Reviews

Usually, I try to avoid watching a drama which is based on a manga that I had read. I tried because most of the time I would be disappointed.  However, I have to acknowledge, even if it is based on a manga, the show itself is like another creation that tried not to be based too much on the manga and made into another creation. This drama is based around 30 or 20% on the manga. The plot is changed a lot and the focus characters as well. (in the manga both Miku and Shouhei are in a relationship with their respective partners since the beginning of the story. Miku with a senior and Shouhei with Uzamiyu. This plot makes it more interesting and fresh. Not all love in high school are first love in reality after all)

First, let's start with the good part. The cinematography of the shows was clearly on point. It displays the innocence of first love and youth. All the cast was able to show that innocent with the natural act. There isn't any exaggeration (which usually added to j drama) and it felt very realistic.

The bad thing that I don't like, is that the story is not that creatively made. Too many cliche. Even in the manga, Chinen's character is not displayed as the most popular... and so on. Then the cold character who used to be playboy then falls in love for the first time arc (this happend in good morning call, kyou wa koi hajimemasu, Itazura).  Even the thing with Uzamiyu is too predictable. I cannot count how many j drama who has best friend turn into love rival thing too much.  

I think the original manga even has more depth and interesting development with more believable character. I think it would be better if they stick the focus a little bit like in the manga. I mean since they used the same characters and even the title is the same, why change it too much? Good Morning Call and Itazura are a perfect example where the story which still sticks the focus like 60% are still able to make a good show.

In the end, maybe this drama is better to watch by those who have not read the manga like me and able to watch without any expectation.

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I definitely gave this drama 10/10. You should’t hesitate to watch this drama. To be honest I seldom give drama that I watched a review unless it really gave a deep impression to me & this drama is superb.

The story was inspiring & the characters were really funny and developing. Be patient if you watch episode 1 because the story will definitely get interesting. I couldn’t say more but I just want to say. you Must Watch This Drama??

Storyline: from sad, funny, suspense, romance... all are blended well in da drama.

Characters: every actors played important role not just the main role. I still love the additional Ji Ho, I think she played really important role as well. The rest of the actors were amazing & really funny ???? 

You won’t regret it.

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I've been out of the j-drama loop for a while, so I can honestly say that Kimi Wa Petto was a refreshing way to get back into j-dramas. I have yet to read the manga or watch the 2003 adaptation, so I can only review what I've seen. If the first episode is enough to pull you in, then prepare to binge watch the rest of the series. Kimi Wa Petto is filled with adorably cheesy moments as well as pleasantly steamy moments. It's an enjoyable series, but it's not 100% perfect. Especially when it comes to the pacing of the plot. If you're looking to watch something light with just the right amount of tension and romance, then I would definitely recommend Kimi Wa Petto. :)

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Scarlet Heart Ryeo. It's packed with an amazing cast, a storyline that just makes you want to scream at your screen, and the soundtrack that could save Goryeo itself. Let's start with the main couple: Hae Soo and Wang So, the couple that ruins you. One is a time traveler essentially that is stuck in Goryeo where power is constantly yearned for by the royal family, or the group of blessed children I like to call. Between all of the handsome brothers, there's the black sheep of the family, Wang So. It may be your casual black sheep with the pretty girl, but Hae Soo's motives turn into the story of the land. Her relationship with Wang So is complicated and tested through their lives. Wang So also struggles with his family that he basically hates. All together, it makes the perfect historical drama with power struggles and a bunch of cupid arrows. If you're into historical dramas, watch this, if not, still watch it because it's that good. I'll admit, this story didn't captivate me until after it aired, but it's a story that's forever embedded into my mind. I highly recommend anyone to watch this drama and give their own opinion of how they liked (And hated) this story of Goryeo. NOTE: I would recommend tissues, just a heads up. (I went through quite a lot unexpectedly cause I didn't read the reviews before watching.)

