Reviews

Just wow!

Let me start by saying that this is not my go-to genre. It's kind of hard for me to rate, because usually I rate on my enjoyment of a series. I, truthfully, can say that I didn't really enjoy it - wait, before you jump down my throat, hear me out. I didn't like the way it made me feel. It was dark and depressing, with the barest hint of clever repartee to lighten the mood slightly every so often. So, bottom line, the show achieved what it set out to do. It was so well written, and the acting was absolutely top-notch. I felt uncomfortable while watching it, watching morally/mentally gray characters. It raised a lot of questions while watching it: Where is the line between right and wrong? Is it hard to keep trying to straddle that line? Does absolute power corrupt absolutely? Do we ever really know those around us?

Most of the actors I had seen in other works, and they all seemed to be different versions of themselves than I had seen before. The sign of good acting.

If I didn't have to have a minimum word count, my review would consist of these two words - Namkoong Min. Always brilliant. I do have to make a complaint about the makeup on him. It looked like they went overboard on the self-tanner. His skin was so much darker than everyone else, it really bothered me. And I could have done without the sleazy moustache.

So, my suggestion is that you watch it, but be prepared to want to give up your daily life until you've finished it. It's just that good.

Read More

Lets be realistic here... they were flawed, but within reason

Ill start off by saying, I absolutely loved this drama. It had a great plot, great acting, an amazing OST and even better editing.

There are flaws, as does every show and character. But imo, the overall plot was amazing.

Li Xun, is so arrogant, rude, (hot) and irritating. But thats his character. After having suffered his entire childhood, he became a rebellious asshole. The problem most talk about in thier reviews is his character. While yes he is the typical rude ML, he believes he has every reason to be able to act this way. And I partly think its valid. As a kid who struggled while growing up, he fought for everything he had, while everyone around him didnt. He was different than the rest of the characters in many ways, but this was the most important. While he was smarter than them, the differences in the family status was the most important one.

Zhu Yun, was annoying, not confident, and absolutely a pushover. She let everyone determine her life but herself. Her mom absolutely pissed me off, especially at the end. While others say she blindly ended up following Li Xun, (and I do partly agree) she didnt follow him solely bc she ended up liking him, or felt bad for him or whatever else. I think she was so attached to him because he helped her in so many ways. While her mom tried to control her life, he helped her reclaim it, find her own goals, aspirations and actually LIVE it.

I wont say they arent flawed. But the whole point is that. They are both flawed, but they are making progress together to change and fight for themselves and others.

Jianhong, Miaomiao, (and even Yun) were victims of Xuns university bluntness aka bullying... but ngl I thought they needed it. They were all coddled in life and it showed. They didnt like critisicm, they didnt like feeling inferior, they didnt have an ounce of backbone... Xun is the friend that helps you be able to defend yourself, while supporting you through anything and everything. While most people are focusing solely on the things he did or said, I am focusing on the things it achieved.

Xuns entire problem with Yuns mom was the fact that he saw how entitled she was. And I get Yuns moms concerns... but she also took things too far. I mean, she CONTROLLED her daughters entire life, and Yuns dad let it happen. Xun freed Yun and I believe that wholeheartedly. He helped them all by preparing them for the real world...

But lets not forget Ren Di was the exact same as Li Xun... though she was nicer a lot earlier... they were two peas in a pod. They both were irritated with the BS of the kids that had everything and acted high and mighty because of it.

However, I will say, everything he did had a purpose. While it couldve been selfish/personal reasons, they achieved things for others too. When he was rude to Yun, when he was plotting his revenge, both times, he wasnt rude just to be rude. He was rude so that she could have a reason to hate him and not go after him. They both loved each other, and would do anything to protect each other, and support them in reaching their goals. Even though Xun was rude to Yun, she knew he acted that way for a reason... and both times, it was to protect her by not getting her involved. I mean, even he said it... "Im fine with ruining myself for revenge... but not her." In his eyes he had already lived a shitty life, so he could go back to that and be fine, but she hadnt... and he didnt want her to.

In the end, everyone got what they deserved, happy or not, every character got what they needed.

Read More

Good Enough

Japanese Drama " Ao Haru Ride Season ! " is the adaption of the popular manga, which was also made into an anime series and a movie previously.

First of all, whoever did the cast did a miraculously good job. The two main leads, especially Kou, look exactly like the manga characters, which is uncanny.

Also, the drama creates the right atmosphere, light and youthful, which suited the school based story perfectly.

In addition, it was nice to have a deeper look into Kou and his troubled outcome.

