Reviews

Almost paradise but not perfect!

19-year-old girl Eun Tak does her best to survive her monotonous life with her aunt and cousins. One day, she blows out her birthday candle and accidentally summons a goblin. Not just any goblin, but a world-weary 900-year-old immortal Goblin named Kim Shin, for whom she is fated to remove the magical sword from his chest and finally let him rest in peace, or else death will come to her instead. Kim Shin wanted to end his immortal life but in order to do that, he had to give up his only love and then he had to end his life to save her. Now, how can this end happily?

At it’s core, Goblin is a high-stake romance with unsolved past conflicts that centers around death, reincarnation, grief, and forgiveness. Not only it's hilariously charming, it’s also painfully soul-crushing. Watching each scene feels truly magical and for me it is thanks to the God-tier OSTs that are played in the scenes so flawlessly, it amplifies all the emotional beats. Other aspects are also top-notch: acting, characterizations, camera work and cinematography. My favorite part is, of course, all the bromance moments between Kim Shin and Grim Reaper, their funnies and their long-lasting bond. They gave fresh comedies that I love to rewatch and laugh again.

That said, I'll always be a little bitter that they wrote Ji Eun Tak as a high-schooler who wears her school uniform with her freaking bowtie most of the time! I never understand and I feel really bad about it. Plus, Kim Shin is just a very immature rude jerk at first. I see Goblin and Eun Tak as friends more than lovers. This is why romance is not my main enjoyment watching this drama, and while the chemistry between Sunny and Grim Reaper is unmatched, they deserve more couple moments! It’s a bit waste of potential and frustrating to watch them meet and part ways repetitively just for exchanging biodata and unrevealing a tiny bit of mystery. Regardless, I recommend Goblin to anyone as plot is uncomplicated and you’ll be amazed by the beauty of it.

Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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Insipid drama.

Boring, flat and monotonous drama. The plot is based on nothingness itself, they give us the love story of a Superman and an Invisible Woman, who speaks little, does little and only knows how to say "I don't have enough experience, I'm afraid of disappointing you And she really disappoints, she looks like an overly spoiled 10-year-old girl who dresses like a 65-year-old lady. There is no adrenaline here, there is no breaking point, no conflict, no antagonist, no tests to overcome, everything develops without taste, without smell and without color , flat, boring, sleepy. And indeed in the episode 19 I fell asleep and then abandoned this, it is absolutely not my cup of tea. It's good to have communication and get along but I want to see how this chemistry works when the couple faces a problem or conflict and this doesn't appear in the drama.

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Are we there yet?

So this was not bad but not good either. Based on a manga I have not read, after a promising start it became boring very quickly as the plot started to go round and round in circles!
I wouldn't have minded the repetitive plot of there was a semblance of character development!
And that is what I did not like at all, not one little bit!
Minato is supposed to be an adult who falls for Shin at first glance and that scares him since he is underage! Thereafter his behaviour is erratic: he either tries to be a responsible adult but fails miserably or is like a 18th century virgin who faints at the very thought of touching hands not to mention kiss or, god forbid!, more. At first it is funny and endearing but is becomes annoying as it is repeated many times!
Shin on the other hand is a high school senior who fell for Minato ten years previously. He behaves like a predator which in other worlds would be considered as harassment! But since Minato gives mixed signals, that behaviour is acceptable especially since he is a minor and therefore his stubbornness and adult attitude is considered cute and sweet?!? Actually i found him scary, hiding an iron, uncompromising will behind a cute smile and those dimples that are to die for!
They do not change from the first to the last episode: Shin forcing his way in and Minato blowing hot and cold!
The final problem, and the most important one in my book, was a total lack of chemistry between them!
There were some nice side characters; Shin's friend and sister were very supportive of him and quite a fun double act! Then there were two teachers: one seemed to be suffering from an early stages of alzheimer's while the other seemed like an alien from another planet, judging by their reactions. But they were more fun to watch than the two main leads!
Cinematography was ok. The production was of quality and there were some nice beach and night shots and the intro credits were good, cheerful though seen before (filmed with phone camera!).
Music was there, unremarkable!
I am sort of half sorry to have wasted my time on this but since the episodes are thankfully short(20min) it went by quickly!
This is one of those super hyped dramas that took nosedive after a few episodes and never recovered.

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An excellent portrayal of love, family, and friendship from a small fragment of the past

Masterfully depicted journey back in time, this drama successfully evoked feelings of nostalgia and deep emotions of joy mixed with sorrow within me, especially when one becomes aware of the passage of time and the realization that everything that once was can no longer be reclaimed. Yet, in the end, only love remains.

Story: 10.0
Through the portrayal of the lives of several families, encompassing their struggles, challenges, moments of bliss, failures, successes, first loves, and heartaches, the narrative seamlessly transports us to the year 1988, during the Olympic Games in Korea. It grants us a glimpse and a sense of the prevailing atmosphere of that era. A captivating narrative unfolds, beautiful story of love, family, friendship, and the transformative journey to adulthood.

Actors: 10.0
The cast delivered an outstanding performance, effectively transmuting emotions from the television screen to captivate the audience in a truly remarkable manner.

