Reviews

What Was This Drama About?

I started this drama back when DramaFever existed and it was on air. I'd wait the week for DF to get it and would watch. I could remember the first episode clear as day and only bits of the second episode. At first, I thought I had watched the whole drama and my aging mind didn't remember. I looked back at my notes (aka, my old school K-Drama tumblr), and realized that I had stopped because I couldn't get through it. Painfully finishing this drama, I now realize why.

The story ... what even was the story? With a title like "The Heirs", you'd think you'd get some sort of family or conglomerate battle for owner of the company when Appa kicks the bucket. IF NOT THAT, than a conglomerate war where they two mains started as BFFs (or lovers), but could no longer be because their companies were at war for the top. You get absolutely NONE of that. Instead, you get a bunch of angsty teens fighting each other for each other in a weird "coming of age" type story, but it even failed at that. On top of all of that, they tried covering all of these characters, but then lost them by trying to go back to others, which leads to a terrible ending of explaining what happened to each character, in a very poor manner.

I don't have much to say about the cast. I watched it for Lee Min Ho because I was just coming off of the Boys over Flowers high at the time. To me, the drama is so terrible, the acting matches it, so it could be that the acting is great because for what terrible writing was fed, the actors delivered it perfectly? I didn't feel the chemistry between Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye at all. The relationship was awkward and forced, almost. Kim Woo Bin and Kim Ji Won definitely deliver as the antagonists. As terrible as the writing was, you still wanted to strangle their characters.

The music was surprisingly catchy. I did find myself humming along when the intro came on, sang along when the dramatic pauses happened, and jammed out when the ending came. The intro reminded me of an early 90's sitcom.

There is zero rewatch value for me. The whole thing was absolutely painful to get through. Knowing that I had tried to get it through it one time and couldn't, definitely solidifies the no rewatch.

Overall, for me, it was a big pile of fluff. There was no substance. I was not given a reason to relate or fall in love with the characters because the drama was going everywhere, but nowhere at the same time. There wasn't a strong story, the love triangle was poor and the main protagonists relationship was even worse.

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Nice drama with a beautiful ending

I really like this drama, it made me emotional and smile a lot. The leads have good chemistry and I love their relationship. The kissing scenes weren’t really good but you could still feel their amazing chemistry. They were together for many episodes, I love that in dramas.

I also really loved the second couple and we got to see a lot of them. They were really cute too.

The only things that I hated is the annoying second lead who have an unrequited love for FL. It took him more than 30 eps to finally move on. I would have loved for that to happening sooner so we could have seen more of his relationship with 3FL. I was invested in this 3rd couple too, we can consider their ending happy. They are not officially a couple, but they reunited at the end, I was happy about that.
I also hated the unnecessary and stupid breakup, but it didn’t last long.

Overall I love all the couples and the story. The romance was amazing for me. The rescue scenes were good and I liked the training plot with the dogs. I didn’t find it boring and I enjoyed the drama from beggining to end.

Also a very positive point for me was the ending. I love it so much, one of my favorite cdrama ending ever. I love a long ending, a happy ending of a few min or sec is annoying as fuck. It was beautiful, we saw their happy moment, proposal, wedding and a bit after (fast forward 1 years later). Also, we got to see ending for all 3 couples. The last scene was beautiful too. A real 10/10 ending for me❤️❤️

I would recommend this drama

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Dating Show for people in their 30's and 40's

If I'm going to compare season 1 and season 2, I feel like season 2 is an upgraded version. It felt like they had a bigger budget and found some better contestants. I felt like this season had a bit more focus on the dating part, more than the camping part. They had dates together, got to know the other contestants, not just one person. There were also a more variety of things they did this season, like roller scates, field trip, zip line and more.

I also liked that they added some new things as well. The Stop and Steal thing was fun because it helped spice things up and also gave the contestants an option to get to know one more person. It was also good that they added the voice recording thing. This helped the contestants express their feelings each night, so that everyone could know if someone were interested in them or if they should up their games.

All in all, I think this season is just as good as the first one, if not better. It really gives you insight in how it feels for a middle-aged person to give love a new chance.

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Not Ok, Taecyeon!

The overall score in this review is (clearly) heavily influenced by my fangirl heart, beating to the rhythm of 2PM songs.
In fact, all I wanted was to listen to Taec's heartbeat! Perhaps even catch a glimpse of him tearing his shirt off as he used to...(that would have been worth at least a full point in the final score)

Indeed, my whole reason for watching this drama was really just to support our beastly idol and I had no expectation whatsoever. On the contrary, more than expectations, I had a bunch of reservations about the vampire theme, one that I explored to exhaustion in my teens and that holds little to no interest for me nowadays. Thus, I ended up putting this drama off for months while waiting to be in the most forgiving and neutral disposition possible and, when I was finally able to start it and watched the first couple of episodes, I found myself positively excited!

