The couple. The angst. The thrill.
The writer did an amazing job with the pacing and story at first. After I finished episode 4, I had no idea how the story could be stretched into 16 episodes because each episode, each scene, was packed and had a purpose. The characters are very realistic and three-dimensional. The female lead is especially well written. She's a true independent and strong woman rather than just having a snarky attitude and yelling "YAAAA" all the time. Her internal struggle was captured excellently. Overall, the story and writing are consistent throughout. Except, some people (including me) noticed that the vibe was "off" in episodes 12 & 13 (this may be because the first 11 episodes were of such high caliber and episode 11 was a sort-of climax). Episodes 14 & 15 picked up a bit and were good by kdrama standards, but nothing like the first 11 episodes. The ending, episode 16, may be controversial depending on your taste.**When I first finished episode 16, I thought it was an alright ending, a little disappointing, but light years better than most dramas. Then a week went by and I HATED the ending. Now, I think it's the most perfect ending I've ever seen and rewatching the last two minutes always makes me cry. Even if you don't end up appreciating the ending, it won't ruin the first 15 episodes.**
The cast is PERFECT. The leads are amazing together, they have so much chemistry as a married couple. Lee Joon Gi was phenomenal, and I loved Moon Chae Won. Just the fact that the two are acting together makes Flower of Evil a must-watch. The child actor who plays their kid daughter is so so adorable. The villain gave me the chills. The way he BREATHES makes me shudder. Watch it for the villain.
The OST hits different. The songs really capture the unique relationship that is portrayed in the drama between the leads, which makes them unforgettable. The OSTs are also used appropriately and sparingly for maximum feels. I sometimes wish there were more songs in the soundtrack like a traditional kdrama, but then I realize that Flower of Evil was never meant to be a regular kdrama. It's perfect.
At first, I was let down because Flower of Evil wasn't more of a romance (umm, because LEE JOON GI. He is soooo swoony-worthy), but after watching, it becomes clear that it's much more than that. It's a mature depiction of love between a married couple who have to overcome a multitude of challenges so that they can love each other in peace. Even if they aren't together in every scene, it's because they are fighting to be together, for the life that they have created. It's beautiful. Go watch it.
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Entertaining rom-com with great skinship and hot kisses
The drama tells the story of the female lead who has been in love with her boss (male lead) for the past four years. One day she decides to confess her love, only to be rejected by him. But this is not the end of their love story.Male lead is your typical CEO. Female lead is a writer who also becomes a scriptwriter to her upcoming movie (adapted from her novel). Second couple is male lead’s younger sister who becomes the actress in the movie and her love interest is the director.
THE REJECTION (episode 4)
Some people might be apprehensive to start this drama because how could the male lead suddenly like her after he rejected her and how could the female lead accept him after that. Well, I personally found the drama handled that storyline quite well. The female lead is a prideful and closed off woman so when confessing she gave him only superficial reasons for why she liked him (for his money and looks) instead of the truth. This didn’t sit well with the male lead and he rejected her. The female lead cried all night and the next day quitted her job and moved on from him. The male lead on the other hand had initial prejudice against her (believing she indeed only liked him for his money and looks) and was blind to his feelings for her until it was too late. As soon as he rejected her, we saw him instantly sad and regretful. He realised his mistake and hence began to pursue the female lead for many, many episodes.
POSITIVE:
- One of the best skinship and hot kiss scenes in a cdrama (seriously you need to watch this drama to know what I mean).
- Fun, relaxing and light-hearted rom-com vibe.
- No stupid love triangles or second male/female leads that try to break them up.
- No break ups. Male lead does take his time to pursue her but once they get together there is no separation.
- Great chemistry between the main leads. I could always feel the tension, angst and love between them.
- Healthy and supportive parents of both leads which is rare in a cdrama.
- Adorable cat pet.
NEGATIVE:
- Second half of the drama can feel a little draggy.
- Female lead force kisses the male lead. This scene can upset more sensitive people. I’m ok with it since it’s a drama not real life but people complained about it so I thought it’s worth pointing it out for those that are more sensitive to these things.
OVERALL:
If you are looking for a light-hearted rom-com where male chases the female, with very hot skinship and kiss scenes, you will enjoy this drama.
