Completed
Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
8 people found this review helpful
Apr 25, 2011
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
I watched this movie over a year ago so my memory of it isn't the best. But from what i remember the I really liked the story line. The cast were convincing in thier acting, and the music didn't really stand out too much. As for rewatch value, i'm not a big rewatcher, but i could understand rewatching this movie after a year or two. Overall though, i'm giving this movie a 9 since it did leave an impact on me.
Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Koishite Akuma
30 people found this review helpful
Apr 25, 2011
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
From what I've read around the web, this dorama didn't meet with a big success. I think the main reason is that it attracted the lovers of vampire stories but it didn't deal with vampirism in the traditional sense of the word. It defeated its own object.



On the other hand, for someone like me who is only mildly interested in vampires and the whole sarg-sleeping, cross-shunning, blood-sucking process, this drama was a lot more enjoyable than I had expected.



I liked the way the issue was approached, presenting the vampires as a decadent, declining, arrogant race who watches the humans with a mixture of desire and deep distaste, boarding on disgust.

It makes it all the more touching when the cards are turned on the table and the one who thought himself superior is treated with contempt for his being different, a "monster".



I confess at being invariably deeply affected by the issue "difference", and how people treat those who don't conform to the norm, either for their skin colour, their beliefs or lack thereof, their behaviour, their look. There are a couple of scenes in this dorama which are still vivid in my memory because they were intensely moving. They made me think once again of how cruel people can be when they ignore and how easy it is to be judged abnormal.



So, although the acting is far from stellar and the plot at times inconsistent, I do believe this show deserves more attention than what it got.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
City Hall
15 people found this review helpful
Apr 24, 2011
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
Personally, I'd have to say this is by far the best Korean drama I've seen. Primarily, I was hesitant to watch it; seeing how this drama isn't 'popular'. Compared to the dramas I watched before this specific one, I wasn't certain if I would be prepared to watch another with a more serious storyline, and a political setting. I thought it would bore me. But watching it, I was never bored. In watching this, I had no regrets.



So why do I find this drama so great? The story, the acting, the music, everything.

Storyline is really interesting. The acting -- let's just say I cried oceans while watching. When the characters were sad, I was sad. When they were aggravated, I was aggravated. They made the viewers feel their pain. And the leads. THE LEADS. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop from the beginning to the end. Their chemistry together was ELECTRIFYING. The yearning, and the expressions; I couldn't handle it. It was just captivating. To add on to the dramatizing, the selection of music for scenes jerked more tears. Although I had no idea what the words were in the songs, they just set the right mood.



Don't miss out on this drama.




Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Apr 24, 2011
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This drama was just okay for me. I love the actors in this drama, but the characters were lacking which I think was more from the script than their acting. Miura's character seemed like he could not make up his mind and was very frustrating, and his relationship with the student was unclear throughout the drama. Some of the supporting characters also lacked a good background story. I didn't really like the P!nk soundtrack either and really only fit half of the situations. It is pretty realistic in terms of how the situations would be handled and the morals it taught. And I also thought the ending was good. While this wasn't one of my all time favorites, it is worth a watch if you have some spare time on your hands.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Personal Taste
25 people found this review helpful
Apr 24, 2011
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 6.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 4.0
I watched this drama almost one year ago now and there\''s still a question lingering in my mind: what is it about?
Does it tell the story of a girl who needs to come out of her hidden sense of guilt and find the lost relation to her father? Or is it about this same girl seeking revenge against a cheating boyfriend?
Perhaps it tells the adventures of a young man who pretends he\''s gay, as the title seems to suggest. Or, again, it\''s the story of a house and how it influences the lives of those living in it.

In short: I could compare this drama to a pot-pourri. You know, those pretty little boxes or vases filled with all sorts of dry flowers, herbs and spices. You open it thinking it will smell of frangipani and your nostrils are assailed by a nondescript cocktail of perfumes, from cinnamon to roses.

The acting is not bad, although I maintain that Lee Min Ho is too preoccupied with his good looks to be a truly believable actor. I\''m ready to face the consequences of my statement.
And, to be honest till the end, I was slightly distracted throughout the whole show by the length - or lack thereof - of his trousers.

Overall, it starts in the best of ways, with elements of comedy and all the premises for a very sweet, passionate love story. It loses direction somewhere by the middle, and it doesn\''t find it back.

