Reviews

Parola d'ordine: umorismo involontario

Terrificante. Ti attirano e provocano con la promessa di chissà quali perversioni in camera da letto e vicende tensioattive nell'eccitante mondo della mafia, però poi alla prova dei fatti le sessioni sono abbastanza vaniglia per un certo verso e ridicole per un altro. Il povero cristo che se ne è andato col torso sanguinante non è stato sicuramente ferito da quella specie di frustino che sembra un pennacchio per tende. Tutta la recitazione è a volte pedestre, da parte più o meno di tutti: non siamo molto sopra il minimo edittale.

Sarebbe anche sopportabile se non ci fossero pesanti buchi nella trama e continue situazioni oltre ogni limite di plausibilità.
I personaggi secondari che fanno il filo al nostro ineffabile capomafia, sia l'uomo che la donna, sono caricaturali: l'uomo è un bambino capriccioso, la donna sembra non riuscire a comprendere il semplice concetto che se un uomo ha mangiato banane per tutta la vita, di sicuro non vorrà improvvisamente le pesche.

L'ambientazione nella mafia non convincerebbe un ragazzino delle elementari e, quel che è peggio, l'attore che interpreta Kamol è completamente inadatto alla parte. Dovrebbe essere un algido, tenebroso, spietato capo mafia col pallino del sadomaso, ma assomiglia più a un orsacchiotto damerino senza alcuna presenza minacciosa, col viso perennemente congelato in una maschera apparentemente gonfiata da interventi estetici che gli hanno immobilizzato la faccia.
Non ho gradito particolarmente l'utilizzo della tigre, che è stata evidentemente sedata per permettere agli attori di interagire con lei: una presenza totalmente random, inutile ai fini della trama. Quella povera bestia mi ha fatto una pena immensa.

Durante le varie puntate si toccano punte di umorismo involontario raramente viste altrove, sembra a tratti di guardare un poliziottesco degli anni 70 e pure fatto male. Non si capisce a cosa servono le guardie del corpo, visto che non proteggono nessuno né riescono a impedire l'accesso agli estranei, in più si fanno continuamente gabbare da Tizio e Caio. Ridicolo.
E il nostro dolcissimo Kim che, dopo aver fatto i capricci per tutta la serie si improvvisa psicologo e trova del bene in tutti, riuscendo perfino a fare una predica al grande boss?

L'ultimo episodio è di un cringe terribile, questi due insieme sono come l'acqua e l'olio anche perché hanno fornito loro delle battute orrende. Discorso a parte merita la colonna sonora, a tratti anche gradevole ma, a volte, mal abbinata alle scene.
Tutto il drama ricorda un treno che arrivi a tutta birra sui binari bloccati da un tronco: continui a guardare affascinato uno spettacolo tremendo anche se sai che non migliorerà, eppure non riesci a staccartene fino alla fine. Deve essere il miracolo dei BL tailandesi. Per questo, e solo per questo ho assegnato una sufficienza.

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the most realistic portrayal of depression

What a realistic and beautiful portrayal of clinical depression!
Those who have loved ones struggling with depression, watch this drama to learn about what they really are going through and the emotions they cannot handle. Those who beleive mental illness is just a form of weakness, please watch this drama and see that it can happen to anyone anytime. As someone who has experienced depression and has seen her daughter suffer from major depression, I appreciate that this drama tackles every aspect of this illness on personal, family and social levels. It conveys the darkest hole one finds herself in, the hopelessness, lethargy and the surrender of the patient. The drama is exceptionally educational and urges the public to emphatize and not to stigmatize.

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Great Watch, you went be disappointed.

If you like fairy tale drama your will love this.
The chemistry between the main lead was great, It pulled me in like a sucker, earning for more, the fight scene was good too, I lt was refreshing to see actual fight scene without the use of too much magic, I can't take the smoke and mirrors style fighting!!! so I was happy to see some kick ass fight scene in this.
I particularly liked when the main lead tried to hide his affection for the female lead knowing he is falling for her! Then when another line interests came into play, he started getting jealous, typicall men in real life lol.
I wont write too much, but give this drama a watch, you won't be disappointed. ?

