Reviews

Certain story choices didn't please me. Still a great Drama to watch.

It was a very good story in the beginning, the characters development is really good, unlike other dramas that put difficulties that don't need to be there, this one is a good example of how k-dramas can be.
But the choices about Aera character and the other relationship made me fell uncomfortable in the end. Joo Man was a really bad boyfriend letting things going the way they was with the other girl he just made his girlfriend sad and not helped her to be secure about their relationship, and i was really happy about the break up, but they just ignored the things that happened before ans made them together again without any further development of their story.
And then about Aera, the character in the beginning was really cute avout how she was concerned about Dong Man, she was very worried about him e this made me feel really good to watch them, but in the end she was abusive just breaking up with him because he chooses to pursue his dream of being an athlete, because besides the risks it was his dream of life, he said that prefered to live like this unlike come back to his previous life, unlike this he always supported her when she was pursuing her dream, but she not did this with him just breaking up. I can't feel bonded with her character because of this, it can't be a ten for me because of this kind of story choices.

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One classic

Without a doubt, A Korean Odyssey is the best fantasy K-drama I've ever watched in my entire life. The story is totally captivating as are all the characters.

I died and laughed (and cried even more), it's definitely a light drama to pass the time. The kind of K-drama that you watch and don't even realize that fifteen episodes have already passed.

I admit to watching it whenever I can, and I made everyone in my family watch it too lol

I sincerely hope that A Korean Odyssey gets much more recognition in the future, because like it or not, not many people know a drama as good as this one.

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screaming, squealing and swooning.

oh my god what have they laced these episodes with! simply can't stop watching them. from the very first scene, the cinematography is breathtaking. i really love the setting of the show- winter aesthetic never fails to deliver. also, shooting abroad with the snowy backdrop was legit one of the best decisions made. it doesn't feel like watching 30 episodes. everytime an episode ends it feels like it's over so soon. everything is made so well to make it look like watching an extended movie, you'll find yourself casually transition to next and next episodes on autopilot.

acting:

as expected, both Leo Wu and Zhao Jin Mai deliver standout performances. Wu Lei is the best on screen boyfriend for the year. oh boy, the way he's hopelessly in love and expresses himself with his entire being is simply adorable and incredibly sexy at the same time. he plays his character with so much nuance. man he conveys a range of emotions with just his eyes and even when he's just... there, he makes his scenes so impactful. i haven't seen many actors that have this much captivating aura tbh.

Zhao Jin Mai's acting is equally commendable. she brings grace and authenticity to her role with subtle gestures. impressed by how she delivers her dialogues being expressive and realistic at the same time. overall they complement each other so so well. best duo of the year istg.

together their chemistry is top tier. I've not found a single scene where their chemistry is below perfection, its always sizzling. their interactions elevate the entire mood, there's like an invisible magnetic pull beutween them- like every glance loaded with unspoken intensity and sparks fly. forget butterflies i get the whole damn fireworks going on. Yin Guo and Yi Yang have this chemistry that's not just seen but felt and resonates.

lovable side characters:

also it's a huge bonus that the side characters aren't boring or annoying! Jiang Yang, Meng Xiao Dong and Wu Wei in particular stood out to me for being incredible support characters that we don't usually see in dramas.

• Wu Wei has this soft aura around him who's easy going, supportive and the kinda person you can always count for being by your side. when he was genuinely happy for Yi Yang and sheds happy tears on hearing about his comeback, wow that one scene showed how much he truly values and supports his friends.

• Meng Xiao Dong is prolly my fav of them all (no surprise there). he's hot, wears suits, has this cold unapproachable aura and hot (oh i mentioned it already nvm). he's the scene stealer in this show for me.

• Jiang Yang seemed cold at first but soon turned out to be a sweet guy who also goes beyond limits for his friends. i don't think he's much appreciated but man is the one who was persistent to bring Yi Yang back to court.

