everything's just perfect
damn. this drama damnnnnn. the pain lasted 16 episodes but the happiness was like… 2 minutes. but even the ending is just perfect (but I NEED MORE)I actually hate it when plots have tiny misunderstandings and get blurry eventho the main problem isn’t resolved yet, then I end up hating the characters because they act foolish. what I love about this drama is that all the characters are understandable (except for the cheaters may they rot in hell). shim woojo is really one of a kind. and ofc lee sungkyung the actor that you are!!!!!
also, the camera work is INSANE, I even checked out the director’s profile to see their other works, and turns out they also directed Idol I (which im not a fan of)
honestly, the filters were kinda dizzying but at the same time gave me that tight-chest feeling because the vibe hit SO HARD. there were even silent scenes that made my chest hurt as hell. I would give it 100/10, if i could, but damn the pain is SO REAL that I don’t even wanna rewatch it… writing, directing, ACTING. totally insane.
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This review may contain spoilers
Top notch yearning and kisses
Starting from best parts and going down from there (note: I didn't read the novel)🥇🎇Romance🎇
The absolute best part of this drama is the romance and chemistry between two leads. From the start till the very end, it just delivers 🎆🎇🧨🔥
Although I usually follow actresses rather than actors, I have to admit, Zhang Linghe as ML absolutely stole the limelight of this duo. He's beautiful, tortured and utterly obsessed with FL in the most delicious way possible. His kissing scenes are just something else. For this part alone it's worth to watch this drama. Kudos to the entire team for making him shine so bright 👏 No matter what the plot says, he's a true jade of the entire production.
🥈Cinematography 😍
Visual experience is the next level. Everything in here, from town life to massacres is simply stunning. It will be so hard to move on to less artistic productions. I consider myself spoiled and ruined. My standards have been risen to the soaring levels.
🥉Fan Changyu (mixed feelings)
Tian Xiwei performance as FL was what carried emotional weight of the show for over the half of episodes. Everyone agrees that show starts great and she's a strong reason why. Either as a cute butcher or suffering heroine, with those big eyes of hers she gets us feel everything. It's the after the first battle when she gets lost in the narrative and never really makes a comeback. Things then generally start falling apart in many areas, but main character arc is bound to pain us the most. I have no idea is it book's fault, or creators initiative that made her fall back in her own story, but it's the shame nevertheless.
🚨 The Capitol Arc
It's sad to admit but show really didn't manage to keep its own level. Last chapter was particularly messy and somewhat unsatisfying. Even with angsty & steamy romance pushing us forward, many aspects were concluded without satisfaction. Like big palace conspiracy, that wasn't really directed like a mystery and didn't even stole a fraction of my interest throughout the entire show. The final court room scene was just not very good. Same with Fan Changyu secret identity that didn't really made an impact. Neither emotional nor on the plot, really. I could go on but...
No point going into every confusing detail.
Was it book's fault? I don't know, but if so, then production should've made better creative choices in the end.
If book was great and was ruined compared to the show, then you have to let me know. I'll run to read it 🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️
Concluding, even with everything, It's still a great show, where highs more than enough compensate for lows. It's just the loss of a potential that pains the most.
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It is backed up with 10000 IQ
This drama is made with so much care and emotional intelligence and it's so noticeable that the directors and screenwriters and all the team behind have put so much effort in creating this masterpiece. Like I love that there are so many broken people here and no one is perfect and all the emotions are delivered so well here by the actors. The team behind did a very good job in playing with our heads during the scene with the grandma's accident and they totally convinced me that I was searching for reasons to hate Baek Ah jin and that we usually do that all the time in real life, we try to find reasons in our head to hate on others, not knowing what they went through, so that we can be at peace victimizing us. At least that's one of the conclusions I came to. Also, I love the surviving part at the end, it's clear that this time too she did what she was best at: surviving. It honestly would have been weird if she died too, after all the effort she put in making her life a better place for her. I want season 2.Was this review helpful to you?
