Discovering what feeling Love is ...
Scene with Hia & Team Ep11! I changed my rating because this all pulled it together*BETWEEN US*
The relationship between Hia & Team was a whirlwind beginning. Yet, it was refreshing to see it not being bombarded with only connecting physically & started to focus on slowly attaching their relationship on another level.
Team dealing with PTSD in my opinion, since it's not clear why yet... it's understandable why he suffers from nightmares. Bringing Hia into the picture of someone that will support Team without knowing what the issue may be with Team is a good strategy that the writer decided to just let Team open up when ready.
The other relationships that are forming in the beginning of this drama, you can see, is definitely taking a backseat & only finding tidbits of who is with whom or interested in. Which is nice to see... It gives the viewer time to only focus on the main relationship without having to feel overwhelmed with so much going on with several different relationships all at once. *However, I'm curious about what is happening with Dean & Pharm ;-)
I'm also adoring the character Manow... She's definitely different and adorable!!! Like whom they paired her up with... it's different but the same that equals positive ;-)
The pool scene when the club members were told it was going to be closed & Team wanted to practice... that scene was heartbreaking to watch the intense conversation between him and Hia.
The Ardent emotions going on after what happened to Team at the pool .. Hia feeling overwhelmed was understandable.
Finally, a little more about the other couples' lives. Obviously... I had my thoughts with Dean & Pharm. The friendship with Prince & Bee is refreshing... it touches on what Prince has to go through as a young actor & pressure that he endures just for his management & fans (Ridiculous) Actors are just normal everyday people, whose job happens to be fully public. Yet (and this is my own opinion) it shouldn't be a ticket for the fans to dictate to him what his private life should be or who he should like or not. Bee is his safe getaway person.
This drama touches on sensitive topics like, Mental illness (PTSD) and especially Homophobia (Ep. 7) I really hope that those out there really listen to what Team is saying about this. Every word, Every Feeling is so spot on. I'm 71 years old with a grandchild that is part of the LGBTQ+ community & with all the prejudices', hate & homophobic people out there... is so sickening as someone that wouldn't think about not supporting any of my children or grandchildren in their life choices or finding their true identity.
Yes... those who are part of this community shouldn't *Value those who don't Value You*, but that takes a strong mind & unconditional support to find that Value... It's always a on-going battle. This is why... I will never, ever stop supporting my grandchild for who she/he is... because without her/him... my life wouldn't have the beautiful color that I adore embracing.
Well.... I'm going to end it here
I hope if you haven't seen this drama.. that you do
If you have seen it.. I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did!!!
Take Care Everyone, Stay Healthy.. Happy & AMAZING!!!!
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A bit of a sleeper!
This drama came to me off the tail of Pursuit of Jade. I loved that drama as so many did. Somehow this more recent costume drama satisfied a need I didn't realize I had. Set in the late 1900's, a time I remember fondly, this drama was a trip down memory lane, only in China! The costuming was spot on. The technology and building boom amidst a surge in capitalism was pitch perfect. Corruption, gangs... exactly what society faced all while trying to figure out how to get a piece. Chef's kiss! A strong female lead who uses her knowledge wisely, a supportive, equally wise male lead who would keep his woman in his sight no matter what, and a full supporting cast that rounded out the drama made this ensemble one for the books. A bit slice of life, a bit business, a solid but not showy romance make this the perfect watch when you are not sure what to watch. I'll be sure to watch again.Was this review helpful to you?
In the meantime, you can watch the drama on YouTube: "【Full Version】Fall in Love | 💘Mutual secret crush | Wang Xuan, Ji Mei Han | 一刻千金 | Drama Max" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohN__RfvtFg)
Can also be watched at Blocked by CEO, she starts a fiery chase—but one portrait turns him instantly loyal! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCwmx548c5o)
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This review may contain spoilers
Suspense... great thriller.... the story unravels bit by bit and requires attentive watching
This drama is for true thriller lovers, ppl who love to solve mysteries. ML actor gave an outstanding performance. This drama deserves a lot higher rating. The plot is great, the acting is great.You might have to rewatch at least some scenes to keep track of what is going on, and maybe once again the whole thing to see all the cues.
The plot is a little tricky so ppl who could not follow (and the trolls) rated the drama low.
So to help you enjoy the plot more, I posted a summary and recap here and a lot more detailed one in the "Comments" of the drama.
It wrapped up nicely, all loose ends tied...
Ml actor is super amazing actor and had a very complex role..
