Completed
The Chaser
1 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

Definitely A Sleeper Hit

This drama was a complete sleeper hit. Honestly, I didn’t even hear about this drama at all. One day I happen to stumble upon it somewhere and thought I’d give it a try. I ended up binge watching the entire series. The male lead did such a good job, I can see why he won the 49th Baeksang award. I thought the story was really moving and the pacing was good.I’m a little sad that this drama is so underrated. Hopefully, in the future more people will be able to see this gem of a drama. I thought it was a pretty decent thriller with A+ acting. Had me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire drama.

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Completed
Adamas
15 people found this review helpful
by bliss
Aug 11, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

NOT BAD

This kdrama is intriguing!!! I don't understand why there's a bad review. Maybe it's because this kdrama is not for everyone who is not used to watching this type of genre.

I dont understand if your rating is BELOW 5. Mannnn, are we watching the same drama? Anyway, even if you're not used to watching this type of genre, give it a try! It's entertaining! Episodes 1 and 2 are more like introductions, and by episode 5, things start to get interesting.

This kdrama's pace, plot, and characters are all interconnected.

This kdrama is not slow-paced, as some have claimed. Or maybe it does in early episodes? Ah yup, the early episodes are kinda slow (the introductions part), but after that it seems normal to me because this drama requires a great deal of planning and strategy in order to uncover the truth. Of course, this takes time.

We won't see any kind of wow action in early episodes like Big Mouth because Big mouth is a different drama. It's a noir genre so it will be more aggressive there. I have read online that people compare this drama to Big Mouth. Lol. Read the plot before watching a drama. According to the plot summary, "they will try to solve their father's case with contrasting perspectives." Adamas is more like planning and executing the plan. The new KEY to the case will be revealed in each new episode.

Update: I just finished watching this kdrama. Adamas is just full of mystery. Overall, this kdrama is adequate; it is not the best, but it is also not the worst. The fact that I look forward to new episodes show how intriguing the plot is. If this kdrama isn't interesting to me, I won't bother checking for new episodes to be released every week to see what happens, because I'm the type of person who will not continue watching a drama if it gets boring in the middle. But I must admit that the last two episodes kind of made me lose interest.

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Completed
The Oath of Love
1 people found this review helpful
by HCUD
Aug 11, 2022
32 of 32 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0

Heartwarming romance

In this drama Yang Zi plays a similar much younger character as her role in Go Go Squid - her role here as Lin Zhixiao is one of a bubbly, optimistic and dynamic personality. This is in contrast to the serious and staid Dr Gu Wei. Slowly she draws him out of his shell and he becomes more relaxed and lightens up. Their relationship goes through the tribulations of a romance but their love remains steadfast. This is a very watchable drama as we get drawn into the lives of Gu Wei and Lin Zhixiao. There is the added dimension of Lin Zhixiao's relationship to her father and the last few episodes are very poignant. Yang Zi is fantastic in her role; Xiao Zhan although appearing a bit stiff nevertheless portrayed the serious and conscientious doctor Gu Wei well. It is indeed a heartwarming show and one that I will rewatch. The sound tracks sung by both leads grow on you and the songs convey the heartwarming emotions of the show - I listen to them over and over again.

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Completed
Love Script
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2022
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 6.0

Decent enough, not just my cup of tea

Chemistry between the ML, FL and SML was apparent. I can see the FL with either guy. The other two CPs are cliched romances that felt like fillers.

The first half was enjoyable enough but the second half made me feel like I was also lied to by the ML. But still I tried to understand why the FL should give him a second chance. Then the drama revealed the twist about the prince and princess consort which was framed as a reincarnation story. It was understandable but I felt like I was lied to once again.

Maybe because I really don't like being lied to that I didn't fully enjoy this drama.

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Completed
Stand by Me
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2022
49 of 49 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.5

Keep you guessing

Emperor WenZong was locked in a deadly power struggle with the formidable Duke Qiu Zhi Liang, a highly skilled eunuch who had attained great power and dominated the court. The emperor and his ministers started the Dew conspiracy in an attempt to overthrow Qiu Zhi Liang.

