Reviews

The Fabulous Review by Kdramas with Miss Critic

It's a battle for survival in this behind-the-scenes look at Korea's glamorous but not always glitzy fashion industry. It shows the harsh reality of its competitive nature and those who choose to walk its path. Facing this struggle are our four main protagonists, who find support in each other: publicist Pyo Ji Eun, freelance photo retoucher Ji Woo-min, designer Joseph, and senior model Yeo Seon Ho.

Episode 1 opens with a bit of a whirlwind introduction to the fashion, glitz, and glamour we’ll be seeing over the course of the next 7 episodes. Starting the show with a fantabulous bang is a runway show led by renowned designer Joseph (Lee Sang-won) and supermodel Ye Seon Ho. Right from the start, we see the ups and downs of fashion and the types of people within it that we’ll deal with throughout the story.

To be honest, I wasn’t all that interested in the show besides the fact that Choi Minho was starring in it. It had that glamorous and glitzy look to it that I enjoy in dramas, but I wasn’t sure if the premise would hold up for an entire season. It's been done before here and there, so it would be hard to find a unique space for it. The characters, on the other hand, are what hold the show together and make it enjoyable. It has an enjoyable cast, all with distinctly different personalities that mesh well together. All of them have their own interesting side plots that they’re dealing with and sharing with one another. The romance happens to be my favorite part of it. Ji Eun and Woo Min's relationship, in particular, is toeing the line between friendship and something more.

Watch or skip?

I recommend watching it, but I wouldn’t consider it a must-see. It’s not the most deep or groundbreaking show about this sort of subject. However, it's certainly an entertaining watch for the Christmas break. I see myself continuing on and watching it, though it won’t be a binge.

Happy Holidays!

-Miss Critic

If interested, the entirety of my review can be found on my substack!

Kdramas with Miss Critic

https://misscritic.substack.com/p/the-fabulous-initial-review

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Best revenge drama of 2022

The storyline is superb. It contains real issue in the real world (not like time travel, reincarnation or soul shifter thingies). Bullying is happening in all level of society. It's important issue.

The acting skill of all the casts, including the young actresses and actors are excellent. With many characters, I still can keep up and remember all of them. They all are unique. Every cast was selected perfectly. The development of the characters is great. It's not only about the female lead and male lead, but also other pairing of friendship (e.g. Moon Dong Eun and her spy, Kang Hyeon Nam).

The pace or the flow of the events in the drama is brilliant. They took us smoothly from past and current, so that we understand the story.

Currently I have been rewatching, just because I like it. And can't wait for the season/part 2.

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I CRIED WATCHING THIS SHOW

*spoilers alert*
This show started off good but after the main couple broke up everything went downhill. The decisions main lead made were just wtf. When she broke up with the younger guy it was reasonable and I could see why she did that but then she went on and dated the older guy which made me cry out of frustration. Then u would think the younger guy would give up, no he didn’t. I honestly thought that this show would be realistic about dating but und fortunately no it wasn’t. Both of the guys were basically experiments for her she doesn’t like one of them she moved onto the other one which pissed me off. The younger guy himself is stupid like no one would just wait around for their ex like this guy did.
Other than that the other couples are literally so cuteeee. I only continued watching the show for the other couples.

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Sooo worth the wait

I have love this couple since cutie pie guest appearance, even sun, 7 projects, UWMA and now between us. Something about their Chemistry and the way they just make you experience every feeling just made them my favorite couple. For me I can feel win doubt, but his live for Team, and Team the way he cares about his friends is on another level. Since 2019 waiting patiently for this series and boy would I say it was worth the Wait. Another one of my favorites in this series is Manow. She just have some slack screws 🤣🤣 and I love her. Can't wait to see her getting her HEA and hopefully her chance to act in her play. All in all enjoying so far. Completed and loooove it. Cant wait for vampire project

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Island best drama

I love it and I love Cha eunwoo he's so good even though his appearance was short so far, and the other casts are so good too!!
I know in the next episodes it'll be more crazy and scary scenes not just for eunwoo but for everyone!!!
I love it and I love Cha eunwoo he's so good even though his appearance was short so far, and the other casts are so good too!!
I know in the next episodes it'll be more crazy and scary scenes not just for eunwoo but for everyone!!!



CHA EUNWOO X ISLAND
#IslandEp1and2 #Island #아일랜드
#차은우 #CHAEUNWOO

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An addictive k-drama

I was fascinated by the story, hell, priests is amazing! I've only seen two episodes, but I really liked it. I don't usually watch horror series, but I started it because of Eunwoo's performance and I was riveted by the story. It is the first k-drama that scared me of how good it is.

