A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You
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A healing rom-com in a very interesting historical setting, with hints of sadness
This drama is centred around the romance between a Japanese navy officer and one of the daughter of a merchant in 1936. The Japanese era on which it focus as well as the gallery of loveable characters made it a very easy and soothing watch. I also loved the secondary characters, with them having both my fave relationship of the series, between each other as well as with the leads.The casting was great. Honda Kyoya and Yoshine Kyoko, as the main leads, have a fun chemistry and are oozing cuteness as their characters get to know each other, in a very charming and wholesome way. It's been a while I had not seen Honda Kyoya and he is such a dream in that role. Yoshine Kyoko is also bringing a lot into the drama, with some good comedic instincts without never feeling annoying.
I loved how detailed the costumes and decors surrounding the characters were. You really feel immersed in a different era of time. I also salute the choice of having an external narrator punctuating some scenes : for once, it made perfect sense. The OST was also super sweet with an adorable opening generic.
I would recommend this to people looking for a rom-com, in an historical context, providing room for deep thoughts, balanced between instants of happiness and hints of sadness as the heroine is confronted to the tough reality of being in love with a soldier. You go through the seasons with the characters, as they get to know each other : lovely !
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This review may contain spoilers
A different kind of love story
... and I say this because its not about romantic love, but a love between soulmate friends.Overall I kinda felt tricked. lol
But that's because at the beginning I felt like this would be a feel good series,
but it made me cry in the end.
Anyways, I`m writing this review because I really don't understand the other bad reviews here.
This is a must watch if you are a fan of bittersweet story lines.
**Directing**
Overall I really liked the directing, because it has that special vibe throughout the whole series.
Which not all directors are able to do tbh. It really pulls you in. Like I said, the vibe and mood was
the main reason for me to like this series and is often overlooked from other ppl and in reviews in general.
But if a series pulls me in just with the mood, I know its gonna be good, but a lot of ppl usually don't appreciate it sadly.
**Music**
Music fits really well and supports the mood I mentioned above. Nothing noteworthy from my side, which is actually a good thing.... otherwise it would be bad music. >.<
**Acting**
I was really surprised tbh, because you see so many different nationalities but they made it work perfectly. All actors were great, no overacting, just a great fit. Also, its my first drama with Taec Yeon (I think) and I was positively surprised by his good acting. Isomura Hayato was great too and he took a great part to portray & support the mood too.
**Story**
The story follows 2 young man that are stuck in their life and also experienced some kind of trauma I might say. They first meet in Berlin after an accident and somehow grow closer. I really like how their meeting changed both of their life and also made it possible to overcome their trauma. It really shows what it means to have a soulmate and what kind of support it could be in your life without being romanticized. Both characters experience bad things in life, but also are able to overcome those things. Its really great to see, thats why it sometimes feels like a feel good series. In the end it just shows life and life isnt always an easy walk. I say its a good story, not because it is. Its a slice of life, so I would not call it special itself, but the directing, acting, etc made it into one.
**Overall**
If a series is able to pull me in and make me cry with emotional scenes (and I dont cry easily even when its emotional) I rate it as a good drama. Simple as that. Because not many directors are able to make me cry. In the end its all about the acting and directing that make ppl cry, not the story. So, my rating is a 9.5 for that reason (and I didnt skip lol).
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The FL looked too old for the role
Things I liked1 The adults. The acting was good, the characters were good and sometimes they made me tear up, sometimes they made me laugh. They were the best part of this drama which says something since is a youth drama.
2 The male leads. I liked all of them. Good actors and although I think some things would have been written better they did a good job with what they had.
3 The 2FL. She was beautiful and I liked her arc. I liked that she became independent and how the relationship ended with the friendship remaining intact.
Things I disliked
1 The FL. Too old for the role and too conscious she was acting. No chemistry whatsoever and she tried hard to be cute. She wasn't. She ruined the drama for me and the 4 is for the rest of the cast. It would be much higher if she wasn't part of it.
