Reviews

W (2016)

A creative premise that was well thought-out and has aged relatively well in terms of production and presentation. The show blurred the lines of reality, blurred the lines of good and evil, and ventured into concepts that were waiting to be explored.

BUT.

Sometime after establishing the, uh, logistics and rules of the universe the show decides to flip the script and break all of its own conventions. At first it was just minor details that were occasionally to mildly annoying. Then you notice inconsistencies, Then the story develops too many ideas without knowing how to finish them. The twists and turns throughout and effort to commit to things that are not usually done/done well in the k-drama world does deserve credit.

But effort isn't everything. You still have to know how to execute and have an idea of how things should play out. Unfortunately, the show began to lose itself in its own proverbial plot. And that friends, is not exactly a W.

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It was unbearable to watch for me

After watching the end of the first season, it became unbearable for me to continue watching. I dropped the second season after the fourth episode because I had watched the preview of the next episode, and I couldn't stand it anymore. I don't know why, but this season failed to make me feel that Naksu was portrayed well by the new actress, Go Youn Jung. I felt sorry for Mu-Deok/Jin Bu Yeon because Naksu took over her body, and in the end, she died.

Furthermore, it bothered me that Jang Uk seemed to fall in love so quickly with 'Jin Bu Yeon' (even though the audience knows she's Naksu, but he doesn't). Because of this, it felt like Jang Uk was cheating on Naksu, although he wasn't.

Additionally, I didn't like the character So Yi in the first season, so I didn't want to see her again. Every time she appeared in the second season, I felt bored and annoyed because I wasn't interested in what was going to happen to her.

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Same old, same old

I'm here mostly because of ML. I really enjoyed his dramas but am pretty disappointed with this one. First episode, FML stopped walking and stood there to flirt with the ML during a fire dril? Like what the heck! Yes, let's stop trying to leave a building and act all fussy because the ML is not giving her what she wanted. I really don't feel the chemistry between those 2. It only has 24 episodes so it needs to get better.
Songs and the FML'S LIP syncing is just TERRIBLE! The fact that she didn't even attempt to learn the songs that was playing is plain LAZY. It needs to be better. FML's facial expression, being in character is THE SAME from all of her other dramas.... if i put all of the characters she acted, i really dont think there would be a difference.

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Loved it

Honestly, “Different Princess” reminds me of Scarlet Heart, my all-time favourite time-travel romance. This however doesn’t discredit the drama’s excellent production, story writing, and it’s ability to keep topics light hearted. Even though the show kills way more of its characters, it felt right for the plot. The plot is amazing because it gives you hints, then does a 180. For example they were hinting Du Wen Shu was a villain, but it was so unexpected for the empress being a villain.

What I love about this drama, Different Princess has the elements I loved from Scarlet Heart: the dimensional thing, not belonging in this world, and pain knowing she has to leave. that’s different from Scarlet Heart is how light and playful watching this show is. In Scarlet Heart the characters would be heartbroken, sad, but those moments don’t drag for episodes. Instead the cast accepts and learns or move on. It’s common in Scarlet Heart for later episodes to have a sad, grieving, heavy mood/theme which isn’t exactly a distress/comfort show. It is my comfort show if I’m feeling like crying, but not all the time.

That said, main casts acting could be improved, but nothing was over the top cringe and unwatchable. In some cases the music saved some moments. The OSTS are reallyyyyy good!! On a second note, the Gui Fei’s acting was horrendous and she didn’t have that “GUi Fei” maturity or cunningness. HOWEVER, they chose the best cast for the Empress, who I would NOT have expected to be so evil. Maybe they chose the Gui Fei to contrast the Empress.

Overall, this show has good comedic qualities and I would totally watch a season 2, in fact they better make one!! Ji Chu’s Gu Zhuang outfits were so delicious, especially him in purple. The modern haircut was questionable.

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Quite boring

Honestly, when i started to watch this drama i had a great expectation, the scenery is pretty and the acting is quite good. But as long as i watched more episodes it just felt like i was watching the same one. Then when they got into the human world it started to feel a lil more excting, but then the flower semeed to be another person, her personality changed a lot (at least, that's how it seemed to me). I got frustrared at some point that i coudnt keep going on, really dissapointing. I won't say every thing is unworthy, as i said before, when they entered the mortal world it was cool, but still not enough to save it.