Sensing that the Dew conspiracy was unlikely to end well for the imperial family, QiYan the emperor’s younger brother took side with Qiu and assisted in defeating the conspiracy to earn his trust. The Prime Minister Wang and his family, and many who participated were massacred during the turmoil. His two granddaughters escaped severely wounded and were separated.

Years later, WenZong was poisoned and died under house arrest. QiYan, his younger brother ascended the throne with the support of Qiu. Planning another conspiracy, Emperor QiYan schemed to overthrow Qiu – an attempt which his brother had failed. Qiu Zhi Liang was now assisted by Qiu YanZhi, his beautiful foster daughter and a great strategist, was ever more powerful than before.

On the young emperor’s side was the Purple Velvet, a group of female fighters. This group unfortunately was on a decline. The emperor’s new sword holder who was both a bodyguard and potential new head of the Purple Velvet, was a pretty naive young girl by the name Cheng RouYu. Emperor QiYan was rather disappointed.

The relationship and trust between Qiu and QiYan had always been on thin ice. However, it became apparent there was a hidden third party in the game, planning to drive a wedge between them further. Who was this third party and what was their motive? Was romance going to kindle between the young emperor and the beautiful scheming YanZhi or the pretty naive Cheng RouYu? Was QiYan going to succeed with all the odds against him? Was QiYan gong to pay with his life for success?

What I like about this drama?

1. The Cast
The cast was excellent, acted well and very good looking. I could name a long list of outstanding actors/actresses in this drama. But I am going to just pick three.

ChengYi (QiYan) was absolutely outstanding. I was not a fan of his, but I have become one with this drama. In the past, I thought he was rather monotonous and expressionless - very much a single character actor. When he was ‘dying’ in this drama, he told his love one to leave the palace, marry someone else and lead a new live after he was gone but he was going to be so jealous. That scene was heart rending and he carried it through marvellously. His on-screen chemistry with his female lead was great.

Xuan Lu (YanZhi) was stunning and very beautiful in female attire and was excellent as the second lead. (She was the lead actress in Luoyang.) We are seeing the rise of a generation of actresses in their 20s ready to over take the generation of those already into their 30s. When she started playing the harp in glee over her success or impending success, it was quite a sight.

He ChengMing (Qiu Zhi Liang) was the absolute perfect villain. The way he flickered his eyes and flipped his sleeves when he was angry was so iconic. From the YouTube comments, many among the audience were imitating his gestures.

2. The convoluted story
The story was very convoluted – the path to uncovering the third person was quite lengthy. It kept the audience guessing who the third person was and why they were doing what they were doing.

And whether Prince Guang, the emperor’s uncle was a villain and whether his kindness was a hypocritical act was undetermined right to the end – leaving it to everyone’s guess along the way. Guang was portrayed to be undecided and eventually only decided at the last moment. Only then it was clear whether he became a second villain or a hero.

It took 48 episodes of various attempts to contain Qiu, so the audience were kept on edge whether each attempt would succeed and who might be sacrificed along the way. Vicious and brutal retaliation were expected from Qiu if he should discover who were against him.

Aside from fear of Qiu’s retaliation, there were internal discord between the various parties against Qiu. They were not cooperating and not communicating, but instead second guessing each other. YanZhi and RuoYu were pitted against each other while RuoYu was wondering who YanZhi really was.

3. Emotional roller coaster and hygiene factors
Chinese dramas are excellent in tear-jerking and this drama is no exception. There were many opportunities for reaching out for the tissues. But there were moments of humour as well. It brought the audience on an emotional roller-coaster.

The hygiene factors for a successful drama were there: backdrop was beautiful and appropriate, music was good, costume was elegant – all the technical aspects were excellent.

What I dislike about the drama?
1. The villain kept winning and you have 48 episodes of that. The story seemed draggy at parts because of some recurring setbacks. And it went on and on based on the same themes I am elaborating below.

