Coming of Age
Itomichi is a fascinating and heartfelt coming-of-age story that revolves around highschool student Soma Ito. Awkward and shy due to the embarrassment of her unique Tsugaru dialect, she keeps to herself most of the time and doesn’t have any friends. She does happen to be an extremely talented Tsugaru-Shamisen musician, a skill inherited from her mother, but due to her introverted personality, she conceals her talent from outsiders. The film will showcase Soma Ito’s journey of growth to realising her potential both as a person and a budding traditional folk musician. The title Itomichi refers to the thread that is used on the finger when playing the shamisen.Yokohama Satoko directed and wrote the screenplay for this film, which is an adaptation of the eponymous novel written by Osamu Koshigaya who specialises in youth themes. Itomichi is her second book to be adapted into a film. Takuma Watanabe (Aristocrats) serves as the composer. The theme song Eden no Shoujo comes from Mishiranu Sekai, the 10th album of Ningen Isu, a Japanese 3-piece rock band. Katsumi Yanagishima (Zatoichi, Battle Royale) is the cinematographer for this project.
Principal photography took place from September to October 2020 entirely in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture and features scenes of Hirosaki City, Itayanagi Town, Kitatsugaru District, and Hirakawa City. Itomichi won the Best Picture Award and Audience Award at the 16th Osaka Asian Film Festival as well as numerous other awards at the 13th TAMA film Award, 34th Nikkan Sports Film Awards (New Face Award for Ren Komai) and 95th Kinema Junpo Best Ten Japanese Movies (9th placing).
What I Liked
First of all, the narrative and the storytelling approach. This is one of the most intriguing coming-of-age films I’ve seen. I have a preference for slow burn, emotive and inspiring stories when it comes to depictions of slice-of-life with realism and relatability. For me, Itomichi undoubtedly falls within this category, with a dose of Japanese sensibility. In fact, Japanese filmmakers are masters of this distinctive approach to the genre where all elements of the story blend beautifully with the cultural aspects and atmospherics of the setting. Case in point, the juxtaposition of traditional music and modern cosplay which represents the context of this film.
In addition to the direction, other production aspects are equally well executed, which further enhances the quality of the screenplay. The filming locale has a charming appeal that is exquisitely framed by the excellent cinematography. The stunning visuals not only showcase the beauty of the setting but also evoke a somewhat nostalgic mood to the storytelling. I certainly appreciated some of the quiet and delicate moments that conveyed the complexity and depth of emotions despite having minimal dialogue between the characters.
The music in this film constitutes the backdrop of the story and abundantly features the traditional folk themes of the Tsugaru-Shamisen that is native to the Tsugaru region. I’m a huge fan of traditional music and as far as Japanese folk music is concerned, the shamisen is an enchanting instrument that is a favourite of mine. It’s ever present in Japanese jidaigeki productions but rarely, if ever, in contemporary films so I’m utterly thrilled that the beautiful sounds of the shamisen is afforded the spotlight in this story.
Komai Ren impresses as the central character, Soma Ito. Her absorbing portrayal exudes an aura of mystique that gradually draws viewers in, as it did for me. I honestly do think she was the right choice for the female lead, having also been born in Aomori which is the setting of the narrative, and she speaks the Tsugaru dialect fluently. Fun fact: In preparation for her role, she had trained playing the Tsugaru-Shamisen for nine months.
Toyokawa Etsushi, the multiple Japan Academy Award winner and recipient of numerous acting honours, plays Soma Koichi. His experience truly shines even in a supporting role, through his subdued and nuanced interpretation of Soma Ito’s father. Kurokawa Mei portrays the charismatic Kasai Sachiko while Nakajima Ayumu cuts an enigmatic figure of Kudo Yuichiro, the manager of the maid coffee shop. Yokota Mayuu’s headstrong and manga-loving Fukushi Tomomi completes the team of maids.
The final aspect that I have enjoyed immensely is the perfectly executed and extremely befitting ending. There’s nothing more gratifying than a production that sticks the landing flawlessly, complete with a powerful stage performance of the Tsugaru Aiyabushi.
Final Thoughts
Do not be fooled by the poster (at the time of writing, in case it gets changed by MDL). The fluffy vibes are somewhat misleading and completely misrepresent the actual tone of the film. If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming and poignant film with realistic portrayals and enthralling music, then Itomichi would most certainly be worth checking out.