But... I must point out parts of this drama that should probably only be read if you want to read them.
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!SPOILER ALERT!
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Let me start with how bitter I am about that cliffhanger. I know the 2nd season (if they ever had one) is suppose to revolve about them meeting in the modern world which was truly a heartbreak for me when I found out it wasn't happening. Wang So and Hae Soo probably could've had a happier ending, but that's what made me cry and love about this drama so much. The cliffhanger was supposed to be continued with a second season I'm sure but it sucks for fans of the series that probably were petitioning (I know I did) and fighting for them to properly end this story. I will admit, I had some second lead syndromes here and there, but was overall a pile of salt when I realized Wang So's tragic ending. More than anyone, I think he got the short end of the stick. I mean after all, he lost the girl he loved because of a whole misunderstanding and didn't even know about his daughter, which also by the way confused me. I interpreted it as him assuming the kid wasn't his, but rather the child of Hae Soo and Wang Jung. All in all, the ending sucked and I wished there was a second season.

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Let me start off by saying this drama is truly worth it. It makes you want to watch more of it, no matter how long you have to wait (Which is something I don't usually do but it was that good that I waited weekly for it). Jia and Minkyu are unlikely yet comically paired, which is what I loved the most starting this drama. Their relationship leans towards a funny luck of fate that turns into a love story that you'll probably never forget once you watch it. Jia is a dreamer, one who finds herself in a predicament that eventually leads to something she couldn't have expected if she tried. Minkyu is stuck in his own problems, mainly from his possibly deadly allergy to human contact. Together, they make one of the best story lines I've watched so far. I'm Not a Robot will make you frustrated, teary eyed, and laughing all in 32 episodes. It's truly one of those dramas that is beyond sweet, funny, and just amazing to watch. I'm speaking highly of this drama because I believe it deserves to be spoken highly of. The chemistry of the main couple, and even the entire cast is what makes you love this drama even more. For 32 episodes, it makes you willing to rewatch it, just to see the story once more. Jia and Minkyu show the depth of a relationship, the ups and downs, all while pulling you into their story further. I'm Not a Robot is worth the watch, and if you don't believe me, watch it for yourself. (Hint: You won't regret it.)

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There's a reason why this drama is loved by so many. I can now finally say that I am also one of those people who adore this story. When I first heard about A Love So Beautiful, I had just finished watching Attention, Love! (Another drama I highly suggest watching if you enjoyed this drama and similar dramas of this genre) and was delighted to hop onto the next drama. I didn't expect such a love to captivate me so much that I rapidly couldn't help but finish it. Xiao Xi and Jiang Chen are the pair that you just can't help but root for (Sorry Bo Sung) and it's not your typical high school love in my opinion. Although it has some aspects of the ones you can often find in dramas, the relationship between Jiang Chen and Xiao Xi is a little bit more different. Jiang Chen completely changed the game as the main male lead, which is what I adore so much about this drama. Xiao Xi is also an in between of what's expected and what isn't expected which makes you want to keep watching. The side stories are also cute, portraying more of the commonly seen stories in dramas, but still can't really steal the spotlight from the main couple. If you're planning on watching this drama, I highly recommend you do. It's worth the time, the stress, the possible (?) tears, and the attention. I didn't enjoy one thing as much, which was how they decided to end the story but I think it's something I've found myself feeling more and more as I continue to dive into Chinese dramas. A Love So Beautiful is truly the story of the most beautiful love you'll see, at least one of them.

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a let down !!

The movie wa such a let down!!  The idea of it  was very good, but the execution was terrible.
I was ready to see how these teens would take to Korea and Korean traditions. I wanted more of their interactions with their teachers and Korean people, but all we got was them being idiot rebellious teenagers with each other.
I mean why bother send the kids alll the way to korea for calligraphy lessons and "what do u think being Korean means?"  #FAIL
The acting and characters were also very very bad. The entire movie, there were only two scenes I actually liked.
The OST was  also very loud and annoying.
Props for Cha In Pyo , though, for his fluent English. His character was one of the few I liked or cared about.

