Reviews

Making it through another day

"D.P." to me was a captivating Korean drama that striked a deep emotional chord, knwoing it would strike a lasting impact on my thoughts. From the very first episode, it drew me into the world of military life in Korea which i was clueless about... presenting a raw and authentic portrayal of the struggles faced by these soldiers. What truly sets it apart for me is the profound bond between the two main characters, Ahn Jun-ho and Han Ho-yeol, whose camaraderie made the journey slightly less painful although not completely. Their journey, fraught with moral dilemmas and personal growth, before after the final credits rolled i knew "D.P." wasn't another regular kdrama; it's an emotional rollercoaster that earns its place among the best of Korean dramas for me and will absolutely resonate with for a long time as i re-visit it.


ALSO PLEASE CONTINUE WATCHING AFTER THE END CREDITS ROLL IN (Not spoiling beyond this)

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just watch it

This isn't the series with incredible story and acting to match. The story is dull and ridiculous, the actors are awkward at times, the excessive sighing and eye roll worthy overacting-- it's cringe. But you know, I've watched worse.

Why watch this? Because these two have incredible chemistry, its not just "how many times can we have two attractive men take off their clothes and make out?" like a lot of bls are trying to do these days. Whoever put these two together knew exactly what they were doing, the way they talk to, look at, and touch each other is so intimate. They hadn't even had an intentional kiss yet before I was in a ball blushing, but when they did... holy hell. It's not like it was raunchy, it's just how they touched each other, how their bodies interact together, and the emotions behind the scenes.

So, just watch it, the drama is not amazing, but they are.

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Our world in a Kdrama!

Ten stars in some eyes stands perfect. Nothing is perfect in this
world, this show and the characters story showed us that better
than anyone ever could.
it showed that even if you have something people want it doesn't
mean you're happy. it doesn't mean you have the happiness which
people should be glad to have.

being silent doesn't mean you accept. accept all the things that are wrong in our world, in the fictional world nor the universe.

The next part of the text might be a little spoiler.. or not I am not sure, I wouldn't say it does but if it does I WArned you..

Beom (one of the characters) you know i hated you. I hate you, even though I understood
you, I understood you so well that it hurt. I watched as you burned
inside but instead of you extinguishing that fire you let it escape
and burn all those around you.
I know sometimes it easier to become the monster that you once
feared and ran away from . And I believe that humans are not born
bad, bad persons are born when life beats them up until they can't
see clear and they have nothing to feel. I don't want to believe in
monsters of birth but Beom still I stopped believing in you. I know
just you're lost. The darkness broke all the lights on the path you
chose, but I really hope you can light them again. .

the "might be a spoiler part end here"

It's true that the reckless violence in this story, it's not right and
seeing it makes me even more sad because our worlds in reality is
quite similar.
People shed blood until the other gives up. Some are ready to bleed 'till the other is nothing but a memory and some burned dust.

When you protect someone with the pounces you give and take it's blurs the line of wrong and right, and it's true nothing is just black and white. That's why I loved watching this show, thinking about
how the things the characters did were rightful or how they were
just so wrong and that why they broke me.

In the end I loved it. This was a little much to my brain and heart
because I cried and cursed so much because of certain
character(s) ... I am not pointing fingers here. okay!

If you like good acting,
a good story where the plot isn't too hard to follow
violence with really amazing fighting scenes
and maybe hating some characters and choosing sides I say watch
this series.... if you don't like those things.. then still watch it
watch it for Park Ji Hoon

okay thank youuu and byeeee!!!
have a good night I am going to sleepy sleep

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Fun and short!

So this was alright?
I did appreciate the short length - the formula didn't have enough time to become stale.
It's just not at all what I expected from the title and poster - sure it was wacky at times, but then also surprisingly dark.
It kinda went places I didn't think it would.
Not sure why, but the cast in this was pretty cool and enjoyable.
Perhaps because they had so few episodes it was also well structured, things were set up and later paid off - it felt like a proper story with themes and stuff.
Yeah, I still don't think it lives up to the hype and silly high scores, but it's pretty good overall.

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"Run for Young": An Underrated Gem

As a newcomer to the realm of writing reviews, I couldn't have picked a more fitting gem to start with than "Run for Young." This drama, often flying under the radar, has left an indelible mark on my heart with its unique blend of humor, sadness, and nostalgia.

