Reviews

somewhat different ending from what I expected

Before watching this drama, I have not watched dramas with crime, suspense or thrillers often. This was also the first time I watched this genre of dramas produced by China.

So I will just say my opinions based on my little experience with Chinese crime, suspense dramas.

You keep wondering who the murderer is throughout the drama. The suspense was there, heightened by the music, dim lights (actually, I wonder why the houses in China all look so dim inside with creepy rooms and corners), the characters' behaviors and body language, all the various clues discovered here and there, etc. So much so that you start suspecting almost every possible character in the drama, but the ending was a little different from what I expected after all the suspense, as one reviewer pointed out, not mind-blowing, didn't go, what? it was him/her (all this while)??!! I just went, ok, this was the murderer, hmm.

Nevertheless, the drama is good overall, it is not slow-paced, because new clues are discovered almost every episode so you will not feel bored, new clues only draw you nearer and nearer to the identity of the murderer and this makes you want to keep watching the next episode and the next, although there are some illogical acting (like how could one person still walk normally after being stabbed several times and then instantly fell flat on the ground after one shot on the leg?), but these can still be overlooked if you look at the drama as a whole. The acting of the main leads is good, especially Zhao Li Ying. You see a different her here. And each episode is about 36 mins on average, so it is good if you do not want to sit down for too long. The music is good, bring out the suspense, the ending is wrapped up well, loose knots tied.

All in all, I still enjoyed this drama, though I will not consider this a super good suspense crime drama.

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good overall but repetitive after some time

As another reviewer has pointed out, the premise of this drama is refreshing. This is one of the plus points.

Other plus points are, the acting of the cast was convincing, the OST was okay, though I don't think the OST affects the plot much, the chemistry of the leads is good, each episode is a story by itself so no need to follow what happens in the last episode and the ending is wrapped up well.

The only negative I have to say is though the premise of the drama is refreshing, it is repeated in every episode, the little girl sees a prophetic dream after she sees the person's sub-conscious mind through his/her eyes. This happens in every episode, only the person involved is different, hence the story and the actions required are different. At first it was exciting and I wanted to find out whether this person was bad or good, etc. but I became a little bored halfway through the drama because actions were kind of predictable. Even if the persons and stories are different, there is not much excitement after a while. There was a little climax at the end, to tie the loose knots, though and then everything ended well.

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THIS IS MORE THAN A Y SERIES

Big applause for the director - P'Nuchy for making such a great series like this.
To me, "Not Me" is not purely a normal BL series, it shows us the vision, the ideals about an equitable society that we all deserve to fight for and to live in.
About the actors's acting, I really want to give P'Off Jumpol a big big hug for his improvement in acting skills. His skills made me goosebumps in every scene and every eyes's sight he (Sean) gave to Black (White). And we all known P'Gun Atthaphan as a great actor so we don't have to say no more.
YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS SERIES. TRUST ME ON THIS, YOU WON'T REGRET!!!!

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Cop out.

Despite a strong start, Who is the Murderer? deflates into yet another over-hyped and ultimately mediocre production in the 2021 Mist Theatre (soon to be known as Miss Theatre) lineup. This kind of simple and straightforward plot around the hunt for a long hidden serial killer relies heavily on good execution to impress. I don't know if it is an indictment of the competence of the Chinese police force but practically every Chinese crime thriller revolves around a stone cold case and the lamentably long road to justice.

The lives of the three main characters collide when young Xiamu's foster mother is murdered by a serial killer. A fatal moment of weakness by then newbie cop Leng Xiaobing enables the murderer to escape with collateral damage. Teenage Shen Yu's father disappears without a trace after appearing near the scene of the crime. Seventeen years later, the revival of this cold case entangles Shen Yu, Xia Mu and Xiaobing, united by the scars from the past yet divided by different and at times conflicting agendas. Without a doubt all three leads deliver stellar performances as characters who all experience a shattering personal loss from this common event which shapes them in very different ways. Overall I found Xiao Yang's portrayal of the gruffly amiable but subtly guilt ridden Leng Xiaobing most natural and convincing. While both Zhao Liying and Dong Zijian delivered intense and very well acted portrayals of Shen Yu and Xia Mu, they erred on the melodramatic side with excessive posing.

