A Quiet Duel of Legacy and Pride
*The Match* is a compelling drama film based on the real-life relationship between two of South Korea’s most iconic Go players: Cho Hun-hyun and his protégé-turned-rival, Lee Chang-ho. Set in the early 1990s, the film traces their journey from a bond of deep respect and trust to a dramatic confrontation on the board that reshapes both their lives.The performances are the heart of this film. Lee Byung-hun is remarkable as Cho Hun-hyun, portraying a man torn between pride in his student and fear of being replaced. Yoo Ah-in brings a quiet intensity to Lee Chang-ho, expressing his character’s transformation from an obedient disciple into a confident and self-assured challenger. Their dynamic carries the film, grounding its emotional weight in realism and restraint.
The direction is subtle and patient. The film avoids melodrama, opting instead for a slow build of tension through deliberate pacing. The cinematography treats the Go board like a battlefield, using close-ups and careful lighting to give weight to every move.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its dialogue, which is thoughtful and philosophical. Lines like “A teacher is not someone who gives answers, but someone who opens the way” resonate far beyond the context of the game. The screenplay explores the loneliness of mastery, the burden of legacy, and the moment when every student must eventually step out of their teacher’s shadow.
There is also warmth and humor throughout the film, which balances the more intense moments. These touches humanize the characters and make their emotional journey all the more relatable.
It is a meditation on ambition, mentorship, and the bittersweet nature of growth. It’s a film that lingers because of the quiet, personal truths it reveals in the spaces between each move.
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1Revamp : The Dead Story!
This had everything it needed to be a guilty pleasure masterpiece, from vampires to forbidden love to century-old curses to a tragic painting, and most importantly Boun Prem. And yet, somehow, it manages to take all that potential and throw it down the drain.The premise opens dramatically with a vampire sealed inside a painting, freed by a modern man who is calm about meeting a vampire that he even offered to make tea. To be very honest, I wasn't expecting much from a vampire drama, but then it never lived up to the lore it built.
Coming to logic, or what I call the abstract art here, interpret it however you want. Now, starting from the start, Ramil being trapped for a century should make him disoriented, right? This man adjusts to the 21st century faster than most of us figure out new trends. Again, not asking for ironclad things, just basic stuff.
The drama till the very end couldn't decide what it wanted to be. Was it supposed to be a bit dark? A romance? A parody of its own genre? It felt like this project was directed by different people. One wanted it to be slapstick comedy, the other just wanted to see Boun shirtless but there must be someone who actually wanted the vampire drama with angst, so we also see sprinkles of that. I respect all three visions, but maybe not in the same hour. Somehow, the tonal whiplash weighed down the drama completely and made it boring.
They also introduced a hunter's subplot, and I thought this would bring back some life and excitement in this domesticated tale of a vampire, but I was again proven wrong. They totally underused it to the point that it just started looking funny. Imagine a secret organisation taking on supernatural beings and declaring war, but all of their plans lacked any preparedness. I will not even question logic here.
The only aspect that I enjoyed was the bond between Ramil and the vampire brothers (Methas, Ciar and Mekhin). It wasn't the central plot but I wished it was. They had each other's backs and it was fun where they shared the screen. Again, they totally wasted potential to actually explore the 3 characters and bring in some actual plot. Ciar might come off as rude and presumptuous, but he was the only one who acted like an actual vampire.
Coming to chemistry between the leads, the romance is what sank the ship. It was just too much and everywhere. I like the leads and their chemistry but here all the focus was on their love story, leaving everything else (the actual plot, pacing, character depth) adrift.
Acting-wise, Mark as Methas captured my attention and it was good seeing Barcode on screen. Rest, everyone was forgettable. Again, not bad but nothing to run home about.
The production itself wasn't terrible. The manor was gorgeous, and the opening OST was good. There were inconsistencies in editing, but at one point, I stopped caring.
Overall, this isn't unwatchable but boring. Things kept happening, but nothing held my interest. Everything was half-baked. Again, I understand the main plot is vampires and it is expected to be a bit campy. In fact, I welcome that trope, but this wasn't even a fun camp.
So yes, Revamp tried to suck blood but ended up sucking energy instead.
Will I recommend it? No. I am definitely not their target audience for this.
Will I recommend GMM TV to stop attempting vampire dramas? YES. PLEASE !
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Ignore the Noise
Dear reader, I urge you to give this series a chance if you enjoy coming-of-age dramas (including talk of dreams, aspirations, failure, innovation, identity, family, friendship, feeling lost, finding love), as well as lovely cinematography, production design, and direction.Does this drama have flaws? Yes, plenty. The writing goes up and down at times, some storylines are rushed (the revenge plot), and there are characters who should've gotten more screen time (Injae). If you're not a fan of romance in your dramas, then this show is not for you. If you're not a fan of love triangles, this show is not for you.
All that said, overall, Start-Up is a good time. All of the characters are complex and flawed, which makes them interesting. Every shot is absolutely beautiful, and the familial/friendship themes are effectively explored. If you've ever felt lost (particularly in your twenties, as those are the leads' ages) and weren't quite sure what you wanted to do with the rest of your life, you can probably relate. It is certainly not a documentary about starting a tech company in South Korea, but it does utilize its accelerator environment well. The strengths of Start-Up lie in its cast of colorful characters, its emotional throughline, and its visual excellence.
If you're thinking of watching this show but are wondering why there are people online who seem passionately invested in hating it as if this show killed their first born child (and you don't mind spoilers,) continue below:
The online reaction surrounding this drama while it's been on-air is some of the most ridiculous and inane I've ever seen in a K-Drama fandom (usually only present in large western or anime fandoms), and this is due to the ship war and the different "teams."
Here's the thing: while the drama did spend an unnecessary amount of time on the love triangle, it was never a true love triangle to begin with. From the first episode, when the cherry blossom petal flew all the way from Dalmi and landed on Dosan's head, if you've ever watched a single K-Drama ever, you should've known what the endgame was going to be. Even more so in Episode 2, with the slow motion walk toward each other during their first-meeting-cut-short and when Dosan showed up at the networking party looking like Cinderella at the ball.