"Run for Young" is a tapestry of emotions, seamlessly weaving laughter and tears into its narrative. From the outset, it tugs at the strings of nostalgia, evoking memories of youthful exuberance and camaraderie. The characters, each with their quirks and flaws, feel like old friends, making us root for them in every step of their journey.

One of the most compelling aspects of "Run for Young" is the bond between the group of protagonists. Their friendship is palpable, their banter infectious, and their struggles deeply resonant. Watching them navigate through life's challenges together is both heartwarming and poignant, leaving us yearning for a connection as strong as theirs.

But it's not just the central group that steals the show. "Run for Young" also shines a light on the family-like relationships within the neighborhood. The way the characters rally around each other in times of need, offering support, love, and sometimes tough love, is a testament to the power of community.

What truly sets "Run for Young" apart is its ability to balance humor and sadness with such finesse. As someone who doesn't usually find themselves laughing at dramas unless deeply connected with the characters, "Run for Young" managed to evoke genuine laughter and tears. One moment, you'll find yourself doubled over with laughter at the characters' antics, and the next, you'll be reaching for the tissues as they confront life's harsh realities. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps you glued to the screen till the very end.

In conclusion, "Run for Young" is an underrated gem of a drama that deserves far more recognition than it receives. Its ability to evoke laughter, tears, and nostalgia in equal measure is a testament to its brilliance. For anyone craving a heartfelt story with unforgettable characters and a healthy dose of feels, "Run for Young" is an absolute must-watch.

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Inescapable Consequences

I adore Yoo Seung Ho, and his performance in this did not disappoint. His embodiment of his character was so raw and poignant. I have to say that he pulls off the most anguish-filled scenes with the most earnestness and gut-wrenching acting I’ve ever seen and heard. That’s right, “heard.” His cries of anger, of sadness, of sheer frustration always manage to bring tears to my eyes and pain to my soul. He’s an underutilized gem of the industry and I wish I could see more of him, more often.

My praise of his talent isn’t the only reason I loved this drama, though. Kim Dong Hwi and Yoo Su Bin, (the latter of which’s heartwrending scenes were almost too much to bear), both brought their A-game as well. I was impressed by the entourage of characters who also brought this tragedy of judgement errors to life.

It’s a tale of common enough desperation leading to fortunately not so common actions and the toll those actions inevitably bring to bear on all. I actually even enjoyed the opening sequence(s), (rare for me), and the subtle yet haunting music score. Highly recommend, and will definitely watch again.

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That kiss didn't live up to its expectations...

Alright, I've just finished watching this second season and I must admit I've shed too many tears. But let me break it down now.

We start the drama with the death of Son Myeong-o, and a bit of explanation of what he did before it happened, and Ha Do-young catching Park Yeon-jin in our Dong-eun apartment. From this moment on, it'll escalate quickly; if you think now that eight episodes aren't enough, you'll get to the end wondering what the heck happened in the middle.

This season is the one where we'll see Do-young grow apart from his ten years wife, getting slowly a better understanding of what happened almost two decades ago. He'll ask himself more and more questions, until finally he'll get his answers once he realizes first-hand how psycho Yeon-jin is. Still, he won't leave her, at least for now.

The plan Dong-eun has been carrying out starts to get finalized in a few details. We discover some important news here: Myeong-o wasn't the one who raped our poor Yoon So-hee, but Jeon Jae-joon. It's our main lead, Joo Yeo-jeong, that first who realizes it when the bastard asks him about an autopsy and what can get unveiled through it. Now, this changes the course of events: it'll be Yeon-jin the one to expose the pregnancy of So-hee through a «press conference», although without saying the name of the rapist.

Also, our Kang Hyun-nam and her secret identity as Dong-eun's assistant gets uncovered by Yeon-jin, that threatens her to get on her side. Of course, our ahjumma isn't stupid and talks to Dong-eun, letting her know she'll now pretend to work for Yeon-jin. Honestly, I have a mad respect for that woman and her courage: I mean, first her husband and then that bitch?!

Talking about husbands... Dong-eun is a genius, and so are the writers lol. We were waiting for that bastard to die, as our main lead promised Hyun-nam, and finally it happens. However, it's unexpected: Dong-eun makes sure the man blackmails Yeon-jin's mother, and through some «adventures»... Let's say the killer and the timing are completely unexpected.

