Completed
Love Is Sweet
0 people found this review helpful
by Sara
Jan 8, 2024
36 of 36 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

assista pelo casal principal!

Love is sweet é o suco do romance, então se você não gosta muito de romance e prefere que a história foque em outros assuntos eu não recomendo love is sweet, mas se você quer ver algo romântico, love is sweet é definitivamente para você.
Pra ser sincera, as histórias de outros personagens como o Du Lei são bem entediantes e chatas, confesso que quando reassisti eu pulei TODAS as cenas dele, a personagem secundária Xu Li é engraçada, porém se humilhou muito pelo Xiao Chuan, além de ter cenas que você realmente pensa sobre o que diabos se passa já cabeça dela, como na cena que a Jiang Jun vai para o hospital e ela pensa que só porque o Yuan Shuai era namorado da Jun ele tinha que acompanhar cada passo que a amiga dela dava, mas num geral ela é bem divertida e engraçada, só que ela realmente se parece mais com uma adolescente de 15 anos do que uma adulta que deve beirar os 28 anos.
Jiang Jun é uma protagonista que eu gostei muito, ela não se humilhou em nenhum momento pelo protagonista, em algumas cenas ela era meio infantil, mas isso é típico de romances, nada diferente.
O Yuan Shuai também é um protagonista muito engraçado, sinceramente acho que ele deu as cenas mais engraçadas da série, ele amava a protagonista desde a infância e como namorado ele a tratou muito bem.
Du Lei foi o personagem que eu mais odiei na trama inteira, a cena dele tentando beijar a Jiang Jun mesmo ela deixando claro que não queria foi sinceramente o que mostra o real caráter dele, no início parece ser só um empata foda, no final é alguém desprezível pra caralho.

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Jan 8, 2024
6 of 6 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

A good hit but not a home run

They literally managed to make korean version of an already world famous show that doesn't look like some low grade knock off but is actually a good show. The story was engaging and keeps you on the edge as they changed quite a lot of stuff from the original show be it the character arcs or their backstories.

The only letdown for me was that the characters in the show, I could never make the emotional connection with the characters as it happened with the original. The characters of the robbers weren't that memorable too that you would talk about them even after the show is completed. If you go for the OG one , the wild, feisty and sometimes self destructive Tokyo or the cold and psychotic Berlin or the bossy and matriarchy loving Nairobi or Denver's weird laughter or Professor's voice, swag and his glasses flick. There were many memorable characters that people still talk cuz they had a long lasting impression, something that this show missed.

Otherwise it is a damn good show which doesn't looks draggy but thrilling till the end.

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Ongoing 9/12
Last Twilight
2 people found this review helpful
Jan 8, 2024
9 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

last twilight is a real masterpiece

i’ve known jimmysea since vice versa and i was super excited when gmm announced that they’re gonna play main roles in last twilight. the eleven-months-wait for the airing was a torture, but now i can say for sure that it all is 100% paid off. i love every single detail about this show, cuz everything is just perfect. jimmysea’s acting is on another level; it can’t be put into words how much i’m proud of them. they both did an amazing job, you can really see it. since i am a jimmysea stan, at first i thought that it would be a little difficult for me to watch the series and see the characters, not the actors. but ever since the first second of the series i was so captivated by their acting that i never thought of them as jimmysea – while watching last twilight, i see the story of mhokday. the plot is really unique, and i’m so proud that jimmysea are the ones who got to play in such an amazing series. p’aof is truly a genius. this show teaches us to never lose hope and treasure every single moment of our lives. you never know what’s gonna happen tomorrow, so you have to enjoy your life and live it the fullest.

last twilight divided my life into before and after. i’ve watched so many bl series, but none of them made me feel the way last twilight does. i love this show with my whole heart, and nothing will ever change it. i hope that many people will enjoy this series. if you’re still doubting whether or not you should watch last twilight – i can guarantee that you’ll never regret watching it.

