Reviews

Not an ordinary story of time travel. Short but the best

Short, but it's a fantastic story. It's one of the best short stories now.

I love the chemistry of the two. Reunited after Meet Me Now. I love their bond and love their height difference. The FL, as always, is cute and acts perfectly. She is made for performing. The ML, on the other hand, is also suitable. I love his voice. He is the type who can work perfectly as a cold-ma with a heart... I love seeing him in the future in the character of a sweet, cold CEO type.

As always, I love seeing the series of the FL; she is as natural as possible. She portrays a jolly girl professionally and best. Not a dull actress to see.

Short but worth it. I hope they both have a series that is longer in minutes... I love to watch them.

Most of all, I love the story. It's not the typical time travel story. It is exciting and unique.

Read More

Great casting for Lee Joongi

Personally, the drama really exceeded my expectations. I know some people dislike the styling as compared to Season 1, but honestly the Season 2 styling being more logical during that age. As much as I think SJK suit Saya more in terms of visual but Lee Joongi did better job as matured characters. In fact, at some point I think Lee Joongi's acting is more what I expected Eunseom/Saya to be after 8years. And Lee Joongi never disappoint when it comes to action scenes.

The only cons of the drama so far, the filter they're using and casting SSK as Tanya. She's pretty, won't even doubt that but her acting really hard to watch. She did great in Run On but I guess as an actress, her acting capabilities are limited to only certain role.

P/s: Can I get Lee Joongi and Kim Okvin in action drama next? I would love to see it..

Read More

Follows the RomCom blueprint.

There’s nothing particularly bad about this. To me it was boring and I background-watched it, meaning I was either doing sudoku, painting my nails, or scrolling through/playing with my phone while it played. The only reason I stuck to it was Lee Junho.
I'm not necessarily a fan who keeps up with everything that he does but to me, he's the best idol-turn-actor I've seen yet and if I'm scrolling and see his name I click. And yes he is magnificent down to every little detail of his character, and let's be honest he looked extremely dapper in a suit.
Other than that the story was a little boring to me because there was no real pushback from anyone ( the sister was a big letdown for me) and the big mystery surrounding his mother's whereabouts was revealed in the most anti-climatic way they could think of and it took less than an episode for the whole reveal.
Every problem the FL and her friends were going through got resolved in the most idyllic way too. As you know it's not very realistic.
Now why did I say there's nothing particularly bad about this? Because your enjoyment of this drama will depend on what you're looking for. If you're looking for fluff and love and rainbows, something to get you away from the harsh realities of this world, then this one is definitely for you.
I'm just confused as to why I was not particularly in love with this one. It had its moments where I was hooked because Gu Won was swoon-worthy, the comedic timing was wacky and I loved it and the little side noona romance was a win in my books. Maybe it was not my moment to watch it or maybe it was Yoonah because, for some reason, I always have the hardest time finishing anything that she's in.

Read More

Leave them alone! They just want to live a normal life! (+ Blood, Gore, Violence)

I never thought “Moving” would take the top spot of the most violent Asian dramas I’ve watched, beating “Bulgasal” and “Arthdal Chronicles”. I thought this drama would be about superpowers, kind of like the Thai drama “The Gifted”. Little did I know this was way more than I bargained for.

I am not sure why this drama was named “Moving”. Maybe because the characters' background stories all moved (aka touched) me. Each of the gifted just wants to live a normal life with the people they love. Why can’t the evil governments let these poor souls be? Getting to know each of the characters is the best part of the drama for me. The adults and the villains have suffered so much. We have devoted parents who give up everything, so that their children can be safe, and won’t be exposed and exploited. We have parents who just want to live an honest life and make a living, yet are forced to be trained as soldiers and assassins. At the end of the day, there are only 3 characters I hate - Deputy Chief of NIS, Principal of the high school and the North Korea dude.

If you are watching this drama for Zo In Sung and his return to the small screen after 7 years, you will be disappointed. His screen time is so limited. I was expecting to see him more towards the end. He’s great as usual but was reduced to a supporting role more than a main role. His chemistry with Han Hyo Joo is great. Their love story is so sweet and adorable yet sad and heartbreaking. You can totally see how his son, Bong Seok, takes after his super dad in the romance department. Lee Mi Hyun is a badass single mom. It was so hard watching her raise her son alone and the ways she tried to keep him safe.

Fried Chicken Man, Jang Joo Won, must have the most violent scenes in the drama. Every time I see him fight, I mentally prepare myself to look away. But when he’s just a single dad, he’s so sweet, like a big teddy bear. His little love story has the same awkward adorableness as Kim Doo Shik. Both men just want to spend the rest of their lives with their wives and children. Is that too much to ask for?

