Reviews

Perfect film

I recommend it only if you can watch heavy themes. It was executed perfectly, I watched Cry Me a Sad River not long after this and it's also a very great movie to watch. But you really felt how they felt, the unfairness, the hate, the anger, the betrayal and the love. Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee did really well and they matched the vibe of it all. I would watch again, there's only good things I can write about the film. It is perfect, I did cry quite a bit and I was glad to see the changes that happened in the overall issue of bullying in China. Nobody should have to be abused in any way.

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"Does anyone know the difference between 'was' and 'used to be' ? 'was' means it has passed but the difference is that 'used to be' carries a sense of loss.”
- Chen Nian

This Cdrama destroyed everything inside me. I first found it in 2023 and watched it straight through. I cried the whole evening because of this film. I love both actors, and this film has a beautiful background. Bullying can destroy people, and it does so deeply. Both were broken souls and wanted to die, and then they both met and pulled each other out of that black hole. Anyone who's thinking about watching this film should do it; it's worth it. Those two are real Soulmates. and they needed to find each other.

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Good watch for anyone feeling stuck in their 20s

This is my first ever review on here, and I've had this movie saved on my Instagram for years now. Frankly, I had a little higher expectations, but the story itself was still enjoyable and profound. The topics and overall uncertain nature of one's 20s were captured perfectly, and I found myself relating to the protagonist's experiences as a 20-something-year-old. I loved how Suzuko stayed true to herself, but we also see her grow up, and even acknowledge that some of her actions may not be the most reasonable ones towards the end of the film. On the whole, it was a solid watch for anyone feeling stuck in life and wanting to escape from the constricting and stressful surroundings of everyday reality.

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Much Better Than the First One

I know that many hardcore fans like me, both of the manga and anime, usually don’t give live-action adaptations a chance. But I have to say, in this second movie I found the producers’ decisions much more on point. The narrative is rushed, but at least it’s not poorly done and stays true to the original material. The actor who plays General Ouki is really good — the rest of the cast is just okay (though I did like the actress who plays Kyoukai). The facial expressions the actor playing Shin makes are still annoying. The fight scenes and effects are very well done and nicely choreographed (could’ve used a bit more violence, but that’s fine). Overall, it’s a fun movie — perfect for a Saturday night with some buttery popcorn.

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Curiosity killed a cat: Obsessed cat

I watched this movie in 2024 but in the spirit of writing a review for every drama that left an impression on me..Here we go.

After enduring the beautiful yet heartbreaking end of Mr. Sunshine, I was on the hunt for something light, something that wouldn't leave me reaching for a tissue box.

Naturally, I consulted the oracle of all things entertainment: TikTok. Big mistake. Someone suggested "KDramas to Watch Alone," and Obsessed popped right up. Despite some lukewarm reviews, I dove in headfirst. Here's my two cents on this whole affair.

A Blast from the Past, Visually Speaking

First off, the cinematography was spot on for its time. As a designer, I couldn't help but admire how the furniture perfectly captured that mid-century modern vibe. It was a visual treat, even if the story had me raising an eyebrow.

The Cast: Familiar Faces and a Few Blanks

The cast was a mixed bag. The leading man, Song Seung-heon, is definitely a familiar face, and his presence was certainly felt. It was a bit of a trip to see him here after watching him in other roles from that era. I even spotted a pre-fame Uhm Tae-goo, which was a nice little Easter egg for fans.

Now, for the leading lady, Lim Ji-yeon... well, let's just say she stuck to the script. Her performance, to me, felt a little like a copy-and-paste job, echoing what many others have said. The rest of the cast did their part, nothing really stood out, but they got the job done.

The scenes that divided Dramaland:

Yes, they were explicit. The movie was rated for mature audiences, so I wasn't exactly clutching my pearls. However, a little less direct lighting in those moments wouldn't have hurt. Seriously, if you zoomed in, you could practically see every detail. Having seen a couple of Western films tackle similar themes.
I couldn't help but think that a little less explicit content and a little more focus on the "love story" and yes, I'm using air quotes here, would have served the plot better.

From "One Car Stand" to "I Love You"

Speaking of the "love story," it was a bit of a rapid-fire development. They went from a "one-car stand" (you'll understand when you watch it) to declarations of undying love in what felt like minutes. Honestly, even a mosquito buzzing by could tell this wasn't love. It seemed more like a fleeting escape for two people tired of their mundane lives and equally dull spouses.

