Reviews

(Update after first rewatch 11/8/2023): This is a very good romantic comedy. The leading actors had good chemistry and, Zhu Ya Wen (as Zheng Chu), made this series worth watching. Zheng Chu (played by Zhu Ya Wen) comes out as an aloof and childish man whose character throughout the drama remains faithful to his overall persona: a loyal friend, familial stronghold, and a wonderful caring and steadfast lover with an incredible sense of humor. On the other hand, there is the leading lady, Su Mang (played by Wang Li Kung) that comes out as a domineering tigress but has a heart of gold and equally loyal and steadfast toward her loved ones. The drama lost one star because, at the end, there was a tragic twist to one of the supporting characters that was completely unnecessary to use just for the sake of the selfish, conniving, and insufferable Chen Shan Shan (played by Ma Qiu Zi). Overall, although I am not satisfied with some side storylines, this drama is well written for the leading couple with great bantering, slow burned but beautiful love story, and a very good ending. Enjoy it!

Original review: This is a good romantic comedy. The leading actors had good chemistry and, Zhu Ya Wen (as Zheng Chu), made this series worth watching. Although I am not completely pleased with some side storylines, the drama is worth watching. Enjoy it!

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Not quite there...

The drama had one of the worst introductions out there. You can never expect anyone to be interested after watching the first 4 episodes. As if they were purposefully made to push viewers away. Anyway, the drama had some brilliant and creative moments at times but all of that was overshadowed by the dominant hot garbage moments. You may expect something worse than Oblivion NPC's level of dialogue and directing. All of the three male leads sucked and disappointed. There was a big massive slump between episodes 35-45 that was rough to get through. Villains and ending were meh.

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Ignites Interest in Mental Health/Healing

The portrayal of mental illnesses in the film was remarkably relatable, prompting introspection about my own life, it had a somewhat melancholic tone throughout, but by the end, it left me with a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of healing in my own life as well as finding myself more interested in psychiatry.

The chemistry between Jung Da Eun and Dong Go Yoon was cute, but it was not enough. Go Yoon's character had an appealing personality, and he came across as intelligent, charming, very well-spoken, and one of the greenest flags.
The secondary relationship between Hwang Yeo Hwan and Min Deu Lae was also well done, addressing a valid issue and providing a satisfying resolution that would make anyone in the character's shoes feel content and happy.

Overall, my only complaint was that I wished it had been longer, I was deeply attached to all the characters, feeling as if I had lived alongside them in their journey

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After watching some clips & seeing leads chemistry I started watching this series.

1st time seeing the leads, they had good chemistry together.

Wang An Yu is a good actor, will follow his future project.

I have no problem with older women & younger men. I would like to see this kind of genre in an office-centric series & the sports genre with both leads of the same age. It would be interesting to watch then.

Nothing but You is my 1st series of this same genre & I honestly Iiked Nothing but You more. This is not a bad series, but I did skip some of the scenes.

Duan Yu Cheng is an athlete. He is hard working, good at his studies, but also childish. Luo Na is an assistant coach, mature, determined, she was always there for Duan Yu Cheng, fighting for him, supporting him.

The way Luo Na keeps pursuing Mr. Wang for Duan Yu Cheng was quite funny. Loved her friendship with Wu Ze . They are so supporting & understanding towards each other. After Wu Ze got rejected, he didn't do anything stupid, tried to break them apart, which I loved the most. He understood that they're good for each other & gave them his blessing.

Wu Ze relationship with both Mr. Wang & Li Ge are just awesome. I loved them, especially Li Ge & Wu Ze relationship. Wu Ze sees himself in Li Ge. He tried his best to achieve Li Ge goals.

I liked Duan Yu Cheng friendship with both sports & academic team. Though Duan Yu Cheng & Jiang Tian had a rough start at first, they slowly became friends.

Luo Na & Wu Ze shock face after seeing Duan Yu Cheng's mother. His mother telling Luo Na that they're sisters.

Couch Yang expression after finding out about leads relationship.

Plus point of this drama is there is no side couple.