The series begins with an upbeat and comedic tone à la "What We Do in the Shadows" that makes for a refreshing opening. I genuinely liked the vampire trio dynamic: they are endearing loosers that struggle to keep up with the times (which I find infinitely relatable now that I am in my thirties...sigh!). Also, their beef with modern capitalism is hilarious and a great variation on the abused immortal-handsome-and-rich formula.
Personally, I think Taecyeon is formidable when interpreting whimsical characters. He has great comedic timing and a natural talent for slapstick with his impressive range of cute/ridiculous facial expressions and overgrown limbs. I enjoy his acting the most when he unleashes his potential for antics (i.e. his crazy villain in Vincenzo is absolutely brilliant). I think he fares particularly well in balancing being extra without being actually over the top. That is what convinced me that the drama had robust enough premises to evolve into something worthwhile.

But mine was, definitely, premature optimism since the series takes a 180° degree turn around episode 6 or so. The tone gets abruptly serious. The story literally flatlines (ahem...) as we suddenly loose all the potentially original plot points in favor of the dullest of fanfictions. Because that is what I was reminded of while watching this drama. Especially during the party episode which employs one of the most popular romance tropes in its cringiest declination and with the most uninspired jealousy scene ever (honestly, I'm usually a sucker for party scenes done well, Pride and Prejudice style).
At that point I kept watching just to finally discover who took the gold.
The storyline has zero depth: everything happens without explanation, with an impressive number of plots non-sequitur, and because Cat-ex-machina said so.
The romance left me completely indifferent and the modicum of sympathy I felt for Woo Hyeol was totally built upon my pre-existing bias regarding Taecyeon. Not even the happy community scene at the end was enough to reanimate my k-dramatic heart.
The open casket funeral was too much...

In conclusion, I wouldn't recommend watching Heartbeat, not even to Hottest, although I made an intriguing discovery that partially redeemed this viewing: Park Kang Hyun. He can act, he can sing and he is cute as hell. Hope to see him in a better drama next.

Female Empowerment Score 2/5: Joo In Hae is written as inconsistently as the rest of the characters. In the beginning she is this tough, combative girl. Her personality traits are clearly the result of trauma (the customary kdrama unlucky orphan backstory) and make her fiercely independent and extremely reserved. She keeps her distance from others but is also ready to fight in order to protect the weakest and heal the wounded as a trained nurse (I liked the school nurse plot). She was preoccupied with mere survival for so long that she forgot how to enjoy life and be carefree with her heart. In the beginning, she is relatable and convincing (I love how Do Shik gets her and tries to help her without her noticing). But then, suddenly, we are told her character experiences growth (e.g. she falls in love, accepts help, makes friends, forgives her father), without actually being shown how or why. And, furthermore, she becomes insufferable (the acting follows the script in its decline). Despite being somewhat empowered by her character arc, she doesn't seem to have gained any real agency.
The writers didn't really care for the other female characters either.

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Has everything still feels empty.

It literally has everything, beautiful ML & FL, their romance, high quality cinematography, breakup, emotional stories of fire fighters and their issues, realistic firefighter calls etc still I didn’t feel anything....They had such a beautiful cast but it was totally wasted.
The character doesn’t have much depth or backstory(even if they have it hasn’t been told properly) so its very difficult to connect with them, the leads are soo damn good but they don’t have chemistry with each other(despited having good kissing scenes), the story is all over the place and didn’t create any impact.
I personally hated the way they shot Nan Chu's dancing as it should appear graceful but it looked so plain and tasteless, nothing at all like a trained dancer should look.
I can see they they have invested alot in the drama but the propaganda is literally overflowing to the point that drowned the whole drama....At some point it feels like i am watching a documentary
The ending was a major let down again...
It was quite disappointing for me

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this is okay the best for me but the ending could have been fixed the way it ended so suddenly was not expected but ik it will be hopeless wishing for season 2 knowing it is imposible. but hopefully u dont watch it during finals cause it is really interesting to watch with those plots going on one after another.the love story might be not what u expected but for me its pretty watchable 100% tell u guys to watch it

the start is cool,fine but it gets bitter and more complicated as it moves forward better to pay attention to some clips cause some people like to skip a lot but trust me dont .

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What an amazing drama this is.
I like yanki stories so I started watching this thinking it would be just a stupid yanki story like in Kyou kara ore wa, however from the first episode I could see there was way more than just a side story to binge watch.
If you are looking for something miningful with stupid and serious characters at the same time, this is your best chance. It is also only 10 episodes but it totally feels like there is more, I became fully immerged in the story, i felt like I was watching it from inside. I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did.