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It really didnt disappoint

I went it with very low expectations so the fact that it exceed my expectations is not shocking.
I wasnt so bothered with the fact that the cast would be changed because i have always been a fan of Lee Joon gi, also i fell in love with Arthdal Chronicles because the story was very riveting.
The cast change was awkward initially but i think everyone found their footing
LJG was able to capture a warrior Eunseom perfectly but i think he had trouble being Saya and i believe it was because he tried to be SJK's Saya. He tried to be a saya that was similar to season 1 im guessing so people can relate but that is not LJG. He did a good job potraying Saya as someone looking for where to fit in.
The actress who played Tanya did a really great job, i was honestly wowed. She played the part of the high priest very well in my opinion, i say her as a leader.
Tagon and Tealha were beyond perfection, i was wowed.
Between episodes 5&8, i almost gave up watching but im glad i didnt, because the cast really shined from episodes 10-12
Keep an open mind when you watch it and enjoy the story of arthdal.

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"Doom at Your Service: A Mesmerizing Blend of Fantasy, Romance, and Philosophy"

"Doom at Your Service" is a K-drama that showcases a well-paced plot, instantly capturing the viewer's attention from the very first episode. As the narrative unfolds, the flow is seamlessly executed, avoiding any choppiness when transitioning between scenes and subplots. However, one aspect of the drama that did not resonate well with me was the love triangle subplot, which felt poorly executed, making me skip those scenes.

Despite not being a tension-filled or suspenseful drama, it manages to maintain engagement throughout, prompting me to binge-watch it over two days after its full release. While the drama is categorized as a comedy, I found that it lacks traditional humor, with occasional life moments that elicit laughter but no real jokes. One of the standout features of this series is its originality in incorporating fantasy elements into the storyline. While the main plot is relatively basic, it complements the fantasy aspect, making it easier for the audience to understand and connect with.

Although I appreciated the character development in the drama, I wish the author had included more unique and distinguishing scenes or actions within the plot to elevate it further. The characters themselves are a highlight, with none of them coming across as unbearable or overly cliché. The female lead's charm lies in her playful dynamics, wit, and profound philosophical answers, which add depth to her character. The male lead's portrayal of a non-human learning about humans is done in a way that avoids cringiness, thanks to well-written dialogue.

The strength of the drama lies in the dialogue between the female and male leads, providing depth and dimension to their characters. The secondary couple, particularly the male lead, is intriguing due to their unique character development and well-executed dialogue. However, the romantic dynamic of the second male lead falls short. As for Na Ji Na, her character may lack development or depth, and it is unclear whether it's due to the acting or the writing.

The main couple's chemistry is a standout, with both actors delivering excellent performances and avoiding clichés in their interactions. While the concept of them falling in love is conventional, the spontaneous moments between them make the drama special. The secondary couple becomes more engaging as the series progresses, but the early parts, especially the love triangle scenes, felt boring.

The support characters' depth and interactions, like the coworkers dating and the writer with a crush on the female lead, added significant value to the drama. The cinematography is beautiful, featuring high-quality shots. The direction taken by the writer is enjoyable, with no desire to tweak certain aspects.

The soundtrack is enjoyable overall, although the use of the song "I Wanna Be With You" by Gummy during happy moments gave off a somewhat sad vibe. What truly stands out about this drama is its deep philosophical elements, leaving viewers pondering long after watching it. However, one issue that bothered me significantly was the portrayal of Kevin as a character, with the use of Korean and English dialogue when he interacted with others feeling somewhat disjointed, possibly due to translation issues. Additionally, the use of "he's American" when a character exhibited rude behavior did not sit well with me as a foreigner, particularly an American.

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"It's a miracle that the person you love also loves you."

This series has given so many lesson throughout, even with the gang stuff. Although I hope you don't get yourself into trouble like them, they also teach the values of putting care and trust into your relationship.

As said in the credits, "Where there's love, theres a miracle. " And that it shown itself in the series. The beautiful leads,the great storyline, and the outstanding acting all brought together creates this masterpiece. If I were to give a "BEST BL OF 2023" this one might just take the cake. (haha get it? Bai Zong Yi's shop. ok nvm..)