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Completed
My Journey to You
2 people found this review helpful
by Kimmie
Jan 8, 2024
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0

An engaging and striking drama, let down by it's final few episodes

I went into My Journey to You blind, having been introduced to it through gifs that were being created on Tumblr. It was the cinematography that held my attention at first, yet after reading what this show was about I was instantly intrigued. A more mature story filled with intrigue and suspense, with an intricate spy network infiltrating its way into a powerful family that tries to route them out -- how could I not be interested? This show sounded so promising and interesting, I was eager to watch it.

For the most part, there is very little I dislike about this show. The beginning is fantastic; the pacing and tension of what is being set up for the story is engaging and draws you in instantly, the mystery of what's happening making you ask questions that have you wanting the next episode as soon as you can. The episodes can run quite long for a cdrama - roughly about an hour in length - and while some episodes that feels like enough, for others it can feel like they run a little too long .

The acting in this show is incredible, and there's not a character that I found to be frustrating or felt was out of place. I'd say some of the roles that stood out for me were that of Tian Jia Rui's Gong Yuanzhi, Cheng Lei's Gong Shangjue, Sun Chen Jun's Jin Fan, and Lu Yu Xiao's Shangguan Qian. But honestly, the entire cast stepped up and delivered in this show, and they should all be praised for the work they've done here.

I mentioned that the cinematography was the first thing to draw me into this show. Regardless of any of its flaws, My Journey to You is a masterpiece in this area. This was very obviously a big production, and the shots and camerawork that were used are something else. So many scenes look like works of art, and it truly elevates this show to another level altogether. I would go as far as to say it's probably one of the most beautiful dramas from the 2023 lineup, and there were quite a few stunning works that year!

I will say that for all of its strengths, this show does struggle towards its ending. I won't say much as I aim to keep this review spoiler-free, but I felt that the last few episodes made some odd choices: not all of them were good. The finale to this show is ... baffling, honestly. It sets up for the potential of a sequel, however I very much doubt that such a thing will come to light. As I mentioned, I came into this show blind and had no idea about the struggles and controversies that were wrapped around it (plagiarism allegations, investigations into sexual assault charges pressed against one of the supporting cast, arguments that this story 'borrowed' too much from Japanese dramas rather than more traditional Chinese ones), but having since read about them I can sort of see why this show ended as it did. In a way, it's rather a miracle this show was even released as it was - but I find myself glad that the audience got to watch it. So, while the ending may feel unsatisfactory for what had started out strong, it doesn't diminish the otherwise enjoyable show that it began as.

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Completed
Bed Friend
1 people found this review helpful
Jan 8, 2024
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

Decent story mediocre writing and production

The main plot/arc is interesting enough. Friends with benefits struggle with the usual problems plus the effects of sexual abuse and harassment to eventually become partners. What works best is the sympathy that is built for Uea, who has to endure a breakup, an evil mother, sexual harassment, and the lingering effects of sexual abuse as a child. You want the relationship to work out for him because he really seems to need it.
What doesn't work so well are many of the distractions thrown in here and there to bolster some pretty thin writing in the main story. Also the acting tends to be stiff and manneristic even in dramatic scenes that need a more realistic performance. So even though I'm inclined to be sympathetic with Uea, I often have a hard time believing him as a character, and what would otherwise be fairly effective drama falls flat.
The music is un-memorable. The production values are pretty low (continuity errors, confusing cuts, sound glitches, etc.). At one point the product placements come so frequently and aggressively that I felt like I was being waterboarded with bottled drinks.

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Completed
The Story of Park's Marriage Contract
1 people found this review helpful
by Raisa
Jan 8, 2024
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

A Delightful Journey

Having completed 'The Story of Park's Marriage Contract,' I can confidently say that it's been an incredibly enjoyable experience from start to finish. This drama had everything I love – a perfect blend of fantasy, romance, and comedy that kept me thoroughly engaged and left me with a sense of fulfillment.

The storyline was not only engaging but also emotionally resonant, and the characters' development throughout the series was both heartwarming and relatable. The incorporation of fantasy elements added depth and intrigue to the narrative, and the romance was beautifully portrayed. The comedic moments were a delightful bonus, providing much-needed laughter. 'The Story of Park's Marriage Contract' has left a lasting impression, and I'm grateful for the wonderful journey it provided. If you're a fan of these genres, this drama is undoubtedly a must-watch!

