Reviews

Father & Son

Not knowing what to watch, after finally dropping about 5 dramas after 3/4 episodes, I started this one because it was on the top of my PTW list. I said to myself: I'll give it a go, the episodes are short! I ended up binge watching it in an afternoon! And loved every second of it.

49 is the number of day a soul wanders on Earth after death. In this case it is the father who became ghost after saving his son in a car accident. The father borrows his son's body in order to sort out some unfinished business with his family. Both son and father get more than they bargained for from this soul infestation. While the father realizes he'd been wasting his life on work, his son discovers the joy of life and friends and being confident.

The drama deals with heavy topics of life, death and grief, love, friendship, school and bullying but it is an easy watch. The father in his son's body goes around with adult's attitude, taking no nonsense from other kids making them respect him and therefore his son. He wants to make his son's life in school better. Soon the father enlists the help of his son's slight acquaintances from school creating a tight and varied group of friends. This is what high school should be but it is not. Therefore the tag is fantasy!!!! But one can dream that kids could be nice to each other and not eaten up by jealousy and envy! Sometimes the watch is a bit uncomfortable especially when the father in his son's body interacts with the mother. The father is full of regrets about neglecting his family just to give them a good life and he still has strong feelings for his wife!

The main actor is amazing: I think he was 17 when he filmed this. The transitions from father to son were flawless and you could see who was in charge of the body just by slight changes in posture and facial micro expressions! Amazing. The rest of the cast is just as good! The basketball team, in order to help the son's sister, create an idol-like group Chicken Basket who perform in a club! They are simply incredible!

This drama is a gem, deftly striking the balance between the fun and the serious! I hope that the main actor has a great career. He amply deserves it! Go watch this, you won't regret it!

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Although this film seems simple, it carries a very beautiful message of life itself. I'll use a quote from MDL: "It's a shame to say when you're an old gray-haired person that the one you loved from your youth still lies beside you". They are played by two nice, even beautiful young Chinese people, and it's a shame that LGBTQ+ topics are not allowed to be more promoted in this country, what would it be like with 1.4 billion people ... if only a "mini China" with this topic waves and makes the whole LGBTQ+ world happy (Taiwan, 26 million inhabitants). Communicated very nicely, gently and with insight. What meets only a few couples, like a pair of swans, is a beauty, a gift ...



Ač se zdá být tento film jednoduchý, tak nese moc krásné poselství života samého. Použiji citát uvedený na MDL: "Je stěstí říci, když jsi už starý šedovlasý člověk, že ten, koho miluješ od mládí, stále leží vedle tebe". Hrají dva sympatičtí, ba přímo krásní mladí Číňané, a škoda jen, že LGBTQ+ tématika nesmí být v této zemi více propagována, co by to s 1,4 miliardy lidí muselo být za studnici ... když jen "mini Čína" s touto tématikou mává a obšťastňuje celý LGBTQ+ svět (Taiwan, 26mil obyvatel). Sděleno moc hezky, jemně a s nadhledem. To, co potká jen nemnohé páry, jako párek labutí, je nádhera, dar ...

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A drama I will remember for ever

I never wrote reviews before but I couldn't end this drama without saying anything about it. The cinematography, the music, the scenario, the characters, the acting, everything was amazing. I will definitely think about Move to Heaven for a long time.The character growth of Cho SangGu was amazing and the acting was absolutely incredible, he made me feel every emotion as little as it could be. Also I'm dehydrated for how much I cried, I don't think there was any episode where I haven't at least shed tears if not ugly cried. 10/10 in every possible way. I'm sad to leave Han GeuRu and his beautiful story.

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Best Business Drama of 2023

I loved the drama. Everything was good. The business part made the drama more interesting and the incomparable chemistry between the main leads was the cherry on top.
It has a solid storyline. The story unfolds in a beautiful way. The development and consistency of the characters were also good. We get to understand why certain characters are the way they are. The acting of all casts were superb. The delivered powerful message. I regret not starting the drama after it was over as waiting for each new episode felt like torture to me! I will definitely rewatch it. This drama is highly recommended to anyone who loves the work they do.

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That Rare Gem in Drama

The series is superb and heading for greatness in the KDrama lists of its classics. First, there are wonderful aspects of "My Dearest"--great acting from the entire cast, superb writing, excellent, careful direction, deeply moving sound track, and more. Yet along with the carefully evolving FL, who is superb, it is the master class in acting that Namkoong Min is developing for us that makes me gasp. I am so deeply touched by what he has given both to AEJ as her Co-Star to work with and to us for our enjoyment. It is an unforgettable work of dramatic art in both his delicacy and strength. Plus those deeply expressive eyes and his quiet, beautiful voice. He has worked so hard for years and become one of the finest actors of his era.