One of the big issues with this drama is that the suspense does not arise from the plot itself but is heavily contrived, induced by background music that accompanies angsty and heavy dark posturing by both Xia Mu and Shen Yu that goes absolutely nowhere. While compellingly acted Xia Mu's PTSD is out of proportion to the trauma he experienced and after a lot of build up and suggestive behavior, this character just gets side-lined and he is bafflingly short changed in the final showdown even though he is on the scene. While Zhao Liying's impressive portrayal of the cold, creepily inscrutable and sociopathic Shen Yu exceeded my expectations, the plot again simply fails to rise to the occasion when it comes to her story either even though she hogs the final confrontation. At the end, I feel both characters led me on a merry chase, teasing with suggestive dialogues and actions that ultimately never fully plays out. It is very frustrating because this setup and the story could have gone down many more intriguing paths with thrilling and shocking outcomes but after setting it all up, the writer pulls a much bigger cop out on us than Xiaobing's pivotal gun shy moment.

Reminiscent of The Pavilion, the plot gets hijacked by character explorations that not only don't advance the plot, they distract from it with artificially induced suspense. This led to my greatest disappointment in the way the murderer is introduced and revealed. It completely violates the unspoken bargain of giving the viewer a sporting chance of identifying the murderer. The murderer falls far short of that lurking evil presence that creates an aura of danger around the main characters and their motive is a big yawn. This does not by any stretch of the imagination qualify as a whodunit, it is at best literally a spoiler homonym of a whodidit. Bottom line, this is little more than a very unremarkable investigative crime thriller so if you were looking forward to playing armchair detective, look elsewhere. The further extension of the mundane plot with non substantive filler episodes that introduce unnecessary characters further irritated me when I would have preferred to better understand what happened to Xia Mu's foster mother as well as Shen Yu's father. The fact that the only character I cared about was Xiaobing's (hot cop) friend at the beginning says it all about how big a fail this is.

I can only rate this a generous 7.0 out of 10. I waited to write this review because right after the ending, my very incensed mother was leaning on me not to rate this better than a 5.0.

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Funny, Sweet, Adorable

This show is very light and fluffy, with plenty of genuinely hilarious moments. Personally, the diverse yet lovable characters are what made Kieta Hatuskoi one of the best BL dramas in recent years.

1. Aoki is a spazzy character with a BIG heart
2. Ida is the cool and popular guy in class but with ZERO toxic masculinity
3. Hashimoto is the sweetest yet most badass female character ever!
4. Akkun is a funny but supportive good friend for both Aoki and Ida
5. Even Ida's volleyball teammates are great! The last episode had me pleasantly surprised :)

If you loved last year's Cherry Magic, you're gonna love Kieta Hatsukoi too.

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Honestly, I can understand the hype and why this drama got high ratings on douban. Imma give this drama an 8.5/10. I think the highest I’ve ever given a drama is a 9/10, but those were usually for historical/fantasy dramas. I really enjoyed The Day of Becoming You.

The body-switching trope is such a tired plot gimmick. I didn’t even consider watching this drama until I heard about the positive reviews, and so I was curious as to what the hype was all about. I’ve never watched the lead actors in anything before, so I went into this drama with minimal expectations. The first episode was slow. The male lead is in a boyband and the female lead is an entertainment journalist. Not really my thing. The chemistry was minimal too. Very meh. Nearly dropped it.

But then after a few episodes and a series of events, they switch bodies, and Steven Zhang’s acting begins to pique your interest. I was slowly drawn in and continued watching it to see where it would go. His mannerisms are really good, from his vocal control to his posture to his gestures. He really does feel like two different people. Liang Jie is good too, but Jiang Yi’s character also isn’t difficult to emulate. To “be” Jiang Yi, she mostly just speaks in a monotone voice and stuffs her hands in her pockets to emulate the “masculine” stance. However, I do think Jiang Yi is a bit more complex and nuanced than the typical stoic and brooding ML, but Liang Jie was believable enough as Jiang Yi.

