Reviews

Not every show can be great like Spirealm

As you can see, The Spirealm & 19th floor aired almost at the same time. Both dramas are from China & revolves around same plot, characters got stuck in a VR reality game & had no choice but to continue. 19th floor started off great, and I loved the characters (Biker FL, ML, masc fencer girl) but after ep 10, it turned out as a nonsensical show, full of cliches. I literally don't know why maximum Cdramas feature this trope - ML & FL knew each other when they were children & always ML recognises her in present. And FL's bestie, I thought she is a sweet, innocent, ray of sunshine type of girl, but no, she's just so possessive of FL & she even posted that video too. This isn't friendship, and she disliked ML for no reason. Plot literally made no sense at all. As a die-heart fan of The Spirealm, I decided to give this a shot but got disappointed so much. Don't waste your time.

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Spoilers!!

The first few episodes were hard to watch but once I got through them I thought the tough part was over. I liked the FL and ML and thought they had good chemistry and was excited to see where the drama would take us. What I wasn't expecting was all the extra characters in FL's life and her self exploration which honestly, didn't feel like she changed a whole lot. ML seemed to be hidden behind the ex and the other guy, I was disappointed he wasn't pulled more into the spotlight given what a talented actor he is. Just as I started to enjoy the drama and see the light at the end of tunnel, drama suddenly brings in the troupe mother who objects, likes the ex better, is really sick, wants ML gone,"knows what's best", and gets her way. I mean it took forever for the leads to get together and then to bring this up AND the ex is STILL around at the end? I thought FL was suppose to grow out of being a people pleaser... yet the ex is doing what he wants to do. My expectations were probably too high for this drama.

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Fresh take on a (THE) controversial figure

Akechi Mitsuhide is possibly the most controversial but also mysterious figure of Sengoku era. "Why did he do it?" - we'll never know. As often the case in history, there are usually no heroes or villains, just winners and losers, and winners write history. Imagine, if Mitsuhide beat Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki and became shogun, he would have become "one who deposed of the bloodthirsty (true) dictator Nobunaga". But that is not what happened, and Mitsuhide is forever known as the betrayer of his lord. Kirin provides a fresh take on this figure (perhaps a little too idealistic for my liking, but that's a minor gripe), one who wants to uphold the bakufu, seek peace, and definitely did not approve of Nobunaga's various violent shenanigans. I particularly enjoyed the arcs of Saito Dosan, Ashikaga Yoshiteru (and to a lesser extent, Yoshiaki), and Matsunaga Hisahide. These are characters who haven't been provided with enough screen time in previous taiga (as far as the ones I've watched), and it's great to see their stories play out in the background.

Mitsuhide's love arcs are minimal, as per usual taiga standard, but his wife Hiroko as a real historical figure was known to be a devoted wife, and he was equally devoted to her. It was refreshing to see a general/daimyo appreciate his wife in the modern sense of partnership and not just a political tool/baby popping machine.

Kirin spends a lot of time on fictional characters of the lay people class - doctors, merchants, performers. These parts can drag a little, but I really enjoyed watching "the real world" outside of major historical Sengoku figures. Koma's role was involved in way too many important things/with way too many important people and that irked me a little, but overall I didn't mind the ordinary citizens' role here. In history they were probably used as communicators/spies and we'll never know their real names or identities because of the nature of their work (like Kikumaru), but that doesn't mean they didn't exist/didn't play pivotal roles in these conflicts.

Acting was top notch. I discovered Hasegawa Hiroki via Antihero (another great watch) but became a fan via Kirin. His Mitsuhide is always dignified but also often conflicted, as I suspect many people were in that time - where the wrong course of action means death, but it was always difficult to know what's right or wrong, and every decision is a wager. Mukai Osamu as Ashikaga Yoshiteru showed a beautifully tragic figure who had ambition, desire to better the world, ability (he was a renown swordsman), but was born into the wrong family at the wrong time. Motoki Masahiro is enigmatic and a powerful screen presence; his Saito Dosan is clearly a controversial figure, but is shown here to be very honest with himself and knows who he is/upholds his integrity (or what he thinks is his integrity) and proud of his humble background. These were my favorite characters of the series, but kudos to others like Yoshida Kotaro as the cunning but strangely philosophical Matsunaga Hisahide, and despite not too much screen time, Ono Machiko is enchanting as always as the mysterious but influential Iroha Dayu. I must admit I had a hard time imagining Sometani Shota as Nobunaga, but his Nobunaga had a good course of transformation, to a brash but idealistic youth, to bloodthirsty dictator far removed from reality. I'm rewatching Gunshi Kanbei right now and must say, I actually prefer his version of Nobunaga to Eguchi Yosuke's Nobunaga, who's far more stoic and less interesting.