The love story between Fan Ze Rui & Bai Zong Yi is a long journey. There is love and there is heartbreak. Tears were shed, of joy and sadness. But I was more than satisfied with the outcome.

THE STORY (slight spoiler? skip this part if you don't want any!):

Bai Zong Yi is a regular student with dreams of becoming a doctor. Until one day, that all changes. When he meets Fan Ze Rui, his life gets twisted all around. Once getting to know each other, love is in the air! But that love comes crashing down when injury occurs leading to amnesia. Will they be able to pass this tragedy and rekindle their now broken relationship?

CHEMISTRY:
Taiwanese BLs always have great leads with great chemistry, and that's the case with both couples. The way they would gaze into each others eyes, the body language, and everything overall gave me BUTTERFLIES!!

You can't forget the CAMEOS!! My boys from Plus&Minus making an appearance made my day better. Seeing them on screen together was a delight, and I really wish to have another series with them as well, and not just a cameo. Along with other characters in the show, such as ones from HIStory and Be Loved in House:I Do. Although I haven't seen those series yet, it's lovely to see couples such as those on screen again, even for just a second.

When it comes to Taiwanese BL, I always have high hopes. Was that a bad idea when coming into this? NOT AT ALL! IT SERVED! Getting to spend the last 13 weeks with these 2 couples was everything, and I'd do anything to be able to watch it for the first time. Their love story made me cry. From laughter, and from quite literal sobs and I'll miss that.

It's a rare sight when liking both couples, but Kiseki did it for me. Chen Yi and Ai Do were ADORABLE! There was enough screen time for both couples, which is a win.

I hope to see more of both couples, and maybe even a series with Nat Chen (Chen Yi) and Louis Chiang (Ai Di) as the main leads?. Would definitely recommend to others!!

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fire ? from start to finish!!!!

Omg for the life of me I thought "Alchemy of soul, and Love between fairy and demon"
was the highest drama could get.

But "SOUL OF THE MOON"!! Child honey!!
from jump its fire ? ? ? ? episode 13 just got me bawling my eyes out i tell you!!! i had a nakin, head started hurting, type crying.....
if episode 13 is this good and its a 40 episode show, omg i am shaking in anticipation of what's to come because what they gave us in 13 is normally what you get
in dramas close to end... oh lordttttt!!! here i go on this "soul of moon," roller-coaster ?

Ok so am on episodes 21 and so far so amazing!!!! You will love episode 21, I want to see if that was the moon demon God, that enter into him, bruh when I tell you this is an addicting drama, believe me, I am writing notes while watching, because an review by me was inevitable!!!!

Ok so it slowed down in around episode 31 but it was expected as the drama started too fire ? ? ? once i scroll of my phone while watching a drama, when i need to read the sub titles the drama got boring. ? Hoever I was upset because no drama is perfect and this one started on a high note. pick up back and got a little steady but went flat in between episodes.
Am now at episode 38 not bad
Its a little slow but still watchable, let me the actors ability to make you believe the same person is two different individual is paramount lol
I had to keep checking my brain ? cells so i didn't get fooled!!

Oh snap 39 is bringing the heat!!! did the main girl just swallowed that devil ? omg spicy!!
I wasnt even that sad to see when He na died because of how sickly he became ? he in previous episodes ?

So the beginning of episode 40 will throw you off but ride with it, you will come to find episode 39 was a dream and he had to wake up in 40.
So far I have to rate this 20star from start to finish, straight fire ? ? ? ?‍?
Amazing acting from all the cast members!!!
I even listen the music and watch the words of the ending.

The entire drama was they good!!!
Amazing writing. ✍ ? ?

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A bit disappointing, with a lot to be desired

My first time writing a review, and it’s for the second season of one of my favourite dramas. Oh boy here we go.

I’ll be honest, I had put off watching this season for a while, since the comments and reviews foreboded a lot of angst, which the drama definitely delivered. But having binged it through, I feel a bit angry, a bit confused and a bit disappointed. First though, the positives.

