Reviews

I'm baffled.

So far the series has been great, the drama is there, the actors are doing their thing, the visuals are there but... WHY OH WHY ARE WAYU AND WEYHA THE MAIN COUPLE? 😭😭😭

They are written with soooo much third couple energy and if you were to watch the series without their parts you wouldn't miss a thing.... And that's our main couple😭😭😭

I just do not understand this creative decision, I'm baffled by it, Gun and Pitch have the chemistry, there are severe consequences at stake, they have a message written in their story pertaining to how Fandom can get toxic, about stalkers, about celebrity work-life balance... . So why tf are they not the main couple??? I just don't understand.

Also Korn and Pawin have too good a story for them to be fleshed out as third couple. That's just crazy.

If someone can please help me understand why any of these decisions were made I'll be so grateful because I refuse to belive professionals (multiple professionals) didn't see this as an issue😑

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A breath of fresh air that combines a mature storyline with exceptional acting.

This is a drama where the actors are just killing it. Meguro Ren, who plays Sakura Sou, is like the MVP—his emotions are on point, making you feel all kinds of things. The whole cast, including Suzuka Ouji, is like your favorite recipe—perfectly mixed for maximum enjoyment.

Now, the story is the cool part. It's not your typical lovey-dovey drama; it's more like a chill breeze on a hot day. It talks about love, relationships, and what it's like for people in the deaf community. No clichés here, just a cool and real story that feels like your everyday life. They talk without talking a lot, and it's surprisingly deep and relatable.

The look of the show is also top-notch. It's like a visual feast for your eyes. They use pictures to show feelings, especially when it's super quiet. The places they shoot at and how they film it all just adds this awesome vibe to the whole thing.

Oh, and the music! The songs they pick are like the secret sauce in your favorite burger. It's not just noise in the background; it's what makes you feel things, you know? It's like they knew exactly when to play the perfect song to make you laugh or cry.

Now, the people in the show are like your buddies. They mess up, they learn, and you cheer for them. It's not just about the main characters; even the friends and family have their own stories. It's like a drama buffet—you get a taste of everyone's life.

"Silent" is not your usual drama—it's that one gem you find when you least expect it. It's got a killer combo of a great story, awesome actors, and cool visuals. It doesn't follow the typical romance rules, and that's what makes it stand out.

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Good but overhyped

You have a great cast and an intriguing plot, and yet it was harder and harder to get through each episode the longer it went on.

The whole going back in time and redoing things plot device was good at first but its usefulness runs out early on. I honestly forgot about it half way through because it doesnt matter much to the story anymore. Not that it mattered any way since the entire story is a novel the author wants to re-write to have a less tragic outcome for her leads.

Palace intrigue is the focus here. The FL is eager to take herself out of the messy equation but shes drawn in anyway, so she changes her part in it.

The romamce is extreme slow burn. So slow that its hard to believe when it finally happens in the last handful of episodes. The ML clearly likes the FL for quite some time but it feels like the FL is simply giving in and settling because she cant get away from their fate and be with the one she really wantes. By her actions its clear she cares about ML but romantically she's cold and resigned. It was very underwhelming. There are 2 impassioned forced kisses by the ML and 1 consensual bed scene all toward the end.
I suppose it would be more believable that she fell in love with him if there was more screen time between them but there really isnt room for it with the many, many moving parts of all the plots. The story was just too complex with all the schemeing and backstabbing to thread in a satisfying love line.

The end is cute enough to satisfy most romance fans who hold out for all the episodes. At least there is that.

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Not recommended

I'm speaking here as an autistic person, my score is 7 out of 10.

Also note:
* I've heard a lot of good things about this.
* This was released 10 years ago.

Those said and considered:
1. The show is not about the autistic person, or autism for that matter. Autism was only used as a literary device to create a drama, like most other shows (be it Asian or Western) where there is an autistic character.

2. There was an excessive emphasis on "dumb", "stupid", and "idiot". Instead of it making people emphatize, it makes an audience hateful.

3. None of them actually showed that they finally understood autism and autistic people. To the very end, it was all about "do this" and "do that" so people will accept you and respect you. Sure, this is a common problem with society, however, should they have ended it that way? People will unconsciously think that's the proper way. It is not acceptance, it is forcing an autistic person to be "neurotypical".

And yet, 박시온 (Park Shi On) said in the last episode that it hurts him more when he's trying to remove his difference. But the people around him still acted the same way to end. There's a disconnect there.

4. The female lead is a prime example of a lover who doesn't understand a single thing about autism and autistic persons. She never showed any sign that she's doing her best to understand him, nope, instead she's doing her best to make him a "normal" person.