FL actress didnt do much, she was always poker faced
Everyone else did a great job
It was a super tight script, nothing leaked until the very end. SO HANG IN TIGHT AND DO YOUR DETECTIVE WORK
This is a really good thriller so the script gives cues but never gives full answers all the way to the end... and NOTHING IS RANDOM!!! seemingly random ppl and events are already related or become related by the end of ep 6.....
Also, the scenes are not random!!! we see scenes from "present time" mixed up with scenes from FL's memory. You have to figure out what pieces are memory and "put it" into the time frame where it belongs.
So this thriller is really good, the script does have cues but it is not easy to crack, everything is up in the air and you have to watch carefully and take notes. For example... FL has 3 phones... :) There are several seemingly unrelated groups ..... And in ep 1-6 you get to meet them one by one "in their regular life" so that you know what they are like.... you see them doing shady and collaborating and cheating each other .... ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE BUSINESS TOGETHER - AND THEY ALL INTERSECT BY THE END OF EP 6
This is a REAL LIFE THRILLER - groups of various criminals working together!!! it looks like omeone with real life experience has written the script.
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WARNING WARNING WARNING FROM NOW ON, HEAVY SPOILERS
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SUMMARY OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS:
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FL: Myo Jin aka MJ - a poor girl who then cheated with ML - we meet her as amnesic after she wakes up from a coma from a car accident after she left the site of murder. We meet her all meek and sleek. and later we learn that she was a vitriolic revenge psycho trying to kill Chairman ..... and pretending to be his daughter's friend so that she can get to the Chairman
ML: Ryo Jun Ho aka JH, whom we meet as a very nice handsome rich company owner / construction tycoon helping FL recover, but then slowly we learn he is a top level gangster and is drugging and "jailing" FL to make sure she does NOT remember
ML is very handsome and he uses women to get ahead
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CHARACTERS AND GROUPS - THE BASIC SUMMARY
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- ML --> hot shot architect. Before FL's coma he was live in of Choi Hui Su, and cheated on CHS with FL. After the coma, he does shady to prevent amnesic FL from remembering and poses as FL's fiance
- FL ---> before coma, best friend of CHS and a rabid revenge girl. After coma, live-in of ML peacefully / secretly investigating
- Choi Hui Su and her dad Chairman - chaebols who were killed just before the coma, Chairman was paying for ML's architecture business -
- Joseonjok thugs Scrawny and Long Hair ---> who are after BoldHead to repay them, and BoldHead led them to his boss PurpleHair and ML's house (bc Purple Hair is currently living at ML's house - and btw her hair is black now)
- BoldHead and PurpleHair thugs ---> who are planning to kidnap and sell FL - althoug PurplHair is hired by ML to keep FL "jailed" at home (but FL escaped) - ML has no clue that PurpleHair is playing him
- Lee Joong Su thug ---> who was extorting CHS - with the help of Wang Gi Cheol ? - in any case before the coma, LJS and WGC were doing shady together to get to the Chairman and in that process used HS, JH, and FL
- Wang Gi Cheol ----> was paid to take the fall for killing FL's parents, and LJS was the contact with the payer. After he got out of jail, he agreed to help FL revenge her parents. - and he seemed to collaborate with LJS on that. But LJS was also extorting CHS - was WGC involved in that? Currently, WGC is a construction worker, a homeowner in redevelopment area, dying of cancer. And FL contacted him to ask him for info, and FL remembered their deal.
AT THE END OF EP 6, ALL THESE GROUPS CLASH ---- JOSEONJOK THUGS AND BOLD HEAD COME TO NEAR JH'S HOUSE AND PLANNING TO ENTER IT, LOOKING FOR PURPLE HAIR, WHO IS INSIDE ML's HOUSE - and ML paid PurpleHair to do shady for him and has no idea PurpleHair is a traitor
FL IS ALSO SUPPOSED TO BE INSIDE ML'S HOUSE, "JAILED" BY PURPLE HAIR, BUT FL ESCAPED. ANd we dont know where she went.
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MORE DETAILS, TIMELINE, PLOT BEFORE THE LAST EPISODE
<<<< THE LAST EPISODE EXPOSES EVERYTHING <<<<<
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I organized this like this: first TIMELINE, then CHARACTERS - who they are, what they do, how they relate
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TIMELINE FROM MDL DESCRIPTION
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>>> FL's parents are killed
>>> For 15 yrs FL tries to revenge her parents
>>> Finally after 15 yrs, FL gets a good opportunity to revenge her parents
>>> But revenge does not happen bc FL gets into a car accident and wakes up with amnesia
>>> FL tries to remember what happened and finds new info ..
