Sometimes incoherent, huge plot holes esp towards the end, but for the most part pretty enjoyable.
For me at least. Episodes 10 & 11 really brought down this story for me. I feel like Never Let Me Go started out so strong but somewhere along the way it lost its way. It's like the writers lost interest and were just trying to finish it the soonest possible. It was pretty obvious because things started to make no sense. Character motivations sometimes felt out of nowhere and left people scratching their heads with their actions. Some characters were just a waste of space eg Ben and Chopper. Seriously, what was their point in this series? The villain was also laughable. The writers intent was to make him this scary, unstoppable force but in the end he just came out as a clown.Also, something happened with Phuwin and Ponds acting after episode 9. It was very flat and like neither of the two cared how bad their performance was. They just wanted to be done with it and that's that. That's one of the things that took me out of the series and made me lower the rating to 8.5 paired with the plot holes. Aside from that I feel like before they hit episode 10, they were really giving it their all and I was enjoying watching them portray more mature roles compared to their time in Fish Upon the Sky. The story and acting may have been up and down but something that wasn't was their chemistry. That's really what kept me coming back episode to episode. Luckily episode 12 felt like the beginning of the series again both in the acting department and the writing. I was satisfied with the way it ended.
Despite my huge problems with Never Let Me Go towards the end. I still pretty much enjoyed it and thanks to episodes 1-9 & 12 it's one of my favorites of the year. Due to the suspense, acting, chemistry and action aspects of the series. The filming locations were gorgeous. If we ever get another series like this, I hope the writers sit down and watch some of the mistakes they made with NVLMG and improve on them. Overall I give this an 8.5 and would recommend. Despite it's flaws it's still worth a watch.
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Aoi Ryosuke may have a devil’s curse, but he is terrified of his own abilities, while his counterpart Ryuzaki Shinji is a devil himself, with the gift of god. When they are brought together however, the game really begins.
From beginning to end, the mystery behind their powers drives the plot of the drama: just how much they know about each other and what are the implications of their gift. Is it a curse or blessing, or both, and how are they to be used? What is their purpose on this world? While a larger mythological background is hinted at, I actually appreciated how the drama focused more on the immediate repercussions. This isn’t a tale of gods and demons. It’s the story of two men who behind their powers are just as human as you or me. Their entanglement with Detective Hasebe gives this even more of a humanly-backing as she struggles to learn more about them - to trust or fear, protect or arrest.
“If I were able to change this world, would God be the only one who could allow that? If humans were able to hold God’s powers, would they be able to change the world?”
Thus begins the story as Ryuzaki stands overlooking a city drenched in rain. The camera pans down to reveal Aoi,as he walks into the nearest police station and turns himself in for murder:
“Coming here on my own makes the distinction, of what sort of person I, who has taken away that life, will become.”
The Dog of Orthros: The name comes from Greek mythology. Orthros was a two-headed dog beast (brother of the more famous 3-headed dog Cerberus), and minion to a giant. I'm sure other comparisons could be made between drama and myth, but there's not much known about the dog. Rather, it's more interesting to me that nowhere in the show does it say which man, the angel or the demon, is the actual beast. Both are just two parts of the same whole.
Not to ignore the drama’s political plotline (because, in this kind of scenario unfortunately one just has to exist), but that part was a little more on the predictable side of things – the only questionable outcome is which man, if either, would align with the greedy and power-hungry parties and politicians.
What was more subtly done I thought were many of the side characters, including Detective Hasebe’s young daughter (who often seemed to understand important things better even than her mother), and delinquent youth Kumakiri Masaru (Yaotome Hikaru).
Should you watch it?
I could barely turn away from this drama, and not even the political plotline bored me for more than a few minutes at a time. Like most Jdramas, the romance may be a tiny bit lacking, but the relationship between the three main players was anything but lacking in overall chemistry. The thriller/mystery aspects were also extremely well done (if not completely perfect) but enough that even knowing the outcome, I’d be likely to watch it again.
Read more (with pictures) on my blog:
http://shinealightrose.blogspot.com/2013/03/jdrama-review-orthros-no-inu-2009.html
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My biggest issue with this drama (apart from the fact that I’m not a fan of leads who act like jerks and who we’re supposed to find romantic rather than toxic) is that the story is all over the place. There’s a story-line involving the three brothers, with a mystery in the middle, which gets resolved halfway through and ends up going nowhere. There’s a story-line about the restaurant they have and trying to make it succeed while not selling out, and it also ends up going nowhere. There’s a story-line about the female lead’s quest for professional growth which ends up only serving the “romantic” story-line. There’s a backstory of a character to make them less two dimensional which also ends up going nowhere. All in all, it’s like every ingredient which could have turned this into less of a cliche and more innovative was pushed aside in the benefit of the overused story-line of the love triangle.
