From the creator and director of Fangs of Fortune and My Journey to You
Here we have another masterpiece that exists in the creative realm as these major dramas! They have mood, intense dynamics between characters, gorgeous colours, sets and shots and intricate story. And they are written to terrorize your heart. Viel of Shadows is not coming up short so far in comparison.The first thing that has stood out to me, which has captured me when these other two dramas couldn't - is this fun type of energy that exists in the story. Within the first four episodes, the characters themselves and the interactions between them and the story has me excited, engaged, smiling and laughing and totally energized. Yet now by episode 13, I also have been deeply moved and heart wrenched and anxious wondering what will happen.
The characters have stand out strong personalities and with each episode more facets are shown. By episode 8 you start to see you may not really know them as the deep mysteries they keep shroud their truest selves. And then with each episode we see little bits more and more of their hearts.
I am just loving this drama and so excited with each episode!!! It is phenomenal so far. I am blown away by the acting. I think the drama was perfectly cast. They are truly embodying their characters. The main cast are vibing off each other and you can feel it when they are together.
I think the costumes and the sets, the wide shots (scenery), the mood pallet is just stunning - everything feels vibrant and magical, dark and mysterious yet somehow produces a lightness of the innocence of the hope of goodness in the world.
Tian Jia Rui has been criticized for being ugly and this just makes me so sad. He is adorable and a fantastic actor. please do not put him or this drama down because not everybody looks like Zheng Linghe. Handsomeness has many faces.
I will be back to share more as I watch the drama!
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Amazing fluffy happy show !
Zai Zai and Lurang really give golden retriever x black cat vibes. I love everyone's friendships and their bond with each other. They really stuck by each other through thick and thin! Of course, i believe there was sometimes zai zai was a bit in over her head but it added to the show's charm. Guan Fuan is one of my favorites, he doesn't get a girlfriend or anything like that but he's still happy to be there. Jiang Jia and Gu Ran were a couple i was rooting for since the beginning. i could just tell by their banter. I wish I could've seen them get marriedWas this review helpful to you?
The best of the best!
If this is your first Chinese drama, I pity you. It's because your standards will be very hard to reach, Anyways, my rating is purely based on my own standards. In this way, I can confidently say that the story is really great. The first half of the drama is really rewatchable the latter however should have been done better. I adore their life in Lin'an maybe that's the reason why I don't want to watch the political side at the end. The acting was superb! I already watched almost all of ZLH's dramas, I am proud to say that he really showcased his micro-expressions well here. And gosh! He is so handsome here. Thanks to the director and the camera man. He is already handsome but the angles did him justice. TXW is such a wonderful actress and so cute! I mean, she acted so well! I haven't watch her dramas yet so I am not able to assess her. But based on what I saw, she is very good. The OSTs were so good, too!If the writer, director, cameramen, the actors and actresses can read this, I beg you all to make more dramas with the same casts!
THANK YOU! <3
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From Clashing to a True Partnership
My Boss can be a bit tropey and even a little frustrating at times, but if you stick with it, the character growth is actually rewarding. It’s less about a typical "mean boss" and more about two people learning how to actually respect and support each other as equals.What I Enjoyed:
Heng’s Transformation: He starts off as your typical "rockstar" lawyer—brilliant but pretty arrogant and emotionally stunted. Watching him slowly realize he doesn't have all the answers was the best part. He goes from "butting in" and being overbearing to someone who is actually humble enough to admit when he’s wrong. It’s a huge change, and he becomes a much better partner because of it.
Yao’s Confidence: I loved watching Yao find her footing. She struggles with a lot of insecurity and "imposter syndrome" early on, but she grows so much backbone. She doesn't just "shrink" to fit into Heng’s world; she earns her spot at the table and eventually shows him that her way of doing things (with more heart and empathy) is just as valid as his cold logic.
The Takeaway:
The show is a great look at what happens when two high-achievers stop competing and start collaborating. They both had to do a lot of work to get there—there’s plenty of "growing pains" and communication mishaps—but seeing them finally get on the same page is so satisfying.