Yes, that's how it is in the real world. I've been in such a relationship. However, why leave it that way? She want to do things her way to the end. She will eventually get tired and quit. They will have a lot of fights. 시온 (Shi On) will just keep doing the same thing, keep quiet, say it is okay, say he is not mad, because he is always the one doing the "understanding".

What they did was to only validate that this relationship is doomed to fail instead of showing how a relationship with an autistic person can be if done properly.

5. The entire show, it was 박시온 who did the understanding and adjustments. Basically, the show taught us that autistic people should mask, mask, mask, and mask more. That no one will accept you unless you "get over" your autism (or in other words, mask your autism).

Conclusion:
* While it did show the discrimination, stereotype, and prejudices against autistic people.
* While it did capture the traits and quirks of an autistic person well.
* I cannot recommend this show at all because it does more damage than in helping the autistic cause.

If I watched this when it was released in 2013, yes, I would say the same thing and rate it similarly. I'm sorry.

Just watch 이상한 변호사 우영우 (Extraordinary Attorney Woo).

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Nirvana in Life and Dongli Hospital

生 birth, 老 old age, 病 illness, 死 death.
It’s the passage of life we cannot avoid.
It’s the passage that’s explored in The Heart through our Medical Team at Dongli Hospital and the patients we come across... The passage where everyone battle with illness and death so we can continue living.

Medical dramas aren’t anything foreign. In fact, it’s precisely the familiarity of the profession and the amount of shows featuring them that makes this genre a tough nut to crack. On one hand, this genre deals directly with emergencies and deaths - perfect ingredients to string our emotions. On the other, it can be overtly cheesy at best, and a turnoff at worst if they overdo with the dramatic stories.

That’s what stood out about The Heart - it draws this balance perfectly, almost.

While we go through this show through our 3 main leads - Doctor Zhou, our physician, Doctor Lin, our surgeon and Doctor Fang, our ICU and post care doctor - the patients’ stories in The Heart makes them more alive than ever. None of the patients were fillers, even if they only take up 1 episode or less. None of the patients’ arcs were predictable, even if they appear to be the familiar troupes we come across in other stories or our day to day lives. This says a lot about the heart and sincerity that goes towards the cast and story plot.

The depth of patients’ stories made me afraid to watch this show in public transport as I go back and forth to work. This is because they draw tears at every juncture. Tears that I don’t feel cheated of.

Besides the patients’ stories, they also explored the politics of the doctors in The Heart delicately, pragmatically, and realistically. One can argue that politics shouldn’t be present in the face of life and death. But Doctor is another profession that requires management, systems, budget, and communication structure to continue its operations, even if they are in the line of saving patients.

Instead of taking time away from the patients or medical team, the political affairs of Dongli Hospital add color and life to The Heart. Even if we do not enjoy or agree with the political moments or the decisions that the characters take, I feel that those plots cement the fact that these doctors are people too.

~~~~
“Everyday you have to worry about this, consider about that, aren’t you tired?” Dr. Lin asked.

“Tired. Very tired.” Dr. Zhou remarked.
~~~~

At The Heart center, the dynamics of our 3 main leads are the core of the stories. Doctor Lin is the medical genius that learns to work in a team. Doctor Zhou is the workaholic that learns to rely on his team. Doctor Fang is the cherry one that reassures everyone. From these 3 lines, it’d sound like Doctor Fang has a shorter end of the stick with her character arc compared to the former two. And this is somewhat true.

That said, these trio won’t be complete without her. In a story that has so many things going on, Doctor Fang is a steady and warm presence that plays a more important role than people would give her credit for.

I love how they become comrades together with the medical team in Dongli Hospital. It made me wish that I too, will be in the hands of such a team.

~~~~

“每个病人都像一本书 Every patient is like a book。
医生能做的是尽量弥补他们的破碎 What doctors can do is try their best to mend their broken things -
不管是心脏 be it the heart，
还是心灵 or the soul.”

quote Dr. Fang.
~~~~

Besides the story, the OSTs of main theme are apt. Especially the ending song, 活着 Living. Deep and impactful lyrics.