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Over the River
A day before watching this movie, I read a book about our last king, who was sent into exile after World War I. One of the reasons was that he refused to sign a contract with the Masons. He sacrificed his position of power to stand up for what he believed was right. Naturally, watching this film about a king in exile, I found many parallels and deeply appreciated its themes. The king here is a young boy sent to live in a house on the other side of the river, separated from his people. The movie uses the river as a powerful symbol, but I won’t spoil it here because it is connected with the finale of the movie.The film also promotes themes of overcoming selfish intentions, loyalty, friendship, community, breaking the boundaries of class — all of which I found meaningful and well-executed.
Unfortunately, the movie didn’t really move me emotionally. For me, it felt too uneven, constantly shifting between comedy and drama. It also relied heavily on cinematic tropes (for example, rain suddenly starting and stopping at the perfect dramatic moment for visual impact). Many scenes felt overly staged, which prevented me from fully immersing myself. Aside from the king’s warden (Yoo Hae-jin) and the king himself, the other characters were mostly caricatures in the background. Strangely, the moment that had the strongest emotional impact on me was the historical records shown at the end of the movie.
Although I respect and like this film, I can’t help but feel it could have been much better.
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The BEST slice of life drama I have ever seen!!
This show "when life gives you tangerines" feels like a quiet hug you didn’t know you needed!It’s soft, slow, and deeply rooted in everyday life — the kind of story where nothing dramatic happens, yet everything changes!!
The kind of story that keeps you hooked and emotional every second that you watch it!!
The characters feel real, flawed, and incredibly human, and their journeys stay with you long after the episodes end. You feel like you are a part. You see you own journey and your parent's journey as well. You feel their pain, you share their joys!!
It’s not a fast-paced or plot-heavy drama, but that’s exactly its strength — it focuses on emotions, relationships, and the beauty in ordinary moments. It shows the beauty in daily life and the realities will feels like they are worth it if you find the right support!!
If you enjoy slice-of-life stories that are comforting yet slightly bittersweet, this one is worth your time!!
Do give it a serious watch!
9.5/10 — calm, healing, and quietly impactful
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This review may contain spoilers
fun watch that gets you hooked ~ but leaves you at the end
The story was exiting at first, with the main characters competing and starting to work together solving mysteries and uncovering conspiracies. The characters backgrounds are slowly uncovered as the main mystery unravels. unfortunately the main conspiracy does not really live up to the grand expectations made in the beginning and also in context of the ml's journey to avenge his family are not really done justice in the end. The takeover by the main villain while not unexpected feels rushed and feels incomplete because of it.The best part of the show is undoubtedly the main characters dynamic, a slow burn from rivals to a reciprocal arranged marriage to fated partners, keeps you watching. The great acting, especially by Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi is the main factor, and only the kiss scenes shows the lack of experiecne Enxi has, which overall shows great potential and makes me look forward to their/her next work. :)
With its restraints concerning the plot the divorce storyline in the end could have given the main characters another chance to show the clever scheming and trust they had built up but falls flat in a overhasty ending that leaves you unsatisfied.
the OST ~ during and after watching i continue to find it phenomenal, a few tracks played as themes make you form a connection to them, while having variety but also reflect the shows atmosphere nicely.
production is good but nothing outstanding. The fighting scenes were nicely choreographed and are reminiscent of dances, but ended up making some stunts like unrealistically high jumps look a little goofy in comparison. The shots are often concise and frame the acting while you get to know the locations of the main scenes.
overall its a solid drama, carried by the acting and chemistry of the main duo that leaves you a bit disappointed in the end.
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To Be Loved Like That..
I will be honest, I went into this fully expecting to be underwhelmed.. I thought it was just another overhyped drama people were exaggerating about.. But wow, I was so, so wrong.. I can’t believe I almost joined the smooth brain squad..The romance in this one is beautiful.. Like genuinely beautiful.. The storytelling is well paced, Xiao ZhiYu and Hu Xiu had such a natural dynamic and great chemistry and it all just felt so good.. And honestly, to be loved the way Hu Xiu loves, God..