2. The suspense was built on keeping a secret: A lot of the suspense was built on a secret kept from Cheng RouYu. If she had known who was the real enemy and the real friend earlier, the outcome could end a lot better but the drama would be shorter as well. But the unwillingness of YanZhi to tell RuoYu the truth caused a lot of misunderstanding. When they could have cooperated, the strong-headed RouYu chose to fight instead. I really wanted go onscreen to slap some sense into the two stupid girls. Can't you see that honesty here is best. And this fight kept recurring again and again.

3. RuoYu becoming a baggage: To protect her from harm, RuoYu was told to leave several times for her own good. But she kept turning up at the wrong moment and became a baggage QiYan or YanZhi had to deal with. She was smart and yet stupid. I was wondering when QiYan was to come to his senses that she would not leave, started using her effectively and involved her in his plot.

4. Adult acting like kids – appealing? I could also highlight the female lead, Zhang YuXi (Cheng RuoYu) as outstanding. But I do not quite like immature silly girl character, so I discounted her. One of the problems I think is because most actors/actresses acting these characters in Chinese dramas are already mature adults portraying teenage/late teenage characters and somehow, that innocence does not come across realistic – it looks more like adults acting as immature kids, which is not appealing. Perhaps this is part of the appeal for some – exactly as it was – adults acting like kids.

5. QiYan getting stabbed: He either stabbed himself or got stabbed. How many times could a man take that? Somewhat masochistic.

6. Realism: Although very entertaining, the story is a bit short on realism. It was really a complicated way to get rid of a tyrant and certainly sacrificed a lot of innocent people.

However, overall I would give this drama a thumbs-up and recommend it strongly.

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Completed
Medical Brothers
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.5
This review may contain spoilers

Drama with an engaging plot and a very memorable ML (Jang Dong Gun)

Watched this one dubbed in Mandarin 15+ years ago: This was one of Jang Dong Gun's best roles in terms of character complexity. I loved his character, but he wasn't a good lover/boyfriend. He was really cruel to the FL and wasn't worthy of her devotion to him.

That said, this series showcased a lot of Jang Dong Gun's acting capabilities and is the best reason to watch as his character, Su Hyung, is truly memorable. The drama was also well-paced and riveting to watch.

SPOILERS....


Very sad and depressing ending -I've been turned off of tragedies since then and refused to watch another until "Goodbye my Princess"

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Ongoing 4/12
Vice Versa
9 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2022
4 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Perfection

All I can say about this series is perfection. It's only been 4 episodes and we have gotten sooooo much more than other bls could've gotten. With 4 episodes and the issues, stories and plot they put in each episodes, I must say, I'm very impressed. In episode 1 and 2 we layed down the whole plot, tactic and gimmick of the show while introducing the main characters very effectively too. Episode 3 we got character development, a whole story of the friend credit gang, Puen acknowledging his true ways to live his life being in someone else's body and owning up to his fault to his gang by doing his best with the script. Episode 4 we tackled more about their love life, how one don't have any interest in love but is very serious about it and one want to experience it but is very clumsy and messed up along the way since both have never fallen in love. But then we have that conflict in episode 4 and I love how it's resolved within only 1 episode. That's what you get when we have communication and not a frustrating 12 episode on going "angst" about a miscommunicated issue like some other series. I really love series a lot, from the acting to the script, location, coloring, clothes, the attention to details, to the little easter eggs they're throwing for the og bl stans. I don't have enough words to describe how much I love it.

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Completed
Twenty-Five Twenty-One
3 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

We're only lovers during the good times, We're a burden to each other in bad times

A slowburn kdrama about life, love, and being a youth in the middle of chasing dreams. A kdrama with a vibrant cinematography, and stunning storyline. Really left you in pain and comfort, a reality that all of us know. A reminder that love is not all about catching unicorns, feeling butterflies all over, and watching the rainbows together. It is accompanied with pain, sometimes an arrow that pierces through your heart and because of it the times you spent together is better left to be ended than just continue.
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Ongoing 13/16
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
6 people found this review helpful
by GYan
Aug 11, 2022
13 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

beautiful writing beautiful story

So far I've watched 13 episodes, hopefully it'll be as good till the end. Everywhere I see people praising this drama for it's the portrayal of autism, it's great, love it, but that's not what I like most about this drama. What I love most about it, what I think made this drama so good, is how each characters are complicated people, they're all has their good and bad side, all are gray like all of us. Something rare in dramaland. Each episodes share many problematic things in this world that we need to pay more attention to. Each episodes made us think more about social problem that often got shoved to the side. Each episodes made us contemplate more on how we should live our life, be a better person.