• also honorable mention to Xiao Tian who we saw more in the beginning and towards the end of series and was the first shipper of main leads lol. he's got this bubbly personality that automatically makes you smile.

i could go on and on about all the characters as well but if you haven't watched yet, I'll let you witness it firsthand. I'll just say it's hard not to love the characters- mentioned or not. they all have amazing chemistry and it truly shows how close their friendship is. they've picked just the right actors for the right roles I'm so satisfied. this cast really had actors that can act well. i could also say the same about the actresses but one stood out to me in particular- the actress who played He Jia (He laoshe's daughter); she was simply excellent with her delivery and micro expressions. unfortunately she wasn't highlighted much in the series but her performance was hands down the best among anyone here.

final words:

i can't say it's perfect, this show definitely has its own flaws. i would say there are some scenes that seems to not fit in with the pacing or overdone or even unnecessary at times. also I believe some scenes (like intimate ones) were cut off due to censorship. also I'm a little disappointed with the screentime of side characters, i was hoping to see more of other couples as well. but truly it can be overlooked by everything else that made up for it- like the stellar performances, mesmerizing soundtracks, not to mention the overall aesthetics, that combine together to create a cozy atmosphere that seems like a warm hug on a cold day!! it was such fun experience watching and swooning in the comment section (shoutout to angela who couldn't keep her excitement in like many of us and was so relatable with her timely comments). bittersweet to say goodbye to this show and hoping to see the cast in future works. snowstorm may have passed but it's always in our hearts ❤️

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Such an unrealistic and frustrating kdrama

I absolutely love Lee Junho's acting ever since seeing him in Just Between Lovers (Rain or Shine), but even his acting couldn't save this show for me, especially since I didn't even love his acting in this lol Spoilers ahead, though not big ones...

I just could not with the way they handled the relationships in this show. They constantly show the FL having birthday parties and I get that it will mean something later, but it just makes me feel like all she has is birthdays and her friends are just set pieces, there to throw her a party constantly and talk about her hard life, while getting ignored themselves. It just doesn't feel like a friendship to me.

Then there's the ML and FL together and I need more info about the smiles and his issues because this drama moves molasses slow. It could not keep me interested. I wanted to get to the good stuff, but there was just so much pointless drivel getting in the way of anything meaningful.

I dropped the show the moment I saw a scene that asked for way too much bending of reality. I could not handle it. This woman falls off a freaking mountain ledge and lands like 15 feet down. She should be hurting bad, but it seems like a minor thing. She'll have to stay out on the mountain all the night in the cold mountain air and get hypothermia, but that's no biggie. She dropped her phone, so she's stranded. This guy manages to find her with her phone gps or something, but she's on a mountain guys, a mountain. Not gonna be that accurate nor, easy to find just where she is, but he does so easily, at night, in the rain, from a helicopter. Has them drop him, then proceeds to just jump off the side of the mountain she fell off of and land just fine beside her like 15-20 feet down. What?! Makes no sense! Anyways, I'm ranting quite a lot, but I could not take the stupidity of that scene and simple dropped it right then and there.

No idea where it goes from there, but, up until then it was so boring and unrealistic and they gave me no reason to care about the leads. The ML became pretty weak and wimpy looking in there several times and that's not my style, so I guess I was doomed to dislike this one anyways. Oh well, here's hoping the next Junho show will be great and he'll have a chance to play a character with depth again

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Great fun with a little skipping

What I didn't like... I didn't like the female lead's acting. Her eyes were always dead and she was smirking more than half the time. I didn't love the whole past life thing either and the curse felt really fickle with the back when writers wanted it and gone when they wanted too. I also hated the whole 2nd lead thing. Throw that whole plot away. It is so incredibly rare to be pursued by two men or women and I'm so sick of seeing it. Get those 2nd leads out of my kdramas! Anyways, moving on...

What I did love was Rowoon in this. He did an amazing job and I actually enjoyed the way the murder subplot was written in. It was one of the most enjoyable for the fact that several people drank the potion, but responded differently to it due to their personalities. I loved that. I also loved the ML's parents. I loved them both. I know, in a kdrama, I loved both his parents. I'm really saying that. I would like to say that I didn't love his father as a husband to his mother, but I still really enjoyed his character and loved him as his father. He made sense. They were both so lovely and I could've watched way more scenes of Rowoon and the mom together just having good times as mother and son. That would've been a blast.

I had a great time with this show, but I did skip some, so that may account for some of the joy since I skipped much of the annoying 2nd lead stuff. I just hate to waste my time. But without it, I had a blast and hope others will love this one too. Oh forgot to mention the evil girl, but she didn't seem much worth mentioning, however I kind of did like that subplot and found it to have a satisfying end for once

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Why make it so complicated?

I will never understand why Korean writers are so obsessed over adding so many external conflicts to every drama ever, while also making them so over the top and not relatable for the majority of their audience. Love in Contract is a rom-com, not a business politics drama, we do not need this much focus, or even any focus on the shenanigans of the chaebols.