A Cornered Wolf Fights for Survival
19yo Fan Changyu had just lost both her parents last month, and now she was left to care for her sickly younger sister Fan Changning by taking up her father’s job - pig butcher. She is known throughout the Xigu Street where she lived as the girl with extraordinary strength, having to knock out a full grown pig with one slap. On her way back from work, she stumbled upon Yan Zheng in the snow. Seeing him unconscious and heavily injured, Fan Changyu was unable to turn her back and went to carry him home, despite knowing she had no means to support another mouth to feed. In the same courtyard as the Fan humble house there is another house of the Zhou couple, almost like an adoptive parents to Fan sisters. As Yan Zheng was recuperating, numerous incidents occured that led to Fan Changyu proposing to Yan Zheng to be her married-in husband. Seeing this as an opportunity to lay low and further investigate the Jizhou massacre 17years prior that involved the death of the crown prince and his father, Yan Zheng readily agreed. Little that he knew, his fate and Fan Changyu’s ran deeper than even the murky waters of revenge he was in.I am happy to say that this is definitely a great adaptation work, not surprising that the production team include the people from Blossom team that managed to turn a crappy novel into a masterpiece adaptation. Although Zhu Yu novel wasnt as bad as Blossom, the character for ML is particularly horrendous in the last quarter of the story, much like the grapist Wei Shao from Prisoner of Beauty novel (not the adaptation of course). It’s one of the turnoff when i finished reading the novel last year, and hoped so badly that the production wouldnt follow the crappy ML characterization by the original author. I had my wish come true and beaming with joy all throughout the show!
Zhang Linghe as Xie Jiuheng/Yanzheng was perfect! I’ve always rooted for him after watching his fine work in My Journey to You, he even double triple his performance level since then! Hurrah! I am more than satisfied! I feel so happy that the production purified this character compared to the novel, which left me thoroughly resenting the ML by the last chapter.
And Tian Xiwei as Fan Changyu is picture perfect! Breathtakingly beautiful but fighteningly strong in physique and character, Tian Xiwei nailed it to the core! I first saw her in Guardians of Dafeng and boy i hated her character to the bones, but when i saw her in the trailer last year, i somehow feel she would do a good job. She just had that Changyu aura. And she did!! Although she is small and slim, her depiction of physically strong woman is very much convincing, and her fight choreographs look extremely believable and amazing. I could tell she worked really hard in this part just by her performance on screen. And to see BTS clips where she literally carried Zhang Linghe on her back multiple times, ON HER OWN, without any wires to help with the weight really blew my mind. This girl truly has mystery powerpacks in that small and slim body!
The rest of the cast was amazing in performance hence why i rated 10/10. Deng Kai as Sui Yuanhuai was phenomenal and he depicted the wretched character of the novel really well.
And I couldnt help feeling sorry for the main mastermind in court Wei Yan, the person who orchestrated a grand ploy 17years ago that shaped a different courtscene as seen today on the show. As he is this cornered Wolf that was forced to fight fiercely for its survival. What the adaptation didnt include that the novel had written was the reason why Wei Yan had been very harsh towards Xie Jiuheng’s upbringing, which is to forge the sharpest blade for the kingdom. Wei Yan practically threw away his life, future and reputation as a statestman so he could raise a warrior that would protect the people. He had to be the villain so he could produce a hero. I feel so bad for this guy at the end of the novel, really. Hated him for so many chapters just to feel horribly sorry for him at the end. In this part, which is creating a great plot and storyline, i must say the original author had been remarkably brilliant. I just question the author’s moral compass due to how the ML character is molded towards the end of the story.
Fight choreograph is superbly done, fierce and strong aura filling up the screen in every battle, i cannot criticize anything at all. And the funny parts in the show worked put very well and are not cringy at all. And the songs are so nice!!! They stuck in my head for quite a while. Dangit i love them!
