Reviews

Great dark academia Story but I have no idea where it went wrong

Jumped into the story because it starred all the actors I knew and the prospect of watching them play as fellow high school mates felt exciting to me.

Had a great start. I loved how they tried to build up a slow-burn suspense. The drama kept me questioning and had me on edge because I was too curious to know what was happening behind the facade of Home School.

But somewhere along the story went all wrong. The ending screwed up. so the poor review score is mostly because of the poor execution of a good story.
I hyped myself up because of all the actors I loved and now I'm highly disappointed in the drama.

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Swoon Worthy Chemistry

If you want a rollercoaster , swoon-worthy couple then you really get that with this series.

Honestly, Lu Jin is one of those characters that makes you melt when he looks at Nan Nan. Lin Shen is one of those actors that can say so much in an expression, he really made the character believable and portray the type of love where the other person just makes you feel complete

Yes there is an age gap with these characters, and they really do use it for the story but in a way that makes it less "lecherous old man and student" and more so that she brings him the spark of being carefree and happy. She helps him shed his heartless, cold shell that kept him protected after his father deserted him and his mother, and learn to to the risk to embrace family and love again.

I found the second couple Richard and Celine to be a bit much. Not that I didn't like them at first, but I really just wanted to rush back to the scenes with Fussy Lu and Nan Nan again since I just loved their chemistry.

Now I do have to say I did get a bit annoyed with the male lead, Lu Jin, a few times since there was some points where I felt he needed to stick up for Gu Shengnan more. But I did like that Nan Nan did seem to start standing up for herself and Lu Jin was there for her when it mattered in many situations.

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C-drama meets BBC quirky romantic comedy

Although initially I watched only for the chance to see a favorite actor, I grew to enjoy the show’s comfortable style and respite from the drama of real life. Decreed by Fate strikes just the right notes for me as a viewer making it worth my time to watch and rewatch because it feels a bit like The Princess Bride. It is a bit tongue in cheek subtly acknowledging the use of tropes which is refreshing and reminiscent of BBC comedies like Blackadder and Coupling yet with enough heartwarming moments to remind you that it is also a romantic comedy. There is humor mixed with a bit of drama, intrigue, action, and sexual tension. The screenwriting seems pretty good although this is difficult to assess since it’s in a foreign language.

Li Jiulin is a self-effacing, Asian Aidan Turner (from The Hobbit and the BBC series Poldark) complete with attractive physique, handsome features, expressive eyes, and engaging smile, so it’s easy to watch him melt hearts in this show. Despite his good looks, he usually comes off as a level headed guy unless his character requires otherwise. Chen Fang Tong presents a playful, forthright, and capable heroine. The writers have given her some great dialogue that lets her voice what the female audience is thinking about her costars. I also enjoyed watching Wu Chong Xuan and Jia Yi in their roles. Hopefully there will be a second season of this series where we can see more of these actors, their characters, and their story.

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Cool

Tiger and Crane is the Best Historical Chinese Drama in my life. I am satisfied with the acting/cast, the music, but I looked most of the comments said that the ending is not satisfied. I haven't seen this drama till the end, so the story/plot I'm not gonna judge first. The thing that I REALLY LOVE is the main characters friendship/bonding. I LIKE how they protect and defend one and another, like when HZ's mother was being captured by the Qi ancestor, QXX even debated with his ancestor and rather defend HZ without caring about his life. So in conclusion, I think you guys should have a try watching this drama, I am sure you guys would definitely LOVE this.

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Not Good Enough

Korean Drama " The Uncanny Counter Season Two: Cunter Punch " is the second season of the popular supernatural action drama. And, unfortunately, it fails to deliver.

The story feels too thinly spread, based only on trying to make the bad guys look more evil and their actions being shocking, rather than following the story of the counters and enhancing their strong bond. Sure, we get some background on some of them, but it just isn't enough to keep things interesting till the end. As the main thing, the world built, was already established, the drama needed an intriguing story to expand it, but that didn't happen. In the end, it was a lukewarm drama with an okay/predictable plot.

