Reviews

good, but boring

the beginning of the end started to get boring. they got together and then the episodes just dragged on. yawwwn.

other than the main story, i thought the second male lead was excruciatingly hard to watch. i skipped over his parts or any parts that had to do with the other girl. the show could have gone perfectly smooth if either they made the sml more likeable or just scrapped those two all together lmfao.

i loved the main girl character! she is so cute.

i don't really have anything else to say about the show but i can't post my review without a certain count of words so here i go with saying blahblahblahblahblahblahblah

Read More

Love in Translation spoke to me

For my sheer enjoyment (and actor Offroad’s performance), I was going to give this series full marks but then it wouldn’t be a genuine reflection of the glaring plotholes it possessed. Still, I wasn’t rolling my eyes every other scene as I have with some recent series.

The acting can be silly at times but in the end, it played into the characters’ personalities anyway so it wasn’t impossible to watch. Everyone in this series was new to me so I had no experience with their past work, however, I thought they all did well with the exception of Phumjai’s parents. Though I’d say that had to do with their characters rather than the actors themselves. I believe in two different scenes, Phumjai’s parents had very contradicting reactions. His mother would be smiling and his father seemed concerned and vice versa.

Any main character who wears a Woody and Buzz Lightyear t-shirt on his first date is automatically my favorite.

Daou is a replica of Korean actor Kim Junghyun.

Overall, I truly loved the characters and love their healthy friendships.
Yang is serious but lowkey playful.
Phumjai is lovable, full of energy, and a moodmaker.
Bowgie was straight-up fun, the slip/split in the store is my all-time favorite part (also my favorite callback to Phumjai suddenly falling backward. I thought he was lying about the floor being slippery until Bowgie swept the floor like a ballerina).
Tammy and Cheer are great and charming female characters. I wish they did more with Tammy’s ‘player’ character though. Her suddenly doing a 180 because she reunited with Phumjai was a bit out of character, especially when she made no effort to keep looking for him (as far as we can see).
Tag is so freaking cute, I just want to put him in my pocket and carry him around.
Phojai is a good brother, but he’s doing too much. Sometimes I wonder if the writers accidentally switched his relations with Phumjai and Tag. I’m glad he gave Tag the much-deserved attention later although his apology up to that point sucked :/ Him coming back as Boss No.2 was legit hilarious though.
Odo was just chaotically fun and had the right amount of support for all the characters. I laughed so hard when Yang and Phumjai borrowed his car and asked why he was still at the shop (looking bored out of his mind) like even I forgot they had taken his car.

If it’s not obvious, the comedy was right up my alley. I always love a good childish show that doesn’t stem primarily from pettiness.

I enjoyed the music and danced along to some of it at times. I was so happy no character pulled a guitar out of thin air and started serenading the other. I loved that the series only had 8 episodes which was more than enough and they did fine tying it up in the end with some unanswered questions. Such as Phojai’s possessiveness of Phumjai. However, the finale also introduced multiple out-of-the-blue ideas where Tammy was a successful author when she’s never said anything about working on a book/story, Yang and Phumjai have actually met as children and were friends, and Phojai having a conversation with Tag off-screen about moving in with Tag.

Although the storytelling was fine, and I actually like it when flashbacks include scenes we haven't seen, this series overutilized flashbacks to replay, reveal, and re-tell what we’ve just been told by the characters so it felt slow at times.

I also wish two major story arcs had a different and more realistic outcome such as Phumjai’s unexplained feelings for Tammy and Phojai’s over-protectiveness of his younger brother, Phumjai.
Since Phumjai doesn’t care that Tammy is a “player”, I thought they would reveal that his feelings for Tammy were more of that of a hardcore yet a not delusional fan. But the explanation, or lack thereof, was that all Phumjai could imagine and see was Yang even when Tammy was right in front of him.
For the second arc, I wish there was a deeper reason than ‘you said I was a useless brother and you didn’t want a brother like me when we were children because I let two bullies hit me and break your toy’. Seriously, judging from how Phojai had his boyfriend, Tag, spies and reports Phumjai’s every move you’d think maybe Phumjai has some serious health issues that only family and close friends knew about or Phumjai had some close-to-death experience as a kid and that’s why his family babies him but they do it just because.

The biggest plothole would be Phumjai admitting to conversing with Tammy in Chinese through private messages when in person Phumjai couldn’t understand an ounce of Chinese and witnessing this, Tammy even offered to teach Phumjai Chinese. However, after said scene, the story resumed like that never happened, Tammy would continue messaging Phumjai in Chinese and he’d have Yang reply on his behalf.

All in all, this is a definite rewatch for me :D

Read More

What Rain?

I have to say that despite a few hiccups, I enjoyed this drama. So much time wasted on side stories and characters who contributed very little to the overall plot. The war and fighting scenes were overdone and took up too much time for my liking. This whole drama could have been told in less episodes with less fillers.

