Reviews

Lesson on maladaptive coping mechanisms.

I don’t think I've ever watched a drama where all the main characters needed therapy more than these three. Pathological avoidance, codependency, constant need for external validation, running away from the pain and sadness - building it up inside you until it reaches breaking point. "It's just tolerance, not acceptance" - delivered in the drama in context of sexuality, but it also quite well described the way the characters were dealing with loss. Tolerating the existence of the tragic past, not fully accepting what really happened. Escaping from anything that might force them to face reality.

Daddy issues, yes - you read it well. Surprisingly, no matter how strange the relationship might have felt, I could not stop myself from being pulled in and wishing it would have a happy ending. It seemed like the only way out of hell for both In and Wang (the mom can stay in hell as far as I know).

Many people told me this drama feels more like a play, and I have to agree. Not beating around the bush - I’m not much of a theater fan. Everything is amplified and exaggerated on stage, there is not much space for subtlety as it has to reach each and every audience member. 180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us somehow managed to keep the unique feel of plays while also being more detailed and approachable about it, making me fall for the charm it possesses.

All that said, I cannot say watching this drama was an enjoyable experience - it’s not a fluff romance you can relax to after work. All the characters are painfully frustrating, but observing their actions, witnessing their regret, being pierced by the hurtful things they say and buried under even more painful silence and unspoken truth… Felt like a solid dose of life lessons. What kind of person do you want to be? One that cannot face their own guilt? One that runs away from what’s important to them, cosplaying it as self-sacrifice? Or one that stays true to themselves, fighting for what feels right, while still trying not to hurt people around them?

For the acting - loved it for the majority of the show. Pond did an amazing job bringing Wang to life - I want to adopt and protect that character with all my heart. The skillful way he was able to present both youthful stubbornness, but also maturity that comes from pain he had to go through. Mam also impressed me, especially in more emotional scenes. While I did like Nike as In, and for most part I had no issue with his performance, there were moments of his line delivery that felt quite robotic, especially when compared to his co-actors.

The production and directing? Loved it. One of the aspects I appreciated the most was how some scenes played a bit longer, truly making it possible for all the emotions to settle in and have a bigger impact. The drama was both choking you with feelings and letting you breathe and take the moment for what it was, without distracting you, skipping right away to the next scene.

Overall, what a surprisingly interesting and intense watch. I feel like a lot of scenes could be dissected and have an essay written about their meaning - they just invite you to make your own judgments, reflect on the characters, their choices and how you might react in a similar situation.

Read More

A love letter to love in all its forms

This is the first drama I completed in 2024 and what a beautiful way to start the new year. Above all else, this is a story about love, romantic love, yes, but also the love between friends, the love you have for your country, the love you have for your family (the one you're born into, the one you marry into, and the one you make for yourself), and above all else, the love and respect you have for yourself. Cho Yi Hyun and Rowoon absolutely shine as the titular matchmakers who have each known love and loss, who are each seeking their place in the world, and who end up finding solace in each other. Park Ji Young is mesmerizing as one of the best-written antagonists I've ever seen, balancing her character's calm dignity as the firm but fair mother-in-law with her quietly terrifying ferocity as the cunning puppet master pulling all the strings behind the scenes. The secondary characters are just as compelling and memorable, from the sweet but stubborn sister-in-law Ye Jin to the young and noble Crown Prince to the steadfast bookseller to the actually competent King to the real Yeojudaek to the old bachelors, and of course, the unforgettable Maeng sisters, who each got a love story that allowed them to stay true to themselves. It's evident that every aspect of this drama was produced with love and care, from the beautiful cinematography to the excellent writing and character development and I especially enjoyed modern style choices like the giant location headers and the mockumentary format at the beginning of each episode that made the show feel fresh and fun. The last episode became a bit too melodramatic for me but all in all, this was a gem of a drama that I can't wait to rewatch.

Read More

Go watch it rn!

The best bl/bromance (idk, probably bl) I've ever seen. Also I didnt see the original drama but thats okay

The story was touching and amazing also how they added a family theme was really good. It was sometimes a bit cheesy but yk its okay.
The plot was interesting enough, I didnt understand the thing w their parents much tho

Their chemistry was brilliant. Also I loved the little girl and I hate the weird girl (idk her name) xd. And the end umm It was sad but good. In dramas they often mess up the ends, but this wasnt the case, so this end was unexpected and interesting.

I rewatch it a lot, but I always cry like a psycho, so if ur strong enough, watch it!