I was not really prepared for the drama to focus on the kids/teens so much in the first 7 episodes. Their stories are pretty good, but not as interesting as the adults. There are some cute and funny scenes between Jang Hee Soo and Kim Bong Seok. I like how their friendship slowly develops into something more. However, I find the transition from kids to adults storylines somewhat disjointed. The back-and-forth switching of the timelines could be confusing as the drama tells the stories of different characters.

“Moving” has a star-studded cast of veteran actors. I thought to myself, “Hey, I know you!” as there are so many supporting roles played by amazing actors. There’s no reason to worry about the acting in this drama. The makeup department needs to get an award. The wounds are amazingly real, that’s why I had to look away. It was too much for me. On the other hand, the CCI of flying is quite hilariously fake. Maybe I am more used to C-drama wuxia wire work.

I would recommend this drama if you enjoy super powers, thrillers and action scenes. “Gore” is one of the tags, so be warned. Each episode is captivating and keeps me entertained. 20 episodes went by really fast and I wanted more. Will there be a season 2? We shall see!


Other Random Observations:
1. Don’t forget to watch past the ending credits!
2. Bong Seok’s accidental floating and Hee Soo trying to hold him down - very cute!
3. Dong Shik, “An Intentional failure is not a failure.”
4. Monster is a romanticists, reading ‘romance’ novels, e.g. Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain
5. Like parents, like children - Bong Seok and Hee Soo with the sky + ground attack, just like Doo Shik and Joo Won.


Completed: 9/22/2023 - Review #357

Read More

Well-paced, but just okay

Objectively I think this was a well-written drama. The mystery subplots were interwoven well with the main story, and I liked how they gradually added more characters to their party.

However, I did find it difficult to connect with the main characters and was very confused about the story until many episodes in; I do want to say that a caveat is that I haven't really watched historical/costume/wuxia/xianxia dramas so the language was something I wasn't that used to.

In terms of romance, the main one was decent, particularly because I enjoyed the FL's strong, no-nonsense personality. The secondary romance was less enjoyable though — the SFL's motivations and emotions were kind of unclear throughout, and overall the dynamic just felt uneven. I didn't really want them together and didn't really understand when development took place.

It's really the bromance that stands out in this show. The relationship between Jian Buzhi and Zhao Wohuan has its ups and downs but it's clear how much they grow to care for each other and it's really great to see that the unconditional trust they have in each other.

Another thing was I wish there were higher stakes. Sometimes it felt like the deaths didn't hit hard enough, or there wasn't a feeling of real danger for the leads.

Nevertheless, ultimately, I do think this was a decent drama — but someone who enjoys wuxia might enjoy this better than me.

Read More

The unexpected path of a romcom series

For a person who watch Japanese Boys Love from time to time since Takumi-kun era and witness how Japan progressively making drama and movie with this specific genre, I think Minato Shouji Coin Laundry is one of their well-made drama with this theme.

Minasho 1-2 receiving so much loved from local audience. The followers of its social media increased continually and most of them is Japanese. On the other hand, this series is much criticized by international audience mainly because of the age-gap plot, the absence of intimate and rated scenes, Minato’s personality, also lately, because of the amnesia path the story took-which also surprised myself, tbh. But when you are following Japanese BL (actually, not only BL) drama, movie, manga, anime, I think people out there would find that many of their plot is unique and probably, unacceptable.

But here I am defending this drama, again. Already did the same thing last year for previous season.

To begin with, 2023 was welcome by BL that is a total flop manga adaptation, followed by another one or two flop adaptations. It was frustrating. There was one drama that good enough to watch, but the others are a let down. Why a let down? The anticipation I had as the manga’s fans is wasted, not because of the screenwriting, but the way the actors delivered the emotion to me.

With Minasho, it is different. Of course, Minato Akira is annoying hahaha but by me feeling annoyed by what he did, the actor succeed to pull me into the story. Kusakawa Takuya is consistent in this aspect. Nishigaki Sho, the Katsuki Shintaro actor, showing many side of his acting skill in this season. He shows his ability to convey various emotion this time. Also, Kusakawa & Nishigaki’s crying scenes are beautiful. Compared to some BL I’ve watched before, I can still count how many actors can shed tears properly for their heartbreaking scenes.

Season 2 is an original script, written by the manga author, because the story in its manga is way behind. We expected their cuddly daily life after being boyfriends, but nah, we did not get it as easy as flicking fingers. Especially, if we fully understand how Minato Akira’s personality is, and for that deeper understanding, you have to be a fan of the manga or at least, the previous season of this drama.