Kirin ga kuru is a bit more controversial than other taigas, but that's also what makes it special. Others think it's "revisionist history", I simply think of it as, everyone has a story and perspective. When you look at it from Mitsuhide's perspective, this is his story.

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7 stars just because of Leo. everything else just mediocre

this drama leave no impression.

no character development, the FL and ML got their happy ending, because they're the leads and entitled to happy ending.

I agree with other reviewer who said that the ML character is somehow always get excused for being wrong/childish. so does with the FL character.

I have more symphatize for Fu Chou and Rong Qi. And their character development actually better than ML.

ML always had the previleges, and FL is a bratty spoiled princess. Judging that she has more good value and principle than others, while actually she had no idea about the truth. That's why she regret that later.
They're both a pair of spoiled and arrogant character who think that they're the right ones and others have wronged them.

No chemistry between ML and FL. Even their romantic scene didn't impress me.
Their acting weren't bad. But just didn't leave a great impression. like it's just : oh okay.. and not swooning over them.

The only deep touching feeling I get were from Leo's character (Rong Qi) and General Fu Chou. Leo's acting is incredible as always (I don't need to explain). And the actor who played Fu Chou also acted well.

recommended for you who have a weak heart, since it won't leave you wondering, conflicted or traumatized.
After finished watching you'll just yawn and 'okay, time for bed'.

rewatch? absolutely NO.

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Neo Hou and Zhou Ye Acting Supremacy

This cdrama is surprisingly good. And I find it quite underrated. Zhou Ye and Hou Minghao did well.

Romance is a bit lackluster. I felt like they're just best friends because of lack of kissing scenes and romantic contacts. However, they have good chemistry. Not great chemistry but good.

Story pacing is well done. It's not everywhere unlike other wuxia/xinxia dramas. It made me cry, and made me laugh. Bai Xiangsheng's character as antihero/hero is commendable. He became a God of Love/Matchmaking/Marriage in the end. It made me smile.

This drama gave you a lot of love perspective
Epic love - Tian Yao and Yan Hui
Obsessive love - Su Ying to Lu Mu Sheng
Til death do us part love - Lu Mu Sheng to Princess Yun Xi
Wrong and naive love - Tian Yao to Su Ying
Friends to enemies love - Zhu Li and Huan Xiao Yan
Hidden love - Xian Ge to Feng Qian Shuo
Destructive and dark love - Fu Yin (Dark Phantom) to Queen Xue Lin
Unrequitted love - Bai Xiao Sheng to Yan Hui
Patient love - A Cha to Master Qi Yun
Romeo and Juliet kind of love - Ling Fei to Zi Feng
The challenge of love and duty - Xue Lin and Chen Yi

Overall, I enjoyed this drama and might rewatch if I have time since I have a lot on my list right now. Lol.

Neo Hou is sooo handsome. :D

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mid way review

I'm writing this while watching episode 6... the long break up (several episodes) was excruciating to watch. the back and forth of the relationship and trying to see both sides of it... the ML is obsessed, but I can understand him. The FL has her reasons for the breakup but she doesn't make a clean break of it and makes it agonizingly slow to watch.

there are moments when I just wish she'd quit... or either character would refuse to put up with a stupid scene forcing them to interact.

oh no they have to eat together... NO... just leave the restaurant. or go sit alone.

in episode 6 wr get a breath of fresh air as the other couple in the show (the older brother and his arranged marriage wife) starts up. man I wish they brought the wife I. way earlier. she's a favorite actress of mine a d more of her would be better.

but the biggest problem with the show, especially in episode 6... is the ARTIST. What an annoying character. he's introduced as a total creep and he just keeps being a creep. first as a man blindly texting our FL with a weird and creepy smile on his face. later when he's calling her a d being intrusive. annoying.

then they have to work with him and he just insinuated himself everywhere. and of course the FL can't see he's hitting on her. that he's playing with the characters breakup and that he's a creep.

in a real world his phone # would have been blocked, and he'd have been punched in the face when he for ed himself into the MLs car.