They also switch back and forth several times (and I won’t spoil the reason why here). So it was interesting to see how their relationship grows when they’re forced to switch back and forth. Each time they switch, their relationship grows stronger and deeper as they gain more understanding about the other.

There were a lot of laugh out loud moments, and scenes that make you cringe (in an entertaining way) because of the nature of the body-switching genre. I also liked how the drama was mature and talked about adult topics, but at the same time, it still catered to your inner teenager. A lot of us have fangirled over boybands and other celebrities when we were in high school, so the drama made me reminisce about those times. I probably would have swooned over this drama when I was in high school, but now at 25, I’m enjoying this drama from an older and different perspective. Regardless, it’s still a really cute and fluffy drama.

But, I’m also the same age as Steven Zhang, so I can’t really bring myself to swoon and idolize over someone my age because I’d think about how we could have gone to school together (not really since we’re from different continents, but in theory), so it feels weird to admire him and other actors my age the same way that I used to admire an actor who’s older than me. Maybe I have an inferiority complex, but now that more and more leading actors and actresses are my age and/or younger, I’m realizing that I’m enjoying dramas differently than I used to.

I don’t immerse myself as much into a drama (which is a good thing because watching dramas now are less emotionally draining and demanding). Maybe it’s just me. Or maybe it’s part of the process of growing up and becoming more mature. I no longer idolize and fangirl over people, but I admire them as a peer. Does anyone else go through this phase in their mid-20s when suddenly people your age are dominating pop culture, and so you feel closer to them, but at the same time, more emotionally distant?

The period plotline was great. I loved how they talked about heavy flow, the frequency of changing hygiene products, staining your clothes and not wearing white, and swollen breasts. Period is more than just cramps and moodiness, so I’m glad they explored the topic more in-depth. The only other thing that they could have talked about in addition would be period diarrhea and constipation, but I guess that would be too TMI.

Characters, Chemistry, and Relationships
I don’t think any of the characters or their relationships frustrated or annoyed me me. They all made rational decisions. The plot flowed logically. The supporting characters were great. Yu Sheng Sheng’s parents were such perfect, model parents. They were so unconditionally loving and supportive. There were also no misunderstandings, no angst. Jiang Yi and Yu Sheng Sheng had such a healthy, non-toxic, transparent, and supportive relationship. And their chemistry never grew stale either. Even until the last episode, their relationship was still growing and they were still working through obstacles together that had a meaningful impact on their relationship. Yu Sheng Sheng was bubbly and optimistic, but she was never obnoxious. She also isn’t perfect either. She has people she dislikes, gets jealous, and can be selfish, but she’s also relatable. She’s not a “sha bai tien”. Jiang Yi was reserved, but never haughty or uncaring. Overall, A really great couple that grows on you. I’m going to miss watching them.

Ending
But this also brings me to talk about the last 5 minutes of the drama. It turns out that all the characters and their relationships, especially the relationship between Jiang Yi and Yu Sheng Sheng, were idealistic for a reason. Everything was just from the FL’s novel that she finished writing. I completely forgot about this setup at the beginning of the drama where the FL is struggling to write the ending of her novel. And so the final minutes of the drama reminds us that this was just all a fictional story within a fictional story. I was kind of disappointed because it took the magic out of Jiang Yi and Yu Sheng Sheng’s relationship.

We learn that the FL got the idea to write a body-switching story because she got into a fight with her boyfriend, Yi Jiang, who told her that she needs to walk a mile in his shoes. We also learn that similar to Jiang Yi, Yi Jiang was in a boyband, but unlike Yu Sheng Sheng in the novel, the “real” FL met Yi Jiang after he disbanded from his group. She also tells her editor how they frequently get into arguments and would stop talking to each other as a result, but things have changed for the better recently because Yi Jiang decided to change his outlook on things, similar to how Jiang Yi changed his outlook on life.