Throughout the course of the story, Dalmi had shown exactly zero interest in Jipyeong as a man, either romantically or sexually. Not even when she was suspicious of Dosan being two separate people did she consider Jipyeong in a romantic light. She’d been curious about him, yes, and clearly valued his friendship and mentorship, but anyone who genuinely hoped she was suddenly going to finally see, in the eleventh hour, how he was the nice guy she’d been looking for all along were going to be sorely disappointed.
It was never going to be Jipyeong, but for some reason, shippers deluded themselves into thinking there was some sort of secret story underneath it all that only they could see. They wholeheartedly believed there was going to be a big plot twist (even though there was never any indication of such), and when the coupling went the way it was always going to go, they got all shocked Pikachu face. And then got angry at the hole they dug themselves into. The most ironic part is that the show has a good amount of symbolism and attention to detail. Just not the symbolism and attention to detail certain factions thought they saw.
Start-Up is not a work of genius, but it's fun and all the actors are fantastic. The OST is out of this world, and there is plenty of comedy and emotional heft to go around. In any case, this is a drama best binged, as it's more cohesive that way.
Ignore the noise and check it out if the synopsis seems interesting to you. And if you don't vibe with it, stop watching and simply move on with your life.
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A Chaotic, Twisty Drama Where Everyone Needs Therapy or Jail
Everyone in this drama either needs therapy or jail. And honestly? I enjoyed it.This drama is about high schoolers doing things they normally wouldn’t—crossing moral lines, making impulsive choices, and spiraling into chaos. It starts when Seulgi transfers to an all-girls school in her final year before the CSAT exam. There, she meets Je I, a rich girl who is dangerously obsessed with her.
From the start, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a simple school drama. It had an intense atmosphere, filled with mystery, psychological tension, and a sense of unpredictability that kept me hooked. I won’t pretend I fully understood everything that was going on, but the drama was undeniably entertaining. It threw in countless twists, and the characters made so many drastic U-turns that some of their actions stopped making sense. Still, I kept watching, trying to piece everything together.
➽Cinematography & Symbolism: The Art Behind the Chaos
One of my favorite parts was how each episode introduced the characters—it was so cool and stylish. The cinematography was visually stunning, and the metaphors were clever and fun to analyze. One of the best examples was the way they portrayed drug use—particularly the scene where Seulgi was studying "underwater." The imagery perfectly captured her struggle, making it one of the most memorable moments for me.
I also loved the use of water symbolism throughout the drama. It played a significant role in representing emotions, escapism, and control. Je I’s room, with its sea theme, was such an interesting detail—almost foreshadowing how water would eventually become her final escape.
➽The Storytelling: Messy But Addictive
The storytelling was good but chaotic. At times, it felt weird and rushed, as if the drama was trying to do too much at once without giving enough time for proper closure. Some plot points were hard to follow, and a few character motivations didn’t entirely make sense. But despite all of that, I couldn’t stop watching. Even when things felt confusing, the intensity and unpredictability made it gripping.
➽Relationships: Obsession, Love, and Moral Ambiguity
The dynamic between Seulgi and Je I was one of the most intriguing parts of the show. There was no clear, straightforward explanation for their relationship, but one thing is for sure: they looked at each other in “lesbian.” The tension, the obsession, the unspoken emotions—it was all there.
Then there’s Yuri and Choi Kyeong, who were a surprising but welcome addition to the story. Their relationship and interactions brought an unexpected layer to the drama, and I really liked how their storyline unfolded.
➽Acting: A Standout Cast
One thing I have no complaints about is the acting. Every single actor did an amazing job. The intensity, the emotions, the psychological depth—it all came through in their performances. Whether the characters were unhinged, desperate, or manipulative, the actors made every moment feel real.
➽ Je I’s Father: The Real Villain of the Story
If there’s one character that deserves to be called truly evil, it’s Je I’s father. He wasn’t just strict—he was a full-blown control freak who locked up his own daughter and treated her like a puppet. He was so obsessed with power and perfection that he completely broke both his daughters, pushing them to the edge of sanity.
The moment Je i finally escaped him by throwing herself and her sister into the sea was both tragic and symbolic—water became her final act of defiance, her way of taking back control.
➽I thought the ending was fine—beautiful and fitting for the drama's vibe. Honestly, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It felt somewhat closed yet still open.
➽Final Thoughts: A Wild, Messy, Yet Engaging Ride
This drama was far from perfect. It tried to do too much, leaving some things confusing and unresolved, but despite its flaws, I enjoyed the ride. The psychological depth, the symbolism, the intense relationships, and the cinematography made it a compelling watch.
It might not be for everyone, but if you enjoy dramas with complex characters, psychological tension, and a touch of chaos, this one is worth checking out.
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1This review may contain spoilers
I desperately want Chinese companies keep producing BL dramas, They finally got back together.
I can't believe it's the remake , This version totally eclipsed its predecessorChina has elevated the production value of BL dramas to new heights . And 2026 marks a turning point for more intense and creative Chinese BL genre .
The quality of Chinese Bls is day by day getting higher .
The first two episodes is about the backstory/ flashback of the past relationship between lu feng and cheng yi . The two lovers who meet again in the future as boss and employee , still stuck on their previous feelings .
Xiao Chen tries to deny his consistent feeling for lu feng
Their story improved in the next episodes , cheng yi discovered his unconditional love for lu feng .
Even though cheng yi never knew about how honest and sincere lu was , I just can't believe that he was literally head over heels for him , howw is lu feng that much devoted to cheng yi that he was willing to even give up his passion or job for himm , the biggest green flag , the was he was craving for cheng yi was insane .
The second couple's chemistry's fire , even though I hate yi-chen's guts cuz he keeps on troubling the lover boy , but can't deny he looks so fine with Qin lang.