Out of all the characters, the only one I found memorable and whose performance I enjoyed enough was Nomura Shuhei’s Touma (the youngest sibling). He’s the only one I feel has a story arc which involves making personal changes, realizing mistakes and repairing damages he has caused. The rest, I can’t say much. It seemed Miura Shohei’s character was going towards a reasonable development and in the last few episodes his entire character turned 180° for the sake of the cliche romance. It seemed that Kiritani Mirei’s character had more substance to her than being the sweet main lead who tends to be too kind for her own good, but all about her drive and career seemed to just serve the cliche romance.
And Yamazaki Kento’s character deserves a paragraph on his own. He is the jerk male lead, the one we’ve seen at least 4 times this year: we saw him in Dean Fujioka’s Mamiya Hokuto in Happy Marriage, in his Kurosawa Ayumu in Please Love the Useless Me and in Shiraishi Shunya’s Uehara Hisashi in Good Morning Call. I really dislike this trope, I think it’s toxic as heck, but the rest of the dramas at least tried for me to feel for the guy. They intended to introduce a backstory (mostly tied in with family grief) in which I could say “oh, so this is why he’s a jerk”. It never worked, but they tried. Here, everything that happens to this character, all the troubles and external arcs to change him, happen in the timeline of the drama. There is no reason why he acts this way and he doesn’t change his attitude with anything that happens to him. He has that kind of extremely subtle character change which stans of him will call development but I call bad writing.
The reason why this drama isn’t my complete least favorite of the bunch is because it’s very nicely filmed and, mostly, decently performed. The shots were brilliant and they paid attention to detail, the cinematography was very enjoyable. There are some things in the story I found interesting, like the family mystery I mentioned, the somewhat complex way in which they tried to introduce the “ex girlfriend” cliche and the youngest brother’s character growth. But it doesn’t have enough to be different from the rest of the dramas with the same trope.
All in all, if this is a trope you enjoy and male leads being jerks is your thing, for some reason, this is a very well done one of those. If you’re looking for something innovative, different and devoid of love triangles, dates in aquariums, firework festivals being a “big romantic deal” and lots and lots of misunderstandings and “I hurt you because I want to protect you” scenes, there’s not much here for you. Except for an omelette with a burger inside, which is pretty good.
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A sweet, sweet noona romance
Initially, I have writer's block when I attempted to write this review. It is not because it is bad, quite to the contrary, I like this show. It is not that it is boring, there are lots going on. It is just that most subplots are inconsequential. You have to focus on the romantic storyline.Rather than breaking down the show in minute details, I'll focus on things that are highlights for me and a few odd bits that I can do without.
The good bits first then. The romance of our leads is swoon-y, beautifully told and relatable.
I shall address the elephant in the room first, the age gap. In the novel, the difference is 11 years, in the show, the FL stated that she is almost 10 years older than the ML. The actual age difference between the actors is 19. I'll stick to the show's official line.
In terms of their relationship, I think it is well written. There are obviously push-pulls. The FL knew full well that she is in a power position as she was his guardian and benefactor. Throw in the significant age difference and her divorcee status, there are lots of red flags. She has to draw a very firm line in the sand.
The ML worship her from the start. The unrequited love is obvious for all to see. In time, the FL did notice his loving ways and it troubled her. It put her in a moral quandary. That line in the sand is now a mine field. It means nought to our love sick ML. He is more than willing to die in that mine field.
After a heart felt confession from the ML, the FL knew she is fighting a losing battle and surrendered herself to love. Their happy days are numbered though as the ML is about to graduate from college. He was offered a scholarship in a prestigious US university. Yet he won't even consider it if it meant being apart from his beloved.
This is where the FL played the Noble Idiot card. Normally, I'd decry such old trope, yet the writer did a good job here. I especially love the day and the night she spent with the ML just before his departure so that she can create memories for both of them. It is so bittersweet.
This is one aspect I appreciate the most. The romance really feels natural. They go through all the stages of love and lost. They face roadblocks and heartbreaks. What we don't get are tropey angst bombs. No nasty second leads nor Big White Truck of Doom™. Huzzah!