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The story is quite linear, with no explanations and no proper closure, but this flaw allows the film to be more focused on our bundle of characters, who try to brave their disastrous situation. The film examines human nature and conflicting interests. In such a heightened and delirious state, people are bound to be pushed to their limits. We see selfishness and greed, but we also see change and loyalty. The actors and actresses do a wonderful job in making these characters real and flawed.
Train to Busan is definitely thrilling and it's not cheap. The special effects are very convincing (as they ought to be in a film with zombies!) and coupled with the music, creates a tense atmosphere that is maintained throughout the film. Dirty jump scares are limited and the true horror is actually the prospect of this occurring to you.
Despite the flaws in the storyline, my eyes were glued to the screen the entire time. Train to Busan draws you in and makes you stay.
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The story? It just describes the lives of the most ordinary students who have taken their direction in life... music+acting=musicals... but, is the simple combination I had in mind before watching this still working for me? Guess what - it doesn't, now I am thinking, how could I have been so naive to have thought like that for that long!
As the story progressed, as the students were getting into the world of musicals deeper and deeper, I was studying with them, I was absorbing every word their wise professors were teaching them. I came to know much more, for example that acting is not always the emotions that you make yourself believe you have at the moment, the greatest acting is when you actually feel the way your character would have felt at the moment, and you stop acting and actually feel that way, you cry real tears, you smile a real smile, you really get angry...
In the beginning there are several stories, as every character has an issue to deal with be it a parent related, lack of self esteem, haunting past mistakes, fear of exposure, guilt, cry for freedom... then, as the story goes on, and all this, at the first sight separate people, become closer, share each other's pain, happiness, tears and laughter, the stories become so entangled, that, when one of the issues gets its resolve(not always the perfect one), you breath such a sigh of relief, you could fly...
There are so many moments I would like to complement the actors for making my heart skip a beat, I would end up telling the whole story. There are so many moments I was on verge of tears, just because I felt so overwhelmed and touched... the first time JaeHun sings, the tears in his eyes at the moment, TaeHee's song for him, their first dance, DoSung's battle with himself, with the music in his head, ByungGun's first song heard by the ghost, his second song heard by many, TaeHee's conversations with her father, JaeHun's consideration for her father (actually his photo), his lover for her, Professor SunWoo's 50cent information for TaeHee, his advice to the students (especially the last one about the 'show stopper'), all the students' songs and performances...
As this is a musical drama, there are many songs here, but especially heart clenching peace is called 'With You' performed by TaeHee and ByungGun, I can't stop listening to it... And of course Park Bom's You and I, very artistically inserted here, was a very good addition to the collection. How can I not mention the great covers from famous musicals like 'Jekyll and Hyde', 'Grease', 'Fame', 'Phantom of the Opera'...
My lament is WHY THERE IS NO OST??? How can this happen? *I am really on verge of tears because of this* These is no OST, and I listening to the songs through ripped version directly from the drama...
I will actually not say 'recommended' this time, as I am sure some plot holes, smoothed out ending, and other issues will stop many people from watching this, or liking it, but I loved every moment, and I absolutely did not want it to end...
I hope there is Vol.2...
What's Up? hihi~
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The main problem I had with the show was the writing- there were too many elements mixed together. The supernatural element especially was only thrown in from time to time- as if someone occasionally remembered it was supposed to be there, but didn't know how to fit it in. The ending felt strange for that reason. The acting was a bit clunky at times, but I felt that the actors did the best they could with a dubious script- or in the case of the actor who played Alex, with a character who was written with very little personality.
But, like I said, I enjoyed this show. The romance was sweet, although I was angry at the main female lead more than once. Jin and Kay had a lot of personality and weren't bad to look at. The case of the day, while usually weird and (for some weird reason) leading everyone to forgive someone who committed a crime, was usually interesting.
If you are looking for something amusing and not overly coherent, this might be for you.
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Foundational Romance Tropes: whipping boy, spoiled prince, obsessive crush
I love a sympathetic main character and Japan delivers introvert well (emo is their brand, after all). This is a pretty classic whipping boy trope meets spoiled prince (it’s been a while my old friend).Our POV is that weird kid who takes photos and thinks he wants to be invisible but actually just wants to be seen by one person (and belong to him). The beautiful boy who starts bossing him around is protective out the gate, having decided that this weirdo is HIS weirdo, no one ELSE can boss him around. This execution of whipping boy was a whole lot gentler than I expected, but because Hira is the seme character it did pivot into attack dog half way through and I LOVED that. One of the things I like about Japanese BL is that it's not afraid of darkness,
Utsukushii Kare managed to be harsh as all get up, angry with us and itself, reminding us of old tropes and archetypes long forgotten but still utterly appealing.