But in the “novel”, Yu Sheng Sheng and Jiang Yi never had a serious argument. They were always very transparent with each other and had strong communication. So the fact that we’re told that Yu Sheng Sheng and Jiang Yi aren’t real, even though their story is based on “real” characters, was disappointing. We’re reminded that their relationship is idealistic, even by cdrama standards. What a wake-up call. So that was my biggest gripe with the drama.

Overall Impressions
A cute, fluffy, funny drama. It has a consistent plot all the way through and doesn’t drag. I didn’t get completely hooked until episode 7 though, because that’s when Jiang Yi starts to fall for her, so the drama does have a slower start than other romcom dramas. Someone on reddit said that this is a “wine-type” drama, and I agree. It’s not a drama that you would be in a hurry to binge, but it does make you look forward to sitting down with your dinner in the evening to watch it.

Although the body switching genre is an old one, I actually haven’t watched too many so I can’t compare it to others. But I think the drama is worth watching for the relationship between the leads alone. It’s also a self-aware drama that pokes fun and references kdramas and the alpha-CEO dramas.

Other notes
After watching the first 12 or so episodes of the drama, I also realized who Steven Zhang reminds me of. He reminds me of the Youtuber Danny Gonzalez. They both have big eyes, straight noses, long faces, and petite, dainty lips. I mean, they both give off such playful, wholesome vibes.

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This drama takes place during around the 1900′s starring Mik Thongraya and Mookda Narinrak. This drama is about the “cousins” but Massaya’s (mookda) dad is adopted by Lak’s (Mik) grandma, so these two are cousins but aren’t blood-related. After Massaya’s mom and dad died, her grandma had been resenting herself for abandoning him for marrying a girl she didn’t choose. To make up for it, Lak’s grandma decides to find Massaya to come to her house and to raise her.

Overall, I liked this drama because of the plotline and their chemistry together, but I felt like Massaya cries way too much, she was fine earlier in the drama but she just cried every episode which made me a little triggered as to how many times she has cried. She’s known to be a little bit of a tomboy but throughout the drama, she shows her sensitive side.

Lak and Massaya went through many different struggles as they had to find themselves and to hide their relationship as they both developed feelings for each other. Their chemistry was not spicy overall so if you’re looking for something with that, then this is the wrong place for that. I didn’t like the spontaneous change of feelings to add a huge suspense towards the end, but the ending was cute.

This is my first time watching Mookda act, so I think she’s a good actress so far and am looking forward to see what else she’s gonna act. Mik overall is such a great actor, I’ve watched him for many years before making this tumblr so if I do some rewatches then I’ll definitely post them. I had a month-ish break because I rewatched Hwayugi and it’s still SOO GOOOD AND I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND IT STILL. I’m currently watching a chinese drama, so expect a post on it next week!

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Do you know what's the feeling of getting goosebumps?

Do you know what's the feeling of getting goosebumps? This drama will tell you.

I came across with this drama after watching the Psychopath Diary, one of the drama from the ML, Yoon Shi Yoon. And I blamed myself for not watching it more earlier than before as this drama is really a treasure!

Amazing storyline, but kinda disappointed with the ending. (Maybe Season 2? Kinda want that :,-)

Solid and supreme acting from the casts. I kept getting goosebumps from the actor Yoon Shi Yoon, who portrayed twins in here. The looks in his eyes, the gestures, facial expression and etc, make you easily to differentiate the twins. The way he changed his facial expression is as smooth as butter, terrifying and awe. He's good in crying scene too, he
had successfully convert his feelings to us. Next, the FL's character is the kind that I like the most. STRONG FEMALE LEAD. She is not acting like a crybaby and weak FL, but otherwise. The actress is gorgeous and attractive, especially her eyes.

Rewatch value? Definitely a ten out of ten! You wouldn't get bored if you watch over and over again.