This series is a serotonin booster because of their fluffy interaction. But it can’t be helped if most people’s preference to boost their mood is by watching hot bed scene, this series will not fulfill the need since it’s a romantic comedy. Even the supposed-to-be-a-bed-scene is amusing.

The opening sequence is interesting. They recorded it with phone and slipped some of the Minato and Shin’s daily life video. I love the concept, not the over-cheerful song, tho.

The ending sequence is on another level, but same concept with season 1. It’s a symbol of the progress of the main couple’s dynamics. The song is easy-listening and unexpectedly fit in every mood in this season. It sounds like a happy song, but it can make you cry when the episode is frustrating, as in EP 10-11. In ep 12, too, but in a good way.

So, before started watching, I hope you find this review to be able to decide if this drama is your cup of tea.

See you in another review!

Read More

A meta blend of fiction and documentary

Or as Peter Bradshaw, writing for The Guardian, put it: "Buddhist supernatural realism".

By the Time It Gets Dark has a clear point of departure: The 1976 Thammasat University massacre. The film draws its initial reflections from the few photographs available from the time, before spending the rest of the film shifting between gaps, silences and layers around and beyond the historical event.

The majority of By the Time It Gets Dark follows the journey of the film-making itself. Not in a behind-the-scenes way, but the struggle of the craft in attempt to convey meaning. It's self-reflexive while, at the same time, not shunning the audience. Don't worry, this isn't one of those arthouse films that experiments for the sake of self-indulgence. You can sense the creators' desire to grapple with the 1976 massacre while struggling to develop and articulate its meanings on multiple levels.

It's not trying too hard, nor is it a chore to watch. When you take this film for what it is, you're able to appreciate it more.

When Ben Kenigsberg from the New York Times said if there couldn't be explanations, then at least there should be "footnotes" and that it'll go over the heads of those not "in sync", I think it's important to note that being "in sync" is besides the point. The visual glitches and play with colour saturation near the end of the film show that that even the creators themselves aren't "in sync" with what is being (or not being) represented.

I don't have this film figured out and you're not meant to. By the Time It Gets Dark is one of those artworks, like poetry, where, if you're trying to figure out what it's 'saying', then you're misunderstanding its existence. If it lingers, then that is sufficient.

Peter Bradshaw's Guardian Review: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jun/16/by-time-gets-dark-review-bangkok-protests-massacre-anocha-suwichakornpong
Ben Kenigsberg's NYT review: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/movies/by-the-time-it-gets-dark-review.html
Mark Kermode's Guardian Review (I find his reading to be more generous): https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jun/18/by-the-time-it-gets-dark-film-review-dazzling-reflections-thai-history

Read More

Does it Lack Anything????? Definitely No!!!!

I just came across this drama through an edit on YouTube. That edit itself made me watch the whole drama. Well, now you can imagine how much impact this drama had on me. Every minute and every second of this drama kept on delivering. Kudos to the Team and the actors for creating such a wonderful Masterpiece.

STORY + ACTING + VISUAL EFFECTS + EFFORTLESSLY FUNNY + SUSPENSE = "I am Nobody"

[What more do you want???]

The story is definitely one the unique stories I have ever seen. Especially from the first episode to the last episode it just maintained the pace. Not a single moment where I felt bored and not a single scene where I wanted to skip it or fast forward it. Mostly these days I have been skipping few scenes if the drama gets boring, but this is not that kind of drama. It helped me understand how much I can enjoy even while watching a drama!!!

Oh what do I say about the acting, I can sense(I am manifesting) that the actors in this drama are going to get really famous and receive more projects from now on. Special mention to Wang Ying Lu(Bao Bao) and Peng Yu Chang(Chu Lan) for their amazing performance during the entire show. Especially Wang Ying Lu, she is so funny and fierce at the same time.

Now comes the main part, MARTIAL ARTS and VISUAL EFFECTS are the heart of the drama. They did not compromise on anything!! Maybe there is no science in the story but who cares when it is not boring and makes you wonder what is going to happen next and gives you goosebumps in few scenes. Maybe I am over hyping it........but this drama deserves all the attention & appreciation.

Also, this drama focuses on each and every detail of the martial art or the superpower they posses, just like explaining it to people like us, who doesn't have any knowledge about those. This is what makes you more interested in the drama. You may not understand few terms at first but while the episodes keep progressing you will understand everything.