However, there’s actually one small thing that is bothering me, one that is prevalent not just with this drama but also most of other idol dramas with military general characters. I just wish they would do a more messy makeup for these characters to make it more believable. Something like the ML on The Rebel Princess. Now that is a pure ancient military general look closest to reality. That messy, harsh, brute look. Not the clean and slick, flawless porcelein-looking skin after battles with minor red scratches across the cheek. I get that idol dramas do tend to feminize ML characters, but coming from a wuxia freak i find this extremely cringy and ridiculous. Yan Zheng was also too flawless-looking when living in Changyu’s humble household. I was expecting something like Jang Siyul’s look from The Murky Stream, after all he wasnt supposed to bathe regularly since he’s injured and hot water is not readily available for poor household like Changyu’s. I am totally NOT against beautiful men, I love looking at them of course, but at least make them look that part when they just got out of (or still in) a hellhole. Nobody looks fine and flawless after battles, the words ‘battles’ and ‘looking flawless’ just dont go in line. Would it really hurt the rating if they look messy at certain parts of the story? I honestly doubt it. Fans would still swoon and non fans wouldnt have a thing to criticize.
I also dont get why people fall head over heels after unrealistic-looking characters and then get mad when their idols dont have as much screentime as they anticipated. It’s funny because the novel itself is a female centric piece which focusses more on the FL than ML. What’s even funnier is that many are complaining on iQiyi’s ep 38 of the lack of bed scene of the main couple. Gosh go watch some porn if you guys needed the action so badly, why demand to see it on screen of legitimate platforms? What a weird fetish. Get a life, folks.
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Park Bo Young delivers double the fun and the tears in this poignant slice of life
It is not uncommon for twins to live differently despite looking exactly the same. After all, they are not the exact photocopy of each other.In Unwritten Seoul, we are introduced to the twins named Miji and Mirae. The former lives in the countryside working on the farm while the latter lives in the city working in a finance company. Everything about these two is the exact opposite. But when Mirae became despondent and is on the verge of giving up, Miji shows up and is willing to switch lives just like they usually do when they were kids.
To give you an idea of how polar opposites the twins are, Miji is a T while Mirae is an F in the MBTI. It is absolutely mind-blowing how Park Bo Young effortlessly switches between these two roles. She embodies Miji’s easygoing, laidback personality as well as Mirae’s mature and reserved demeanor. Even when the twins swapped lives and changed their hairstyles to commit to the part, the eyes, Chico, they never lie. It is amusing to watch how Miji tackles the bleak office work while holding back Mirae’s bullying colleagues. The same goes for Mirae. Miji may be impulsive in her actions but she is never clumsy with her contract jobs. Unfortunately, Mirae fumbles through the labor work. They both look out of place despite wearing each other’s work clothes. They are both so good at putting on a show that even their mother didn’t notice their naughty tricks. What the twins both have in common even as grown-up adults is that they both carry baggage they don’t talk about. From the get-go, you can already feel that it is only a matter of time until unspoken truths and suppressed emotions are spilled.
Lee Hosu (played by Park Jin Young) is the twin’s hometown neighbor and high school classmate. He is very empathetic and observant, the qualities you won’t expect from a lawyer. In true romcom fashion, Hosu gets tongue-tied and bashful whenever Miji is around. After all, their history goes a long way, especially when Miji hit Hosu’s bully with a ball so hard that it made their face bleed. Hence, it is very interesting to see if Hosu can catch the twin’s tricky setup early on. If he truly knows his crush inside out, her mannerisms and all, getting her busted should be a piece of cake. Can I also take a moment to admire Jin Young’s pretty face and the fact that he is also a pretty crier? When he finally cried, you could see me in the corner holding my shattered heart with tears pouring like a dam breaking.
Maybe it's just me but I feel like the writer disapproves of corporate jobs. She portrays it as something boring, fake and most of all takes advantage of people, that it's a breeding ground for greediness. Thankfully, she redeemed herself with Han Se Jin (played by Ryu Kyung Soo), proving that not everyone in white-collar jobs looks as bad as they seem to be. Sure, desk-based roles are not as profound and meaningful as manual labor, but it is still unfair to compare them when all of us have a rightful place in this world. The story mostly highlights the stark difference between office work and fieldwork, showing how the twins struggle to fit into their new, never-before-attempted jobs.