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Right off the bat I was in love with Fullmetal Alchemist the movie.  From the start you can see the sets were amazing and the CGI was top notch.  It was going to have to be just to pull off Al, but sometimes the Japanese skimp on live actions so you never know.  I've watched the FMA animes series and movies both Japanese and English and I was not disappointed. Of course I wish they had of dragged the story out a bit.  What I mean is they hit the major plot points but it moves fast, at some places too fast.  Together FMA and FMA: Brotherhood total over 100 episodes.  There are aspects in the beginning that I would have liked to have seen in the live action.  HOWEVER, skipping them or speeding up events did not deter from the story.  To be honest I got a little confused between events for FMA and FMA:B plust the OVAs.  It's obvious there's another movie in the works. I hope they slow it down just a tad.

To roll it back a bit for anyone clueless about FMA.  It's the story of 2 brothers, Edward and Alphonse Eldric, and their adventures as alchemists.  Ed is a "dog of the state," a state employed alchemist who travels to  places of upheaval. They're kind of like national police. As children Ed and Al performed a alchemic transmutation that is against the law of nature and dangerous. In doing so Ed lost an arm and leg but gained the ability to transmute without using a circle (kind of like a spell without an incantation). Al lost his entire body and his soul was tethered to a suit of armor by Ed. Together they seek a way to get back what they've lost.

The script was good.  The writer pulled in aspects from the manga and animes.  There was no doubt this was the world of FMA. The case was excellent. At first I had my doubts about Ryosuke Yamada, but he became Ed. No doubt.  It's a shame that they had actors on the caliber of Jun Kunimura and Fumiyo Kohinata for such small roles, but maybe they'll reappear somehow.  The music was good and I will probably re-watch this during the weekend.

I'm a huge fan of FMA and this was just another entrance into their universe.  Was it perfect?  Heck no, but I doubt it could have been done any better. It was a fun watch.  I enjoyed myself.  What more can you ask for really?

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This drama is a hilarious play on stereotypical boys love cliche tropes, but at the same time to have its very own story which develops itself finely. I wish they had a second season made.
The casting also made me very happy with people I knew.
Choi Woosik (A lot of people know him from Train to Busan)
Jang Kiyong (From We Broke Up)
Irene (Red Velvet)
Jang Yoo Sang (Plays as Kwangsoo, the brother, in EXO Next Door)

All of their acting was pretty impressive, Irene's was a little awkward and stiff, but I really love the girl and she'll probably get better at it in the future.

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It’s times like these where I fervently wish that I was a better writer, so that I could adequately transcribe the utter intensity of emotion and feeling that I have for the things that touch me so deeply.

I’ll try to keep this review objective with all the biases temporarily put aside because you don’t have to be a Bigbang fan to enjoy this. You don’t even have to me a K-Pop fan. All you have to be is someone who appreciates music and all the hard work that’s invested in it.
The thing that is so attractive about this film is the sheer honesty it comes with. It doesn’t take you on a sappy journey of how these boys grew into men together or stories about their early hardships, no, instead it shows the real world where these grown men continue to strive forward holding on to each other and struggling even when they’ve reached the top.

There are a lot of things that most artists don’t want you to know. You see a supposedly candid moment on stage between members and you write a billion fanfictions inspired by it. You read into it, you make your own conclusions but what you don’t know is that “candid” moment is probably practiced a billion times off-stage. You think your idols are perfect and faultless but when nobody's looking, they swear, they throw tantrums, they get angry, they hurt and they are wholly human. That’s what this documentary shows you. This is what this group says: This is who we are and we’re unapologetic about it.

It starts with the group in a retro film setting, wearing suave suits and looking oh so polished but slowly proceeds to peel back layers and lets you see a raw glimpse in the life of superstars who are at core ordinary human beings. While there are goofy, no-makeup, almost cringeworthy moments where these artists let go of the facade and bask in a childlike glee, the highlight of the film is the portrayal of Bigbang’s biggest strength: Their work ethic. You get to see the nitty gritty of music production and all the factors that go into bringing a fabulous concert stage to life. Every single member participates in every single detail of the process tweaking it into something closest to perfection.

