Reviews

Relevant and important BL

I love when BLs dive into deeper issues and I feel like the philosophical and societal undertones of this story are way too important to simply categorize this show as a romance or a niche product. I’m unaware of how well this did with the GP in Thailand, but it was truly outstanding to have felt the love the people behind this project have for their home country.

On a microscopic level, sure, I have issues with some aspects of the show: the acting wasn’t bad in the slightest but could have been way better in most instances (though call me impressed at Gun for portraying the twins) and there were some usual BL elements in Thai productions that I’m not a huge fan of (the romantic slow-mo shot, the tackiness of some dialogue, the annoying misunderstandings) BUT…

On a macroscopic level, the value here is immense. Not only did I enjoy the romantic side of things in the end, like I do believe the painting scene with Yok and Dan to be one of the most beautiful and meaningful imagery I’ve seen in any BL ever), but moreso where the story shines is with its politics exploration of power and violence. On one hand, it shows how problematic capitalistic societies are when they are based on principles of hierarchy, which usually lead to nepotism, individualism and ultimately to the corruptible illusion that money is power, and power is what you need to survive in this world. But then, power you’re either born with (= you’re born in the upper class) or, since power is not for the masses but for the few, it must be obtained by the rules of competition. But then again, fair play is only for the sports, so the way it usually goes is for people to reach a position of power either by deception, manipulation or exploitation and violence. Power DOES get you corrupt in the end. You WILL be forced to succumb to malice when you’re thrown in with the wolves that are the higher ups, who are all struggling to hold onto the privileges that they have, ‘cause why on Earth would the working class WANT to go up the social ladder if they were content where they are? They aren’t, and the powerful are obviously afraid of stepping down. It’s a whole inescapable cycle and, unfortunately, these are usually the people that rule our countries. No matter what good of a constitution you have and no matter how good your laws, there’s ALWAYS a way to bend the rules… for those in positions of power, of course. Power, hower, does not only deceive the rich, and is a danger to all, and we see that with our cast of people when they burn that house down: if you’re using violence to gain something, you’ll end up losing something. It could have been Dan, but it most certainly was Yok’s mom in that situation. So, not only the people are put in outright bad positions, but if they try to act against injustice, often that will backfire on themselves. Then there were talks about gun violence and human rights and how difficult it is for outcasts, for the disabled, and how a bunch of youngesters can’t even enjoy their education and youth ‘cause the world’s such a fucked up place and the older generations are all just either completely disenchanted, afraid or utterly enamored with corrupt ideals. And THAT’s what I love about this: the fact that they managed to stir an uprising with peaceful acts and protests. They painted a whole new form of power, that of democracy, which we seriously take for granted in most parts of the world. Even when people have it, they still don’t practice it their rights enough to have a voice and have it heard. I know I may seem naive, but we the younger generation should AT LEAST acknowledge that this is an ideal we should uphold and act by. Protests, activisism, the courage to go up against the currents. I truly felt uplifted by this show and I’m so grateful to have watched and have it inspire me to look forward and fight for the kind of society we want to live in.

9.5/10 AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN A TEN IF THEY DIDN’T BULLSHIT US WITH THAT GRAM/EUGENE PAIRING WHEN I KNOW!!! I KNOW!!! I JUST FOUND OUT!!!! That Gram was originally supposed to have it HARD for Black. Shame on y’all!!!!!!!

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Underrated Thriller, Must Watch!

This show should be a hit! I don't understand why it doesn't have so much exposure. The thriller is thrilling with so many plot twists. The story is really good. It doesn't even have a filler episode. The show pictures an agency office with such "problematic" environment. It seems to have messy conflicts, but there is the starting point where we will begin the enjoyable journey. It is boring up until Episode 4. But if you're being patient, you will get paid off!

Soul-swapping is not an easy thing, but both main leads deliver it excellently! Kim Ji-Eun and Lomon have to dealt playing as both characters, and it goes really well. During the soul-swap, I feel like they are actually switching—they become totally different person. I even think Lomon really can imitate Ji-Eun's gesture when he plays as Na-Eon.