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I have mixed feelings regarding this series and Taiwan BL in general. I remember when HISTory aired, the very first series was called "Obessed", and everyone was talking about it. I checked it out and thought the story makes zero sense, but the actors were committed and showed us great make-out scenes. Many years later, not much changed.
This series' author also wrote Trapped and MODC, and again, I have the same criticism. There is only one explanation for the author's success I can come up with (some even call her the "queen of Taiwan BL"): She puts so much stuff into her stories, that there is something for everyone. You like a couple where one guy is much older? Check. You like a couple with unexpected top/bottom roles? Check. You're into student-teacher stories? Check. You like the tsundere type and the cold/stoic type? Check. You like big height differences? Check. You like the one being manly, and the other being cute? Check. You like mafia guys? Check. So I assume whoever reads this found at least two points they like. So go watch it!
Seriously, the author talks about stuff she doesn't know anything about. In Trapped those police officers behaved like children playing detective, now in Kiseki the mafia guys behave like children running a car repair shop and doing some street fights. The older mafia guys are sitting in the hot tub, looking dangerous and talking in a way that it sounds important. It's low budget, I know, but don't go there, if you're not capable of making it believable. The whole plot is a mess. Two young guys going to prison for 4 years is a good example of the weak wattpad-style storytelling. You could write a whole series about their experience in jail, but they brush over it, and they even get out in the same episode. Not much changed, as if they had seen each other just months ago.
Back to the same criticism I had regarding Trapped and MODC: There is no balance regarding the mood of the story. Kisekei had some very touching and serious moments, but then it gets incredible cheesy and corny. It's funny, and in the next moment it's tragic. The author apparently wants to evoke as many emotions in the viewer as possible. The result? It's a mess.
But not only the plot is a mess, the acting is too. Ai Di (Louis Chiang) is the only good actor, I would even say, he is the only "real" actor. What do I mean by that? He embodies the character wholeheartedly. Even if the character develops or changes over time, you still feel it's the same character. I have no issue with Chen Yi (Nat Chen) acting. He is doing a good job, and it's not uncommon that an actor reaches a new level when paired with someone talented. But still, it's obvious he isn't as good as Louis. Unfortunately, everyone else, from the younger guys to the older guys, is just here for the paycheck.
My final thoughts and rating? I love the 2nd couple, they are my guilty pleasure for many reasons. I hope those two get a new series, because I love their chemistry and acting. Everything else was forgettable. The main couple was too cheesy, and Taro Lin should really work on his acting. For me this was second hand embarrassment.
7 stars for the effort (they did some things right, and some scenes were beautifully filmed), but since I'm madly in love with Ai Di and Chen Yi I will give 8 stars.

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Best Taiwanese BL in 2023

As we all know, some of the most coveted BLs of all time are hailed from Taiwan. And so, when you see a new one dropping the expectation is usually through the roof. All that said, the BLs dropping in 2023 from them have really fallen short in terms of their predecessors.

But Kiseki: Dear to Me walked through our doors and offered us a breath of fresh air. For me, it's really rare to be engaged and interested in both pairings of a show. But I was invested in both Zerui / Zongyi and Ai Di / Chen Yi. The chemistry between both pairings was dripping from the screen and their stories pulled at my heart strings so wonderfully. I honestly couldn't get enough of them.

I am dinging a few points on the story however, because the background plot outside of the couples is not really told well and can be kind of confusing. And also, the finale (overall) felt really underwhelming and frustrating by including unnecessary plot speed bumps for no reason.

Outside of that though, this is still worth a watch. Plus!!! There's so many cameos from beloved BLs of the past and it was nice to see them all again on the screen.

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FUCKING WATCH IT!!

OMG, I teared up so much during these series!! Both couples were so touching but Fah Ze Rui and Bai Zong Yi were just something else. Their love was so deep even though they didn't spend so much time together and it made me really cry so hard whenever they were separated and fuck their reconciliation was so amazing!! I was so happy everytime they could love each other in peace and Bai Zong Yi is such an amazing person... he made me cry as he chose Rui and his father over himself and his future but was still able to fight when he got out of prison and believe in his love. So heartbreaking!!