Im praying for season 2, but I heard there wont be one idk tho, but Im already sad

Read More

Episode one is a bit bland, the setting is not so great, i might have given up if not for the lead characters. The pacing is also quite slow. I'm glad that I didn't give up. It is one of those shows where you have to pay attention to every scene. It was really well made.

Lu Zhao Xi (ML): He is adorable with the devil face he tries to make, its so embarrassing and cute at the same time. He was decent person from start to end. He did like to tease the heroine a bit and behave like a child pulling a girl's pigtails, but it was fun. Apart from that, there was no toxicity detected.

Ye Shi La (FL): She matched the ML's adorableness and was just as decent of a person as the male lead. Their romance was slow burn and they took time to understand each other. She often played along with the ML knowing that he was teasing her, but sometimes she took him seriously.

I liked the actress in the drama The Day of Becoming You, which also has a similar pace.

Read More

Get ready to fall in love with Tonghao and dislike Shan Jun Hao (P.S they are both the same person)

I have too many problems with this drama.

First things first, Shan Jun Hao (ML) looses his memory and is named Tonghao due to a case of mistaken identity.

Ye Qian Yu (FL) and her family hit the ML while driving in the dark and decide to not report it but to take him home. It just didn't sit right with me. However when Tonghao (name of the ML when he lost his memory due to the accident) found out about it later in their relationship, he forgave her and was okay with it.

Tonghao, who lost his memory, was much better fit for FL than Shan Jun Hao despite them being the same person. Once he got his memory back and became Shan Jun Hao again, he forgot all about his time as Tonghao, he became a jerk. He went out of his way to say the meanest and most hurtful things to Ye Qian Yu. The personality change was too drastic and it was too easy to miss Tonghao, who was so very adorable.

Tonghao's only fault was that he was a bit selfish with his love for Ye Qian Yu. Even when he found out about his identity as Shan Jun Hao who had a fiancé, mother, and adopted brother waiting for him, he decided to forget about them completely and he did so in a very cruel way. All he wanted was Ye Qian Yu.

Apart from the initial hit and kidnap, Qian Yu was a happy character, a bit shady when it came to making money, but we see her grow. Even when Tonghao insisted that he wanted nothing to do with his old memories, she went out of her way ensure he met with his family. But she got delt a crappy hand, Shan Jun Hao family were so damn crappy to her, everyone of them despite her giving him up when he was Tonghao. She just had to keep taking shit from these guys including Shan Jun Hao and not once did he apologize for it. It was sad to watch and she just kept being so understanding. The whole situation was crappy for everyone, what made it worse was Qian Yu became the punching bag for Shan Jun Hao's family.

They did have a happy ending but I wished he had gotten his memories back of being Tonghao.

Read More

Dont rely on REVIEWS.

I wouldn't say anything detailed here, all I can say is watch it for yourself to know and to see it for yourself.

The connection of EACH character is so good, like EVERY character has their sense. You'll get mixed emotions. See for u to know.

The cast? Their acting is phenomenal. Jihoon and Sangwoo NAILED IT. I love Lomon and Yeeun so much, but Jihoon and Sangwoo? Danggg, these two.

Tbh, I somehow get why some peeps said the ending was unsatisfying and a bit disappointing. But for me, personally, I love it. Just a right ending for this kind of drama.

Watch it to see, dont rely on reviews.

Read More

Looking for something to make you smile but don't come short on angst? This might be for you.

[reposting from my comment]

I can't believe it has really ended 😭

before I say my final 'review', I would like to say kudos to the cast and crew for delivering such a beautiful story to us. there would always be room for improvements but i think overall, it was a drama worth my time (and money 😝). like i've said before, i can't picture any other actor playing gujin/yuanqi or actress playing ayin/fengyin or any other characters, really. they've all delivered pretty well and i'm so thankful for their dedication and passion to present to us this beautiful production. ❤️

to my f4: gujin/yuanqi (wang anyu), ayin/fengyin (zhao lusi), ajiu/hongyi (li yunrui), yanshuang (jianai), you will always have a place in my heart 🥰 you've made my days for over a month exciting. will really miss these four a lot! hopefully they get together again for a drama, whether modern or wuxia/xianxia, anything! just would love to see them together again. they have so much chemistry as a bunch friends and it made the 4 characters' relationship more convincing and perfect! ❤️

now for my final 'review'. 😁

first of all, the OST! i so so love all the tracks and what i love most is the fact that we start and end all episodes with lusi's and anyu's voice, it is just perfect! im sure i will be listening to them even after the drama 🥰