The only thing that disturb me is the writer decided to give the main leads frustrating personalities. Na-Eon is a b*tch and ruthless person at the beginning of the show and she hardly have a character development, even after going through some big moments. Also being a thoughtful and ambitious person as Na-Eon, isn't it more reasonable for her to try protecting her body from the killer during the soul-swap, rather than throwing Eun-Ho in her body to some dangerous scenes? Eun-Ho personality at the beginning is the worst. He looks like an eight year boy trapped in the man's body, who reacts excessively at everything. Ji-Eun plays this well as Eun-Ho, but to think that she is "actually a man in a woman's body", it doesn't seem correct.

The intention to use this show as a media for Seongsu-dong tourism promotion goes in the right direction. I love the scenery of the Seongsu-dong view, and it really promotes Seongsu-dong as "Pop-Up Store District". I will really recommend this show!

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Thoroughly enjoyable and funny

I was looking for something light hearted and came across this. It is absolutely lovely and I enjoyed every minute of it. It's very funny and I laughed a lot. It also brought back memories of the carefree years of teens and universities . Both FL and ML did really well and the scriptwriter is very funny. The directorship is top notched

I wasn't a fan of Wen Jun Hui but since watching this,I have started checking him and his group Seventeen. I think he's absolutely talented

I hope to see more dramas from these two actors
I highly recommend this drama if you are looking for a light hearted ROM com but there's quite a lot of social values and education too

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Close to reality but it will question your thoughts

Gangnam B-side is a captivating drama that offers a refreshing glimpse into the cutthroat world of the K-Pop industry. It goes beyond the glitz and glamour, delving into the struggles, sacrifices, and raw emotions that lie beneath the polished surface with how people greed can distroy human life.

The series masterfully portrays the intense competition, the pressure to succeed, and the mental and physical toll it takes on aspiring idols. It highlights the importance of mental health, the dangers of idol culture, and the importance of finding one's own voice and path.

Ji chang wook as actor make the drama 50% more watchable with his performance a great actor who's screen presence is enough to make viewer's stick through the screen, 10/10

Gangnam B-side is a must-watch for fans of K-Dramas and K-Pop alike. It's a captivating and insightful drama that will stay with you long after the final credits roll. Ji Chang Wook's exceptional performance, coupled with the compelling storyline and strong supporting cast, makes this series a true gem.

I highly recommend Gangnam B-side to anyone seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant drama. It's a powerful testament to the human spirit, the pursuit of dreams, and the importance of finding your own voice.

I will say first 4 ep 10/10
Next 2 ep 8/10
Last 2 ep 9/10

Overall 8.5 to 9 /10

Overall a good watch for short time with great cimatography from a female director in dark genre it's very rare we see a women director in Dark genre and she did phenomenal job with all the great performance from all the actors.

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MY FAVE KDRAMA FOR THIS YEAR 2024

This drama is absolutely captivating! I haven't been this invested in a K-drama in ages. Each episode was so good, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Surprisingly, not a single episode feels dull. Just when you think the previous one was the best, the next surpasses expectations, delivering peak after peak!

The OSTs also are all so good. Non stop with the "Numb". AND The casting of Yoo Yoon Seok and Chae Soo Bin is pure genius! THE CHIMESTRY! OML. it's electrifying! That scene on the latest episode (episode 7) has me blushed profusely. The drama's pacing, paired with exceptional acting, makes for an unforgettable viewing experience. Bravo to the entire production team!

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Clumsy at Best

I've been spoiled watching K-dramas. I pushed through two episodes of this one, so it's possible there might be, however unlikely, something redeeming showing up later. The awkward directing, acting, script, and ersatz music at times don't bode well and can't be fixed by some later plot twist because they are the problem.

Why are the Koreans so consistently outperforming the Japanese at creating entertaining movies and TV series? The quality levels are seriously wide. I have watched Korean TV series from 15 years ago that had quality problems but were still better than this one.

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Hm... Where should I even begin this...

Story about Archaeological expert Professor Chen who discovered a jade pendant. Since he discovered this jade pendant, he started having dream about a girl and a general.