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(almost) a great way to a show a modern japanese woman!

I have really enjoyed this drama! I think the story is fun and new, and the acting is great. I was hooked after the first episode when it became clear that the FL is a bad ass strong willed women, kind of feminist! I have not really seen this represented in Japanese TV before, especially not for a show that is marketed as very mainstream with a lot o Johnny's talents as the male counterparts. I really enjoy the whole entrepreneurial angle , the main focus for me was realyl the story of how FM and ML try to find their passion and go against societal expectations.

I also really liked the play with gender roles and masculinity and femininity. That was also really refreshing – and here come the spoilers. I also definitely enjoyed the little BL side story in it and but for something that is so modern and refreshing it was a bit of a letdown that the FL and the ML became a couple at the end. It was totally unnecessary. I think it would've been so much better if Masato and Yoriko become super close friends and business partners, and they kick ass with their business, but they do not force this love story. I think a lot of people would agree that Yoriko had much better chemistry with Kazuma, and they should've ended up together! They clearly had so much more in common, and there personalities were a much better match. Also their life experience, because, although I guess the age gap is not so strange, but with a 22-year-old boy and a 29-year-old women, they are just a different stage in life so it would've just made more sense if Yoriko ends up with the older brother. And I would've loved loved LOVED if Masato would have ended up with Hikaru! They also had such great chemistry.

I think it would've been super cute if we end up with two couples, but better yet what if there were no couples and there were no romantic angle? It could have been just really about them finding their way in the business world, becoming great friends, supporting each other and winning at the end against the big boss! (Who is terrible father uugghhh..) I think it would've been a very nice ending!

One storyline was kind of brought up, but then didn't go anywhere: the whole childhood love story, and that the two mothers knew each other?? It didn't really serve anything, but just so that the end Masato can say how small of chance he had to end up with his hatsukoi. I think they could've been dropped or it would've been more interesting to maybe learn about the mum, his relationship with his mum. The whole backstory of why he likes make up was so sweet, maybe ot could have been explored more.

Nonetheless, I loved this dorama and I would rewatch it again!

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Women & love

An anthology or omnibus series about four women in different stages of their lives but that can be seen as an example of a woman's life and struggles throughout the first half of her life from dating, marriage, career to mid life crisis. All of the stories are connected to each other by a common thread, a female friend/acquaintance who shows up in every episode either offering an advice (first two stories #23 & #29) or creating problems (#35 & #42). The numbers in the titles are actually ages of main female character in each episode.

#23 A polyamorous woman finds out that dating three men at once is not such a good idea after all!
#29 A woman on the verge of getting married is upset by her own mother's unexpected life choices.
#35 A writer and a one-movie-wonder director is looking for inspiration
#42 A woman takes her husband for granted and can't bear the consequences.

The first story was fun though it showed the dark side of the internet and its power to destroy people's lives. A young woman is also taken on her own game without knowing which makes her wonder if her choices are really well thought out!
The second FL was so annoying; a woman about to get married but only thinking of her mother and never wanting to part with her: such an unhealthy relationship and an immature young woman. Only when she really talks to her mother who clears things up for her, is she able to move forward with her life!
The third story had a very theatrical feel to it: I felt as if I were watching a play. The way the characters moved, the way they talked, the events...everything was rather static and limited. It was my favourite story since even the plot was very theatrical full of lies and deceit.
The last story was the worst. It was about a childless couple, high school friends married for 20 years. She's obviously a ball breaker and he is a conciliatory kind of guy letting her get away with it to keep the peace. Over the years they have become more of a brother and a sister than a married couple (she hides behind a T-shirt so her husband wont see her in a tank top!). Some friends of theirs come back for a school reunion which sends their peaceful equilibrium into a tailspin and making her a jealous screaming harpy!

Omnibus is one of my favourite formats in dramas and this one is particularly well made: the production values are high and the writing is excellent. While the three out of four stories had their roots in reality and were really good (in spite of annoying female characters in 29 & 42), the third one is my favourite: it is a bit over the top dealing with publishing, writing, producers etc. but suspenseful and with a movie kind of ending. The mood was very much like in the thai series 180 Degrees, heavy with secrets and darkness. It is a bit different from the other stories.

Definitely worth the watch but you need to be in the right mood. The drama really manages to paint the women's struggles and questioning in a very intimate way.

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Rather soft love story with a lot of twists and turns!

I have seen 3 episodes of the similar series Someday or Oneday few months back. Always love time travelling movie and dramas. Blue Birthday is my most favourite♥️

Recently through Ost got to know about this series A time called you. First thing which clicked my mind was the music… OST was so lit that I had to made my mind for watching this series. Actors were goodlooking so I was hooked.