I also have to mention this, I loved Lu Yu Xiao's performance here.. No wonder why she is highly sought after..
What also got me was the second couple’s storyline actually being good.. That rarely happens.. Usually the second lead story feels like filler but here it was genuinely interesting to watch..
The cinematography is stunning, beautifully lit and it almost feels like watching a movie rather than a drama.. And the OST?? Absolutely beautiful..
But what I appreciated the most was the ending.. A proper happy ending.. Not some last minute reunion, not a memory loss miracle, not cringe worthy forced emotional moments.. Just a real, warm, satisfying conclusion.. This is what happy endings should look like.. More dramas seriously need to take notes..
There’s honestly not much to complain about here.. I mean, there were some obvious flaws in the plotline and some major ‘ how does that even work?? ’ moments with that AR game of theirs, but I don’t think it matters anymore.. Overall, a really good and satisfying watch.. I honestly wish more dramas had endings this satisfying..
I didn't really want to go deep into the plot or anything.. Everything that needs to be said has already been said by people far more eloquent than me.. I just felt like dropping a few words because this one deserved it..
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Female-Centric Thriller
Inspector Koo hooked me right from ep 1. The pacing kept me so invested that I constantly wanted to speed through eps just to know what would happen next. The drama balances mystery, humor well, making it an entertaining watch.At first, I really liked FL Kyung Yi, but as the story progressed, Yi Kyung completely stole my attention. Her character was by far the most fascinating part of the show, and the actress did an amazing job portraying her charm, unpredictability, and twisted side.
The casting and acting overall were very strong, especially among the female leads. I also loved seeing a female-centric thriller where women drove the story instead of simply supporting it. Gun Wook getting shot was genuinely sad.
I was disappointed with the ending. Since I ended up liking Yi Kyung so much, I wasn’t fully satisfied with how things wrapped up. Part of me honestly wanted Yi Kyung and Kyung Hi to join forces instead. There were also a few confusing or unexplained parts in the plot.
Still, despite those flaws, I really enjoyed the drama overall. It was engaging, and different enough to keep me hooked till the end.
P.S. ost deserves a mention. the song is so catchy.
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Elegant, emotional, and worth every episode.
What made this story stand out for me was Mu Zhuohua. She wasn’t written as a helpless female lead waiting to be saved—she was intelligent, bold, and determined to make her own place in a world that constantly tried to limit her. Watching her fight to become a female official, despite the rules and expectations placed on women, gave the drama real strength. Her character felt refreshing and grounded, and her growth carried the story beautifully. Many viewers also praised her as a clever, honest heroine who truly showed her intelligence rather than just being called “smart.”The relationship between Mu Zhuohua and Prince Liu Yan was another reason this drama worked so well. Their romance wasn’t rushed or overly dramatic—it was mature, slow-burning, and built on respect. Feng Shaofeng gave Liu Yan a calm, dignified presence, while Jing Tian brought warmth and wit to Zhuohua. Their chemistry felt natural, not loud, and that made it more believable. It was a romance shaped by trust, not just passion. Reviewers often noted that the drama balanced palace politics with romance instead of relying on fluffy love scenes alone.
The palace politics and power struggles added depth, especially in the second half. There were twists, betrayals, and enough intrigue to keep things interesting without losing sight of the emotional core. Some parts did feel slower, and the ending left me wishing Zhuohua herself had played an even bigger role in the final victory, but it was still satisfying overall. That seems to be a common feeling among viewers—the story was strong, though the final payoff could have given the female lead even more power.
Overall, The Legend of Zhuohua is not a flashy idol drama or a sweet fairytale romance. It is a more mature historical drama about ambition, sacrifice, dignity, and love that grows quietly but deeply. It reminds you that sometimes the strongest love stories are the ones built on understanding rather than obsession.