This series began by teasing us with flirtations and long looks: a beautiful man with a fan loving a charming woman more than himself. It then advanced to the man dropping the fan that was only a distraction anyway to the real man, the experienced warrior behind those eyes who risks his life repeatedly, and the "girl on a swing" revealing herself as a brave warrior who assumes the leadership role to protect other women and children.

The series has steadily moved us through numerous scenes of increasing danger and heartbreak, that were leading us to where we are now. It is a love story, yes, but it is also about invasion, war, escape, resistance, horror, and the violent treatment of the poor, elderly, women and children in a horrific reverse of their community into a war zone with them as the sacrifice.

It is terrifying, heartbreaking. And no love story can change that. But it can give us hope. The woman in the love story is brave and resolute in protecting others. GC has become the woman LJH saw and fell in love with the first day as he watched her floating high on the swing. And he is not just the man who loves and protects her but is also revealed as the resistance fighter who saw her and knew who she was. As he tells Ryang, "you do not know what she means to me." But we do. They are both wonderful as is this constantly evolving story.

Update

"My Dearest" Eps 18 & 19
I was able to sit down with my morning coffee and enjoy both episodes this weekend.

And it was very interesting to see how the entire series was moving this way all along—just as the writer and direction teams intended. For this is not just the romance most of us here share an abiding hope will be fulfilled, but also a historical study of the Qing invasion and its effects on Joseon, its people at all levels, and its future. These are all seen in the madness of the king taken out on his own people and family, the grief of the people-symbolized in the death of the baby, that the mother must bury with her own hands—and the shared anguish of the citizens just trying to return home but slaughtered by the misuse of power.

Additionally, there is more than one love story, and they are on multiple levels. But of course the central love story is that of JH and GC, who at the beginning seem to be a man with a waving fan but who is so much more, and a woman with a rising swing who finds out who she really is through his love for her. If the writer closes next weekend the way she seems to be moving, the outcome will be complex, as is the historical reality. And it should also become one of Drama's greatest achievements. But even if it falls short, the writer, production team, cast, and composers have given us a series that many of us love. That is an achievement in itself. So onward to next weekend and closure with hope and maybe a few tears.

Final Episodes 20-21 Closure

There are tragedies, of course: this is a violent invasion; we will lose characters we care about and be disappointed in some others. But there are also blessings: GC’s growth into the strong, protective, loving woman she becomes is one of the finest in film. And JH always knew who she was. Ahn Eun Jin's transition in her performance is magnificent. And even the princess who wants JH so much does the right thing in the end: because she in fact does love him in her way. The cast on all levels is one of the most talented in KDrama—and they made us care. The production team taught us about the Qing invasion of Korea along with the monstrous political behavior of Koreans in power, and kept those effects, especially on the people, firmly in front of us.

Min Nam Koong as Jang Hyun created one of the most heroic characters in film, and he does it with his deceptive fan, steady calm, interrupted when needed by explosive defenses of his people and the woman he loves. But he is also funny, ironic, and adorable, created through his warm, beautiful voice, and the delicate expressions from his eyes and mouth. The man is simply beautiful and so gifted we fall in love with his characters. All of the cast and production team are outstanding—but it is Min Nam Koong who commands every scene he fills—and we cannot look away.

So though I didn't like JH getting beaten up all the time and being forced to use the amnesia trope not once but twice—I love "My Dearest" and its cast and production team and especially the character Jang Hyun that Min NamKoong created and so many of us fell in love with. He is one of the finest actors in the world today, and new fans are discovering him every day.