second, the production, from the actors to the backdrops/cgi. like i already said, i can't really see anybody else playing the characters, esp. our leads. i think they made the perfect casting for them. zhao lusi distinguished and expressed the three different 'personas' very well, and made it easier to immerse to the change of character. i have to give wang anyu a hands down with his expressive eyes. when gujin is happy, sad, conflicted, i could totally see it in his eyes, it made it easier to empathize with his character. considering it is both their first xianxia dramas, i think they really did well together 🥰 as for li yunrui and jianai, they made a perfect second couple. they looked cute together and more lovable as our MLs best friends. lastly, for the cgi. most of the time, it was really good but there are some parts they could've totally improved. but overall, there were a lot more beautiful shots that i think those could be forgivable 😆

last but not the least, the story. like i mentioned at the start of the drama, i love the pacing because it was not too fast nor too slow. some might find it slow, but i think the build up to fengyin's arc was just right, and even if fengyin's arc was shorter, it didn't fall short from ayin's arc. both were beautifully executed with both heartwarming moments and angst.

speaking of angst, who else cried when fengyin dreamt about her and yuanqi back at the forbidden valley which was truly bittersweet for me, when xian zhan returned and met at qingchi palace with the remaining 3 disciples (yq,fy,qy) and then when the daze mountain disciples finally gathered and fy realized all the sacrifices yuanqi did for them? and then last but not the least when yuanqi sacrificed himself to protect the 3 realms where his love lives and fengyin begged fengyuan and bibo to save him before fainting? let's add when our f4 minus yuanqi plus the phoenix clan and daze disciples helped fengyin breakthrough to the god realm...🙋‍♀️ 😄 my emotions were just in a rollercoaster ride 😆

the ending! i was already braving for the worse (that yuanqi won't come back as i think that is one alternate ending the novel has) but i'm so so thankful they went with yuanqi coming back alive! ❤️ the look of happiness and longing in yuanqi's and fengyin's eyes were just..! ❤️ after so many ups and downs and another thousand years of waiting, they finally got the happy ending they truly deserved 🥰😍❤️

we cannot forget hongyi and yanshuang's wedding! ❤️ the wedding was beautiful to say the least, being held at the pear blossom garden they both grew together to wait for ayin's return. it wasn't too grand but all the important people in their lives was there and i think that is what made it truly meaningful and beautiful. 🥰 i totally felt bad for huashu being manipulated by her father but i'm happy that at the end, she still chose to do good. in that regards, lan feng would be really proud of her. i hope that mayne in some alternate universe they'll be reunited. 🫶 the relationship between xiuyan and the mingqi is also one to watch, really. you won't see them as much but their relationship dynamics was also interesting. it really goes to say that having the right people in your life can really help you better yourself. 🫡 lastly, aoge and san sheng shi (the three stones of life) finally returned to where they should be and wanted to be (and they are finally tied with the red string of fate 🤭).

overall, happy ending for everyone! ❤️

again, congratulations to the cast and crew and hoping to see new shows/dramas from our leads and it would be better if they are together again in a new drama ❤️

Read More

A Drama of Growth

WARNING: Overall great story, but the last episode when they grow up is not great...I am still going to leave my review as is tho, definitely worth a watch!

This is my first time writing a drama review, I watch a lot of dramas and I usually keep to myself or maybe leave a few comments, but I think this drama is deserving of a review. I've said it before, but I'll say it again, this is definitely one of the top dramas I've watched in a long time. Some episodes leave you smiling like a fool while others leave you a sobbing mess.

Story:
A story about two quirky teachers and five (arguably six) quirky students as they tackle various issues in life to take on the biggest exam in their lives, the college entrance exam, in order to change their lives.

I am not going to elaborate too much on this plot but more of the topics focused on in this drama. This is definitely not your typical fluffy school drama, the storyline here hits on many hard topics that are honestly often considered taboo to discuss in China, including depression, domestic violence, etc. and in my opinion this drama does it well. Instead of avoiding these topics or ignoring them, we are taught what they are and ways to handle them, while these methods may not work for everyone, I will say that some have worked for me such as exercising to destress and help with anxiety.

I think family relations and depression are the two most prevalent topics within this drama. As we progress through the drama, under the guidance of Lei Ming and Sang Xia, we see that not only the kids have grown, but the parents and teachers have as well, hence why I titled this review as a drama of growth. This drama is a great example of understanding where the issues are and how to tackle them, formulating better relations in and out of school. Every single character in this drama (well besides some of the antagonist characters) has grown and become a better version of themselves as we near the end of this drama. We also see the importance of identifying depression as an illness and not brushing it off like what is often done in Chinese culture. As someone of Chinese decent, I can say that depression is often looked down upon in China and not realized as an illness... We can take Shen Yao and Zheng Qian's cases, because of how they were able to handle the cases differently the results were very different.

