Reviews

Not Great, But Still Very Good

I did enjoy this drama. The cast was flawless! Its not often that a drama's lead and second lead couples are equally strong and with the added bonus of a bromance that was every bit as compelling as the romances. The story is beautiful and well told, yet something about it just misses the mark for me.

I guess I didn't quite understand why the Goblin was being punished so severely. And is it me, but was there A LOT of crying? I felt like I cried A LOT. I don't mind "the feels", but by episode 9 it started to feel almost gratuitous. Goblin had many funny scenes as well. The casting was superb! But was there one episode where at least one character did not cry?

I must mention that the OST is AMAZING and definitely contributed to "the feels". I looked forward to hearing Never Far Away each and every episode. 16 episodes was perfect and Gobllin is definitely worth a watch, but this is not a drama I would rewatch, not even for certain scenes. Solid drama, but it's one and done for me.

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This was one of the best-written (and executed) comedy dramas I've seen in a long time! If you saw the special that came out about a year ago, you know the premise of the story. For those who haven't, you do need to watch the special first--you can read the plot synopsis on that page. The correct translation of the title would have been Visual Detective Higurashi Tabito.

I think what I loved most, besides the compelling plot that threaded through and built up with each episode, was the characters and their relationships. Each was so lovable and unique, even if some were technically stock characters. The casting was perfect in my opinion, and some of the best performances from many of the actors I've yet seen. And Sumida Moeno who played the amazing little Tei-chan was truly incredible in her first main role. The main characters, guest roles, and even the villains and purely comedic characters were multifaceted and had depth, and many of them had really emotionally satisfying character arcs. The relationships were fascinating, enjoyable, and dynamic, and I love how perfectly they fit into certain expected relationships while being totally unexpected at the same time. I also loved some of the societal issues they spoke to in subtle ways, both directly and indirectly; both through satire and serious, idiosyncratic character creation that I felt was a perfect connection between the original novel's author, the screenwriter, and the actors.

Also, the comedy was pitch perfect...in my eyes, at least! The combination of satire, gags, utter wittiness, physical comedy, riffing between actors, timing, and *even* post-production perfection had me rolling. I don't know if everyone would love it, as I grew up with Japanese humor and have realized more recently by way of international comments that sometimes I probably don't have the best awareness if everything is translating cross-culturally, or multi-lingually as well as I assume at first. Then I realize what I am taking for granted as normal or what is untranslatable or whatever, and realize what I think is hilarious may not be to more people than I think. But I *think* a lot of the basic humor would translate...and I even think a bunch of very subtle touches can be appreciated by international audiences, although there probably are many subtleties that might not, that I felt really added to the multilayered brilliance. Again, I may not be the best judge of this. I should probably mention that if you don't enjoy the quick juxtaposition of humor and very serious or even moments of dark drama (as I've noticed quite a few people saying they really don't like that aspect of many J-dramas), you might find parts of this a bit jarring.

As a J-drama genre, this is definitely a comedy and not a dark crime, detective, or police drama (I'm speaking of specific genres, as this includes all of those elements). So if you're a fan of those, don't expect those tonally, if that makes any sense. But I think anyone who enjoys those elements will appreciate the story. As for the mystery, while each of the early episodes has an episodic element, it also has the overall mystery of Tabito's backstory woven through in such a compelling way that not only isn't very predictable, but has a perfectly balanced sinister edge to it than never quite goes into truly disturbing territory and yet creates a unique kind of suspense.

As for his strange condition/ability, I don't want to throw in any potential spoilers, but I'll just say that it's best to suspend disbelief. Each episodic 'case' is satisfying and none are throw-aways. There is that awesome emotive quality to many of them that J-dramas in this genre do so well...touching without being maudlin. Main characters are developed through their interaction with the cases and their personal conflict also builds too. Lastly, for those who care, the romance element is really well done. It's paced just right and feels genuine. For those who are more of K-drama watchers, this is not like your typical K-drama crime comedy-romance (which I also enjoy), so don't expect that.

The music was perfect, imo, with the exception of the very short opening song. The composer got every mood just right, from the lovely string and piano themes to the jarring, discordant guitar when we get hints of the darkness roiling beneath the surface of the storyline. The songs are also great and not melodramatic. Rewatch value...I would definitely watch this again, it was so enjoyable, and I'm not a big rewatcher! But the mystery element is strong enough that a second watch would definitely not have anywhere near the same effect. Anyway, hope more people will take a chance on this drama! If you don't enjoy it as much as me, I imagine you'll find at least something enjoyable in it.

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If I will not going to write a review to this magnificent journey, Lin Shu will probably get mad at me. Actually as I wrote this, I didn’t know how to start describing this drama coz you cannot understand the vague feeling that I have right now unless you watch this show. THis is not a revenge plot but try do things right...