Detailed Review ( Alert !? )
I'm sorry!! my reviews are quite detailed, cuz I enjoy capturing my emotional response to every significant scene
Their emotional bond is truly unbreakable, and their enduring love is so healing to watch. I honestly had very low expectations after seeing the trailer, but episode one completely changed my mind.
Seeing them reunite—and watching Lu Feng literally give up his family, career, and wealth for love—makes me wonder if that's even possible in real life. The healthy relationship they’ve built genuinely brought tears of joy to my eyes.
Honestly, Lu Feng never stopped loving Xiao Chen. The way he continuously tries to reach out to him makes me cry. No one else could ever bear the pain he went through—from the physical beatings to being locked up by his sister—yet he never gave up. I just don't understand Xiao Chen's brother. Why did he hide all of Lu Feng's messages? If he hadn't kept them to himself, all of this painful misunderstanding could have been completely avoided.
The central conflict driving this heartbreak is pure homophobia. Lu Feng is the ultimate green flag; he willingly endures his father's physical abuse and accepts every ounce of pain just to stay by Cheng Yi’s side.
Tragically, the cruelty continues with Cheng Yi’s mother. It is devastating to watch a mother call her own children "abnormal" instead of offering them the unconditional love and understanding they deserve.
And what was the point of saying SORRY after literally destroying everything.
While Lu Feng’s love is unshakeable, Xiao chen’s constant pushing away is deeply painful and is driving Lu Feng to his breaking point.
Ultimately, neither of them is to blame—it is the toxic weight of homophobia that is actively destroying their relationship.
Everything's so horrible , their lives turned into a nightmare .
Xiao Chen never truly chose Lu Feng. Instead of fighting for their love, he took the easy way out by breaking up and marrying a woman he had no feelings for, just to appease his mother. He accommodates everyone else’s needs and listens to his family, showing kindness to the whole world—except to Lu Feng. It is incredibly cruel how he refuses to stand up and protect the one person who actually gave up everything for him.
He is painted as a kind, compliant person who pleases everyone, this trait turns into cowardice and cruelty when it comes to Lu Feng. He is simply unwilling to fight for their love, making him the ultimate source of Lu Feng's heartbreak.
Lu Feng, just do whatever it takes, we are completely on your side!
I hate seeing him get hurt like this.
He literally just finished eliminating those homophobic parents and dealing with Yi Cheng's nosy brother.
Now, after years of getting Lu Feng arrested and prioritizing his duties as a husband and brother, Yi Cheng suddenly remembers him just to cause more pain?
I seriously cannot wait to see Yi Cheng burn with jealousy.
..
The psychological power dynamics in these drama is fascinating. But too intense and aggressive isn't good , it's okay if it's in drama onlyy..
Lu Feng’s manipulative behavior—specifically using third parties to provoke Xiao Cheng's jealousy—creates incredible narrative tension, but too cruel, he's actually mentally abusing the other person, forcing him to stayy locking him up, that's kind of shitt.
And there are striking structural similarities between To My Shore and Double Helix that back this up. In both stories, the male leads (Yunxi and Lu Feng) suffer a major betrayal, spending years in prison after being reported by their respective partners. Furthermore, both narratives utilize extreme confinement tropes, with the leads trapping their wives to prevent them from escaping.
From being the greenest flagg to a manipulative black flagg...
Even after all this yi cheng doesn't feel bad about what he did to lu fengg literal 5 years ago, I just can't stop hating him, broo have some guilt.
Yi cheng totally deserved that gun shot and it's not lu feng's fault.
Seeing Lu Feng completely shattered after Xiao Chen was shot truly reveals the depth of his love. By staying at his bedside and caring for him every single day until he woke up, Lu Feng proved Xiao Chen's immense worth to him, showing a profound devotion that Xiao Chen often struggled to deserve. The raw fear of losing him was unmistakable in Lu Feng's eyes.
Ultimately, if Xiao Chen had not letting his own fear and cowardice dictate his actions, this entire tragedy could have been avoided.
I honestly cannot comprehend how Yi Cheng can just leave Lu Feng behind to go abroad with his brother. It’s devastating that he’s abandoning Lu Feng to face everything all alone with absolutely no one to turn to.
At least Cheng Yi Chen realized Lu Feng wasn't at fault once he snapped out of it. Learn from that.
Letsee what happens nextt.
It is incredibly painful to watch Lu Feng beg Xiao Chen to stay.
I knew how deeply Xiao Chen has been suffering emotionally. Even through all the trauma, his bond with Lu Feng is too strong to just let go. When Xiao Chen finally chooses to stay and attempt a healthy fresh start with Lu Feng, it highlights how tragic it is that the entire world seems against their love. Ultimately, it is a massive relief that Xiao Chen chose to stay and live his life with Lu Feng instead of moving abroad.
I was sadd too watch Lu Feng struggle with his deep-seated insecurities, past trauma, and the constant fear of losing Xiao Chen. My heart broke when he opened up about his trauma—especially the painful revelation that he avoided the hospital just to keep Xiao Chen from feeling burdened by a sick partner.
The plotline where Xiao Chen borrows money from his brother for the house is a hilarious idea honestly. Why is he overcomplicating things when he could just be direct with Lu Feng.
Given how severe lu feng's illness is, chen needs to drop the arguments and just force him to get help. Lu feng is completely stubborn with everyone else, but chen is the only one he actually obeys.
It is shocking how indifferently he reacted to the sight of Lu Feng's bleeding hand. Rather than rushing him indoors to tend to the injury, he chose to deliver his entire speech out in the pouring rain while Lu Feng bled. Sometimes this guy's reactions makes me laugh hilariously. But gotta say he's so good at wiping..
I actually wonder lu feng in love literally got himself mental illness whatt . It's so hard right going though that illness that drives you crazy??
For the first time chen accepted Lu feng as his familyy ..
Lu fengg had intense, uncontrollable, and toxic obsession towards Yi Chen, bordering on a severe mental health issue that manifests as erratic, manipulative, and often violent behavior.