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"Captivating The King" does everything, but captivating. HAHAHA'Hee Soo has loved playing baduk since she was little, but since women back then were not treated as equals, she dressed up as a man in order to do so. Then, she met Jin Han when he was still just a prince and they instantly connected. The two started playing baduk together and Jin Han ended up falling in love, thinking that Hee Soo was really a man. Time passed, her father was framed for a crime he didn't commit and it was all because of Jin Han, who used his brother's death to take the throne and become king.
Hee Soo is a character who made no sense. She entered the palace to take revenge on the king, but she literally did nothing, just remained madly in love with him and forgot everything she had planned. Usually, in stories like this, there is always a misunderstanding between the characters, but this is not the case. Jin Han is actually guilty, everything that happened is his fault. In conclusion, Hee Soo is a stupid woman who can't control herself.
This was one of the most popular dramas in that year, but for me it was simply bad in every way. A couple with no chemistry and a confusing story.
I love Jo Jung Suk, but even he doesn't make it worth it. Shin Se Kyung is a beautiful woman, but she is not suitable for romantic dramas, she is terrible at them.
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Understandable, but Not Excusable
I didn't intend on writing a review for this show seeing as there are plenty of reviews to read (this one will most likely be caught in the web of not being seen), but after leaving comments on a few reviews, I decided to go ahead and write one for my own benefit.before diving in, I do want to but a disclaimer that I put this show on my WNF list (Will Not Finish) and stopped watching after episode 6 because I was a little bored and also fed up with the bullsh*t that were the plot holes.
Now let's dive in.
Production: 5/10 - Nothing bad, but nothing spectacular either. Tharntype was the very first BL that I have ever seen, as well as the first tv series from Asia that I'd ever watched, so there are very noticeable differences in the use of sound, lighting, effects, and ads.
Story: 4/10 - The plot was generic and basic, nothing special once again. Your average university students plot, except this one hates the gays more than the average uni student.
Acting: 8/10 - As much as I didn't like most any of the plots, the acting was superb in this series. The chemistry between the leads were good, and all other characters played their roles exactly right that adding to the world-building.
Others - If Tharntype is the best BL that you have ever seen in the history of BLs then there is one thing that you haven't done:
1. Seen literally any other BL
If this was your first BL ever like it was mine, then fine, I get it. And I even get it if you had seen Hotel Stars or WaterBoyy next, but you HAVEN'T seen anything good if you still consider this the best BL ever. There are so many other series that literally take the cake and eat all of it and then go back and get more cake, like seriously. The ones on my top five are - 1000 Stars, Gameboys, HIStory 3: MODC, I Told Sunset About You and Mr. Heart. I promise Tharntype will become the least of your worries once you have seen these series, I swear to GOD. Okay, moving on,
I'm going to skip the part in which I talk about each individual couple since I only really saw Tharn and Type. Their chemistry didn't really reach a good point until after they had sex, anything before that felt angsty, gross, perverted, and boring. Gulf and Mew are amazing actors and I hope to see them in future projects that aren't as problematic as Tharntype was. I could give a lengthy review on why Tharntype is so toxic and not good, but there are plenty of reviews that do so, so I'll keep it brief. I think it's perfectly okay to like this series, as there are good parts, but some reviews try to excuse their behavior to fit their narrative and that is not okay. We all have our guilty pleasures, there are shows we probably shouldn't like, but we do. And that's completely fine, but don't ignore the bad just to only highlight the good.
Type:
Although Type was very ignorant and rude, his behavior is somewhat acceptable seeing as he has gone through past trauma, and the worst he did was just throw around Tharns things, and be annoying on purpose to have Tharn move out. I don't think it's an excuse for his anger issues, but rather an understanding.
Tharn:
Tharn sexually assaulted Type by groping and kissing him while Type was under the influence. Type literally wakes up the next morning covered in hickeys. That was one out of the many problems with Tharn. I personally liked Tharn more than Type, just because Type was pretty arrogant, and arrogant characters are not my forte. If we look past the disgust that was his behavior, he was sweet and did genuinely build up feelings for Type (that could've been executed more consensually, but oh well).
RECOMMEND? No, it would be the LAST series I recommend to someone new to BL. Maybe someone that has seen a umteenth number of BLs, but by then they probably have already seen TT.
