Reviews

Fast-paced and Cute with a capital "C"

Shanai Marriage Honey was the perfect translation of a shoujo manga into a live action drama. The romance is fast-paced and rushed (especially in the beginning), and while you don't really see the leads "fall in love" with each other, their interactions as they work out being a married couple are sooo Cute.

PROS
❀ If you're in a romantic mood, this show hits the spot | It truly highlights the normal stuff a married couple does, such as acting cute at the workplace, kissing/fade-to-black bed scenes (heehee), and all that romance jazz. I love how because of the length of the show, you don't have to wait HOURS to get to the couples' confession and the lovey-dovey interactions.
❀ Main leads had great chemistry | Wowww this actress has the most adorable smile. I like how the narrative highlights the thoughts of the couple, including their worries and assumptions of being married. The ML is your charming, popular-in-the-office kinda dude, while the FL is a happy-go-lucky, sometimes wily but mostly sweet accountant. They work great with each other and all the romance scenes are sizzling with cuteness and chemistry. Both actors were super nice to look at which is always a plus!
❀ Short length of the show was perfect for me | I'm the type to get tired of 30+ episode shows (and even 30 episodes is a stretch), so Shanai Marriage Honey, at 7 episodes (~25 min each), was sugary sweet, simple, and the perfect length for a quick romance story to love.
❀ Happy ending, of course | How could it not be?

CONS
✕ Misunderstanding level: 2/10 | Very small misunderstandings happen (maybe a couple of them?) and are resolved within the episode, aka within 20 minutes lol. Overall the couple has pretty good communication and the FL especially is pro-active about her feelings. Love that.

OVERALL
It's the perfect, happy marriage kind of show if you're in a romantic mood. Lovable characters and limited cast make for a tight-knit romcom that'll make your heart smile. Plus, it's easily bingeable and won't take too many hours out of your day.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Predictable storyline saved by exemplary production value and acting

Truly on-the-edge of your seat production. While it's not difficult to predict what'll happen in Squid Game, it's the journey that makes this show such an enjoyable watch. The games themselves are suspensful and keep your eyes glued to the screen; the characters are well-done and three-dimensional. Personally I didn't see too much philosophy and discourse on the social gap that the games address (on-screen), but like another review I've read online say, you can engage in this show in whatever level you're comfortable with, whether as a superficial battle-to-the-death or a more in-depth analysis on the social state of society.

PROS
❀ Action was well done, cinematography was on point, and in general the production was top notch | I think this is the highlight of what makes or breaks a familiar storyline that hinges on emotion and action. The camera work allows the characters' faces (and subsequently, emotions) to shine, and the sets and costumes are attention-grabbing. I'm especially a fan of the green tracksuits vs. pink solider outfits, as well as the stairs that model Escher's relativity.
❀ Cool easter eggs that keep you guessing | I love that the writer/director (I believe the same person) added little hints throughout the episodes that watchers can latch onto. It keeps us engaged despite using predictable plotlines as we keep watching to find out if those hints we found had a basis. (The feeling of victory when you had the correct guesses>>>)
❀ Characters... wow | I think the acting took the cake in this drama. I like that we see both familiar faces (like the cameo from the crowd popular Gong Yoo as well as Lee Jung Jae as the MC), as well as rising stars (Jung Ho Yeon that became a fan favorite as well as Anupam Tripathi - a win for South Asian casting in S. Korea). It felt like each player gave it their all and you really end up cheering for them. Personally I liked every player - even the underhanded ones like No. 101 and 218. Each of them are on the spectrum of morally gray whether it's their background, personality, or both that galvanized them to join the squid games. I also enjoyed No. 456's journey from ep 1 to 9; he does have a little of that protagonist glow/armor going on towards the latter episodes (as well as the mentality of a shounen anime MC), but I like that it gives a bit of light to an otherwise rather morose and dark show. The hopeful note the show ends on (as well as the hint of another season) can only be met by such a character.
❀ Music that fits the scenes SO well | I'm in love with the soundtrack. Even as I'm typing this, I'm listening to dubstep remixes of the Pink Soldier theme. The OSTs are paired perfectly with the eerie roboticism of the workers, secret motives of the players, and mysterious powers of the frontman. This ties in, again, with the excellent production and attention to details that the cast and production team focused on.
❀ Tight writing that doesn't drag despite being more character-focused | I think the writer did an excellent job in keeping Squid Game concise yet emotional. We go through character backgrounds, but those scenes are a help rather than a hindrance to the story as we begin to empathize with them. For characters that got less screen time (ex: the player with the nose ring), their acting/actions were more than enough to make them grow on you. Anything more would have lessened my engagement.

