Reviews

Warm sunlight on a cold winter day

It takes time for the warmth to reach the frozen hearts. Yet by the completion the frozen heart starts to melt.

Watched few episodes when it started airing and since I'm so impatient, gave up then and picked it up yesterday only to get my sleep robbed. It's been a while since I binge-watched a drama without skipping a scene. There's suspense, realism and mature romance.

Overall the story is good. The melodrama and the suspense parts are done well but the romance could have been better. All it missing was a little touch. Yes, two broken hearts are really trying to heal and their love language isn't touch but still a hug here and there would've been deep. Also Kang Ji Min and his family's love for Woo Joo moved me. All their scenes are so beautiful to watch. (Step aside silly sister! You made way too many poor choices for me to like you) Ending felt a bit lacking. Glad they included the BTS else I would've suffered much.

I chose this drama purely because of Lee Yoo Ri. Became a fan of her exceptional acting in Father is Strange and I must admit whenever she portrays a character she takes me all of myself into the character's world without me realizing it and the same happened here. I felt the pain, the happiness and all the various emotions of Ji Eun Soo to the bits. Yeon Jung Hoon as the soft-hearted Kang Ji Min comforted me. Can't believe he's the same Min Seok Hoon of Mask. He secured a place in my favorites list. As always Lee Il Hwa never disappoints. The child actress Go Na Hee is a scene stealer. She's gonna be a brightest star in the future. Rest of them are good too.

Music is really good.

Never gonna re-watch this though. Well, who knows it might be a lie. ;)

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Suspenseful

Oct. 2, 2021

Squid Game is one of those dramas where humans are in such a desperate state that they have lost their ability to have human compassion. To be honest, I really love the first half of the series. I am assuming that there must be a plan for a second season as the ending implied it unless they really wanna fk us up and give that ending with no sequel.

For the characters of the Squid Game, I think that the writers really gave us a huge variety of personalities and perspectives through each ones. Though, there are some characters that I absolutely despised and thank god they are gone. But I fking hate those VIPs. I need them dead, I don't think I will be able to rest and I will not continue to shut up unless those mfs get their deserved karma for using people for their fking entertainment.

With all these, I did feel a bit underwhelmed with the latter half of season 1. I feel like the writing has become sloppy and that it kinda fell into the constant repetition that made it a bit harder to finish the series. I did skip multiple scenes in the latter half as it seems uninteresting and unnecessary. I did cry for all the characters that I loved since they all really just died. Like damn, that hurt like a bitch tbh. I wished they kept my girl like come on. But oh well, it is what it is.

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It’s supposed to be a bunch of BL tropes

Overall I enjoyed Why R U. The series is supposed to feel like it’s a BL story come to life, in the world of the characters, so here’s A LOT of clichés. Like: enemies to lovers, homophobic dad, engineering students, rich guy falls in love with poor guy, the cool sister, the shippers…

I feel like those clichés are an integral that part of the show, so they have to exist for the story to move. It’s also interesting how the show shifts from cheesy romantic scenes to steamy hookup sequences, just like in an actual fanfiction story. I'd say that Why R U could be a good BL to recommend to someone that has never seen any BL, since it has so many of the popular tropes and styles in one place. So you get a taste of everything.

I liked the characters and the cast. But I feel like the amount of secondary couples and side characters takes up too much time. And in the end we don’t get much development from them. It just looks like everyone is paired up. There’s not much of a story to be honest, it’s basically just the process of the couples getting together.

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Sometimes stop for a sec and look at what is positive

The leitmotif is the unraveling of what happened to the FL. Why did she try to adopt a different personality and name to outsiders,? Why did she try to retain her earlier self in front of her friends?
The crux of the matter was the fact that after she reached rock bottom, she met a man by pure chance, and they mutually fell for each other. Thereafter, her friends didn't give up on her, he didn't give up on her, and she realized that she had not given up on herself either.
Around this display of human all too human activities, we find the people with whom she interacts, and their own issues: money issues, love issues, personality issues, drinking issues, image issues, ...
Notice that all this is done without killing, gore, explosions, hostage takeover, politically correct preaching, and other nonsense that plagues so many other productions (HINT: if Hollywood-style stuff is what you are looking for, this show is NOT for you).
Personally I didn't like the product placement (can't stand the stuff they label as pizza in the show), but otherwise it is extremely sweet, with real sweetness and not fake carbohydrates.
Of particular charm were the scenes throughout the series where one could see that people cared for each other.
The police cared for the drunk ML and other hosts at the station. The actress wanted her first kiss from someone she liked and not some famous "pig". Both FL and ML cared about his wedding ring, which he threw in a fit in a canal (him trying to retrieve it after she had gone there and found it, was particularly ironic/good). The restaurant owners at the beach give food and a chance to the FL. When looking for the usually drunk girlfriend, one guy mistakes another drunk for his gf in the street.
Sometimes it is important to stop for one second in life and look at what is positive. This series does that.
Please enjoy it.