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Pleasant and realistic, but a bit dull
The characters in this are well-drawn and not stock stereotypes. Han Ji Yu is a foodie/functional alcoholic who meets uptight chef Park Ki Hoon, who has an irrational hatred of alcohol. Their initial reaction to each other is quite finny and entertaining without being OTT. Han Ji Yu's passion for food and his unguarded pleasure it it charms Park Ki Hoon, who slowly opens up to him, and it's cute.The problem is that it doesn't really go anywhere and it's barely a romance. Until KBL can get over it's homophobia it's never going to hit the high notes in Thai or Taiwanese BL - the dead fish kisses and the way they manage to keep a meter of space between their bodies even during intimacy makes it, well, not intimate. I think it's implied they had sex in the finale, but it's really unclear - they might have just kissed, or maybe they were just tired and rested with their faces barely touching, although it looked like a diffficult yoga pose more than resting.
Anyway, you won't resent the series for the time you invested in it, but you probably won't remember anything but the first episode a month after watching it.
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Surprisingly AMAZING!!!!
I am usually attracted to dramas where the main character goes through some sort of transformative journey. Pale Moon is very far from being one of those, but it is still amazing.The main female character is a rarity in these type of stories, she goes from being a good friend and a trophy wife to embezzling money and cheating on her husband with a handsome young guy without losing her essence throughout. I find that aspect of the drama very fascinating.
She does horrible things for the right reasons, or so it seems, which is very strange because you’ll have people saying that stealing money is a crime and cheating on your spouse is morally wrong, but somehow here is totally justified and to some extent needed. So is she a bad or a good person? I guess that’s up to the viewer to decide.
In my book Pale Moon is a master piece!!!!
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Plot is good and I think it's similar to American series "Cold Case". I liked that series but I think this one is better because this doesn't have many and many more seasons like non-Asian dramas usually has...
Acting was great. Ueto Aya is my favorite actress (well one of them) so I might be biased a bit. Her character was different from her characters before. I also liked every other character too. I think the "lab nerds" were amazing, especially Kimura Ryo.
I liked the insert songs/music in this drama. Opening and ending suited for the drama but they weren't my taste though..but I still liked them...maybe it's a bit weird..
I re-watch only rare few dramas and I think I might just re-watch this one day. Though there's still SP and 2nd Season for me to watch.
Overall I gave this 8 even though most of the ratings are 6...
This is a good drama for Ueto Aya fans and people who likes mystery dramas like I do :D
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sure enough around September 2013... i wanted a distraction from work. so i chose to watch Secret Garden.
i wasn't expecting anything. however, when i got started, I was hooked.
Secret Garden is about a snobish rich guy who falls in love at first sight with a poor stunts woman.
he tries to stop his feelings but ends up stalking her. when he finds her house, he spends the whole night watching the apartment as if wondering how a person could fit in it. he walks out and tells her to forget about him when he sees her coming out of the house.
she was more than happy to disappear from his life. but some how they wind up in a secret garden where they get a magical potion. to their horror, they find their bodies got switched.
put a rich CEO in a poor stunts womans body and a poor woman in a rich man's body and imagine the chaos that will follow.
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i was laughing, sighing and crying throughout the whole series.
this series is so good that the lead actor and actress both won an award.
nough said. watch it for yourself and discover the magic of Secret Garden.
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For me the drama didn't instantly pull me in and I think that was more to do with the fact that I was keen to see the older cast. However the earlier episodes are really important in the development in the story and so even if it may not seem particularly interesting at first PLEASE bear with it because it only gets better from there.
As a drama in general, the character development for each individual cast in the drama was done really well. As a viewer I was completely immersed in the drama and as much as I tried to hate some characters I really couldn't. I could see each character's good points as well as their flaws. The really good thing about this is that no character in the drama was portrayed as being 'perfect' or 'evil' which made them seem simply human, because i was able to understand them to an extent I couldn't bring myself to hate them. Even those who angered me to bits I could tolerate more as the drama progressed. Even if they may seem completely villainous at first, the director set out this drama in a way that you could also see the reasons why they behaved that way. Throughout the drama we go through all the ups and downs with the female lead and I felt myself becoming emotionally invested as i continued to watch this drama.
