Completed
Rabuho no Ueno-san
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 19, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

..I'LL BE WAITING YOUR ARRIVAL AT GOTANDA KINGDOM"..

..that's what the low-life manager of the hotel says..
.
..a story of a virgin guy who wants to get a girl and lay on bed but lacks of techniques how to approach..
.
..until he works on that hotel in exchange of these techniques..
.
..and yeah, with all the advises, in the end, it all part of the sales or marketing strategies to invite customers..
.
..I found this drama so helpful, which somehow, I do agree on what Ueno-san saying..
.
..this is the first time I watch Kongo Kanata in comedy genre, which he delivers so natural, the way he speaks english phrase is a plus point too..
.
..in the end, I can't tell if all of his advises will works for me, since I am an introvert yet not to get a girl, but maybe just having a friend only after all haha..
.
..hope the second season will have a subtitle too..

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Once Upon a Small Town
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 19, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 1.5
This review may contain spoilers

if the word "mid" had a drama, it'd be once upon a small town.

the story was kinda bland and the characters didn't really have much depth. yeah, both main characters are orphans but the script didn't go into it with any depth at all so it just felt like a failed plot point. like jinyuls parent's death was brought up a lot but it was just surface level which sucked soo bad. didn't get to see or learn much about the second male lead he was kinda just there most of the time. sooyoungs acting has improved tremendously but i do wish that her company would stop choosing to cast her in dramas with a shallow script. she has so much potential which is being wasted and its honestly so hard to watch knowing how hard she works her ass off. in conclusion it wasn't the worst thing in the world but i also wouldnt give it an academy award

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Strangers from Hell
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 19, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

A slow trip down the rabbit hole of insanity

What an amazing drama! The gripping atmosphere, the intense music, the story-telling, the top-notch acting and so much more. Everything was just a masterpiece. Granted that there were a few instances where you, the viewer, will have to overlook minor plot instances and go with it. However, I believe that a drama need not cover all the minor plot holes and should be seen for what a drama is supposed to be - entertainment.
If you're looking for something that will keep you at the edge of your seat, holding onto your every breath and possibly questioning your own sanity, this is what you're looking for.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Mr. Bad
3 people found this review helpful
by Dyna
Oct 19, 2022
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Lovely SY and CZY they will make you fall in love with them in this drama.

I watched this because of Shen Yue. I love and supports all her dramas and movies. She does not disappoint me. While Chen Zhe Yuan, I have seen two of his dramas, he is really good, and now I am so crazy in love with him in this drama Mr. Bad. Their acting is great we can see that they really did their best to deliver their characters, the OST, oh my gosh, they were able to record one of the OSTs and SY and CZY voices are so sweet so good to the ears. I love them both now. And I am hoping there could be another project for the both of them together again.
Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
The Untamed
2 people found this review helpful
Oct 19, 2022
50 of 50 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

"Who cares about the crowded broad street, I'll walk on my single plank bridge till it's dark."

The Untamed is an enchanting drama.

As someone who hadn't read the novel or even heard much about Untamed before watching the drama, i fell in love with this story in the first 5 minutes of watching it.. U might think that there isn't romance in the drama, but if you just look at it carefully, you can see the sparks flying between Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian.


Story: If you have read the novel, u won't be disappointed, drama stays faitful to the novel in so many ways. The romance part is made into bromance. But don't be fooled. Yes, there will not be kissing or confessing their love, but there will be many moments that will make u giggle because of their sparks. What they couldn't express in words, they expressed them in the way they look at each other and the way they subtly touch.

To those who don't have any knowledge of untamed, it tells a story about Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian is playful and mischievous, while his counterpart Lan Zhan is uptight and virtous.
All Wei Wuxian ever wanted was justice. "I, Wei Wuxian, wish that i can always stand with justice and live with no regrets."
So when faced with injustice, he can't just stay put and because of this he faces many obstacles and this ruins his reputation. He is faced with disdain due to his decisions and deemed as someone who walks on a dark path. He becomes an outcast, a threat that must be exterminated only because Wei Wuxian can't watch the sects do injustice to innocent people.
Lan Zhan, who is from Cloud Recess, a very conservative sect. He feels the same way as Wei Wuxian, but tries to stop Wei Wuxian from being reckless, because he knows other sects will try to hurt him. Lan Zhan still always helps and protects Wei Wuxian, even though he doesn't follow him on his "single plank bridge". Only after losing Wei Wuxian, he understands that all he wants is to stand next to Wei Wuxian, no matter what happens. "Who is right? Who is wrong? What is black? What is white?"

