Reviews

Une série plein gaz, mais qui sent un peu.

Les remakes de films de super-héros sont devenus un genre à part entière au fil des ans. Reboot à grands renforts de CGI, parodie assumée ou hommage appuyé à l'œuvre originale, il existe aujourd'hui mille façons d'aborder ce qui n'est, au fond, qu'une gigantesque machine à cash. Plus personne ne s'attend réellement à voir émerger un chef-d'œuvre avec un énième Spider-Man ou Batman. Mais lorsque Netflix annonce une série inspirée de The Vaporman (Gasu Ningen Dai-Ichigō), film produit par la Toho en 1960, il y a forcément de quoi être intrigué.

Le film original surfait sur le succès de L'Homme invisible et de toute une vague de productions américaines mettant en scène une menace capable de se fondre dans la foule pour frapper anonymement. Une métaphore typique de la Guerre froide, du maccarthysme, de la peur de l'ennemi invisible, de la dénonciation du voisin et de l'espionnage permanent. Toute cette ambiance paranoïaque des années 50 et 60, alimentée par la menace nucléaire, avait déjà trouvé son exutoire au Japon avec Godzilla, autre immense parabole de cette époque.

L'ambiance est d'ailleurs immédiatement posée. Dès les premières minutes, la série adopte un ton volontairement rétro. La musique, omniprésente et grandiloquente, déborde de cordes dramatiques comme dans les bandes originales des Trente Glorieuses. Des héros sans peur, ou presque sans reproche, se jettent tête baissée dans le danger, avec une mention spéciale pour la journaliste incarnée par Aoi Yu qui affronte aussi bien les yakuza, sa rédaction, la police que le Gasu Ningen, (j'adore ce nom) .

Le "too much" devient la règle à chaque épisode, quitte à fatiguer le spectateur. Comme dans tout bon nanar, on retrouve des expérimentations sur des enfants dans un orphelinat tenu par des Naz... pardon, par des yakuza à la fin des années 60, heu non, 90. Une société secrète, évidemment. Un savant fou, évidemment. Et bien sûr, le duo comique C-3PO / R2-D2 des années 2020, incarné comme il se doit par deux influenceurs, ou plutôt deux YouTubers puisque nous sommes au Japon. Rien n'a été oublié pour cocher toutes les cases du parfait film de série B.

Présentée comme une sombre histoire de super-héros, la série recycle pourtant un scénario vu un millier de fois, et ce ne sont pas les scénaristes coréens embauché pour l'occasion qui parviennent réellement à lui insuffler une véritable personnalité. Les deux premiers épisodes sont particulièrement poussifs, avec une apparition triomphale du Gazu Ningen dans les cinq dernières minutes, histoire de justifier les millions investis par Netflix dans des effets spéciaux et des cascades, plutôt réussis, d'ailleurs.

La quasi-disparition du personnage dans les épisodes suivants apporte finalement une véritable bouffée d'air frais à une intrigue qui semblait s'engager sur une voie particulièrement nauséabonde. Entre le traditionnel savant fou finalement repenti et des yakuza plus caricaturaux que jamais, difficile de trouver de quoi s'enthousiasmer. Le troisième épisode, réduit à une petite demi-heure, merci Netflix pour ces formats toujours aussi frustrants, m'a même donné envie d'abandonner la série, malgré la promesse de retrouver Hirose Suzu, aperçue à peine trente secondes dans le premier épisode.

Et pourtant...
Je lance le quatrième épisode sans la moindre attente... et là, tout explose.
Je ne sais pas si les scénaristes n'ont été embauchés qu'à partir de celui-ci, mais en mettant presque totalement de côté le journaliste et le policier pour enfin se concentrer sur nos deux influenceurs, la série livre cinquante minutes d'anthologie complètement "What the Fuck".

Les références à la pop culture japonaise s'enchaînent avec une irrévérence jubilatoire et un troisième degré permanent. Entre un réalisateur complètement barré, un groupe d'idoles, les Dream Succub, encore plus Phantom Siita que l'originale, des bars à hôtes improbables, des maquillages volontairement excessifs et une galerie de personnages toujours plus absurdes, tout est objectivement mauvais... mais tout frôle paradoxalement le génie.