Their skinship feels natural and passionate. I rejoiced when we are spared the cliché fail-to-kiss scenes. Their chemistry is undeniable and it is on full display. No sly camera angles nor staged poses. Smoking!
The 2CP is lovely as well. I ship them unreservedly. They also have good chemistry and is a lot of fun to watch. That's two for two. ;) Technically, there is a 3CP, but their relationship is a lot more low-key.
It is not all rainbow and unicorns though. There are some narrative issues. There is a huge number of flashbacks. We are not talking about one or two scenes here and there. At one stage, we have 3 whole episodes devoted to 2018. Let’s just say it is like watching 3 equal timelines in one.
This can be a little confusing if you are not paying attention. The show tries to telegraph the differences by showing the FL in long hair in the past and a short hairstyle in the present. The early years is easier because the ML spent most of his time in school uniform. The styling of the FL hardly changes beyond her hairstyle though. It can get a bit confusing during mid show.
There is also a lot of business baked into the show. Both leads have their own careers. Most of their work is (unfortunately) inconsequential. This is doubly so for scenes set in the past. Watching the FL grinding through an old project adds little to the plot. I don't know why they didn't just use short key scenes instead. I suppose this will mean a 20 eps run instead of 30.
In terms of acting, it is solid. The FL is perfect for the role. The young ML is the real surprise. He did good. I shall keep an eye on his future projects. The support cast more than earned their pay. Production value is par for the course. OST is decent. Love ballads dominated in the second half and for good reason.
There is much to like about this show as long as you are not looking for the typical angsty plot. It also depends on whether you see their relationship being based on an unhealthy power play. If you can see beyond those issues, then this show will make you swoon. I consider this an easy to watch guilty pleasure. Peace.
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This review may contain spoilers
the name of the drama should be “beating around the bush”
Its just about two people beating around the bush and never confessing , for 15 episodes its just goes round and round . Both fl and ml just would not stop assumingIf u are just bored as hell and life is just not entertaining for ya anymore i do suggest u to watch this, it kinda makes I realise maybe ur not the most stupid person u know. Its very short so its rlly not a waste of time I finished it in less than an hour, not gonna lie the lead’s visuals are actually pretty decent but non f them would ever confess to each others like for god sake even an ant would he able to tell they like each others but they still wouldnt get to the point and just keeps beating around the bush . Like seriously and one word to describe the guy “COWARD “ and one word for the girl is “ DESPERATE “ but both have one similarity aka one thing in common which is they will not tell each others they like them like i only watched it as i look forward to nothing in my shitty life and its just so entertaining to watch two stupid people figure their way out of a tunnel that has doors and windows that are wide open but for some reasons their so dumb they just cant figure a way out . basically quite pathetic but entertaining
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One of the best comedy movies
The plot is simple, a lottery ticket scramble between South Korea and North Korea. But the story was successfully developed and presented with a very fresh comedy from the beginning to the end of the film! Let it be a comedy film, but it really feels and looks that this film is not a cheap film!The comedic duo Go Kyung-pyo and Lee Yi-kyung as the main characters have no cure. Seeing them silent, I couldn't help but laugh. Moreover, all the character designs and supporting characters are really strong and the chemistry is really felt. Laugh until you cry.
The storytelling is also neat! This film takes 3 perspectives: South Korea, North Korea, and the perspective of the prize money taker. EVERYTHING is FUNNY until the details of the story are made hilarious.
Comedy is the main point of this film. Every moment of comedy that is shown is really strong and never fails to make the audience laugh.
In conclusion, 6/45 is a MUST watch movie with friends and family who enjoy comedy films. Those who are tired and need to laugh also have to watch this, alone it's also not a problem because it is guaranteed that you will be entertained.
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This review may contain spoilers
A great romance drama
When they just met, he respected her and even respected how she wanted things to go when it came to money.While in college and when she just started working, I think she is just over doing it and can’t accept his kindness. I think it’s very selfish because he really loves and cares for her.
This secret she is keeping about paying back her relatives, I could see it messing up their relationship.
Finally she told him and now his family went through a hard time and I blamed him for not being honest.