Five billionaires in the room and nobody wants to spend out of their own pockets. Stingy, you say. But isn’t it also somewhat relatable? These men didn’t grow into wealth, there was no small loan of a million dollars to help them through, they build their empire from the bottom ladder and climbed to top with many a missteps.

You know the true essence of a person when you hear the views of people working under them and here, Bigbang takes the backseat and lets the team who played a huge part in making them who they are do the talking. It’s emotional, heartfelt and sincere.

Then there are the lows that you don’t see on camera. The sweat, the bruises, the pain that we never take into account. Bigbang doesn’t boast those things or throws a pity party, they just straightforwardly put everything in front of you like they’ve done with everything else as of yet:
This is how it is. Make of  it what you will.

If you’re a hard boiled, bitter cynic like me with “Don’t believe everything you see on T.V” stamped on your forehead, you’ll probably doubt the authenticity of emotion here too but the thing is, somethings just can’t be faked and even if 1% of this film rings true to you, that’s already hugely impactful.

It makes you laugh out loud, tear up and most importantly it makes you “feel”, the ability of which we’re slowly losing as the time goes by.
The brotherhood between these men is almost tangible. They’re tied together, completely in sync with each other's mannerisms and weaknesses and it shows without trying.

The film has great cinematography and direction, seamlessly transitioning between real life videos and on-stage song performances all the while bringing out the best in everything. There’s style, love friendship and nostalgia all mingled together in this 2 hour worth masterpiece.

Finally as a fan, I’d like to say that this is the perfect gift for the fandom. It’s an everlasting piece of them that stays relatable and true no matter what changes time brings. Re-watching this after such a long time, with an entirely different perspective, I felt so many different emotions but one thing that stayed the same was my rating because even if you don’t like it, you can’t help but appreciate the high quality of it. After so many things that have happened- both fortunate and unfortunate- and finally as they all go and have gone into military, coming back to this movie; a harbinger of hope and resilience, really does feel like coming full-circle.

 As far as I am concerned when Youngbae looked straight ahead and asked the fans “We don’t know what the future holds for us but will you wait for us to see it together?” all I could do was scream “Yes” along with the million of others on the screen.

As far as your idols are concerned, don’t drown them under your expectations. As Jiyong said,
 “For you, it’ll be sad that you won’t see us five people anymore but for us we might never see 1.5 million of you. We are losing much more, it’s much harder.”

And as far as Bigbang themselves are concerned, love them or hate them, you can’t ignore them. Their mark on Korean music and our lives is made and it’s there to stay.

Enjoy!

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I have been casually lurking on this website for a year; now I have finally made an account because I want to write a review JUST for this show. This is a spoiler-free review! I will provide some assurances here and there in case there are things that might otherwise turn you away, but I do not count these as spoilers because I give absolutely no specifics.

tl;dr - Skip to the Overall Rating section at the bottom for a basic recommendation.

---Story: 8.5/10

The tone of the show was consistent; it knew what it wanted to be. From the first episode to the last, it was dramatic (comes with the genre), but it had a good balance of humor and romance and knew when to lighten up. After all, it is a generally feel-good kind of show, one that I would classify as a comedy in the original sense of the term. It never felt dark or gritty; just serious and sometimes perilous at times, and then would relax a bit with something cute and/or cheesy and make me smile like crazy.

The synopsis might sound spoilery to some but it just basically gives you an idea of what happens in the first episode. Yes, everything is set up in the FIRST episode, even one plot thread that is left hanging until episode 17 before it is nicely tied off by the very end of the show. So basically you are in for a ride to know exactly HOW this sweet, innocent woman who has never been part of the “underworld” has to adjust and fool everyone into thinking she’s her sister, the Female Star Killer boss of Yi Ching Group. And how the other characters with their own conflicts and secrets achieve their goals and react to each other. It’s quite entertaining.

