Apparently, or as I think it is, Xiao Wei again met Pei Rong in another life as Princess Jing, the warrior who saved her in her staged ambush. Just like before, Princess Jing loves General Huo (the incarnated Wang Sheng--Xiao Wei loved in the previous life (in the first movie)) Again, by fate, the three of them met.
I like this sequel as it shows a bit of a soft side of Xiao Wei and her desire to feel and be a human. She had hated Pei Rong in the previous life but the connection she established with Princess Jing, might be complicated but can be measured as friendship. The plot of the first movie is about protecting and sticking up with marriage promise. This sequel, on the other hand, not only shows that but also shows love between friends, forgiveness, consideration, sacrifices and letting go. The idea that this film focuses on Princess Jing and Xiao Wei as they help each other makes it different and better than the first movie.
It's kinda sad how Xiao Wei, again, is put in the same position once again. General Huo offering his heart in exchange for saving Princess Jing. Unlike in the first movie where she did it because of her love for Wang Sheng... this time she flat out rejected General Huo's offer and saved Princess Jing on her own. (Well Princess Jing saved her multiple times anyway). This kind of gesture is sweet and warm but sad at the same time.
Where could Xiao Wei be now after saving Princess Jing and returning her heart? Hope if there's a next movie, she have a happy ending.
The main cast again wow the entire production of the movie... better cinematography, better fighting scenes and better plot. Not giving it full stars tho as I personally hated the characters... and I don't like hiw the film started.
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Suddenly you had your typical K-Drama over-dramatic melo shit everywhere. Everything became a thousand times more sappy, illogical and emotional in a try-hard way. The pacing became shit. Plot-holes tumbled in and things that should’ve been huge just ended up being anti-climactic. And before you know it, Chicago ends on a note so “MEH” that it’s a disservice to the once precious drama. For sure, most people are probably going to love Chicago’s ending episodes too but for me since this drama was all about being subtle but powerful the extra turns it took, did not slide.
Here are some aspects of the show and my take on it:
-Yoo Ah In’s BeWhy inspired shitty haircut:
We are all superficial people to some extent and Yoo Ah In’s egg shaped haircut is no doubt a fashion disaster but there are some actors who don’t need appearance to make things work because their talent is enough. And Yoo Ah In tops the list. He just gets how to handle me and he always manages to wring my emotions like a masterful puppeteer. So much so, that at this point I think that he’d be able to perfectly emote even if he had a giant garbage bag on his head. He is spectacular as always here, playing two roles with different personalities all at the same time and excelling at both. And just for those of you, who simply cannot get over the hair-do, the drama comes with a sexy as hell past version of Yoo Ah In, with great hair and a lot of badass. ;)
-Weak female lead:
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. If there is one person who can sell me a damsel in distress it’s Im Soo Jung. I remember her brilliance in MiSa about 7 years ago and I still find her really likeable. Unfortunately because of her doe eyed look and an eternal stupid expression, she is often typecast into the “dumb but kind” roles. But I feel like despite that she always manages to shine through with her inner strength and true, she does exactly that in the first ten episodes. But after that, the writers started to confine her in a box again. Too much crying. Too much need saving. Too much “woe-is-me” bullshit. That her personality just falls under. And it’s a shame too because she is supposed to me this “bad-ass sniper” with like a trillion qualities and so sadly this whole thing made me realize that while I do like Im Soo Jung, I hate damsels in distress more. And soon for me, Jeong Sol turned from being adorable to annoying real quick.
-Han Se Ju:
A lot of people think that HSJ is just one of those “bad boys” who are actually bad guys but that’s just not true. Sure, the writers tried to force the image on him with the whole “wrist grabbing, temper tantrum throwing, macho alpha asshole” bullshit but it still isn’t true. Because Han Se Ju is an actual sweetheart. A passionate, sensitive and thoughtful man who can act like a complete petty toddler at times but an admirably strong old soul at others. For me, he was a character close to my heart ‘cause I know I’ve myself thought so many of the things that he believes in, I have felt so many emotions that he goes through and that makes him so relatable to me. He’s a beautiful man inside-out, with all his lows and trust issues intact.
Sound track:
While Chicago has a brilliant soundtrack and the show makers did get the play timing right most of the times, there’s one weird ass instrumental that they unfortunately play in the most poignant scenes in the later episodes, effectively ruining the impact. Tragic.
Bromance:
By far, my favorite bromance, simply because of how natural and heartfelt it is. It stays strong from the first episode to the last and soon became the only reason I continued with the show.