As for Do-yeong, he finally decides to leave Yeon-jin in the final episode, which lasts about an hour and fifteen btw, and DOES SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY UNFORESEEN!! What you mean my man got his little revenge? I honestly don't understand why so many people say he's toxic, I'd love to have a father like him omg. I also loved how they revealed it was him. But generally speaking, his love for Ye-sol is immense and I'm here for that.

Regarding Ye-sol herself... I just gotta love when she turns her back to her own mother. «I'm not proud of you anymore, mom». That kid's going places, let me tell ya.

And don't let me start with the landlord lady. Just few minutes before the finale we get to see what was their relationship and here's where I cried oceans. «The water is freezing, why don't we die in spring?». «I realized when you said we should die in spring that you meant we should bloom. It's been eighteen springs now and I'm waiting my time to bloom». Those lines were my absolute favorite in the whole drama. That old lady has really got my heart, she's my favorite character now.

Some people also said they would've preferred a finale with the sparkles between Do-young and Dong-eun. Here's what I think: yes, they have very similar mentalities, and yes, they really have that chemistry (especially in the first season); however, Dong-eun got closer to him just for her revenge, she never once thought of «stealing» him from Yeon-jin. Moreover, Dong-eun would've had to live with the constant memory of her past if she dated Do-young. I think her letting go of the gym and the hallways (as she repeatedly said) included letting go of EVERYTHING that came with it; that is also why she decided to leave Yeo-jeong and even herself. And what about Ye-sol? Dong-eun wouldn't have been able to live with the little girl knowing she ruined her family, even though Yeon-jin deserved it doesn't mean her daughter did.

Yeo-jeong's mother. I want her. Can I have her? Where can I get one? She's so freaking cool. She already noticed how her son was barely living through his everyday life, and how he immediately lighted up once Dong-eun entered his life. She's never once tried to stop him, despite his actions could've been considered crimes. She saved Dong-eun because she knew BOTH of them NEEDED each other to live, and her entire purpose/job is to let people live peacefully their lives. There's so much between these scenes actually, I really applaud the writers.

And what about the plot twist of Yeo-jeong always knowing Dong-eun needed him? Like man? First he goes: «I'll be your executioner, just tell me who I have to kill first», «At some point in life you need to decide what kind of person you want to become, and I decided to be your partner in crime» and many more lines, just to find out you haven't take this decision the moment she told you about her story but since the start? Oh, Yeo-jeong, what kind of a man that you are... That was so sexy of him btw, he raised my standards over the sun.

Now. If you've arrived here, you're probably asking about my title. Come on, you've probably already seen the scene. I mean, I understand the main plot is revenge, but you give me such a MAN as the main lead, you build up their relationship FOR WHAT?! That was the kind of kiss you give in middle school! Still, was much anticipated.

Overall, this revenge drama is absolutely the best. Never seen something this good, this well thought in every detail. Even the story of Kim Gyeong-ran, the third victim of the group and also the shop assistant of Siesta, was incredible. I mean, you could've predicted something, but other things were news to me. Or maybe I'm too stupid?

And that was it. One of the best dramas I've ever watched. Fenomenal acting, amazing musics and storyline. Just perfect.

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the first show I had seen about a university college student that is going through life

I started watching this show on YouTube from March 20th to March 28th. the episodes are 36 minutes long. The story was enjoyable to watch. The cast did an amazing job! I really like episode 1 where Chen Miren and Zhong Wei talk about their astrological sign and zodiac sign. I feel bad for Zhao Gu that the parents care about Zhao Zhi more than her. I also really like in episode 9 where Chen Miren's parents are so worried about her studying instead of going out. I wish every parents were like this! I find in episode 10 that Chen Miren doesn't want Zhong Wei in trouble but she says she was here for Huang Xiaoyue was funny. I find in episode 12 where Xu Miao Miao asks Chen Miren if she is going to sleep or if she is not going to sleep. In episode 19 where Cao Jia'er hugs Zhong Wei was it really makes Chen Miren jealous of them. Zhong Wei became a gossipy type of person in episode 20 and episode 21 to get Chen Miren back really didn't work out. I think it's cute in the episode 22 that Chen Miren and Zhong Wei start dating again. In episode 24 tell me Chen Miren and Zhong Wei still end up together but it does look like they have a happy ending.