It was exactly as weird and as messed-up as any origin manga and it was great to watch a no holds barred authentic Japanese yaoi adaptation once again. Sure this was an angsty af warped little BL, but it was entirely true to itself with no attempt made to modify its POV for modern sensibilities or international audiences. It highlights one of the things Japanese cinema is best at, staying true to itself.
Up until the last episode this was a solid 8/10, right there with Japan’s other 2021 offerings... and then the final ep BLEW MY MIND. I did not understand how they could possibly end this series well, I half expected tragedy, but this BL turned into a life lesson in how to stick a landing. Japan, why you gotta do us all so fantastically dirty like that? I tend to put all my eggs in the endings basket, as a result episode 6 alone bumped the whole thing up 9/10. I may not rewatch all of Utsukushii Kare but I have already rewatched the final ep 3x. So, yeah.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, JUST KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO
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This review may contain spoilers
Sunshine Angel is a romantic story which follows the life of a young rich boy who unexpectedly falls in love with someone he wouldn't even bother to give a secound look to normally.. This story, Starring Rainie Yang and Farenheit's Wu Chun as the lead roles takes on the every day issues about the man who has it all, Unexpectedly then to lose everything previously valued to him before he met the girl of his dreams. I'll leave this review spoilerless..Di Ya Xin is a young male who has it all.. He was born into a wealthy family and has friends and is the general director of a company of his own left behind after his parents death. Everything seems to go well for him, Until he takes a trip to Japan while skydiving. Falling towards the ground with a parachute who seems to be broken, Only to be saved by falling into the small bathroom of a young girl named Yokou (Yang Guang). Yokou is a girl with a far different background. Her parents are professional scammers who take money from people and usually leaves her behind to deal with the issues of cleaning up after them. Some people's finally had it with her parents behavior and demands for her to pay them back all the money her parents stole from them. With no chance of paying back they employ her with a job in Taiwan as a Maid of a young man.. This man, The same man who broke her bathroom. As Di Ya Xin slowly falls in love with Yang Guang and decides to give her his all, There are someone in his company who are trying to take all that he truly owns and cherish away from him. As the story develops you'll see Love, Drama, Proverty.. Along with lots of unexpected twists not expected.
The drama has a really good soundtrack, I Love nearly each and every song in the ost.. The songs are placed into the right scenes so I can't complain of the timing.
I'd really recommend this story to everyone, The story won't progress quite as expected. But I won't lie to you guys.. Despite of loving the main characters acting inside of this drama, It left me with a huge 2nd lead syndrome for Zhang Junning.. (Geng Fei)
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The rest of the cast, I loved; including Hwang Sun Hee as our baddie Ha Na! Talk about making you hate them while they barely had screen time? She did a good job. And let's not forget Choi Jung Woo as Sec Kim. He will go down in drama history as the first Secretary I've totally loved (since Secret Garden) but even more so. His character's love for Joong Won was so evident! The little side romance (or no romance between Seo In Guk and Park Hee Bon was super cute! We are all glad the 'Little Sun' finally got her man.
And last but not least, let's give it up for Uncle (Lee Jong Won). I'll never forget his final words when he saw Gong Shil leaving Joong Won's apartment: Bang Shil, FIGHTING!!
SO BUYING THIS!!
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AMAZING old school classical MASTERPIECE kdrama
OMG OMG OMG what a masterpiece!!! everything we love about kdramas - communication, warmth, kindness, connections, meaning, positive movement yp and higher, .... striving to be better....I just saw the first 2 episodes and they are masterpiece classics
It is such a breath of fresh air, so ALIVE
====
It mostly continued like that :)
The two cooks' romance was great.
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This review may contain spoilers
This has a very 'independent movie' feel to it. The reason I gave it so high a rating is not really because the cinematography was unique or that the story was so different, but rather that this seemed to be a personal story for the filmmaker, that was told well. The story is about a boy who feels isolated. Some of the kids in the school know he's gay, and they single him out to pick on him. What drives him more into isolation is the fact that he is in love with his one really good friend, and can't say anything to him because he's afraid of his reaction. While he's riding the train he sees a gay couple, then follows them curious about their lives. The rest of the movie is him figuring out who he wants to be and if he cares how the world perceives him. There is also a plot line about the gay couple themselves, and how they feel like they are being treated by society, and their families.