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Completed
Old Fashion Cupcake
5 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2022
5 of 5 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

This is a phenomenal story told tenderly and enchantingly

This is a simple basic story of love. Stated with great care with a complete understanding of the characters. And proves that even in a repressed society filled with rules, protocols, and defined traditions, you can still flourish love. And define clearly what that love is and subsequently earn a place in perhaps your own peaceful, loving world. This story is a remarkable, unpretentious tale of love between two rather sequestered men who know exactly what is happening to each other and in the end, summon just enough gritty determination to overcome the societal shackles of ‘acceptable’ behavior. Just remarkable in its softness and beauty.

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Ongoing 12/12
Vice Versa
16 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Vice Versa is a must watched series because it gives a new vibes in the bl industry

As I've read the novel, when I watched the series I am quite overwhelmed how they've managed to tackle the 5 chapters in just one episode but despite that they've elaborate the plot well for episode 1. I still don't get it why others find it hard to understand the plot when they've already told everything in the mock trailer and episode 1. So far, I liked the happenings in the series. I love how they added and changed some scenes from the novel that I think turns out better. It also quite exciting for me because even though I've read the novel, I am still confused what is go to happened next. I also loved how they applied the colors/palette to the series (A LITTLE SPOILER ?, it has a part to the plot so pay attention to the palettes). Overall, the series is so good and I am looking forward what will happen in the following episodes.

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Ongoing 10/16
Never Give Up
5 people found this review helpful
by AtlLee
Aug 11, 2022
10 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 1
Overall 6.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Funny but formulaic.

Update after Ep. 10.

I’m lowering it to 6.5. Story line is getting messier and messier. It’s all over the place. They’re even trying to make a social commentary about Korean education system.

They made Kwok Do Won’s character way too much. He’s gotten a bit too naive, too goofy and too witless. Like trying to sneak into the forbidden basement room. Like yelling at his wife for wanting their son to study instead of hip hop.

Also, the son’s story line about hip hop and teenage romance got way too absurd. Hip hop makes me happy, he says. What the hell?

Please stop making characters run into each other exactly when they need to. It’s getting dumb.

Review after Ep. 5.

Story about two idiots. One’s likable and the other’s definitely not. I’m watching the third episode and Kwak Do Won basically carries the show all by himself. He’s such a great actor and watching him cough can be entertaining.

There are a lot going on. Venture capitalists , betrayal, back stabbing between friends, different mysteries involving the loan shark lady, school mom competition, money problems, housing price issues… on and on. But at the end of the day, these are just set ups so two idiots can do their things. It’s not necessary a bad thing since Kwak Do Won is so great. The other guy, though, not only his character is hard to like, I’m not sure if acting is his main thing. He’s stiff for the most part and sounds like he’s just reading the script.

There are other side characters including the wife, loan shark lady, the son, some girl from New Zealand (who, by the way, is strangely sexualized for a middle schooler) and other school moms. Also, there’s a potential extra marital issue after the wife’s old college friend shows up. But nothing really special, yet. Just predictably formulaic storyline that you’ve seen many many times in other shows.

Also, weirdly enough, all characters also happen to have their lives intertwined and run into each other as if they’re the only people in this city. Seoul’s huge. How do they all live in the same neighborhood and run into each other after 20+ yrs? They all know each other and went to school together and live in the same area. Lazy writing?

Side characters are stiff. Not much acting going on.

They spend way too much time on Middle school kids’ lives and romance. Like, who’s actually interested in that? Speaking of, Koreans and hip hop shouldn’t mix.

Another thing that bothers me about this show is how easily characters lie to cover things up as if it’s nothing.