Other:
The romance is good. The side characters are endearing. The kisses are enjoyable. The antagonist does a very good acting job. The past and present weave effortlessly and are interesting to follow. The cheeky and often hilariously cringey supernatural effects are a delight. While the ending episodes are mediocre at best, the first ten are so emotionally powerful that at the end I couldn’t help but give it an 8.5, still.
Do I recommend? Yes. Definitely. Because despite its flaws Chicago in its core is a beautiful story about friendship, loyalty and the inseparable bond between three people that transcends time. This is a show that you absolutely have to give a chance to. It doesn’t matter whether you like it or not, it’s worth at least a try. This isn't a drama you should judge by reading other people’s opinion, you simply have to experience it yourself.
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Probably, it's because of the amazing transitions of frames, the great scripting and acting of the cast, as well as the choreography of the fight scenes that did not spoil the entire feel of the film.
It has the right balance of fantasy, drama and romance. I had been investing the entire time and was crying during last segments in return. Amazing, everyone.
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Actors, though young, especially Xing Zhao Lin, are excellent. The plot is good, tense. I can not wait to see how the story will continue. I hope the end will be happy.
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Do you like cliff-hangers that keep you watching?
Well, then you're in the right place because this has been the best and most satisfying revenge drama that I have ever watched. This show is so satisfying because just when the opposing side thinks they have the upper hand, Pil Joo comes in and reminds them that they don't. It is so satisfying to watch the opposing side come up with all these plans to ruin Pil Joo, but he is always one step ahead of them. Remember, if you try to mess with Pil Joo, you'll be the one to end up in the ground!
The story and cast were amazing, and the music deserves some kind of award! The only reason this isn't a full on 10/10 (like it should be) is because once the secret is revealed to basically everyone, I didn't really have anything to look forward to anymore so it got kind of boring, but only slightly!
Highly recommend!!
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If you can't stomach taboo topics and in particular, incest...DON'T WATCH THIS! It will save you from complaining or dropping mid way. There is intimacy between the siblings like in any relationship that is shown in movies to develop their relationship so be forewarned. The story in the movie has a lot of plot holes in my opinion. They didn't really explain things well or complete enough. This movie, objectively speaking, wasn't produced very well. The cast was definitely in the so-so range in my opinion so that didn't really help. The fact is, I watched the anime OVA first so I knew what I was getting myself into. (FYI, this is based off a manga...10 volumes) And, in comparison to the OVA, I felt like the movie did better than the OVA in portraying the manga but it still left holes in places I wish it was filled in. The movie shows the emotional struggle that the siblings do have from beginning to end. I agree with another reviewer that mentioned that this really isn't a romantic movie. It shows that the romance exists but it more so focuses on the struggle of acceptance of what relationship can the two of them have...an adventurous path that most don't tread on.
Don't really have much to say about music. Rewatching value...well, let's just say this won't be the first thing that pops up in my head. It is one of those movies that you will remember just because of the taboo topic. Acting really isn't all that great.
But, I do think it isn't that bad. Food for thought...I think this type of relationship can actually happen. I mean twins are a strong bond. And, in Asian countries, family are really close. Too be so close to run into a foreign emotion to a family member may be possible, especially in twins...plus the fact that they are teens with hormones raging and other factors that are shown in the movie. There are definitely forces playing for it to happen.
The portrayal of emotional confusion, struggles and acceptance of a decision between the characters are the three memorable and noticeable things that makes the movie not so much so, a terrible movie to me.
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Money Flower paints a very interesting story about the Jang’s familial power struggle. Everyone has their own motives and agenda. Though this drama falls into the typical makjang, revenge category, the execution is beyond anything I’ve ever watched before.
The ability this drama has to deliver an intense, plot heavy story week over week is admirable. Characters are calculating, logical and heartless. Jang Hyuk stars as Kang Pil Joo. His delivery and ability to build suspense without even saying a word is pure power. His melodic delivery when he does speak as the calculated attorney leave the audience anticipating every word and syllable. He is absolutely mesmerizing. The drama also delivers on other strong portrayals by Park Se Young, Jang Seung Jo and Lee Mi Sook.
If you are looking for something that is intense and utilizes amazing story telling and acting, I would strongly recommend giving this drama a try. I can’t praise this drama enough. It has kept me guessing all the way through. The way this drama can suck you in and keep you on the edge of your seat, champing at the bit for the next episode is truly note worthy. What are you waiting for?! Let yourself get swept away!!!