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Amazing Drama to Start the 2024!

This is it! My most amazing drama to start the New Year of 2024!

Much has been written about this engaging drama that oftentimes, I am always at loss on what to write here.
People are giving their reviews on details; that I am always impressed of their skills in knowing everything about this drama.
As I still quite knew to C-dramas, I can only write a brief review here.

"Different Princess" is one such show which I am totally engaged in; this is my first time to watch a show on the so-called "transmigration" and I find it as an interesting story line; that I even want the episodes to be longer than episodes 36.
--- Song Yiren as Hua Qing Ge and Ding Zeren as Ji Chu; the leading leads nailed their role perfectly as much as the supporting casts. I give also full credit and to the crews, notably the director and the scriptwriter of this show.

--- As it is always said: "we came to watch a drama to be entertained and to enjoy it"; and this drama never disappoint me; it give us full enjoyment to watch and be totally engrossed on it.

We need Season 2 of this Lovable Drama!

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Good Adaptation

Of all the PH adaptation of kdrama, this one is worth watching. The casting is good and the story was literally a pinoy version. I love the way Jipyong and Dalmi is the end game. Cinematography is good and the cameras, filter is High Quality. How I wish all of the GMA shows are like this. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡

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Game changer

I was really impressed with this. Extended run time and clever plot tackling themes of homophobia and mental health. Lead actors who show a convincing range of emotions and intimacy. People might claim the MDL rating is over-inflated but in the context of LGBT+ representation and the limited budget, this is one of the best. I didn't see the plot twist at the end coming, so that is testament to the story. It gets better as each episode goes on.

I saw some reviews that criticised the fantasy plot-line and found it a distraction. I disagree. I think it is refreshing to watch an LGBT+ series with a developed and distinctive plot. Representation is important but I want to see both: LGBT+ romance and a clever, engaging drama that does not skirt around important issues. This series delivers on both fronts. Hopefully this will encourage studios to consider a 12 episode, 1 hour format.

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Love is evident from the beginning

I really like the progression of this slow love story. From the first time he saw her he has been smitten and slowly wanting to enter her world. First series ive watched that the ML fell hard first, as in eposide 1. Anyways, will probably post a progression review later on. We shall see.

Their chemistry is so on point. The small gestures and the FL reactions are reminiscing of ones first love.

I also loce how thier both foodies.

OST so far is perfect! The acting, well its so good and convincing that made me watch on repeat after the 6th episode

Cant wait!

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This was a re-watch for me. A friends to lovers drama, both leads were matured and actually had personality. I am a big fan of kdrama’s clean cinematography but it was nice to see actors looking like real human beings and being relatable. The male lead was a ladies man without the added obnoxiousness. I won’t mind watching this again and will recommend this for someone looking for a break from the usual in your face kdrama tropes and cliches.
I wish certain side characters got a little more screen time although them not getting more screen time didn’t affect the drama significantly.

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People, really?

Are we really doing this? Are we writing reviews before even the last episode dropped? Are we crazy?
Well, I guess we are! Crazy in love with The Sign.
The cast is composed of eye candies, who also manage to show all those strong emotions that the plot requires them to. In short, beautiful and talented. OK, I didn't like the acting of one side character, so here you go, I'm objective, right?
The plot lets you follow a complex criminal case and learn about Thai mythology at the same time. You see Bangkok, but also venture out of the capital, which is always interesting. You follow the boys, as they their crazy training from Mr Inspector. You also get to see a modern dance performance and action painting, and oh my, what awesome action is that!
It's like if you asked the showrunners, what else are we going to have in this BL, and they simply answered "YES".
So it's a big YES from me.

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04/02/2024 (Feb)

It is a good story overall, but quite sad.

Somewhere in China a violent older husband, his young mute wife and two daughters suddenly turn up at an isolated village on a mountain to live - only 6 months later he accidentally dies in a dynamite explosion set to kill badgers.

As the story unfolds we get to understand how he actually ended up being married to her and what happens after his death as the real truth unravels bit by bit.

Some really don't have a chance or fair shot at life - it is made worse when that choice is taken away from them because of being so vulnerable, too young or taken advantage of by people that have no conscience.

Would highly recommend!

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