That made him look like a ruthless and manipulative, displaying dangerous behavior such as isolating, controlling, and emotionally damaging the person he loves. It's all because of his traumatic past, but I didn't wanted him to overdo itt..
Him acting totally impulsively everytime instead of thinking properly and acting wisely, was okay at first but I got annoyed cuzz it doesn't look good everytime.
(((( Actually they could've planned the fake marriage to satisfy Chen's mother than secretly dateee and then when she dies.. That's a good idea ))))
After suffering for days and nights he finally got away from his mental illness.
At the end they got their happy ending and I'm happy about it, after bearing a lot of pain lu feng and chen got it.
Overall I really enjoyed this series I waited for literally every week, I always give it to first priority because it deserve this actors really acted very well I can see that in the literally deserve a big hand, I'll always support them. I had a very great time watching it every Saturday and Friday, not to mention sometimes I actually loss patience and I know actually the patience was worth it.
Beautiful quality of production and beautiful script except some parts were logic less ( ofc nothing's perfect ) , I really appreciate each and everyone's effort in the production of this series.
They leads had great chemistry throughout the whole series, the second couple had a steady and healthy relationship.
It's really good to see the China is developing so well and we are getting something that is unexpectedly incredible.
I can't believe it's the time to say goodbye to double helix, and the story between lu feng and xiao chen will always stay in our memory.
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Infuriating characters & plot holes, but entertaining all the same
Likes: Park Hyung Sik and Han Hyo Joo. I'm fans of both. I think they did a great job with the acting and convinced me that they are both tough characters that could take down zombies and criminals. Doesn't hurt that they are both pretty to look at. I thought they had a very cute chemistry. The doctor was also pretty standout in making his character so despicable. I thought the zombie production and actions scenes were also nicely done.Dislikes: (SPOILERS AHEAD): The HUGE and obvious plot holes that took a lot away from the story because it made the characters look a bit stupid. For instance, the huge one...Why go through all this manipulation and trouble when you could have just asked Saebom for her blood. Everything about her character would have suggested she would do this freely with no objection. That's just lazy writing imo. The writer should have found some reason why they thought Saebom would be resistant to giving her blood. Then the story would have made more sense. Next problem were the infuriating side characters. They were incredibly frustrating mostly because I couldn't understand their actions. I don't have to agree with it, but I should understand why a character is driven to their point in stupidity. There should be a tiny basis of realism in their motivation. Too many actions were just too inconsistent. For instance, the fear level. One minute they are scared to death because they see a zombie turn, then the next they are walking around like nothing is amiss, I mean wouldn't they try to carry something for a weapon or wear some sort of makeshift protection, esp since they don't know who is infected? That goes for the leads as well. They walk around too cavaliery like they are invincible. Sometimes they carry a weapon, sometimes they don't That's just poor direction, The director should have maintained a certain level of fear and caution throughout.
There were so many plot holes that I can't even count, but yet, I still found myself entertained and waiting in anticipation for the next episode. A large part of that has to do with me being fans of PHS and HHJ. I really looked forward to their interaction with each other. It carried a lot of the drama for me. I enjoyed seeing them be all tough. I also have a love for zombies or disaster type stories too so that also played a part. There was also enough tension to keep me tuned in to see how this would all end. If you're like me, then I would suggest checking this drama out. But if you need a well executed story that makes complete sense, then you may not enjoy this one,
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Hermès! Served exactly as intended: a (rarely pure) rom-com delight.
Most romance stories, in my experience as a lover of the romance genre (and as somebody who aspires to write in the genre), will follow a very specific pattern. It typically seems to go something like:-two people who are well-suited to one another meet
-who want to be together
-and share moments of growing emotional, and often physical, intimacy
-but who struggle against internal and external obstacles
-that build up until there's a major complication
-which gets resolved happily.
Romance, as a whole, does not tend to deviate much from this structure; it's why a lot of people return to it, time and time over again. And in terms of being exactly this – a very, very sweet, wholesome, lighthearted and funny romance, in my opinion, this drama excelled.
There is no secret serial killer or hardcore thriller plotline, and in this way, it feels like a "pure" rom-com – most misunderstandings are easily resolved, and a lot of the drama consists of different scenarios involving the leads being sweet and falling deeper in love with each other, supporting each other when the relationship is tested.
The drama wastes no time in having the leads fall for and get with each other – it's certainly no slow-burn where the characters' hands brushing against each other will leave you gasping for air, but I personally found a lot of beauty in this drama's simplicity. Rather than missing the aching slowburn, or yearning for the higher stakes, this drama's low stakes kept me focused on the relationship, kept me believing in the strength of its foundations, and got me attached to them. Though these are perhaps not the most complex or layered characters, I found them well drawn out, acted, and lovable. In a lot of ways, it became my weekly injection of sunshine.
I admired how much it kept to its theme and heart in the pro-worker throughline. The ways that (especially service) workers are often mistreated, and especially how that interplays with the power/wealth disparity between the two leads as boss and employee felt like it was given the kind of treatment I'm not used to seeing just yet. I ended up liking how I felt the respect the female lead got in her romantic relationship was not only extended to her in her professional life, but to the professional lives of many in her line of service work.
To some, it might be slow, boring – I've even seen "lazy" tossed around, but to me, I don't think it was lazy at all. There were bits of symbolism, love shown in small, almost unnoticeable acts (like him closing the gate up to her apartment behind her, or them saving their names as stars and angels) that all add to the larger picture – there are themes and undercurrents of pro-worker sentiment and of the role of women, the links between their personal and professional lives (exploitation at work, and exploitation in the home – divorce, too, as a cultural taboo that threatens a woman's professional life) rippling throughout. There was meaning in their names – the male lead's full name, Gu Won, meaning "salvation" – a part of her name, Sa-Rang, meaning "love" (I'm not sure how the context/meaning is changed with her family name Cheon) – with salvation and love being the foundation of their mature, adult relationship. I found a great deal of small personal meaning in this drama.