I loved how strong the female lead was and there were many moments where I was crying with her, the amount of situations she has to deal with and the pain she goes through, makes her a character to be respected. There were also many humorous moments in the drama which added comical relief. I came to adore the supporting casts which added a lot more to the drama.
To cut a long story short, this historical drama contained a lot of elements there was a love story ( a couple actually), strong friendships made, a number of family problems. From watching the beginning of the drama I really wasn't sure how it would finish but as the end of it drew near all of the secrets came out and it was pieced together really well. I cried and laughed many times from watching this and I'm sure anyone else watching this drama would understand why.
The music is really fitting especially the instrumentals in the background. After watching half of the episodes, you'll find yourself singing along to the OST.
I probably would NOT rewatch the WHOLE of this drama but just go back to my favourite episodes once in a while.
If I was to pick out a negative in this drama it would be how prolonged some parts were, I just was going immense stress just waiting for the moment that someone would find out the truth. However this drama wouldn't be that long if it was going to be that simple. So a definite watch even if you don't normally watch long dramas MAKE THIS THE EXCEPTION!!
I had a great time watching this drama and I encourage everyone to try it out.
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A muddled message weighed down by K-drama traps; yet, it still manages to stay strong
It seems the world of the anti-hero is here to stay. In K-dramas, 2021 has served up a cornucopia of Batmanesque stories with some of the big splashes being Vincenzo, Taxi Driver, and now The Devil Judge. Out of them, The Devil Judge is very much the winner, even if Vincenzo is more pure in its anti-heroism. Both Taxi Driver and The Devil Judge are honestly just revenge stories, which of course have been churned out non-stop by Hollywood lately. While Vincenzo is the story of a man who slowly gets pulled into other characters plights, until he takes up the mantle of responsibility, thus actually following the classic hero's journey. Oddly, The Devil Judge does have this same journey, it's just not the tale of whom the show calls the Devil.Quickly, the BASIC synopsis of The Devil Judge:
A newly appointed judge ( attractive every-man Park Jin Young) is placed as one of a triumvirate panel on a live broadcast, viewers vote in, major crime trials television show in an alternate modern day Korea. Once there, he finds himself caught in a political cat and mouse game being played by the charismatic and enigmatic central judge (Ji Sung showing how to be thrilling in a role while not going overboard). As plots unfold and more light is shown on the world around our new appointee, he finds himself confronted with traumas from his past that threaten his ideologies on what makes one a good man and if the law is truly just.
Yet, even though this is the synopsis, it is the central judge character that leads the show as if he is Gatsby to our protagonists Nick. The revenge plot of TDJ begins with Ji Sung and only pulls Park Jin Young in later and, I argue, is what ultimately causes the story to come-up short. While some heavy themes are layered into the 16 episodes covering current day crises such as virus outbreaks, vaccine practices, isolationist political leaders, racism, ethnocentrism, government corruption, fearmongering and wealth elitism, the story only deals with these issues because they are perpetrated by the same group of evil doers that our judges are seeking revenge against.
That is, the show seems to want to cover lofty ideas like changing the system, cleaning house, and bettering the world. All things we can get behind as viewers. But, it only brings them up and uses them as means of blackmailing or trapping those that selfishly escaped a fire ten years prior. The fire being the true evil act and not the long list of atrocities above. It makes TDJ come off as small. While we are dealing with presidents, ministers, and conglomerate owning villains who align in an almost Illuminati type power group, we are only after them cause they hurt the judge's family.
Also, as the TDJ makes these societal moral judgements it does so while allowing homophobia. In a scene where a punishment is handed down to a sex offender, the society-which votes for castration (Yep), is appeased when our Judge instead shows video inside of a Texas Prison for sex offenders and slides down a cell block where all the men make sexually suggestive remarks, kisses, and say they can't wait for the convicted to come join them. The courtroom erupts with applause and you hear people shout they knew the court wouldn't let them down when it came to a punishment, and our criminal all but faints saying he won't go.
Because yes, going to a prison with gay people is as bad if not worse than being castrated. Really? Note it wasn't a South Korean Prison because Koreans don't do the gay stuff that's over in the west....it was quite distasteful and caused me to pause. Remember this was done by our heroes and not the villains.