Confession: NIF was the only historical drama that I didn’t skip episodes because you just can’t. Every episode was linked so you cannot miss any of it..

Story:10/10- I must say, the writer was a genius!! What I love about this drama is it was not rush to show how they achieved their goal. Every plan, every step, every person that is involved was important and it really display how the imperial court change because of Lin Shu’s magnificent tactics and strategies. Wow just wow. How they come up with that kind story??. It was well crafted from start until the end.. well done!!

Cast:
Lin Shu/Zhu Ze/Mei Chang Su- How can I describe this guy??!! Hu Ge was perfect for this role. A very sick but genius tactician was the heart of the story. Seriously he can never be ill and I’m really nervous whenever he’s in critical stage coz it will be disaster to all the people around him. I feel that all plans must be approve by him or else it will be a tragedy. That is how important his role is. I love how he didn't intend to get revenge but try to make things right.....
Prince JinYang- Jin Yang will be my most slow-to-pickup character ever!!but It has reason to that and Im glad that he was like that..watch this to know what I mean? I watched this prince grow from being reckless, well he’s still reckless until the end? until he became a good ruler.
General Meng-ahhh.. My favorite general. A funny,simple minded,honest, strong and very loyal general meng. I really love the interaction bet. him and other characters especially Lin Shu and Fe Lui. I have many laughs to this guy.
Consort Jing- This is the first time that I appreciate this kind of character. Jingyans mother was intelligent, gentle and a loving person to him and Lin Shu. She’s not like other consort that can be manipulate. A very graceful mother. I want to be like her actually.. ?
Fei Liu- This young boy will be my favorite bodyguard in dramaland. An outstanding fighter with a childlike attitude but very loyal to su gege.. I think all who watched this drama love him so much..
The other character that I love is the funny YuJin, beautiful Ni Huang, Jing Rui w/ a big heart, the great emperor, a genius physician Lin Chen but I hope he shows in many episode, all the body guards of Lin Shu and Jin Yang… In short all the characters was awesome even the villains like xia jang and xie yu.


Over all it was 11/10. I want to have a separate drama that shows the early life of Lin Shu.. What can I say you need to rewatch this well-crafted, magnificent, awesome drama.. WHY I WATCHED THIS! It’s hard to let go!! ?

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I rate this drama 2/10 (Dropped it at episode 16)

Because if you make the rules, you can break them!

So we all know that there are two kinds of logic in this world; Real world logic and Drama world logic.When it comes to Drama world logic, you just accept it and move on but if a drama contradicts it's own logic then I'm done!

There were so many reasons I dropped this drama.

It had so much potential to be an inspiring drama about the Hwarang boys struggling and dealing with their problem. Growing, making friends, they could even have added a death of a beloved character to tugg at our hearts a little bit and in that case, it would have been totally fine to add a bit of romance but NO.

This drama contains 90% triangle love drama, 6% recapping romantic moments. 3% fighting and 1% problem solving. Not to mention that the female lead is so pathetic, there wont be an episode where they don't show a 5-minute front angle of her walking and crying...

So because the writers based most of the characters off of a real life royal family and they used the true bone ranking system to create conflict, you'd think they couldn't go wrong.... until they add fictional characters and create relationships and events that never happened while still trying to follow some of the original story. There is nothing wrong with that but if you're going to add some spice, do it right! This just ended up giving the show a lot of contradiction, odd relationships and lose ends.
(Apparently, it's okay to marry your brother if you're royal but not if you're poor.)

To me, some "emotional scenes" turned me off completely. They had so many opportunities to really rip my heart apart by adding some real brutality and feeling into it. I have a specific scene in mind and I'm thinking that they could at least spend some time on this scene to make it believable... This scene got a little over 1 minute screen time... Go Ah Ra got 10 minutes screen time for walking and crying...

Oh well... If you love triangle love dramas with a lot of romance and crying and pushing and pulling and recaps after recaps of scenes that don't really move the story forward then this is PERFECT for you! Don't hesitate to watch it! As a bonus, you get a bit of plot on the side. It's weak... not very well worked out... not very logical... and it doesn't really start until episode 16.... BUT there is one heartbreaking death scene in the first episode so maybe I should give this show 10/10

ENJOY!

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LITERALLY THE DRAMA THAT WILL MAKE YOUR HEART SKIP A BEAT.

I'm going to keep this review short. Defendant was one hell of a drama with so much emotions in it. This drama made me laugh, cry, angry, satisfied and beyond happy as a viewer. The fact that it has no romance in it, i coulnt believe it myself either that I managed to finish all episodes and i tell you, IT WAS SO GOOD.

You know when a drama is so good that regardless of how late it is at night, you would always want to press that next episode button. And that is exactly what defendant did to me.