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Completed
Love Better Than Immortality
2 people found this review helpful
Jan 8, 2024
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 4.0
This review may contain spoilers

Truly A beautiful love story

I went into this drama cringing every 3 secs because of the female lead's stupid actions. I didn't expect much from it since all the reviews were saying that this drama sucks. But I kept watching because I was intrigued by how this drama would develop. I HATE rewatching dramas no matter how much I like them and I rated this a 4 for rewatch value, that speaks ALOT. I found myself crying multiple times while watching this pure undying love. I'm just a girl. This is the type of love i dream about, Shangguan Qiu Yue truly sacrificed his EVERYTHING for the female lead. The love story between Fu Lou and Yousi also made me cry a river. ITS SO BEAUTIFUL how they loved each other unreservedly. Like Yousi said, Love is when no matter what you look like in everyone elses eyes, in his eyes you are special. I just love the male and female lead's chemistry. I love everything about their interactions. I love how he vowed to change himself for her. I love how he loved her with everything he had in him. I love the concept of her sacrificing her immortality for true love. Living a short life with the love of your life is truly better than living forever without ever feeling loved. PLEASE WATCH IT. yes the female lead's voice might sound annoying at first but it gets better towards the end, she drops the baby voice. ♡♡♡

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Completed
Go Ahead
11 people found this review helpful
by Kate
Jan 8, 2024
46 of 46 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

"I will go outside to see the world. I will fail and I will suffer!...

...I want to see what I can achieve in the end!"

There is so much to love about this drama. There is also surprisingly a lot I did not, and it only hit me when I got closer to the end.

It’s safe to say this is a perfect drama for all found family trope fans. Watching Li Jian Jian, Ling Xiao and He Zi Qiu support each other under the caring watch of Li Hai Chao was beautifully heartwarming. What amazed me the most was the fact these relationships were not idealized. All characters struggled with many internal and external issues that were well developed and presented. Themes like being scared of being abandoned, or being forced to abandon people you love. The constant feeling you need to act perfect, be perfect, never complain to be worth the support you are getting. That uncomfortable feeling when people who were close to you in the past feel distant in the present. All of these affected their interactions with each other and made the bond that much more meaningful and strong.

Li Jian Jian was such a force of positivity. I know some people disliked her as a teenager, but personally I loved her in all 3 stages of her life. She was adorable as a kid, fun and expressive as a teenager and mature, but still exciting to watch as an adult. She was the person that could be called “home” by many characters and the bond that kept them together.

Ling Xiao was the one who kept his scars hidden the most and it was painful to watch. At times it truly felt as if he gave up on himself - whatever happens, as long as people he cares about are safe. The most passive in response to trauma, the one that kept it all inside. Finding his salvation in Li Jian Jian.

He Zi Qiu who smiled, even if he was crying inside. Fighting his battles alone, not wanting anyone to help, not wanting anyone to pity him. Trying his best not to be a burden, wanting to protect people around him. So caring, so good, so well-natured with such a bright and radiant personality. He became an older brother to all the characters.

And you know what’s the best? The main characters were not the only ones with depth. All the supporting characters had well-defined personalities and individual struggles that were separate from their connections to the main cast. Ming Yue who was limited by her low self-esteem and overbearing mother, Tang Can who felt like she was stuck in place when everyone around her lived their best and successful lives. I loved how Zhuang Bei did not disappear after the high school timeline, how he truly became part of the friend group. Or how Qin Mei Ying was not just a plot device and accessory to Chen Ting.

And then we have the best father in all drama history: Li Hai Chao. He could be used as a gold standard on how to well-integrate adopted children into an already existing family. He made sure everyone felt welcomed without neglecting his own daughter. Being patient was his biggest strength that made all the kids trust him. Putting happiness and well-being over, often meaningless achievements. Purest form of support we all dream about.

Sadly, that’s the end of the short list of the good parents this drama presented, and one of the main issues I had with the show.

Yes, I did like Ling He Ping, but it’s also true that he was a rather neglectful father. Working a lot, not being at home knowing how bad the situation is. Later putting his son in the care of a neighbor.

