Reviews

My most hated trope...twice

Welp. I was hoping I'd understand the hype after Part 2 since Part 1 disappointed me, but that's not the case.

While, once again, I like the higher stakes — of which this part has more of, it also starts to feel much more aimless after the first few episodes, going so far as to use amnesia, my most hated trope, as a plot device not once, but twice.

The acting is really great from both leads but particularly the ML; I just wished it was used on more fight scenes or political maneuvering instead of reverting his character to a ditz for multiple episodes.

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A true visual spectacle that you don’t want to miss.

Vaya, realmente fue un espectáculo visual. Los efectos especiales son excelentes y, en lo personal, me llamó mucho la atención la paleta de colores. Definitivamente es una película que habría disfrutado viendo en el cine.

La premisa es muy innovadora: crear un mundo onírico donde todo es posible y combinarlo con temas relacionados con la tecnología y, especialmente, la inteligencia artificial. Me impresionó la forma en que ambos elementos se integran de manera tan orgánica dentro de la historia. Aunque, siendo sincera, siento que se quedaron un poco cortos en su desarrollo. La idea tenía muchísimo potencial y me habría encantado que exploraran aún más las posibilidades de ese mundo.

En cuanto a las escenas de acción, las acrobacias de los protagonistas estuvieron muy bien ejecutadas. Se sintieron dinámicas, fluidas y nunca forzadas. Las actuaciones en general también fueron sólidas.

Mi principal crítica está relacionada con la profundidad de los personajes. Creo que varios de ellos merecían un desarrollo más completo. Las bases estaban ahí, pero no terminaron de aprovecharlas. Un mayor desarrollo habría permitido conectar mejor con sus motivaciones y entender con más claridad algunas de sus decisiones.

La trama es fácil de seguir y, aunque en algunos momentos parece explicar demasiado lo que está ocurriendo, mantiene la coherencia de principio a fin sin recurrir a giros argumentales absurdos o sin sentido. Además, los acontecimientos de los últimos minutos logran sorprender y aportan una capa adicional de interés a la historia.

En general, es una película muy entretenida, visualmente impresionante y con ideas interesantes para reflexionar. Muy recomendable para quienes buscan una buena experiencia de ciencia ficción con excelentes efectos visuales.

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For feminism and gay rights

I was pleasantly surprised by how vocally feminist this show was beyond just the main character. It's not just about a woman making merit for herself through her own prowess and worth, it's about someone making way for other women to take control of their own lives and choose their own paths.
He Yan has lived her whole life following rules and the will others imposed on her, so she knows firsthand what it's liked to be oppressed, even when doing something she ultimately enjoys and wants to do for herself. She pushes for women's rights and freedom constantly and she convinces many by being the leading example.

As for the "gay rights" part, this is obviously a Chinese drama so Chinese censorship applies. However, this unintentionally carries a very gay message. Since the FMC is forced to live as a man for most of the story, there are many instances in which it ends up looking like a gay couple during moments of tension and charged looks between her and the MMC.
What's more is that Xiao Jue caught feelings for her before knowing she was a woman, so it's accidental bi representation.
It's very much like Mulan and Li Shang, as a friend of mine pointed out to me.

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Uma drama encantador e aconchegante

Today's Webtoon me apresentou minha personagem preferida dos dramas, On Ma, se tornou minha companheira inseparável, nos momentos bons e ruins.
Sou suspeito pra falar, já que sou apaixonado pela Sejeong desde o primeiro drama dela, que eu assisti (Moon River), mas On Ma Eum, é o tipo de pessoa, que todo mundo deseja ter ao seu lado. Ela tem um brilho único, que ilumina tudo, que varre pra longe todos os seus pensamentos negativos, e te dá forças pra continuar.
Confesso que o sorriso, e o carisma dessa personagem me acompanha, mesmo depois de ter terminado o drama. Sejeong tem o dom natural de atuar, e consegue deixar uma marca, em quem a assiste.
Todo o elenco tá de parabéns, é claro, todos deram tudo de si, e entregaram tudo, nota 10 pra todos.
A trilha sonora também tá de parabéns, Bring It On e Walking Girl, já estão na minha playlist, escuto todos os dias. Acompanhar a evolução de todos os personagens dessa trama, foi muito satisfatório e agradável.
Assim como em "Caçadores de Demônios", aqui também me senti, em uma grande família. E ter que dizer adeus pra ela, foi difícil.
Quando desde o primeiro episódio, você percebe logo que gosta dos personagens e se importa com eles, então, é sinônimo que o drama vai te pegar do início ao fim.
Comigo foi assim, sorri com as conquistas deles, sofri compartilhando os problemas deles, e não é assim, dentro de uma família?.
Finalizando, recomendo com todas as minhas forças, esse drama encantador e aconchegante, deixe-se conquistar pelo brilho ofuscante da Kim Sejeong.

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The entanglements of the past can pull you into your future with some smoke.

This series gave me what I needed it to give me: Magic, romance, and comedy.

My Royal Nemesis starts off strong, giving us a perfect FL in a very interesting, and dare I say, messed-up situation. Because of it, we get thrust into the future where we meet our dashing ‘Male Lead’ Heo Nam-jun (who I ended up adoring in this role). When these two meet, it’s the perfect caustic and chaotic joining that lets you know fate can be a mo’fo sometimes and all the way right. It also gives that ‘Twin? Where have you been?‘ energy. 😂 I absolutely enjoyed these two individually in their roles and together. Both actors are known for playing the perfect villains in K-dramas, and to have them join in this series as potential love interests...it freaking worked for me!

This series will give you laughs, drama, and twists with an enjoyable soundtrack as well. The show title is a perfect descriptor for everything going on in this drama’s world; just know that, cus ooowee... 😑I have some beeffffffff with our series villain. While the co-protagonists sure did work my left and right eyelids. 😖

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One of my fav toxic couples to date

I love toxic couples so if you don't like toxic couples then yeah you may not love this as much as me.

The characters were written so freaking well. Fan xiao reminded me a lot of myself but I am less crazy I swear. His character was written with so much depth and he just felt so real. I loved that he was a flawed character and that he made mistakes. I loved that he was stubborn and sabotaged his love life bc losing control is scary. ugh I have already rewatched it like 5 times I love this drama so much.

This couple is so toxic and in reality they should not be together but I love when toxic love wins in the end XD.

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Beautiful acting, beautiful cinematography, super thought-provoking.

Knew this would be a difficult piece going in but wanted to watch it at the film festival for Kitagawa Keiko (my acting goddess).

Clearly from the synopsis you'd realize the characters have made extremely different life choices than the average person -- but the way the story is set up and the characters play out, you'd believe 100% why they do it and want to root for them. Crazy plotline (in a good way), and the directing was so intentional with the foreshadowing... The camera handled the curveballs and scene transitions with so much grace! High rewatch value is for the foreshadow-digging I like to do with suspenseful movies sometimes - when I recover from the emotional trauma from this one, that is.

The way this movie ended? Spot on. Definitely drew a round of applause when the credits rolled. My husband and I had slightly different interpretations but we both agreed that the fact that these were our conclusions means it was super well done.

PS: bring tissues., I def cried.

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