Why I cant stand her? Her actions towards him after they met again. She behaved so heartless and just ugh!!! I was really sad to see the guy keep chasing her. Her reasons for not wanting to be together was just foolish in my opinion. Anyways, for me, I don’t think she deserves him and that’s just me. She needed to stay by herself. For the ending, if they didn’t get back together, I would have been happy either way. But we got to see their wedding and it was a beautiful setting.
Overall, it is a great romance drama.
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This movie really is about both friendship and brotherhood. I am no expert on North-South relations, so I don't know how realistic it has been portrayed through the events in this movie, but I think it has been set up very well to show how both characters dealt with the conflicting loyalties they felt to friend and country.
The pacing of the movie is done very, very well. We are thrown right smack in the early stages of an operation, which escalates quickly. This quickly drew me into the movie and left me hungry to know what would happen next. The next part of the movie afterwards was slower in pace but was full of both funny and exciting moments, and left me emotionally invested in the friendship between the two main characters, followed by the last third of the movie where the pace picked up and left me on the edge of the seat. The ending was well-written.
I am surprised that I have not heard more buzz about this movie. This is a must-watch!
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Dont know why some people hate on this drama
Personally, I started watching, since I had watched shows with both leads in before. Right off the foot I really liked this drama. It had this sense of realism that it dealt with well. All the serious issues through real-life were portrayed fantasticallyI've heard some people say they like the second lead couple more than the main lead couple. In my opinion, both are amazing, but the lead couple is the lead couple for a reason.
It had a very satisfying ending that left me wanting more, but not needing more, as the satisfaction was enough
Would totally recommend it.
Shows like this:
The main male lead character is very similar to his character in Reply 1988. So if you like that, watch Reply
Another show that is very good, and portrays life issues, is Sassy Go Go, or rather, Cheer up. The main female lead from this show is also the second female lead in Cheer up.
Lastly, a very new drama would be Private lives, with the main male lead being the same as this show.
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a quirky comedy that will make you smile
Overall: this should put a smile on your face, make sure to watch the entire final episode and watch the ending credits as they change. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/3064/i-will-knock-you-2022-e01 and AIS Play's YouTube Channel (for members) Re-aired on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/39897c-i-will-knock-youContent Warnings: fights/violence, manipulation, stalking, non con touching, highschooler starts as a sophomore 15/16 and university student who starts as a junior 20/21 (didn't bother me*)
What I Liked
- Noey's aesthetic, it's unique
- Noey's vain/forthright/quirky character
- several funny moments, especially subverted tropes that made me laugh
- sweet moments
- Thiw was such a supportive friend
- Noey's family dynamics were very realistic, they bicker, they laugh, they cry
- hints of GL
- that they changed the ending credits to match what was happening
- good production value
- the music
Room For Improvement
- it dragged a bit in the first half but then sped up at the end and they didn't fully explain or resolve plot points (Noey's dad???)
- the drama at the end of ep 11 and beginning of 12 was cliche (but I was really happy with Thi being honest in episode 11)
- very unrealistic that that was the first time they did that at the end of ep 12
- Thi's laugh/tense shoulders/scaredy cat vibe was a little too much for me and I wanted him to have more character growth sooner
- I think some of the jokes didn't quite translate well like the thing with the charm towards the end, also Thi's dream in episode 5 was a bit too grim
- not a fan of an aggressive pursuit after that woman, also not a fan of bullying
- *this was a very PG rated series so the age gap/under 18 aspect didn't bother me
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Dont let the title fool you
This drama advertises itself as a primarily romance orientated drama, but i would beg to differ. If you're looking to watch this drama, it is NOT a romance, it is just sixteen episodes of 'hagwon' (academy/tuition centre) politics, and how the hagwon is affected by said 'romance'.So, that explains why i feel like i wasted my time with this drama.
What did i get out of it? Basically nothing.
See, i wouldnt have minded if it was vice versa and the romance took the main role with a side of hagwon politics, but that wasnt the case.
I would have still watched this anyways since i am a fan of wi ha jun, he's my type in men and an amazing actor to boot, so any drama that he works on that i like the premise of is a must watch for me, but no amount of ogling at his beautful face could save this drama from the trenches of a severe lack of romantic plotline, chemistry or development.
I wouldnt recommend this if you are looking for romance.
Theres no midnight romance, its just hagwon.
If you like hagwon politics however, you should watch it.
It's a well made drama, however it's romance plotline is very weak and this drags the drama down - nothing much really happens between them and they have barely any romantic tension after episode 8.
Basically, after episode 8 the drama is entirely focused on hagwon politics.