First time seeing most of these lead actors. I realized the chemistry between the ML & FL immediately. The 2ML was handsome and all that, but despite her goo goo eyes at him, I felt little or no chemistry between them, so I had no problem with 2ML syndrome. I liked the pairing of 2FL & 2ML and how it kind of developed as their personalities and backgrounds were more appropriately aligned. BUT - that character of FengYao OMG! If she shouted, called out, called after, or moaned Mo Xi one more time I was going to throw something at the screen! Helpless, simple-minded and just plain useless! I'm glad she had some redemption in the end.

The FL is beautiful - even when she was scowling or making faces, she has a very pretty face. The ML was rugged and rough and scoundrel-ish, and I grew to like him. I kept mixing up the 'bad guys' and couldn't really keep track of the plots and who's working with who. And that gender-bender general was downright nasty! That actress played the part so well that was the one character I genuinely hated with a passion.

OST was pretty.

I might rewatch if I wanted to kill some time on a weekend. I'd still fast-forward through some of the scenes, but there are some scenes I enjoyed and would watch again.

Read More

this is a MUST WATCH! A simple but pure and enchanting story about -

a first young love that will melt you!

Every time I think about this drama I just happy/sad squeal inside! This show had me staying up till 4am because I simply couldn't stop! Having to put down my absolute obsession into words is almost impossible. I am currently watching it for the 3rd time and get so sad every time it ends, it's that good!

I was blown away from the moment I started watching this, there was no drama, no fill-in scenes, amazing acting, and realistic circumstances. I was watching a full mature chinese drama that wasn't only 'okay' but was actually amazing, something I hadn't seen in a long time. I kept expecting for something weird or unnecessary to happen, but it never did.

The young actress absolutely charmed me, and I had a short struggle adapting to the 'older' version played by Lu Si, but fear not, for it didn't take long for me to fall in love with this new version of the FL and ugly cry for her and her love struggles. I have now become a passionate fan. The ML was enchanting and his portrayal of emotions really pulled me into the story - to say that I wished I was the FL in this drama would be an understatement.

The music really complemented the story and was tastefully implemented, although there were a few scenes which I thought could have gone without. The cast was good, specially the FL's parents and brother.

In short and without any exaggeration, please watch this drama. For your sake and for my happiness, gift yourself 24 hours of an absolute wonderful series that will not leave you disappointed. I hope you can feel my joy and glee for this drama through your screen into your heart. Be happy, watch Hidden Love!

Read More

"Truth and falsity mix in this world"

Taoist Master: Kylin was a sequel in the telling of Zhang Dao Ling’s story, the founder of the Way of the Celestial Masters sect of Taoism. In this direct to video film Zhang was not only searching for the root of the Tao, but also the mountain god credited with scaring two hunters to death.

The cinematography of the mountains and river where the story takes place was lovely. Disappointingly, the story lacked the same care. Zhang and his disciple Wang come to Mount Yun Jing during their travels. Two men were found dead on the mystical mountain. Determining they were scared to death, Zhang promises the mother of one of the men that he will find what killed them. From there he meets a corrupt official, the Drug Master and his crew, the Elder, a man driven insane by the mountain god, and a strangely wise beggar. Zhang Dao Ling sets to discovering the secrets of the mountain and the Tao.

Taoist Master felt more like a very special episode of Scooby Doo about the dangers of magic mushrooms. Aside from Louis Fan’s ZDL, few of the other characters were memorable. There were a couple of fights but they were ruined by slow motion and stop motion shots, or overcranked shots, and way too close of close-ups. What could have proved to be an interesting fantasy tale was brought crashing down to earth in Scooby Doo fashion. The villagers at one point all but said, "meddling kids/priest!" Full disclosure, I love spiritual dramas whether they are about my faith or not. I’m fascinated by early pioneers who walked the earth or sat on mountaintops or meditated under a tree and would have relished this short film if it had been more about Zhang’s spiritual enlightenment. The writers tacked on that element after the underwhelming mystery was solved:

“As long as you have a heart for the Tao, you understand the world.
The mountains and rivers are not under your feet but inside your heart.”

10/11/23

Read More

Thoroughly enjoyed watching it

I won't lie from the drama's name I thought ah this will be a ride of sorrows and tears. It actually indeed was but it was lighter than I thought and I'm glad it was because my fragile heart wouldn't have been able to handle it otherwise. I wanted to give it a 10 but the ending was literally very predictable and kinda annoying and I hated it. I think it became some sort of stereotype to do this type of ending this year so yeah. My Other complaint would be that the drama was a little too short!? I wished to watch more. I also awaited for a better show of ending battle. It felt a little rushed at the end I didn't get to enjoy watching my demon cat ?! BRING HIM BACKKK!