Disappointing.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
High Kick through the Roof!
15 people found this review helpful
by Mary-x
Apr 24, 2011
126 of 126 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
All the actors played their roles very well and made their characters seem very human and believable. Each character had their flaws and good points. It was very easy to see the family resemblance between the characters because of their actions and helped give a more real feeling to the drama.

The writing was amazing for the sitcom and there were many times where I was rolling on the ground laughing.

The pace of the show was very good for a sitcom as each episode had it's own kind of mini-story but with many story arcs still prevalent.

The story was at times predictable, but at other times not what you expect.

The downfall of this drama would be the ending. If not for the ending I would have given this drama a perfect for writing and casting.

There is nothing extraordinary about the soundtrack of the drama, on the other hand the ost for the drama went well with the scenes and emotions of the characters.

The rewatch value score would be rated higher for me had the ending been different.

Personally, I didn't really like some of the coupling in the drama, but that's a personal taste.

The relationships were very well built and evenly distributed between the characters.

I would recommend watching this drama, even if you're told the ending is surprising.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Ohitorisama
12 people found this review helpful
Apr 24, 2011
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 4.0
Story 4.0
Acting/Cast 4.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 2.0
And here we go again. I'd go as far as to say that any young actor who was once a student of Yankumi (Gokusen 1, 2 and 78) will sooner or later be involved in a love story with a more mature woman. It must be a karma thing.

Nothing wrong with it, mind you. On the contrary, if a man is attracted to younger women, I don't see why it shouldn't be the same for a woman. And in many cases the formula works.



Not here, though, not to me at least. Koike Teppei is the perfect child: he's sweet, invariably clumsy, funny in a goofy way, but he's the most unbelievable lover ever. I can imagine he could have a teen-ager crush on a tall, statuesque, perfectionist of a collegue but why should she reciprocate? To fullfill her mother instinct?

This was the first time ever - and I hope the last - in which I laughed out loud during the first love declaration.



The plot is so inconsistent I forgot most of it after watching the end credits. The situations these 2 are thrown into, which in the drama world should help the 2 fall in love with each other, are little, daily, mostly boring ones. I had no particular wish to know the epilogue of this story, so by the end I simply watched it while I did a dozen other things. How did it end, by the way? I forgot.



I give the music a non-committal 5 because, truth be told, I don't remember how it was. Whatever the case, it certainly did not leave a great impression on me.



Overall, a boring, dejà-vù dorama with a very unfitting cast.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
TROUBLEMAN
9 people found this review helpful
Apr 23, 2011
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
I LOVE this drama. At first, I'll be honest, I watched it for Shige, but this turned out to be a suberb drama. The characters had depth and the story never dragged because each episode was a different character's story. As the story progresses, everything starts to become more clear. It feels real while at the same time being a different crazy kind of universe. In my opinion, this drama is under-rated. There is also a hint of romance too. And while it is a mystery and a suspense drama, at the same time, it is freaking HILARIOUS! It felt very refreshing to watch. I also loved the ending song by NEWS. It's actually my favorite song by them now. The only reason I wouldn't watch it is if you are the kind of person who gets scared, creeped out, or disturbed easily since there are some scenes like that. It's defiantely worth a watch or two!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Dropped 31/31
Meteor Garden Season 2
6 people found this review helpful
Apr 23, 2011
31 of 31 episodes seen
Dropped 1
Overall 2.0
Story 2.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers
I only watched the first two episodes and random spots near the end, but I can just tell this is a HORRIBLE second season. I can't write any spoilers, but I can tell you it took the part of the manga that I hated the most and turned it into an ENTIRE drama! I could not withstand one of my favorite mangas being transformed into this terrible plot. It did NOT follow the manga at all. The first season did a great job, but there was really no need for a second season. This just left a bad taste in my mouth. Don't watch it. It's a waste of time.
Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Playful Kiss
37 people found this review helpful
Apr 23, 2011
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 3.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 3.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
I love dramas, and I know a good one when I see it. This...is a TERRIBLE drama. The acting and story were disappointing. I have seen the Tawainese version and feel in love with it. If you compare the two, it is clear that the Korean version falls short. The characters were not potrayed well at all! The rival guy wasn't even a rival! He was ignored most of the drama! Really the only thing I did like was the music and the woman who played the mother. She was hilarious! I watched the entire thing and it was a waste of my time. I also watched the short episodes at the end, and those were okay. Don't fall for the good looking actors, this is a joke of a drama and falls short at being a good manga adaption.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Devil Beside You
7 people found this review helpful
Apr 23, 2011
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 4.0
So I don't remember exactly why I ended up watching this drama, but I was kind of torn. The idea of the plot was slightly disturbing, I mean, incest! Well...not really, but still. And I think that's what ruined it for me. I just couldn't get over that as I was watching it so, it kind of killed the whole thing. But aside from that part, if you're less sensitive to things like that, its a decent drama. It has a couple of side stories that it follows well and to the end, and the acting is decent. Its pretty average. Some parts are a bit melodramatic, but its a pretty funny drama. Plus Mike He is delicious.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Sore wa, Totsuzen, Arashi no you ni..
25 people found this review helpful
Apr 23, 2011
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This drama follows the Japanese "older woman-younger guy" trend. It seems as though every Japanese idol has to pass this test at least once in his acting career.