It takes a little while for the romance to develop but that just makes it feel more natural, and any other way would be too rushed. After all, there are secrets and misunderstandings that keep the characters apart at first. At the beginning of the series when the characters are getting to know each other, I sensed that spark between the two main couples and it definitely was all paying off between episodes 7-15 with plenty of cute and romantic moments to keep you feeling warm and fuzzy. Things get dark by episode 16 but this is building up to the climax and the storm will pass soon—don’t give up hope.

Oh yeah, big plus here for me: NO LOVE TRIANGLES. HALLELUJAH! I was expecting the first male lead (Le Jun) and first female lead (Ping Fan) to get hijacked by some stupid love triangle shenanigans with the second male lead (Tian Xing) but AMAZINGLY this never happened! Because Le Jun and Ping Fan have eyes only for each other.  Meanwhile, Tian Xing becomes enamored with the unexpected second female lead (Jing Xuan) who is a nurse at a hospital that these characters end up frequenting because they are in the mafia and always getting into fights, of course. Now there was a bit of concern with another character who tries to court Jing Xuan but in the end I didn’t have to worry about it. So if you are like me and can’t stand those silly love triangles, this is probably a good show for you! (=^w^=)

The plot features a lot of tropes and cliches, but rather than being annoyed by them, I felt like they were used in ways that made sense, were set up logically/plausibly (as much as you can in a fictional story), and propelled the story along. That is to say, I got the impression they were not included for their own sake, but to create a sense of a greater picture that simply involves some elements that we're familiar with. Or even if they WERE just included because the writers thought they had to, at least there was a REASON for it and it was explained in the show to make you believe it. Honestly, we are watching a romantic drama, what do you expect? We're HERE to see Ping Fan bandage up a wound on Le Jun's muscular, swoon-worthy shoulder and to see Tian Xing woo Jing Xuan ineffectively by showering her with flowers and gifts because he thinks that’s what girls want. :P We drama fans signed up for this stuff, this is what we expect and they deliver on every occasion.

Still, I think I should mention that some parts are kind of cringy. Some more than others. Most of the time the cringe is light and I was expecting it so it didn’t bother me, but oh man, there was only one big offender that stands out in my mind. Somewhere between episode 12-14 (I think, I don’t quite remember which episode exactly) was a Certain Scene (no spoilers… you’ll know when you get there) that was so cringy I almost couldn’t watch it… I thought it was going to be a dream sequence because it was so absurd but it was real. Sigh. I am impressed that somehow I survived the cringe and the writers still managed to make it relevant to the plot and move the story forward so it all worked out.

The pacing and editing was great! I admit I'm no expert when it comes to this kind of thing, but I thought the scenes flowed from one to the next naturally, spending a bit of time with different characters and letting the story unfold in a way that was engaging and kept me hooked. Even the introductory 1-2 minute recap sequence at the beginning of each episode was fresh and fast-paced to remind you what happened in the last episode (in case you go a few days or weeks between episodes) and I found myself watching them even when I was binging 3 episodes at a time. None of the episodes dragged or felt like filler—19 is the perfect number for the story they were trying to tell and they used their time wisely to wrap up all the plot points and address everything that I had questions about. As far as I was concerned, the writers had the whole story planned out and knew exactly what they were doing.

They also left themselves enough room to squeeze in quite a few kissing scenes by the end of the show, but that’s what you came for, right? Gotta watch ‘em smooch. Ain’t no romance drama without the smooching!

Last note: WHAT A CUTE INTRO! The opening theme is catchy, cute, and fresh. I liked the style they used with the cartoony animated effects overlaid on… well, it’s hard to describe, but the way the characters are presented in the intro is kind of an exaggeration of their roles in the story? In a good way… it felt appropriate for the opening. Everything about it sets you up to expect a comedic, yet dramatic, romantic story featuring two main couples. I was slightly disappointed that they always show Ping Fan with long hair in the opening and in the commercial break scenes, when she has short hair in the rest of the show (except the first episode, obviously), but that’s just a nitpick. I’m about to fangirl again thinking about it. \(>3<)/