As for these villains, for a K-Drama, most are actually well portrayed. The two female villains steal the evil throne. Both being vicious, powerful, and one of which is the only evil doer of the bunch who gets their hands dirty. The male villains are much more average and mostly forgettable. That is except our good o'l Mr. President played by Baek Hyun Jin. Mr. Baek ends up falling into cartoon over-the-top territory. He chews up every scene he is in with eye roll worthy antics, that yes are based on the USA 's Donald Trump, and are just as grating. While one could argue, that was what he was supposed to do, IF you have seen Taxi Driver, you will find this EXACT SAME VILLAIN there just as a CEO instead of a PRESIDENT. Range and nuance are not on display here, which is a true pity, considering The President's character is written in a way that could have made him a truly terrifying enemy. His lust for stardom and power sends us and him on a totalitarian power grab that includes a bit of genocide. But the show always turns him into a clown instead of letting us actually fear him.
Now as I have mentioned, two of the villains are women, and they make up half of the females on display that matter. Here the program, like most K-Dramas fails its females. While, yes the BEST of the evil doers are women, that is just it, powerful women have always been portrayed in media BUT always as the villains. When we move to our two counterparts on the good side, they fair little more than a sacrificial love interest and a sidelined judge who quickly becomes the "softer side of Sears" for the televised trial program. Her role is to cry, look pretty, and be liked. Something she is happy to do as long as she is a judge fighting along side the dreamy (picture on her desk) Ji Sung.
As for our love interest, she only shows up when she needs to be there for our main male lead. Her life has been about following him around and taking care of him and even asking him to be her guy 5 times over and all 5 times him turning her down. But she still always shows up vigilant as ever in waiting. She does get the most rewarding slap to someone's face and gets to utter "Don't ever show your face to me again," in one of the strongest scenes of the series, but this strength comes with a steep price paid very soon after.
As for our male leads, the show mostly shines. From the get go Ji Sung's Yo Han is mesmerizing and terrifying. Intense, forceful, relentless, and yes beautiful, the interest he shows in our protagonist is intoxicating. That is as long as he is not theatrically grand standing in the televised trail room. Yo Han quickly establishes that he is not a good guy, but he is fighting the good fight. Flat out stating he does and will continue to do illegal acts to get what he wants because he has a goal and plan and everyone is either part of his solution or part of his problem. The character is layered with his own childhood trauma, that is further exacerbated by the aforementioned Great Church fire of 10 years past, and then burned in his skin (crucifix style) by the hate of the only people today that he has any inkling of caring. Yet, the greatest side of his character is the relationship that blooms between Yo Han and Ga On.
This relationship quickly becomes a homoerotic bromance with brotherly trimmings. Any novice YouTuber could make one of those 2 min BL videos to music without even trying with the scenes the show delivers. From staring longingly out of windows as the other frolics in the sun, redressing of wounds as one cowers over being topless, intense stares and shoulder crumpling embraces...yeah its all there. Except its all because Ga On looks like his dead older brother, which is never explained except for mere coincidence. Remember the homophobia I talked about earlier, just bringing it up again cause the show has let us know where it stands here. So now lets go back and basically have these two fall in love with each other....no homo.
Park Jin Young's Ga On is a bit more to chew on. The character is written extremely flawed, and honestly if I were asked to pick which one is the Devil, I would actually pick Ga On. You see, the Devil thinks he is right, and righteous, and is actually liberating heaven and the world from a tyrannical God. The Devil doesn't see the evil in himself. This is Ga On.
Yo Han sees his evil and knows his evil but honestly believes the means justify the end. Ga On is given to the audience as a noble bright eyed moral judge, and he believes himself this. When he begins questioning the world and himself after he falls under the thrall of Yo Han, he always comes out on the pious end. Yet, as we go through the series we learn that as a teen he was troubled, attempting to kill a man. He attempts to kill that same man again within the first half the series. He also attempts to kill two others during the show and also attempts to kill himself. He commits crimes as a judge, but somehow remains morally superior to Yo Han, and is only brought back to earth by the earnestness of his lady love. He has remorse, but then turns right around and repeats his crimes. By the shows finale Ga On has done just as many criminal and heinous acts as Yo Han, but the show tells us hes the better man. He still believes he is the better man. We are supposed to accept him being the better man. But he isn't.
This brings us to final muddled message of the show. Society and justice are a game with no true good or evil and no true right or wrong. Whoever plays the game the best decides who and what was truly just. Wealth is all that matters as it has the most influence.