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Tragic!

I watched the Japanese version of this and absolutely loved it, it was fast paced and funny, and there was so much chemistry between the main leads.
I was so excited to watch the new version as I assumed it would be even better than the last one, but no, it was awful.

There was no chemistry between the actors at all, and long long drawn out scenes that I wanted to skip through till I got to the point there was really nothing enjoyable about this show to even make it worth skipping through.
The acting was terrible and the jokes fell flat as a pancake.
I gave up at that point as it was a total waste of time

I can't understand why you would do a remake of an excellent series and make it this bad.
Watch the Japanese version if you like the story, as it's great fun and so much better! :)

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Loved it !

Having become disenchanted with recent BL offerings, I started looking back for older shows I hadn't watched.
I am so glad I tried this one as it was a very engaging story and the acting was gold standard.

The story did seem a bit vague as to its point, was it about the school being homophobic, or general bullying tactics? And the complete turn around, near the end, of one of the main characters made even less sense to me.

However, all that aside, the acting from all the actors was astonishingly good. From happy to sad, all the angst friendship and emotional journeys were beautifully done with great feeling.

Give it a try :)

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The Water Margin was based on the famous 14th century novel of the same name. Overly ambitious and only partly successful, the story covered chapters 64-68 in the book. Shaw Brothers brought out its stars for this 2-hour extravaganza.

When Brother Chao is killed by The Golden Spear, the Liangshan gang of righteous outlaws vows revenge. The only problem, Shi Wen Gong is too tough for any of their fighters to confidently defeat. Timely Rain decides they should call upon the Jade Unicorn and The Prodigy to take him down. Two of the members attempt to trick Lu Chun I into helping them but he sees through them with the aid of Yen Ching. Before he can send the two outlaws home, his adulterous wife and her lover set him up with the corrupt Grand Secretary Liang. While everyone escapes, Lu is captured. The Heroes of Liangshan won’t abandon an honorable man who is suffering because of them and the race is on to save his life before he is executed.

This synopsis sounds interesting and it was once the story got rolling, but it was a tediously slow start. The movie spent 12 minutes briefly introducing characters-27 of them! But that’s not all! The introductions kept going. I counted 46 actors introduced as important characters. It could make the mind reel, especially since most of the heroes don’t show up again until briefly at the end for the final fight. Despite the number of characters, the primary focus was on Lu and Yen Ching. Welcome/Timely Rain, Clever Star, Black Whirlwind, and the Fearless One were also integral to the story. Leopard Man/Lin Chong had fights at the beginning and end of the movie.

David Chiang as The Prodigy was an interesting choice. He has legions of fans, I have just never warmed up to him much in these old films. His fights were underwhelming. Yen Ching’s ability meant he barely touched men and they flipped through the air which seemed odd coming from such a slight actor. The stuntmen earned their money twirling and flopping from what looked like imaginary contact at times. Tamba Tetsuro was far more intimidating as the Jade Unicorn. Ku Feng as Timely Rain was truly welcome for me, he’s one of my favorites. Wang Chung threw himself into the energetic role of Fearless. The final fight pitted five of the heroes and their different styles against five of Shi Wen Gong’s men. The two Japanese actors, Tamba Tetsuro and Kurosawa Toshio also had their chance to face off. For 1972, the fights weren’t bad. Some were clearly better than others and more realistically gory.

Shaw Brothers opened up their check book for this film. The cast of stars may have been large but the cast of extras involved was huge. There were three directors and two assistants (John Woo and Godfrey Ho) along with four fight choreographers.
The sets were massive and the costumes were unique for the different characters although poor Ti Lung had a laughably bad outfit and wig. The biggest drawback for me was the soundtrack. It was wildly anachronistic, synthetic music sounding like it came off of a 1970’s US cop show with hints of Shaft and Clint Eastwood westerns thrown in. Somehow if didn’t match up to this ancient story. And story is what this movie had going for it once it actually started. Unlike the hundreds of thinly plotted kung fu films churned out by Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest, Water Margin had layers of story within it. There were times it could be repetitive, the Jade Unicorn was rescued and captured several times and the Heroes of Liangshan weren’t always well coordinated in their efforts which nearly led to tragic events. It also seemed pointless to spend so much time introducing the heroes when most of them were never seen again or only briefly at the end of the movie.