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If it's meant to be, love will find a way. ❤

"Even the most beautiful face will have to age. You are the best in my mind. I can see the bones of beauty inside you" Shi Yi to Zhou Sheng Chen.

What a heart-warming, poignant, sweet, and tear-jerking story. A slow-burn, frustrating, and quite dragging at times, but still at the end of it, we still got our happy ending for our Shi Yi and Zhou Sheng Chen, which they really deserved.

I've been waiting for this drama to be aired as I am a fan of the novel from Mo Bao Fei Bao and fell in love with Zhou Sheng Chen's quirkiness, at times oddness and just being so adorable and him being a nerd. As well as Shi Yi's love for ZSC and how she supported him all throughout.

I just find it frustrating to watched the other actors/actress in this drama, (not included from my frustration are: the main couple, Uncle Lin, Ren, the misunderstood mother, the bff lawyer and roommate/bff of Shi Yi); I find their acting lacking and unconvincing. Specially the brother, his acting is so unconvincing and kind of lazy for someone who got pent up hatred, frustration for his elder brother. Also, some scenes for the other characters are unnecessary, which made the series dragging. Maybe they want to show their character development but ended poorly.

And I just want to rant here about the behavior of Shi Yi and Zhou Sheng Chen's maid, maybe because she's a distant relative of ZSC, but she's over the top! She doesn't know her boundary and just "boom" comes to their room without knocking, or correct word is "barging" to their room, which I find disrespectful and offensive. But the series just made it like it's just goofy or funny. I wanted to smack her head, as she always caught our couple in a very awkward situation or disrupt their sweet moments.

Anyway, thanks for Bai Lu and Allen Ren for giving us a wonderful series.

And by the way, I just want to say, I love and appreciate the OST of this series. It helps the viewers sets the mood and it's just worth of listening to it.

Over all, it is worth the time to watch the drama. ❤❤❤

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A romantic comedy of Book vs Real life ?

Just finished a great webtoon and storyline which included actor's/actresses that did a amazing job. This doesn't have actual spoilers just round about ones. Its about a girl Han sun nyeo who on her 18th birthday didn't want to be left alone. Then you see her mom wink and the house shakes and something falls when she reaches it a book with a page torn. As she read it aloud it a Happy18th bday page and she was happy to spend it with Nam wook. As he goes to kiss her she gags and as she turns around a boy walks out of the book *Sun nyeo and Nam wook" and trys to kiss her. She then tries to explain to him and herself how he came out of the book and how to put him back in. It turns out her mom was the writers of this series 10 years ago.
The storyline now continues as she and her friends try to help him to adjust to the real world and not pages in a book. Also when his eyes meet other they go into a trance and compliment him or do stuff to Sun nyeo which is funny. This is an outline of drama so you must watch and you will love it to. Enjoy? PS. Hope there is more to come in this series.

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Good start, great potential, but...

There is one thing I am grateful with the Good Detective: once you have watched it completely (all 16 episodes), you will be able to watch ANY other kdrama from romantic-comedy to fantasy to thriller/detective etc. and find MOST of them excellent, well acted, well executed, well produced, well directed, well written, etc. You will be so happy to realize how much any random kdrama is in fact quite good and wonder why you did watch the Good Detective.

Well, it has good material and potential at the beginning, but for some reasons (probably lack of budget or internal disagreements between producers, directors, writers ??? or maybe just boredom of being forced to work on this project, or pure and genuine boredom), everything become so incoherent that you keep thinking "oh! maybe it is just a joke from the actor because he or she wasn't happy with his or her salary..." or "oh! maybe it is just a joke from the writers becase they didn't feel they were paid correctly..." etc. until you reach the end of the drama and realize that all of it was no joke, no twist, nothing...just the fact that all the characters become really stupid. The transformation for the many characters of this drama is that after going through all the twists and turns of their stories they all get a formidable transcendance and become less intelligent that they were at the beginning, less fair and less right that they were. I guess that was what the drama was about: if you want to do something good you cannot, but if you really want to become a good whatever, just become stupid. Yes, just become stupid and act as a coward, don't think before you talk, conclude just based on your blind anger and feeling and so on..., just become really really - but really ! - stupid so you then really think you did something meaningful and good.

Anyhow, the first half was kind of interesting to watch meanwhile waiting for a new drama. The second half was kind of okay but it became gradually unbearable as there were too much nonsense (or stupid thinking from most of the characters). But, come on, I did watch it till the end in case the common sense and judgment would come back miraculously in the story. That was not the case.

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A Promising Premise with a very weak ending (very light spoilers)

A rider. This series COULD be aimed primarily at female audiences. Thus, showing a weak hero within the premise might be satisfactory to some. Thus, IF you are a woman audience, you might find this drama interesting. This review might not be for you. However I did find the ending most disappointing. In fact it becomes disappointing much before midway. How and why so? Is it cos I am a male? I wouldn't like to think so, cos the philandering male is justly punished and that was satisfactory.