I really liked how they explain the evil outsiders get punished, even though they do not show how they get punished, that explanation itself is quite content enough. This drama also tries to make you laugh even though the situation is filled with suspense and fierceness. And the whole credit goes to Zhang Chu Lan and Feng Bao Bao along with the production team. It is really not so easy to pull out a funny scene when the whole scenario is supposed to be a part of the main part of the story. Double thumps up to them for not making it awkward and making us be at ease and enjoy even the most serious parts of the story.

This is one of the dramas where I watched it for the unique story(one of it is "Forbidden Flower"), generally I watch dramas with my favourite actors or just because the trailer is good. Prior to watching the drama I don't really know any of the cast except for Neo Hu & Bi Wen Jun. I am utterly surprised why this is not getting all the hype it required(or maybe the hype is not enough).

If only they showed who Zhang Chulan's father is and what happened to them along with Feng Baobao's father and the origin of baobao's parents, I would feel that this season would be complete by itself. I hope these minute details will be revealed in season 2. Which is also the reason why I gave it a 9.5 other than this the drama is a 10 for me.

Well, maybe I can guess that this is not everyone's cup of tea but irrespective of the genre you like everyone must and should watch this drama. C-dramas are definitely delivering this 2023. Can't wait to watch more stories like this. So, I suggest everyone to go watch this!!

My suggestion to the people binge watching it is - just keep watching the drama, you might or might not understand it at first, but you will understand everything when you are halfway through it.

One last thing I would want to say is "There is romance but there is no romance". Figure it out after you watch the drama LOL.

PS - Just Two Words........."Speechlessly Amazing"!!!!! Just give this drama a fair chance :)

Read More

Just Why!?!? ??

I so wanted this to be good. I really tried to live it. The first one was so nice & I love the idea of Tin & Can because they are such polar opposites. I wanted to live them and I really REALLY tried but why cast 2 dudes in a BL that are afraid to kiss other guys!?!?!? Honestly it just made their whole relationship worthless I can't believe your in love if your only kissing the corner of the other persons mouth or here is an idea take out the kissing part!! The sad thing is for a guy that doesn't want to kiss dudes they have Mean kissing Plan A LOT!!! I seen some stuff saying mean is homophobic & I try not to listen to that stuff but it kind of looked to me like he didn't want to be there. Whoever cast them should be fired. On top of that they turned Ae into a whining b!tch. I get it was a scramble because of the managers but come on!!! Ugh!!!! Just so disappointed this could have been amazing had the recast Tin & Can but it was just a train wreck where I ended up liking Tin's brothers story and that dude was an @ss to everyone even the guy he "loved".

Read More

"Times make the wrong choices, but history does not."

Song of the Bandits was a 1920's historical set on the border of China with a decidedly modern feel. It combined the Joseon independence movement with elements from a Sergio Leone spaghetti Western. Gun slingers and bar fights set to a raucous score led by the talented Kim Nam Gil made for an entertaining drama.

Lee Yoon is the freed slave of Lee Kwang Il. Together they joined the Japanese army with Kwang rising in the ranks. Upon receiving a letter with the name and address of a man from Yoon's past he leaves and heads to the border settlements. He is given the gift if not of forgiveness, at least purpose to his life. He puts together a band of talented but misfit bandits. "They wouldn't come here if their brains worked right." An assassin is sent after him and as the days go by and the bandits' missions become more dangerous, the past, a love interest, the assassin, the Japanese, and big badder bandits are all set forth on a collision course that will leave a sea of spurting blood in their wake.

The cinematography and scenery were beautiful. Some of the sets might be familiar to Mr. Sunshine fans and there were also ones that came right out of a wild west town. I enjoyed the variety of music in this drama. The music was engaging, some songs rousing and others more quietly emotional. Spanish guitar was used as well as the whistling from old spaghetti westerns. The fight scenes were creative, blood spurting, and fast-no blurred knives. Much of the action was highly stylized. I particularly liked that the female assassin stayed competent and strong throughout the film with her own code of ethics.

The acting ran the gamut. Kim Nam Gil perfectly fit the conflicted bandit leader. Yoo Jae Myung made for a badass grandpa Legolas with his own checkered past. Lee Ho Jung held her own in scenes with KNG and she made Eon a compelling character. The bandits were archetypes-an axe wielding nimble ex-clown with sticky fingers, a drug addicted sharpshooter, and a mountain of a man. Each actor made their role their own. The relationship between Yoon and his ex-master Kwang felt ill-developed as if the writers couldn't decide if they truly wanted to cut the ties and make them bitter enemies despite Kwang's reprehensible actions. Seo Hyun was the biggest let down. She was unable to bring any depth or interest to her role as Hee Shin, leaving the character as bland as sand. There was no chemistry with Kim Nam Gil which meant when scenes focused on them or the fledgling romance the story ground to a stop.