Not going into details, at some point I found the level and the number of dysfunctional families in this show exhausting and unrealistic. All families have their problems, that’s true. The thing is, Go Ahead does not present your typical issues, it’s all on the level of: you need therapy, these are not disagreement, this is an abuse.

Then we have the issue of vilification of mothers. This one abandoned her child, another did the same. This one is overcontrolling to the point of abuse, this one uses her child to get money. There was literally only one mother without any major issues, who did not mentally torture her child, and she was a mom of the side character. It’s not like the dads were perfect, but their faults were never highlighted as much.

At the same time, the drama gives a rather painful and unhealthy message - no matter what, you cannot give up on your mother, you have to try and make the relationship work, no matter the abuse and how much you are suffering, because it is your mother. Abandoning your child is “a mistake”, but not helping your mother when she struggles is the biggest sin one can commit. Some scenes just made me feel uncomfortable. I know there are some cultural differences and China puts a lot of importance on family bonds and family relations, but there is a big difference between doing your best to fix a relationship with your parents and just accepting abuse for years.

I also feel like the drama unintentionally stigmatizes mental health issues. In some aspects they did a good job, showing how serious are the consequences of emotional abuse, trauma, neglect, stress, pressure etc. The fact it’s not just - I feel sad. How it can affect your daily life, how it will only get worse if you won’t seek help and try to change the situation you are in. On the other hand though, they did blame a lot of toxic and awful behavior on psychological issues. The sad truth is - some people are simply dicks, and they will act like one whenever they struggle with something or not. Some people are just egocentric and selfish and them getting help won’t change that.

My “favorite” part about mental health presentation? Two characters talking about how you cannot get better in just a few months when you struggle with serious psychological issues, while also showing how serious issues were solved in a short period of time without getting into any details on how. All I could do was laugh.

Going back to the good - PERFORMANCES! Personally I believe Zhang Xin Chen and Tu Song Yan stole the show. The strong and beautiful father-son bond these two were able to present was one of the best aspects of the drama. They also had the best overall chemistry with all their co-stars. Whatever these two characters were going through always hit harder and made me feel more compared to when I watched the other characters.

While I enjoyed Tan Song Yun and Song Wei Long for their individual roles, somehow I did not click with their scenes together as their characters became adults. I feel like they had more chemistry playing teenagers. When the three siblings were together, when they had their separate scenes with Zhang Xin Chen, the on-screen chemistry was great, but when it was just the two of them… something was missing.

I don’t really have that much to say about the production value. It was great, but great is kind of a standard now in the industry.

On the other hand, there is a lot to compliment about the soundtrack! There is not one bad song, not one mismatched track - every tune is in perfect harmony with their corresponding scenes. Every song enhances the moments I witnessed, amplifying the emotions.

Overall, I binge watched the whole drama in 6 days, I think that is a greatest proof Go Ahead is an amazing show. It makes you like and care for the characters from episode one, and with each minute you get more and more attached to them and their journey.

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Completed
The Story of Park's Marriage Contract
8 people found this review helpful
Jan 8, 2024
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 3.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 5.5
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

Annoying, clichéd, waste of time

This drama started out with such great expectations. Especially the nice looking lead pair.
But every episode went downhill after that.

Seriously - they couldn't decide who would be the evil villain - the step mother or grand father.
The evil stepmother's heart of stone voila turns to gold somewhere in some random episode for some irrational reason.
The grandfather couldn't decide if he wanted to be evil or greedy or a smart ceo. Thankfully he loses his memory along the way and spares us his confusion.

The time transfer between Joseon to Seoul is like traveling on a rattling bullock cart - you don't know which part of your intestine got twisted and jostled on the rough journey.

And the most cringey part was this plastic branch with a few flowers that the FL keeps carrying around waiting for the flowers to wilt and the ML to die.

Messy, shabby, poorly scripted.

The positives:
Beautiful outfits created for the fashion house. The runway outfits were fabulous.
Beautiful embroidery.