In this dream, the girl [Meng Yun(MY)] is running from a man (Huduna). Later we find out that Huduna is a king who wants to married MY. Huduna wanted to merried MY not only because she's pretty, but because MY also hold the key to greater treasure that been kept by Great Shaman.

In the real world, Professor Chen also try to discovered this treasure. But of course not because he wants to keep it for himself, but to give it to the country and to learn about this missing history. So how the treasure hunt ends...?

That's pretty much the story without giving anymore spoiler. Now what I like and don't.

What I like:
+ Great landscape. Especially in the end
+ Good acting skill. Jackie chan movie never disappointed me with their character acting skill and combat scene.

What I don't:
- Quite boring story. This basically remake of myth with a little different story.
- The joke on the AI generated face. They try to make Jackie Chan younger but this one of the the bad results of the failed CGI. From the comment, the younger general is played by Zheng Ye Cheng. Such unfortunates for Zheng Ye Cheng.

Overall just watch if you're the fans of the actor/ess played here

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The Definition of "Average"

What do you get when you take a vertical micro-drama plot and stretch it out to make it fit a Mini-drama standard? You get The Silent Wife.

Take all the bingo cards and tropes, tone them down and there you have it. This show was THAT boringly predictable.

Now don't get me wrong, if you HAVEN'T watched a bunch of vertical dramas and/or read a bunch of "bad" fiction then this may still get your blood pumping and you might even like it as novel and exciting. But don't expect the FL to be a smart person or learn anything 🤷‍♀️ It's a VERY specific niche fantasy show and that NEVER happens in these unless it's a Reverse Uno trope.

6.5/10 (Could have written almost the entire plot synopsis without watching it)

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Sweetest Family Drama (minus creepy villain)

Among the dramas this year, Rise of Ning seems like a breath of fresh air. The main characters Luo Yinning and Luo Shenyuan are, as you can guess from there surnames, siblings (But not really!) A lot of people might feel uneasy shipping them but I do think there's not much problem. First, the Fl lived separately for most of their lives. Once they met again ML almost immediately found out they are not biological siblings. From FL's pov it can be a little grey but then again it doesn't really affect much. I love love love the family. Lin Hairu, ML's (and FL's) sort of step mother is much better than most bio moms in cdramas! The grandmothers are absolute OPs. This story has all the things I love, the trope of di daughter takes revenge on concubines, and a ML that's not cold for once. The villain is the only part that kinda irked me but that only shows his great acting. The villain Lu Jiaxu is a creepy, stalker that obsesses over Fl but still hurts everyone around her. Overall, I really enjoyed this simple and sweet drama. Nothing too melancholic, just fun and enjoyable.

P.s: the side character's romance is soo cute. I love how they include body positivity and show the chubby sixth sister is lovable inside out.

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A Virtuous Watch!

When I first started watching A Virtuous Business, I had a hard time connecting to the story but I don’t like to give up on kdramas right away because they usually take from two to four episodes until the viewer can start to see the bigger picture of the story. And this was absolutely the case for this particular kdrama.

I also think there’s an added issue with the way it was promoted, mainly because the team behind this kdrama didn’t want to give the story away and it worked a little too well.

A Virtuous Business it’s so much more than a story about four women empowering themselves. I don’t think this kdrama is given enough credit for how progressive it actually it’s when you take into consideration the time and country it takes place, or the cultural impact the reinterpretation of Confucianism had in South Korean values, believes and relationships.

This kdrama might be set in a particular time and of course things have changed, but I think it’s fair to say there’s still some relevance in the experiences of these characters. There are very specific scenes that come to mind about this issues but I would hate it to spoil it for anybody.

The story also has a secondary subplot about a very dark and heartbreaking part of contemporary korean history, and that many people are still reckoning with to this day. This part is well balanced with the main story and the comedy, so it never takes too much (which easily could) and instead only gives the kdrama more gravitas.

The relationships are at the heart of this story, with the four female leads front and center but the other women, kids and men around them get their chance to shine and make this world feel lived-in, their dynamics real and development earned. The story ask some hard questions about women’s issues, it questions the definition of what is a “good family man”, the best way to connect with your partner and how to raise children.

I highly recommend giving A Virtuous Business a chance, I think you might be pleasantly surprised!

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