Quite disappointed. I like the ost a lot tho, an the acting is very good, if it didnt have these qualities it would have been a 6.
Love the actor playing si woo, i will be waiting for his future roles, and the actress playing hye jin is amazing and encompasses her role very well.
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Love by Chance Season 2: A Chance to Love
14 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
It's good, but if it was more faithful to Romance, it would have been much better
The second season was a bit painful to watch. For those who have not read the novel, it must be very confusing the line of reasoning of the events, in relation to the end of the relationship with AePete and the departure of Pete to Germany, but as I already know the story for having read the novel before, I liked it.I really like Plan and Mean's acting, they are good, especially Mean, but in the moments of interaction as a couple in the kissing scenes and intimate scenes, they seemed very awkward. The main couple TinCan have a very good interaction, but lacked chemistry in those moments.
Seeing AE's suffering in the series was heartbreaking. Perth's acting is so good that it made me agonize, I needed a lot of time to watch his scenes. I really love how he gets into character, so natural. I literally felt AE's suffering. According to the original Novel, AE really goes through this period of depression when Pete breaks up with him. This period of 3 years that Pete is out of the country and all the suffering of when they are separated, will contribute a lot to their maturing. Pete will be more confident, and AE will no longer be so jealous and possessive. Their relationship will be more mature.
The downside is that Pete's character has practically disappeared, with him being one of the main characters in the plot. In the novel AePete broke up, but he told both sides of the story during this period when they were away from each other. This fact, caused a negative impact on the plot, for not being faithful to the Romance. Anyway... what really hooked me into watching the second season was Perth's performance, even though it was painful, a good performance is worth seeing.
And regarding the couples KenglaTechno and TumTar, I found the story dragged. Considering, that they do not belong to the original story of LBC, they are just adapted characters.
Overall, the second season could have been much better, but there were many drawbacks, such as the departure of Saint (Pete) which had a negative impact, and Perth, I didn't want them to replace him with another actor. I think it would be much better if, the same way they replaced the actor who plays Tin's brother, they also replaced the actor who plays Pete, and made a storyline more faithful to Romance, the audience feedback would be much more positive, even if some fans would be upset, not replacing the actor Saint and not bringing Pete into the story, was a big mistake, but I still liked it. In my case, I already know the story, so I evaluate the positives and negatives and compare it to the original Romance story.
I love this novel, I am always rereading the story.
For people who haven't watched it yet and haven't read Romance, I advise them to read it first, before watching Drama. Many people criticize it because they don't know the story, but if you read the Novel first, you will have a better understanding of the Drama, what is going on with each character, and about the logic of the events.
The plot of the Drama is inferior compared to the Romance, but it is worth a chance!
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I really like it!
There are quite a few negative critiques for the Dance of the Sky Empire (DoSE). Before you read my review, I have to say: I AM BIASED. People who read my reviews know that I love Xu Kai more than any actors in the C-Drama land. In this review, I am trying to be the most objective as I can: I really like this drama.Be warned that there are some minor spoilers. So here we go.
1 "Emotional Rollercoaster": 5/5 ★★★★★
I agree with many of you that if you would look this drama from a serious perspective, it lacks in many perspectives: the naiveness and weakness of the "spy", the missing plot to develop the background story of the ML Li Xuan, the unnecessary second love couple. After a few episodes, it is clear that this is not a deep, mind-wrecking, spy-drama, in fact, it is a funny, romance, school drama, set in an ancient/fantasy world. The whole birth and spy thing are just how other school-romance shows create misunderstandings and put roadblocks for the leads but in a unique way. As long as they make the audience tear and cringe, they have achieved what a great school-romance drama supposed to do. That's why I really like this drama.
So what are the components of an excellent school-romance drama: comedy, romance, and heart-wrenching sorrow. And the mix of DoSE is perfect. I went from laughing out loud during the school scenes, to "oh my gosh, this is so sweet" during their time inside the realm, to crying from pain in the middle and around the end of the drama. The end of the realm arc has one of the most abusive scenes I have seen in drama land. Once again, I need to emphasize that Xu Kai performs the most beautiful crying scenes I have ever seen in a male actor. I actually think he has some sort of button he clicks to control the flow of his tears in terms of position and speed. This is just insane!
Wu Jia Yi did a better job in Arsenal than here, but I blame it on her character design rather than her acting skills.