However, the series, mainly due to its short length, was like a checklist of the key points of the original story, rather than a smooth plot with the right excitement and intensity, that takes its time to progress.

Finally, the performances were good by everyone in the cast.

So, overall, five out of ten.

Read More

A waste of a good plot and talented actors !

Adapted from the novel "Wrong carriage, right groom"

PLOT: 2 FL, a princess (FL2) and a street artist (FL1), are reversed in their wedding procession towards a general (ML1) and the leader of a gang of bandits. The ML2, deputy leader of the gang, will help the FL2 and they will fall in love. The ML1, vigilante at night, helped by the FL1, will dismantle the Salt Gang and discover the truth about the death of his mother. All together (the 4) they face various conspiracies.

PROS:
+ The MLs are excellent actors and I like Huang Jun Jie as much as Ding Jua Wen. [On the other hand, I did not find the 2 FL convincing, in particular the very childish FL1].
+ The 2dary characters are well developed and played by good actors.
+ Good balance of romance, action, investigation.
+ Dynamic production, with well-crafted action scenes.
+ Good OSTs.

CONS:
- The coincidences are ridiculously stupid, there are caricatural characters, and the situations are not introduced properly / poorly implemented.

=> I had to try twice to get to the end, thanks to my friend "the FF button", because the clumsiness of the production makes this series difficult to watch!

***************************************************************************
Drama adapté du roman "Wrong carriage, right groom"

PLOT: 2 FL, une princesse (FL2) et une artiste de rue (FL1) , sont inversées dans leur cortège de mariage vers un général (ML1) et le chef d'un gang de bandits. Le ML2, sous chef du gang, va aider la FL2 et ils vont tomber amoureux. Le ML1, justicier la nuit, aidé de la FL1, va démanteler le Gang du Sel et découvrir la vérité sur la mort de sa mère. Tous ensemble (les 4) ils font face aux conspirations diverses.

PROS:
+ Les ML sont d'excellents acteurs et j'apprécie autant Huang Jun Jie que Ding Jua Wen. [Par contre, je n'ai pas trouvé les 2 FL convaincantes, en particulier la FL1 très puérile)].
+ Les personnages 2daires sont bien développés et interprétés par de bons acteurs.
+ Bon équilibre de romance, action, investigation.
+ Réalisation dynamique, avec des scènes d'action bien travaillées. + Bons OST.

CONS:
- Les coïncidences sont grossières, il y a des personnages excessifs, et les situations ne sont pas introduites / mal amenées.

=> J'ai dû m'y reprendre à deux fois pour aller au bouton (avec mon ami "the FF button") car la maladresse de la réalisation rend cette série difficilement supportable !

Read More

This drama follows a really bumpy relationship between a dating coach and her editor at a publishing company as she is in the midst of writing another romance / self-help book while dealing with a really harsh breakup. I will say that it did take a two episodes for me to warm up to these characters as they're not initially super likable off the bat. But I get totally got on board with all the characters even the side characters are so fresh, bubbly and funny. Also the fashion is an eye candy and OSTs were sweet.

This series does give you a nostalgic kdrama formula: being a very modern and a breath of fresh air in the way that it depicts a really sad breakup and portrayals of people dealing with heartbreaks in their own ways, One moved on way too quickly, one felt like the world was ending, one didn't even care at all, and one was suffering alone. But the post break up part drags too long. The part when she announced her break up news in public, who viewed her as a dating coach, and made a show was over-the-top. They show so much of her spiralling down and jeopardizing her career and health. Later on, I got so bored and frustrated, when they go back and forth with old relationships. I also wasn't a fan of the second lead romance, they seem to young for this story. I put this drama on hold for months, but after a long pause I finish it to support Yoo In Na. Overall, it has its' flaws but I appreciate them showing that communication and boundaries are important and that though time shall pass.

Read More

better than the webtoon

I have read the webtoon before watching the drama, there are some differences between the two in some details of the story, but for the first time in the webtoon adaptation history the drama was better than webtoon mainly because I found myself emotionally invested in it also the acting was so good that it made me cry in some sense.
another reason why I found it better:
ji-soo is not the love interest of hyun-soo, I mean she is cute and everything but he is a minor and she is not so it was kinda weird in the webtoon
the only reason why I couldn't give it a higher rating was because of CGI I think it wasn't the best.

Read More

WHY IS EVERYONE OK WITH THIS.?????

