Reviews

Start-Up (2020)

Start-Up came flying out the gate. Vibrant, modern, and visually appealing. You can see the solid starting foundation for which the story will be built upon and it even showcases the delicacy needed to tug at the proverbial heartstrings. The characters were endearing, lighthearted yet at times raw and emotional.

So where did it all go wrong?

- The writers produced a secondary male lead that seemingly overpowered the primary one and had to find their ways around it
- Lack of/insufficient character growth despite how far the core group of characters had actually canonically come
- Casually brushing off and/or not fully fleshing out certain storylines
- Leaning, more than it needed to, into the romance aspects and that messy love triangle
- Using a time-skip plot device that nobody asked for, that satisfied even less

Don't get me wrong. The show was still an absolute joy to watch. But there was so much potential left on the table. You were asked to invest your time and emotion into the story. Asked to believe in and support the characters. But then they pulled the rug up under you.

That's not very becoming of a start-up.

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While You Were Sleeping (2017)

A creative premise that's contrasted by relatively simple point A to point B episodic content. The performances from the main leads and the secondary characters made the story flow pretty smoothly. Though I can see how the simplistic nature of the show presented in individual stories could turn some people off.

One thing that really bugged me early on was when one of the main antagonists was pointed out by his own client to have falsified evidence. Why wasn't he investigated, suspended, or disbarred? I mean yeah, this is TV and all but this is like a HUGE thing in the world of law. Keeping him around for the sake of plot and/or stuff like that in general made the show feel a bit cheap at times. To add to that, I think the amount of "filler" in the show kind of ruined the mystique of the concept. The more (quantity) they leaned into the supernatural aspects the less (quality) it was memorable. Don't get me wrong, the writing was still good to watch as details and stories were fleshed out reasonably well but I think condensing things would've been more impactful.

The show has just enough drama and suspense to sustain itself and yet manages to keep a relatively lighthearted side of things. It has its fair share of emotional bits as well as parts where it falls flat without anything particularly memorable. So while enjoyable, it won't linger around in your thoughts or have you think about it in the shower or in bed, while you were sleeping.

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Pinocchio (2014)

A fairly entertaining script, driven by an alright cast, portraying characters with an okay on-screen presence and semi-decent chemistry.

The setup is an interesting idea but it is a bit slow before it ramps up to the juicy bits. There's hardly much in terms of the romance subplot so you'll pretty much have to be engaged with the suspense and drama bits the majority of the time. Which, again, isn't the greatest at times.

In terms of the characters, I don't feel as if they developed as much as they should have from the series start to finish. While the performances from the leads were fine I feel as if the writing didn't match up. Some storylines or plot devices were a bit boring(?) or draggy even though, oddly enough, the show passes the eye test in terms of pacing.

In any case, I think they could've done something a little more impactful with the Pinocchio setup. While I credit the writing in an attempt to create something magical out of the "Pinocchio, the boy who lied", well, "Pinocchio, the girl who hiccupped" just doesn't hit the same.

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Building 19; An Underrated Show

19th Floor or Building 19 as I think it should have been called because we never really saw 19 floors but the number on the building itself. This show was ridiculously underrated and that's sad. I didn't expect it to be good and only really knew ML, FL, and Bai Shu's characters from a few previous series. But it had a great storyline that never dragged and only a few baubles.

Pros: A show has to be good for me to watch it with AI subs as it's something I very rarely do because they give me a headache. But even before I knew when Viki was actually going to drop with subs, I was invested in watching. I'm so glad that romance wasn't the priority shoved in there like most even sci-fi shows have done. The teamwork and friendships built gradually amongst the players of this life or death game was the main theme. We did end up with two couples ultimately but it was a very toned down process that wasn't forced.

Favorite characters were def ML and FL; the essential high IQ and EQ alpha male (GX) and female (CY) who really in a sense were childhood sweethearts. He had searched for her high and low and they ended up in the game together as her father helped him find and protect her. All of the members of the team went from annoying, having issues, or jackasses to great friends and supportive of each other. Absolutely everyone evolved and grew. I'm actually glad Uncle Lin never regained his game memories because someone else taking over his body and the rest of that would have been pretty traumatic. There were 3 fathers in this series that had daughter issues including the villain but he was just insane. I wish GX hadn't sacrificed himself to save him. I would have let him fry. Thankfully it didn't take GX too long to return to the land of the living and have his memories restored.