Overall, in terms of the acting (Lee Jun-Ho's acting especially; I look forward to digging into his acting from before too – but Im Yoon-A I felt like did a very believable job of a woman working in service and of selling the chemistry too – the side cast of characters, and especially the woman who played the villainess Hwa-Ran, Kim Sun Young, who gave dimension to a character I feel like could have fallen quite flat, the direction, the writing, the music (my personal favourite from the OST being 'Confess To You' by Lim Kim) – I feel like they did a very very good job in delivering exactly what they promised: a fluffy rom-com.
While in terms of other, more complex and nuanced dramas that have captured my heart, it might not compare with my other 10/10s, which is why I will not rate it as such, but within its own genre, I think it deserves to be seen as extremely well crafted, and I do not believe it deserves a low rating for being what it is. For the other people this kind of lighthearted story will appeal to, I hope they feel just as well served as I do.
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Underwhelming, Cliche-Riddled "Fairy Tale" That We've Seen So Many Times Before!
I’m not sure why I continue to fall into the trap of watching these romantic dramas that overuse cliches that have been done hundreds of times before. It’s the biggest reason why I stopped watching American romantic comedies because they’re mostly all the same. However, perhaps it’s because I’ve seen enough refreshing takes on the genre in K-Dramas that I remain hopeful, that there are still a few gems out there. This series isn’t one of them.Once again, we have the super-wealthy man who swoops in for the plain working girl. We’ve seen this duo so many times, that it’s literally become tiresome. It’s also insulting that women today—in any part of the world—are made to feel that the “jackpot” is still the rich man. Look around, and you’ll probably find that many such relationships don’t last or end well.
There is little innovation or creativity in this series. It’s about as predictable as you could imagine. It follows this predictable formula: wealthy son has a problem, so he’s a bit of a recluse. Wealthy son has a parent who is unhappy with him and, of course, he disapproves of the girl he likes and is told to get rid of her. Always a power struggle between the guy and a sibling or rival. Regular girl doesn’t have much self-esteem and struggles to make ends meet. Regular girl begins to question her value as soon as any objection is made against her, especially by his parents. Wealthy guy miraculously recovers from his problem, usually with the help of the girl, and we see him begin to soften and see life in a different way. Wealthy man treats the girl to many exotic events that nobody could possibly experience (bought out restaurants, amusement parks, lavish hotel rooms, etc.) as if this is the only way to enjoy each other’s company. Everything is miraculously wrapped up in the last episode so that everything ends on a happy note.
What we end up having is a very predictable series where we already know what’s going to happen from the very start. This formula is used in nearly every Hallmark movie ever made. In fact, I wondered if the writer stole their template to use for this series. It wouldn’t surprise me.
The series could have been brave and chosen to go off in a totally different direction. Perhaps the guy gives up his wealth to pursue his own dreams and happiness. Or how about this? Why can’t the woman be the wealthy one and the guy be the regular shmo? Because culturally, we still live in a world where women continue to believe that ultimate happiness lies with a wealthy man, which is beyond sad. It’s pathetic because it’s so completely untrue.
Gu Won (Lee Jun Ho) is the reclusive son of a wealthy company and hotel owner. His mother suddenly disappears from his life at a young age, and he doesn’t trust people who smile. He views such actions as fake as well as insulting as if the person is hiding their true feelings. He’s not entirely wrong. There is nothing so superficial as a fake smile. He comes back to Korea after years in the UK to learn the business, even though at first, he has no interest in taking over.
Cheon Sa Rang (Im Yoon Ah) is a young woman who’s always dreamed of working at the King Hotel. It’s a place of warm memories from when she was a child, and because of her customer service skills, she finds herself moving up the ladder to King the Land—an exclusive VIP floor of the hotel, only for the very richest of people who demand special service. She’s very good at her job, and when she’s asked to interview Gu Won for a promotional scheme, of course, there is immediate friction, especially when he demands that she stop smiling.
As you can already guess, these two are whisked away alone (you have to hand it to the writers who scheme to come up with some plausible way to force these two characters to be alone in order to break the ice!), and they begin to learn about each other. The sad part is that by the end of the third episode, Gu Won miraculously recovers from his problem of seeing people smile. This is an area that could have, and should have, been explored much more thoroughly than it was. This was a missed opportunity.
Cheon Sa Rang has two other friends who both work under the same company. Kang Da Eul works at a duty-free shop. And Oh Pyung Hwa is a flight attendant. All three women are very immature, cowardly, and weak. Wallflowers are never attractive or appealing. Sa Rang constantly allows herself to be abused at work. Kang Da Eul is abused by her in-laws and husband. It’s sad that her little girl has more maturity than she does. And Oh Pyung Hwa has her past held against her, and she’s also abused by the pilot and co-workers. None of them ever speak up and stand up for themselves.
To be fair, Korea is arguably the most competitive country in the world. And what we see is a very cutthroat mentality in which workers are expected to fall-in and do whatever they’re told without argument or complaint. This leads to a hierarchy of those above abusing those below. In one of the high points of the series, Gu Won attempts to correct this oversight. His plan is for companies to appreciate their employees and to treat them as valuable commodities rather than throwaways. This is a philosophy that is sorely needed in today’s world, but perhaps especially in Korea. This point was actually my favorite aspect of the series, so it wasn’t a total loss.
Lee Jun Ho is the glue of this series. He has a very natural acting style that makes you appreciate his acting chops in nearly every scene that he’s in, and in many ways, he single-handedly prevents this “ship” from sinking completely.
I’ve always loved Kim Young Ok (Grandma) who dazzled us in “Hometown Cha Cha Cha” as well as “Tomorrow.” She’s a true delight in everything she does. I smiled when I saw her in her first scene.