Here is the official MV: https://youtu.be/5bOhd4oT6yg

Lyrics extract

生life, 死 death, 离别 separation，
若不由人选择 if it’s not up to people’s choice,
那就向前走 then let’s move forward.
~~~~~

To sum it up, there’s only ever 1 medical drama you have the quota for, give it to The Heart. It’ll pull your heart’s strings like no other.

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Guilty pleasure at its best!!!

So where do I start with this one?

I would normally never praise something of this genre since I usually drop them after a few episodes in, but not this one. I binge watched the whole thing with a grin on my face.

Disclaimer: The story in itself is nothing special, if anything i would say it is so bad that it is so good!

It has all the ingredients of a regular soap opera. You have the typical female lead with a very pitiful past and an even worse present, the sad rich handsome male lead, the bad to the bone antagonists, all in all, just what you should expect from the usual tropes in a revenge story. Nothing out of the ordinary.

So, what sets this series apart from the ones of its genre?

The pace of the story (editing) and the chemistry of the whole cast. The leads are great together and you cannot help it, but cheer them on and wish them a happy ever after. The antagonists get their well deserved horrible end.

Big KUDOS to the writers, director and production team because the execution is at its best. Not one dull moment.

Overview:
Story: Crazy!!! Loads of shit happening constantly and lots of twists and turns as well, silly at times but super great.

Acting/cast: Perfect casting for this genre. I specially, love the lead actress, she is fantastic. She really grounded this character without turning it into a wimpy lead and I think that’s the main reason it worked so well.

Music: Nothing spectacular, far from memorable. However it wasn’t irritating, so I give it a pass.

Rewatch value: I wouldn't be surprised if i find myself rewatching it in the future.


Overall: This series is as crazy as addictive and satisfying as any great melodrama can be. So give it a go, you won’t regret it!!!

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Scent of Time - a truly apt title

Little hints are dropped throughout the drama and I am so happy to be surprised with the twist during the final episodes. Heartbreaking as it was, it felt so much more real in many senses and so very well grounded when compared to Story of Kunning Palace.

While this drama and SOKP both have a do-over storyline, I was more touched with this storyline and how it was told. Not overly dramatic and more relatable showing the FL as a real person - hair completely down and no make up when sleeping - something SOKP wasn’t good at as they seemed overly focused on giving us a FL and ML to drool over all the time.

The romance between the FL and the various men were very well portrayed and provided just enough angst to keep me watching to find out how the events would unfold.

Some minor things left hanging and I would have liked a longer happy ending but overall, I am surprised by how much more I liked this compared to SOKP. Once the twist is revealed, it’s best not to think too much as certain events doesn’t bear close scrutiny. Bittersweet ending…

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Someone gave the dog an Oscar!

Oh my, the dog really showed emotions, what an amazing acting! I feel like squeezing the dog all the time, too pretty fluff!

Dog aside, it's an amazing show. I really love the combination of the 3 main acts, they compliment each other well

Esp love the Professor who is so narcissistic in a charming weird way, it's really funny though.

Love the combination of how the Professor is a genius not just in science, but almost in a dectective like manner

Making this show a great combi of detective + science + humanity show

Gets really exciting towards the end, with lots of touching moments and life lessons.

First few episodes are great too, but they are like one case per episode. I personally prefer a show with bigger storyline that spans out thru few episodes, which is the case for 2nd half of the show

So, i guess you get the best of both worlds. You can just skip the episode if you don't like the case study for that one. Somewhere around halfway of show, then you'll see how the story continues and builds up from one case to the next.

Try it out and watch it. Fist few minutes of 1st episode and I"m hooked

Oh, the professor is really goodlooking too! And boy, I want such a giant nature park at home too!

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They both look so good together ❤

Can’t wait for this K drama next epsiod. All Kim Yoo Jung’s clothing style truly is sophisticated. Her acting skills is impeccableThe casting for this duo is insane, I can already feel their overflowing chemistry 😮
I thoroughly enjoy this movie Mr song kang is a brilliant actor. His leading lady sets this movie OFF so well I have been enjoying Korean movies ever since the day it came on Netflix. It brings me joy😂I know but I enjoy movies a lot and I find that I now have many Korean actors and actress that I like and admire. The writer of this movie is super talented and he captured every aspect of what the movie is all about I say BRILLIANT just BRILLIANT!! Song Kang is not just a handsome man he has a lot more going for himself. And he is a man that knows what he wants. SUPER TALENTED in every way possible GOD have him many GiFTS of TALENT and wow wow he is useing it well. It is a pleasure to meet him on my tv screen. Best wishes to you beautiful soul. ❤

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Unusual story