I'm going to finish this show on fast forward. I seriously thought a 10 episode show wouldn't have all the unnecessary bullsh@! but I can't stand the artist.

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Another drama of Zhao Lu Si & Liu Yu Ning, of course here I come...

Story about a girl named Duan Wu (DW), that born as a slave in a brutal pearl farm. At the farm, every person must be able to swim to get the pearl in the ocean. If they can't the man will get harsh punishment and then sold to another place, while a woman will be as 'child factory'.

One day, DW meets merchant Yan Zi Jing (ZJ) and noble Zhang Jin Ran (JR) on the auction day. On that day too she's finally been able to escape from the farm, while sacrificing her mother. Before her death, DW's mother give DW a blood pearl and asked her to find her father relying on that blood pearl. One thing lead to another, in the end DW boarding ZJ's ship.

With success in her mind, DW try everything to gain ZJ trust. Slowly but sure, ZJ see DW potential and finally put her in his important plan. So, slowly but sure DW climbing the 'stairs' in ZJ's ship & of course their relationship also slowly deepen & grow into something more.

DW also find her connection to ZJ not as simple as she's first taught, DW connection to ZJ is go beyond to their parents. DW also learn the identity of ZJ not as simple as merchant, but it's more complicated than the eye meet. So, together DW & ZJ try to uncovering secrets about their family past.

When they think everything go smooth with their plan, something happen to break DW & ZJ apart. DW thinking ZJ betray her & even try to kill her. So, DW end up go to new place & renamed herself as Su Mu Zhe, and starts her own business. But of course slowly, DW misunderstanding for ZJ will wipe clean & they'll continue their relationship with each other.

At this new place, trouble seem unwilling to let DW go. DW whose been pioneer to inspiring women to take control of their destinies, meet trouble in the hands of old fold who's reluctant to lose to the woman. So, they're a few times make trouble for DW. But with help from friends and ZJ also JR, DW successfully avoid the trouble and thriving as a business woman. In the end, the last trouble is only the one connected with their family past. So, how will DW & ZJ successfully going through all the trouble...?

That's pretty much the story without giving anymore spoiler. Now what I like and don't.

What I like:
+ Zhao Lu Si & Liu Yu Ning at my screen. Haha... Whatever people said about them, for me their quite a match for each other.
+ Zhang Jin Ran is a really gentlemen till the end
+ Cui Shi Jiu (SJ). This woman is so interesting one way or another.
+ Zheng Zhi Heng (ZH). I love how he genuinely love SJ.

Overall this quite good drama, but surely forgettable & have some holes. Below I'll write the holes that I notice, but that's also mean SPOILER ALERT!!! Read it at ur own risk.












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SPOILER ALERT!!!
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I feel the plot sometimes like jumping from scene to scene. It's like something supposed to be there but they cut it in the final edit.
- The attack that ZJ & JR experience. What the heck what's that... It's like one moment they ready to attack the next moment it's them who's under attack. Of course later is feel more clear after we find out about who's the betrayal. But still it's a little bit weird, feel something missing.
- The crazy and important cause that make ZJ's family assassinated. Or it's just me that really not take the grab of it...
- The amazing JR. Haha... JR a few time ambush his enemy by hand behind the scene. Haha... I don't know other word to put it, that's how I feel it. Like when he arrest ZH. Oh come on.... That's clearly lazy writing there. I hope they show us more like investigation or stalking or anything that indicate Zhang family is on the radar.
- The way DW been capture & the blood pearl suddenly be remembered again after been forgotten for half of drama.
I already a little bit forget some of it, gonna fill it later when I remember then... Haha...

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I know, I know. I'm super late with this one. To be honest I was just going to keep it for a set of micro reviews (as if there's anything micro about any of those, sigh), but well. *looks down* Yeah. So here I go.

Oh my gosh this show. What can I even say about this show. Gird yourself because you think I was long winded before? Ha, you don't know long winded.

The thing is that this show was completely off of my radar. To the point that I don't even remember if there was a mock trailer for it at some point, and to this day I don't think I've seen the official one either. The only reason that I bothered watching is that one of my mutuals was telling me about it and I said, "huh, this reminds me of School 2013 I think it was. I watched it because of my undying love for Lee Jong Suk." To which they replied, "oh yes, I think it's an adaptation of that."