Im Yoon Ah is the weak link in this series. this woman is like a Jekyll and Hyde actress. She's either upbeat, bubbly, and warm, or she's cold, rude, aloof, and indifferent. She has no other "speeds" which is why her range isn't very good. She has no clue how to build up a scene. She can only hit one button or the other, which really hurts her performance. Too often, she looks uncomfortable in scenes where she shouldn't be. I found it ironic that she’s the last one to smile in the wedding of the last episode. She looked so uncomfortable, and it showed. She has a good grin, but she hardly has “the best smile.” Her performance is very inconsistent and lacking believability in many scenes. I certainly won’t be watching any more series that showcase this actress. She’s decent at best.
Kim Sun Young plays Gu Hwa Ran, Gu Won’s sister, even though she looks more like his mother. While she played the character well, Gu Hwa Ran is way too one-dimensional. This was another character that should have been explored with much more depth.
Finally, we have Ah Se Ha playing No Sang Sik (Gu Won’s assistant). There is a fine line between playing the idiot and playing the funny man. The buffoon is rarely appealing, and the Thailand trip was cringeworthy and easily my least favorite part of the series. It takes someone with real acting chops to toe the line between being annoying and funny. He was easily my least favorite character of the series, making me question why he was there.
I prefer series like “Business Proposal” that showcased strong, mature women who could fend for themselves. Women who didn’t act like wallflowers who wilt under every kind of pressure, which is what we have here. “Hometown Cha Cha Cha,” “Our Beloved Summer,” “Touch Your Heart” and “Love To Hate You” were vastly superior to this series. These writers really need to start thinking outside the box instead of hammering us with the same plots and weak characters that have been done to death.
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why ???
I know that watching c drama requires patience as it’s a long haul. I still struggle with this one. why going all the way to Finland to din only Chinese people to interact with ? why is the FL so cringy? She’s a grown woman and yet shies away from any romantic interaction with her obviously smitten boyfriend who irrealistically bears it all with a smile. Hello Hidden Love! Same age and yet more realistic isn’t it ?And then why so much food ? they spend their time in bars and restaurants eating food all the time. he’s supposed to be broke and yet feeds her endlessly … The FL is cute as a button but she’s too cringy for my taste.
Anyway, like a lot of you have replied it’s not for everyone ! It’s nice to see that we respect each other’s opinions here. Enjoy the show!
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Phenomenal! Zhao Lusi & Wu Lei Rock!
月升沧海 (Love Like the Galaxy Part 2) is the continuation of 星汉灿烂 (Love Like the Galaxy Part 1). Therefore, viewers must watch Part 1 first before watching this Part 2. Adapted from a novel, the background is set in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD) during the reign of Emperor Guangwu (r. 25–57 AD) (this is not explicitly stated, and the names have been altered). Like Emperor Guangwu, the Emperor in this story is also a founding emperor who does not kill and is benevolent to his subjects. Some of the events taken place in the royal palace are written based on the actual historical events, and many of the characters are based on actual historical figures.My review here combines Part 1 and Part 2, giving my verdict for the overall drama.
In the novel, a girl time-travels back to ancient time and into Cheng Shaoshang’s body. After 23 chapters later, then only Ling Buyi appears. In the drama version, Ling Buyi aka Ling Zhisheng (Wu Lei) appears in the opening scene of the first episode. According to readers, the story is beautiful but extremely slow burning. I can see that in the drama: for the first 25 episodes of Part 1, the main couple is still at odds with each other though Ling Buyi has already fallen head over heels in love with Cheng Shaoshang aka Niao Niao (Zhao Lusi) because she is so different from all the girls he knows.
Ling Buyi, a dark character with a secretive background and few words, is cold and expressionless. Inside, he is full of anger and vengeance, seeking justice against those who had caused the death of the entire population, including his family, of a city he used to live in. He was adopted by the Emperor and treated like a prince. As a fearsome warrior and a powerful general that everyone respects and fears, he is the most eligible bachelor every girl in town covets, but his eyes on none as he despises those pretentious, bitchy, bratty, and unlikable girls, until he meets Cheng Shaoshang.
Wu Lei grows rapidly from the adolescent in Nirvana in Fire to a man with chiseled good look. His acting skills have also improved markedly by the years and in dramas he acts. Here as the 21 years old Ling Buyi, Wu Lei fits into the description of the character near perfection. Though at times he looks a bit stiff trying to walk like a commanding general, his subtle facial expressions are done very convincingly especially when he transforms from a cold character to a soft and caring character while gazing into his love. He looks emotionless but when he turns to look at her, his face softens, his eyes exude love and care. Despite being a military man, he’s gentle, caring and attends to details. It’s really hilarious to see how a formidable general who would find excuses so that he could stay close to the one he loves in secret. Wu Lei is spot on. I have thoroughly enjoyed all his scenes and wanted more.
Cheng Shaoshang is an unconventional girl. Left to fend for herself since she was born, she becomes very strong and fearless. She has a sharp tongue and is quick witted. She would hit back whenever she is being hit. Her motto is “an eye for an eye”. I love this character to bits, probably because deep inside me, I wish I could live as such a character, punching back whenever being punched, with no regrets nor fears; I have always taken such characters as my role model, to the horrors of many.
For me, this is probably Zhao Lusi’s best acting thus far as the 15-year-old Cheng Shaoshang. Her mischievous behavior to take revenge against whoever wrongs her is fun to watch and satisfying. Her rebuttals and unforgiving tongue make the viewers love her and so does Ling Buyi. I love Zhao Lusi’s innocent look, the huffs and puffs she makes when she clumsily climbs onto the horse or up the ladder over the wall, and her sweet smile beams like a blooming flower. Zhao Lusi is simply amazing, and her acting skills have improved leaps and bounds since the first time I watched her.
The writers have brilliantly brought out the personalities of the Empress and the Consort through their conversations with the Emperor, contrasting their characters, setting the stage for eventual development. Consort Yue is upstanding and badass, and denounces even her own children if they don’t get in line, whereas the Empress is soft-hearted and forgiving, even to those undeserving ones, which are depicted vividly in the actions of her own son, the Crown Prince, who is said to take after her.