I honestly think removing the whole aspect of the “rich elites” from this show and making it at best 12 episodes long would vastly improve the quality. The whole second half was just a dramatic mess. All the important bits about learning how to rely on others, trust them, move on from past traumas, heal, find your own dreams and goals - drowned in the pool of misogynist powerful men and overprotective mothers.

That said, the first half of the drama was a blast to watch. Choi Sang Eun is a great female lead with a strong personality, clear views that impact her behavior, but also a solid dose of insecurities that we get to explore as the drama progresses. Jung Ji Ho, being one of the most unique male leads in dramaland, had some of the most solid character developments - improving his communication skills, creating social connections, improving his understanding of other people’s views and perspectives, while still keeping the core of his persona true.

Out of all the supporting characters, I for sure enjoyed Jung Ji Eun the most. Appreciated her understanding nature and willingness to improve and not just be a menace to the main couple. And it would be a crime not to mention Woo Gwang Nam. I have to say, that’s honestly a solid representation - a character that is gay, but his whole existence, personality, internal and external conflict do not only resolve around his sexuality. He was neither comedic relief, nor the typical tortured soul. Easily the most complex and well established supporting character this drama had to offer.

Would be lying if I said I was impressed by any of the performances, since I feel I have seen similar characters from these actors in their previous roles. I’d even say it’s impressive how type-cast the drama was.

I have little to nothing to say about the production value. There was nothing bad, nor outstanding about the directing, editing, soundtrack, set design. Sure, the female lead’s outfits were amazing, but that’s not enough for me to praise the overall quality.

Overall, the show was simply basic. It had great moments, nice supporting characters, but when it’s surrounded by mediocrity, I question if it’s worth watching the whole show for scraps.

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Boy meets robot

Boy meets robot
Technology has entered the world of cinema and television for many years now with the presence of artificial intelligence (AI), defined as the ability of a machine or a computer program to think, learn and act like a human being. Although she has sometimes played villainous roles and sometimes played heroine roles, there is no doubt that she has always, or almost always, played a leading role.
Examples of the above are: 'Her' (2014), 'Ex Machina' (2015), '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1970), 'Ghost in the Shell' (1996), 'Minority Report' (2002) , 'Blade Runner' (1982), 'War Games' (1983), 'The Perfect Man' (2021), The Ultimate Boyfriend (2008), The Bicentennial Man (1999), among other films.
The human being and the machines... the machines and the human being. From the moment I read the synopsis I asked myself questions that I had already asked myself before and to which I have no answers: Will machines replace us one day? Will we end up 'humanizing' artificial intelligence? Will we have to live in fear of being subjugated in the future? Will humans be vulnerable in a context of total dependence on technology? Do robots have wants, dreams and needs?
The premise of the man-robot relationship is the impetus for directors and scriptwriters of BL series to take advantage of the opportunity to give their followers, for the first time, a drama that portrays a romance between a human being and an android.
From the Taiwanese production company Vidol, Anti Reset will not present us with AI on this occasion as villainous and alien robots determined to control and destroy humanity, as T-800 from 'Terminator' (Arnold Schwarzenegger) tried to achieve. Nor will it bring us wonderful C3PO and R2D2 or the endearing WALL-E to delight us.
It will show us a total antithesis of the "robots are coming to destroy us" thinking, as it will move away from the basic concept of AI to bring us closer to a more conventional narrative associated with another genre, romance. This interesting story portrays one of the many perspectives that exist on the relationship between a human and an android.
The creators of BL series have decided to up the ante. Only in this way is the production of a drama that will not be the classic 'boy meets boy' romance but 'boy meets robot' explainable.
One of the protagonists is a substitute for the human being. The robot and the person it cares for and with whom it will fall in love, will take us into a multitude of moral arguments that surround the series, while we see a futuristic narrative arc that, without a doubt, will end up conquering us.
The drama tells the story of Chu Yi Ping (Wu Ping Chen), a man without emotions and few social skills who, after dislocating his hand in an accident at school, accepts his uncle's proposal to be taken care of by Ever 9 (Huang Li Feng). While the experimental intelligent robot is being secretly evaluated to decide whether or not it is suitable for coexistence with humans for the purpose of curing the emotionally disabled, it keeps company with a reluctant Yi Ping, who will soon discover that Ever 9 complements its deficiencies.
At first, Yi Ping has a hard time interacting with the robot. Although at times he is almost convinced of his humanity, he always ends up remembering that he is nothing more than a programmed machine. Interacting with Ever 9 will allow you to break your prejudices about robots and at the same time better understand human needs.
While the robot's capabilities are being evaluated, the relationship between the two young people goes beyond “normal” and Ever 9's apparent humanity begins to attract Yi Ping. Thus, he will look for a way to help the android go out into the real world with him, to live a life together.
To pass the time, Yi Ping asks Ever 9 to make a wish and complete the wish list together, but before completing it, Ever 9 breaks down. The repair only takes a week. But when he returns, his attitude towards Yi-Ping has completely changed. After the reboot, Ever 9 rushes to complete the wishlist and pretends to be bored with Yi Ping and actively asks for a return. Yi Ping doesn't know what's wrong with Ever 9, because he has learned from him how to be human and experience love. Can't you learn to be together all your life? Is the promise to never separate void?
'Anti Reset' is a romantic perspective on the love between robots and humans, it is an incredible reflection on the scope of the growing robot and artificial intelligence industry. While man wonders what the dangers that technological advances represent, this BL arrives to make us think about the emotions and the relationship that robots will have with humans in the future beyond their practical usefulness.
This series is set in a world that could easily be our future reality. So, we must open our minds, since together with the two protagonists we will delve into what love really is and what it means, through an atypical relationship.
The script, while not perfect, benefits from the performances of Huang Li Feng (Stay by My Side, The Ambiguous Focus, Kinematics Theory, The End of Our Youth (2016) and Wu Ping Chen (Stay by My Side, One Afternoon, Komorebi), giving a subtle and different twist to the characters of a plot that, otherwise, would seem too familiar or trite.
The two main characters will go through the different phases of a relationship that, although it is not a typical romance, covers universal themes, but the biggest dilemma that Yi Ping will have to face is whether we are prepared to fulfill our most intimate desires. and fantasies or if, on the contrary, we prefer that a love that was born platonic remains that way.
I remember an Asian film close to this one for the introduction of artificial intelligence, 'Customized companion' (订制男友, Dingzhi nanyou), the Chinese BL and science fiction romantic drama directed by Kuo-Liang Fu in 2017, in which he talks about love between two boys, who use a phone app and summon a personalized virtual companion in the hopes of finding what they have lost in each other.
'My Heartless Boy', one of four stories in the 2023 Thai BL 'Moments of Love', starring Fort Thitipong Sangngey, as Fort, and Pie Saranvut Nittayasuthi, as Pie, addresses a love relationship between a human and a machine which must also be discontinued.
'Anti Reset' is undoubtedly a proposal that brings originality and freshness to the futuristic analysis of the relationships between human beings and artificial intelligence.