Music: 9.0
Even though it's fitting into the general atmosphere that prevails throughout the series, I give it 9.0

Re-watch: 10.0
The profound impact this series can leave on the viewer suggests that it has great potential for repeated viewings, making it a timeless show to revisit in the future.

I wholeheartedly recommend this show.

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Waste of A-List Talent

This is a story of a girl who had big dreams. She is now reduced to wailing, whining and wasting away her life in relentless self-pity (7 episodes in and the self-pity party is showing no signs of abating.) Read this in Chandler's tone: Can she do anymore sobbing?

WTS also tells the story of a boy whose only aspiration in life is to be with a girl and follow her around like a lost lovesick puppy. The sole purpose and impetus of everything he does is to one day see himself and Samdal ride off into the Jeju sunset. Ngl it may appear romantic on-screen, but that's the very definition of a loser in real life (think about it).

Misery, they say, loves company. Not so fast. Samdal's continued misery does not make for a great company, or chemistry for that matter. Because even with Yongpil's incessant smothering attention for the consummate damsel-in-distress Samdal, oil and water have better chemistry.

Now let's go to the plot. Welcome to Samdalri is like the madlibs of Kdrama. Someone draws a card (plot), and players toss out random words, names and places to fill in the blanks. For fun, someone throws in postcards (cinematography) and turns on the FM radio (soundtrack).

How they got A-List actors Shin Hyesun and Ji Changwook onboard is a mystery. Unfortunately, not even their masterful acting can keep the Samdalri sinking ship afloat.

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Meals, rommies and maybe more?

The hype about how cute this movie was got to me! I should really be stronger and resist better! I am weak!

Apparently there is a sequel to this movie which I hope will clarify their relationship more.

It is story of two best friends from high school who decided to share a house when they enter university. One is a neat freak and the other is a messy and lazy cook and they complement each other to perfection. But they are only room-mates. The problem is that it is obvious to everyone who knows them that they are deeply in love with each other. It's only that they had not realized it yet! Once the neat freak starts getting busy with studies and projects for the future, the cook feels abandoned and wants their roommates' bliss to remain unchanged. It takes both some time to accept the inevitable change and in the process they realizes also that their feelings for each other are more than friendly.

Japanese are experts in food themed movies and dramas and this one is no different. The love goes through the stomach, as one character points out! The movie is cute, sunny and cheerful. The small world the two have created barely accepts anyone's intrusion: real life is lurking and they are taking their time in letting it in. They eventually find a right balance for themselves as they currently are. What the future will bring is uncertain! I need to read the manga, I guess...

The huge problem I had with this movie is the character of Aki, the cook. He looks like the usual cute FL, screeching and finishing sentences with prolonged high tone wails: unbearable but so japanese manga !He is also very good at avoiding problems and difficult questions, lacking maturity though by the end he gets better. Still screeching but showing a sliver of maturity!

So basically this is a first half of a love story: the bromance part.

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Wrong time, wrong you?

After the vaudeville that were two previous episodes of My Universe, this is another theatre play but a drama not a comedy. Single setting: a house and three protagonists: Mai, her younger brother Mhok and her best friend Phat who came to stay with them after his boyfriend beat him up again. The synopsis is a bit misleading: there is no black magic involved!

Phat seems a happy person, always smiling and quick with a quip but all that is a mask hiding a person deeply hurt and having trouble leaving an abusive relationship. We have all heard the cases of women being beaten up by their spouses while drunk, stressed and in bad mood and women often excusing them when they came begging for forgiveness and promising to change. Phat had been enduring such a relationship for six years and then decided he could not bear it any longer.

In order to help Phat deal with the situation and take the right decision, Mai uses her hobby: witchcraft and tarot, through a series of healing rituals (burning and drinking and talking). She's helped by her brother who has had a crush on Phat for years and who thinks that now is the right time to make a move!

Unfortunately, no it definitely is not the right time to start a new relationship when the old one has not been finished properly. That is the major issue I have with this drama: Mhok is stubbornly forcing his way in when Phat keeps refusing him gently. Mhok does not want to accept that Phat may need time to recover. Now that he is free, Mhok won't let him breathe.

Frankly, I do not like how this ended but on the upside, I do not think they have a future together. Phat ended up by accepting to date Mhok but he has absolutely no romantic feelings for him! I am afraid he is in for another wrong relationship because Mhok does not look like someone willing to compromise or accept the refusal. It definitely is the wrong time and the wrong person for a new relationship!

The acting was superb: all three of them were extraordinary. The production values are high: well filmed, soft warm colours, hazy feel about it. Very slow burn but masterfully directed!

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Heartfelting and Wholesome<3

THIS MOVIE WAS AMAZINGGG!! Made me be so indulged, cry so muchhh, and hooked on it to the very end and oh my did the actors do their parts and roles great. This movie makes you get so attached to the story and the characters in it and shows how life is more than you may take it for and there is so much more to come to you if you just live and don't ever give up and even if you feel like your at your all time low that there will be those that will stay by your side even if you feel like you have no one. Just know that yourself can be your biggest enemy in life but you got to fight through you tribulations you may go through if you just try and keep moving forward. So overall this movie shows how you may be in a rough patch and feel like your alone when there will be that 1 person there by your side to help you keep going without you even knowing and that you got to take time to realize your self worth because you are worth more than you think you are<33

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A story about coming of age and the relationships that will shape you

I finished this almost a month ago and I still think about some scenes. This story is more than just a youth drama about romance, it is a story about life.