What I like the most about Unwritten Seoul is it goes beyond tackling siblings and romantic relationships. It celebrates every connection we have, even the fleeting ones. It emphasizes again and again that no man is an island. Even in the darkest times of our lives, there will always be hands reaching out to help us out. Even when you think you are alone in this world while holed up in your room, the whole village is actually patiently waiting for you on the other side of the door.
There are also lots of parallels narratives that viewers can connect the dots with. Like how faking identities can be an act of honor on behalf of someone (but be very careful because this is a serious offence and you might end up in jail haha). Like how we may through different life-altering moments, but the same consoling words can still reach us.
Overall, Our Unwritten Seoul is a much-needed watch for anyone experiencing quarter-life crisis. This is a nice reminder that our lives are not a book with an ending, but rather a notebook waiting to be filled. As the song goes, 'today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten'. Life has its ups and downs and fare share of tears and joy, just like in this K-drama. Just when you thought the episode was all sunshine and warmth, the unexpected rain poured in. This is a heartfelt slice-of-life story I will forever cherish and hold close to my heart, elevated by Park Bo Young’s acting prowess and her ability to double both the fun and the tears.
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Because many things can be fixed in a relationship... but not everything...
I rewatched this drama and I recommend it because...Sun Qian (FL) - I like him and he can create chemistry with everyone...
Johnny Huang (ML) has a comfort drama, but here we see tears flowing back into his eyes
The supporting actors are all great actors... and every character is multi-dimensional...
The story is never boring for a minute and is full of twists and turns without any logical fallacies.
Everyone has secrets, fears and weaknesses...
There is a tough psychological warfare going on, but no one is evil on their own...
Even the evil has its pitfalls and the good ones are not perfect...
Because bad decisions have consequences..
Because love never fades...
Because friendship is important...
Because violence begets violence, and forgiveness is not easy, but necessary for progress...
Because many things can be fixed in a relationship...
but not everything...
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good beginning, bad ending.
i love it when main lead still live in lin'an. the character and plot is well written there. when changyu become general, her war scene never comeback again. the palace war, wei yan and xie zheng.. doesn't feel like war, the silent is too loud. the mystery about their parents past really confusing. the story behind fan's knife and hairpin, the real marriage for changyu and zheng, general meng story.. how pity the director and writer didn't add that. there's too many plot hole and second lead got more screentimes. that AU at 40th episode is not helping.Was this review helpful to you?
What a beautiful drama with a beautiful meaning
I loved this mini drama; it's cute and emotional. The story is simple but very meaningful, the acting was great and felt very genuine. The OST perfectly matched the mood of each scene, making everything even more touching.What I appreciated the most is the message of this drama: every apple is unique and beautiful in its own way. It reminds us that everyone, no matter how they look or how they are perceived by others, deserves to be loved and accepted. It’s such a warm and comforting story that stays with you even after it ends.
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Good drama
I enjoyed this drama, i was lucky to get my hands on a fully translated version so i understoot everything. It was a great story.The "funny" sounds were too much, for example the exaggerated pooping sounds. But overall it was a good amount of funny.
They used too much make-up on the men, you can see the lipliner too clearly on Judo.
The visuals were stunning and the music good.
The acting was great and Judo and Fluke have great chemistry and the kisses are also good.
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I loved how it showed due to his disability, he struggled to find a job as he struggled to communicate and that was a main part of the job he was looking to do.
However, it did have its weaknesses like, I don't know why Shoa Peng never thought to get cochlear implants ( not always a solution to hearing loss ).
I would've like to see more of Zi Xiang and his cousin relationship and more detail on why he thought killing him was the only option.
The fiancée coming to meddle with the main couple wasn't needed as they already hard a lot they could've delved into like his disability and reliance on others especially in a new environment or meeting new friends or he meeting the family.
The pacing was slow at times so seemed everything was dragging.
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I think I've just been blindsided.