I'm only on episode 5 but I'm sorry Toh is not ok. It's one thing to have a crush and another to be obsessed. Covering your room in photos that I can only guess where not taken with Nuea's consent as well as the stalking & collecting his trash are enough to get you a restraining order. Tharntype, LITA, Love Syndrome & other shows get a lot of crap for being toxic but this one is above and beyond. I thought I was watching a light fun show but I'm more and more creeped out by the fact that everyone is OK with To's behavior. Not only that but his friends encourage him. I'm guessing Nuea will find out what he's done at some point and think it cute but I keep thinking about all the crap I've listened to about consent between Tharn & type as well as everyone saying Payu is grooming Rain in LITA but everyone thinks this is cute. We definitely have different ideas of acceptable behavior in relationships.

Read More

This is About Moving On, and Letting Go

This drama told a lot about mental health, and how we can face them. In this modern society, stress has been a common topic, as we can see people did suicide almost every month. Anything can induced stress and trauma, and this drama told a lot about it.

Case by case, we can saw in the end, what we really need to do is letting go and moving on. Past is already past, we can't do anything about it. Dwelling on it only gave us the anxiety and stress. We deserved a lot more that it.

Gong Jun and Qiao Xin portrayed their roles in this drama so well. Their chemistry was so good, and they are so cute together. I loved how they solved all the case, and how in one of the case, they explained that as a counselor, they could't mix their personal and work life. We can learn a bit about hypnotherapy here, and how it can helps us. And more importantly, this is about mental help. Seeking help is a must, because the only people who can help us is ourselves.

Read More

Very Good. Highly recommend

Xu Kai to me has been a very interesting case study. He went on a string of bad dramas which some might disagree and that's fine....
Falling into your Smile.... She and Her Perfect Husband.... Royal Feast.... Lost in Kunlun Mountains....

My opinion is you need to play actors of high profile to their strengths.... Perfect example now, Wang Hedi in 'Only for Love' not played to his strength and drama was total disaster....

Credit to Xu Kai's management lately for 3 things.... (1) getting him back to his strengths.... (2) finding good scripts to compliment his strengths & (3) finding excellent female leads to compliment the scripts & his strengths....
- Gulnezer in Snow Lord Eagle I felt was amazing alongside Xu Kai, really enjoyed their drama but didn't receive good reviews....

Jing Tian seriously exceptional alongside Xu Kai.... When I think of her I think of consistency and charm, I wonder why she is not of status of a Yang Mi or Yang Zi at times but glad both her management and Xu Kai management see her as a perfect match....

The support characters just ok, it's really something both leads excelled in this drama....

Do recommend as again we are seeing 2 leads at their best....

Read More

The charm of youth

In all Asian countries, China has always been doing great in producing school-based and coming-of-age genres as a series. The transition from old school to the present years settled the firm foundation of making the audience nostalgic and reminisce about the beauty of their youthful days. The best factor that I’ve seen from these dramas is the perfect blend of romance and friendship as the major highlight of their stories. When I Fly Towards You is one of the best examples of a drama that caters to the fantastic era of young adults throughout their lives.

I am super invested in this drama, especially during the time when all of them are still in the same school, where all of my favorite episodes come from. It is important for me as a viewer that all characters have their own spotlight to shine and this project provides me with it. All five of them have a story to tell and a path of journey to walk through with their own selves. They always made me cry with happiness every now and then.

It was almost a ten out of ten score for me not until they reached their university and adulthood age when I somehow felt less happy than the previous episodes. Yet, I still enjoyed the show and am grateful to see each of them fulfilling their dreams individually.

Rang Rang, Su Zai Zai, Guran, Jiang Jia, Guan Fang, and the rest of the characters in this show play a remarkable portrayal of their respective roles and they always have a special place in my heart. I love that they made me feel warm and joyful. To be able to look back once more on how beautiful the life of a youth is.