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Recomendation: If you watched this on Viki... MUST rewatch on dailymotion.

I watched this a couple of days ago on Viki for the first time. Even when I really enjoyed the series overall, I got kinda pissed off by the ending (which felt unfinished), I just wanted them together (Xia Yao and Yuan Zong) somehow.
Last night, all my dreams came true. I found out that I watched a heavily censored version (without even realize it).

So, I won't spoil anything, except that: If you liked the series or the ML's chemistry; If you thought there was "potential" to be good; If the ending left you weird out somehow... Then go inmediately to Dailymotion and watch the uncut version (30 episodes, +21 mins each).

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Meh film

I love my monster horror movies, they are just fun to watch whenever you wanna feel like a kid again, seeing monsters destroy shit and then seeing humans try to escape or fight back at these monsters, see what plans they can come up with to win, but this movie... this film is just boringly mid, pretty predictable what is going to happen throughout the movie, they didn't even fight the ginormous octopus that is shown in the poster, It was just teased in the beginning of the film that some mysterious monster destroyed this underwater lab to set up the opening of the movie and then again at the end bit of the film too I guess set up for a sequel??? but I doubt it would get one because it's bad.

The movie was too focused on the human drama that's going on between the characters that the monster was pretty much ignored in the film, well... not totally because they explained it a little, how they discovered this new species of octopuses in the Antarctic, how it can be used to develop something beneficial to the humans, they also fought with it, but just the small ones throughout the film, though at the end a semi giant octopus showed up and it wasn't that much fun to watch. Another thing, and this is where what made me throw my suspension of disbelief out of the window, is when this one scene where an octopus was able to escape, then made itself invisible and went to use the computer, hack it, and send a distress signal to the big boss I guess?? like how??? I would've understood it if they stated that it was some kind of alien octopus species that existed years ago and was frozen for so long that global warming thawed them, like I just couldn't wrap my head around it, how this octopus is so smart without any explanations.