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MY TAKE ON THE TIMELINE
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>>> FL's parents are killed
We do not know who ordered the murder and why.
Homeless man Adjushi was paid to say he killed them and he went to jail for it. Adjushi tried to tell FL but she did not listen...
FL was livid psycho with rage, visited Adjushi in prison, never listened to anything he had to say, and promised /screamed/made a scene that she will kill him. Adjushi just f.cked her off
>>> For 15 yrs FL tries to revenge her parents
FL waited for Adjushi to get out of jail
Finally, Adjushi got out of jail and bought a decrepid property
>>> Finally after 15 yrs, FL got a good opportunity to revenge her parents
FL found Adjushi and tried to kill him at his house. Adjushi beat up FL and made her listen to him for the first time. He told FL that Chairman Young Ho (Hee Su's dad) ordered the murder and paid him to take the fall. So FL convinced Adjushi to join her in revenge (this is FL's memory)
So FL befriended HS, who was living with JH.... We are not sure who started first, but we see that JH first kissed FL and so they both cheated on HS... and HS knew it...
We also later found out that at this time Adjushi was collaborating with LJS to track HS, JH to get to the Chairman.. LJS was blackmailing HS - was Adjushi on that? and FL was investigating LJS...
SO THIS REVENGE SETUP LASTED FOR 2 YEARS...
AND THEN ...
FL was in the Chairman's house when HS and Chairman died... FL remembers seeing HS in fire, and she drove away from the burning house and was hit by WTOD (this is from FL's memory)
HS was stabbed with the knife and she and Chairman then died in an explosion fire - says police
Restaurant neighbor said she saw JH enter the house on that day - but according to his official alibi, he was in Germany...
>>> But revenge does not happen bc FL gets into a car accident and wakes up with amnesia
To be precise, the car accident was WTOD hitting FL's car. WHO SENT IT??
>>> FL tries to remember what happened and finds new info ..
FL wakes up with ONLY JH by her side, telling her he was her fiance. He brings her to "his" house and does everything he can to prevent her from remembering. FL officially gots to a psychiatrist who helps her remember, but ML drugs her, and later tells the main doctor to NOT prescribe memory-help therapy to FL - and doctor says that if she gets the therapy, she can remember it now, and if not, lose it - and psychiatrist says that FL is like a normal person - she she is not remembering bc of ... ML's drugs... or shock?
AND FROM NOW, THE DRAMA SHOWS FL'S MEMORIES WHENEVER SHE REMEMBERS SOMETHNG, SO THE DRAMA SHOWS A HODGE PODGE OF CURRENT TIME SCENES AND MEMORIES, ALL MIXED UP
AND THE AUDIENCE HAS TO FIGURE OUT WHICH SCENES ARE MEMORIES AND WHAT TIME SLOT EACH MEMORY BELONGS TO
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CHECK OUT THE MOST RECENT POST BY ME WITH SUMMARY AND MOST UPDATED RECAP
and for most details check out the thread between me and mysteryqueen9
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+++++
THE ULTIMATE SPOILER
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WATCH THE LAST EPISODE TO FIND OUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED
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Plot contrivences with no emotional payoff
Love Like a Bike ultimately stalls out as a narrative failure, offering a "Trauma Festival" that lacks the structural integrity to justify its own weight. The central conceit is immediately undermined by a total lack of familial chemistry; the three adopted brothers are so physically and temperamentally dissimilar that they feel like a script convenience rather than a lived-in reality. This lack of believability extends to the show's core romances, which operate almost exclusively within a minefield of serious ethical violations—blurring the lines between doctor/patient, employer/employee, and sex worker/client. These problematic power dynamics are never handled with the necessary nuance to make them compelling; instead, they contribute to a wearying atmosphere that offers no emotional payoff.Was this review helpful to you?
Not for me
Watched this because of the great reviews and I like both Dylan and Xiwei. Turns out it's a slapstick comedy kind of drama, which I'm not a fan. A male lead who acts silly is not for me. Comedy-wise, the part where bro was in the act of hanging himself was totally predictable and not funny at all. Have seen this in other shows. If a drama isn't good at episode 1, there's no use wasting time to continue so I dropped it.Was this review helpful to you?
could have been better
this drama for me wasn't the best it had too many flash blacks within the time we actually saw it in real time. the peach tree scene was repeated so many times I had to skip through it. Ha Ram's eyes should have been a grey color not pink cause they weren't red. As a demon idk he looked a little like Johnny Depp in Edward Scissors Hands 🤷🏻♀️ overall everyone's acting was great. could have had more action. soundtrack was okay. I can't see this having a part two not sure why they just didn't end it w the crown prince healed as the demon was sealed.Was this review helpful to you?