2. "Sleepless Nights.": 5/5 ★★★★★
I was binge-watching the entire drama and could not wait for the new episodes.
3. "Natural and intelligent Storytelling.": 5/5 ★★★★★
Despite the light-hearted school elements of the drama, it cleverly integrated a serious topic: discrimination and how useless war and revenge between races are. Netizens have pointed out that the FL Su You Lian's is too soft-hearted and her behavior is not suitable/realistic for being a spy. Don't forget that not everyone can be cold and heartless once trained. YL soon realized how kind humans are in reality and was conflicted between her obligation as the holy lady and her foundness towards her school mates.
I would find it more unrealistic if LX would fall in love with a fierce and heartless spy who was determined to deceive everyone. I could also perfectly emphasize with LX or YL why they would behave the way at each point of the story.
There are some minor plot holes and illogicality (e.g. superpowers which are there when they need to be but disappear when they are not needed), but I was able to ignore them.
4. "Loveable supporting Roles.": 4/5 ★★★★☆
The show employs a few very beautiful and young actors, who did a pretty good job. There is a personality for everyone.
Big applause for the performance of Zhou Jun Chao, who played Xiao Feng Ming. I saw him in "Handsome Siblings" as the villain Jiang Yu Lang and do believe he has a bright future as an actor. I also really like the best friends Chang Qing and Ling Cheng, two very different characters but with a strong bonds that warm your heart. Another honorable mention is the crown prince played by Zhang Song. Despite playing this dorky, stupid prince, who no one seems to take seriously, his acting was extremely to the point, and his talent cannot be ignored!
Last but not least, Yu Xing Tong's performance as Long Wei Er. She has a, if not the most interesting roles in this drama that provides more depth than other dramas; her character development is convincing and heart-wrenching towards the end. I can understand why some netizen end up rooting for her rather than for the FL.
The one minus point is deducted for the siblings from the country of Sha Guo. There are both very pretty people, but their performance of playing the important ML2 Yu Feng Mu and FL3 Yun Shan is disappointing. I also saw myself fast-forwarding some of the scenes between Yun Shan and Xiao Feng Ming as I found the romance scenes forced and the chemistry missing.
5. "Proper Pacing": 4/5 ★★★★☆
With only 28 episodes, I saw myself wanting for more. The last 1-2 episodes feel slightly rushed and though I was hoping some of the emotional climaxes could have been depicted better, I find the episode number to be suitable for such a light-hearted school-romance drama. There is a nice climax in the middle following by a second arc. There are no unnecessary watering down, though sometimes there could have been fewer flashbacks.
6. "Technicalities": 4/5 ★★★★☆
Despite being a low-budget drama, the technicalities are nicely done. Especially, I was impressed with the CGI-enriched fighting scenes. This goes really badly with a lot of Chinese drama but DoSE did a decent job there. I also really like the rooms' internal designs - make me want to stay in one of those student dorms. And finally the songs are just beautiful - they are part of my frequent play list now.
7. "Solid Final": 4/5: ★★★★☆
For me, the final is not only the last episode but also how it is building towards the climax. In that sense, I like the ending. I am not going to spoil it for everyone but I understand why the writers have chosen such an ending. It would have been less convincing otherwise.
I love the fact that there was so much heart-warming act of forgiveness and letting go of hate. Many historical Wu Xia is so much about revenge from head to toe and it is great to see that the pointlessness of that (e.g. the last scene Long Wei Er was so beautifully taken).
Overall, I would give this drama a 9.0 out of 10. I would recommend it anyone who likes romance, friendship, school but with slightly more depth and twists. And of course to anyone who loves Xu Kai as much as I do!
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Kotori's drama review seven criteria definition:
After having watched many dramas and also written several reviews. I have detected that I rate dramas based on specific patterns. I formulated those into seven criteria.
1. "Emotional Rollercoaster": the degree of how much my heart was moving from the acting, scenes, and story development (e.g., in pain, pounding, fluster etc.). The degree on how much I care about the fate of the main leads.
2. "Sleepless Nights.": how much I have the urge to binge-watch this drama.
3. "Natural and intelligent Storytelling.": how logically the story was able to proceed and the roles are acting within their characters. I don't have a thousand question marks when watching the drama. The feeling that the makers take us viewers seriously and that we do not always think that this looks fake.
4. "Loveable supporting Roles.": how much I love and care about supporting characters. They are not merely tools to help the main characters but are 3-dimensional and have the proper motivation behind their actions.