Then Ai Di and Chen Yi, I originally came for them but Chen Yi seriously disappointed me when he ditched Ai Di for his boss and didn't keep his promise... their first time was actually really sad... Ai Di was in the wrong when he slept with him in his drunk state but it made me so sad to see how desperate he was and he didn't even think that Chen Yi knew he lost his virginity to him. They were really problematic at first but as gang members I can understand... in the place they were brought up at they just didn't took their fights and other aggression seriously. At the end how they talked about death, I saw a younger generation of their boss and his partner who also want to leave together and boss loved his man as much as Chen Yi loves Ai Di.

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Wow, the finale!!

A struggling lawyer with a secret dark side gets pulled into the dark world of a notorious criminal. But what leads him to the line of evil and will he survive the ordeal of events?

Evilive is a noir-themed kdrama with a dark vibe, focuses on the advent of online gambling. Those who love watching ambiguous characters dive deep into crime, with suspenseful and thrilling events will love watching it. I was rushing in head first without watching any trailer/teaser because I already know these men have proven themselves from their previous roles. Anyone who've watched them know how ‘good’ Shin Ha Kyun, Shin Jae Ha and Kim Young Kwang are when they are bad.

Evilive does not disappoint. The first scene bait is intriguing and you discover what really happen sooner than you think. They set up its character well: their inner struggle and what are at stakes, such as their family, marriage and most importantly... their moral values.

I was having a big fun with the friendships and bromance among our leads. Ha Kyun and Jae Ha's characters are supporting each other like siblings, while Ha Kyun's and Young Kwang's characters are like enemies to bromance relationships, they both don’t trust each other but they stick together throughout. My only nitpick is that cinematography and action are of mediocre quality, but it doesn't matter much as the premise is very strong, the plot has rarely any dull moment, the characters are peculiar, the storytelling takes you deep into the world of law, crime suspects and unexpected twists and turns, none of it disappoints... To enjoy the drama to the fullest, I recommend you to binge this.

-Nov 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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The plot got lost along the way

Comparing this spin-off to the original series is kind of inevitable, given how different they are.

It feels like they were aiming for that natural cuteness we got from Do Bongsoon in "Strong Woman," but they've taken Gang Namsoon in a really caricatured direction. Her use of informal Korean doesn't make sense, considering she spent part of her childhood in Korea. It just seems like they're going for an overly cute vibe, and we haven't really seen her shine in any intense scenes yet - and we know that she can.

Gang Heesik feels more like a supporting character than a convincing romantic interest. Plus the female lead's childish personality, it's really hard to root for them.

This is a stark contrast to "Strong Woman," which hooked fans with the amazing chemistry between the leads.

However, the drama doesn't seem to be heading in that direction either. There are so many plotlines going on at once that romance seems to be taking a back seat. In the last episode, we saw more of Namsoon's grandmother than Namsoon herself.

We're already at episode 10, and there are so many ongoing plots and loose ends still hanging. I seriously doubt they can wrap everything up neatly in just 6 more episodes.

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Vigilante - The story of A dark hero, without super power's fighting for Justice ! !

➥ Intro / Reminder :-
It's a story about law and vigilantism with sub story about evil fighting the more bigger evil & became an evil with fighting against evil.. Protagonist ( Nam Joo-hyuk) when facing the criminals that the law had freed, displayed a calm, clear smile and a refined madness that was not beyond at the top.

➥ Short synopsis:-
"Vigilante" is an action thriller in which Kim Ji-yong ( Nam Joo-hyuk), who lives as a "Vigilante" who defends the law during the day, judges criminals who have avoided the law at night, and people with different purposes face each other fiercely.

➥ Detailed Analysis :-
If you're a fan of intense dramas with a gripping plot, well-developed characters, and an thought-provoking exploration of moral complexities, then The vigilante is a must-watch drama.
Excellent and Wow. That's all I can say. I was freaked out about this drama, because I loved the first two episodes. after reading 25 episodes of webtoon I had high expectations. And it exceeded those And truly the Best drama to bring a webtoon so chillingly and realistically to real life ife.