This is going onto my list of GOATs. One of the best shows I've ever watched (ignoring episodes 14-16 lol), this has the nostalgia of Our Beloved Summer and the spirit of Haikyuu in the best way.

It's a story about an unforgettable summer of youth - coming-of-age, looking forward and moving forward, with the deep camaraderie and friendships/relationships that will shape who you are as a person in the years to come.

I loved every single relationship and moment, so full of joy and nostalgia and warmth. I could write essays about Na Heedo and Bek Yijin's relationship. The ending was controversial yes, but their relationship moved me so much. It's my happy place. Regardless of how it turns out, the fact that they had such a relationship is what mattered the most.

Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk shone in their respective roles, especially Kim Tae-ri. It's worth watching just for her alone.

(Can't believe I found f/f kagehina in Ko Yurim and Na Heedo's relationship 🤣)

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Watch for the engaging story, not the romance

An adaptation of a novel, this was a surprisingly enjoyable drama (ignoring the romances). The politics/story was actually the best part. Consistent characterizations, engaging political intrigue. I enjoyed watching everyone maneuver around each other and the various sideplots.

The various romances were however a bit of a mess. It was not clear why she rejected some men, like the young Marquis and Lord Zhang. I had to read summaries of the webnovel to understand their characters and relationships, which is the sign of a poorly written romance. Jiang Xuening's romance with Xie Wei also didn't start till late episode 32 iirc (?) and it was rushed. There was debate about whether Jiang Xuening was being groomed by Xie Wei or she truly loved him. Imo if they had paced it better and developed it better, it would have been more satisfying.

I was however pleasantly surprised that the second half and the ending didn't flop and I didn't have to skip episodes or scenes. I also felt that Zhang Linghe overacted at points but his Xie Wei was consistent. Bailu delivers a reliable performance as usual.

PS check out the As You Wish variety show. That was SO good.

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sad ending but worth the ride

The first half of the story was fantastic. The focus on the characters coming to care for each other, the Liudao brothers' easy camaraderie, the warm and affectionate relationship between the main leads, the feminist themes and the mentorship between Ruyi and the Princess were all so enjoyable to watch.

Sadly I feel that the story lost steam halfway. The group took way too long getting to the An Empire, and once there, the introduction of LTG and Chu Yue (though I enjoyed their performances) weakened the plot and made it draggy. The script is best when focusing on the characters, their relationships and their growth. For some reason the scriptwriter or director lost sight of that and began focusing on politicking in the second half, making it a rather tedious watch.

Then there is the ending. There is a lot of debate about whether the ending was 'good' or not. I think it was a poor ending. The characters made decisions inconsistent with their previously very consistent characterizations, and some died in rather unsatisfying ways. I fast forwarded from episode 28ish onwards as the show felt very draggy and a bit of a mess.

Still, for the fun I had in the first half, I'm giving this an 8.5. IMO this show is very rewatchable before the sad ending for the funny shenanigans and the heartwarming bonds between all the characters.

Side note but LTG reminds me of every obsessed yandere abandonment issue disciple in every cnovel bl ever lol. He has Luo Binghe vibes.

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beautifully shot and acted but loses steam

This is beautifully shot and you can see how high quality the show is. The premise is interesting - it's based off real historical figures (I saw the memoir on my Goodreads). I was curious how this might have been dramatized and adapted. The real lady Ui-bin Seong was only known to history by her role to the king: her pregnancies, her children, her title as harem wife and her death. On the other hand, we have a full story of the king's life in childhood, politics, etc. The king's life is also very messed up and I wondered how they were going to zoom in to this one part of his life story and romanticize it.

However, the drama pleasantly surprised me by adding a feminist element. This is a story about love when it is complicated by power. It's about what love means to a man vs a woman.

As much as I enjoyed these themes, I found their back-and-forth "be my concubine / I love you" and "no I'm my own woman" to be quite tedious. The drama started out very strong and it is very well-acted (especially Lee Junho) but the increasing politics started boring me around episode 7/8. Had to drop this.

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A MUST WATCH

I absolutely loved it! Everything was beautiful, no need for any change because it was perfect.

Plot- The plot was so interesting and it kept me on my toes. It wasn't fast paced at all but maybe it was because it had a good amount of episodes.

Actors- Amazing, absolutely amazing. The actors did such a great job! I really felt their emotions especially in the end where they made me cry lol. My favorite character is Lee Gang Doo, I felt such pain and love seeing him. You will understand once you see him.

This series is such a masterpiece, the best K-drama I've ever seen. If you haven't seen it yet then what are you doing? Go watch it! You will feel ALL the emotions, the bad and the good.
Hope this review helps you, have a lovely day!

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