5. "Proper Pacing.": how well the drama is pacing and not watered down to fill the number of episodes.
6. "Technicalities": professional camera works and shots, fight scenes, color grading, lighting, editing, music, sets, costumes, use of CGI etc. I try to grade this in relation to the drama budget, so a low-budget drama can equally get a high score when used at the right place
7. "Solid Finale": how properly the drama builds dramatic and finishes with a satisfactory ending. I have just watched too many dramas that start to lose their grip around half or 2/3rd of its way.
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School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To
14 people found this review helpful
Sometimes all we really need is a simple story, told with care
Sometimes, you start a show almost without thinking, with no expectations at all, assuming they’ll be just another high school story to fill a quiet Sunday. And then, suddenly, you realize you’re far more emotionally invested than you meant to be. School Trip is exactly that kind of BL.At first glance, its long title and simple premise don’t suggest anything groundbreaking: an awkward boy slowly finding his place within the most popular group in class during a school trip. What the series actually does, however, is soften this familiar setup and turn it into something unexpectedly warm and comforting, as if gently untangling emotional knots many of us have carried since our teenage years.
At the center of the story are Hioki, shy, polite, and slightly out of sync with his classmates, and Watarai, tall, admired, and seemingly confident from the outside. There are no big twists or dramatic revelations here. Instead, the narrative unfolds through shared silences, lingering glances, and small moments whose importance only becomes clear with time. This quiet simplicity is where the show finds its strength. By focusing almost entirely on this single relationship and avoiding unnecessary side romances, the story allows their connection to develop naturally, at its own pace.
One of the series’ most striking qualities is its emotional gentleness. School Trip moves against a genre that often equates drama with suffering, choosing tenderness instead. The conflicts exist, insecurity, jealousy, fear of rejection, but they’re handled through conversation rather than cruelty. Hioki reflects before reacting. Watarai feels deeply, sometimes crosses a line with his protectiveness, but learns to recognize his limits. The love portrayed here isn’t polished or idealized. It’s uncertain, awkward, and deeply human.
This balance is supported by performances that feel more mature than the premise might suggest. Kan Hideyoshi brings Watarai to life with a blend of visible confidence and quiet vulnerability, while Fujimoto Kodai portrays Hioki as gentle yet quietly steadfast. Much of what matters is communicated without words, in pauses, glances held a second too long, and the way the two share space. Their chemistry doesn’t rely on grand declarations. Often, a hesitant touch or restrained smile says more than enough.
The world surrounding the couple also deserves praise. Rather than falling into the usual tropes of toxic popularity, the friend group becomes a genuine source of warmth and support. These boys welcome Hioki without judgment and accept Watarai without turning his feelings into something to be scrutinized. In a genre often filled with shallow antagonists and casual cruelty, this kindness feels refreshing and deeply comforting.
That said, the series does have its limitations. Its predictability, while soothing, may disappoint viewers hoping for bolder storytelling or more layered conflicts. At times, the world feels slightly too idealized, with social reactions softened beyond what feels fully grounded in reality, especially in how outsiders involve themselves emotionally in the couple’s relationship.
There are also moments where the writing feels a bit too transparent. Some lines explain more than necessary, and a few situations seem designed mainly to push the leads closer together more quickly. Watarai’s jealousy and possessiveness, although acknowledged by the narrative, aren’t always explored as deeply as they could be. These issues don’t break the show’s charm, but they do reveal its preference for emotional safety over narrative risk.
And then there are the kisses, or rather, the careful journey toward them. Nothing feels rushed or included for effect. Each step is guided by a clear understanding of where Hioki and Watarai are emotionally. The series allows anticipation to build through shared looks, hesitant closeness, and unspoken understanding, until physical intimacy feels like a natural continuation of their bond.
By waiting until that bond is fully formed and mutually recognized, these moments gain a quiet weight. They feel tender rather than performative, intimate rather than decorative, standing out even within the expectations of a Japanese high school BL. This isn’t fanservice. It’s emotional payoff, grounded in trust, timing, and honesty, and because of that, it feels earned.
In the end, School Trip never aims to be grand, and that restraint is precisely what makes it work. It’s a story about belonging, about being seen without having to reshape yourself to fit in, and about how adolescence can be painful but also gently rewritten, even if only through fiction. Soft, sincere, and gently luminous, it reminds us that sometimes all we really need is a simple story, told with care.
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