And since I had watched that one and remembered liking it well enough, I decided to binge watch the first eight episodes (all that were out at the time).

I've never been so happy for an "eh, I guess" watch in my life.

Because this show was so good. Part of it is the source material - School 2013 was an excellent show that explored themes of friendship, the pressure that students are put under by parents to succeed, the trouble people get themselves into when they are desperate...it's just great. And this show explores that as well. Part of it is the cast - everyone was amazing even though I will never stop being mad that I loved Foie's Mr. Sung as much as I did - but in the end what it is is the same thing that got me with Peaceful Property: this show has heart.

What I loved most about this show is how hard it fought the idea that is so prevalent today that people are stagnant. That is a lesson that I really wish we had more of in today's world - so often we're willing to hate others forever based on something they did years upon years ago, often with very little evidence that they've continued to do so as they grew older and ultimately, wiser. So often the thing that we are holding against them happened when they were teenagers. And so often those opinions have changed. But we don't account for that, and neither do some of the teachers (most notably the Vice Principal) in this show. They see Class 2 as a project, or irredeemable thugs, or lazy and unmotivated. And Class 2 isn't really interested in changing that belief.

It isn't until someone actually expects them to do better - not demands it to get money for the school, but because they know that they are capable of it - that the kids start to change. But it's not really changing, as Mr. Sung points out later. It's that they're growing up. As we all do. And finally, they're doing so in an environment that is allowing them to actually grow.

But it's not jus the kiddos who are learning. It's the adults too. Because shockingly enough, we don't stagnate after we hit 20, either. So many people in this show are in the process of change. Of striving to be better. Of learning - sometimes hard - that their way of doing things isn't the only one, or even necessarily the right one.

Not that everyone in the show did change. Jeng remained a dick throughout, and I appreciate that, because while I do love the heartwarming message the truth is that some people actively choose to make the wrong decision and then keep on that path regardless.

At the heart of the show, though, was friendship. Fractured friendship that is being mended, tested friendship, new friendship, and friendship that is so fierce it causes people to reach down into the darkness swallowing you and yank your stubborn ass out by force, even if they have to enlist the help of every single person in the class to do it.

Shin and Saint's friendship was of course front and center, and I adored it - these two are so ridiculous about each other in the absolute best way, and I think we all knew that Shin was never actually that mad about Saint breaking his leg but about breaking his leg and then leaving him - not only taking his dream but also taking the one person, ironically, who could have made it bearable: himself. The amount of pain all over Shin every time he saw Saint's big pleading puppy dog face was enough to know that, but if we didn't get it they then had him literally scream it at him (to be fair, pretty sure Saint didn't get it. He's lovely but also kinda dumb, poor thing). Their friendship was the glue that held the show together, and it was threaded throughout even when they were barely talking or had worked things out and then somehow managed to adopt the rest of the class as their unruly kiddos. They were glorious, and both Sky and Nani did such an excellent job that I immediately put Wu on my to watch list even with that absolute farce of a mock trailer. I will watch anything these two are in together, BL or not. And I genuinely did watch most of HSF without shipping Saint and Shin, although by the end I was convinced that no they're in love actually (Shin absolutely is aware of this and Saint is not. See lovely but dumb). GMMTV's first branded bromance pair? I'd be down for it.

That said, Saint and Shin's friendship wasn't the only one in the show that got me. Eve and Peeta did too, as did Airy and Eve. I liked them a lot - Eve and Peeta's friendship is being tested a bit by her overbearing mother sticking her big foot in where it isn't wanted, but I really loved that when it came down to it and Peeta was starting to fall apart Eve only cared about her well-being. I also really liked that despite the initial dislike and distrust between the girls from the different schools, Airy was actually a really good friend to Eve, level headed and giving decent advice when she and Peeta were in the middle of falling out. I also liked the way she and Tangmay went to bat for Eve when they thought that Jan had kicked her out of the Thai competition due to preferring Peeta instead, and then apologized when they learned they were wrong.

