soft smile and lingering touch.
HORROR FACTOR: Off the chart.
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You better be prepared to hold your breath and curl your toes whenever Yoon Hui Jae steps into the scene, is all I'm saying.
OVERALL: This is a masterpiece.
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The art direction is Hollywood quality (I'd say it even surpasses it). The framing, colors and lighting enhance the message communicated. So if you know what you're looking for, you'll be amazed at the attention to detail.
The music has also been carefully selected, used to amplify a feeling rather than distract. The ambient sounds help enhance the atmosphere, drawing you into the scene and forcing you to live it alongside the character.
Add to that the interesting story, superb characters and amazing acting you'll get a series that you'll not soon forget. Re-watch value for this is also quite high.
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Before watching this, I would consider a drama on how good it is based on how addicted I was, but even if I wasn't super addicted to Answer Me 1997(maybe part of it is that I didn't watch it while it was airing so I wasn't left hanging every week), everything in the drama was full of meaning and everything just fit together perfectly.
I applaud the writer and director for making such a work of art altogether, I must say.
This drama was different from others, in the aspect that it wasn't the typical cliff hanger every episode and there wasn't really a FIXED storyline, if you know what I mean. It was the story-telling of two first loves that succeeded and their growth together. From high school to adulthood, it was just lovely seeing all the characters grow.
It was full of sweet moments and what I like about this drama is that there isn't some annoying, cockblocking antagonist that was only put there to have a base conflict. The conflict in the drama was more personal, realistic, and relatable which made this drama just seem more "real" I guess. Even if I wasn't into kpop in that time exactly, I still felt the nostalgia and warm fuzzy feeling when they play a 90's or early 2000's song in the background. This drama always got me all emotional all the time haha. The writing was also amazing and even I learned a few lessons watching this drama :)
THE CAST AND ACTING WAS PERFECT. Everyone was so natural and even if Shiwon was a delusional fan girl, I still loved her character. Yoon jae was just sooo.. soo.. dreamy at times. You can see his emotions through his eyes and his intense gaze that's only for Shiwon. When he cries I just cry with him, because it seems so genuine and the pain is visible through his crying. Again, I loved the fact that there was no crazy ass villain in the drama.
The music they played seemed to fit so well with every scene and even if j didn't even know some(most) of the 90's Korean songs I still felt nostalgic. I'm currently looking for all the songs used in this drama because it's that good.
I would highly recommend this drama to anyone who is a sucker for sweet and 'fuzzy' love stories as well as people who are just looking for a drama that's not too heavy. This will take you down memory lane as the beepers and cell phones with antennas are re-introduced. I mean, who DOESN'T love the feeling of nostalgia? Well this drama will definitely give you that feeling.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS DRAMA!
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1A BL You Can’t Miss
This is everything a BL fan can only dream of: just the right mix of a good plot, super-high-intense chemistry and cinematography that is seriously mind-blowing. From the first episode, you can already feel the magic brewing between Great and Tyme. Their acting is so good, they are one of those pairings that just make you hold your breath in anticipation every time they share a scene.What makes it even more special is seeing Bible take on this role in a unique way. His performance as a character who is flustered and caught off guard by Tyme’s presence is both cute and surprisingly meaningful. Watching him struggle with his emotions is very endearing and makes their interactions even more heartwarming. It’s nice to see this kind of vulnerability, especially in a BL series where those tender moments can feel very real.
The way their story develops requires your full attention because, although it may seem quick on the surface, when you really get into it, you'll see how intricate and deep their relationship is. Each conversation carries a lot of meaning. It's like uncovering layers to find their emotions, and trust me, it's worth the time to fully understand.
Visually...Oh. My. Gosh. Every frame looks like it was crafted with so much care and the cinematography just takes your breath away. The use of color and lighting doesn’t just make things look pretty (though it does), it adds meanings to the story. The way certain hues are used to highlight emotions or underline the tension between characters is just… chef’s kiss. It’s the kind of show where every detail counts and those tiny touches in the visual storytelling make the whole experience richer.
And this cast, wow, they really hit the mark. Every actor adds something special, making their characters feel so real that you almost forget you're watching a TV show. The connection between the main characters is fantastic, and it's not just the romantic parts that work well - it's all the emotions they show. They've created characters that feel complex and easy to relate to, which is what really draws you into their story.