My Verdict
Not having read the novel when I first watched the trailer, I thought this was a slapstick comedy and another Zhao Lusi’s rom-com. But as I watch the drama, these outrageously funny scenes appropriately fit into the overall story; they are genuinely hilarious and intriguing. I have re-watched those scenes multiple times and each time, I still laugh out loud and relish every moment. Though very comedic and funny, the plot is dark and bloody.
This is a very slow burning story. Despite so, it is not boring as it captures all the details of the events with lighthearted dialogues (most very funny, cute and unexpected), in-depth development of each character, and an appropriate pace in unfolding of the plot. Every action taken by the characters has a purpose that leads to the final consequences. So, nothing is redundant.
The writer has a great sense of humor in telling the story and resolving the conflicts. Insanely exaggerated, all the characters are realistically written. This is perhaps the first drama I watch with so many shameless characters. Grannies and young girls alike, simply throw themselves on the ground to demand their wants like some bratty kids. Greed, selfishness, hatred, indifference, cowardice and evil versus generosity, selflessness, love, compassion, valor and good are all vividly depicted in every character, and their ultimate outcome. With the bad ones being horribly bad, it is satisfying to see their eventual endings and lessons learned.
This drama gives us some of the greatest official sound tracks. The tune, Sigh of the Galaxy (星河叹) (Cheng Shaoshang character song), played by Cheng Shaoshang on the flute is one of the most beautiful tunes I've ever heard. It sounds melancholy when she is sad, and it sounds serene when she is out in the beautiful countryside. The other orchestral pieces and songs are equally well composed and performed to greatly enhance the mood of the story.
With Zhao Lusi around, the fun never ends! For romance buffs, this is a must-watch. The chemistry between Zhao Lusi and Wu Lei is simply the best of all the romantic couples I've seen. Unlike most lazy writing with endings where everyone dies, this drama let the bad characters die a slow death, and reward the good guys. Having said that, many of the details have not been properly explained, and towards the later part, many scenes are choppy. This is most likely due to the later editing, trying to fit in the approved length (some say about 10 episodes have been taken out). All in all, the first part (ie. Part 1) is full of details and super slow moving, and the second part (ie. Part 2) is action packed and faster pace. Though it has its flaws, this is still a better drama than many. As of the writing of this review and the drama still airing, it has garnered over 5 billions views already. Everyone seems to be talking about the drama because it is so absorbing.
Brilliant storytelling, great acting, excellent camera work and directing. This is a worthwhile watch, definitely a TWO THUMBS UP!
BRAVO!
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IT'S A CANNONBALL
Firstly, there are tropes you'll agree with me are made for some countries and just incase another country adopts it even if by chance and executes it well enough, that's going a bit higher and matching up to a standard. Originally Thai BL'S from being as scanty as 15 shows annually between 2018-2021, every trope was good enough because for the first time it felt new since we were having BL couples instead of heterosexual ones but after that 2022-2023 was a massive wave of close to 80+ BLS in each. The exposure was good but it seemed that some plots either felt too bland, some actors aren't the right choices for the shows or simply, BL fans are getting bored and we are looking for something unique.Here is THE SIGN. First and foremost, the fact that this is the first Thai BL original that deals with Special forces was enough to intrigue me and just as I had mentioned that I felt this kind of plot had become more of a western monopoly a part of me was rather eager. The trailer delivered it well to have me quite expectant but after watching the first episodes I say the long uneasy wait was worth it. Of course the Special Investigation Forces part of it might feel unreal and rather having it too easy if you're to compare with Western Series like FBI and GANG RELATED. No offense, for Thailand I do respect that they could take this gr8 shot and it doesn't bother me that much since it was never the gist of the story so it didn't occupy space unnecessarily.
Also considering the fact that we are moving out of the bedrooms and condos and getting more into the real adult world. I felt that highschoolers and campusers had overdone it and for some reason high school and university settings were making the BL STORYLINES lose an aroma. We have seen from Until We Meet Again back in 2019 the notion of lost lovers but never a profound and rather intensely chaotic couple like Celestial lovers who were never meant to be which makes the sign yet another one of those BL series that is exceptional.
I equally came to admire the fact that the character design here is quite mature and we are moving away from some stupid couple fights which were starting to get annoying to some point. We have seen love that challenges gender and social norms in my perspective but never one which challenges religious ones like the Sign which I had always anticipated at some point. The Lovestory of Billy and Babe unlike many challenges what you would considered some of the most powerful cosmic forces in existence.
Thirdly, finally beating an office romance, you’ll find out from this show how it is very cute when a special agent is playing hard to get and another is practically a naive big baby that's struggling at expressing themselves. Of course even if there is a progression of feelings, the top knotch of this chemistry is that two people with different personalities start to create a common ground for intimacy
New faces and ships to the genre who have gotten their jobs right is also the real deal, I don't believe that being a rookie actor justifies one to be a bad actor and in any case The Sign proves it right. Everyone seems to comprehend, fit in their role and even grow in it with literally every scene that it starts to feel more like a sincere portrayal than a very flat pretense. I have seen series that have gone South when they could have been better because of this annoying excuse.
Besides, the Supernatural fantasy in a cop drama hits different and right, Billy literally flirts the scene well and quite unobviously which keeps the show interesting, these guys are so past the point of stereotyping gay couples as sweet people with nothing to do, for once I feel a gay couple has real work to do in line with promoting law and order now you get to see them in action and in a way even offering a civil service apart from struggling with anger issues, overkissing and I think I literally LMAO at the fact that these guys each had way many sex dreams or thoughts.
All in all the pacing of the series seems quite right and after all this I can certainly say, coming from Thailand, they have found a way to end the year and begin a new one in style by giving us a show that is quite unique and hints on personal and spiritual diversities which have been confined to perfection and give us an unspoken warmth, sweetness despite the cruel designs of the world, fate and karma which make you see how every character lives every day as if it were their last.