---Acting/Cast: 9/10

I loved all the casting choices they made for each character! Personally I was captivated by the performance of each of the mains. Especially the actress who played Ping Fan/Ping An! She was amazing! She put on this whole different persona for each sister, she has a completely different vibe and way of moving/making facial expressions depending on which sister she is acting at the time. And she is ADORABLE! Oh my god, that cute grin she makes is enough to make my heart melt. Oh, Gu Le Jun, you never stood a chance against that smile. The girl who plays Jing Xuan is also adorable with those little curls at the tips of her hair and she has such a cute voice. The actor for Le Jun makes a convincing bodyguard type and has a winning smile that he shows on rare occasions (mainly after episode 6). Tian Xing is quite fetching in his black suits and styled hair, especially when he goes making puppy eyes at Jing Xuan. Oh goodness.

They all played their parts well. There may have been a bit of over-acting for the supporting characters but it was for comedic effect and felt purposeful, not like it was bad acting or anything. You will care about all these characters and want to know how their story ends.

An interesting note: Each character had their own wardrobe or personal style, wearing particular kinds of clothing, which I think helped not only to differentiate them from each other but also to tell a little about their profession/character. For instance, the strawberry-loving Xiao Zhi always wears a dapper patterned vest that doesn't quite match the “black mafia” theme the rest of his peers have. Ping An wears a lot of leather and tight pants while Ping Fan has a more casual, light, and cutesy style. Le Jun has no-nonsense rugged wardrobe in neutral/earthy colors. I also noticed that Jing Xuan is always wearing light colors (like white, beige, and blue), while Tian Xing wears dark colors-- a sort of visual contrast between the "white" and "black" professions they represent. This was very consistent throughout the entire show, though it took me a while to notice it. I just like this kind of attention to detail. Great visual cues to support the overarching themes. Whoever was in charge of costumes deserves some recognition!

---Music: 6.5/10

I would have given it a higher score but there is just one problem with the way they presented the music in this show. And only one flaw, really… Whenever anything vaguely dramatic/surprising happened, the SAME SONG kept playing at the SAME PART of the chorus and it got kind of old after the second episode. But they will keep playing the SAME SONG about 4 times per episode right up until the last minute of the last episode, so it’s better if you just get used to it. The song is “I’m Burning” by Ian Chen and it’s a great song, I actually like it… it just gets old when they play it so much. I would have preferred if they saved it for the MOST DRAMATIC moments and not just as a cue for each commercial break. Man, that chorus “I’m burning…” is going to haunt my dreams from now on. (;=__=)

All the other songs were fine, though nothing really stood out to me. Could be because I only watch these shows when I wear headphones and I keep the volume down to preserve my hearing, so I couldn’t hear the music so clearly all the time. But the other music choices were fitting to the mood of the scenes and I have no complaints. Would have gotten a higher rating here if not for the “I’m Burning” repetition that I mentioned above.

---Rewatch Value: 6.5/10

I’m not the kind of person who rewatches shows so I gave this a lower rating. But this one was quite a journey! It would be interesting to see it again, knowing in advance all the background information that is slowly revealed with each episode. It puts the characters into a different light and makes you say “Ah, that’s why that happened!” If you do rewatch, maybe watch it with a sister/close relative or friend who likes chick flicks or dramas.  I personally would not watch it again but that’s just because I already have so many other dramas on my list to get to. (<u<;) Watch at least the first 2 episodes before dropping it. And remember that when things start to get rough, it will be resolved within 1 or 2 episodes!

---Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Everything in this show was part and parcel of the genre, plot, and tone they were aiming for and I think it worked great! No drama is perfect, but for what they did here I will heartily give them a round of applause and recommend The Masked Lover to people who are looking for some adorable, suspenseful, emotional, and sometimes cheesy comedic romance with a structured, well-planned plot.

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I jumped into Jugglers after it had completed half its run and while it had some international fans, there wasn't a huge amount of buzz.  This helped me to go in with limited expectations just wanting what was offered:  a fun office romantic comedy.  Happily, that's what I got but not all were pleased so I'll start there.