Now, this isn't wrong perse, its just isn't right either. A society cannot function and operate if this is honestly what the people think of their own world.
Yet, the ending of TDJ reinforces these ideas in a final show of anarchy and nihilism. Just like Vincenzo and Taxi Driver before it, the only place for true justice is at the end of your fist. What a sad world we live in that the public, as in the show, cheers this message forward. But there is a bit of light in all the dust, and I assure you that there is entertainment and fun to be had along the path to reaching this climax whether you agree with its message or not.
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Just finished it and having major withdrawals already just like when I watched Scarlet Heart. I started watching because of Zhao Lusi after seeing her from I Hear You and seeing positive reviews. The setting is roughly about our main female lead from the future who is willing to give up her immortality to transport her to a time period where she can find her ideal true love.
At first I wanted to drop it because it was too cutesy and was annoyed at how boy-crazy she was and trying every chance to generate a "loveable" moment with her destined one . As story progresses, I started to understand how unconditional one can be for their loved ones. She desired skinship from Xiao Bai but he was a gentleman and felt it is inappropriate. On other hand Qiu Yue has no problem with popping in her room to monitor what she is doing.
Watch it for the romantic love story. You won't regret it.
I cried a bucket up tears in the end because the love was so beautiful. You will fall for the lead who is deemed a devil that calculates through ever moves to benefit himself but ends up sacrificing everything for the female lead.
It's amazing how this started out as a fluffy drama that I could lightheartedly watch, ended up with me scrutinizing every single word the two leads spoke to each other. I did not want to miss any interaction between the two. Chemistry from both leads are awesome, the supporting cast all did an amazing job and I expect to see them more in the future.
A Cdrama done right. It may not have the hottest star, the best scenery, the best costume, the best storyline, but a good love story and actors that brings life into their character is all it takes.
Everyone on youtube is asking for a season 2. All I'm asking for is the two leads to work together again.
I do know that the two leads are in Prodigy Healer but ratings for it isn't that high, so I'll see if I'll end up watching it.
This is one of the few dramas that I would definitely rewatch and that's saying a lot because there are so many dramas choose from and I am willing to rewatch this one.
P.S. If you like kiss scenes, there's a ton off it.
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This show is just like a wish come true. After watching Shawn Dou in princess agents and Tiffany Tang in Weiyoung, I really wished to see them together in a show as the main couple with happy ending .Plot: In short the story is about SJ, a wife and a would be mother. After the accident SJ wakes up and realise that, she was transported 10 years back in the past. Now she tries her best to save her family and friends from the bad fate which awaits them, along with it she tries her best to win her husband “YJC” back with a hope that after uniting with YJC everything will go back to its original place. This drama is very simple not much complicated one and I really love the chemistry between Shawn and Tiffany all of their memories were so adorable but I also liked Tiffany’s chemistry with Yang Shou.
Characters:
SJ : I really love her character, she is cute, intelligent and a supportive person moreover her undying love for YJC. After her transportation into the past, she tries her best to find YJC but she also remember that currently he is in a relationship with SXJ. Without thinking much she found YJC and did her best to stay by his side for 2 reasons, first is her hope to get everything back to its original place and secondly she wanted to be a part of YJC’s struggling period bcoz in future SJ mets YJC when he was already well settled in his career. Therefore, what she was doing was not weird for her bcoz he is her husband, they have a lot of memories together including her pregnancy. She is not a stalker or an obsessed person, she just wants her love and husband back the way it was including her pregnancy.
Stalking means u keep all record of someone’s daily life and obsession is where if u don’t get the person u love, you would either try to destroy them or kill them, which SXJ did. After YJC broke up with SXJ bcoz of her controlling nature, she ruined YJC’ future and career to make YJC realise that without her family name his talent will not be acknowledged by anyone neither he will be able get any position on his own.
I agree that at some point I felt that SJ should let the time arrange everything but every time she tries her best to stay way from YJC, fate brings them together which gives her the sign that they are fated and she can’t give up. SJ is such a generous person❤️????..... since SJ was fully aware of what’s gonna happen in the future, SJ tries her best to prevent such things from occurring even though she was criticised for it but she still helped them which resulted in change of their fate specially her mom and wenwen’s fate. I know u can’t tell someone to restrain them self becoz of the future they r not aware of but there is also a saying that “prevention is better than cure“, so she was not totally wrong to make sure that they don’t face the same painful fate. But the only thing annoyed me is when SJ was giving hopes to YJC on the basis of his future, that was totally wrong u can’t tell someone to believe that he/she will have a good career but do nothing for it just let the time do it.