What a wonderful experience is this fine drama.
—AJ McAninch

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Confused

Did I watch a shortened version wherein the rest of the story is told but I somehow missed all the details and just saw a highlight reel? I am so confused. MLs are good looking and have chemisty, but the story of how they fell in love and how they stayed together or fell apart just isn't there. Nothing is there. In what appears to be a momentary flashback we see the ML Yeong-Woo (YW) crying and 2nd ML Yi Bin (YB) consoling him a little. I think they were dating but broke up because YB wasn't in love. Back to the time of the story and YW falls in love (within a few days) of meeting Ki Jin (KJ -- who is the man YB is currently in love with, but remains friend zoned). KJ appears to be an aspiring fashion designer. YB is a famous model. YW is a deliveryman who fits KJ's ideal of the model for his brand. They meet in a bad way, somehow fall in love (no story, just bam, mission accomplished) and YW becomes KJ's model while YB feels left out. Then somehow it seems that KJ is offered an opportunity to go to New York to make his name in fashion, but only if he goes with YB. He says no, but somehow YW hears that he is going to go with YB, believes he is being dumped, and they separate (without story, no talking about it, just bam again, mission accomplished). YB goes to NY by himself. KJ continues his dream by opening his own studio. YW goes back to being a deliveryman and part time model. Now we are going to fast forward to the end... a year later, deliveryman YW delivers food to his past lover KJ. KJ apologizing but they never really talk and somehow get back together or maybe just kiss. Ends with YB and YW modeling together and sitting down to share drinks in which YB says he went to NY by himself and YW and KJ are running back to each other. That appears to be the end. But I still don't know what happened. Did KJ go to NY but just by himself? If not, why apologize? Why didn't they talk it out? Why don't they even speak to each other for a year? Just ghost each other over a misunderstanding and get back together out of nowhere? The music was whatever, but honestly with such a confusing story, even a great OST could only have taken it so far. Since it makes no sense, I can't see there would be any value in watching it more than once. I would just end up confused and wonder why I bothered again. The actors were fine, they did well pretending emotions out of thin air and no plot, but still, nothing can save a story that doesn't actually have any story. If there is another version of this story where you actually have the whole story with reasonable English subtitles, please let me know. Otherwise I will persist in believing that this halfway attempt was somehow meant to be the entirety of this ridiculous series.

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Basketball & Sleep

Inspired by the Japanese I think, Koreans have been definitely upping their BL game recently. The dramas they release are getting better and better: the production values are higher and the stories they are telling are better written. This one is definitely one of the best BL to come out of Korea.

The story is nothing new: highschool friends see their feelings for each other grow but scared of the consequences, they separate. They meet again five years later and restart the relationship. Will they be more successful this time around?

The drama started surprisingly well. It was not the usual ugly korean webseries: the cinematography is excellent, the rain, the sunlight, the basketball field, the overall aesthetical impression is extraordinary. It is worth the watch just for that. But, fortunately there is more to it than just good looks. The story is well written: starting in the present and slowly uncovering their pas connection in a series of flashbacks which are not in chronological order and may confuse some. The actors had decent chemistry and their kissing scenes were really butterfly inducing which is so rare in K-dramas not only BLs!

Now for the reasons this is not getting a 10/10 from me. First and foremost: it is too short, there are so many things missing in this story. Insomnia was never really explained: why was he suffering from it. I really don't like it when the solution to a psychological problem is LOVE. I wish life was so easy! Another problem stemming from the previous one is lack of communication. It did create a slight conflict, kind of blink-and-you-miss-it which was solved by "I'm sorry! I love you!" Really?!? Main characters were not as likeable (one a liar and one naive) as they should have been but they are very human so...let's settle with reality! The only girl in the cast, was all kinds of annoying, loud, intrusive and a busybody. And the last but not least issue I have with this (I'm nitpicking here! LOL) is the very last scene: the cringefest! I am still shuddering while I'm writing this!

Well, all in all it is a nice binge watch, not too angsty, rather cute but too short!

Oh and I almost forgot a nod to TharnType and icecubes in the last episode.

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A Gem in Kdrama-World

Well, this is the end of a long journey and yearning. I absolutely loved Part 1. I did not expect to love it that much and in my humble opinion... it's a masterpiece. But it was not completed and we obviously needed a Part 2. Even though I was scared how it will play out. I think Part 1 is stronger than Part 2, but I still loved it. I gave Part 1 a 10/10 and Part 2 a 9.5/10. It's hard to be subjective, since My Dearest is already on my list of all-time-favourites.

Before going into my thought on Part 2, I want to add a few of my thoughts of art 1 since they are still the same show and actually not a different season or anything:
- After watching the first two episodes I was not sure if I would like it or not and could not tell where the story was going
- Episodes 3 & 4 of Part 1 are brilliant: The happiness and "naivety" of people living in peace and then showing the horrors of war
- I love love love the characters! They are flawed, this is what makes them interesting. I could feel all the emotions they were feeling. The acting was amazing.
- Slowburn Romance at its best. The chemistry between the leads is wonderful
- The Show pulls you in and you won't be able to leave
- Beautiful music

These points are still relevant for Part 2. But here are a few thoughts on Part 2 to explain why I think it is "flawed":
- Gag Hwa... I did not need her in the story. She adds Drama, which causes for more yearning and angst between the leads... but I really disliked her
- Side Characters from Part 1 were not that relevant in Part 2
- Part 2 sometimes felt a bit draggy in comparison to Part 1, but maybe that's just me
- The Ending. I feel warm and happy. It's happier than I ever imagined it would be. I still wished for more ending scenes of the other side characters. But I don't want to get greedy.
- A beautiful and capturing show, an underrated gem in Kdrama-World. It's been a long time since I saw a show like this. And right now I am not sure if I ever did.