The one friendship I did not expect to feel so much about was Ken, Knot, and Nate, though. I thought they were going to be just a trio of hapless bullies, there to be fought against and not much else. But no. Instead of making them two dimensional bullies and not much else, they made them well rounded human beings who adore each other to pieces, who clearly bonded because they feel like they have no one else (this is especially shown in Ken's case, that dude's dad sucks). The way that Knot begged both Nate and Ken to please think about their futures because he loved them so much. The way that Knot and then Nate pretty much dragged Ken out of Jeng's gang by the scruff of his neck (with help from Saint and Shin, resident Batmen and aforementioned coparents to a bunch of kids only a couple of years younger than them). The way they rallied around him and were willing to do just about anything to help him out. That's love, and it won me right the fuck over with ease.

Ken in particular got me in a damn chokehold. The way his face would get whenever anyone treated him like a friend always made me feel a bit teary. And the way that he really did start trying once he realized that there were more people than Nate and Knot on his side, and that he didn't actually have to fight the world.

I also really need to take a moment to talk about how amazing Mark Pakin was as Chadjen. Just an amazing performance. I really hope that he gets at least a nod for it.

I guess this turned into more of a love letter than it did a review, but whatever. The show was amazing and I loved it. The only criticism I have is that I feel like Ken's father's turn around was a little too pat. I do like that the kids weren't the only ones learning lessons and changing, but I don't buy that one conversation with Ms. Jan took Ken's dad from drinking too much and saying things like his son would never amount to anything and it was a waste of time to care about him to sincerely wanting to make an effort. I also wish that we'd seen at least some of how Shin's mom went from very reluctantly allowing Saint back into their lives (understandably, to be honest, considering everything) to making him food and treating him once again like part of the family. I have my own thoughts about it, and we didn't have to see it, but it would have been nice.

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Makers should've stuck to the central themes properly

This show started out pretty strong, the introduction to everything was great, around episode 12 or so, the makers got confused because they tried to do a lot at once, and it all got tangled and didn't make a lot of sense. The show tried to be a good blend of emotional connection, intrigue, mystery, romance, family, comedy, etc. But it felt like the makers lost the plot halfway through and added random elements without any explanation. Overall it felt quite rushed and senseless.
It is not a perfect drama by any means, I just think the makers should have focused a little bit more on the story so that there could have been some structure and at times the leads' relationship felt a little fake, the relationship felt a little rushed to me but their chemistry made up for it. Had there been more focus on the characters and less on the all sorts of useless things in the story this could've been a 10/10 for me.
I rate a drama based on the entertainment it gives me, while being so senseless at times, it managed to keep me hooked and this is the first drama I have watched in a while after a slump so it does hold a bit of an emotional value to me. The only time when I felt like wtf is going on was in episode 15. The filmography was beautiful, the acting was pretty good, chemistry was there, despite it feeling a little rushed, the romance was good.
Go in with no expectations and you'll likely enjoy it!

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confused why they liked each other lol

oof. this one did not work for me at all. i thought the writing is sooo bad. for a story that has a competition in it, it was so boring and corny (not in a fun way). the dialogues were so bad. i wasn't fond of any of the characters which is so sad. they're all so bland. but most of all, the romance did not make sense to me. i don't understand how those two liked each other. they disliked each other then next thing you know, they're destroying the kitchen area and making out. as i said, i wasn't liking the writing and i think that affects my enjoyment of the characters especially plawan (i'm sorry). i just find him annoying to be honest and i can't believe two people are so into him so quickly. this is making me sad to type because i thought sailub and pon had so much chemistry but these characters in this dream kinda ruined it for me. even the second couple and supporting characters weren't enjoyable to watch. i don't know.... ugh. i'm disappointed.

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Captivated by the light

The cutest heartwarming onscreen fluffs have the right CP (chemistry) between the leads. And in Moonlight, we got Esther and Ding Yuxi featuring the romance between Chu Li, a newbie editor and Zhou Chuan, a talented up and rising novel writer.

While the love troupes for this story are nothing new, the show is a fun watch thanks to the chemistry between these leads. Their actings are natural. Zhou Chuan’s character, in a lesser actor, will make him rather annoying unless tsundere male lead is your thing.

What’s extra lovable is the characterisation of Chu Li - she was kind, but not a Mary Sue, she was persistent, but respectful, she looked idealistic, but grounded-ly worked hard for her dreams. After gotten the editor job at her favorite publishing company, Chu Li treated all books and authors that she signed with utmost sincerity and responsibility - be it the up and rising author, the outdated author or the newbie.

Tune in to Moonlight if you are in a rom com drought. Perhaps you will find yourself slowly captivated by it - like how Zhou Chuan is drawn towards Chu Li.

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