CONS
✕ The plot is a lil been there, done that | When it comes to human psychology and the huge wealth gap, the show doesn't offer too much to the conversation. (Interesting exception: pointing out the injustices of foreign workers in S. Korea, which is a topic I've never seen in media before.) Otherwise, like I mentioned in the title of this review, the messages aren't shocking or revolutionary. No. 456 goes down a familiar path that well-liked MCs have gone through before while sustaining his humanity and a (generally) positive outlook on society.

OVERALL
Not going to lie, I was sweating buckets while watching some of the episodes. Squid Games is suspensful, well-produced, and features a diverse cast of characters that'll grip you from start to finish. One of the best parts is that season 1 is relatively short (9 1-hour episodes) and once you start, you won't want to stop. (It took me 2 weeks to even start after prodding from friends and family, and after the games started I was all in.) Recommended for a thrilling watch with a little gore, a lot of death, and the characters that really make the show shine.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Finished this kdrama and definitely recommend!!!!!!

The character development... Just the way everything felt so realistic and so unique is just everything!! Honestly every time Netflix realised a new episode I couldn't wait to wait and scream whenever I had to wait s few days.
The ending was satisfying but I wish to see a season two to see their lives with two kids XD
I cried because I could relate to the story of Du-sik and Mrs Gam-ri's son when he cried around her funeral.
Honestly, this is one of the best k-dramas I've ever watched.

At first it didn't look as good because hyejin had that bratty attitude people didn't like but around the end of the series her character changed a sweet but yet stubborn character which I liked.
I was so curious of Du-sik's life and what happened to him as he was secretive and introverted than he looked.
He.... Really reminds me of myself, also keeping it in and not telling people what I go through everyday that's why whenever the scene of du-sik cries or struggles; I cry on the screen feeling so related to him.
Kim seonho did well on this character and how his character opened up to someone he can trust and love.

I LOVEEEEE the actors and actresses in this k-drama, not only you see the story of the main characters.... But you get each of the characters story and how they get to resolve the problem they faced.
I love the town people, because they were like one happy family. Always there for each other everyday and all the time.
Always sharing their emotions to one another

I loved miseon and euncheols relationship!!! Wish to see a literal drama of them XD
I definitely recommend this K-drama, it's realistic, relatable, down to earth and just sweet.

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Come on!...what just happened?

I read some of the reviews, and whole heartedly agree with the following:
1. Slow! Slow! Slow! Too many " fillers".
2. Unnecessary, l o n g staring...while Zung expresses his feelings thru his eyes, it cannot be said about Mark's insanely long, unpenetratable staring and long, well, saying nothing...
3. Does anybody really believe Aek's ( Mark) lack of sensing the love/lust coming at him? If he struggles with his own feelings, there is no clear indication...and we are already on ep 8...
4. How many nasty/ jealous/ having their own agenda Chefs do we need in one story???
As for why I will continue to watch it:
1. Main couple is beautiful, and hopefully the natural chemistry will come thru...it is a bl!
2. The photography...the food...the music...Aue supporting family...
3. The trailers ( happy ending...).
4. Hoping the director will let Mark show some real acting going forward...I trust he can act. Zung is great already.
So far, a bit disappointing. I have noticed in other BL stories the tendency to keep slow motion untill the last episode and then tidy everything in a real hurry....hoping this is not the case here.

Update after the 10th episode- what I was hoping for happened...Mark (Aec) is expressing what he is feeling, and he can act! Finally, he becomes clearer and we understand what he going through and his inner struggle...glad the director did not wait to the very last moment. I changed my overall impression accordingly ?

Well...I just watched Ep 11, and reduced my overall impression accordingly. I hope the producers read these reviews - I hereby strongly suggest to never employ the screen writer, and especially never use the director! What a waste of two talented actors! Everything about it was wrong! The idiotic dialogues ( who cares about pork??? Yes, we got the symbolism of the food in prior episodes), the unrealistic lack of progression in their romantic and physical relationship ( a peck of lips and a hug?!? really?), turning the MC into a boring, secondary couple to the dessert Chef and his BF giving them a bed scene and the longest love confessions scenes (one minute was enough), Playtime is involved with Eve!?!?..What was that all about???? 10 last minutes showing scenes from prior episodes!?!?! Why? We saw it already! Nothing made any sense. I am so disappointed with this lackluster end...

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I do not understand the hype

I will cut to the chase. It was not bad, it was a nice series to watch to pass your time but the reviews make is sound like it's a masterpiece. The only unique aspect this series had to offer is the stories of the secondary characters. However, in classic kdrama fashion, they decided to focus on the main characters' romance instead of them. That wouldn't be an issue, if the main storyline was strong or if they managed to smoothly play in the main story but I found their story the least interesting, the only interesting parts of the main male protagonist were almost brushed off and resolved out of nowhere so it felt predictable and rushed. Instead the producers decided to cram in many overused clichés that offered nothing to the story. The 3-4 minute blatant Domino's pizza ad in the middle of the last episode was the cherry on top... you knew at that point the creator didnt really care to make a nice story. Dissapointing, because it could have been so much more.