Could It Have Been Better?

Despite my reservations, I think this movie could have been fleshed out into a six-episode mini-drama. That kind of build-up might have actually made their connection feel believable, perhaps even turning it into a must-watch. As it stands, it's a curious watch, but perhaps not the palate cleanser I was hoping for.

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Needed more proofing

Croissant had a sweet premise for a web movie, but the production values and acting failed to rise to the occasion. Oh yeah, there will be baking puns.

Sang Eun is a whisk taker. Abandoning her job and her law degree she attended pastry school and opened a bakery with her crumby boyfriend. A born loafer he rarely works and often gives away their profits buttering up his private yoga instructor. Gong Hee Jun spends most of his time studying for the civil service exam. He’s afraid he’ll grow mold, never having been able to hold down a job. After helping Sang Eun when she was injured, he applies for a job at her bakery. For Hee Jun it was love at first bite after tasting her croissants. He worries that his reputation as the “Assistant for Shutting Down” businesses will jinx her shop and burn her reputation.

Even in a shorter film, the dots knead to be connected. Hints were dropped, making it difficult to pin down relationships and sub-plots. The editing and production values often fell flat. Nam Bo Ra proved herself with her performance. Hyuk on the other hand mumbled through the entire film, with Hee Jun coming across as flavorless. I wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be a character trait or was a natural speech affectation.

Perhaps with more dough and in better hands the plot could have been smoothed out. I might not have loafed everything about this film but I donut want to say there was nothing to like about it. It had a nice message about persistence and going against the grain to bake your dreams crumb true!

14 July 2025

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this was depressing, idk why the virgin chose to lose his virginity in a one night-stand - with a stranger that only came to smash.
there was no conversation to be had, not before & not after. even though the virgin tried his damndest, his every question got blocked, anyone answering a question with a question means the other guy was avoiding answering & wasn't looking for anything more then what he came for & got.
other then the fact that this isn't safe; not only talking STD's but who knows what sociopath u could meet & then what could've been done to him. very dangerous. but ur 1st sexual experience being a one night-stand can leave u disillusioned & jaded about love & romance.
the fact they meet in the street afterwards (after a period of time had passed) & the virgin (again) asks his name, doesn't necessarily mean a happy ending, where the experienced dude suddenly is interested in developing something between them (as after bumping into the ex-virgin, recognizing him he was ready to walk away like he didn't know him). so this was just sad IMO

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do NOT watch this while missing your best friend

even as i type this, there’s still tears falling down my cheeks. i don’t know why this has affected me this much…well, nevermind, i do.

i won’t spill my problems in this review but, as someone who’s had a horrible argument and well, i guess a somewhat of a fall out with her best friend of 7 years, this hit me right in the heart. you never get over it. even if you keep saying you’re okay, you still feel it in your heart.

sharing your life with someone where it borders between platonic and romantic love, it’s always special. i originally watched this thinking it would be very sapphic centric and although there’s definitely elements of it, you can tell it’s about two best friends- two soulmates, finding each other, drifting apart till they found each other again.

i can only hope the same happens to us.
beautiful movie.

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A Decent Zombie Movie

I placed a spoiler alert at the end of this review.

Overall, this was pretty good movie. It’s been a very long time I enjoyed watching a zombie movie, but admit the script has some weak sections. On the positive, it did a very good job setting up the world, character introductions, and grabbing the view’s attention in the beginning. The entire cast did an incredible job with their roles. All of the action sequence were great and the fighting looked real. They also did an outstanding job with the cinematography, special effects, and FX make-up. As for the negative, this is one of those movies that starts off strong with a decent middle but then a messy ending. I was fully invested in the script until it started falling apart in the last 30 minutes. The ending was not terrible, but it could have been better. However, I appreciate that they wanted to do something different.

Random Note:

The title: Zombie + Siam = Ziam

Although it is hinted with MDL’s synopsis, the one on Netflix does not mention this takes place in the future. Be prepared to take in a lot of information in the first 5 to 10 minutes of the movie. They did a good job, but it’s still a lot if you are watching it with subtitles.

******Potential Spoiler Alert******

I like they don’t fully explain exactly how the fish caused the outbreak. It’s not about how it happens, but the fact it is happening that makes zombies scary. I just know this is another example why I don’t eat raw fish.

The ending was very ambiguous and hints at a possible sequel which I would actually see.

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