Read More

should not have trusted the high reviews

Having just finished watching Hidden Love I wanted to watch another drama with the same male lead. I made a big mistake in trusting the reviews and spending so much time on this drama. There was nothing that could salvage this one. And I tried. Many times.

I love cheesy romance series but this just wasn't enjoyable. There are so many unnecessary scenes and the story line was a hot mess, made no sense and there was no continuity. There was very little effort to make the story truly follow the ML in his adapting to modern society, and just directly skipped to him magically knowing and understanding everything. The dialogue and acting was pretty subpar and the music as well. I wish I could say good things about this show but I have to be brutally honest, I just can't say it's any good....like its name states...it's pretty Bad.

If you want to watch an AMAZING and UNBELIEVABLY GOOD drama I recommend you watch Hidden Love. Everything you need in one place with amazing acting, story, music, and happy/sad tears. All 24 episodes are worth your time. You'll be begging for more...or rewatching it a bunch like I did!

Read More

Watch for the Romance

I was recommended this drama a while back but forgot about it and then was reminded again because I'm watching Tiger & Crane with ZLH and this was his first drama. Though called Maiden Holmes, there's less emphasis on the case solving and more about the Romance of the leads. So watch for the romance.

Pros: I love the Fab 5! Their dynamic is great from episode one. You've got the FL who pretends to be a man by cross dressing to clear her family's name after being what she thought to be the sole survivor of that massacre. Her detective skills are pretty good and she has solved many cases. ML is the prince who is ousted from office by his rebellion seeking uncle (also the main villain of the piece). Thankfully his brother was the new emperor and had a good relationship with him where he could help him out. SFL is a genius doctor and SML is a great martial artist though can't read the room for nothing is quite dumb most of the time. Adding on is ML's teen aid who's a great cook. The chemistry between the leads is obvious especially when the ML turns those seductive eyes onto FL, it's like ok it got a bit warm in this room. Furthermore, the kisses are real! And there are enough of them. For ZLH's first gig ever, he was hella convincing especially in terms of being intelligent and trapping the bad people. The entire group really complimented each other. Misunderstandings if not immediately cleared up, are done so in a smart fashion. There are a few baubles with FL temporarily seeming to lose her sensibility but she regains it more or less quickly. Good fight scenes when they happened.

Obviously a lower budget production but it worked out. The villain was obvious from the get go. The one moment that made me legit shed a tear was when ML's guard sacrificed himself to protect his prince towards the end. That guy was awesome the entire time and it really brought forth their strong friendship. Comedy was decent.

Cons: The cases though leading to the main antagonist weren't very strong and they could never bring someone in alive. Once our group had the evidence, the evildoer was either disposed of or killed themselves. Every single time to the point that it was laughable. You were just waiting for it each time a new case popped up. Also while the SFL thought the FL was a dude, she developed a crush on her and that whole thing was rather cringey. Suspended logic also was a must for a lot of things; like the cave thing because they had to figure out their misunderstanding and realize they were soulmates from a young age, add a really great kiss at the end and then it was worth it lol!

The showdown in the last two episodes was relatively lackluster as it just had the villain walk around the throne room yakking about his plans only to be outsmarted by the ML.

Would I recommend it? Only for the romance of the leads and the moving along storyline. It's a good in between series especially if you like an intense seductive ML ;).

Read More

To shaman or not to shaman

It's technically a generation battle of shamanism between an evil mystical being and the Cheon clan, led by the untalented grandson of the chief shaman for revenge, overall it has great visual effects and cinematography. However the direction of the storyline somehow felt lost, it's using a mix of both practical combat and psychic powers for the fights, which gets muddled on whether the movie is trying to be tactical or mystical, because even the resolution part gets the same treatment. Just like its intro part when they're showing how shamanism is a con with staged props to scam money, but then afterwards the whole movie turns out to be a huge shaman battle, it's quite contradicting at some point.

Read More

the perfect mix of genres

SPOILER ALERT!!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The plot was INSANE! It's just the perfect mix of romance, horror, science fiction, and a slice of life. From my perspective, this show delves deeply into the concept of time travel, and it illustrates that if you change something in the past, the future changes as well. Furthermore, in my opinion, everything that's going to happen has a purpose and a reason behind it; this show, "Someday or One Day," explains it perfectly. The only thing I am confused about is how Mo Jun Jie's hearing aid ended up at the crime scene where Chen Yu Ru was attacked. Perhaps Xie Zhi Qi tried to frame Mo Jun Jie...

thehen19

Read More

It was anticlimactic...

***DISCLAIMER: These are just my thoughts while watching the show. We don’t have to agree and I’m not here to argue with anyone.***

Tropes: sports romance, boxing, age gap, coming of age, grumpy/sunshine.