Cast: PERFECTION. XIAO ZHAN IS THE PERFECT WEI WUXIAN AND WANG YIBO IS THE PERFECT LAN ZHAN.
The whole cast was amazing, but naturally these two stood out the most.
Xiao Zhan plays the playful Wei Wuxian like he is Wei Wuxian himself. His smile lights up the room and i noticed myself smiling whenever he smiled. He also portayed his pain so realistically that i cried so much. I really have no words to describe how amazing his performance was. Xiao Zhan portayed Wei Wuxian with his smile and face, while Wang Yibo portayed Lan Zhan with his eyes and subtle moves.

To Xiao Zhan's counterpart, the very talented Wang Yibo was the perfect choice. He played the stern and emotionless Lan Zhan so well. Both men are absolutely gorgeous yet handsome. The way Wang Yibo conveyed Lan Zhan's feelings with just his eyes and subtle touches really made an impact on me. His acting was top notch. He didn't say anything yet his eyes were telling the whole story to me. The confusion, worry, pain and love, you could just see it and feel it yourself. I just cannot imagine anyone else as Lan Wangji. I mean i was already very familiar with these men but now i'm even more obsessed.

Jiang Cheng was played by Wang Zhuo Cheng and i feel like he was a perfect pick too. He played Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian's "brother". Jiang Cheng's father took Wei Wuxian in when he was a small child, so Wei Wuxian grew up with Jiang Cheng and his sister Jiang Yanli. Jiang Cheng doesn't often say how fond of Wei Wuxian he is and is always getting angry and scolding Wei Wuxian. Deep down he loves him like a brother and cares for him deeply and is put into a hard situation when Wei Wuxian decides to stand by Lan Zhan and justice. He feels like Wei Wuxian is betraying the Yunmeng sect and often begs Wei Wuxian to stop and to just come home to Lotus Pier with Yanli and him. Wang Zhuo Cheng portayed Jiang Cheng's conflict very well. "When you’re standing on their side, you’re the bizarre genius, the miraculous hero, the force of the rebellion, the flower that blooms alone. But the second your voice differs from theirs, you’ve lost your mind, you’ve ignored morality, you’ve walked the crooked path"


Other cast was amazing too but aside from these actors the ones that stood out to me the best were Qi Pei Xin as Jin Ling and Meng Zi Yi as Wen Qing.


Music: 10/10. I Love the fact that Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo sing the theme song. I'm listening to the soundtrack album on a loop.

Rewatch Value: Immediately after watching Untamed, i wanted to start from episode 1 again. It's been a couple days since i watched it and i'm already wanting to go back.



I HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS DRAMA TO EVERYONE.
This drama became my favorite drama in just a couple of minutes and now i can't get over it. This drama will permanently stay with me for the rest of my life. The powerful message this drama sends to you is unreal. Watch it, You won't regret it.
"If the face says nothing, listen to the heartbeat”- Hanguang Jun / Lan Zhan

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Dropped 7/14
Yodrak Nakrob
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 19, 2022
7 of 14 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 4.5
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
Well, previous lakorns I praised Weir for singing ability and for pairing with Thisa Varitthisa. Looks like someone prepared this lakorn for me lol.

And, Weir is SO funny as a singer onstage, lol. His character here is portrayed as someone who sings so sweetly he makes even people who dislike him or fighting criminals to cease and listen to him at awe lol. So, comedy definitely works.

On the romance line, I have a bit problem because I already watched this kind of double romance before and both the guys liked the girl, and both the guys were likeable, so the girl kept wobbleing between them. Perhaps the girl should also have a twin. I knew I would pitty the one of the guys who'd end up the odd guy out:)

First, the navy guy is very cute with his girlfriend and they decide to get engaged. I liked the two together. But, because of the characters switch, she ends up swooning over the singer who just happily lies about his identity and doesn't care whatever danger the real fiancee might be in, or who mourns his real self back home.