While depression and family matters definitely are definitely two of the key elements elaborated upon within this drama, but I don't want people to forget the small details, for example, when Sang Xia mentions it's okay for a guy to ask a guy out as well or when she taught the class on what is sexual assault. Also, did anyone notice that the opening in ep 17 changed from being the usual colored opening to black and white after Lei Ming left? The attention to detail and the effort put in by the director/producers is insane.

I do want to also mention there are a lot of time jumps in this drama, which may make the flow seem a little weird. I can see people not liking it and at first I wasn't that used to it, but I like how these time jumps piece the story together, it breaks down the story well and allows us to see why certain decisions were made due to situations that have happened in the past.

Casting:
I am a big fan of the casting and a huge fan of Zhang Ruo Yun's acting in particular (I swear anything he graces becomes a work of art). Lei Ming emits a particular aura that I can't imagine anyone else besides him getting right. The expressions and look in his eyes really radiate what his character feels and longs for/

All the main characters in this show are incredibly lovable (maybe not in the beginning but definitely as we progress through the drama). Personally, I am a big fan of Li Ran haha! I love his quite, rebellious yet caring personality, appearing rough on the outside but a total sweetheart within. The actors/actresses all did a great job portraying their characters, bring so many emotions to the audience as well, every episode is an emotional rollercoaster, whether it be a sad one or a happy one. Also the pairings are great (I swear you can almost ship any pair you want haha)! Who is your favorite character? :D

Music:
I don't love every single OST tracks, but overall the music is very fitting for the vibes of this drama and the topics discussed in this drama. Whenever there is music added to a scene, it amplifies the emotions felt during the scene. Several of the songs leave a sad aftertaste, for example, 迷了路 and Find My Shadow make me want to cry just hearing the songs and the lyrics. I would say that the OSTs give a bit of a vintage vibe, which personally I love.

Also I'm not sure if people have noticed, but based on the mood of the episode, the opening song and the closing song are different (you can check the beginning of ep 25 and 28). I am also gonna take a wild guess that we get several English songs because Lei Ming is an English teacher :P

Rewatch Value:
I think this drama actually has very high rewatch value because of all the details that are easily missed and glossed over upon the first watch. I rarely rewatch dramas, but I can definitely see myself rewatching this one over and over again. The plot and emotions never get old. I guess it would lack some of the suspense you get on the first watch, but I don't think that takes away from the drama itself.

Overall:
Two quirky teachers and five (arguably six) quirky students have created a masterpiece. I want to say this is a must watch, especially if you are a fan of slice of life/sentimental dramas. It is definitely different and fresh, you definitely will not regret watching (unless you are like me and have work...)

Thanks for reading my review :D

Read More

Amazing... but confused

A quite slow beginning (it took 2 episodes to really get into it), but it is worth hanging in there. Acting was amazing, especially in the war scenes. The chemistry is great and the sorority between the four women is really precious.

I loved almost everything, except the last 2 episodes that I found to be a bit confusing (with some flashbacks?). The war/occupation storyline was completly left out in the last episode and it looked like a pressed ending. It is honestly disappointing and a waste because there is so much more to be done (exploring characters' past, development etc).

Let's see what season 2 has in store, but give season 1 a try :) EDIT : Go watch Part 2 it's amazing !! My Part 2 review : https://mydramalist.com/profile/lisouille/reviews/329673

Note : I am a bit sensitive and some scenes were kinda violent so watch out if you cannot stand violence...

Read More

Make the time to watch it - it's worth it

My only regret with HCCC is that I didn't see it when it was broadcast live. It's healing theme, especially during the pandemic would have been more therapeutic than any medication offered.

This show has everything a viewer could want - Terrific cast; Great chemistry between all characters; Well-developed supporting cast characters who blend into the story seamlessly; great visuals; believable story-line, etc...
Our leads really play well off each other and their wariness of their feelings was so realistic and well depicted. She is a handful, and quite the opposite of him, something they both acknowledged. And his issues and baggage did not bring the story down but created the challenges for her to respond to.
I'm sure this theme has been done before, and will be in the future (Welcome to Samdal-ri?) but I can't imagine another show doing it better.

Rewatchable? HELL, YES!