Read More

Where the line between good and evil disappears

What made this series different for me was not its story, but rather what was happening beneath the surface of the narrative and within the characters. Joon Mo, as a good man and also as a good police officer, had seemingly correct beliefs that formed the foundation of his existence and life, and these beliefs drove Joon Mo towards striving to preserve and strengthen goodness and defeat and destroy evil. Now Joon Mo has been called to fight the "worst of evil." It is a fight that aligns with his ideals and validates and reinforces them. So he enters the Ki Chul gang. At first, everything he sees is nothing but ugliness and corruption, something that serves as confirmation of his hatred for Ki Chul and his people and the necessity of their destruction. At this moment, Ki Chul is exactly the devil to Joon Mo؛ Thus, his beliefs are reaffirmed and become stronger. Until his love get a foothold in this story, and this event is a prelude to a new chapter full of turmoil and confusion within Joon Mo's inner world. Initially, Ki Chul's connection with Joon Mo's wife frightens and angers Joon Mo, increasing his hatred towards Ki Chul. But on the other hand,Ki Chul's sincere and pure love for Joon Mo's wife reveals something about Ki Chul to Joon Mo. "Ki Chul also has heart." Gradually, this aspect of Ki Chul becomes more vivid and apparent to Joon Mo. He loves all his gang members like his own brothers, he is loyal to them and he does everything in his power for their happiness. He has photos of his gang members in his office, photos that resemble more family or friendly pictures depicting relationships filled with love and affection rather than a group photo of gang members. Ki Chul is trustworthy, and that's why he easily trusts others. He loves Joon Mo like a brother from the bottom of his heart, and Ki Chul doesn't just keep Joon Mo by his side for his own protection; Joon Mo's life is valuable to Ki Chul, and Ki Chul tries to keep Joon Mo away from danger even if keeping Joon Mo away from danger is dangerous for Ki Chul himself. Like Joon Mo, he too had a difficult childhood, but unlike Joon Mo, he didn't have a helping hand to pull him out of that quagmire. Ki Chul was like someone who had fallen into a dark, terrifying, and seemingly unsolvable maze for years and had been waiting for the smallest ray of light to show him the path to freedom.Joon Mo and his wife were that ray of light for Ki Chul, which gave Ki Chul the good news of liberation and gave new life to his hope. The hope that he, too, could be good, be loved, and experience a normal life filled with love, security, and peace of mind. Perhaps Ki Chul knew that this light wasn't real, but with all his being, he wanted to believe in this beautiful lie, so he denied anything that questioned its truth and correctness.
During his mission, the closer Joon Mo got to Ki Chul, the clearer he saw the beauty within him. Hae Ryeon was also like Ki Chul, hiding a pure soul beneath a tainted exterior. The truth within Ki Chul and Hae Ryeon was what shook the rooted beliefs and ideals of Joon Mo. Should he act according to his own beliefs and destroy this group of demons, or should he accept the truth he has encountered and join forces with Ki Chul and Hae Ryeon? The truth that told him, the demons that you wished to destroy, have a more beautiful inside than the demonic angels around you. Joon Mo's inner self is filled with turmoil and conflict. He finds himself at a crossroad where every direction he looks, there is nothing but pain waiting for him. If he remains faithful to his beliefs, he must bury the truth he has discovered within himself and accept a lie that would result in the destruction of the angels who have been dressed as demons by the cruelties of life. But if he chooses to embrace the truth, nothing of Joon Mo will remain. This ideal within his being requires him to rebuild his existence from scratch and accept that everything he has believed and acted upon so far has been meaningless, purposeless, and wrong. Furthermore, he unknowingly initiated a game where victory and defeat come at the cost of life, and now that he has fallen to its depths, he cannot abandon it halfway or return to before its inception. Therefore, the only thing he can do is try to play the game in the most beautiful way possible. And that's exactly what he did.
He presented the most beautiful game of his life. He fulfilled his mission correctly, but at the same time, he removed Ki Chul and Hae Ryeon from the game and gave them an opportunity for a normal and better life (the very thing Ki Chul had wished for). However, Ki Chul made his last wrong decision.
Perhaps, as Joon Mo said, all the decisions Ki Chul had made until that moment were also wrong.
Kie Chul's comeback scene is Joon Mo's greatest moment of desperation. He understands that nothing can be set right anymore, and there is no correct decision. He must only seek the best decision. Ki Chul has turned back, and now the only things that await him are either death or a life where death is a wish. It is an eternal life in prison, where dying is the sentence of freedom. Ki Chul and Eui Jung are both devout Christians, and suicide, have a force of curse for them. Ki Chul wants to burn Eui Jung in the fire of his eternal curse by ending his life. A curse that not only consumes Eui Jung's world but also burns Ki Chul's afterlife. Joon Mo decides to shoulder the burden of guilt for Ki Chul and Eui Jung alone and free them from this eternal torment. In that moment, he chooses to protect them at the cost of losing his spouse and comrade. Now Eui Jung can blame Joon Mo instead of blaming herself for Ki Chul's death and she can hate Joon Mo instead of hating herself. What ultimately remains are deep and precious friendships. The friendship between Ki Chul and Eui Jung, symbolized by the bouquet of flowers accompanying the cross necklace on his grave, and the friendship between Ki Chul and Joon Mo, symbolized by a cigarette that was divided between Joon Mo and Ki Chul. Joon Mo's ring ultimately came off his finger, but his watch never came off his wrist.

Read More