Although a few episodes longer than the usual Kdrama format, never a dull moment.
Even though I don't like indescisive people, I found here the love triangle is handled very well.
It was a pleasant change that they took the serious elements and portrayed them in a positive and light way rather than turning a light fun watch into a melodrama.
I have to say I liked the second lead a lot, still I loved the spoilt brat of a hero, he portrays his character so well.
I have always liked this actress, and have seen nearly all her drama, here too she does a good job. The other thing is the skinship, done so naturally with someone you love.
No evil moms, no vamps creating misunderstandings, no annoying or heart burning moments.
It would have been better if all the side stories had been wrapped up well, the kids romance, the ajummas and the chef, but they were not given enough time to evolve and complete.
The main story was very well done.
overall a pleasant and enjoyable watch. Time well spent.
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Honestly this was so cute. The characters were so pure, innocent, sweet and true to their characteristics.
Amazing acting on the leads part, it's not easy to act cute without looking artificial.
That's all. Just watch it. Everything in this makes me want a world like theirs. There are so many happy moments, it feels so good to watch it.
Comforting, sweet, cute, pure, innocent, lovely, precious, healing, satisfying.
I'll never forget this one everrr!!
The story was a completely thought out touching one with no loopholes.
AND IT IS SO FUNNY in it's pure form!
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This kdrama was a breath of a fresh air. It was funny, and I mean funny and Louis was too cute! I mean cuteness to max extend! Like Louis said TOTALLY MY STYLE! lol
I really did not want to watch anything complicated, but something heartwarming, and yes! What a treat it was! Music, cast, production fit well but main leads were just total cuteness to die for! I am still laughing at how great Louis character was and how funny!
I don't want to say no more because honestly I loved it so much that I want to watch something like this again! .............. totally my style!
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This review may contain spoilers
Pros: Really good acting! The two guys have really put the story to works, and becoming into a powerful piece. The whole series is really worth the watch.Cons: The story. It pretty much tries to be melodramatic in each parts but most of the time it fails, it forces you so much to feel sympathy instead of feeling it by yourself. I must also protest that Thai BL's should never touch a serious note, for they do not achieve it that much; Thai BL's are better at doing romance and comedy rather than attempting a Western style of BL drama. Like example *minor spoiler (the end) the last part was just there, it was just a random thing that popped-up without even starting with a conflict. The Exposition is decent enough, the Rising Action is pretty good, the Conflicts (are many) is fine because some were just fake and just burnt-out by the end, the Ending was ehh... trying too hard to be sad with eloquent words. SO yes, it was a decently made but a wonderfully acted series that falls short by the end and gone strong at the beginning. The first part was a really good foundation! Some people may say that they're wailing by the end but for me it just an ugh part.
FINAL WORDS:
If you want a society based and a serious BL film, go check the Western's, they do it better.
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I'll keep this review short and to the point.
What works: Amazing acting, ever evolving characters, gripping comedy, diverse range of characters, a thorough and different depiction of the TV news industry, sizzling chemistry and ton loads of unexpected turns.
Everytime you think you know a character's move, or expect a cliche, you will be surprised with something absoluetly absurdly different. That's the USP of the show. Apart from the fact that they handled the issue of brest cancer brilliantly and effectively and so graciously, they gave multiple twists to even the normal love trainle
What I enjoyed: Hwa Shin's way of love, his character evolution. Na Ri's undetereed loyalty and ability to take care of everyone around her.
You'll read all around what worked for the show that made me give it a 10.
I'll tell you about what made me deduct the 1 point from the story: It felt incomplete after a while. The things we were prepared slowly in the first half of the show, were left un dealt with durin the second half. The teenage triangle, the chef-moms traingle (although dealt fairly well, I'd have liked for the Chef to be actaully asexual), and mainly the second lead.
They introduced the second lead in such a manner that he practically charmed the pants off, but then he started to get on everyones nerves around the middle part. He was a character that I expected to be the BFF first and the second lead later. And while he did that for around 15 episods, it suddenly got downhill and creepy after that when he couldn't give up.. What I'd have liked is that they redeemed him in the end slow and not just by giving him 5 mins in the end. No, I'd have liked for him to stick up for his best friend and be there..and this should have been done through the last 4 epsiodes. This kinda left an incomplete aftertaste for me.
Other than that, let's count the amazingness of the show:
- Mind blowing actors, JJS toreme apart with his emotional scenes and I fell off my chair laughing at him.
- GHJ is a queen when it comes to cute yet firm characters. Her micro minute expressions made me love her so much.
- Unexpected way of dealin with equally unusual and absurd situations
- Unlimited laughter
- Brilliant supporting cast
- Entertaining TV news team and scenes (especially the auditions)
- Heart fluttering OST
This was my first show to watch live with everyone, waiting for the episodes everyweek, and it honestly made my thursdays and fridays (I saw it a day later because of subtitles) and I'm going to miss this SO much.