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If you ever felt like degrading almost every drama you have watched so far only because of this one new show you just started, then welcome to Money Flower. Is it captivating? Yes. Does it have an amazing cast? Yes. Will the script blow your mind away? A definite YES.
Although I know that there will always be this one or two per cent who don’t enjoy a show and that there are also those dramas whose hype is just overrated, I’m sure that most of the people who watched this one, enjoyed it as much as I did – and probably felt the same (painful…) torture every week.
I haven't watched many dramas with Jang Hyuk yet, but the character he took on in this drama is by far and without doubt one of his best - if not THE best. I can't compare much but I also can't imagine how Jang Hyuk would top what he delivered here. He plays a typical anti-hero who wants to take revenge for something that happened a long time ago and therefore concocts a plan that takes action over a long period of time while needing a lot of patience. 'Strength lies in calmness' one would say, well damn, Kang Pil Joo (Jang Hyuk) created this line all anew. A first glance of him and his whole demeanor tells you to not approach him. He seems like a fox that transforms into a tiger later on. He's cold and manipulative, calculating and ambitious. It's incredible how scarce his facial expressions were and at the same time told so much about his inner thoughts and conflicts. It was also thrilling to watch him pursue his goals and root for him but also see whether he would be able to go all the way, cross boundaries or stay focused till the bitter end.
Jang Hyuk's acting is leading this drama effortlessly, even though he is not the only force and has some equal counterparts who delivered their stories just as well.
For example Jang Seung Jo who is portraying Jang Boo Cheon. He seems to be a clueless guy who doesn't have a serious plan for his future and therefore gets lead like a puppet by his mother. Deep down he is a good boy. He has many flaws, makes mistakes and even though he tries to do the right things or correct his mistakes, he ends up worsening them. Yes, he's not perfect and definitely no saint but his bromance with Kang Pil Joo was beautiful and painful to watch at the same time. Twists and turns will test him in every possible way - and while Kang Pil Joo's path seems rather clear, Jang Boo Cheon's character will be thrown into some fatal situations. You won't always agree with his behavior or his decisions, you might even get furious about them. But there are also some moments when you want to give him some slack, too. Out of them all he was the one who was the hardest to predict, especially in the second half.
His mother on the other hand is one despicable woman. Lee Mi Sook. Whenever I watch a drama with her, she makes me want to strangle her character - sometimes jokingly, sometimes with all my might. Jung Mal Ran, the woman she is impersonating, definitely belongs to my latter choice. Just the sight of her makes me furious. Yes, she had some hardships in her life and always had to fight for everything while constantly living with the fear of losing it all in the end. But the lengths she is willing to go to secure those things and totally ignoring what's really important, put her on a way that would be very hard to escape from. I wouldn't say that she's one of the best villains I've seen so far, but Lee Mi Sook put on an enjoyable show and her performance is worth the effort.
These three actors just received the MBC rewards for excellence performances in Money Flower. It's the first time that I actually agree on the winners because their acting was far above everyone else.
Park Se Young plays Na Mo Hyun, the innocent equivalent in this drama and someone who brings a little balance into this heavy revenge game. She gets caught in Kang Pil Joo's net of lies without realizing it. Even though she seemed to be the naive good girl, she never appeared weak in my eyes. She had to deal with some cruel situations but after falling down, she put herself together and fought back which was so important because otherwise she would have become insane. I appreciate her character very much. She did what was in her power while staying true to herself, getting stronger and raising her confidence. I like Park Se Young a lot, her acting might not have been as outstanding as the others, but she still did a wonderful job and on top of that had sizzling chemistry with Jang Hyuk. Yes, they kept me on tenterhooks like I have never been before... But beware, this drama focuses on Pil Joo's revenge and doesn't care for its viewers desires.
There are so many other characters and actors who nourish the story and should be mentioned. But I don't want to take away all the enjoyment. It's hard to praise and do justice to this drama without getting lost in the details and reveal too much. Everyone should experience this road for themselves.
The story is smooth like water, it doesn't have rugged edges, and the colors and the music feel like a well balanced frame, that carries a calm but sweeping tone - and you realize that something big is coming down. It's like one of those paintings you discover in old art museums. The more you look at it, the more you get sucked in - Money Flower is just like that. It makes you curious and excited. It leaves a hole in your heart whenever you have to pause it. Sometimes I wanted to hide my face but the drama wouldn't let me do that. I was too paralyzed to avoid my gaze. And of course, I didn't want to miss even one second. I started to anticipate the heat in my veins while getting furious or anxious or flustered.