I enjoyed this drama that for the most part was fast paced and coherent even if it became repetitive and ran out of steam near the end. The ending was abrupt leaving some questions unanswered despite the historical boundaries. That's not to say the drama wasn't entertaining, it was. The chemistry and camaraderie between the bandits and Yoon and Eon were fun and captivating. The scenery was stunning and the music was emotional and enthusiastic. Song of the Bandits brought to life the struggles and fragility of life while being occupied not only in Joseon but in communities on the border. Even though it would take another 25 years to drive the oppressors out, the drama showed how people long to be free and are willing to risk their lives in the face of insurmountable odds to protect their homeland, family, and friends. Whether you are a Kim Nam Gil fan or of historicals in general, this is one to give a try.

9/22/23

Read More

Body swap done perfectly

Normally I find body-swap to be incredibly cringe but I found myself enjoying it for the first time since watching Freaky Friday as a kid. Yu Shuxin and Dylan Wang really show off their acting skills. Because they do this very early on in the series, I was pulled in by the comedic element and kept watching from there.

The romance is sweet and although the FL/ML chemistry was strong, I never fully bought it. The support characters are fun albeit predictable.

But the real downfall for me was the plotline. I felt we were just starting to get somewhere in the storyline when the drama ended – similar to how I felt Princess Agents was cut short although at least this time it was a lot less jarring.

Read More

Defintley on my top 3

I watched Bad Buddy each Friday when a new episode would come out, but I decided after rewatching it a second time I would write a review.

The story was pretty unoriginal and has been done countless times. The enemies to lovers, rivalry, music, college. But Bad Buddy definitely did it right, and much better than a lot of BL's. I've watched this trope so many times and it usually felt boring and repetitive, but Bad Buddy did it so well, and made it unique in it's own way.

The BL wasn't too depressing and serious at times, though it was. There were also tons of humor and jokes that I actually laughed at! This is really uncommon since I almost always keep a straight face during "comedy" in BL. But when there were emotional moments like in episode five when Pran hears that Pat as a crush on ink broke my heart. Pran's tears and acting pulled my heartstrings, the acting was so amazing and I really felt the emotions of the characters.

The chemistry between the two was incredible, they picked the perfect actors since they were already friends, and it just made it not so awkward or tense feeling. The show had no cringey moments where I had to pause several times, or moments that were so awkward between the two. It was relieving.

Though the two had a bit of a toxic rivalry at first, once they started developing feelings and understanding their difference their relationship was so adorable, and not TOO unrealistic. There were no rapey or non-consensual acts, so I didn't feel grossed out. It made it so much better since there was no stereotypical bottom/top thing, they were both equal in the relationship and were both presented as masculine guys, which is hard to come across since there is almost always one that is more feminine than the other.

I also loved Ink and Pa's relationship, I really want a season two just with them because they deserved so much more deep dive into their relationship. They are so adorable, and I usually don't seek out GL since I am a gay guy, but they had so much chemistry and I had to keep watching for them since I loved them so much.

I didn't skip any moments in this BL, it didn't get boring, and I enjoyed all of the characters In this show. Except Pat's parents and the actor who played the rival rugby team player, who shot Pat which was so sad. (Of course, I mean their characters, the actors are incredible and did such a good job.)

The music was so good, that I literally searched up the names of the songs just to listen to them on their own that is how much I liked them. The music was spot on and fit perfectly, especially Pran's and Pat's song that they made in high school, it was so good I couldn't help but keep replaying it.

It was so good, 9.5/10 for sure, and I recommend it to anybody that loves this kind of trope.

Read More

It feels like you're being transported into a storybook

It feels like you're being transported into a storybook. You go along piecing together the history through sketches that the main character (Jom) finds in an old house in present day Thailand. But it's just sketches with no context. It has no value to those outside the story.

When Jom gets into a car accident, he wakes up in the 1930s. As you are watching, you arent sure what is real anymore because Jom toes the line between past and present. But, maybe it's all a dream and all in his imagination? But, the scenes look familiar and you realize he is playing out the story behind those sketches and my gosh IT IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY.

It feels so nice watching a drama with characters who are genuinely good. (Even though I do like my share of toxicity at times). But both Jom and Yai wear their hearts on their sleeves. They love fully and earnestly and that is so refreshing to see. And my gosh Im only 6 episodes in and I know this is going to destroy me and Im going to end up sobbing. But, do yourself a favor and watch this show!!! Anytime I see these two on screen, I get immediate butterflies. They perfectly portray the feeling of falling in love.

Read More