Both main actors are amazing (and beautiful), great acting but the chemistry was not fully there.
As mentioned previously the stories of the villagers were incredible, they dealt with so many different issues and it left me craving for more.

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CUTE AND LIGHT

I was never a fan of dramas with games as the theme. This was in my watchlist for a couple of months and after a hellish exam week, I decided to watch this because I heard this was good and light. I was surprisingly intrigued with the game. I thought that Chinese dramas like these have huge budget to develop very high quality effects. I really like Cheng-ge. He's very charming whatever his expression is. I kind of don't like the main girl's acting. Idk but I was just looking for more. Surprisingly, I found Pope the most appealing out of everyone. He has this presence that's a scene stealer. The way he smirks like omg. I learned that he's the only Chinese artist of YG Entertainment and that speaks A LOT.

Anyway, the drama is very light towards the end. It's very enjoyable and just a feel-good drama after a stressful day.

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It just keeps gets better and better

Aren't you already watching this if you claim to be a Namgoong Min fan? Do you even need more of a reason to watch it? Well, if you're indecisive on whether you should start this or not, then this is your sign to give it a try!

Before I go any further, I'd just like to mention, although I might be biased when saying this, but The Veil shouldn't be binged. I think it loses a lot of value this way. I binged 7 episodes in one sitting, and it seemed rather average in terms of its plot. In retrospect, waiting every week for episodes is probably what the makers intended. So yes, I'd recommend watching this at a leisurely pace for the best experience (unless you're dying to know what happens next ^^). AND for those of you wondering if there's any romance... No there isn't, but it's still amazing without any of that, plus there is some chemistry.

Namgoong Min is just astonishing, as always - he is, in my opinion, one of the best Korean actors, I mean the extreme length he went to get jacked up for the role is incredible on its own (hey Alexa play Megan Thee Stallion's BODY ODY ODY ODY). He has officially become an all time favourite actor of mine. Kim Ji Eun! I've only ever seen her play small roles like in Strangers From Hell, so it was refreshing to see her as a main. My biggest question for this drama casting is how what when why is Park Ha Sun considered a main when she featured for probably only 10 minutes in the whole show?!? She's more like a guest role than anything else :( Despite her lack of screen time, she is still amazing, both her and Namgoong Min embodied their characters very well.

Disregarding the fact that the writers keep adding 2 to 4 new characters each episode (that it's a bit hard to keep up with the actual plot), it's well paced, not being too fast to the point of confusion nor is it too slow to the point of getting bored and irritated. The script is well written in terms of how little portions of Han Ji Hyuk's memory are revealed and eventually all explained, leaving room for enough speculation by the viewer, to how the pieces of information build a bigger picture. And yayy plot twists. They leave you a bit annoyed but also keen for the next episode.

I gave it an 8 because it's a genre I love and overall I really enjoyed watching this! If I were to choose my favourite aspect, it'd be the action, I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of it and those scenes as a whole were entertaining to watch.

It's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you like a good mystery action packed drama about NIS, then this is worth checking out!

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Pretty but Pointless.

Not that I look for Booker prize worth story, Oscar worthy acting and the paraphernalia in a drama, least of all a BL show (Many BLs have basic plotlines barring few glorious exceptions) ..But! This drama feels beyond pointless.

The Good:
Ost. (Pretty catchy).
Camera shots. (Beautiful)
Visuals of the actors. (Quite engaging for Optical system.)
Food. (Oh the Divinity!)

The Bad:
Story if they have any. The whole of 7 episodes (that I managed to finish) could have been condensed in less than two.
Chemistry. (Soda left out for a week must have more fizz.)
Etc. (Don't want to be too mean.)

The Ugly:
The staring. (Are we participating in 'who blinks first' contest? If yes.. We have a Winnah!)
The pauses. (One can take a powernap at those prolonged pauses.)
Etc.

Mark is a decent to good actor, going by his earlier projects. But here his Aek must be on trance substance high, for nothing else explains the actions, expressions and dialogue delivery of that character. Ofcourse everything else is slow in the show but this particular character takes it beyond the natural and unnatural slowness.
Aue actor serves looks and acting. Few other characters and actors are interesting but story as a whole is like slow walking on a broken treadmill. I don't mind slow burn but not when the fire is being set up in caveman era style on a wet grass at that.
Or maybe this show can be an excellent aid for breathing exercises. Time yourself at the 'pauses' and the 'staring'. On second thoughts 'Don't'. One might pass out due to sheer oxygen overload.

Don't mean to dissuade anyone from giving this show a try. The show has some goods as opposed to only bads. You might find the pace and the rest calming and enjoyable. I didn't.
A compulsive completist. - But have to drop. Best luck to the cast for better project next time.