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Watch the drama before you judge

The story content is quite new to me, frankly it's quite embarrassing to watch in the first place, this is what I fear of, after reading the synopsis and title. However I started to feel relax as the story move on. All I can say is, this is a good drama.

From the acting, you can throw your worry and doubt away as every Yoon Shi Yoon's dramas are good as hell. He need to drop a lot of tears in here, and I was affected by that too. You would want to act like a protective MAMA and hug him. As for Hani, I've never seen her acting before but she play the role natural and smooth. Park Ki Woong is as cool as always, I couldn't judge his acting as his role in here was somehow playing a cold character. In addition, the character "Jennifer" was quite fun. She is a good friend and buddy for the ML, and that brings up the fun to the audience too..

As for the story, I think it will be a good opportunity to encourage and comfort those who faced the same problem as ML did. What so embarrassed and scared of being find out our obsession? Was there a rules that telling the men couldn't be fond of the color pink? It's just depends on you, no one can change them. Next, the story quite pointed out the problem for some men that are facing it. A lot of people were getting inspirited and losing their self-esteem because of it. We shouldn't judge and give the harsh opinions before understanding how they feel, how they went through the suffocation.

Overall, this is a good drama to watch, and it's a shame that the drama is underated. These are all my own opinions, just as my headline saying, watch the drama before you judge.

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A last-minute, under-the-radar contender for one of my favorite dramas of the year! And really, a favorite from the past few years. Relatable, funny, heartwarming, and sometimes totally chaotic (the multi-episode club arc, I'm looking at you).

There have definitely been a lot of dramas lately that center around a group of female friends, but I've rarely found myself truly loving them. The charm of Delicious Romance is that it explores various relatable issues like divorce/ending a long-term relationship, re-entering the workforce, and changing careers, but also manages to feel light-hearted instead of stressful. The episodes are about 30 episodes and there are also 20! What a rarity! That means this drama never drags. I would actually love a second season.

This drama just surprised me in so many ways. Also, I loved that Xia Meng worked on developing dramas for a streaming site, and had some sharp commentary to offer. A total delight!

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I had high hopes

(contains spoilers)

I admit I am only in 3 episodes in but I already got a feel of what this drama is about. Okay, so it’s a zombie thing but actually not.

Plot - it is interesting and the story could have been told better.

Romance - not buying it. It felt so forced. The 2 leading roles have no chemistry at all. Plus! They suddenly decided to get married all for one luxury rental apartment. I found it weird that they could move in in a day and things are smooth. Like, the guy just suddenly packed up all his things and move in a day? It just doesn’t makes sense!

Thrilling scenes - I got excited when the story picked up the pace at the second episode. Yes! Her hyung got scratched! Yes he is going to turn! So okay, this episode got me excited.

Disappointing unrealistic scene - so come this episode where her Hyung gets trapped in the refrigerated container with all the infected people and turned himself, the lead lady went in and tried pulling him out WITHOUT A SINGLE SCRATCH OR BITE! Then comes her “supposedly husband” and went in and pulled them both out! And she got out unscathed! That scene did not make any sense at all!

I am still going to continue watching it for the sake of knowing what really is going on so I hope it gets better towards the end.

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..GIRI, MISTER NOBLE DETECTIVE..

..wow, just wow..
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..from the first episode itself, I find it so very interesting - indeed, Japanese are so very impressive on this genre plus the comedy factor (the rich detective, with butler, I remember Kyoko Fukada's Fugou Keiji and Keiko Kitagawa's After Dinner Mystery in one)..
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..I do love the part when the deduction happens - the revealing part of Kizoku Tantei's part, the most funny part..
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..I have a lot of things to share about this film, I do really love this one..
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..I do appreciate the even the animation they put, the casts, good to see the same face and the new one to catch their other films too..
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..overall, it is a masterpiece for me - the people behind this are so genius. . .BETTER WATCH IT GUYS
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..*BRAVO~!!*..

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