The performances, on the other hand, were all great and the CGI enjoyable.

So, overall, five out of ten.

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Not Good Enough

Korean Drama " The First Responders Season Two " is the continuation of the action drama involving the stories of first responders who put their lives in danger in order to save others.

This time around, the drama takes on a louder, more extra approach to the cases, with the stories being on a bigger scale, involving serial killers and criminal masterminds. However, at some point, it got a bit unbelievable, too Hollywood material and less the more realistic direction that the first season had taken.

Also, the big twist in the beginning, though it was unpredictable and nicely handled, felt, in the end, just convenient for one of the leads to finally get the girl. For me at least, the romance should have been omitted and they should have kept things more focused on the case.

Finally, the action scenes were well-handled and the performances were enjoyable.

So, overall, three and a half out of ten.

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Good Enough

Korean Drama " Song of the Bandits " is an edgy historical drama that resembles the western films.

The story is about a freed slave who creates a team of misfits in order to strike back at those who want to take over.

The drama has an edgy cinematography, with beautiful shots and lighting, as well as a soundtrack that feels just right for the mood of the drama. The costumes and CGI were also spot on.

On the other hand, the story isn't well handled, with some twists being repeated and some dramatic scenes not being convincing. Also, some storylines needed more time to be fully developed, when others were tragic enough to keep things interesting and the characters to be easily sympathized with.

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

So, overall, five out of ten.

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Good Enough

Korean Drama " My Lovely Liar " is a fantasy romance about a girl who can detect lies and a man who is done lying.

The drama starts off strongly, with the main couple getting to know each other and a love story slowly brewing, with enough adorable moments to support the light atmosphere. The mystery of the male lead's past was another factor that kept things interesting for a while, confusing the viewer as to what was his true intentions.

However, towards the ending, things started getting messy. Sure, the romance was cute and the couple had chemistry, even though the love triangle was underdeveloped and unnecessary, but the mystery wasn't handled nicely and it got chaotic. The use of many cliche tropes as well as boring twists didn't aid at all to make things better. The final episode, in addition, felt like a filler rather than an actual conclusion.

Finally, the performances were enjoyable by everyone in the cast, and the fantasy element was managed nicely.

So, overall, six out of ten.

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Good Enough

Korean Drama " My Dearest " is part one of the historical melodrama, following the lives of two tragic lovers that fate and their own mistakes keep them apart.

The drama starts off seemingly like every other historical romance, with some light moments, some comical sketches, and two leads that seem to be constantly fighting and loathing each other, even though, underneath it, there is an undeniable tension brewing. Soon, however, things take another turn. War breaks out and the characters come face to face with its ruthless reality. Hereafter, the story goes deeper and deeper into darker waters, with the drama hitting its pick towards the ending, when the characters have gone through a huge character development, and their stories coming together. The ending, even though its just the end of the first half, was just what the story needed to fully embrace the melodrama.

Moreover, the performances were masterful, by everyone in the cast, but especially the two main leads, whose chemistry was deliciously enjoyable.

So, overall, nine and a half out of ten.

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Good Enough

Korean Drama " Moving " is a supernatural thriller about humans born with supernatural abilities who try to live a normal life, sheltered from those who try to use them as weapons.

The drama's pace feels off at first, but the viewer quickly settles into its rhythm, as the episodes slowly reveal each character and their past, binding everything together in the final episodes, where the tension has reached its boiling point and the big battle erupts. The idea of having each character presented in different episodes before moving on to the main plot was brilliant and it worked nicely as to create the perfect suspense for the final episodes.

In addition, the atmosphere of the drama was spot on, with the bloody battle being gruesome, but the story having enough humanity and heartwarming moments to create the perfect blend.

Finally, the performances were all enjoyable by everyone in the excessive cast, and the CGI along with the fighting scenes were top-notch.

So, overall, nine out of ten.

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Not Good Enough

Korean Drama " Heartbeat " is a fantasy romantic comedy about a vampire and a human girl who have to live together.