The acting wasn't very good, but they didn't seem to be any really professional actors in the bunch so it was more them doing the best they could. It wasn't ever glaringly bad, like it dragged the scenes or made it seem like the actors were uncomfortable saying the lines. It was more of actors looking at the camera every once and a while, and a smile while they were trying to get out dialogue.
The "sexy scenes" were a little more awkward that the rest of the movie, but thankfully there were only a few of them and easy to fast-forward through.
The music was okay for the most part, nothing to really pay attention to, but there were one or two parts where it just turned weird for no reason.
Overall I would recommend this movie to anyone willing to give an independent movie a shot. It was charming and was made really well with what little resources they seemed to have.
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I used the term "finally" but it doesn't mean it was boring, it's just this one was my first Korean drama to watch while it was still airing so it was a bit of a tough ride (having to wait each week for the next installment with all the cliffhangers)
Right into the review then.
Story (9):
Stories about ghosts and the ability to see them seem to be the trend in Korean dramas the current seasons, but it's safe to say Master's Sun was the first among them (as far as I know).
It was publicized when they first announced the drama that it was a brand new genre "Comedy/Romance/Horror" and it certainly felt NEW.
The story was quite fresh and entertaining, not free of flaws of course but still very enjoyable overall.
The Story mainly concentrated on the couple and Tae Yang's abbility, but there was that second plot that was going on at the background (the mystery behind the incident in the male lead's past that left a trauma), and while it was very interesting and intriguing at the beginning it started to drag just a tiny bit later, but thank God it was cleanly settled early not in the final episodes.
As for the extra episode, it might have caused the last few episodes' story to become a bit stale, but thankfully didn't destroy the drama, on the bright side you can say it gave the viewer more time to enjoy the main plot free of that one side plot.
As for the characters, I personally loved the character development in this one loads.
It's not the usual over-used pattern, where a spoilt chaebol with issues gets attracted to the perfect hard working poor woman and that love makes him change into a more mature person, rather it's a story about a couple who both had their own issues to deal with and their love each other gives them courage to face them and deal with them eventually making them grow into more strong characters that know just well what they want to do and decide on their own how to realize that.
I also want to admit how I was afraid at first that there would be resemblances in the characters with Greatest Love (might be because Gong Hyo Jin was common actress and how So Ji Sub's acting and hand gestures seemed a wee bit similar to Cha Seung Wons' Dok Ko Jin) but was I totally mistaken. There were very few scenes where you're reminded of Dok Ko jin but Joung Won's definitely a different character.
I especially liked how both characters were fast on realizing their own feelings not the "what is this feeling?" kind of idiocy that's elaborated in many Korean Rom-Coms but rather they were smart enough to acknowledge how they were attracted to each other and went right away to dealing with that (in a bit of an eccentric manner but any how)
ADORED nearly all the side characters in this one especially Secretary Kim and Joung Won's Aunt and uncle Not much the light-mouth security guy and didn't particularly enjoy his relationship with Gong sil's sister.
Acting (10)
PERFECT!!! I don't want to say it this way but Gong Hyo Jin stole all the lights in this one, imo. She was soooo convincing, lovable & cute at times and scaring clingy at others, witty and playful at times and heart-wrenching lonely and sad at others. I have to congratulate the producer on his choice, no other actress could have delivered Tae Yang any better.
So Ji Sub on the other hand, it's my first drama of his and well I can say I was satisfied with his acting. I know it's got nothing to do with acting but on a side note I hated most of his outfits in this one save for a few casual ones near the end. How can a CEO of a large department store have such a terrible fashion taste!!! But he was still attractive to be honest :D
Script (7)
Here comes my problem with this drama. I'm not saying I didn't like it and also I've always considered myself a Hong Sister's fan, but to be honest that witty and heavy on the metaphors script that's considered their forte or signature can be a bit boring, especially if one's watched several of their dramas. In funny moments it's fun, but using too much metaphors in even serious scenes besides aaall the characters feel like they share the same conversation skills it feels a bit unrealistic at times. It might be just me though.
Directing (8)
It was over all fine, nice camerawork as well. though sometimes it felt distracting with all the close ups on hands and off the topic stuff (clothes and such) and there were some mistakes with sequence in some of the scenes (clothes changing all of a sudden) but those were all small things that definitely don't waste a drama.