Can easily be called the most pointless and overhyped movie
I know many may not agree,but please the whole concept was stupid and childish and the whole movie is only popular because of its soundtracks.
The whole concept was absolutely baseless and the trope between jinu and rumi seemed so cliche.
Not that the whole movie itself is unlikeable or that I hate it, but its wayyy to overrated to the point its fanbase and trend is literally cringe especially considering it won 2 OSCARS?!??!? 😭😭
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Master Class in Acting
This is one of my all-time favorite series. Ji Sung is amazing and you can see the acting depth and breadth with his portrayal of all his various multi-personality characters. His co-star Hwang Jung-eum is also fun to watch. She provides warmth and emotional vulnerability and the perfect support for the male lead. In terms of medicine, Oh Ri Jin crosses so many lines and would be considered a terrible doctor, but in terms of story, it works. I don't want to provide any spoilers--just watch and enjoy!Was this review helpful to you?
Snowflakes Overload Can't Hide Fatal Flaws Of this Drama
From my perspective, this drama simply didn’t work. I was hoping for depth, but the dialogue, plot, pacing, and even the romance between the ML and FL felt flat to me. They spend so much time building the relationship, yet when it finally materializes, it comes across like a child’s version of romance.The visuals made it even harder for me to connect with the story. At times, it felt like watching Alice in Wonderland or a fairy‑tale movie meant for kids. The overly bright colors, the endless snowflakes, the glowing scenery, and the dreamy roads made everything look too whimsical and unrealistic for my taste.
I genuinely wanted to enjoy this drama — I really liked both the ML and FL — but the overall presentation felt staged and theatrical, and I just couldn’t take it seriously. It had funny and entertaining moments, but overall it ended up being a major letdown. No amount of snowflakes or pretty scenery could distract me from how boring and nonsensical the story felt.
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This pulled me in more than I was expecting and didn't let go
This popped up while I was looking for my next Netflix watch. I loved BKPP in I Told Sunset About You—the acting was incredible, and their chemistry was almost unbearable in that series.I haven’t seen the Taiwanese original of this one, so I didn’t know what to expect, but it ended up being a really satisfying watch. The comedy worked well, with strong timing and natural chemistry, and the drama hit the right emotional notes without feeling overdone. I especially enjoyed watching the gradual warmth develop in their relationship. Grandma was a standout and added a lot of heart.
The story included a few twists, but nothing felt out of sync. Even when I knew what was coming, the emotional moments still landed because of how thoughtfully they were handled (and the acting).
I enjoyed this from start to finish, and no scene felt wasted. Highly recommend. I’m only taking off half a star because it came a little too close to body‑shaming one character, which stood out in an otherwise enjoyable film.
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This review may contain spoilers
Not a Traditional Love that transcends two worlds
First of all with this coming out right after Pursuit of Jade, definitely will probably have a run for its money.Dilraba & Arthur Chen amazing acting, as always. Even the supporting cast was amazing, there were some supporting cast members that I could tell were newer to the screen (probably had smaller rolls in other shows) & senior actors/actresses I was not expecting at all in a show like this. They all did an amazing job portraying the parts they were meant to portray. Always support the cast & crew because they put so much work into creating something amazing for the public to view & enjoy.
OST was amazing, it hit & influenced where it was supposed to for the viewers. So moving in fact that some of the music I can't stop listening to, it is so amazing.
Loved the fact that He Simu at first wants to take a sword from Duan Xu but then ends up finding out that he is her spell bearer. They both end up falling for each other & eventually getting their wishes granted. I like the fact that the director & crew have provided some special scenes to continue on the story to completion for the people who feel like it wasn't a good ending.
This is one show I would recommend, not a traditional love story like people would expect but it does give a different view & how all things fantasy or real world love in their own unique way. I have had this on my "wishlist" to watch since I saw the first teaser or even before that, so happy it was done so beautifully.