Favourite Episodes: 4, 6, 9, 12, 14, 17, 22, 23.
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Story
The K2 is ambitious, it wants to be intriguing and captivating but too much pressure has underwhelming results. The drama is a weird combo of action, political drama and romance that doesn't really work. There are 4 main characters, all of them perfectly demonstrated and completely 3-D, each of them has a story of revenge or ambition about the future and all their stories get entangled to set the plot. The characterization is the best part of the drama.
The base story is there and it's quite well-thought-out once you get to grasp it (takes a few episodes - or more than a few), however the K2 was one of those dramas that even though you enjoy it, only drawbacks come to mind when you think of it, sadly.
The drama felt 50% superman, 30% boring political talk and no act and 20% forced romance.
Most surprising thing about this drama is that the biggest and most critical asset of it, the action scenes, ended up working against the whole thing. Ji Chang Wook was immaculate in them, it's not his fault that after 2-3 episodes my initial enthusiasm turned into yawning. It was certainly not his fault. The directing and editing is to blame here. They overplayed the scenes so much, they quickly lose their spark and interest; unnecessary slow-motion, gratuitous weird angles and more made them look overly cheesy. What's more, it quickly felt that the drama pays too much attention in CJW doing his thing than to the plot itself which made the drama feel increasingly superficial and shallow.
Furthermore, what is the korean obsession with making their male leads look like superman? As the episodes continue CJW's character felt more and more unreal. Humans have their limits, that's their charm. Striping them of that feature makes them look fake. I didn't sign up for a hero film, sorry.
Another really awkward thing is that each episode is packed with action, or scheming, plotting, romance, so many things going on, but when i stopped to think what had actually happened after the end of every episode, how the episode contributed to the overall story, i came up always with nothing. In retrospect, nothing actually had happened. Amazing isn't it? The story is there but there is no real development until the end. Dissapointing, what a letdown.
Continuing, the drama is defined by its political aspect. I'm not into political dramas, so once this part kicked in i was inevitably bored. However, I'm usually very much into scheming evil characters and backstabbing and this drama has plenty of it, but the build up to all this was lenghty and quite tiresome to watch.
Additionally, i'd like to talk about the dissapointing romance. CJW is paired with Yoona here, and while they do look good together, their romance felt thorougly forced and wasn't given adequate time to grow and develop. On the contrary CJW and Choi Yoo Na's chemistry was effortless and off the charts. I think i can safely speak on behalf of almost every viewer when i express my dissapointment in the writer's persistence to shove the former couple down our throats when the latter was there and was spotless since the very first moment.
Drawing my rant to a conclusion i'd want to talk about the misuse of Yoona (Anna) as a character. She was either running, crying screaming or taken hostage throughout the whole thing, while she barely appeared in the first half. She basically made CJW's character look like super mario trying to save his girlfriend, unrealistic and cringy.
At this point i feel inclined to mention and stress the significance of Song Yoon Ah's character who probably makes the drama worth watching on her own. Finding characters that are 3D and not carricature versions of real life people is difficult in kdramas. Here, all the character were well-created but Choi Yoo Jin was the perfect villain or more like the anti-hero. There are several layers of her character that go deep and are visible little by little. She was the perfect villain who everyone grew fond of quickly and she deserved better from start to finish. You'll love her believe me.
Acting
The acting was dazzling.
Yoona who is seemigly the weakest link of the main cast was way better than expected. She suited the character perfectly and was completely satisfying in her every scene even though severely misused.
Ji Chang Wook executed his action scenes spotlessly, and to be honest that was his character's main goal. I have nothing else to add, he was manly and a worthy main lead, but he deserves better as an actor.
Jo Sung Ha was also spectacular in his twisted role, but the real queen of the drama was Song Yoon Ah, hands down. Her character was disturbed, easy to misunderstand, but she made us all care for her and see beyond her evil mask. Loved her completely. Star quality actor.
Recommend/Rewatch
Overall, the drama wasn't bad, it is one of those dramas that blow up in the beginning but never come up with the goods. It was enjoyable for the most part (let's exclude the boring political talk), and entertaining. If you are into hot guys playing superman in fight scenes, like evil characters scheming and double-crossing as well as some kind of romance in the sidetracks, do give this a chance. Having low expectations will surely result in higher pleasure. My 8 is kind of a stretch, consider this a 7.5 + 0.5 for the perfect poetic ending! I will never rewatch this.
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The beginning was all very thrilling and I was very much intrigued, only to be disappointed later. The story was okay but it was very much dragged and repetitive. Cruel Romance is set in the Shanghai of 1930's and it is the first time I am watching a drama in that background and that was a good thing for me. The setting was beautiful and so are the dresses and I really liked the retro feel. I think the actors were good but their caricature like roles didn't helped me to enjoy them.I was cringing at times for the heroine's character. Lead guy was hot with all those abs and the girl was also beautiful.