In addition to the story, it is a very good drama because of the special effects it has, also because of the good performances by the great cast. I am surprised by the characterization of the demons and the same for the scenarios, is it really Jeju? Woah!

For sure there will be many twists in the story, I am looking forward to the next episodes

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Very poor English translation

I typically watch this type of dramas to have an easy and pleasant experience. My expectations are set for something around 7 rating. But I always welcome to see some pretty and hopefully talented young actresses and actors. This story was lacking mainly due to the fact that the English translation was so poor and many parts of the story were simply hard to understand.
I always appreciate English translations and those individuals that do them. I do understand when there are mistakes here and there. However, this translation is one of the worst I've seen, and I have already watched around 200 TV dramas.

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Ahh to be this young and dramatic

What a sweet story of young love meeting real world obstacles. Well worth the shenanigans I had to navigate to be able to track it down and watch it.

Similar to season 1, it took me a bit to get used to how earnest and cheesy this pairing is - it’s a bit much at times! But once you adjust and accept that someone will be calling out “baby!” approximately every 10 seconds, this is a really heartfelt and honest depiction of first love between young characters.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to see these characters build a relationship in person after their virtual Covid romance in the first series, and thought the small bumps and challenges they faced were very natural, rather than feeling contrived. The side stories with the friend group, while sometimes annoying, also felt very true to the age of the characters and the kind of drama you can expect in a small circle where everyone has dated everyone else at one point or another. The acting and chemistry was on point, and the production values were top notch.

I’m hopeful that there will be a final installment, as this had an open-ending that sets up the next segment of the story nicely, should they get the chance to make it. If that happens, I also hope for better distribution so fans can actually watch it!

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Don't enjoy 2FL's storyline thus not enjoying the drama (very subjective review)

7.75 rating - rounded up to 8.0 because of Feng Shao Feng

I started watching “Prince of Lan Ling” at the end of 2022 and it’s the first drama I completed in 2023. At times, it does feel like it took me a year to finish watching this. Watching this drama almost 10 years after it’s aired, I came to the conclusion that there’s one trope I really dislike, and that’s the main reason I did not enjoy this drama as much as I thought.

What I Like:

1. Feng Shao Feng - A younger Feng Shao Feng exudes charisma as the tall, dark and handsome general. He might not fit the historical description of the real Gao Chang Gong, one of the 4 most handsome historical figures, who was described as more feminine and gentle. But putting that aside, I love his portrayal and his acting. His acting moved me, more so than in “The Story of Ming Lan”. Since this is an older drama, I guess China did not use white filters or makeup to make all men look like women.

2. Acting - The acting of the cast is good, including supporting characters. I enjoy all the emotional scenes and cry with them. I hate the villains, especially Zhang Er soooo much, because the actors were so good.

3. Male/Female/Male Love Triangle - I was pleasantly surprised to find out Yu Wen Yong is actually a good and understanding third wheel. I thought most of the romantic angst is because of his doing, since he’s the Emperor and is used to getting his way. Imagine my surprise when he knows when to let go, to love unconditionally and never really forces FL to do anything she doesn’t want to. No wonder some watchers are rooting for him instead of Gao Chang Gong. I didn’t really have second lead syndrome since I find GCG a lot more handsome and dashing. LOL

4. Grandmothers - Love both grandmothers for different reasons. Blind grandma is strict but kind and caring. Empress Dowager grandma is hilarious and lights up the show. Not enough grandma scenes in this drama.

5. Production - Looking via my 2023 eyes, I can tell money was spent on set designs, props and even battle scenes. Palaces in both kingdoms though look similar at first sight, actually have their own unique styles. Empresses wear elaborate jewelries and give off very different vibes, one’s elegant and the other’s imposing and commanding. I love all the costumes, especially for the men. Gao Chang Gong (ML) and the 5th Prince have the most unique and colorful outfits. Not a big fan of Yu Weng Yong (2ML)’s hairstyle and his royal robes look a little too big on him, not as fitting as what the two princes wear. Yang Xue Wu (FL) has a more simpler look with fewer accessories, and she fits her well.


What I Don’t Like or have Mixed Feelings:

1. Evil/Jealous 2FL - This is a personal hatred. After watching so many xianxia dramas, I’ve come to the realization that I really dislike second female leads who won’t take no for an answer, and are clingy, jealous and obsessive. I empathize with her sufferings but still. I could not stand misunderstandings between the leads especially if they are caused by evil 2FLs. Unfortunately, this whole drama is about this evil woman, and I couldn’t help but have to watch some episodes at 1.25x speed because of her. After watching newer dramas such as “Love Like the Galaxy” where the angst of the main romance is caused by understanding each other too well, watching this show’s misunderstandings hurt my soul.