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This review may contain spoilers
Compelling Story That Ultimately Disappoints
Sorry, this review does include spoilers but it's important to why the movie ultimately disappoints. Overall, it was a compelling story covering the years of the Sino-Japanese War. The visuals were beautiful covering large cities and the countryside. It had an epic feel covering a huge event in a chaotic time that ushered in huge changes, however it didn't feel overwhelming as it was told through the experiences of two very different men. The patriotic commander, Zhang Yun Kui and everyman cook, Meng Wan Fu. While their stories helped tell the story of Japanese resistance and the somewhat glorified role of communist forces, it almost could have been two movies. The men fight together in one of the first major battles but soon go their separate ways.Both men experience changes and Wang Yang is great as the heroic military man who completely changes his understanding of what values are actually important in warfare. I just saw him play a very different minor role as a shady character and he was good in the role but he embodied the stoic, fearless commander and I think he was perfectly cast in the role. However, the plight of his family along with Meng was the heart of the movie and Zhang's father, wife Ding Yujiao and especially Meng made the biggest changes from who they were at the beginning of the series. Huang Cheng Cheng was excellent in the role. It seemed to be so much more dynamic to see what was happening in the city and the experiences they went through set the tone for the changes in all three of them. The story seemed to move quicker in the city and there was more political maneuvering, insight into the supplying of communist forces, competing interests with business and Japanese co-operation, and just surviving in a small area increasingly occupied by Japanese forces.
**Big spoiler ahead***
Along with the political and battlefield danger, there is of course a love story and again I think the story of Meng and Zhang's family is the more interesting one. The love of people who grow as a family and the platonic love story of Meng Wan Fu and Ding Yujiao. At various times, I loved that it was platonic and sometimes I wanted them to become an actual couple and I think it's really up to our own imagination if they do. As impossible as it may seem to really happen, the real and fake marriages of each other's spouses/fiancées kept me wondering what would happen when they all met up. What happens when you meet up with the spouse you thought was dead and you have remarried, and you know have to work with them for a larger cause. The lead up to them all meeting was played out wonderfully but when they all got together, it was unfortunately disappointing. It was rushed in the last 3 parts of the series and other than a quick conversation, everyone is fine and moves on quickly. In fact the whole end of the series is rushed. After so much detail and story building for the first few years of the war, the last and final victory is a quick recap of a huge battle and ultimate victory.
Zhang Yunkui and Han Xiao Yue's story wraps up neatly but I think it does a disservice to Meng and Ding's story to not let the other 2 know that they weren't really married. Zhang's wife loved two other men in different ways but she remained true to her husband and couldn't let go of his space in her life. Similarly Men Wan Fu so respected Zhang that he couldn't imagine replacing him in his widow's heart. This could have been explored so much more and I wanted to see all of them navigate this admission and how Zhang and Han dealt with it in spite of the fact that they actually fell in love. We don't even get a scene where Zhang learns the extent of all Meng did expresses his thanks for taking care of his family. Usually I don't mind an ambiguous ending where Meng and Ding are overjoyed to find each other after being apart and we don't know what happened after, but in my imagination, they grow to love each other as a real couple.
So, overall, a strong start and great weaving of historical events into personal stories but ultimately disappointing by not bridging the 2 separate stories more at the end, rushing the events at the end and downplaying the dynamic of the couples all coming together. I was waiting everyday for new episodes to come out and felt a huge let down at the end.
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Definitely a cash grab for the cast because this was so unserious.
I was genuinely excited to start Siren’s Kiss. On paper, it promised everything I usually enjoy: dark themes, drama, mystery, glamour, and a cast that should have delivered. Park Min-young was there, the ever-gorgeous Wi Ha-joon was there, and even a familiar face from Mr. Queen: Kim Jung Hyun was stepping into villain territory. I was fully prepared to enjoy this.But oh my word.
This drama is what we’d call in my culture "nonsense dzega dega" which basically means something that tries very hard to look substantial, deep, or sophisticated but once you scratch the surface, it is pure hollowness. Empty spectacle. All style, no sense.
And that is Siren’s Kiss.
I genuinely could not make head or tail of what was going on. The plot was contrived from the beginning, the logic never settled, and the ending somehow managed to be even more ridiculous than everything that came before it. Its why I watched the first 4 eps,dropped and tuned into the finale hoping it could resolve its foolishness but dear oh dear.
What baffled me most was the cast. How do actors of this pedigree ,people who have proven themselves in genuinely strong projects end up here? It honestly made me understand why people sometimes say actors take certain dramas purely for the cheque. Because I struggle to believe seasoned professionals read this script and thought, yes, this is the one.
This was so unserious in all the wrong ways.
A total complete miss.
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