So, that's a bit disturbing along with the fact nang'ek's "new" fiancee seems to be way more flamboyant, there's a couple gay references, even. So, what did the scriptwriters intented, here? We watch a lot of singer's antics, while everyone keeps calling him "captain" and we don't yet know whether the other guy even survived. Then we watch him getting better with his soldier training, actually acting brave for the first time, acting like a man who loves his fiancee. It's nice but it all comes to him very easy, and he still doesn't have the decency to tell anyone that their real friend/boyfriend/son-in-law went missing and might be dead. Especially if he's got a girl waiting for him back home...
But no, she's no longer waiting, because she got kidnapped in some human-trafficking subplot which is something I grew to be allergic to in thai lakorns. They always deal with idiotic naivety with such grave a theme. This case, they add the same silly crazy comedy to it like to the line with singer whose song can hypnotize people. But even romantic-wise, this girl from singer's past is yet one more character whom the script screwed over (she's more beautiful than Thisa and can sing, too).

Either way, the singer is directly confronted by her and asked who he is and he lies. He says He's Nakrob (the soldier's name), a man who loves dr. Chon (Thisa). I didn't like it and I thought he should have said he is Yodrak (singer's name) AND he loves Chon. It would have been honest, he should be able to fight for Chon's love AS HIMSELF, the missing guy would have at least chance to be searched for, Chon should respect that more and the other girl was going to be disappointed either way. But he didn't find the courage to clear the confused situation. I was getting afraid the original navy guy shall never return. The singer was funny but to be honest, I didn't really cheer for him to be with Chon using such methods and I wasn't sure I liked this kind of "love story". What did Chon actually like about her guy? In her eyes, he changed his personality several times. I was confused about her feelings, too.

All this spoiled the perfect Weir-Thisa dynamics I so praised before.

As the series progressed, and more and more "adventures" unfolded, my overall interest in this kinda dropped. If I liked something, then it was Big Nathaschai & Jayda, not Weir & Thisa anymore. But then, Weir always features in yet another crazy dance scene that entices EVERYBODY. It's kind of a bizarre fun that is hard to turn off (yes, I considered dropping this lakorn), just like you cannot avert your eyes seeing a car crash:)

It's more weird with the plot too, when by epi 6 it is revealed to several characters that there are actually 2 guys looking the same, still the situation doesn't get cleared. There are now even 2 extra women interested in the main guy, who again claims he loves dr. Chon only. The guy both sings, both acts like skilled soldier. Plus he kisses Thisa and it's an awkward, bad kiss, while I already watched Weir&Thisa lakorn where they had NO skinship problem and we could see them like bite each other's ear!! So, you tell me what kind of incompetent director made this. They obviously exhausted themselves with the double role for Weir and so many surplus characters. In all the mess and surrounding antics, in the end I actually cheered for no one. I would have axed half the main characters and ALL the human trafficking badguys if only there was a single couple here I could actually enjoy watching!!

But, should I get angry over this? Of course not, lol. It's like always. The words: "Less Is More" should be tattooed on all the scriptwriters foreheads. They'll just never learn. When writing a show, they have to put in everything at once, in fear it would not be enough, lol. So, it actually doesn't matter which of the identical looking guys Weir is currently portraying. Why should I vex myself over morality of the one character who was there, when even the other one who disappeared would have immediatelly returned if only the writer wished so. Obviously they weren't capable to write this better. Then, I shouldn't waste my energy and just take it as is. After all, this is not a k-drama, lol.

Episode 7/14, we learn that the soldier guy is dead. The guy remaining is the singer without a doubt. Thanks to his amazing progress with the training, he keeps pretending to be the soldier. He also keeps pursuing his singing career at the same time, as weird as that is. He keeps lying to everyone. He keeps showing slightly gay treats... Am I supposed to cheeer for him? To be with the girl? I no longer even like Thisa in this. And that's just 2 characters of the huge bundle. I really don't care for any of the stupid "action plot" which is here to fill the time INSTEAD of developing the characters or relationships so it would make slightest sense.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Tracer
1 people found this review helpful
by PHope
Oct 19, 2022
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 3.0

Good Enough

Korean Drama " Tracer " is a tax invasion drama with some action and many twists.