I don't always address in detail why others don't like a drama but in looking at the comment section on MDL, it becomes very apparent that many found the drama boring so I'll just say that this is somewhat of a "no drama k-drama" in that there is not a lot of super dramatic cliffhanger moments or makjang.  If you re in the mood for that,  strap yourself in and find Money Flower for a fun ride.  This isn't that.  I find that my mood reflects what drama interests me, and if I'm stressed with stuff going on Jugglers might just be what I need.  So if you enjoy something along the line of 20th Century Boy and Girl, another no drama k-drama, this might be for you.  

Any issues I have with this production are relatively minor.  It took me a little while to kind of "get" Baek Jin Hee's character but as the story went on I realized that was okay in that she at least wasn't totally cookie cutter.   I think the office antagonist was a little over the top silly and with something we find out at the very end, I realized it would have been nice to have his character be a little more nuanced with a little more background.  But this is something the writers know they have to be careful with because we're there for the romance generally, not the office politics with this genre.

There is one story point that is hard to address without spoilers. I'll just say that because of something that happens early on to Baek Jin Hee's character, I found it a little much that she would put herself into a scenario at work which would put her in possible professional harms way.  I thought there would have been more concern and drama should have addressed it.

Pros:

Actors:  They are all wonderful and a shout out to Choi Daniel who I was not familiar with before this drama.  This could have been the normal arrogant boss scenario but the writer and actor give us a lovely portrayal that never went to the point of caricature.  Baek Jin Hee has the warmest way of looking at him and while they didn't have sizzling chemistry, they had warm, fun, silly chemistry.  A shout out to Kang Hye Jung and the smiling eyes of Lee Won Geun as well.

Little Things Done Right:  Finally, a drama that has a lead as a divorced character and the world doesn't come to an end,  a lovely ex-father-in-law & son-in-law relationship.  Yes, there is a tragedy that someone is dealing with from the past but it gets dealt with and doesn't bog down the whole drama.  A bossy mom getting told off was super satisfying.  The slippers.  The cactus.   The petty done right.  The repetitive and imaginative use of the middle finger diss.

Bromance:  Absolutely loved it and how it ended up working out for both of the men involved.

Office Co-Workers:  Absolutely fantastic.

Tropes or lack thereof:  So this is a friend to lovers and also a cohabitation drama. There is NO love triangle.  Thank you drama.

Secondary Story:  I love love love the Kang Hye Jung/Lee Won Geun part of the drama as these two people find each other at the right time in their respective lives.  How they help each other through their trials and tribulations was lovely to watch.

I also appreciated that Baek Jin Hee is someone who is interested in a fully mature relationship (which we see in the first 20 minutes of the drama).  I like that they don't turn her into shy, retiring woman after that introduction.  (Great cameo.)

So, as you see, I found this the rare romantic comedy that was both romantic and funny all the way through.  While angst can be super dramatic, I tend to get tired of rom/coms that turn into melos or super angsty dramas for the last 5 episodes.   Therefore, I am especially appreciative that I found something to amuse me even in the ending episodes.  Having said that, I get it, it might not be for you if you are into k-dramas for Drama with a capital D.   But - maybe someday - you might want to chill with a simple rom/com and here it is.

** side note - found out that two hair whorls mean you have 2 loves in life and also giving someone taffy is a diss.  Who knew?!

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I LOVED this - the story was brilliant, not too much drama and 'death, doom, destruction' that usually accompanies such dramas.

STORY - the story was very good.  There was an age gap of about 11 years and a child from a previous relationship for the character Shi Yi Jie (wonderfully portrayed by Jiang Chang Hui - aka Steven).  He also had an ex-wife but, without adding spoilers, I can't say much more on her.  The younger character Fei Sheng Zhe (played by the very cute Zhang Xing - aka Hunter) was the right balance of emotionally damaged (due to traumas at high school) wariness and desperate to love, nurture and be loved in return soft-heartedness.  His relationship with Yi Jie's daughter, Yo Yo, was wonderful too.  It had a happy ending and never left you feeling disappointed.  the last scenes definitely made me smile...but a teary one of happiness.