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This review may contain spoilers
Why do non-BLs always have to be sad and tragic?
This is not a BL, it's a queer series. It's slices of live spanning over around 8 years or so. The beginning is a bit strange because there are too many coincidences in the first episode. And of course while we know they are gay, there is no explicit scene about confessing and of course no kissing at all. I don't need any nc-scenes at all, but their relationsship is not defined. We can asume they are together because they love each other but it would not have hurt to give as at least one fluffy moment.On the other hand this slices of life are mostly a series of negatives. For me it was very emotional because every negative stroke of fate just happens. Ryo gets confessed to but he can't handle it. The confessor get outed and jumps (we do not know from how high), but survives, Ryo runs away to Germany of all places and gets nearly killed in a church were another gay persons throws molowtov-cocktails at the altar and is saved by a man who just before listenes to his guilt-confession.
And the list goes on... Is there a happy end? Kind of, but not really. Of course there are also happy moments but anything happy will be destroyed by a tragic event. Is it really necessary to make queer series where everything is tragic? Do we get only stupid, crappy BLs for happyness? I don't mind if there are tragic elements in a story, but this was too much.
I can't fault the actors, they did their best, but watching this series is very taxing. I can only fault the script & direction. I wish we get realistic gay stories which do not end always badly, or where at least the good and bad balance each other out. So, I'm a bit disappointed that they choose not do so. It's very emotional and I needed some tissues. I can't even say it was "bad". Yes the script had it's flaws, the story-arc is not what I wished for, some scenes are too slow for my taste, but it was done mostly in a good way. If you crave for something tragic, this series is for you, if you want something happy, this is definitively not for you.
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This review may contain spoilers
The Lead Performances: Xyriel Manabat (Rose) and Kyle Echarri (Jordan) are the heart of this movie. Xyriel, in her first lead film role, proves she hasn't lost the emotional depth that made her a star as a child actress. Kyle plays the "brooding new boy in town" with more nuance than your typical teen heartthrob. • Nostalgia Factor: For anyone who grew up in the 2000s, the "internet cafe" setting, the old-school emails, and the general vibe of a provincial town will feel very cozy and grounded.
• Visual Direction: Directed by Dolly Dulu, the film has a warm, cinematic quality that captures the beauty of the Philippine countryside without feeling like a tourism ad.
The "Too Much" (The Not-So-Good)
• Melodramatic Tropes: As the story progresses, it leans heavily into "melodramatic wrench-throwing." If you aren't a fan of sudden, high-stakes drama that complicates a simple romance, the final act might feel a bit heavy-handed.
• Formulaic Plot: The "enemies-to-lovers" and "rich boy/poor girl" dynamics are things we’ve seen many times before. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it executes the formula well.
Final Verdict
If you’re in the mood for a "hugot" film that feels like a warm blanket (with a few thorns), "18th Rose" is a solid choice. It’s less about a revolutionary plot and more about the chemistry between the leads and that bittersweet feeling of first love.
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Fun binge watch
People start KDramas through 'Goblin' and 'Crash landing on you', I started with this drama. And it wasn't a bad start.The story follows a magazine reporter Geun Yeong who gets misunderstood as an anti fan and then that becomes the reason why she ends up on this reality show with the celebrity Hoo Joon where he has to play the role of living with an anti fan. And even if they start off on the wrong foot, they end up falling in love with each other.
It's funny. It's pleasing to the eye and the story is quite good. The enemies to lovers trope is fine but it's more soft, bickering and pettyness.
Rewatch wise, no I wouldn't. Nothing much. But I would say I liked the Japan arc. Maybe because it was my first drama I remember it well. If you like a celebrity love story, go for it.