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Acting/Cast: Mostly new faces but boy did they acted well! Kudos to the female lead and male leads of this drama, including the supporting characters of female servants, eunuchs and princes. They can act serious at one point and turn to quirky and funny at another then to a touching and tear-inducing, heart-jerking scenes the next! Amazing! I hope they will all go on to bigger and better roles! And the costumes were scandalous to say the least! Scandalous and unthinkable for the period in question but they added to the fun of the drama! Big pat on the back to everyone- from cast to production and directing teams! A job well done!
Music: Love the haunting OSTs and how it's played throughout in 3 different variations depending on the mood of the drama. I am looking around to download it now.
Rewatch vaue: High rewatch value. I do not mind rewatching this drama again very soon. Each episode's only 30 minutes since it's made for web viewing. I enjoyed all of the weird antics and the more serious parts of this drama. Very entertaining!
Overall: Highly recommended! You'll laugh, fall in love and cry. This is chinese quirky humor mixed with romance in the ancient times at its best!
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This review may contain spoilers
Without spoilers, this is going to be a hard review to write, but I figured since no other reviews were written for it, I would give it a try. I used to not be a fan of sageuks, but recently I have been proven wrong, and this is one of those that did it. In terms if writing, the story was well written. I kind of kept you guessing, and the cliffhangers were killers. The way the characters were written was brilliant, as well as the way history and fiction were mixed. It kept you coming back for more. Granted there was your typical backstabbing and plot making, but it fit in with the story, so it didn't seem out of place or to be to much.
In terms of acting, brilliant. Each actor portrayed their characters to the point you actually believed they were the character, not an actor playing someone. I have to say I was very impressed by Jang Hyuk, yet again, and after seeing two sageuks of his, I have a hard time picturing him playing any other type of role.
The music, I would have liked to have heard more traditional instruments, but all in all it wasn't bad.
I will definitely be watching this again. I was thinking that with 24 episodes that it would get boring, but never once was I bored. Give it a try.
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I really enjoyed this much much more than I expected!!
I have not read the novel so all I know is the summary and the trailer, and I went in with pretty average expectations for the plot. But I am aware about how good Nanon's acting is after having loved him in The Gifted franchise, so I'm excited nonetheless.Having watched this week by week, I did not expect to love it so much!! I thought the end was clever too and found it realistic and hopeful. One of the most interesting endings to a BL if I may say. Sharing my weekly episode reviews below:
Episode 1: Very promising start! We got an introduction to the characters and the main plot point of why their families hate each other so much. Pat and Pran are shown to not be on friendly terms (at least on Pat's side, because Pran seems very polite and generally chill). The music is a BANGER! I might be biased because this is totally my type of music, but for some reason it totally fits the aesthetics of the shots and the cinematography. I also love the domesticity in the ending credits!
Episode 2: Pat and Pran's dynamic seems to be much deeper than what we were first shown. From the first episode I thought Pat couldn't tolerate Pran at all, but here it seems like he let himself more, idk, loose? Like he's comfortably bantering and bickering with Pran and it feels very natural, so I guess this is actually his true nature that he has been suppressing for quite some time. The flashback also confirms this, but there has to be more than that because I'm not convinced that the "playing in a band together with the son of our family's worst enemy" is the reason Pran got transferred. Also hats-off to Nanon's acting. Ohm is also very good, actually, but more so Nanon. Anyway in terms of the leads' acting, this by far is on another league compared to other Thai BLs.
Episode 3: OKAY I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. This episode basically confirms that Pat likes Pran somehow, and his antics are like a silly school boy having a crush. What was interesting to me was the episode opened with showing how Pran was Pat's "secret crush", but the scene was actually showing Pran doing something special for Pat, which is not something friends, or even bestfriends, would do! This episode was just full of heart-fluttering moments and there was no cheesiness or awkwardness at all, the acting and writing are so natural. I feel like the show is starting to bring out its big guns!
Episode 4: OH MY GOODNESS NANON. THIS GUY CAN ACT. LIKE /REALLY/ ACT. I have so many emotions during this episode and for me this episode went by the fastest compared to the previous ones; I just felt so empty after finishing it. I really like how they made the characterizations. Pran can't hate Pat no matter how much he wants to because he's already in so deep. Pat...wow idk where to start. Let's just say I feel so complicated about him and it says a lot at how Ohm and the crew put a lot of thoughts into his character. In any case, Nanon wins this episode hands-down. I literally felt Pran's pain. His character is so layered yet soft-spoken and I'm so glad we are able to fully experience this, all thanks to the role being in the hands of a very talented actor.