The Verdict: It’s a solid watch if you enjoy seeing a relationship where both people actually have to change and grow to make it work. It’s not a perfect journey, but the "win-win" ending makes the frustrating moments worth it!
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Please support Netjj and Lattekim
This series is so interesting so far!! I love any kind of time travel/reincarnation and period drama so this is right up my alley.The first episode was really funny and gave us a fun introduction to Nakhun and his friends! Nakhun is so unlucky and clumsy it’s comical. I think we all would have a similar reaction as he did waking up in an unknown place where everyone calls you by a different name. JJ is absolutely killing it in this role! I’ve become such a fan of him. Net was so breathtaking and he acted extremely well!
The second episode is definitely my favorite so far! I loved that we got a little bit of backstory on Klao and the others. It was so cute seeing little Phop be protective of Klao! Also can we talk about the yearning Phop was doing this episode?? He wants Klao back to normal so much it breaks my heart. :(
I can’t wait to see what future episodes bring!! I’m so excited to see more of this story. Please please support this show and all of the actors! They’ve worked so hard and they deserve to see it pay off!! <3
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Psychological/political thrilled with significant "film noir" overtones.
UPDATE after Ep. 10: Final Rating is 9⭐ By the end it was no longer a "thriller" but rather a psychotic roller-coaster - but definitely still "film noir" overtones.If you are a fan of classic Hollywood movies, then (1) see my comments at the bottom about the film posters for the movies "Sunset Boulevard" and "Vertigo". They both deal with obsessive people driven to near-madness. (2) For a long time, I was afraid that the drama would end in the same manner of the obsessive/psychotic couples in "War of the Roses" or "Double Indemnity" [Spoiler: they all died] Thankfully, the Climax writer didn't choose the easy out. Although pathological ambition drove every decision and choice they made, both survived to the end. I should note, that Bang Tae-seop and Chu Sang-ah were not a "romantic" couple, but I found the end satisfactory as they both acknowledged they need each other for support.
Overall Positives: Actors: were raw and mesmerizing. I had never watched anything with Ju Ji-hoon or Ha Ji-won before and I was blown away with how they communicated with their body language just as much as the words. If you binge through without noticing all of the subtleties of their performance, you will miss the highlight (for me) of the drama. The Script: A series of plots/counter-plots and then plots-that-went-nowhere. Although we understood the characters' motivations, it was hard to keep track of the impact of certain choices and blackmail items raised in the first few episodes seemed to be forgotten in the later episodes.
The Cons: There were many - too many - scenes of debasing/humiliating activity that were included for their shock value as much as anything else. Supposedly they demonstrated the desperate lengths people go to in their obsessive drive but IMHO, an A+ writer would be more creative in crafting ethical decisions/tension rather than ick factor. Second negative is that the drama lacked continuity. Just one example: Jeong-won lived in an apartment with multiple fish tanks and they were always there. . . . until they weren't as she was preparing to leave. I didn't really listen to what she said - I wondered what happened to the fish! There were a lot of "what happened to. . . " and "WTF" instances that detracted from the overall tension.
I really enjoyed the drama - the characters, interesting location filming, the roller-coaster of plot/counter-plot. I was very happy with the last episode and how the main couple was able to survive. If not for those ick factor scenes, I would have given this 10⭐
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[Original interim review after Ep. 6]
Psychological/political thriller is not my usual genre but lately I’ve become tired of rom-coms that follow the same rather unimaginative formula. Climax is anything but unimaginative or formulaic. I’m writing this review after watching Episode 6 (out of 10) and will update each week if anything significantly impacts my overall attitude about the drama.
First, let’s make something clear: the plot involves “The fierce survival drama of prosecutor Bang Tae-seop, who jumped into the cartel of power to stand at the top of South Korea, and those around him." Bang Tae-seop, the choices he makes and the consequences drive the plot.
Like any good mystery, Climax unpeels the onion, episode by episode. And yet, as of Ep. 6, I feel that there are still critical facts that the writer/director has kept hidden from the viewer until the end. That doesn’t bother me IF – Big IF – the viewer learns that they were not outright lied to. I don’t mind if the viewer sees 50% of an event and jumps to conclusions about who actually murdered someone. But failure to include vital information will never be forgiven.