Mention spéciale à Hayashi Kento, qui connaît manifestement très bien l'univers des idols et pour cause, et qui, dirigé par un réalisateur assumant pleinement son amour de la série B, livre probablement l'une de ses prestations les plus déjantées. Quant à Hirose Suzu, elle retrouve enfin un souffle de fraîcheur dans son jeu, une fantaisie qu'on ne lui avait plus vraiment vue depuis longtemps. Impossible également de ne pas sourire devant cette référence évidente à Elephant Man, dont le maquillage donne finalement au personnage un air plus attendrissant que véritablement monstrueux.

La Toho a toujours assumé pleinement ses productions. De Godzilla à Ultraman, en passant par toute la galaxie des tokusatsu qu'elle a produits, le studio n'a jamais cherché à occidentaliser ses œuvres pour les rendre plus digestes auprès du public étranger, et ce malgré le succès mondial des Power Rangers.

Cette adaptation prouve qu'à l'heure où Netflix finance de plus en plus de productions japonaises destinées à un public international, il est encore possible de préserver une véritable identité culturelle. Derrière ses effets spéciaux, son humour absurde et son héros qui produit bien trop de... gaz, la série reste profondément japonaise. Elle ne cherche jamais à renier ses racines, préférant célébrer avec beaucoup d'autodérision cet héritage si particulier du cinéma populaire nippon.
Et finalement, c'est peut-être là sa plus grande réussite.

Leia Mais

beau drama sur les traumas!

un très beau drama sur comment les trama de l enfance jouent un rôle dans nos relations amoureuse et sur notre vie tout court. on aime l idée de départ un documentaire sur la 1ere de la classe et le dernier ou l alchimie des deux acteurs y est remarquable. on aime l évolution des personnages quand ils comprennent leur traumas et essaient d avancer ensemble ! on aime les persos secondaires bien présents mais pas trop. en bref un très très beau bon drama. la fille a un trauma d infériorité et ne veut rien devoir à personne froide rigide elle lâche prise enfin à la fin ouf et lui trauma d abandon donc il accepte tout d'elle jus qu à le réaliser, enlever aussi dans ces dessins qui n évoluent pas et enfin il réalise qu il a du potentiel et peut faire autre chose bravo.

Leia Mais

yeasss beat the bullies up

i really enjoyed this drama and every single episode. it was so entertaining to watch and def really satisfying.

the plot is pretty simple lol. there's a bully at the school, the team shows up to "teach [them] a lesson", bully gets punished, victim gets justice, end of episode. but each ep has a new root problem to the bullying and its never repetitive- which makes this drama so entertaining.

obviously, this is supposed to be fiction lol but seeing kids/teachers/etc get bullied and actually getting justice in a satisfying way is pure entertainment. realistically, as we all know, this wouldn't work out. but like seeing it in a drama and something like this coming into fruition was really entertaining lol

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Interesting as a thought exercise, weird as a drama

First and foremost, we've really got to stop categorizing things as BL just because two hot men stand next to each other lol....this is NOT even slightly BL so turn back now if that's what you're hoping for.

I'm not really sure what to make of this drama because, on one hand, I think it ultimately fails in telling a coherent story. There's basically no background or development for the characters, the game is not really all that exciting, and the ending is pretty random and abrupt. The egregious use of genAI imagery throughout is also reasonable grounds to write off this drama completely.

However, given all that, I was surprised that it actually appeared to have underlying commentary about how dissemination of information and messaging can influence public opinion and shape politics. Maybe I'm giving the drama more credit than it deserves, but it did get me thinking about my own views and values on war and peace and the responsibility of governments by watching the characters debate those very topics. The drama also seemingly acknowledges creative opposition to AI in a way that made me wonder if it's expressing some sneaky anti-AI sentiment. And perhaps it's because the producers expected this drama to have no traction, but I was amused that they risked even potentially evoking a certain real-life geopolitical conflict between Japan and Korea with the hypothetical conflict that is the basis of the propaganda game being played...not sure if it was gutsy or just plain dumb lol.