Episode 5: This is my favorite episode by far! So many things happened here without feeling too rushed -- from the "night after" and how Pran quickly bounced back after getting his heart broken, to Pat testing Ink's feelings, to Pat /finally/ realizing his true feelings, and so much more up until the climax at the end with the kiss. My favorite part is definitely towards the end with the Pat-Pran-Wai fistfight and how things are suddenly starting to explode. Pat is ready to risk it all while Pran, even without Pat saying anything explicitly, knows where things are going and he is not ready to deal with it. And finally during the rooftop scene. It was obvious how Pran has his walls built up but it has slowly crumbled down hearing Pat confess. When Pat kissed him, he just gave up and gave in and I love how this moment just feels so raw and intimate. I'm not lying if I said that I literally hear their feelings while kissing -- their emotions during that part was THAT good. Cue to after the kiss when Pran wakes up to his senses again and comes back to his demeanor of being "not ready" and walks away. The last time I cried for a BL was during ATOTS which says a lot; and all credits go to the director and especially OhmNanon, because it didn't feel like them at all, but PatPran coming to life.
Episode 6: I'll be honest and say that nothing major really happened this episode for me, but I still like the pace nonetheless because it's very realistic. Now that I think of it, while this is a romcom so far, I'm getting strong slice-of-life vibes from it which is different from other school BLs that have dramas every episode just for the sake of it. This episode we watch Pran avoiding Pat as he keeps his feelings in check, while Pat does all that he can to step into Pran's walls. The faculty rivalry (and Pran's friends planning to beat Pat up wtf?) is getting too tiring for me now tho, and my only hope is that there's a purpose for this conflict which can lead into a good character development that will help PatPran's relationship in the future. I also find the bet interesting because we know that they already know that they like each other, but their pride and competitiveness against each other that they had all their lives are getting in the way. Anyway I'm not too nervous about this because they'll eventually give up in one way or another, and seeing the preview for episode 7, looks like they're getting there soon! I really enjoyed this episode especially the new OST and ending credits! <3
Episode 7: PatPran boyfriends T-T Anyway before I go into that, this episode highlighted the chemistry between the actors from all the flirting up to their moment in the end. I'm not lying if I said that I was grinning from ear to ear the whole time because their domesticity and back-and-forth banter were so sweet, and if the acting wasn't this good it would have become cringy. Pran teasing Pat was definitely a delight to see after seeing him hurt in the previous episodes, and Pat as always is a very colorful character. What I did not expect to see though (or at least this early) was Wai. Him guilt-tripping Pran into helping him was so uncomfortable to watch and is definitely not a good thing to do even between the closest of friends. I'm interested to see how he would impact PatPran's already delicate relationship seeing how he seems to be a significant character. Finally my favorite part is the ending when Pat gave way for Pran and confessed his feelings. He set aside his pride for Pran and stepped up so they can stop wasting time on their little game, and now they're officially boyfriends T-T
Episode 8: This was the most emotionally-charged episode for me so far, and yes even more than Episode 5. The whole episode is filled with PatPran cute boyfriends scenes, but actually underneath all of that is a conflict that was brewing to happen with a secret that they literally have to hide from everyone, Pran's hesitations, and the differences betwen Pat and Pran's POVs. For me this episode is actually very smart because these sources of conflict were not presented in our face all the time -- it was sometimes masked with fluffy domestic moments, but actually if you watch deeper there is so much more under the surface. The big scene at the end was also a game-changer, and I think this is what will set the tone for the rest of the series.
Episode 9-12: These were a whole rollercoaster of emotions and I thought the ending was such a smart twist! I BAWLED during the end of episode 11 and what I loved is while you see this kind of thing coming, you also don't, so while waiting for the "will they separate will they not", it hit me a lot harder when it finally happened. Again, huge props to Nanon and Ohm's acting! And when the twist at the end was revealed, I LOVED it. It's always my main gripe with mid-show breakups, like how do these people not stay in contact with all these technology? But PatPran went beyond that and was brave enough to devise their plan, living up to their general theme of "fooling the world". I thought it was really smart and realistic too that the parents did not immediately approve, but still optimistic that they will surely get there :)
All in all, I highly recommend this show. A common plot made extraordinary with thoughtful acting and a writing that is full of heart.