If you go into The Water Margin with the understanding that most of the characters in the lengthy introduction will have little to no screen time, it will help. The focus was on Lu being wrongfully charged with a crime and the efforts to clear or rescue him with the revenge against Shi served up for dessert. Though this was epic for a Shaw Brothers production, it will still only be of interest to fans of old martial arts movies or maybe those fans of the novel.

28 March 2024

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So Underwhelming

I knew this wasn't going to be great but this was even worse than I thought it would be in so many ways it's hard to keep track. Had a slight Mama Mia vibe to it with the story and ending. Thank goodness for the kids who were the saving grace of this show. Them, the gangster and the bar owner were the only characters I really liked. The story dragged and at times felt messy and a bit all over the place. I don't think I could have gotten through the whole thing without the FF button. The FL was so frustrating and annoying. She thinks he cheated but she didn't look longer than a couple seconds since it shows he pushed the girl away pretty quick. Never speaks to or confronts him but after one phone attempt, and a text, (both of which he never sees) disappears and never let's him know he has a kid. Even putting that aside, after the misunderstanding is cleared, and she knows he's a good guy, she is awful to him. Cruel even. Telling him he can't have a relationship with his own daughter and to stay away. Even saying something to the effect of it's almost funny how great they've been without him was horrible and cruel. This while he is reeling from suddenly finding out he has a 14 year old daughter he never knew about. She causes problems after problems with her continuous bad decision making. She is selfish, self righteous, and smug. She spent most of the time blowing up and getting pissed off at people. Yelling and giving dirty looks constantly. Even her pushing away and assuring everyone she was okay and strong even though she obviously wasn't came across more as her feeling self righteous and superior rather than feeling she was doing it to protect others or keeping them from worrying. More like it was a self affirmation for her own ego. Like assuring herself that her stupid decisions were best instead of self reflecting and realizing that she was not only hurting herself, but everyone around her. Especially her daughter.
The ML had a nice transition at first with him realizing his hate was much closer to love than he had ever imagined but the FL was written so poorly that after awhile I started feeling like he needed an intervention. It felt like he was just blindly obsessed and in love with his memory her so much that he couldn't see the real her. That all these guys were falling over themselves for her was just bizarre and weird. She had such an awful temper and a scowl over her face so much of the time it was like, why??? It didn't help that there was basically no romance between the leads the whole time. One small kiss and one peck on the cheek. Made the chemistry even more underwhelming.
One part I did think was funny was when I first heard that Korean song version, I thought, "That sounds a lot like that Cranberries song." only for them to play the actual song later.
The actor and actress characters were both the whiny "I liked them first!" characters which is a trope that is so annoying and lame and I wish would just die. For the actress, though, it seemed they were trying to rewrite history with her being that way. It comes across in the story that ML's family troubles come after they've gotten together, thus starting a strain in their relationship because he doesn't share what he's going through. Part of that, is his taking on tutoring students to bring in extra money which is where the actress comes in and causes the misunderstanding. So her whining to Ryu Jin about liking him first is wrong and put in there just to have her have the same rant as him. Poor writing.
The ending was just as bad as the rest of the story. There is a separation for no good reason. Who is going to wait around for years with no contact for someone? For all you know they could be dead, and there is no good reason to wait around for someone who can't even stay in contact with you. Another trope I wish would die. Weird Mama Mia-esque ending for no real reason and is just weird.

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Food and Love

There's something incredibly beautiful about watching two people already in love developing their relationship, handling issues together and just being incredibly in love. It's even better with food.

There isn't anything to say when asked what I didn't like, it's just that sort of wholesome vibe you get when you see a couple who've been together for a while and are just comfortably in love now. Yes, they have their issues big and small, but you get to watch with the confidence that there isn't going to be some overly dramatic, long drawn out fight. You can watch with the confidence that the only overly dramatic moments will be their reactions.

Above anything else, it tackles a lot of relevant and personal issues with a lot of nuance and sensibility. I loved seeing that.

A really sweet movie and a worthy sequel.

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