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Completed
At a Distance, Spring Is Green
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 8, 2024
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

Touched me emotionally very much

I already saw this show at like social media but I wasn‘t that interested at first, but after seeing another youtube video, it started to catch me and I decided to give it a try and watched it. The story touched me very deeply and emotionally, I felt so bad for yeo jun and nam soo-hyeon. I didn‘t read the webtoon but I saw that some people pointed out the kind of undercover BL hints, but I already knew that it wasn‘t a BL story, also I like BL very much and this story could have fit perfectly, I don‘t mind it that much that this was a f/m lovestory. Yeo jun and So-bin were kinda cute together but the relationship or friendship between yeo jun and nam soo hyun catched me the most. It was just so beautiful and heart warming to see them together, opening up to each other despite their first struggles and opposite characters. I really liked the fact that they lived together at some point. Their past also hit me deeply emotionally, escpecially yeo jun‘s story and I couldn‘t understand his parents at all, like why were they so cruel to him, at least his brother turned out to be nice and I was glad that they could bury their hatred or that yeo jun could reconcile with his brother. I also liked Wang young-ran and thought that it would‘ve been good if she ended up with nam soo hyun but still it was alright like that. Overall, I really liked the trio of yeo jun, nam soo hyun and so bin, but also the girls trio with so bin, wang young ran and mi joo was heartwarming to see how they all supported each other.
But like I already said, yeo jun and nam soo hyun were the highlight for me and I really liked the show.

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Completed
Hidden Love
3 people found this review helpful
Jan 8, 2024
25 of 25 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

How To Be There For Someone And Let Them Be There For You!

There is one thing more powerful, captivating, and endearing than one person being there for someone else. It’s when two people are able to be there for each other. This is the hallmark—the foundation—of any true relationship. Relationships are not about what you get out of them, but what you put into them. And any true companion will never ask you to be anything other than who you are. In fact, they won’t encourage you to be anything else.

I doubt there is a person alive who cannot remember their first love. The series does a masterful job of demonstrating the awkwardness as well as the intrigue of first love. It’s new. It’s scary. And it’s also so encompassing that a person can scarcely believe that it’s happening. At the start of the series, Sang Zhi is a young middle school student who quickly finds herself enamored by her brother’s friend, Duan Jia Xu. Despite the fact that he’s five years her senior, it doesn’t matter. As we well know, love defies logic and rationale. Most would quickly define Sang Zhi’s feelings as a crush and nothing more. However, over time, a single seed can grow and blossom, and it soon becomes obvious that this is not a crush.

Sang Zhi isn’t merely captivated by Duan Jia Xu’s looks. She marvels at how well and respectfully he treats her, always being thoughtful, attentive, and willing to help, no matter the situation. Initially Duan Jia Xu sees Sang Zhi as a sister and nothing more. After all, with such an age gap, it’s hard to imagine him seeing her in any other way. But, as people grow older, that gap narrows. It just takes some time; time enough for him to begin seeing her in a new light. Or as Sang Zhi wisely states, “I had to catch up to him.”

Duan Jia Xu is a gentle, hardworking young man who suddenly finds a massive responsibility thrust upon his young shoulders. His father, in a drunken state, is involved in a hit-and-run fatality. Rather than face the consequences of his actions, his father hurls himself off the balcony of their home. However, he doesn’t die, but is in a vegetative state. Bills pile up. Duan Jia Xu’s mother’s body is wracked with cancer. And works multiple jobs to try and pay off the debt that he owes to the family who was affected by the tragedy. In short, he’s forced to grow up very quickly. Despite having Sang Yan’s friendship (Sang Zhi’s hilarious older brother!), Duan Jia Xu feels very much alone. One can’t help but figure that, even at a young age, Sang Zhi gave him a reason to not feel this way. And by the final episode, we are proven right. She is the bright star in his life and always has been.

Sang Zhi is a young, spoiled, and often immature young girl. Her defense mechanism of “playing mind games” with Duan Jia Xu leads her into needless and silly predicaments, such as making up the idea that she has an online boyfriend, hoping to make him jealous. Of course, it backfires, and she often reacts terribly, leading her to jump to conclusions. However, make no mistake. Sang Zhi is a very strong woman who proves to Duan Jia Xu that she is more than capable and fit to be by his side during the most trying of times. In short, she’s exactly the kind of partner any sane man would want. Someone who’s there for you during the lightest and darkest of times. She never hesitates or wavers in her convictions. She is steadfast and acts very much like an anchor. Even when her parents initially disapprove of their dating, it doesn’t sway her. Nothing does.