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And honestly? I probably did enjoy it a lot more because of the era and the mindset I was in at the time. The whole “your celebrity neighbors secretly move in next door and chaos unfolds” plot was exactly the kind of fantasy every fangirl secretly loved back then. It was cheesy, unrealistic, awkward at times and entirely built on fanservice but that was also the charm of it.
Looking back now, the acting, plot and overall writing definitely feel very Wattpad coded but I can’t even fully hate on it because it perfectly captured that 2015 fangirl experience. It felt less like a proper drama and more like someone took an EXO fanfic straight off the internet and turned it into a series.
And as a new EXO-L at the time? Of course I ate it up. Seeing the members casually appear on screen every episode was enough to keep me seated regardless of how unserious the plot became.
Would present-day me call it cinematic excellence? Absolutely not. But younger me was having the time of her life and honestly, that nostalgia alone makes this drama weirdly memorable.
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I was deeply impressed by the transformations in Li Yun Rui's character. He completely changed his behavior, temperament, and mannerisms in each of his appearances.
I don't quite understand the complaints about the latter's age Zhang Kang Le, as there's about a four-year age difference between them.
It's worse with the FL character – it's a bit embarrassing when a teenager pretends to be 20. It doesn't bother me as much the other way around.
The direction and production design are fantastic.
The film is very engaging, the action is great, but unfortunately, the script looks like it was written by a frustrated teenager girlwith a sadistic streak, so the character portrayals are quite questionable. I really feel that all the women in this film are immature creatures, nasty and unforgiving at that. The male characters aren't treated much better either. The actors did their best, but there's nothing magical about this script. However, compared to Princess Agents, it's less boring and drawn-out. and it doesn't look like it was made in the 90s. Technically it's spectacular.
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This review may contain spoilers
This could've been a movie. A bad one but at least shorter
This entire show was extremely underwhelming. I gave it a 1 cuz that's the lowest I can give.Script:
•I'll start with what was the worst part for me. The lines didn't sound like how normal ppl talk. It just didn't sound correct. I had to check if the script writer was Japanese cuz it felt super unnatural.
•Fire scene: I didn't care for Ryu enough as to be like "No! Don't kill yourself!". There was no foundation for that scene or character. I couldn't care less. We didn't see him being loved and cared for or caring towards others. He was just a dude within a team. To the point that until the story focused on him, I didn’t even realize he was the main character.
•There's a stupid useless naked scene for no reason whatsoever.
•They should've cut the military scenes. It didn't add anything to the plot and we would've miss seeing Johan and understood Ryu's feelings better. At least if we got to like Johan which I feel like we didn't really.
The characters don't have a character. That's how I can explain this entire mess in a sentence
•Arata saying he was prepared for the response was such a stupid line. He can say he thought he was prepared but prepared? How was he prepared? He tried to kill himself cuz he couldn't handle it ffs! Also, that storyline was wrapped up way too quickly, and he was far too casual about it. They’re trying to make it seem realistic, but it doesn’t feel real. In real life, someone in his situation would likely struggle much longer, maybe even attempt again, or blame themselves much more harshly than what was shown. He seemed way too positive for someone who hasn’t mentally recovered and is now also physically unwell.
•Also why tf is everything so random? Like what is the point of this show? Life is shit? Is that what it is?
Acting and directing:
•The characters spoke too slowly throughout the show. So when they actually needed to slow down to convey emotional weight, it didn’t feel meaningful. Also, why does everyone keep repeating the beginnings of their sentences? There’s so much stuttering that it loses its impact instead of adding depth.
•Seiichi and Sumiko have less chemistry than Sumiko and SuA.
It ruins the entire experience of the loss cuz I don't feel like she loved him that much as to not go out and try to meet some friends and a new man.
Editing:
Editing is a mess. Welp... This is 1/3 editing, 1/3 directing, 1/3 script writing. You don't know how much time has passed and you get lost.
I’m so frustrated that if I don’t stop myself, this review could go on forever about how bad this show is.
Don’t watch it. It’s a waste of time.
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