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Wise advice

Just really really wished someone would have told me this beforehand. Warning ahead… Please please pwease do not start this drama at all, it will mess you up and piss you off like ONE HUNDRED AND ONE, like no joke! Biggest regret of all is that I actually started this drama. In all honesty I started the drama because of the two main actors, Song Weilong and Jelly Lin. Although really just that alone doesn’t make up to how awful this drama is, sadly enough. The beginning was bearable and it seems interesting, but just really only the first few episodes the rest is horrifying awful. Siigh…

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Short and simple

The show is really short and simple, a quick watch.

Plot was kind of intriguing but nothing special at the end and the acting couldn't deliver on some of the scenes making them feel quite tacky. Which it was kind of it's own charm as I found it hilarious
Music was the best for me, there were only a couple of songs that they used as OST and they were good, although we keep listening to one of them through most of the episodes which could be repetitive and tiring

So in short if you think (obviously you could like it as well) you don't want to "waste" time watching something simple and somewhat tacky you can skip this one, if you want to watch something kind of different then you could give it a try since it's really short

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A drama full of life lessons

The drama in general is already perfect in every aspects so i wont discuss much about acting, plot, ost etc.

What made this drama stand out is the life lessons the writer and director managed to incorporate. The drama was highly anticipated because of the leads but as the drama progressed it was no longer just about chemistry and typical romcom that we watch to free ourselves from stress. It has become the light and reflection of our past our present and our future. When i watched this drama it had me thinking of the life choices i made. It is very rare for a drama to bring an impact on viewers and having read alot of comments im not the only one. Im so proud to the whole production of this drama. I wish nothing more but for more dramas like this.

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Clichés done right

The Title of this Drama gives the final scene away, but then anyone who starts watching this would be expecting exactly that. The thing that marks this a really enjoyable watch is the skill of the execution. It's how they get to that ending that makes for an entertaining journey. The Drama really doesn't put a foot wrong in any major way. In my personal database I scored this as 8.25/10 so here at MDL I gave it 8 rather 8.5 because the "evil ex" was a leeetle bit overdone, but only a tiny bit, and not for long. A very sweet and satisfying romance Drama that illustrates how it IS possible to stick to a very well-used formula and produce a real treat if the writing and acting come together just right. Overall, this one was "nothing but net"

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Something different, relatable and refreshing..

I love the story, though not perfect but it is fan to watch. Every episode has a lesson to teach. And each characters' stories are inspiring.

I love how Actors portrayed their roles. Each characters are important and each of them did amazing.

At first, I hate Hyejin's character. She's just too much. But as the story goes, you'll understand why she's like that. Chief Hong's character is so lovable. No one can hate him, he is every girl's dream. He's just too kind. But the characters I really love are Ijun and Ji PD. Ijun is just a kid but his acting and his role is super cute and I really love how mature he is. Ji PD is just so kind, the bromance between him and Chief Hong so cute.

What I am kind of disappointed was the last 2 episodes. They could have made it better. But I think it is the Director's style to drop everything in the last episodes. Anyway, overall I enjoyed it.

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Shoddy and chagrin ending

Since when korea started produce such lamentable BL series, starts with promising outcome but ends with biggest disaster. First 3 episode were good enough but last those 5 episode gives u headache. A boys leaves his home to make better future, suddenly meet a guy with whom he fall for that guy. A triangle love story without proper script.
Idk what is bl series to others but i want bl series with lots of deep main and side story with lots of romance. This basic story have nothing not even a proper romance. Anyone can guess whats going to happen. Leave romance u cannot even feel bromance between lead character, they don't have any connection which makes us feel they are couple. We can't even feel where the story is going, how this is going end, such a shabby story.
Even though u can't feel the connection between couple in terms of acting they are average, seriously second male lead have better facial expressions than lead actor. Nothing is good. Only good point is cinematography. Shabby story, expression less acting and boring disaster ending. I don't even want to remember this series.
I can say this is total disappointment from my side. After watching light on me I can't feel any other korean bl series going to take that legacy of light on me. Seriously we need different kind of serious story if anyone want to make bl series.

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I Need Compensation for the Emotional Damage This Drama Caused Me

You ever encountered a drama so good you know that it'll take weeks or months for you to recover from it? This is it. This is how good this drama is. Plot twists at every corner, nothing is ever predictable. .

That was honestly so satisfying to watch. It's rare to find a costume drama that wasn't dragging. The actors were so good, the chemistry so effective, the plot is honestly to-die-for, and everything is just perfect down to the OST.

I thought this was a consoling story (especially if you have watched Love and Redemption). At first I thought it was a nice change that someone would die for Cheng Yi's character rather than him dying over and over again. But man, this is more emotionally taxing. The actors here are so good! Especially FL who was so pretty when she smiles, and beautiful even when she cries.

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