Despite all that, I’m curious to see what’s coming next. I would love to see how Kwak Do Won’s character got to where he got to. We’ll see how it goes.

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Completed
Legally Romance
2 people found this review helpful
by Zogitt
Aug 11, 2022
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

A do-over done right

The first few episodes hint at nothing other than a typical office romance with the usual difficult boss (ML) and a suffering female assistant (FL). There is more hate than love and they are very combative. The FL was in a bad place both in her career as well as relationship fronts. Nothing cute nor sweet. Fairly standard stuff so far.

I’m glad that I hang in there until she has the accident and ended up in a coma. When she woke up, she is 18 again and back in law school with all the old classmates including the ML. Henceforth, the tone and feel of the show changed completely. It is now a fun, sweet rom-com and really uplifting. That change surprised me in a good way. Do-overs can get good but often it is just a one trick pony aka the ML wins the FL, again.

To the contrary, it is the FL who took charge of her “new” life and set about righting wrongs and starts to see things from a different perspective. In so doing, she archived a lot of growth, closures and changed the lives of those around her for the better.

Her (do-over) romance with the true ML was so sweet! The ML was the nicest guy and supported her 100% from the start but she misunderstood him in the real past and picked the wrong guy.

Of course, there are angsts and setbacks, but the writer handled them with a deft hand and gave each dark cloud a silver lining. Events are cross-referenced between the two realities. She could influence some key events but not all. Overall, her time in the dream-world is the most engaging and coherent do-over plot I have seen for a long time so kudos to our writer.

After she woke up from the coma, the show is still good, but the shady business subplot started to turn nasty. In fact, how that plotline is concluded is a bit contrived and overly dramatic. The scenes with the luxury cruiser and cars felt tagged on. It is a misstep in an otherwise coherent and well written script.

In terms of acting, there are the odd misfires amongst the big cast but the actors in key roles are all solid. I’m particularly impressed by the FL. She usually plays a bubbly/feisty girl, but it can get samey. She is still in a familiar role, but her acting seems better, more nuanced. There is no doubt that she is the main lead here. I also like the FL’s father. He really embodied a father’s love for his family. The ML did well but played second fiddle for a change. The 2OTP is a cute couple but interestingly, their love line in the dream-world was more organic and relatable than their real-world counterpart.

I started watching this show expecting very little, but I am pleasantly surprised. I’d have score it higher except for a few odd plot issues towards the end. I’ll have no problem re-watching most of it. BTW, don’t miss the epilogue after the final credit. It is sooo sweet! :) Enjoy!

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Completed
Cruel Love
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2022
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 3.5
Story 3.5
Acting/Cast 4.0
Music 3.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

The bad kind of melodrama

This is the bad kind of melodrama. Not a single likable character. People calling it mature but these characters are the farthest thing from being mature. It had the chance to be different. For a second I though they wouldn't force a break up but it went with the classic melo move. By episode 9 my interest was almost nonexistent.

Exhausting melodrama full of oppositions and lacks proper balance. But what's even more exhausting is the unbelievable frustration of seeing female lead running away repeatedly non-stop.
From start to finish she kept running and pushing ML away, I'm beyond done with this immature behavior.

They introduced Park Shin Young in the second half because there wasn't enough "story" remained to push for another 10 episodes. Her existence brought the drama down even further.

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Completed
Unforgotten Night
65 people found this review helpful
by Jzaday
Aug 11, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 8.5

a real marmite drama

honestly this is such a split reaction to a drama ? I totally get why people don't think it's amazing but I think it's getting more hate than it needs mainly because it came out after kinnporsche which was a lot more mature. tbh if you like a typical Thai BL even if it's a bit cheesy then I think you'll like this! I have dropped dramas that are rated higher and honestly I'm quite liking this!! I think it's worth giving it a few episodes as it's kinda addictive. I find myself excited to see what happens every week and I'm very pleasantly surprised by Kamols actor as I thought he wouldn't pull off a mafia type but he acts it well. sure its not perfect by any means but certainly worth a try especially if you can go in not comparing it to kinnporsche.

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