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A refreshing and original story.
This was a surprise - it went places I couldn't have predicted, and that's a pretty big plus in a genre where everyone can plot out the entire series with 95% accuracy after watching the opening credits. This also has a stronger LGBTQ+ sensibility than usual without leaving the BL genre.The main character, Le, is a sincere and unselfconscious nerd (a very handsome one), who doesn't waste a lot of time agonizing over his sexuality, only his mother's feelings. In fact, there's a twist to the story that reveals he loves someone because of their gender, not despite it, which is a nice reversal of the norm.
The acting overall is good. There are a few times where it was a bit much, but not often, and it's made up for in some very moving scenes which all of the main cast pull off well.
There is a standout side character played by Lin Wei Jie, who is so cute I can't stand it. I really hope we see more him.
This is well worth your time. There are a couple of eps in the middle that lag and where the series appears to abandon its originality and uniqueness, but it gets it back in a major way, so don't give up.
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This review may contain spoilers
Dude , this started with a bang! in the first ep there is already a kissing scene.... But then it kindy went downhill from there... Honestly kinda on the fence as to liking or hating the drama. It's not a bad watch but the story felt kind of choppy. Background/story; Female lead is Mi qi qi, she is from the witch tribe/clan. They are in danger so she gets sent away and her spirit gets into the main lead's empress body ( Chou Qing li ). She is know as the ugly empress. The main lead Lu Ao is the king or the Lord in the story. The male lead was poisoned when he was young as when he moon gets round her becomes a werewolf. He accidentally bits and slashed the chou qing li . After she falls in the water , that is when Mi Qi Qi comes in.
The female lead loses all her witch power so she basically is a normal person. She has a red jade with her. She somehow always ends up getting healed from major injuries. The first 10 episodes is a repeat of the evil people and the male lead trying to put her to the grave. It's kind of painful to watch over and over again , and so sad she gets tortured.
( she later finds. out that those incidents were caused by the male lead, he didnt want her to find out his wolf secret, but gradually he falls in love with her.
then comes ep 10- 20 - basic summary of she finds out that he was behind it all. She gets extremely mad at him and doesn't want to see him, no matter what he does being soft or being hard/harsh. She doesn't cave it. ( lol 10 episode of that is too much)
Chemistry- definitely some chemistry but at the same time I felt it was more of the male lead liking the female. Hence when they were kissing the female lead was kinda lacking emotions ... ( it might just be the portrayal of her character? )
ep 20- 36 revolved around trying to the second male trying to be the king. The evil second female lead trying her ways to get the power from the red jade and the sword. Other characters are introduced too. There is the female lead's brother( not blood related who she grew up with . A princess from some tribe , that the male lead knew when he was young. Female's lead brother and tribe princess also has a romantic development
Towards the end they reveal the female lead actually has another identity and through that identity she regains her with power back. And then you know what happens they get the throne back., and some other stuff . most important happy ending. If you are still ready kudos to you :)
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The show is quite stagey: the major moments of this drama occur when two to four of the main characters are in a room together talking through their issues. I recommend watching through Ep. 8 (the fourth hour) if you wish to test this show out. If Bae Doo Nah's performance in the final scene of that episode does not move you, then this show is not for you.
The characters, performances and writing are uniformly superb throughout this drama. Even though all the characters are pretty difficult people, there are plenty of comedic moments to keep this drama from being a dire examination of failing marriages. There are plenty of surprises along the way, and many happy and light moments in addition to the more hurtful consequences of the failing relationships.
In the end, I preferred this version to the original. Sakamoto's script is more comedic, but Moon Jungmin's additions and changes to the story all tended to clarify and enhance the themes of the original. Furthermore, the supporting cast is definitely better in the Korean version. Moon Sook is radiantly beautiful and luminously wise in the role as the grandmother. And there are a couple of lovely romances going on with the side characters that help provide relief to the two main stories.
Matrimonial Chaos is a sharply observed investigation into the ways that people in relationship can get in the way of each other's happiness. It's a beautiful story of people learning to see each other for the first time all over again. It does not rest on the usual tropes of marriage as a happily-ever-after, but, instead, finds deep wisdom in the ways people still find to like each and learn to be for each other even when it's not easy to do so.
It is great. You should watch it.
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