For the most part, the relationship between Sang Zhi and Duan Jia Xu is done very well, even when she is given very poor advice from her roommates—most of whom have no clue how to be in a relationship. Sang Zhi often contradicts herself; wanting to be pursued and then reacts immaturely when Duan Jia Xu doesn’t do something or pursues her in a way that she doesn’t understand. She is fortunate enough that Duan Jia Xu’s own love for her is as strong as hers is for him, and he won’t be turned away so easily either. However, there are a few awkward and even puzzling moments after they start their relationship, how often Sang Zhi recoils as attempts of kisses or hugs or even holding hands. This was done a bit too frequently, in my opinion. It reminded me of Sang Zhi’s funny attempt at the high jump in high school when she kept awkwardly stepping forward, then back, and then ran toward the bar only to crash into it. Once she finally gets over her girlish reactions and aversions, things finally begin to settle into a space of normalcy.

This is my first foray into Chinese dramas, and I wasn’t disappointed. Through the first 21 episodes or so, I had this series at an “8” or so. The last few vaulted it to a “10.” Lu Si Zhao got to me when she reacted to her brother after he’d hit Duan Jia Xu. Her tearful reaction of feeling betrayed by someone who was supposed to be on her side, hits full force. The series only got better from there. The airport scene when she follows him back and finally reveals her “secrets” to Duan Jia Xu and letting him know that she will never leave him is incredibly powerful as was their scene together at his mother’s grave. However, the “proposal scene” was done so effectively, that I’ll wager that not many saw that coming. I’m not a fan of having a crowd for a marriage proposal, but seeing all of their loved ones standing around the heart of flowers, and Duan Jia Xu’s heartfelt proposal culminated everything that the series was about.

The chemistry between Lu Si Zhao and Chen Zhe Yuan is undeniable and unmistakable as they make sure that the viewer takes in every single raw feeling and emotion that occurs between them. "Our Beloved Summer" is my all-time favorite romance between young couples. This one is right up there with that one.

So many romantic dramas and movies often leave the viewer actually wondering if a “happy ending” is feasible or if reality will simply prove to be too much and the “happy couple” will eventually dissolve into an ambivalent one. Not this couple! I have no doubt that Duan Jia Xu and Sang Zhi will have a happy and largely fulfilling life together. Why? Because they’ve both realized at a tender young age, the most important thing to do for someone you love is to be there for them and to also let them be who they are. If you’ve lost faith in romance, this series just might help you find it again.

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Ongoing 3/38
Castle in the Time
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 8, 2024
3 of 38 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.5

Xiao Junjun is so cute

initial. Watching this show is just to pass the time。What I didn't expect was that it was quite interesting. I have watched Zhang Zhehan's TV series,he ia so pretty.He plays Gu Chijun in the play!Gu Chijun has a domineering and cold personality, is narcissistic, and does not play by common sense. and Xu Zhen are happy enemies. Once Gu Chijun is determined in love, he will move forward bravely.the actors are all great at acting.The only regret is that only one episode is played every day.Recommend to you.Hope you guys will enjoy this drama too!
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Completed
Gyeongseong Creature
2 people found this review helpful
Jan 8, 2024
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

This could've been the next Kingdom but never quite lives up to its potential

The comparisons between Gyeongseong Creature and Kingdom will be obvious as both are Netflix originals with impressive casts that blend the supernatural/horror with historical events, and I really really wanted Gyeongseong Creature to be as good as Kingdom (which is one of my favorite kdramas of all time), but sadly, it never quite lives up to its potential. That's not to say this drama is bad and in fact, there's a lot to like about it. The cast is excellent (special shoutout to Choi Young-Joon for his chilling portrayal of Colonel Kato) and many of the characters and their relationships are easy to root for, the way the story weaves fact (the Japanese occupation of Korea and human experimentation) and fiction (the inhuman creature) is incredibly compelling, and its core message about freedom and resistance continue to be relevant, now more than ever. But where Kingdom is elevated by an incredible script with impeccably developed characters, Gyeongseong Creature is unfortunately let down by mediocre writing and lackluster character development.