What sold me on the first season, was the chemistry of our main couple Ji Woo and Seo Joon and once again, did the drama deliver with some truly great acting, framed by nice cinematography and a refreshing new setting. I really liked the new characters, I feel like most of them aided the plot well and brought interesting new dynamics in. And as painful as the first four episodes were in their subject matter, I enjoyed them immensely for the way they built up the new plot. But after episode 4, I felt like the story had unfortunately missed its chance to turn the plot around.

The kiss at the end of episode 4 should’ve been the catalyst for Seo Joon’s and Ji Woo’s relationship to shift again. It marks for one, that Ji Woo’s cruelty from before was a facade, since he was the one who initiated the kiss and he was the one admitting to being unable to “ignore” Seo Joon. For the other, it should’ve been the starting shot for the plot to clear up. Why did Ji Woo leave? What is his relationship with Sung Yoon and why is it so complicated? And also, what effect is this having on both Ji Woo and Seo Joon?

Instead of focusing on these questions the plot loses focus and becomes a bit frustrating. I ended up being quite upset with Ji Woo, for being so unnecessarily cruel in episode 5, during the dinner scene. It didn’t fit his actions from before nor did it help in inching the story closer to its goal: Getting our main couple back together. Ji Woos stoicism and deflection turn from purposeful actions to keep Seo Joon away from him, to dishonest tactics that muddle his integrity as a character who’s supposed to be in emotional turmoil.
It’s not that he isn’t allowed to be confused; it’s that his confusion is never expressed in a way that makes me feel like I understand where he’s coming from. Till the end, I didn’t get his reasoning. Getting overwhelmed and running away, being unable to face your own cowardice and preferring to hide, are all things I understand and that I would’ve loved to have explored through Ji Woos character. So why is it that he defaulted to being cruel and mean to someone he supposedly loves and is extremely attached to, to someone who truly didn’t do anything wrong on his part, who very much tried their best to be a good partner? Id think hurting someone you love would hurt you just as much, no?

Episode 10 then, ended up being too little too late for me. 45 Minutes of everything being happy go lucky, after Ji Woo crawls back and cries to Seo Joon, who’s been emotionally drained from all sides, to hug him. Unable to explain himself properly till the very end, he talks childishly about his reasoning. And that’s it, they’re back together.

And as much as I wanted to enjoy everything “being resolved”, I couldn’t. It felt unfair towards Seo Joon, who’d been dragged back and forth by Ji Woos whims, until the end.

It’s a shame really. Because I do like Ji Woos character and there’s so much potential for psychological exploration there, that has all been untapped. And the same goes for Seo Joon. Although I liked him a lot more, I could’ve used a bit more exploration of his emotional state, the way he copes and the way he is and has been since season 1, a very depressed person. I think we got a glimpse of that, during his call with his father, but i would’ve liked a bit more. In the end, it felt like everything got wrapped up in a big blanket labelled “LOVE” to resolve everything; the plot got put to bed without nearly being ready for it. But welp.

Beyond what I’ve already said, I feel like the restaurant storyline was quite rough around the edges and a bit repetitive. I would’ve also liked more about Sung Yoon and her relationship with Ji Woo. If maybe his behaviour had been a pattern from before, getting scared of his own happiness and abandoning it or something. Anything. But well. Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve.

Ultimately, I didn’t enjoy this season as much as I did the first one, which had its flaws but none like these. I feel like the drama bit more off than it could chew. As I said I’m a bit disappointed, but I’m happy for anyone who’s enjoyed this season regardless and had a good time. Good on you! :)

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Bearable

Didn't like the introduction of them while kids everything about it felt disingenuous. Pacing issues were too obvious to ignore. The plot moves extremely slow +10 episodes for every single event with little to no side plots to keep you occupied. The problems didn't end there, the drama suffered from the extreme low tension in its writing. Most of the events that were suppose to create tension were caused by health problems. Speaking of which, they pulled the health problems card way too many times on too many characters. Regardless of the historical accuracy but that was poor storytelling for how it was implemented. Which leads me to my next point, regular boring side characters would usually get a 12 course meal for their affairs while super important characters would be cut off short and not get the same treatment. The important characters were robbed off of their climax too. Anyway, the drama had technical issues, the same scene can have different color grading between different angles. The drama had some nice moments with the leads but that's were most of its appeal ends.