2. Female/Male/Female Love Triangle - Continuing with my previous point, I do not like this love triangle between Yang Xue Wu/Gao Chang Gong/Zhang Er. I am mainly more disappointed in the two main characters where they would fall for Zhang Er’s tricks over and over again. They’re supposed to be smart people, yet Yang Xue Wu couldn’t stop herself from believing in those lies, when she KNEW Zhang Er was evil. My blood boils!

3. Dubbing - Ariel Lin is the only one who used her own voice in this drama. I applaud her for doing so, and it did make a difference. Unfortunately, I was expecting a different voice from Feng Shao Feng. His voice actor doesn’t seem to match him. I also dislike the voices of Emperor Gao Zhan and Zu Ting. They sound weird and a little cartoonish.

4. Main Romance - The main romance should have been good and right up my alley. They have sweet and fluffy scenes, romantic and emotional scenes. I would have loved a few more good kisses. I think the evil 2FL just took too much enjoyment out of the main romance for me to appreciate what I usually like. I enjoy the earlier episodes when they just met each other and started to fall in love. Once they became a couple, there’s something missing that I couldn’t pinpoint. I would not say the chemistry is bad. I love some of the scenes, especially the 2nd wedding and the portraits. I love that they mostly are very honest when communicating their feelings to each other. But this star-crossed lovers plot should move me more.


Other Random Observations:
1. The writers must know people hate the second female very much and try to compensate by showing a quite long scene of her getting sexually assaulted (no explicit skin-showing scenes).
2. The writers also don’t hesitate in burning a small child alive or throwing a baby on the floor to kill it.
3. Blind loyalty is the death of the male lead. He could have a good life with his wife but no, he chose to be a martyr. Reminds me of Zhou Sheng Chen in “One and Only”.
4. So much time was spent on FL helping out the disabled soldiers in the village. Well, it’s somewhat anticlimactic when ML just heard of it but never fully appreciated the effort. It’s just another plot device of the evil 2FL.



Completed: 1/1/2023 - First review of 2023 and I couldn’t keep it short and succinct.

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loved it

I was so invested in this series, i binged the whole thing, started on new years eve, finished new years day.
I hope my new year can be filled with just a drop of the love the two main characters were able to portray here.
I don't even understand the negative remarks about this show.
Yes, it has a few triggers, but I'm not sensitive myself. I just enjoyed the budding romances, growing into passion. And the kissing scenes, yess, this is why I love BL drama's, the passionate kisses, totally made me want to reinstall tinder. However, posting 'BL drama' as an interest on my tinder profile might not be the smartest idea :-D

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hilarious

This is one of the funniest series I've seen in a while.
The main character 'mob' plays his role so well, his face expressions and inner monologues are on point.
I think I laughed so hard even my neighbours heard.

Also, very binge worthy since it doesnt take that long, i went through all of it in one sitting (it says here 120 min but one rakuten it was divided into 4 episodes)

The scene where he was smelling the backs of his possible 'saviors', was hilarious,
and i loved the 'bubble love' theme song
starting on that second season right away!

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You should totally watch the show!!!!

This drama is honestly one of the best dramas of 2022/2023 in my opinion and here is why!

First and foremost the story is amazing, the plot is amazing and you won’t see what’s going to happen next. The plot is not just the typical plot of many C-dramas that we see today it’s different and totally refreshing.

The actors are also doing what needs to be done. The FL is totally one of my favorites she’s head strong, smart and an overall good character to see. (It’s shocking to hear that the actress is a rookie actress, she’s doing a really good job to bring Lin Xi to life). Another one of my favorites is totally the ML, he’s a total tsundere and I’m totally liking him as the series progresses. The SL is also doing really good but I’m totally rooting for the FL and ML. The support characters are also amazing and really fun to watch.

The music is also super cute to listen to and totally goes with our characters.

I honestly see myself watching this show forever till the end of time (yes, it’s that good).

If you are thinking about watching the show you should totally watch it l promise you will not regret it.

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PERFECT.

as always I thought that this series will be cringe just because its a Thai series which are cringe sometimes but this was a masterpiece. I wasn't bored for even a second, the story is fantastic, the chemistry between actors is perfect. always at the end of the first 4th episodes I was trying to come with an idea how Tin should help Tol but the ending was insane when tin got shot I was to stunned to speak. I hope there will be something like season 2 or something. I really recommend this series and LIKE GOD THIS IS SO UNDERRATED!! I usually don't like bus which story is in hospital because its kinda drastic and all. the most is also so good!! it even made me want to try study medicine because it looks really cool. be sure to watch this its so cool totally my favorite bl.

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