Overall, I would maybe recommend if you've ever wanted to observe a Model UN meeting that is unusually full of pretty people, but don't come expecting any semblance of a plot.

Leia Mais

From Tragic BL to Toxic Danmei: Are We Repeating the Same Mistake?

The Wrong Stories Keep Getting Adapted

One thing that genuinely frustrates me about recent danmei adaptations is that they often seem to favour the most controversial or toxic stories, while many of the genre's best-written novels with healthy relationships, emotional maturity, and meaningful character development are left untouched. Chinese danmei has an incredible range of stories. There are novels where couples grow together through trust, mutual respect, and communication rather than manipulation or abuse.

Yet, when I look at the adaptation lineup, many of the projects gaining attention lean heavily into obsessive love interests, sexual abuse, coercive dynamics, emotional manipulation, or relationships where one partner holds overwhelming power over the other. Those themes can absolutely be explored in fiction, and many readers enjoy them as fictional drama. The issue isn't that these stories exist; it's that they often seem to overshadow the wide variety of healthier, equally engaging danmei that rarely receive the same opportunity for adaptation. It reminds me of an earlier period in BL media when tragic endings were everywhere. Back then, many BL films and dramas ended with death, separation, or heartbreak, partly because creators were reluctant or unable to portray same-sex relationships as happy or lasting. The repeated use of tragic endings created the impression that queer love stories were destined to end in suffering. Now, the trend feels different but similarly limiting. Instead of tragedy being the defining feature, it's increasingly toxic relationship dynamics that dominate adaptations. When viewers who are unfamiliar with danmei only see these kinds of stories, they may assume the entire genre revolves around abusive or unhealthy romances. In reality, danmei is far more diverse. It includes slow-burn romances, found-family stories, historical epics, mysteries, slice-of-life narratives, and countless relationships built on equality, trust, and mutual growth.
I just wish adaptation studios would showcase that broader diversity. There are so many exceptional danmei novels with rich plots and genuinely healthy couples that deserve the spotlight just as much as the darker, more controversial titles.

Leia Mais

its pretty depressing and the mc is crazy

not my cup of tea

the show is very very realistic in the sense that there's a lot of misery and just full of sad, unfortunate moments that reflect a lot of people's lives. honestly imo i don't think this show is for me cuz there's so little upsides and moments of relief. like its just sad/unlucky/depressing moments one after another and it feels like there's no light at the end of the tunnel yk-- which ofc is realistic ik but if you're looking for a drama that gives you that "escape", this is def not for you.

the mc is pretty insane. like he's a crazy man loll and i can see that its supposed to bring that "relief" aspect in the form of humor but imo its pretty awkward and like idk cringe?? idk but his character is not my cup of tea.

the relationship between him and eun-a is also idk like ig its nice to watch but its kinda confusing?? idk and there's a lot of plot holes aka side plots that don't feel finished and idk it just feels rushed towards the end.

the friend group is weird too like he badmouths every single one of them for like idk 10 years straight and everyone feels bad for him despite all of that like okay i get it if it hasn't been that long but like how did they take it for so long?? and when the mc finally got his breakthrough everyone was happy for him after everything he's done to them? like ok if it was just said to the friendgroup idc (ig? idk) but like he went around saying that at like public settings and with like the whole production team? idk...

anyways this type of mc just isn't for me... as for this type of drama loll but i'm giving it an 8 cuz i can see why its good

the acting from the whole cast was really good, the ost was sooo good, but the story? um not for me lol

Leia Mais

the kdrama will never can be adapted to other country or director

1. The choosen of actor and actress is perfect
2. The soundtrack is good
3. The OST kdrama is perfect even my fav song
4. kim go eun acting is really suprised me even thought i dont know him back then and i know him after wathing thid kdrama
5. the brotherly chemistryof the goblin and the angel of death is good
6.The chemistry between the main role of the goblin and the student is actually a little less than the second role of the angel of death and the shop owner.
7. The story of this drama is good and I think it's something new for kdrama there because this genre is difficult to adapt and act out.
8.Even though at the beginning I felt a bit creeped out and felt a little cringe with Kim Go Eun's acting when teasing the goblin, but when she cried, she was good.
maybe this is one of the best kdramas in my opinion, it's not there yet

Leia Mais

I see many people did not like this. I differ. I really liked this.