Other times I found myself crying without realizing it, because the tears suddenly exploded in my eyes. I didn't cry much during this show and I didn't realize how deep my emotions got entangled until a certain moment. Then it suddenly hit me and one scene, one tear of Jang Hyuk and my rivers broke. Believe me when I say that it's that good - in every aspect possible.
I was worried and in doubt until the last minute whether they would be able to conclude the drama with a satisfying ending. But they certainly did. I might have some personal issues with one tiny thing (that is so not worth mentioning) but overall a deserving finale.
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I wholeheartedly thank them for being loyal and faithful to the real Mulan story and for not romanticizing Mulan as a disguised woman in love.
Furthermore, with the talented cast, it became greater than just having faithful plot.
Amazing, I have no ill feelings or complaints.
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We want diff stories with heroes who are really unbeatable...and this drama gives yoy that... You don't have to shed a single tear worrying for Kang Pil Joo...infact whn ppl betray him u look forward to how he has defeated them....
Brilliant Acting...there are a few loop holes but otherwise fantastic...worth a watch...totally hooking... binge wathing with full dedication kinda drama !
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VERY SHORT REVIEW
This movie was nothing short of amazing. The acting was on par, the storyline quality, the flow and character development extremely good. I was mostly impressed by actress Kim Hyang Gi that I didn't know at all until I saw her in this production. The entire cast was awesome, but my favorite character was the advocate Hae Won Maek played by Joo Ji Hoon. The movie addresses family matters, hardship of life, the notions of good and evil, the feelings of inadequation and guilt. It reveals our imperfect human nature, and makes us reflect on our own existence. This movie is so filled with emotions. I found the different hells very original visually, however the weakest point for me was the CGI at times, that looked rather cheap and messy. But it was overall very delightful and very well deserves its position as one of the biggest hits in Korea's film history.Was this review helpful to you?
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I don't ever cry while watching any drama or anything else , but this drama made my eyes wet,
Notes :-
1. Watch it if you are looking for Great Plot and many twists
2. Don't watch if you are looking for happy ending
3. All characters are well developed and performed very well
4. Many many many SAD moments
5. Beginning is very slow , plot takes time tk develop , you can't guess what's going to happen in next episodes
Recommend to those who like history, politics, heart touching sad romance
I'm very angry with it's SAD Ending ????????
I hopped upto the last second that it will have happy ending but it did not ended happily.
I hope you liked my review because this my first review on MDL. thanks
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For me, there was too much crazy, unbelievable stuff that happened that left a bad taste in my mouth due to its mature content despite the age group it portrayed such as a: drugs, rape, suicide, violence, etc. Despite the actors’ best attempts to redeem this script I felt that the drama just felt, for lack of a better word… off. Although there was a lot of extreme situations that happened in the drama (despite it containing only 11 episodes at a little over a half hour each), most of the time the drama felt slow and boring. And then there would suddenly be an attempted suicide, seemingly out of nowhere! It just did not feel right, felt more like shock value versus a well-rounded story that progressed naturally.
Personally, I cannot recommend this drama as I feel there are so many better ones. However, if you are a fan of Koizora this might be a drama worth trying.
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This review may contain spoilers
SHORT REVIEW, SPOILERS
The lack of love and harsh criticism of this drama made me think 20 times about watching it. But I’m so glad I gave it a chance. Sweet Stranger & Me is more dramatic than really rom-com. There is a little dose of cheesiness, but once you get to know the backstory of the leads it takes an entirely different turn. Could it be one of the reasons people disliked and dropped it ? Since it wasn’t what was expected. I thought I would laugh all throughout the show but it took a dark turn quite quickly. Ironically, this unexpected turn of events is what actually kept me interested.STRONG POINTS : The plot itself. It is… a bit strange ? I’d even say a little controversial. The whole family situation made a few viewers uncomfortable, however once you understand the motives behind the choices of the characters, this situation makes perfect sense. The leads are good actors. In fact, all the actors of this drama are doing a great job. Ko Nan Gil pushed Hong Na Ri to stay true to herself. He's a very supportive guy.
WEAK POINTS : The love story evolves too rapidly. The female lead trusts too fast too soon, she seems wise on the surface but makes decisions like a kid. And towards the end the drama gets a bit draggy. The music is forgettable.
OVERALL : Not revolutionary but not bad or boring either. Of course it’s not phenomenal, but it’s just one of those shows to binge watch when you have time to kill at home on a stormy day, the kind that I typically rate “7 to 7.5”, as in entertaining enough.
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