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This review may contain spoilers
3 Gerberas, 2 Funerals and A Match Made In Heaven
***DISCLAIMER: This is just my opinion. We don’t have to agree and I’m not here to argue with anyone. This review contains spoilers so I suggest watching the film first before reading.***「 ❝An untimely frost upon the sweetest flower of all❞ 」
I just finished watching this, and I must stress that it is not for the faint of heart. If you are super sensitive still want to watch, I recommend bringing a box of tissues because you will probably cry. If you liked 20th Century Girl, you will definitely appreciate this.
General Overview:
Drawing Closer is an astoundingly beautiful film that had a great influence on me, with both its narrative and visual brilliance. From the first scene to the end credits, the film immerses the audience in a universe where every frame is precisely produced, with each shot a monument to the director's vision and the cinematographer's talent. The emotionally charged tale delves into the complex complexities of human relationships, capturing moments of joy, sadness, love, and loss with a raw honesty rarely seen in film. The characters are well developed, their journeys realistic and moving so much so that the story elicits a wide spectrum of emotions that remain with you long after the film has concluded. The performances are outstanding, with each actor adding a distinct and compelling presence to their role, heightening the film's emotional impact. The eerie and evocative musical composition perfectly compliments the storyline, increasing the emotional experience while adding levels of meaning to the plot. "Drawing Closer" is more than a film; it's an experience, a work of art that speaks to the heart and soul, leaving an unforgettable impression on anyone who sees it.
In More Detail:
The plot revolves around two terminally ill teenagers who come into each other’s life.
What to expect:
- Characters dealing with grief/death and how to overcome the inevitable.
- Two artists and how their passion of drawing / painting and seeing the world in different colors binds them together.
- Friendship and familial ties.
- Longing / yearning and first love.
- Secrets and misunderstandings (with good reason)
- A heartfelt, coming-of-age plot
The performance was convincing and well-done. Haruna has a fate she cannot escape, yet I really admire her positive view on life. Akito was a really endearing character. He was so charmingly sweet and soft boy coded. His hopeless romantic side really shined through. I adored how he wanted to make the most of his limited time by assisting Haruna in having a happy and fulfilling life while she still had hers. It's also great that they seemed to have saved each other. She was Snow White and he was her Prince Florian (iykyk)
I would rate this an 8/10 rounded up to an 8.5/10. It was so good it made me cry multiple times (after the 5th time, I stopped counting lol) The emotional side is undeniable, but I wish our leads had more moments together, including the kiss Haruna requested. I think I am being greedy but that would have definitely ended me. I have to say, this is a very pure and sweet story. It's simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming.
I loved it and I now have a much deeper appreciation for Gerberas and their symbolism.
I believe anyone of any age can watch this; I highly recommend it, especially if you want a good cry.
I don't think I'd rewatch it "right now," but maybe after some time has passed. I believe Drawing Closer is one of those films you save for when you want to feel something. It's a movie you can watch on a rainy day to let you reflect on the beauty of life.
One of the take away messages of this drama that really struck me was to live your life to the fullest. It serves as a reminder that regardless of how limited your time on this earth may be, you should embrace life fully and love deeply. Treasure those who are close to you because even if you believe you won't influence their lives, there is a huge possibility that you will, and those individuals will honor and respect your memory eternally.
With all that being said, this is a tragic story, and it may not be for everyone, so proceed with caution.
As always,
Thanks for reading & happy watching!
(P.S. If you are in withdrawal please go watch edits of the Drawing Closer couple, you won't regret it)
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
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Nonetheless, it is one of the decent ones in recent wuxia/xianxia genre. It has good action/battle scenes. Even though it follows a typical wuxia storyline of a young naive boy becoming a hero, it is still enjoyable. The story is, however, quite dragging, sometimes it takes three or more episodes to go through a sub-plot.
As for acting wise, I am not that impressed with Li Yi Feng and most of the casts but I have always liked Zhao Li Ying since her older works.
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This review may contain spoilers
Average drama with an unlikely premise and a dumbfounding conclusion.
This drama had a lot going for it--strong cast, good production values, "romance" in the title--except a script. FL Son Na Eun with her glorious scowl/RBF and mom Kim Jee Soo were the most engaging characters, but they didn't have much to work with.Most of the other (negative) reviews focus on the absurd premise of a hapless father abandoning his wife and two small children after going bankrupt and leaving them destitute, only to return 10 years (or more?) later with a pile of sketchy money and a not very well thought out plan to win their hearts back. But as bad as that is, it isn't even the worst aspect of the plot, which is the almost stupifying "I don't need no man to make me happy" conclusion. But who could blame them? In the almost complete absence of any redeemable male characters in the whole drama, the two principal female characters decide that they are better off/happy living alone. The icing on the cake comes when the young FL asserts she is happy continuing to live her celibate lifestyle and has absolutely no intention of ever getting married--despite her supposedly wonderful relationship with her nice guy boyfriend. (I wonder if she consulted him about this...) The writer even had the temerity to throw in a reference to South Korea's lowest in the world .78 birth rate in the same scene. And this was a "romance"? Mind blown.
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Initially I like this drama. I liked the lead female,Makino Tsukushi, as a strong female role because she would't succumb to the arrogant F4(especially from the lead male Domyouji Tsukasa). It was cliche, but I've come to expect that in any japanese teen drama. Some reactions and plot devices were unrealistic, but I can ignore that. What turned me off was the complete 180 the drama took from reality involving Domyouji. Let's get this straight, Domyouji is a narcissistic, obnoxious, arrogant creep. Nothing leads me to feel empathy for his character. Domyouji does awful, terrible, things to harass Makino; even going as far as hiring people to sexually assault her. The 'excuses' for his behavior (his background story) are not at all valid for being such an awful human being and I feel no empathy for the character.
I had to quit watching after I searched for the ending. I couldn't make myself sit through the entire drama only to be enraged at the end.
The only semi saving grace for this show was the acting. Oguri Shun is a brilliant actor, and Jun Matsumoto portrays his character well (as does Mao Inoue). So I guess if you are a fan of the manga you will like it (???). For me, two thumbs way way down.
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