The first part of the drama was smooth, with plenty of comical acts, enjoyable pace, interesting story, an intriguing mystery, and engaging mythology concerning the vampires. The action scenes were nicely handled as well.

However, things started deteriorating after that first half. The romance was cheesy and boring, and, thus, not enough to save the drama, that started leaking from its many plot holes. All of which led to the shipwreck that was the ending, which more or less did not make any sense and ruined every plot development that was made in the previous episodes. And sure, I don't believe that what makes a good drama is a happy ending, but an ending that makes sense and doesn't erase everything that one has watched for the previous 15 episodes is a major factor for success.

Still, the performances were enjoyable and the actors did a good job with their characters.

So, overall, four and a half out of ten.

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Not Good Enough

Korean Drama " Cold Blooded Intern " is an office drama about two women who fight against prejudice at their work place.

The drama touches upon many sensitive subjects and gives a nice critique on how women are treated at work and what changes for those who opt to have families. On that front, the drama did a great job, of presenting a variety of cases and using them to enhance its point.

However, the rest of the story was basic office drama. The main leads were the focus, with the side characters being left underdeveloped, the final episodes being rushed in order to have the main plot concluded, the ending was more or less open (could it be that they are gearing up for a second season?), and the twists were predictable and boring.

Still, the two main leads did a fantastic job with their performances. They also had smooth chemistry between them which aided the drama a lot. The rest of the cast was enjoyable as well.

So, overall, four out of ten.

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Smoking OST and great concept drama journey

Chae Jong-Hyeop (Nevertheless), Park Sung Woong (Snowdrop), and Seo Eun-Su (Dr Romantic)

This is an unusual Korean Drama starring Chae Jong-Hyeop (Potato Man from Nevertheless) as Park In Seong, who is putting out multiple Korean dramas a year now. I suspect that he is trying to catch up with Song Kang.

With radical music as a backdrop and the best OST of the year (2022), this high tech Light Comedy Thriller is a body switch drama. However, this time the body of an AI Corporate CEO is switched into a smartphone. This is an interesting concept, but the premise is not any harder to accept than the premise that men in red capes can fly. The drama character Park In Seong (Chae Jong-Hyeop) is a failed actor who ends up with the smartphone. The CEO in the phone (Park Sung Woong) solicits the help of the failed actor to get the personality of the CEO out of the phone and back into reality, as Park In Seong substitutes for the CEO in the Company for a time . Unlock My Boss is a lighthearted Comedy Korean Drama Chill Pill and a great down-time drama. This drama keeps getting better and better over viewing time. I loved it and loved Chae Jong-Hyeop in this Korean Drama, Unlock My Boss.

Unlock My Boss PG 14 is based on a Webtoon by the same name. While this drama is not a slow burn, the super action does start in episode four. The drama has twists and turns as well, which keeps you guessing.


Quote: “People say, “”Time heals all wounds”. But this is half right and half wrong. Time does not heal anything for you. It is just during that time, you learn how to endure and deal with the pain until you get use to it.” Female Lead Unlock My Boss

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You will either love it or hate it no in between. Here's a list of Pros & Cons.

I happen to fall on the side where I loved the series. I understand some of the criticism & where people are coming from but also I don't get some of the hate. For examples some people were hating on the Female Lead for being 'silly' & then praise the Male Lead. Yet if you think about it both are similar.. Male Lead was also 'silly'. Also some people didn't understand the plot so they dropped it.. maybe bc you're supposed to stick around & find out more about the plot? lol how are you supposed to find out more about the story if you just drop it bc you're not getting answers. WHETHER YOU WILL WATCH THIS DRAMA OR NOT I STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU WATCH EPISODE 14. The backstory, the acting, the music etc were amazing.. my favorite episode of the whole series by far very well done.

Pros:
• Cute Romcom
• Thrilling/Suspenseful
• ML/FL Great Chemistry
• Interesting backstory
• Good character development
• Great OST

Cons:
• Plot all over the place
• Support Leads sucked/Coworkers super annoying pretty much unbearable
• Dragged out
• The spells could've been done better it kind of lost importance as it went

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