The performances of the show were spot on, especially by the leading roles, who did a great job with the characters.

The twists and criminal cases were, in addition, well handled and created the right atmosphere for the story.

However, the drama did get tedious, mostly because of the theme of the story that didn't aid it much, though the creators did try to help it by adding some intrigue and some business thriller scenes.

So, overall, five out of ten.
Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 12/12
The Eclipse
4 people found this review helpful
Oct 19, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

2 solid couples, this is how you do a BL!!

I believe many of us have long moved past the phase of watching high school shows, but you have to trust me on this one – Eclipse is a masterpiece. Although the trailer came off as mediocre when GMMTV first unveiled it, the plot is anything but tired.

The BL is solid. The storyline is solid. I can’t ask for much more.

It’s rare for a BL to have 2 extremely solid couples – but I was as excited to watch Akk and Ayan as I was to watch Kan and Thua. Both couples absolutely nailed it.

This is the first time I’m watching First and Khaotung being paired together, and gosh, it is worth the wait. Khaotung generally takes on roles that are ‘softer’, so watching Ayan is a breath of fresh air. Because of his personality, Ayan is always looking to push the boundaries, especially with Akk, and it’s this confidence that defines the main couple’s dynamics. Pulling Akk’s face closer to his, kissing him on the cheek – Ayan constantly taunts and challenges Akk, just to see how much he can get away with before Akk pulls away.

I never thought I would see Khaotung being a bad boy, but here we are. Did he pull it off perfectly? Oh yes, watching them really makes my heart flutter.

Neo often plays the joker, but in Eclipse, he’s serious and intense. And I’m so glad we get to see this side of him. He and Louis first appeared in Fish Upon The Sky, where their chemistry was largely forgettable. Eclipse really brought out the best in them.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/10/28/eclipse-2022-review-bl/

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
More than Words
2 people found this review helpful
by Shaun
Oct 19, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

It is more to slice of life type of drama than BL.

How a happy encounter between 2 guys and 1 woman becomes a sad ending.

It all starts on an encounter of the lead characters on a restaurant, which three of them works part time. After the happy times between three of them, just like what you see on those BLs, the relationship slowly become problematic when Eiji's dad opposes the relationship between Eiji and his then boyfriend Makki, due to the fears that his son will be discriminated just like his friend, which was gay, where he had witnessed a long time ago and felt helpless as his friend has been outed by somebody. This is despite that he likes Makki, as a friend. Also, his dad also wants to have a grandchildren, further complicated the issue.

The issue start to become even more complex when Mieko decided to have child to solve the problem, which she get pregnant with Eiji's child. Makki decides to escape the problem after he found out the child's father was Eiji's.

After a long time, Makki meets his current partner Asato, which is a hair stylist and ended up being together. On one day, he see the photo of Mieko on Asato's photobook, which makes Makki remember the old times. They ended up meet up again after his current boyfriend mentioned Makki to Mieko, which she desperates to meet. At the end, Eiji aren't really happy with the outcome he have ended up, despite appearing to having a happy family on the outside. For Makki, the escape meant he have found his current boyfriend, which they meet in coincidence.

The story ends with Makki and Mieko ended up meeting again sometime later, with Mieko's daughter. It seems like they have adapted the feelings according to their current situation. Maybe if they don't choose to escape the problem, the outcome will be surely different.

Music wise, it is surely good and moody for me. Well, just don't treat this as BL as it is definitely not the regular BL drama you would see, which will ended with 2 lead guys being together forever and in love. Sometimes, things that happen on standard BLs just won't happen in real life, and this drama clearly reflects that.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Uncle
1 people found this review helpful
by PHope
Oct 19, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Good Enough

Korean Drama " Uncle " is a heartwarming drama.

The family dynamics were on point and provided a lot of emotional scenes. The kid and the uncle were, in addition, the highlight of the drama with their cute relationship and the smooth pace of their relationship.

Moreover, the drama had plenty of twists and suspenseful moments that gave the drama an edge and helped it become more than a slice-of-life drama.

As for the performances, everyone did a great job with their characters, but the kids were especially delightful.

So, overall, seven out of ten.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Gen Y Season 2
4 people found this review helpful
Oct 19, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 1.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 1.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

WHO wrote THIS?????