Where there plot holes? yes.
Was the story still compelling and entertaining? Also, yes.
The soundtrack was good.
The acting in my opinion was pretty great. The best of it all.

I think Namjun did a great job as Segye and so was Jiyeon portraying two characters. now, Seunjo did so good that I do not think I will be able to watch him in anything any time soon.

I really wanna see Namjun in more dramatic and romantic series. also, this man is gorgeous. I do not get the hate.

Leia Mais

First things frst: This is a series I would *only* recommend to those who are already familiar with the way Thai PBS makes its series and like it -- it's definitely *not* a series for newbies.
Because not only does the drama happily mix different genres, it also meanders through the episodes without a clear theme or obvious goal. I was so much that I felt that the plot was nowhere and everywhere at once until episode seven or so.

I suspect that the initial intention was to make a series to showcase different types of massage and their use; and this is where the drama is best. It's almost like a meditative documentary in these scenes. If the main goal was to educate viewers about (Thai) massage, then it did a good job!
This contrasts with the overall vibe, which is a comedy combined with slice-of-life, with the occasional dip into lakorn as well as more sober scenes when social issues are addressed. The plot's direction is completely unclear until the first half of the series is almost over, and even then, it occasionally diverts into sub-plots.

Where the screenplay is a comedy, it's a really good (Thai-style) comedy, and the serious issues are presented in a way that doesn't make light of them. It's the mix that will likely put the uninitiated off.

The main cast does a good job, even if the Thai way of "age is just a number" casting made it hard for me to accept the casts relationships. Both Yaajai and Chart are close to fourty (their actors were 31 and 45 at the time of release, repsectively); Pop, who is maybe somewhere around thirty, or slightly younger, maybe even in his mid-twenties, is played by an actor who is four years older than Nest ("Yaajai") and this makes him calling her ป้า (and later น้า, then เจ๊ ) incongruous.
The thing is, all actors look their age (which is not a bad thing in itself!) but it made it very hard to accept their respective status with each other.
However, if I think about it, I feel that the actors were still somehow right for their roles. Nest Nisachol ("Yaajai") had the hardest part, as she had to switch between over-the-top comedic acting to serious and calm; Kimmon Warodom ("Pop") is excellent (if a bit too pale) as uneducated, sincere but sassy respectful motorcycle-taxi-driver-come-masseur; Oh Anuchit ("Chart") is the sensible father figure with a secret; and Mim Rattanawadee plays a solid teenaged daughter who has her own burden to shoulder.
Without them, the series would have been not as enjoyable for me.

Something that also continuously distracted me was Yaajai's lipstick, which didn't follow the lines of the lips but went over and under them. It concealed her beautiful cupid's bow and looked horrible overall. Maybe it was to make her look older? Because I have seen this style of applying lipstick only on middle-aged and older women who try to make their lips look larger.

Overall, I liked it more than I thought at the beginning, I had no trouble at all to continue and watch until the (too saccharine) end. I do think the screenplay would have benefitted from a clearer underlying common theme -- there were some I would have liked to see explored: like the stress menial labour like driving, cooking, etc., i.e. work that usually is done by the lower class, has on the body, or the importance of human touch for well-being vs. the need for consent. (There was one scene where Yaajai was definitely disregarding boundaries in one scene, and unfortunately it was played for laughs.) -- both themes that could have easily been tied together with the promotion of massages.

I would not necessarily recommend this one. If I did, then only to those who are already familiar with Thai PBS productions and like them.