ACTING/CAST - here's why I only gave this 9.5.......the KISSING.  Seriously, I know that Hunter was the young and inexperienced student, they're straight men in RL and all that - but guys come on, kiss PROPERLY.  They're supposed to be besotted with each other and yet the kisses (on hunter's part to be fair to Steven) was just VERY tame.    Hunter seemed determined to keep it to the always disappointing 'lip bumping' no matter what Steven tried to do to make it more realistic.  That is the ONLY reason I gave it a 9.5; the wife's character was a nutjob anyway, so any overacting there can be forgiven.  The storyline was a lot for a little girl to take on and understand, so  a major pat on the back for the little girl who played Yo Yo; she did a really good job.  The other two characters who  were Sheng Zhe's student friends were also well portrayed.

MUSIC - the music was good; the ending song was the best.  It didn't have the catchiness that the songs from series one did - but they were still good and I liked the ending song in particular.

REWATCH VALUE - well, I've already watched the last three episodes three times so I can definitely say that it's 10/10.  What I did like a LOT was the hugging, little touches, affection and cuddling that was included - I have a gay cousin and I know she's like that with her partner; it's not always all sex and passion.  the LGBT community have the same companionship and affection side of their love as we do,and it was so genuinely nice to see it properly portrayed for once. It's one of the reasons for me rewatching the last three episodes almost on repeat.....it made those episodes the cutest of the eight.

OVERALL - although the little indicator above suggests 9.5  as an overall score - for me this has to be a 10.  Sure the kissing was a bit tame (especially in the bed scene), but other  than that it was such a well acted, beautifully cute and low drama story that to not give it a 10 would be criminal.  HIStory: Right or Wrong is a MUST WATCH for any BL fan.....in fact anyone who loves a decent love story and  can look past the bad kissing.

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Ok, so this one is a feel good movie. It has few dramatic scenes but it was just enough and properly placed. The story is just simple and I love it how it is.

The cinematography is just awesome. Como in Italy is just surreal.

The characters are well played.
Maine's acting was ok, please be aware that this is her first movie, or her first actual acting stint.
Alden was great and onpoint as always with his acting. Cai and Cacai are so funny and they mixed well with Maine's querkiness.

The comedy part of this movie was also superb. All the actors has great comedic timing.

The only complaint I have was it felt lacking. Even though this is already a 2 hour movie I would have wished that it was longer sfor them to be able to show more of both character's develoment.

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This is the current king in the Chinese box office, and is one of four major films that were released on Chinese New Year's. It's a sequel to the surprise box office hit Detective Chinatown back in 2015, and I have to say I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. It was still enjoyable though, and is a perfect holiday movie to watch with friends and family, especially since it has some very distinct Chinese elements. (Yes, I've been on a total Liu Hao Ran kick since NiF2 and have chased down almost all of his projects accordingly).

Set in New York, the story continues to follow the unusual pairing of young genius Qin Feng (played by Liu Hao Ran) and his crazy distant uncle Tang Ren (played by Wang Bao Qiang)  as they try to crack a serial murder case. As you can imagine, it's hijinks and antics galore as they cause mayhem all around NYC. I'm a little disappointed with Tang Ren's characterization in the film - sometimes his shrillness and unneccessary comments get a little too grating. Hopefuly this is something that director/screenwriter Chen Si Chen will consider when he writes the screenplay for the third film - given that actor Wang Bao Qiang is his close friend, I doubt that he wants to short change him.

The director clearly wanted to create more of a "detective world" in the film, and we are introduced to several international detectives that we will surely see again soon. It's also becoming clearer that Qin Feng is the real star of the story as the young prodigy detective, but they also need Tang Ren's contribution to the comedy side, and I feel like that's going to be harder and harder to balance for future installations.

Still, this was a fun movie and if you enjoyed the ridiculousness of the first I think you'll like this one as well.

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