The CGI is somewhat passable. If you could ignore its jankiness at times, then it's not gonna ruin your viewing experience.

The characters, none of them stuck with me, they are all boring and tropey, except for Wang Xing Chen's character of course, I'm biased since I mainly watched this because of her, she's hot as always and some of the scenes that she got are very expected from her.

So yeah, meh monster film. I wouldn't recommend it and certainly, I wouldn't wanna watch it again.

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Really worth watching

Love for love’s sake I think is really worth watching because is just so cute! Is also really entertaining and not boring also I think Tae Myung ha from the real world is quite relatable character to me personally. Also I think both leading males have such a great chemistry I did really saw any awkwardness between them. This drama short so you can really finish it like in a couple hours and you will be left wanting more episodes to watch! The ending is so cute that it made me cry! Another thing is that the whole cast are really good looking and cute! ! ! ! Anyways you guys should watch it! (☆_☆) *･゜ﾟ･*:.｡..｡.: *･'(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)'･*:.｡. .｡.:* ･゜ﾟ･* ★彡 （＾ω＾） ↖(^ω^)↗ ◉‿◉

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Well i loved it for loves sake!

Ill be honest for a minute. I dont understand why they titled it 'Love for Love's Sake' (keeping the webtoon title Love Supremacy Zone would have been more appropriate). My initial reaction with the first few minutes of the series wasnt good because I have just completed reading the manga Solo Leveling and the world immersion in this drama, i thought, was a cheap knockoff of that series.

HOWEVER, what was initially my cautious attitude towards it quickly changed into adoration. How can i not?! First, they have assembled a pretty amazing and good looking cast- from the overflowing charm of Myung Ha to the irresistable puppy cuteness of YeoWoon. I cant also help but adore the badboy look of Sang Woon even in his limited screen time. I would also love to have seen more of Kyung Hoon and his supposed partner.

Second, i am thankful that not only did they do the episodes longer than normal KBLs, they also released all of it in just a span of 2 weeks (actually just about 9 days). That made the wait, longing and anticipation so much easier so i really thank the creators for that.

Third, and its also amazing, is the fact that although it was camouflaging as a high school fluff, it was actually a character study of someone who is extremely depressed in life - his hopelessness and aimless existance. Its MyungHa's cry for help and desire to change his life. It wasnt really about him making Yeo Woon happy, it is about him realizing what it takes to live his own happy life. When he saved Yeo Woon he was actually saving himself. It wasnt just about BL or homophobia, it was more about coming out of depression and self love.

After watching this I actually have so much more to ask and these questions are left unanswered. For example, my very first question is, how can a fine looking young man like YeoWoon suffered from depression and poverty when he already has a fan club and brands have been asking him to do jobs? I am also asking, was any of the characters besides Kyung Hoon really gay, cause they somehow glossed over the trope "im not gay but i like you because its you" (they did that even in the webtoon)?

But the biggest question remains whether Myung Ha was really given a second life and ended up coming back in the game or did the gameworld merged with his reality and erased his old life? Did he become younger and assume the 19year old Myung Ha's life? Was any of it even real or was it just a manifestation of heaven(or hell) after he took his own life?

Either way and questions aside, it was a satisfactory ending to the series cause who doesnt want a happy ending?

Already rewatching. I just hoped they showed more of YeoWoon running cause the guy looks so fine in those running outfit. Overall giving it a 9.5, even if the last episode felt rushed i would still wholeheartedly reccommend this show and i am REALLY REALLY glad to have stumbled upon it.

And to those feeling the signs of depression, you just have to be strong and know that it will get better.

PS. You guys have no idea how big a TXT fan i am, and throughout the series i cant help but i kept imagining Soobin in Cha Joo Wan's role. :)

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A Soulless Trainwreck that Wastes Viewers Time

This is quite possibly the worst drama I have ever had the misfortune of watching. Normally I'd write an indepth review but this drama wasted enough of my time as is with it's nonsensical garbage plot that was completely all over the place. From murder to domestic violence to sexual assault it seemed like the writer wanted to throw in as much shocking plotlines in a story that could have just been a normal coming of age story. It's a completely emotionally flat drams that sucks the life out of you.

Outside of the horrible script and plot the only saving grace for this drama is the cast, they really did a solid job in navigating this mess of a drama.

I held on for so long with this drama and it continued to disappoint even more so than the previous episode.

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