Ahn Hyo-seop was outstanding, when he acts you really get into the character. The actress and other ML did a good performance too. The confusing part came where Nam Se Heon goes in the future in Yeon Jun’s body. I guess most of viewers will find it difficult to know what happened to Yeon Jun then. So let me make it clear for them that it is a lovestory between 1998(Nam Se Heon) and 2023(Han Jun Hee).

She travels back into the past for him and he travels into the future for her. Hope you understand now❤️ And yes MINJU’s character freaks me out… when it turns into negative I was swearing her whole time? was so angry at her!!

Can’t tell which version is more perfect because I have not yet completed the Taiwanese version! Would only say that you should watch this one if you like the cast, slow romance, suspense and time travelling dramas!!


Would rate the series 8/10 for me! Ideal for binge-watching!!

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my favorite japanese bl

I didnt expect to like this series so much!! This is my favorite japanese bl. It captivated me at the beggining and till the end. I really like both of the actors and was impressed by their chemistry. It is rare to find a japanese bl with such an acting and all. At first I felt sorry for Yoh. He is a stay at home man, who cook, clean the house, etc. and do everything that the handsome weatherman said. Mizuki, at the other hand, is toxic but deep down he really like Yoh. He was the only one , who didnt make fun of him at college.
The plot was a little bit strange. I think that both of them was insecure - Yoh didnt talk much, he was shy and feel the need to say sorry a lot. Mizuki was possesive and was jealous, which is both cute and toxic at the same time. The chemistry between them was on high level. Yoh looked at Mizuki with pure love, his feelings was strong enough to stay in his house such a long time.
I watched this series for one day, which means that this bl is amazing and so interesting. I will rewatch it for sure. A total 10 stars from me!

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Dissapointing

so I know this review might be controversial but honestly I did begin watching this drama with some expectations and I have to say the first eleven episodes were quite good, but I just felt his motive and his drive of revenging the Luo family was kinda dragged along, he had so much obsession about this that it honestly didn’t make any sense for them to even include the part of him being a Yuntai sect member for all those years, he does “learn” to treat people differently but it still doesn’t change the fact that he’s very manipulative, honey mouthed and he would use anyone in order to achieve the “bigger picture” overall I was somewhat dissatisfied with this series and it’s not something I would watch agian .

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Yunshen Injuries were too much!

I loved watching Cheng Yi in this drama but I think there was too many injury to him.
Yunshen first injury was in Country M where the FL & ML both fell. He recovered after a few days.
After he returned from Country M, he was in a major car incident that almost took his life,
involving his brother's mom but the cause of this was Yunshen's mom that lead the woman to
walk on the streets to create that accident but Yunshen did not hit her, it was the truck.
He got better overtime but he got beaten up just after he started walking again set up by his brother.
Next incident the FL got attacked by the little girl's dad but that caused another
injury to Yunshen. that took him back to the hospital. Then he left to go talk to the evil mom and she caused
the next incident his wound got worst and he had to be bed ridden even longer. The last incident was in
Country M where he got shot saving Zhu Jiu and that is the only time the FL was in the hospital as a patient.

I wanted to give this series a top score but it had too much incidents mainly to the ML.What is the purpose of all
these attacks to the main character of this story? The series should have tags "crime and death" added, because i
t is not just mystery, romance and melodrama. The FL had her family and work colleagues death to live through.
Her mom & dad were killed in Country M (flashbacks), her grandma, her 2 doctor friends died in Country M.
ML also had family deaths, his dad died by depression (flashbacks) his Grand dad died by heart issue,
his bother's mom got killed by accident, This was too much.

Another thing I noticed, the brother did not get punished for setting up an attack on his brother.
Yunshen's mom did not get punished for instigating the child's dad to attack the FL but Yunshen was
the one that got hurt. Both brother and mother should have got punishment with their accomplice.
The love story between the ML & FL was not very focused on romance, even though they fell in love but
we did not see them having a fun day out or a get away without any attacks.
The writer's had one kind of style is to create accident and attack scenes to the ML.
I suffered watching these injury scenes.

When it started I gave it 10/10 ratings but after the continuation of multiple incidents I gave it
8.5/10. I loved Cheng Yi acting overall. The Main characters & many supporting cast acted great too,
but the story plots could be better especially in Country M. I still recommend it to watch if you don't
mind the accidents and attack scenes.

I put up with watching this because of the ML Cheng Yi, as most of his dramas are historical and
it was a nice addition to see him in a series in this day and age but they should not focus so many injury
to the ML.

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