Despite the premises though, there is something about this drama which made it into one of my favourites in its genre.

Perhaps because on further analysis it doesn't deal with falling in love with someone, but with learning to love oneself and appreciate the little, daily things one gives for granted.



Esumi Makiko is so beautiful here, one soon forgets the age gap. The story revolves around her, her internal struggle, her doubts, her self-esteem. Yamashita Tomohisa plays his part very well too, portraying a young man in that fragile phase between adolescence and adulthood in a very believable way.



Overall, a delightful, suave drama.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Hana Kimi
5 people found this review helpful
Apr 23, 2011
15 of 15 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This was the first Asian drama I had ever watched. I LOVED it! The story was easy to follow and funny. I think this drama was actually great with the mediocre acting. Jiro definately played the best character, but the others were also good at playing their roles. Now I know there is a lot of debate about the female role and how she is not pretty. Well when you look at it from the view that SHE IS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE A GUY, then it's better. This drama also goes well with the original manga, but the ending for me was a disappointment. It wasn't bad, but it made me feel a bit "out of the loop." Oh but not to forget the nurse, HE WAS HILARIOUS! So much much much better than in the Japanese version. But I won't go on comparing the two versions because frankly, they are almost two separate stories and are BOTH worth watching. Overall, I would recommend you watch this drama for an easy laugh.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Hot Shot
15 people found this review helpful
Apr 23, 2011
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This is one of my favourite Taiwanese dramas. Perhaps it would be fair to add that I usually love dramas and movies dealing with sports, and this one in particular is about basketball, my favourite.



But it isn't so much the plot which makes this into a great watch: it's the direction style. Everything about it is over the top: from the athlets who fly around the court as wuxia warrior on a battlefield, to the characters who have the flavour of manga drawings, from the camera angle which plays with frozen scenes and facial expressions, to the plot itself, with its never completely serious twists. References to the battlefield, the Romans, the Greek and Sun Tzu's the art of war are scattered all over the show for the most attentive viewer to catch.



The scenes displaying street basket are awesome and the beautiful music is chosen with sense and aim.



I'm ready to recommend this to every basketball lover. Should you happen to hate this sport, then it may be a harder watch, unless you are appeased by the good-looking actors, in heaps here, and the beautiful, strong and far from whining leading ladies.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Full House
8 people found this review helpful
Apr 23, 2011
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This drama was widely popular after it aired and continued in that vain for a long time, and deservedly so. This was only my second ever drama. Since then I have seen many, but this one maintains a very special place in my hearts and to this day remains one of my eternal favourites. I am not Korean, so prior to this drama I was not particularly a fan of Rain or anything, so not swayed at the time by that bias. Having seen the drama, now mosty definitely a fan. This drama is a fanatstic template for what all easy going, romantic fluffy dramas should follow. It has a simple plot yet interesting premise, a capable and adorable cast and very good music. It is full of sweet moments, mixed it with the funny and the neccessay angst. My only complaint would be that the pacing seemed to drop near the end , as it geared up for its climax and the ending not as amazing as it could have been. This compliants are not unique to this drama but is a common place in most asian dramas and is now to be expected. The dramas major strenght is its characters..you genuinely like them and become interested in thier development, and they are very well portrayed. Rain and Song Hye Kyo have very good chemistry, which adds greatly to the drama and is a strong support to the plot. The supporting characters are exactly what they need to be. The second male lead is strong and charismatic and seems a very capable alternative, which is essential to futhering the love triangle. The others add either tension or comedy, both of which add to the viewers enjoyment.All in all, I would strongly recommend this drama, for an easy heartfelt watch, to make you laugh, to cry and the want to scream at the main lead a couple of times out of fustration..all in good fun.Oh an an excellent soundtrack.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?