Many reviews already gave this series a well deserved praise for acting, plot, and many more and I agree with them. So I have to point to something else, which I haven't seen discussed yet - the series' themes. This show is absolutely devoid of typical c-drama's flaws: empty promise of violence, lack of consequences, perfect lovebirds, etc. The setting is the most violent period of China's history and in this series it lives up to its name. There are no "good" characters, everyone, including main leads, are truly psychopathic in unimaginable ways. People destroy each other just because, slaves - because it's easy, equals - because it's a good challenge. Everyone kills without remorse. Women destroy men they claim to love, men betray women they claim to love. Desire (which is sold under the name of "love") changes people for worse. Any sentimentality is meaningless and will be outweighed by what really moves characters - greed, revenge, ambition. I've never seen characters this devoid of gratitude and this cold to any traditional human values. They won't spare anyone, a game is a game. This show also breaks the illusion that a virtuous and good woman will raise a good son. One woman, regardless of her personal virtues, cannot change society and her son will grow up to be unruly, brutal and misogynistic man. That said, no woman in Legend of Haolan is virtuous, it's an impressive assemble of awful female characters, each is poisonous in her own way. From cruel bullies to manic cutthroats, from homicidal lunatics to vile liars, this show has it all.
It's unusual story with beguiling characters. I recommend those of you who dislikes bland historical fiction to watch it!

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Unveiling the Beauty in Simplicity

In a realm saturated with BL series set in school environments, few manage to captivate with genuine moments and heartfelt narratives. This particular series falls into that distinguished category, offering a storyline that is straightforward yet engaging.

At its core, the series revolves around Yamato, an exceptionally talented and attractive student who harbors a secret affection for his childhood friend, Kakeru, known for his clumsiness and academic struggles. Yamato, cautious about jeopardizing their existing friendship, conceals his true feelings, while Kakeru grapples with confusion over Yamato's peculiar behavior.

The narrative wastes no time immersing viewers in the angst experienced by the two protagonists. Conversations between them are riddled with complexities, distractions, and misunderstandings, sustaining tension until the series' end. Each episode intertwines sweet moments between the leads, only to cruelly pull them apart. Viewers become emotionally invested in the journey of Yamato and Kakeru, hoping for their mutual understanding.

Kentaro and Haru deliver commendable performances, breathing life into the characters of Yamato and Kakeru. Yamato's reserved nature contrasts beautifully with Kakeru's outgoing yet hesitant demeanor. As the story unfolds, both characters undergo significant development. However, a standout performance comes from Leo, portraying Yui, the wise friend guiding Yamato and Kakeru towards self-discovery.

In conclusion, the series stands out for its simplicity and the actors' commendable portrayal of the characters, creating an emotionally resonant and captivating viewing experience.

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I have my complaints

I was here only to watch MeenPing together again after AiLongNhai.

I obviously didnot expect much of a story here but didnot expect absolute nonsense either. I really like how Thiu ang Guy's story progressed from online friends to lovers but then what happened to it? unncessary plot line just to extend the story ruined it for me.
I wish they showed more of Guy's character understanding Thiu's world and embracing him despite the indifference's . But i saw nothing of this happening. i Wish they focused more on Meen and Ping by just showing a little of others.

What came out of this that both the leads acting got better than their previous work. If you are here for the MainLeads, you can watch this by skipping almost 60% of the series.

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Touched everthing on surface level without any depth in the story

Story is not much complicated. Just when you think it is going to get complicated from here, they add some illogical reasoning to it and end the problem. There were few plot changing scenes which gave a fresh vibe to every episode by the characters were not portrayed in details, their story and emotions were just touched on surface level.

Few emotional scenes which can make audience cry along with the lead were not that well acted out by Dew but the rest of the actors did amazing job. The FL made up for Dew's acting which bought life to few scenes. Good to watch Luke try out slightly different role.

Coming to Vee's character , they did not show us how talented he is for him to be the CEO, we often saw him slackoff and Chanon did all the hard work, they didnot emphasize on Vee's caliber and just wanted us to pity him for being brought up without a mother and having a disability. Was he made CEO of a huge company only because of that ? The love story was also half touched , Chanon's flip was also questionable, so connecting to the characters made it very difficult for me.
what can we look forward to in this series ?
Cute chemistry between leads.

They say Faceless love is a remake of K-drama RichMan, i remember watching it but dont recall much of it but i personally dont think this is 100% a remake of it, only 10-20% of richman was adapted in faceless love.

If you can bear nonsense but easy going plot or like watching Luke/ Dew / Kao , then you can give this series a watch.

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This is show exactly what it meant to be

I was expecting lightweight romcom to binge watch and got exactly what i wanted. This is the type of show where you just want to chill in your sofa not thinking much about what you are watching and just enjoying some silly romantic comedy with beautiful actors. Is it deep? Nah. Is it toughts provoking? Not at all. Is it funny and romantic? Hell yeah. And thats all it matters. The chemistry between characters was great (even though the first close "encounter" could be somewhere else somewhere more romantic and memorable) and their bickering was just cute and funny.
The ML at the first was punchable spoiled kid but he actually turned out pretty good.
Idk what else to say. This is just not something you tear to peaces in a review. Its like when you go to some unknown fastfood where they serve something ordinary. You know what you are getting upfront and if its not awful there is no point to complain about it but you do feel good if its good. After all this is not some fancy restaurant where you expect complex and maybe unexpected flavours, its just a fastfood. And luckily a good one in my opinion

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