After YJC dies, I really don’t mind her moving on with YP. YP is a good person and he loves SJ unconditionally, also he is the one YJC trust’s completely. Honestly in the end she did some crazy things just bcoz she believed that it will take her back to the future and YJC, which is very lame. SJ wanted her mom to have a new life but she didn’t want the same for herself why ? Sometimes when u didn’t get the happiness u wanted, try giving happiness to others and may be, u will be able to live happily again.
YJC: He is such a dedicated guy but it was a bad fate that he met SXJ first instead of SJ otherwise the struggle and embarrassment he faced even after being so talented won’t be there just bcoz he broke up with SXJ. Even after YJC career was destroyed, he did everything he could for SJ to support her mom’s surgeries. But instead of being cured it got spread, SJ wants best treatment for mom which can only be done in England but YJC doesn’t have the financial stability to support her but YP has, he was left with no choice but to gave up on her so she can take YP’s help in getting the best treatment for her mom. YJC also knows that YP’s love for SJ, he wanted SJ to get a good life unlike him. I really cried seeing YJC, he wants to be with her but the condition he is in, he can’t help her so the only thing he can do is to let her go to YP , who can give her the best.????????
YJC and YP doesn’t have any difference when it comes to loving SJ and talent but the only thing different is their status.
YP: I really love his character as YP and the way he loves SJ without expecting anything in return is just amazing. I really loved that scene when SJ came and told him that, taking his help makes her feel like she is using him and YP replied that he wants to be used by her. YP has the power and status, further he is very smart to not be fooled by anyone specially his uncle “YQ”. Honestly I knew it’s not possible between YP and SJ bcoz SJ was someone’s wife, from the beginning their was no chance for him except in the end when YJC dies. The only time I really felt very sad is when it was shown that he remembers everything that’s was cruel..???? but I don’t understand how did that happened? Bcoz I thought in the future YP won’t remember anything, for him it will be like nothing happened.
We know that in reality she is not TIME TRAVELLING ????, but I don’t mind bcoz if it’s about time travelling then it won’t be different. The only thing is, if they wanted her to wake up it would have been so much better to show that she was in flight with YP for some other reason then they met with the accident and she realise it’s similar to the one she had faced then she helps YP and wakes up, she realise that everything is back to it’s original place while YP doesn’t remember anything at all.
Really satisfied with the drama and it’s ending. All the cast did an amazing job in portraying their characters.
Acting Skill: Tiffany Tang , Shawn Dou and Yang Shou, no need to say they all are splendid actors.
Rewatch Value: definitely yes, in future
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An ode to the place where you can breath, heal and belong
This show is so much more than the typical healing drama.Initially, I have my doubts about its raison d'etre. I’m happy to report that after completing the show, it has exceeded my expectations.
I’m getting ahead of myself, let's do the usual caveats. This show is not for everyone. It is slow, almost meditative in parts. There are only low level angsts and the show avoids high dramas and convoluted plots.
It is set in a village somewhere in Yunnan. The setting is beautiful as well as bucolic, but the village is dying as more and more young people move to the cities to seek their fame and fortunes. However, not everyone is accepting this as a fait accompli.
To see why this show works so well we need to examine three key areas, writing, acting and setting.
It sounds like a broken record doesn't it? In this case, we are presented with a master class in script writing. Do you remember the k-drama Thirty-nine? Top stars, tearjerker, rings a bell? It took that show many episodes to tell roughly the same story that this show managed to do in about 30 minutes. It was no less impactful and, in some ways, more poignant.
Moving forward, we have an eclectic collection of locals and transients. Most are friendly but with varying degree of eccentricities and foibles. The writer doesn't bother to hide the various problems but allow them to play out naturally. It doesn't judge the protagonists nor hand them free passes. Instead, they are allowed to find a place where they can feel connected, supported, while they confront their inner demons and heal. The healing motif is used again and again.