The basic premise of this show is that a villain (YML) hijacks a game from two other creators and creates a horror show where players must "die" somehow or figure out a way to pass each level to survive. Players never choose it, but a chip is implanted in their heads because they tried a free VR game and the device implemented it. Those that die in horrible ways, end up in a coma with their lives basically in this dude's hands. And all of this because of his own selfish actions and being unable to save his daughter but because the paramedics didn't get there in time, he blames the world and wants everyone to suffer.

The CGI was truly amazing how realistic they made each world. They showed a video of each level in the game and how it's created. There are comical moments too and tear jerking ones. They also showed each important person's family life and how imperfect it already is plus each night, they get sucked into the game no matter where they are; sitting, standing, on the toilet. All of the twists and turns of this series really had you wanting more. Even YML up until his last episode, you wanted to use a flamethrower on.

Cons: Starting with YML; he was just a loony that deserved jail time or to die in his own game. So him being saved by GX and from just a few of GX's words understanding his mistakes that for 29 episodes he didn't get wasn't very believable. Yes, this was an AI-VR sci-fi show so reality was superficial but this was basic human nature stuff and a leopard doesn't change his spots so fast.

The fact that the group actually believed him when he said he'd remove the chip was poor writing. Also when they sneaked into a high tech building on some occasions but got caught in others was unbelievable. A place like this that had guards and cameras everywhere, how could you not get caught? Or think you were in the clear? It was very unrealistic and this happened like 4 times. Another weird plot hole was that in the last episode the policeman speaking to the press said they'd been investigating this for months and had "the masses" tell them this was going on; what masses? Her dad that was in Uncle Lin's body? Only the ones in the game knew about it and the doctors that were made to disappear or director of the hospital. Where did this mountain of evidence come from that they'd been compiling? The group was afraid to go to the police because they didn't think they'd be believed. Meanwhile, the police supposedly knew and yet didn't do anything about it until they mysteriously and randomly showed up at the place when YML was chucked into reality by GX in the second to last episode to arrest him? Makes no sense.

Personally, though they made weird overtures with that random dude in the last 3 minutes of the show that there may very well be a season 2, I don't want it. Cast will most likely be different and the reason for it wouldn't make sense anymore. Leave well enough alone. Should have just ended it on our group walking away together from that alley fight.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Just wait for Viki to drop with proper subs; it's a great series if you like sci-fi despite some flaws in the cons. All of the actors did a good job. Worth the watch.

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Best BL of All Time

Don't say no more, it belongs to the greatest BLs of all time in the history of BLs. It's not often GMMTV produces a BL that is genuinely great, let's be honest. The story concept really fits JimmySea's image.

The OST? Spot on! Though, i thought Joong was the one who sang it haha they have the same singing voice. The minor characters are great. There were just some sloppy writings towards the end.

An unwanted opinion, the script almost felt like they were antagonizing Mhok by always baby-ing Day. I felt like they didn't delve enough on Mhok's side. Just my cents.

Overall, one of the best out there.

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the episode's were short

I really love and enjoy watching it short, cute funny K drama wish there was more episodes in it I really love how the 4 guys had a crush in the girl she's cute and funny the rest of the casting was great really love it most of all one of my favourites I was happily surprised with how cute and entertaining the show is I love how the cute girl gets a part time job on a convenienice store and meets four guys who end up having a crush on her I love how this unique intereactive web drama series tepls a young new part timer at a convenience store who ends up in a awkward flirty relationship with four handsome guys with completely different personalities❤?

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Does it live up to the hype?

Pit Babe, like KP, is one of the most anticipated and hyped series because of its unique premise and storyline. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first BL which has an omegaverse (without the Omega) kind of theme. We have Alphas and Enigmas and they have supernatural abilities.

The casting is great, definitely a treat to the eyes. Their acting? A little meh. Needs more improvement. But i understand, it's their debut after all. Well, except for Pavel. He's a good actor.

The music is meh. It didn't leave a mark on me. Didn't even notice it.

The stunts? Meh. It felt sloppy and I could see they're punching the air. Sloppy works. The standard when it comes to action scenes is KP. On episode 12, when Charlie rescued Babe, the action scenes are... bad. I couldn’t feel Charlie's grit and intensity with those punches.

The ep 13, I don't know if it's just me but it didn't feel like a finale. I didn't feel any excitement. It felt bland. It felt rush in a way.

Note: The series stayed true to the source text/material. Maybe 85 to 90% is the same in the novel.

Rewatch value: for me, though, its definitely rewatchable because it's relatively on the light and fluffy side.

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NOT FOR COLD BLOODED HEART

This series is the perfect example of kdrama series. They have the heart throbbing scene and the plot is interesting since it involve supernatural as well. I did read the manhwa but I dropped it because it is too boring but this SERIES!!! Miss gurl- Its just a simple BL manhwa that potrays excellent innocent and pure relationship between two men that was suppose to be together in their past life.