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Fluffy and cute in all the best way

Nov. 7, 2023

Kimi Ni Wa Todokanai has definitely stolen my heart as one of my favourite Japanese BL series for 2023. The way this high school BL was able to captivate my heart through the amazing chemistry of our leads. I love how everything rolled along with the pacing of the plot. I've seen others mention how generic the plot is, and I do acknowledge that. But the way everything was delivered just made this show so amazing to watch.

I feel the butterflies in each episodes and I did feel the anger about the shyness of the leads when it comes to communication. But this is a high school setting BL, of course they will have that. When I was their age, I was like that too. Even now at college, I still feel that shyness in comes to saying my true feelings.

Personally for me, I never found any part of the show boring. Each week I waited for the episodes, it all felt worth it to me.

Honestly part of me also wished that I had this kind of fluffy romance when I was in high school. That sweet diabetic type of love...

Please give this show lots of love. Because amongst the other Japanese BLs I have watched this year. This one sticked out to me the most and became my favourite. Others I have dropped or finished but felt like a chore to do.

To many more of this kind of fluffy BLs to finish by the end of this year. Cheers!

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Not good

The drama was infested with cheap drama/melodrama tactics to keep it alive for too goddamn very long 134 episodes because otherwise it can't reach that milestone. Which turned it into a mind melting irritating watch. These details were highly unlikely to be historically accurate. Looking back at it I don't recall a lot of big events/moments happened during these 134 episodes, it feels empty for what it tried to achieve. The bothersome experience doesn't stop here but extends to its production also as if that wasn't enough. About +80% of the entire filmed footage were extreme face close ups. You're most certainly guaranteed to feel nauseous being subject to that for too long. My guess is that it was done purposefully to hide the background and cut on the budget. Cheaper to film and easier/faster to edit. The more I watch Choi Soo Jong the more I realize he isn't suitable for historical dramas.

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Interesting

Historical dramas had been failing me for a long time for one reason or another. Watching this one made me realize what's missing from any semi-/modern historical drama. For the past 20-ish years, historical dramas had been playing it gradually too safe and too clean. This drama isn't perfect or even great but it gave me a fresh and new perspective on the genre. Those who were beaten up or being tortured actually looks like it. Its scuffness is what sold it for me. The set design isn't squeaky clean and polished. The set is reasonably lit at night while taking into consideration they used to use candles instead of high beam studio lights back then! This might be the first historical drama I've seen that didn't feel like a cosplay show. You may find something similar in movies but ever so rarely in K-TV series.

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Do better!

It's called The Iron Empress so it's expected for this empress to carry certain characteristics as implied by the title but eventually everything boiled down to her being super stubborn gradually making me dislike her over time. It messed up her character value in one way or another. All of the characters that were in position of power were delusional and gullible which is exactly what the drama was built on. This is a cheap way to create melodrama to drive the drama, it's fundamentally annoying no matter how they spin it and justify it. So don't expect any clever plays by these samples. The drama clearly lost focus by the end. The writer wrote the story into a corner after a very long, repetitive and tiring melodrama and didn't have much to show for the ending so they resulted in throwing new events to have an ending rather than having both events running in parallel. How historical accurate that last portion was is irrelevant if it was presented with poor storytelling. This wasn't an enjoyable watch. The Iron Empress needs to touch some grass.

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excellent men, women a disaster

SPOILER WARNING UNTIL THE LAST SCENE

SPOILERS

SPOILERS



The series is really good and deserves a second viewing (I always only watch them once anyway). However, be prepared for a lot of violence, sometimes even exaggerated. The actors are all very good. The male characters were masterfully drawn, all of them, unlike the female ones who are a disaster. There are very few flaws in the plot (including the disappearance of his father into thin air). Very little waste of time and unnecessary turns to lengthen the broth. Emotionally it is engaging, even if for those who have already seen the films from which it draws inspiration, they are emotions already experienced at a different qualitative level [“Donnie Brasco” by Mike Newell from 1997, with Johnny Depp and Al Pacino; “Infernal Affairs” by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak from 2002, with Tony Leung and Eric Tsang; “The Departed” by Martin Scorsese from 2006, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson]. In any case, let's say that the theme of betrayed trust and the bad guy who trusts the good guy, who is instead deceiving him, is conveyed very well, or rather doubled by the fact that Eui Jeong also comes into play. So a round of applause to the directors, the screenwriter and the actors.