Music (10)
I wanted to reduce some points coz some of the vocal songs kept playing at always the same type of scenes that it felt a bit
repetitive, but I just couldn't bring myself to. The OST in this one is just MARVELOUS TAEBAK! I love all the instrumentals and also the vocals, and wish all Korean dramas' OST cover all the songs played in the drama this way(I know it has to do with he production budget but it's just so frustrating to find the long-awaited OST missing your favorite BGMs like in IHYV)
By all means, please do give Master's Sun a chance, especially if you're a rom-com lover. If you're not much of a rom-com fan,....then there's a high possibility you've never watched a hong sister's drama, then I think you should watch this one all the more. It will definitely feel fresh.
Thanks for reading my extra-long review!
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This review may contain spoilers
Watch when your bored
This show was not good. The main character was a junior in college but acted like a 12 year old most of the time. The second leads were way better than the main leads. The female 3rd leads were a waste of time. They barely had a story line although the little they had was better than the main leads.What I liked:
-The soundtrack music was decent
-The actors were cute
-The second leads nc scenes were good
What I didn’t like:
-The acting was awful by the main leads
-Nom Jed’s character was too immature for his age.
-Nom Jed drinking milk all the time at 21 years old
-Flirting with milk is a terrible idea and it was not incorporated well in this series at all
-The last episode was a disaster (I skipped through most of it)
-The nc scenes between the main was not done well. The first one wasn’t too bad. Not sexy or romantic at all.
-The leads sitting on a bull trying to create the mood was awful.
Star Hunter you’ve got to invest more in your actors. You are doing them wrong with the terrible directors and scripts and overall productions value. Maybe some of the actors need to jump ship to have a decent career.
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The impression that this movie left on me was good.
But as for the story, it's already seen. Also it's really risky to do a rom/com movie based on a topic of a one night stand, because in a real life one night stands are strongly disliked and don't have any relation with romance.
But on the other side I think that they made a serious topic, that is like a big thing nowadays, interesting and that they pointed out the problem that is very common and normal today in our society.
As for the acting... Well, there's nothing to say about it. I mean, Moon Chae Won and Yoo Yeon Suk are both great actors and I can only say "Bravo!!!!". Hahahaha. XD
The chemistry between the leads was amazing. And I would like to see another project with this two actors.
So here, in this movie, the writer is giving us the opportunity to see a good and a bad side of people. Of course, one is a bad side or should I say a cold side which people use as a wall to protect themselves from being hurt and the other is good, soft and warm side which a person rarely shows to the other people.
As the movie goes on, they slowly begin to develop a feeling towards each other, as they get the opportunity to see good qualities of that other person.
OST.. Well, I liked it. But also I didn't pay that much attention on the OST, cause I was more focused on the theme of a movie and chemistry between the leads.
Overall, it was refreshing to watch a movie like this, with this kind of a cast.
And I recommend watching it, cause in the end you will end up liking it.
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This is gonna be controversial
So, I watched it a mere month ago and I already don't remember A LOT of things. I know a lot of people loved it, but imo the drama is just forgettable. There is nothing really that sticks out besides its truly stunning cinematography.I do remember appreciating the heavier plot, though. The characters are far more complicated than what I had seen in previous BLs. For that I give the plot an extra point.
I remember thinking the acting was alright, sometimes with awkward little moments, but nothing bad standing out.
Apparently though by my messages to a friend, i apparently thought the drama was heavily inspired by thai bls. At least I do remember the thai bls, though.
Overall more of a disppointment for me, because everyone kept talking about it and I had high expectatiobs.
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Kim Jae Won is one of my favorite actors and he doesn't disappoint. He is very charming as Eun Joong. He has a subtle way of eliciting emotions from the viewer for his character. Ki Tae Young was also really good as the other Eun Joong. His characters emotions are written all over his face which to me is a sign of a good actor. Jo Jae Hyeon as Ha Myung Geun and Park Sang Min as Jang Tae Ha were just excellent. Kim Hye Ri as Go Joo Ran/Jang Jo Ha's mom is too funny at times. Her interactions with the other actors are usually comedic even when she is trying to be manipulative and serious. The other actors are good also.
There is some decent music in this drama. The Position's "Last Love of My Life" really fit well with the drama theme.
I probably won't rewatch this.
If you like melodrama, then this is a good one...just a little slow.
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