No, really, WHO wrote THIS bullsxxxxt????
This was not only bad, this was nearly as bad as the "what the duck" series - and man, that one was a catastrophe!
Let´s start with the positive things of GenY2: it provided an income for the people who worked on set.
Now, as we covered that, let´s come to the rest:
- unnatural long stares
- interrupted kisses. After leaning in to kiss for about 15 minutes and staring and staring and staring and leaning and leaning and leaning - somebody opens the door and puuuuuf thats it.
- episode after episode filled with NOTHING. Absolutely nothing!
- 15 minutes for the not kissing scene, 15 minutes pointless "conversations", rest of the episode: Wayu stares into nothingness like a zombie.
- Thanu has the same expression throughout the show. Stone wall. Stone wall while leaning in to kiss, stone wall while staring, stone wall while watching Wayu stare into nothingness.
- Mark and Kit (Kid?): yeah well, puh, I fast forwarded them, that plot was just toooooo stupid.
Please have mercy and DO NOT give us GenY3!!!!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Dropped 16/48
Novoland: Pearl Eclipse
2 people found this review helpful
by Joku
Oct 19, 2022
16 of 48 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 5.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Even Yang mi can't resque this drama

I wonder why many of reviewers praise this drama.
Partly it is a story of two conceited men ( Emperor and Fang Zhu ) who like each other too much. In their own opinion they are the most important people in the world - all others are pawns to be exploited and sacrificed.
In addition to that they both wallow in self-pity all the time. sarc- What a lovely bromance

When all ready ca. 20+ years old Fang Zhu meets ca. 10 years old girl ( Hai Shi ) and begins to raise her as a foster father. As her "Master" he teaches her HIS OWN RULES - such as for example that she must always obey and do as her Master wants. In practice, Hai Shi is thus being brainwashed throughout her childhood.

Second part of this story is a "romance" between Hai Shi and Fang Zhu. Watching this drama just makes me feel sorry for Hai Shi. I think it's not a romance but abuse of her.

So no matter how much I like her acting, watching this drama is too disgusting

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Welcome to Wedding Hell
0 people found this review helpful
by PHope
Oct 19, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 3.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Not Good Enough

Korean Drama " Welcome to Wedding Hell " is a short drama about a couple preparing for their wedding day.

And even though the drama has its moments, the overall result is boring and pretty much pointless. The whole dramatic twists that kept happening were cheesy and tiring. The romance was also just okay, and, as it is established already, it has few surprises to offer.

On the other hand, the performances were all great, by the main couple, but, especially, by the side characters, like the mothers-in-law that were delightful.

As for the cinematography, the drama kept things light and in a fun mood.

So, overall, 3 out of 10.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Why Her?
0 people found this review helpful
by PHope
Oct 19, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Good Enough

Korean Drama " Why Her ? " is an office melodrama that centers around the leading lady who dominated the whole drama.

The story has many layers, starting with a scandal that ruins the leading lady's career, and then, slowly, revealing the past and the clues for the main criminal case that binds everything together in the final episodes.

And yet, and even though the drama had many action scenes and suspenseful moments, the romance was unnecessary, cheesy, and not what the story needed. Plus, it was only there to fill in the gaps and had no pace and no smooth progress.

As for the performances, the leading lady gave a killer performance. The rest of the cast did a good job as well.

So, overall, 6 out of 10.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Woo Ri the Virgin
0 people found this review helpful
by PHope
Oct 19, 2022
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 3.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 3.0

Not Good Enough

Korean Drama " Woori The Virgin " is the remake of the American-Latin series, giving it a Korean twist, with the Korean family dynamics, the chaebol culture, and the cheesy twists.

The drama follows loosely the original plot, with the prompt of the pregnancy taking another turn and giving the creators new ground to work on. Thus, the drama focuses more on the family values, even when it came to the villains and the big criminal case. Those family dynamics were probably what saved the drama most of the time and gave some comical relief with the side stories.

On the other hand, the love triangle was boring and tragically cheesy, with little chemistry and many cliche twists.

As for the performances, they were all great by everyone in the cast.

The cinematography also did a good job with the mood of the drama, keeping it light and fluffy.

So, overall, 3 out of 10.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?