The acting was excellent, The action was good the action here is based more on suspense and violence.The story was great. The characters were diverse and interesting. However, the drama does not only deal with the catharsis of crime and punishment.It makes the viewer think constantly about the justice system.
Criminals getting away from the law is a problem that the show brings up, and vigilantes need to step up and do something about it. There are important questions that this brings up about the legal system and how people can help keep the peace.
And in 5th ep When Ji-Yong comes face-to- Jo-Heon about the errors in the legal system, the moral ambiguity of his vigilantism is highlighted. This sparks an intriguing debate about righteousness, morality about law and the shifting boundaries between right and wrong makes Watchers to think what is correct in present society is Vigilantism or Law this one is my fav scene of Vigilante. The conclusion of Vigilante will cause viewers to reconsider what justice and the law are. The public remains unaware of Ji-Yong's identity as the vigilante at the final episode, Viewers are also at ease to judge whether or not the vigilante's actions can be justified morally by this point of view. Despite his efforts, Ji-Yong is successful to preserve his identity under wraps, some things are out of his control.

➥ Nam Joo-hyuk :-
Nam Joo-hyuk, who is challenging the action genre for the first time in his life through 'Vigilante', to create realistic and realistic action, he received weight training, boxing, judo, and martial arts, he lived in his character role here "The law has a hole. Now I'll fill the hole.With the line, "This is justice," he shows charismatic appearance, armed with intense action and cool eyes that punish criminals with a deep black hood.. his black hood and police uniform, create a completely different atmosphere, making us look forward to his first action thriller completed with his delicate and detailed acting.

➥ Other departments :-
The cast is full of top quality actors including Nam Joo-hyuk, Yoo Ji Tae, Kim So Jin, Lee Joon Hyuk
The Remarkable Direction, Cinematography, Music and the Acting, editing, sound, score, visuals, and action are all top notch. The series' cinematography and storytelling skills especially shine during action scenes and scenes with shocking twists. The depth of the characters and the complex plot development make this series fascinating.

➥ Direction:-
Despite being Choi Jeong Yeol's first drama, he handled it very well. The drama showed his potential in 4 episodes, which is enough to anticipate more entertainment from the next episodes..

➥ Conclusion :-
Vigilante, the intriguing webtoon adaptation that offers a unique twist on the vigilante genre, blending character development with intense action, making it a must-watch for fans of action and thrillers and exploration of complex moral themes..
( Personal Review )

Vigilante" who judges criminals with his own justice, and throw a new topic to viewers about the law and what true justice is.

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Lots of satisfying punches

When Ji Young was a child, his mother was beaten, the criminal was caught but only receive light punishment. So when he grows up, he took revenge on him and continue beating other criminals on the weekends. He's known by public as the mysterious hooded vigilante.

Right from the get go, I see a proper action thriller of an underdog beating up criminal whom the justice system doesn't do justice of their crimes. The show is very fast-paced as the plot thickens by ep 3, becoming even more interesting beyond the main story of a mysterious Vigilante being hunted.

Kudos to Nam Joo Hyuk who is doing the heavy lifting carrying his character's inner struggle and action. He did a great job of showing us Ji Young’s motivations. We understand why he's doing this. It's hinting at neo noir genre because on one side he is supporting justice but also he's in murdering people, so isn't he evil or not? That's the aspect that makes me excited to find out what happens next. This show is very violent and vicious, but it is targeted to one on one combats not like chaotic crowd fighting. Another stand-out character for me is Cho Kang Ok. He provide the thrilling momentum throughout. The closure was quite simple and it’s a good thing! It concludes on a realistic and not-over the top note. I enjoyed it overall, just there's something minuscule off about the show as a whole for me and I can't put my finger on it. I love the premise, thrills and satisfying punches, then for some reasons when I leave it, I have no drive to talk about the plot besides thirst-trapping on Nam Joo Hyuk’s cool and badass actions.

-Nov 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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