UPDATE after Episode 8: Unfortunately, the drama has descended into one "shock" scene after another with no real character development. Sometimes characters seem to do introspection and then Surprise! it was fake. Climax is still a roller coaster and I am looking forward to watching to the end (at which point I will update again) but except for the "everyone is desperately greedy for power, money, control and will do anything to obtain it", there really isn't much to this drama. I'm still crossing fingers that the end will be satisfactory (as in, the really, really bad, evil people get destroyed) but at this point, those really bad, evil people are mere props with little or no explanation of HOW they became this irredeemable.
One of the things I love most about the drama is the inclusion of two very prominent movie posters from classic Hollywood movies. First, “Sunset Boulevard”, the story of an aging silent film star who is desperate for a comeback – similar to Bang Tae-seop's wife Chu Sang-ah’s desperation to claim her top star status. And second, Alfred Hitchcock’s brilliant “Vertigo” – a movie about a man obsessed with a woman he was unable to protect – Bang Tae-seop’s story as he tries to protect a wife who does not love him. Do the movie posters foreshadow the end of “Climax”?? I don't think so - but they explain the psychological undertones of this “film noir” drama. Whether the writer is able to stick the landing remains to be seen, but thus far, I’m on board.
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No dull moments!!
Honestly, I have never watched a historical Thai bl and having LUAT be the first one is definitely an honor. It's so freaking good! Net and JJ are amazing actors and their little moment on ep2 made me tear up. Latte and Kim are also so good, it's hard to believe this is their debut serie! The storytelling, cinematography, the visuals, everything makes watching it worthwhile. If you're still hesitating get off your ahh and watch it right now!Was this review helpful to you?
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This series is a merry-go-round
First off, I didn't really pay attention to the music; it was nothing special.When I say the series is a merry-go-round, I mean it. This plot goes in circles. We start out with our main character, Keen, facing a lot of personal turmoil and money problems because his father borrowed money from a loan shark, Than is used to solve those money problems. Immediately after that problem is solved, someone else has money problems with a different loan shark. How is this problem solved? With Than and everyone else at the gym fighting in a tournament. This happening twice already felt very repetitive, and I looked at episode summaries, and sure enough, it was going to happen again, so I dropped the show.
Do I think the show is bad? No. I've watched way worse. The thing is, I've finished those shows because they weren't as time-consuming as this one. If these episodes had been shorter, around 40-50 minutes, I probably would have continued. I was already watching it at 2X speed. But no, all but one of the episodes I watched was over an hour. One was almost an hour and a half long! That it too long to sit in an episode, even if I hadn't been bored with the plot.
I couldn't even get into the relationships because both of them just fell together with no real buildup. They weren't together, and then they were so fast that I had to pause and try to figure out where in the hell the attraction started because there was no tension and only a couple of "moments" that hinted at them liking each other. From the moment Keen and Than got together, it also got very physical, between them and the second couple's NC scenes. It became repetitive, and they became moments that I only half paid attention to. Than also pays off Keen's debt after barely knowing him for a few weeks, which felt very unrealistic. Ait and Win will probably have problems down the road because it seems like Ait was doing something shady for his "boss" (probably a loan shark if I had to guess), but I wasn't interested enough to continue the series just for that.
I didn't care enough about the characters or the plot enough to continue the series. The show was missing a strong antagonist that our characters could work to overcome. Instead, we are thrown from one person causing a problem to another with no link between them, which made it feel like the plot had no clear direction or goal.
The actors overall did an alright job, I don't really have any complaints. They did what they could, given that the characters they were playing had no real depth.
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Not for me but you decide for yourself
I wasn't impressed by the show.I thought acting was stiff and only surface level.
I thought the story was underwhelming. And that wasn't the word I thought of when I first heard news of this drama. I saw potential. I think a story about the emotional rollercoaster of a virtual reality romance sounds great. But this show landed flat.