Leia Mais

the good drama cause the quality actor and actresss but weak on story

1. all main role actor& actress is good casting and have improvement every eps , for wang yibo is that he improved a alot from drama he took before even many reviewer drama that usually critic him can said that " finally he can acting", Li Qin my favorit actress right now he can played many role and always choose character who good for him , for wang yang even i hate the crew and production but i can said he good veteran who still can give us suprised even though his personality toward partner acting not that good too arrogant but his talent no doubt.
2. the supporting role is good tho and have chemsitry , i like who played lin qiasong he can make me hate his character and still like his side live, actress who played chun miao wei ruolai financee i like him he can have chemistry with everyone and his acting with wyb and liqin was cute, the tailor communist really remind me of my grandfather calm and wise but every word come from his mouth is encouraging and full of hope, especially for the Communist Party even can make me cry when he died.
4. The episodes leading up to the finale were incredibly tedious, and Wei Ruolai’s character development stalled halfway through. Secretary Huang deserved a far better ending; how could Shen Tunan simply let it go like that—after Huang had been loyal to him and died for his sake—even knowing that Shen Tunan was actually helping Wei Ruolai? Shen Tunan didn't even mourn Secretary Huang—it was bizarre.
The drama's ending didn't clarify the fates of the Communists or the Nationalists; judging by the finale, it seems they hoped to produce a second season. However, is that even possible? It feels like the crew, the director, and even the team that nominated the actors and actresses were just exploiting Wang Yibo. Look at the facts: it’s been a year and a half, yet there’s no second season, is there? In fact, between 2024 and 2026, the drama has aired on Chinese TV stations nearly 200 times. I’ve noticed that a lot of dramas from the 90s are seeing similar trends now.

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One of Korea’s painful moments told with sincere honesty

The core story behind Ransomed is heart wrenching and inspirational at the same time. While the movie itself is a loose characterization of the facts, it is well executed and authentically presented as it pulls you in for a turbulent ride in 1987 Lebanon. IMO it is an excellent film. I dare say Hollywood could have done better.

The duo Ha Jung Woo and Ju Ji Hoon were funny, sincere, and believable as Diplomat Lee Min Joon and taxi driver Km Pan Su. They had great chemistry together and were supported by a wonderfully diverse mix of actors who held their own in each of their respective roles. I was impressed by the realistic use of several languages. None of the actors came off cheesy when speaking English, which so often is the case in foreign films.

While not attractive due to the film’s setting, the cinematography was excellent. The OST blended with and supported the film so well it was never a distraction .

Korea has a fascinating history including its recent, more modern period. This story is part of that and I appreciate and applaud Korea’s film industry for tackling even its painful moments with sincere honesty.

I highly recommend this film.

10/10

Leia Mais

The main couple were adorable and had the perfect chemistry for a main pairing.

However, when it comes to emotional depth, mutual sacrifice, and deeply touching moments, Couple 2 felt much more endearing.

Even though Ao Ruipeng looked a bit dorky due to his costume, he portrayed his character brilliantly. He was sharp, analytical, and highly strategic, especially when it came to his clever schemes to win his wife’s heart and stop her from running away. His playful, teasing, and slightly deceptive nature was executed so charmingly that the audience found it completely endearing rather than objectionable, recognizing it as a plan born out of love.

Come to think of it, the matchmakers in this story did a terrible job. They paired people up based solely on their profiles rather than their personalities, without truly knowing the individuals involved. Originally, Couple 1 was supposed to be a match between two wealthy elites, while Couple 2 was meant to pair a military general with a martial artist. In real life, those original pairings would have clashed constantly because they shared the exact same dominant traits and backgrounds.

However, the accidental switch turned out to be a blessing, as they perfectly complemented each other:

The general, who possessed military might, benefited from the merchant’s daughter's financial savvy to secure funds and supplies.

The wealthy son found his life re-energized by the courage, vibrance, and fighting spirit of the martial arts school master’s daughter.

Ultimately, it was the mentors of both couples who ended up acting as the true, successful matchmakers.

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