What makes Kingdom so SO good is that the writing hones in on the themes of hunger and power in Joseon-era Korea and explores it via the supernatural element of zombies. The zombies are not the point of the story, the hunger is, and that core theme is woven into every aspect of the show and explored over the course of 12 episodes, resulting in a tight, cohesive story about how hunger can drive a nation to the brink of destruction. Gyeongseong Creature tries to follow this playbook and tell a story about freedom and resistance and the way war makes monsters of us all, sometimes literally, but the writing isn't strong enough to deliver on that lofty theme.

It was a huge miss for the show not to dive more deeply into Tae-Sang's journey from selfish rogue to reluctant freedom fighter, and even after watching all 10 episodes, I still can't tell if he's supposed to be a charming pawnbroker with a secret heart of gold and patriotic streak or if he's simply a rich man who wants to protect his riches and will only support noble causes if they happen to align with his own interests. The writers tell us he's the former, but end up showing us more of the latter and the fact that the show never truly integrates Tae-Sang (the main character!!) into the resistance storyline is a huge missed opportunity. Park Seo-Joon does his damndest to bring some nuance and depth to Tae-Sang, and the fact that he succeeds at all is a testament to his skill as an actor rather than the quality of the script. The other main character, Chae-Ok, is presented as a righteous character who has seen the horrors of man and the fact that she and her father don't become part of the resistance movement is honestly not really believable to me. The only character we know by name who is actually involved in the resistance movement is Jun-Taek, but he makes no real impact on the story until the end of the season, and that's really only as a plot device to introduce explosives into the narrative in time for the finale (what a waste of Wi Ha Joon). But for me, the most egregious missed opportunity to incorporate the theme of freedom and resistance into the story is with the treatment of the titular creature. I wanted so badly to root for the monster as the physical manifestation of the evils that Japan inflicted on Korea, as the horrifying culmination of the atrocities committed by the oppressed now exacting righteous vengeance on the oppressors, but we never really get to know Seong-Sim as a human and we see so little of her before her transformation that she's never really allowed to become anything more than just a monster.

This review probably seems harsh but it's only because this drama had SO much potential and I really wanted it to be so much better than it was. Don't even get me started on Lady Maeda, who is easily the most intriguing character on this show. She's revealed to be the puppet master behind the whole nefarious plot at the hospital, and for what? I'm sure the show is saving these answers for the next season, but by doing so, it falls into the same trap that Sweet Home season 2 did - they spent more time setting up season 2 than they did actually making a coherent season 1. As an aside, I have to say that Netflix is really ruining the pacing of its originals by splitting them up into parts 1 and 2. This show should've ended season 1 on episode 7 once they escaped the hospital because the remaining 3 episodes felt super rushed and ruined much of the tension and momentum they had built with the previous episodes. Pushing the storyline from episodes 8-10 into season 2 would've given that story more time to develop and it would've made the return back to the hospital and its bombing all the more impactful. I don't know what the hell to make of the time jump at the end but I know it wasn't a satisfying way to end this season.

All that said, I did mostly enjoy this show despite how negative this review is. The history of Japanese occupation in Korea is an important one and I think the writers did a decent job conveying the horrors of the time, both real and imagined. I'll certainly be back for season 2, but if you're like me and were hoping this would fill the Kingdom-sized hole in your heart, you're probably better off lowering your expectations for this one and rewatching Kingdom again once you're done, which is certainly what I plan on doing.