I know that some of the viewers will say they dont understand the ending and thats only because they need much straight forward answer but for me, I understand them perfectly. Life is unfair. So when Youdam request God to save Seolbaek in exchange of their memories, it was granted but Seolbaek can remember him. So at the end of the series, its Seolbaek’s turn to pursue Youdam this time.

To be honest I could understand the series easily but i dont understand why the others say the ending is unclear. Anyway, I just wish the kiss scene would look more passionate during the time they agreed to date each other and the runtime really pissed me off but the plot doesnt look rushed at all. They were pretty chill but I think if the runtime is longer, the story would have been better.

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A bit disappointing

I was so excited for this kdrama starring Choi Woosik and Sukku, and it started off good, especially that intense episode 3 ( about the girl who was raped and killed herself , and her father). But as it went on, it felt more like a comic book than a regular show, maybe cause they stuck too close to the webtoon. It kinda dragged, and those 8 episodes felt so long.

The cinematography was cool, some shots were amazing, but overall, it was just okay for me. Didn't quite live up to my expectations. The whole superpower thing didn't vibe with me either. I knew about it from the synopsis, but when I saw it in action, it kept reminding me of the anime "death note" which is a lifetime work of art that has somehow the same idea as "a killer paradox", I guess that's why I was hoping for something much more deep and compelling but it turned out to be just a light appetizer after a heavy meal.

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Wonderful and different costume production

This is really a wonderful costume production, It has it all, except for the usual tropes (no forced marriage, no forced divorse, no annoying 2FL/2ML and no major misunderstandings).
It's funny, exciting and romantic. Even the love story isn’t the usual kind, but a warm and touching story of two very different people thrown together by destiny.
I liked this strong and clever FL and calm, collected and scheming ML.
Acting wise and in terms of chemistry this was very good.
So, if you are in need of a mostly lighthearted, funny, romantic and different short production, this is definitely well worth watching.

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Powerfully Beautiful Love Story

Blew my mind.. I love it so much ❤️ exactly like an epic love story. One, if not, the very best of Xu Kai's role. Can't move on from this beautiful story.. everything to me here is top-notch.
The fighting scenes are superbly well-done and some fight scenes I rewatch coz it was truly remarkable.
Ah..Xu Kai.. i am such a fan of his! He is just so so handsome.
And his role as the genius military man is perfect. I love watching intelligent ML and equally intelligent FL. Refreshing.
And side character stories only enhances the leads' love stories.
Watch it! ❤️

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so overrated

I finished episode 6 and I don't want to continue watching this drama. I wonder why everyone raved about this ! Repetitive storyline, predictable story, stupid marriage, stupid love...girl quits her favorite job and is happy to get married! Every scene I said to myself: Is this really it? Does it mean this ridiculousness? And I really don't know why everyone liked it!
The name of the drama does not match the story. How beautiful and meaningful Ji Ho's monologues were irrelevant to the stupid things she was doing.
The only thing that attracted me a little was the relationship between the other two couples, but not so attractive that it can make me want to continue watching this drama.
By the way, Jung So Min! it is enough! How many times do you play the role of a simple-hearted girl who loves to get married?!

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Uhm...

It's currently 1 AM and I'm on episode 10 of Twinkling Watermelon, and I'm considering dropping it. I started watching this drama with high expectations(my mistake), because the kdrama enthusiasts I follow seemed to love it, and it fell short.

I feel like the storyline or the plot is going in circles and it's going nowhere fast. I mean I am halfway through episode 10 and there seems to be no progress and it's really frustrating me. I don't think the storyline is bad per se, but I do feel like it's stretched out and it could have been a couple of episodes shorter(maybe 12 instead of 16). Or maybe it's just not my cup of tea? Which makes me sad because I was so excited for this drama. I was so confident that I was going to like it but I just want it to end so that I can continue with my life.

Would I recommend this series? Yes, it's not bad I just wish there weren't so many filler episodes. The actors were amazing, honestly, they were a 10/10 for me I feel like the portrayed the characters amazingly(which is another reason to watch this series). The music is also another reason to watch this drama.

I don't know if I'm going to finish this drama. I'm seriously considering dropping it especially after I accidentally saw a HUGE spoiler(the person did not flag it for spoilers, which is annoying). I am so sad I really wanted to enjoy this and it's also discouraging me from watching the other dramas I was excited for(i.e The Demon). I think I'm going to rewatch one/some of my series to get back my MOJO.

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