This is actually my first Thai drama, and I've got to say, if this is the quality of Thai dramas then I have been living an incomplete life. The quality of everything, production, editing, acting, plot, narrative is TOP NOTCH.There's so many parts of this whole show that is so well done. I love the girl friendships, the boy friendships and everything else in between.
Thailand is living in 2060. This show is fearless, seriously.
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Tears, Warmth, and Love
I started watching this with no expectations and no idea what the plot would be. And now I'm so glad I gave this a chance because this has just been added to my Underrated List.I would recommend this to those people who like melo and slice-of-life genre. I have been waiting for another My Mister and My Liberation Notes vibes again, and now here it is. This is a bit heavy and dramatic at times so I guess one must really be in the mood for this kind of genre to fully appreciate this.
Grief. Loneliness. Love. Forgiveness. Regrets. Family. Marriage. Career. - These are the themes that I think were greatly executed.
Everything felt so real and raw for me. I empathized with the characters - cried, laughed, confused, upset, and also felt the love.
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the Chinese Romeo and Juliet
A love that never fully was, this drama delivers a beautifully tragic, slow-burn romance that lingers long after it ends.I initially found myself frustrated with the male lead’s stoic demeanor and seemingly limited emotional expression. Yet, as the story unfolded, that restraint revealed itself as part of the emotional depth and complexity of their relationship. His silence spoke volumes in a world where love could not be freely expressed.
What makes this story especially compelling is not just its tragedy, but its incompleteness. The lack of physical intimacy, and more importantly, the absence of true closure after their devastating fate, leaves an intentional void. It’s a bold narrative choice, one that may feel unsatisfying at first, but ultimately serves a greater purpose.
There’s a quiet strength in how the characters’ love transcends a single lifetime, evolving into something more enduring. While it echoes the timeless tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, it goes beyond that, offering not just heartbreak, but the promise of continuation.
I’ll admit, I didn’t fully appreciate it at first. But after watching the follow-up story, everything falls into place. What once felt incomplete becomes part of a much larger, more meaningful love story.
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1. The drama changed the original story in order to pass censorship, yet it managed to preserve the original charm of the story.
2. The actors understood their characters and portrayed them in a way that clearly suggests something more than friendship.
3. The Ost is beautiful and I keep listening to it on repeat .
4. When rewatching the drama, you notice things that you may have missed the first time around.
5. Lastly, the dramas message can be summed up in the following quote:
''When you are looking at someone, you cannot deem them as right and wrong or black and white.
What matters is what their heart believes in." -Lan Xichen
The bad things:
1. The starting episodes are confusing.
2. The ending could have been better, but atleast we got a subtle happy ending.
Overall, A great drama with compelling story and great chemistry.
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I Admit It, I'm Just Here for FortPeat....
....and that makes this review sort of specific. I didn't read the story first, so I had no idea what to expect with this series. I definitely would not have watched it without my boys in it, is my overall conclusion after seeing the whole thing (through ep 10).That said...I am staying hopeful that FP get a different type of story for their next series. The two of them have ridiculous, insane chemistry and have the ability to have some of the best nc scenes that have are pretty explicit but work with the story without being gratuitous. I think the shower scene in Love Sea is one of the best in the entire genre. I don't want them typecast into only one trope (Fort chasing Peat, etc.) but this was a strange, sort of unpleasant, uneven story that they did the best they could with--Peat in particular went through a ton of emotions and personalities from ep to ep.
Their power is in playing off longing and love drama (the scene in LIAT on the floor of Sky's room is another benchmark moment for them). This wasn't the best vehicle for them to do that--and whoever was behind the production clearly had a limit on the NC scenes which is a shame because there are only so many CP that are REALLY believable in those scenes--FP commit completely, without any of the awkward moves or fish kisses that some other CP tend to lean into. Fort is magnetic on screen--his smile is electric (and off camera, his laugh could light up an entire city). Yesterday just didn't take advantage of any of their best qualities--Peat did good work but except for the last couple episodes it was hard to know if Kelvin was in scammer mode or actually in love with Vier...
I will probably watch anything these two make, but I hope the next choice let them lean into their strengths again, because when they are on, they are FIRE.
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