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Completed
Happiness
2 people found this review helpful
by choi k
Jan 8, 2024
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.5
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 3.5

Annoyingly disappointing

Just finished this today. Extremely disappointed but not surprised. I was easily caught up with the narrative and characters in the beginning, and Han Hyo-joo's performance as a competent special forces soldier had a great unselfconscious swagger of someone with confidence in themseles. and her equally unselfconscious selfcentredness in the beginning when schemng to get the apartment was genuinely amusing. But from about halfway through I was watching more from duty and still some interest in what would happen to Sae-bom than anything else. Perhaps it is because the really strange social setup and peculiar startification of class (?) which comes across as pretty alien even to this British person who has been used to class-consciousness all their life. It just seems *different* and hard to believe that anyone would have put up with it even for a day in such unusual emergency situation. The whole idea that people would be ordered about like that by people with no real authority is genuinely amazing. This seemed MUCH mor emphasised than in any other KDrama I have seen (except maybe THE PENTHOUSE) and I watch a lot. Anyway, tht made it hard to completely empathise with and suspend disbelief. And then the whole coherence of the plot seemed to unravel. Now I completely accept that I may be missing subtleties in the original Korean, but the narrative as supplied by the subtitling started to make no sense at all. I actually put off watching the final ep for several days because I felt it was going to be a let down, and it was worse than I had expected. So, good beginning, gradually declining middle, and totally weak ending. The most disappointing Kdrama I have seen *all the way through*

(I am the sort of person who recently watched and loved 'Hotel del Luna', 'Hometown Cha Cha Cha' and 'Sell your Haunted House', 'Attorney Woo' and 'Mad for each Other' and 'Inspector Koo', just in case that explains my reaction!)

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Completed
Love Crossed
3 people found this review helpful
Jan 8, 2024
36 of 36 episodes seen
Completed 5
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Delulu girl dates a virtual boyfriend but with a twist. Loved Zhang Ling He and everything else.

I started this drama for Zhang Ling He but I stayed for the awesome characters, plot and romance. I initially thought this was going to be a mindless fluff (a cute romance and nothing more). But the drama surprised me with it’s multi-layered plot and emotional depth. We have themes of family, real vs virtual love, friendships and romantic relationships. All characters have depth and a meaningful backstory.

The drama is about the female lead who buys glasses which allows her to have a virtual boyfriend/husband. She can touch him and have imagery talks/scenarios in her head with him. One day her delulu mind gets even crazier when she meets the male lead who looks just like her virtual boyfriend.

The beginning of the drama is pure comedy. You see many delulu girls, walking on the streets and interacting with their invisible (virtual) boyfriends. The middle of the drama is emotional. You see the backstory of the main characters, and the very real struggles they experience in the world. The end of the drama is mystery/suspense with many unexpected plot twists. The romance is a running theme in the drama so if you are a hopeless romantic, you will enjoy this for sure.

This drama is a rare gem in many aspects but especially in the romantic department. The main and secondary couple shared equal screen time and I loved them both equally. The couples are different enough to make the drama interesting but as a group of four friends they compliment each other well.

POSITIVE:
- Many awesome plot twists (one of the best I’ve ever seen!)
- Comedy is top-notch (especially if you love the “girl is delulu” trend).
- Characters are well developed. Even the side characters have a meaningful and realistic story.
- No annoying characters (which is very rare to see).
- Self-aware writers. The characters do something ridiculous and then call themselves out on that.
- Fluffy romance for both couples (I loved both couples equally which is rare).
- Worth to watch this for Zhang Ling He. His character has an important role and if you love the actor you will enjoy this.
- Grumpy and Sunshine romance trope (main leads).
- Female chases male (main couple) vs male chases female (second couple).
- Side characters (like the granny and the famous singer are relevant to the plot, not just fillers).
- No fillers. Every scene that was not about the romance felt meaningful and important for the plot.

NEGATIVE:
- Some episodes felt a little draggy. But that could be because I was binge-watching and eager to see how it all ended.

OVERALL:
Personally, the drama made me FEEL so much. My heart warmed when I was watching the romance. My heart ached when I was watching the sad backstories and struggles of the characters. My heart beat fast with excitement when I was watching the plot twists and suspense! This drama may not be perfect, it may be cliche at times but it made me feel, and that's why it has become one of my all time favourites.

I started this drama only for Zhang Ling He and he ended up being the bonus factor not the main reason to continue to watch as I loved everything!

If you want a fluffy romance with characters that have emotional depth, a meaningful story with cool plot twists and an air of mystery - watch this drama.

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