Idk... this was one of those dramas I started out of boredom. To be fair I felt like the entire drama was slow and the romance was subpar / lackluster. It only started getting interesting with the betting ring and when the men kept on kidnapping him and threatening him but they did not do enough to really develop that plot and make it compelling. Then with ML best friend dying... that just felt like a lazy way for the writer to give him some trauma so he'd turn over a new leaf and try to exit the rigged games he was participating in. I just felt depleted after all that and then to see FL lose the match at the end and not be able to end her career and retire on a high note sucked. The ending was not good, to put it nicely. I felt like that kiss high key came out of nowhere... I feel like it ended with more questions rather than answers. Like what exactly happened to the ML, why did the gun shot go off, why was ML bleeding, why did he disappear for months?

Usually I am one of those people who enjoys a reformed bad guy because he met a girl but this just completely missed the mark with me. Not to mention the FLs first relationship / bf just pissed me right off... he basically was using her so he wouldn't be unemployed then he turned around and became an agent? Spare me... if I was in sports I would not go to that man or trust him with anything.

I really wanted to rate this higher because I enjoyed Lee Sang Yeob's acting... I really feel like he put a lot of effort into his character and during his scenes you could feel the emotion dripping from the screen. It must have something to do with his really expressive eyes. Not to mention, he's good looking and has this floppy puppy dog thing about his mannerisms. His smirk / smile got me every-time and I really empathized with his character and wanted to see him win and get out of the mess he was in. But again, one man is not able to carry an entire show. I thought that the villain, Mr Kim Oh Bok (Park Ji Hwan) also did a good job of selling the role of the menacing ring leader of sorts and the FLs dad (Kim Hyung Mook) was also a scene stealer. I feel like this was Kim So Hye's debut in acting.. with that did she did ok for a first project but there are aspects of her acting that she can improve. Having said that, I'm sure she'll improve as she takes on more roles or receives more training.

Overall, I would not rewatch this drama and I'd say it is forgettable and I probably won't remember it much in the next couple of months. Nevertheless it was a good distraction and kind of kept me entertained when I had nothing else to watch.

I'd really rate this a 5.5/10 but I rounded it up to 6/10 because I did enjoy the acting and storyline to an extent... it's just that it could have been better executed and developed.

Would I recommend it to others? No, probably not. Unless you are a Sang Yeob fan and want to watch for his scenes, there's really no point. I'm not going to say anything else but if you don't trust my opinion then you should watch it and come to your own conclusions / judgments.

Read More

Love

Just finished this one, and love love it! I liked Feng Shao Feng from The Story of Ming Lan and in this one, I really like his role as Liu Yan. His character as protective but not over bearing suit him really well. I also like Jing Tian here, and both of them made really great chemistry.
This is NOT wuxia or xianxia, this is imperial drama. So, it is a bit on the slow pacing. Not a lot of fighting, lots of scheming, lots of unexpected but expected twists. Also, the story or the idea, is very bold, dreamy, can't be more fiction than this. It is a lot easier to imagine flying gods and goddess than female official entangled in out of wedlock relationship ? But the love relationship was beautifully done. If you like Dream of Splendor, The Sword and the Brocade, Destined, then you might like The Legend of Zhouhua.
Bonus: OST/MV are beautiful:
明明 (Clearly) by Zhou Shen 周深
灼心 (Scorching Heart) by Liu Yuning 刘宇宁

Read More

And they called it puppy love

This is a highly anticipated drama that I am so satisfied with for once. I know the limitations that come with anticipation, and from the actors and all parties involved. I could either fully love or fully hate, this one I am stepping back and will just say that it’s not living up to expectations because I really didn’t have any.. but it’s actually really good.

for the first time in a while for me I’ve found a romantic comedy with an absurd idea but this time the drama does it right by going full comedy. This drama is truly a comedy and the ideas and scenes all meshing together make it a fun watch, and one where I still care about the characters and their relationships.

The music fits very well with the drama and so far the casting is perfect for me. The female lead has puppy like mannerisms in some scenes that I had to rewatch because she is too cute, Park Gyu-young is another actress I haven’t seen too much of. I hadn’t seen any romantic comedy of hers before but she is so fitting for this role. She has this energetic charm to her and her whole situation of being cursed is fun to see play out, especially how she got into that situation.

Cha Eun Woo is so wholesome and cute and I love him with all my heart. I can see his role developing and I’m looking forward to it. It’s not too much for him and he’s doing what he does, and I think that’s fine and I really enjoy it. He’s got this presence to him that is charming and lead male material, and he fills those shoes pretty well. Lee Hyun-Woo is finally back to a romantic comedy and is just how I remember him, a more matured and cute guy now-

This drama goes all in with its idea and doesn’t take it self too seriously. It balances everything nicely and I’ll add more as the show progresses, so far I’m looking forward to it and am so happy to finally have a good romantic comedy in 2023 that feels like a romantic comedy.

Read More