Thanks TvN & Netflix for giving us such a beautiful and funny story.

Read More

Poignant.

There's an underlaying sense of realism to this series. For instance, the dialogue: as in life, when things are spiralling, there's a lot more said in the silences between people than in the words between people. Kudos to the actors for their restrained and layered performances. A thumbs up for the taut script. Also, I'd add a nod to the directing. This series will leave you thinking after the credits roll. I found myself thinking that peoples lives rarely follow a straight line, and it's not the roadblock that tumbled us to our knees that defines us. It's what we do after the fall.

Read More

=> Addictive, epic series, without length despite the 40 episodes.

PLOT: The ML, 3rd son (born of a concubine) disadvantaged by his father, uncle of the emperor, joins the daughter of a general, the FL, at the head of a large army. They have to fight against a coup upon the death of the emperor. There are many conflicts and intrigues. Eventually the ML's father proclaims himself emperor, but the plots continue for the succession.

PROS:
+ An excellent CL with Xu Kai & Jing Tian as a warrior, valiant, intelligent couple. Xu Kai shows here all of his talent, all of his emotions in a wide variety of micro-expressions. Handsome, yes, but also talented ☆✲ﾟ｡(((´♡‿♡`+)))｡ﾟ✲☆
+ endearing 2ary characters.
+ magnificent settings and costumes. Some scenes are superb (fight in the Throne Hall around the coffin, in particular)
+ a story written with finesse and intelligence. Everything is coherent and relatively credible.
+ A satisfiying Happy Ending.

CONS:
- Low quality CGI (green background too obvious during certain scenes).
- OST volume too high compared to the dialogues.
- Always the same actors who play the villains (it's sad for them), so the viewer knows from their appearance alone what will be their evolution ;)

=> A Great watch !!
********************************************************************************
PLOT: Le ML, 3e fils (né d'une concubine) défavorisé par son père, oncle de l'empereur, se joint à la fille d'un général à la tête d'une grosse armée, la FL, pour lutter contre un coup d’État à la mort de l'empereur. Les conflits et intrigues sont multiples. Finalement le père du ML se proclame lui-même empereur, mais les complots se poursuivent pour la succession.

PROS:
+ Un excellent CL avec Xu Kai & Jing Tian en couple guerrier, valeureux., intelligent. Xu Kai montre ici tout son talent, toutes ses émotions dans une grande variété de micro-expressions. Beau, oui, mais aussi talentueux ☆✲ﾟ｡(((´♡‿♡`+)))｡ﾟ✲☆
+ des personnages 2aires attachants.
+ des décors et des costumes magnifiques. Quelques scènes sont superbes (fight dans la salle du Trône autour du cercueil, notamment)
+ une story écrite avec finesse et intelligence. Tout est cohérent et relativement crédible.

CONS:
- CGI low quality (fond vert trop trop évident sur certaines scènes).
- volume des OST trop fort par rapport aux dialogues.
- Toujours les mêmes acteurs qui jouent les villains (c'est désolant pour eux), donc le spectateur sait dès leur apparition qu'elle va être leur évolution ;)

=> Série addictive, épique, sans longueur malgré les 40 épisodes.

Read More

The Last Immortal" – A Captivating Dive into the World of "Hidden God"

"The Last Immortal," a 2023 Chinese drama adapted from the novel "Hidden God," is a mesmerizing journey that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish. The brilliance of the three main characters, particularly A Yin and Gu Jin, portrayed by exceptional actors, adds a layer of depth to the narrative.

A Yin and Gu Jin's performances stand out, bringing their characters to life with a rare authenticity that resonates with the audience. Their chemistry on screen creates a compelling dynamic, making the viewer emotionally invested in their individual journeys and their shared experiences.

The storyline itself is a testament to the well-crafted adaptation from "Hidden God." It weaves together elements of fantasy, drama, and suspense seamlessly, captivating the audience with every twist and turn. The narrative's intricacies are skillfully unfolded, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats while maintaining a sense of coherence that is often challenging in fantasy genres.

The hope for more TV series featuring A Yin and Gu Jin is a sentiment shared by many viewers, a testament to the success of their performances and the engaging storyline. "The Last Immortal" not only satisfies the appetite for quality drama but also sparks a desire for more explorations into the captivating worlds created by the talented cast and crew.

In conclusion, "The Last Immortal" is a standout production, successfully bringing "Hidden God" to life with stellar performances, a captivating storyline, and a promise of more to come. Fans of the genre and those seeking a riveting narrative will find themselves thoroughly enchanted by this drama.

Read More