Is the show idealistic? Absolutely. There is a silver lining in everything related to our beloved village and its inhabitants. We are never left feeling hopeless or despondent. The location is unique but people who lived in rural villages will see shades of their old house just past the next alleyway. The backdrop is a living canvas that has been painted over for generations.
While our eyes might be drawn to the lively village scenes, our ears are filled with some of the best dialogues in a contemporary c-drama. They have been carefully written and honed. We are not talking about empty flowery phases, but simple yet insightful words uttered by people who have lived storied lives. There are wisdom and wistfulness in equal parts. It has added importance here because communication of all forms is a pillar for this drama. I shall never forget the few short voice messages the FL's BFF left on her phone. It is gut retching and life changing.
In terms of acting, the leads are just wonderful. Their characters are expertly crafted and brought to life. It is impossible not to like them and ship them. There are plenty of swoon worthy moments and a decent amount of skinship. The ensemble cast are full of good-looking young actors and seasoned senior members. They feel real and relatable. All the main characters have detailed backstories and carries a number of interesting subplots. The village elders are the soul of the village and the ML’s grandmother is a national treasure.
The OST is a surprise highlight. The soundtrack is very well done. It ranges from catchy ditties to soulful songs that pairs so well with the show’s changing mood.
While the show is superior in many ways, it is not perfect. It is low key jingoistic. There is too much emphasis on the local government doing right by everyone. It doesn't really explore some of the more hard hitting social issues confronted by rural China. The pacing also got a little inconsistent towards the end as well.
There are some fan services in the last two episodes. The show concludes on an uplifting note and a moment of reflection. We are affirmed that lives in our favourite village will go on after the final credit rolls. For that, we give thanks.
In my mind, this show is not a celebration of a home or even a village but a place more nebulous. A place where you know you belong.
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I can't believe how long it took me to finally decide to watch it! I should have seen it sooner! That is my only regret.
At first I was kind of sceptical about this drama, not knowing what to think of a horror and supernatural korean drama, thinking it wouldn't be as great as it appeared to be... I was so wrong. I could not have enjoyed it any more. It had everything, from good comedy to almost horror (I really got the creeps in some scenes) with a really touching (though frustrating at times) romance.
First, I absolutely loved the story : it had a mysterious overall plot that left you on your toes for most of the drama (more mysterious than I first thought), while also adding short plots that changed every episode, and they were interesting and greatly contributed to the progress between the two leads and were in no way unnecessary to the show. The romance in this show wasn't awkward at all, it was a proper fall in love over time and not at-first-sight kind of romance. It left much more room for the comedy and the mystery. I found myself really looking forward to the next episode, squirming with delight when something good happened, and it brought tears to my eyes when something sad happened. The good thing with this story is also that, you also create a connection with all the other characters, event the cameos (the short-plots), the show left plenty of room for the small roles to poke at our feelings and move us just as the leads do (or maybe I'm just an emotional wreck). Overall, this story had good progression, fulfilled it's duty to make us laugh, cry, dream, and also scare us (seriously, not kidding, they did a great job with those special effects, because I was affected ^^). Great plot!
When it comes to the acting, it was absolutely great! So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin had am-a-sing chemistry, I really want to see them in another drama together. The acting was very good, and I think this drama is underrated acting-wise (story-wise too), I think it deserved many more awards than it actually got. I really want to applaud Gong Hyo Jin and So Ji Sub, just excellent! I would not change anything about the cast!
For the music, I fell in love with a few songs, not all of them, but it was a pretty good OST, that I probably will still be humming in a few months time.
For the re-watch value... definitely! There would be less suspense, but the cute relationship and great comedy and story are worth every minute! I would definitely re-watch!
Overall, I highly recommend this drama, to anyone (though I'm sure not everybody would agree with me) and I am still kicking myself about not starting it sooner. So watch it now!
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Loved it~
I was looking for a quick-watch drama when I stumbled across this title. It didn't take much convincing since I love Luo Zheng and I remembered the female lead from another drama. The show is definitely trope-filled, but I knew what I was getting into (plus I secretly love cliches). The main cp had beautiful chemistry and the second leads started out annoying but I loved them by the end. Though some parts were predictable, there were a few surprises in there that I wasn't expecting. I laughed a lot and cried more than I thought I would. It was short and sweet and gave me all the feels I was looking for. Also, Luo Zheng's face is just....I mean....need I say more?Was this review helpful to you?