All characters were on point. The story line was well written. And i'm giving it a 9.5 on music cause i wish there was an ost that stood out, which is totally understandable since majority of the music used were for suspense scenes that had no lyrics in it.

Overall this drama deserves a 10/10. Let your eyes do the work. WATCH DEFENDANT.

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I'm not gonna lie, I'm a huge thriller and suspense dramas fan. For some reason I watched 'Babysitter' just yesteday, even though I've read many good reviews and 7.6 rating looks nice enough for me. I ended it on one evening and I truly love it!

Story we're following while watching 'Babysitter' may sound like a cliché. We have a rich family, which hire a young babysitter. Husband can't resist the temptation and fall for her. Wife finds out about it and starts to plan a revenge. That concept is nothing new.

What stand out in this drama and really suprised me was that the story is told as an retrospection. In second minute we already know, what's going to happen. I know lots of people hate that solution but I loved how it show us the story in a different light. Drama connected with forbidden affair is not as predictable as we might think. There is lots of plot twist, which make you watch all four episodes in a row and regret there is only four of them.

Talking about the characters, 'Babysitter' is showing us, how relative and inconstant relations between people are. A caring and loving husband without thinking involves into an affair, cute and innocent wife turns into woman, who is ruthless and eager to take revenge. I was really impressed how cast showed us emotions that characters contend with.

Last but not least, how beautiful was it make! Scenes are really artistic and well shot, but soundtrack made it even better. It reminded me about drama 'White Christmas' and I wasn't wrong, since both dramas were made by director Kim Yong Soo. And both dramas are worth watching.

'Babysitter' was aired because 'Moorim School' was reduced to 16 episodes, but it shoudn't be neglected. Otherwise, it's really interesting and well made drama. I truly recommend watching it.

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As someone who hasn't read the manga, I decided to watch this series because I had seen Mariya in a past series (Hotel Concierge). So at first glance I expected an engaging love story. Totsuzen Desu ga displayed a couple with good chemistry and decent acting, but with weak characters / story telling. In addition, I found the love rivals to be quite pushy and unlikeable (at the beginning).

What I liked the most were the supportive network of friends and family, in particular Ono and the brother Kanade. The main OST (sung by Mariya) was also fun to listen to. However, the plot was dragged out (episode 8 did nothing to move the story forward) and then rushed at the end! I understand the series was cut short but I would have hoped for a more coherent conclusion which was not centred on 'change of hearts'. I think the title is a little misleading too.

Overall this drama was pleasant, but could have been better.

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This drama is a fluffy rom-com, with interesting/ wisely-written characters.

I definitely enjoyed much the first three-quarters of the drama, when the multiples romances were built with a lighthearted/comedic mood and sweet moments. The last quarter (10~12 eps) is more melodramatic and (in my opinion) less well handled.

Anyway it still totally worth watching, if only because of the main pairing : Su Mang, Zheng Chu who are totally stealing the show, they were the main reasons why I started this drama and definitively my favorite thing of it.

Su Mang, was a thoughful adorable and confident lady : she knew how to stand up for herself but was also sensible and humble and knew how to care for her loved ones.

Zheng Chu was the most caring/lovable male lead ever (didn't lack of charisma or confidence, either ù.ù), the way he didn't take himself too seriously was hella great (his grinning faces though

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STORY: An actor gets in a car wreck due to foul play and wakes up to find that he was surgically altered using the face of the other driver who died. He now has to take on this other guy's identity in a quest for revenge. This is a very good story with a well-written script. There are few moments of levity and only some suggestive bromance. It ends with is a season-ending cliffhanger.

ACTING/CAST: Quite excellent. I think Ma Ke (Du Yun Xiu) did a great job and is much more capable and versatile of an actor than the part required, which was a shame; most of the series he was simply scripted to be broody.

MUSIC: The music was good. The main song was English subbed.

REWATCH VALUE: I probably won't, but I will recommend this to my friends.

OVERALL: A very intriguing show, kept me interested the whole way. The pace slows in later episodes. The English subtitles were adequate, but could have really used a fluent English editor.

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This show basically follows typical Western episodic standards, rather than having an overarching plot. Thus it differs quite a bit from the normal Asian drama. In a crime show I enjoy this since each murder investigation has it's own story. I found the investigative part of this drama among the most realistic of the Asian forensic/police dramas that I've seen, as well. Not surprising since the story comes from the memoirs of an actual Chinese forensic investigator. The main actor does a fine job portraying Dr. Qin. The other two main characters do an adequate job, nothing spectacular but not annoying either.
All in all, if you are a fan of CSI type crime shows, this one is likely to engage your interest. The various crimes solved actually occurred, which makes them more interesting than so many of the fictional, contrived murders littering the drama landscape.

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