Half of the show was our female lead contemplating her 'dating' habits, both inside and outside the game, which slowed pace down enourmously. During these moments of low energy, low activity, I lost focus and zoned out of the show. What's worse? I never saw the need to go back and catch what I might've missed.
If the show wanted to be more drama and romance, there wasn't depth to the story to amplify that.
If the show wanted to be more comedy and fun, well, that was lacking almost the entire time.
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Nothing makes sense; complete fanservice
Man, this series is really overrated. For the the entire theme to revolve around a female general, one would think they'd put in SOME effort to make it even the slightest bit realistic.-- The FL has on the most ridiculous disguise when she pretends to be the son in the family.
-- The FL is so feminine in both the facial features and physique that it's quite comical for them to showcase her as a hardened war hero. She doesn't even look like she worked out a day in her life.
-- The FL/ML grew up together apparently but despite his superior "observant" skills, he never knew she was a female? And even worse, when her brother replaces her in court, he couldn't tell at all that it was an entirely different person?
-- They didn't bother even attempting to rationalize the height differences, how she manages to fool her fellow soldiers when sleeping together in the barracks or showering, etc.
-- In the hot spring, the half-naked ML who is also supposed to be a hardened war hero has baby white skin with zero scars. Then the FL apparently is able to hide her gender while naked with him AND fighting because she create some bubbles with her hands?
The plot so far by episode 3 is also still ultimately lackluster despite its seemingly high budget production. It's also quite sad that some series base their success off of just pretty people. I'm Chinese and I'm starting to not be able to tell the difference between these actors because they choose similar looking men/women with the same old played out makeup and features. Is this how shallow society has become - where looks override real talent? Quite disappointed because there are some actors here that I do like from other series and it's particularly appalling for them to not make any efforts to make this FL believable as a war hero/general.
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One of the Best BL story this year
Tbh, some people might find episode 1 dragging, but when you look at it deeply, they're trying to make the basic plot strong and layered first, as it was in the novel. But overall, it is such a fun story, and in episode 2, you can really see now how it is not just a fun series but a beautiful one too. Believe me, the plot of this series is complex too, and you'll see that in the upcoming episodes. I also love the cinematic progression of the story. The chemistry of the cast, especially NetJJ, is superb—two different and opposite characters that always clash but always find a way to understand each other's hearts. I'm inlove with this series.Was this review helpful to you?
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almost dropped.. GLAD I DIDNT!!!!
Plot:🗯️A journalist is trying to save her dying column in a magazine and takes part in a scheme to fool an idol into giving her an exclusive interview.
Unfortunately they end up switching bodies and have to survive in their respective lives.
Let me tell you, I was about to drop this drama after 5 episode but I am so glad I didn't.
First few minutes of the drama hook you with a scene of two people breaking up but then the following 5 episodes are really sloooooly setting the dynamics in motion and I was getting bored as hell.
Moving forward I wasn't expecting a body switch. I didn't read the synopsis of this drama😅., so the tone switch came pretty unaspected but it becomes a fundamental plot device.
After episode 5 the drama becomes really engaging and I finally felt entertained till the very end, till the literal last episode which is something extraordinary for me.
This is a nice rom com made of cute moments (fortunately not cringe, heartfelt emotions and a nice feeling overall.
Positives:
-The actors definitely grew on me. I didn't like them at first but they did a very good job throughout the drama, especially with the body switch. They were "believable". The ml was especially cute. The FL was also great.
-The actors have good chemistry.
-Finally 2 adults that behave accordingly to their age when it comes to romance. I am kinda of sick of 30 years acting like kids.
-Good till the last episode.
-I liked the ml emotional development especially with his mom.
-No dumm cliches like FL falling into the ml arms.
-No filler scenes.
- the ml having his menstrual cycle 😅😅
-Negatives
I feel they should have switched bodies a bit later after showing on screen their lives a bit more making us feel more connected to their lives.
-They state stuff and never follow through with it. For example The article about that married couple, the interview with the other member of the group etc...
When they switched bodies the Second time it's dragged for too long.
-too many flash backs.