Has Part 2 flaws? Yes. Do I love and adore it anyway? YES.

What am I supposed to do now? It's over and I feel quite melancholic.

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Slow and Fast

I felt like the episodes moved slowly but the relationship made huge steps that we don't fully see. The romance started fast IMO, I didn't understand where the attraction started from. It was an abrupt end then reunite. We don't see much if anything of the relationship between the parents. If we saw more of their relationship it could have a stronger impact when the step sister love was discovered and the reuniting.

Overall the show played it safe. The acting was good and I do enjoy the romance that we got. everything felt good including the music.

I recommend watching this show.

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Awarded many times at smaller and local festivals, the film is about Filipino-Chinese student Ken (played by Rowi Du), who discovers his true identity and confesses his love for his friend and childhood friend Mike (Raphael Cruz). A pleasant, deep, too long head shave for me, but I understand that this is how the author wanted to convey it and that it is the true essence of the film.



Na menších a lokálních festivalech mnohkrát oceněný film o filipínsko-čínském studentovi Kenovi (hraje Rowi Du), který objevuje svou pravou identitu a vyznává lásku svému kamarádovi a příteli z dětsví Mikovi (Raphael Cruz). Příjemné, hluboké, na mě až moc dlouhé holení hlavy, ale chápu, že to takto autor chtěl sdělit a že je to tou pravou podstatou filmu.

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They could have done better

I cannot understand that I’m already on the 15th ep and the FL and ML are still flirting - that’s at least 40mins per ep “spent” watching the leads flirting and flirting and flirting. Character development is non existent. Story development is extremely poor. The personality of the FL is confusing if not incomprehensible. I understand not all chinese drama could be at par with Hidden Love, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, The Love You Give Me - and these dramas I mentioned have areas for improvement still - but I hope they make ones that are at least not too cliche and engaging for the viewers. They spend money to produce these dramas anyway so why not take an extra step or two or even five to make them good.

You are not missing anything if you decide not to watch it. You may feel like you missed (reads: waste) time that you could have spend on other things if you decide to watch - lest finish - these drama.

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Is there really a monster or is it just us?

Μonster is being advertised as a Hirokazu Koreeda film and indeed it is directed -splendidly as always- by him. However, the man behind the script is Sakamoto Yuji, the person that wrote Soredemo, Ikite Yuku (Still, Life Goes On) and if you have seen that series, then you know that Monster is not going to be just a good film, but it will stay with you for a while.

I don't think I can explain how good this movie is and honestly I don't want to try nor I should. If you are by chance reading this, let me tell you that it is better to watch this film, without knowing anything about it. Don't watch the trailers, don't read the synopsis, don't even read what kind of awards it earned.

As stated before, directing is magnificent, acting is great from all of the cast involved, with two astounding performances by the two younger actors, portraying Yori and Minato. The music, composed by Sakamoto Ryuichi is heartbreakingly beautiful and it feels so sad and hopeful at the same time.

The plot is magnificently written from beginning to end. Even if at first you may feel that some scenes last too long, they are not just there for the atmosphere. They are important and that is the beauty of the film. Nothing is there just to exist, just to lengthen the movie, just to make the audience feel melancholic, just to make it feel more cinematic. It needs to be there, because it wouldn't work otherwise.

Without giving away anything of importance, I will just say that every detail matters, every character is vital and realistically written. Everyone is so flawedly human, you can't really hate or love them. They are just important, they matter, because they exist. They are so real it kind of makes you ache for the beauty, complexity and ugliness of human nature.

It is a film that is character-driven, slow paced and it truly shows the power of perspective. It deals with so many subjects in a very delicate manner that doesn't feel forced nor preachy. I can't thank myself enough for watching this on the big screen.

I understood how truly beautiful this movie was, when I couldn't stop thinking about it hours after watching it and when I ended up crying with all the little details that have such a huge impact and importance.

Many times, with all these critically acclaimed films, I feel like I am getting forced to like them, to overanalyse them, to convince myself that they are something better than what they actually are -or maybe I don't have the ability to fully understand them-. This is not the case here, though. This is truly an exquisite film. It is better than I ever expected. It is one of those movies that you get to discover something new with every watch. It needs to be watched, because at the end of the day we are all humans and this is a film about us.

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Best way to fall a sleep

From the start I had high expectations for this drama but as time went by it felt bland and boring like episode 6 when there was an event in the village, it felt very cringy when they were forced to go up on stage and dance. I thought this was an exciting drama when I wanted to start this drama but it seemed like my expectations were too high, I yawned a lot and was sleepy in several episodes. I don't know why overhyped dramas are always boring, unlike dramas with ratings that aren't too high, which are usually more exciting and promising. this drama could be a good introduction/sleep medicine lmao.

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