I really compliment the utent DramaAjumma on the parallel between Gi Cheul and Jay Gatsby, which I totally approve of. She were also very astute in observing that the same woman (Eui Jeong/Daisy Fay) is the driving force behind both men's ambition to achieve high social position. As well as the user @oppa_, who noted that Hae Ryun had very well noticed that there was tension between Jun Mo and Eui Jeong, but this crumb of the story was dropped without giving it any follow-up. Actually, Gi Cheul had noticed it for a moment too.

However, there are wrong elements in the series, even if we leave aside the imaginative way in which an undercover investigation was made, with the absurd involvement of the wife etc. I think Seok Do Hyung's murder scene was rendered in a botched and unbelievable way. A seasoned cop who can be disarmed and fooled so easily? And Jun Mo, why the hell did not he just arrest Seo, given the situation? Seo gave him the gun and he, instead of taking it and shooting him, left it in his hand. Another inconceivable scene is when Jun Mo arrests Gi Cheul, insults him heavily (for no apparent reason) and then incredibly allows him to escape. After working for months, risking his life and taking other's life, precisely for the purpose of arresting Gi Cheul, he lets him go, also putting his wife in danger.

I was extremely impressed by Choi Jeong Bae (the actor Lim Seong Jae is phenomenal). He was right about everything and he was the one who was pushed into the corner the most until he was removed, even though he was probably the most faithful. He is the only one who understood from the beginning that Jun Mo and Eui Jeong both had something wrong; if Gi Cheul had listened to his intuition about them from the beginning, he wouldn't have lost everything. Although Jeong Bae stole from Gi Cheul, his loyalty was far greater than everyone else's, so he is another character who has great ambivalence. Honestly, it is not clear to me why Seo massacres him. He is also the one who finally realizes that Gi Cheul is trying to screw the whole team and abandon the drug dealing. I did not quite understand whether the drugs sold by Jeong bae were stolen from Gi Cheul or the Japanese, in which case he would be the cause of all Gi Cheul's troubles with the Japanese. I was a little perplexed in the scene where he punctures the tire... it is not clear whether he is involved or not in what happens that evening, maybe it is a plot hole.

The forgettable part of the series are the two female characters: the girl is ridiculous and an unlikely drug trafficker, the wife is a vapid deadcat. The actress Im Se Mi must have worked hard to act so expressionlessly, to comply with a script completely devoid of romantic emotions. The female roles and relationships in the three couples had to be left to a female hand. The choice not to show the slightest intimacy between any of them makes any emotion impermissible; where was the smile and joy of being together, typical of lovers? Nothing justifies Jun Mo risking the entire operation to warn Hae Ryun that the Chinese police were about to raid his hideout and leaving her free to continue her crime somewhere else. There is not a single scene from which we understand that Hae Ryun is so in love with him that she betrays her father and gives up her business that allows her to lead the life of a billionaire. The two characters never exchange a look of real complicity or affection. The same goes for Eui Jeong's alleged falling in love, instead she has shown herself to be constantly worried about the safety of her husband: we have never seen Eui Jeong happy in Gi Cheul's arms. Should dating her husband and putting the necklace in plain sight suggest that she is in love with Gi Cheul? Even at the last moment, when she kneels next to the dying Gi Cheul, she does nothing different than anyone with any knowledge of the wounded man would have done.

So it is all assumed, without the effort of any scene in the script showing how the feelings of these four people are growing; everything is taken for granted, including the fact that Jun Mo "understood" that his wife actually no longer loved him, as the ending suggests.

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Very low rewatching value...

Although there were good moments but the pacing was unbearable. Too many episodes were completely useless and insanely boring. I guarantee your favorite characters won't be getting enough screen time. They had all the time they would need but random scenes of random soldiers were more important, i guess. Some high moments didn't quite deliver after a very long build up which made waiting for the next big moment more tiring. I can't say the time investment is worth it with this drama. The production seems to be acceptable for 2003 Korean TV production. But I wish for something higher than 480p would make it to the internet.

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