-the drama doesn't do an excellent job at tydying up lose threats. Some parts where a bit wishy washy. The third member of the group is cute but irrelevant, we never see them interact as idols, I still don't know why the 2 members didn't get along...
-Too many "I feel we are in a drama" jokes.
-The second ml was useless (poor lao gaO always catching strays😅)
-The asteroid influencing the body switch was a bit meh as an excuse 😅
- the second part of the last episode. I wish that wasn't I thing.. I think I took away a bit of my good mood. (no spoilers🤫)
Conclusions:
Definitely recommend this one. It's a bit hard to get into it but if you endure for 5 episode you'll get love, tears and a nice time.
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Elements of Legend of Female General the novel
I watched it on a whim not knowing that it will evoke all of my emotional response to reading the novel Legend of the Female General. This drama focuses on the part where fl after being "reborn" goes along with the family wish to marry and stay in the mansion of her insignificant spouse but here they show neither what the novel did, nor what the drama with Cheng Lei did. This version is brutal in showing how former general stripped of her freedom and privileges that came with faking being a man must adapt to being disrespected, humiliated and abused by men just because she is a woman and holds no power other than her husband's heart. She doesn't go back to reclaim her fame and merits stolen by her scumbag brother, nor sits tight in inner chambers until she gets offed by men, women and various others envious of her talents or position or threatened by possibility of being discovered for the fakes they are.Nothing really earth shattering here, just a nice variation on the same theme. FL is the leader so expect her take bedroom initiative (rather refreshing). 2fl is a transmigrator and gets really nothing, so I count that as a plus.
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unexpectedly fresh & funny
Boyfriend on Demand follows Seo Mi-rae, a single 30'ish woman with a routine but somewhat tumultuous (& dateless) lifestyle, working long hours as a webtoon producer at a highly competetive online publishing company. She manages the company's most popular writer, leading to a collaboration with a tech company in basing a new virtual dating app on one of the writer's characters. Mi-rae is given a free VR set to trial the app & give a review, thus becoming addicted. On comes an exploration of how emotionally & financially exploitative an AI created "perfect date" can be.After going wild with role playing through several of the 900 risk free programmed virtual dates - involving hilarious cameos with a couple of celebrity idols - Mi-rae then settles into a comfortable ease with one perfect VR boyfriend, with whom she just just lets herself be herself. Through conversation with him, she examines her own real past relationship with her college sweetheart, its failure, & learns how to let it go. After achieving such a significant personal closure, however, a rude awakening occurs when Mi-Rae discovers her VR boyfriend is not personalized to her & that others are dating this character in the same way in the app, much like experiencing everyone else wearing the same outfit at a party.
Her real life co-worker & rival producer, Park Gyeong-nam, is calm & muted with a strong nerd vibe . He's a tranquil sea in contrast to Mi-rae's near constant turmoil. They work in rival teams as they manage fiercely competing writers, keeping at arms length from each other. Mi-rae meanwhile trials a new VR boyfriend, customized after a lengthy personal questionnaire. Of course, what pops up is in the exact image of Gyeong-nam, but with an idealized personality based on what Mi-rae thinks she wants.
Reality & VR start to meld as Gyeong-nam eventually confesses to Mi-rae when she is already in the throes of virtual dating. Mi-rae is forced to confront her true feelings & the feelings of the flesh & blood person standing in front of her.
Seo In Guk does very well in portraying Gyeong-nam with a quiet consistency. Ji Soo (my 1st time seeing her) pulls off the role of Mi-rae well enough & I enjoyed both performances.
And near the end, the assumptions the app's creators made in what women want from an ideal boyfriend are all hilariously turned upside down. Ha Young is very funny as Mi-rae's best friend who burns through the app's characters like a professional arsonist. Gong Min Jung is perfect as an eccentric talent who never accepts the handouts she's given. Neither character apologizes for being themselves.
I was surprised at how fresh & funny this drama feels. Full of romantic tropes while making fun of them at the same time. The writing is intelligent, with the precautionary warning of never losing sight of what role AI should actually play in our lives. I enjoyed this show very much.
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