The music was fine.
Re watch???? No i wont re-watch this ever.
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I'm sad there won't be a continuation of this show. The main characters interactions were so fluffy and well played. It makes the series worth watching. Their constant bickering and flirting is what kept me laughing and smiling. Just--they are so cute.
Overall, the plot line was good, though a few parts were cliched. However, I'm sure most people aren't watching this for plot--more so for cute Asian guys and the fluff. Make sure you watch the uncut scenes if want steamy stuff.
If you're looking for a fun story, definitely check this out. I will re-watch this in the future.
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Dislike:
- I didn't like how the story was written. Not much progress is seen in the drama. The things that is unanswered remain unanswered till the last episode. Nothing impact had been done to the bad guys till the last episode.
- I didn't like their love story, it is like sooo rushing. Suddenly a kiss scene occured. No emotional build up. The ending too! (Maybe is my personal preference XP)
Like:
- I like their acting. Especially Choi Yoo Jin (the second lead). Her acting is really really good. I really wanted to smack her at times and I feel pity at the same time.
- I like the action scenes. They really put SOOOOO much effort in the action scenes. Almost every episode their is an action scenes and all those scenes really seems very cool and real. Appreciate their effort. Maybe because they focus more on these action scenes causing the storyline to be not that fascinate.
In conclusion, to those who like to watch cool cool action dramas, you guys can have a try! :))
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Edge of your seat watching, plot twisting that made you think harder to figure out why and how.
I loved it!
If you are a Ji Chang Wook fan then you don't want to miss this show!
The fight scenes were incredible!
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I don't understand why there is so few recommendations in the you tube.
Because of this drama, i watch task force 38 and law of jungle Mongolia episode 1 to 5 only..
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Another Lifetime of Fate: The Legend of Meng Li Jun
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I enjoyed cussing the villains as much as I was rooting for Meng Li Jun as she fended off her enemies while trying to clear her beloved's name. Though I must admit I wanted the second main male lead to to win Meng Li Jun more than for Huang Fu Shao Hua. There was more energy and sparks between them especially after Meng Li Jun's secret was exposed..
The cast was quite well chosen. The acting was great, tugging at my emoitons as I rooted whom I should root for, waving my fists when things go bad for the leads. Liu Bing Bing was good in her gender bending role. Sun Xing and Chen Long were excellent. I hated their characters while at the same time empathizing with the why behind their actions.
The pace of the drama was slow at several points, there were 40 episodes afterall but well worth the time if you are looking for a good retelling of an old classic with believable acting and intrigue.
How I rate
---
5 = okay, but will never watch again
8 = good with rewatch value
>8 = good with rewatch value and must OWN!
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In the beginning, I thought that just Shibata and Shunin were going to have importance to history. But all of them was important!
Akira, Haruko and Mogami-kun were very insteresting characters, with a lot of personality. Mogami-kun also was really cute and I felt in love with him.
In the other hand, Shunin and Shibata had a lot of chemistry.
The soundtrack was amazing!!
I would to like to watch this drama again!
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But as for the drama as a whole?
It was a mixed bag.
Some things just didn't work. There were many plot inconsistencies and things revealed near the end (I just finished the last episode a few minutes ago...) that weren't explained enough or were kind of rushed. I feel like the whole story could have been fleshed out more. Also, you have to take a lot of what happens with a grain of salt. Dramaland is very strong in this drama. K2 should not have been capable of what he was capable of, especially near the end.
There are too many little inconsistencies and faults that I can't remember them all. I'd have to watch the show again and write them all down. I won't do that though. You'll just have to see for yourself.
By far, the first 5-6 episodes were the best out of the entire show. After that it went downhill most of the time with a few bumps here and there. I mean, it wasn't that bad, but nothing beats those first few episodes. They sucked me in immediately.
The characters were okay, but like I said before with the plot inconsistencies, they apply to the characters too. Near the end I really wasn't sure what some of these characters were about. Also, the relationship between the two leads never moved my heart. It felt misplaced. The transition needed to be done better.
There were a few cheesy moments here and there as well. The end was weird too. I felt like some of the reactions these people had to things were backwards and they need to get checked out by doctors.
The action scenes were fantastic! Though sometimes even those didn't make sense. A lot of the times guns weren't used when they were within reach and I'm pretty sure it was just a plot device to help out K2. But other than that the fighting was just breath-taking.
The music was amazing! I want to download the soundtrack as soon as possible.
Overall, it wasn't a bad show. If you are watching it for the same reason I did, Ji Chang Wook, you'll be pleased. If not, you might just want to concentrate on the action and music and not question what's going on. If you don't want to do either of those two things, at least check out the soundtrack and pass on the show. The soundtrack is at least worth listening to.
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