Irrespective of however 'realistic' some might find the drama to be, in real terms any narrative has to fulfil the dramatic needs of drama mechanics. By which one makes a purchase into the drama. The premise is possibly the best part of this drama. A man discovers a message which seems to indicate a ticking time bomb in his otherwise perfect domestic life. It could be true. It could be a misinterpretation. This sets up a novel engrossing story engine which readily propels the narrative forward for at least the first four episodes. However, even in this, the male protagonist, essentially on whom the show is based, comes out as a whimpering pansy. Now, there's nothing to suggest a person CAN'T be a whimpering pansy and will NOT deserve the audience's sympathy. ONLY, such a person is rarely a protagonist. WHY? Cos for the audience to purchase into a tale, the protagonist, whether male or female, HAS to be proactive and willing to take on the curveball life or circumstance throws in his/her way and through that grow from it. This gives the person a character arc. We see this same arc being enacted in VIP, in The World of the Married, etc. You might not like the curveball sent your way, BUT you accept it for what it is and instead of pining for the past, grow, evolve into a better perspective, understanding, change of personal pattern and leaving the past behind, grow from it. None of this happens in this drama. It is essentially a tale of the person slinking back to a past in the future glossing over what happened. One might argue that he evolves to becoming more compassionate and attentive. BUT, an abrasive person becoming attentive and compassionate is a growth curve. A self indulgent wimp becoming 'attentive and compassionate' is degrading from one delusional self aggrandisement to another, without addressing the core factor of wimpiness/indecisiveness. Of being reactive to life instead of embracing change for all its pain and becoming proactive. in THIS factor the drama, despite its very promising set up, gloriously fails.

Most of the Korean Script writers are women. The characters tend to be nuanced and deep, the premise interesting and novel, the story non-linear, the drama involved and intense. The issue is, when the adulter is man, he's invariably cast away or lives to repent AFTER being divorced. In this same drama, the lead story, the guy finally ends up not being able to leave his cheating wife. BUT, if the adulterous one is woman, then the man either can't live without her or goes on to commit a greater crime. In one of the dramas, in the B story, when the guy is the adulter he ends up being discarded, divorced, penniless, repentant...you name it. Take MISTY as an example. I am left wondering, is this some nascent sexism which is evolving?

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Cute Fluff, Angst, Mystery and Fantasy

What I liked about the show:

I really love the story. I watched this drama with the only expectation of fluff and a bit of mystery.
The best thing about this drama I think was the writing. I love the plot and I'm shocked that there is a fantasy element in a modern drama (wasn't it supposed to be banned?). Every episode got me hooked and wanting more. They pulled me into the mystery of the drama. I wasn't expecting something complicated and this suited my mood

Some things were quite obvious *cough the ML's Chinese name* but I love it. The ending was perfect for the drama, and that was how I envisioned it.

Another thing I really liked were the kissing scenes between Shen Yao and Yalkun Merxat. They were so hot. looooool.


The negatives:

Acting:
Some of the acting was a bit unnatural. The FL was on point most of the time - but sometimes her speech delivery felt unnatural (maybe it was dubbed?). Her expressions were fine. I felt that a few others were a bit unnatural for a few scenes - Qin Yue (played Shen Yao), Jin Xiao Rui (played by Zheng Fan Xing) and some of the minor roles.

Wei Xuan He
He's so toxic and I felt that Qin Yue really needed to get away from him. But he's so hottttt xD

Overall I would recommend this drama. It was addictive and not too complicated. The acting could have been better, but it was serviceable.

lol I probably enjoy it because I'm not a programmer - this drama might drive programmers nuts with drama magic. xD

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Ending

Ok I loved this drama hated how they left me on a cliffhanger like did he die was that him at the end how can you leave me off with so many questions that needed answers other then that the drama wasn't bad it messes with your emotions a lot but other then that it was good and if you are wondering if there will be a second season as from the comments section no there won't which sucks cause they want us to keep guessing if he died or not but it's fine no it's not fine we have questions that needs answers but that's my opinion on the drama please feel free to watch it and speak about your experience with this lovely drama

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LOVELY SCHOOLING

From the EPS I've watched so far do good. One of the reasons I love watching Zhao lusi's dramas is because she's always lively. This drama is for those who are child at heart . The title other drama says it all. One can just imagine what it was like back then to see a female among men or vis versa. From the very start cast deliver their skills perfectly. There's no episode that goes by without laughing and not to be watched at work or school otherwise laughing will betray you. The FL arrives at college after Several attempts. Things don't usually start smoothly for her but because she's determined she eventually blends in ,she makes some friends and enemies. Also with the ML they don't get along at first but eventually becomes friends and more than that. Mystery mystery. Some people have died and there's still no evidence only assumptions . Seems like not everyone is to be trusted.From the elders to the young ones. Some are witty,some are naive some have a poker face while some have an AK 47 face . All in all their acting is good it matches the theme of the drama. The subtitles are good. One of the dramas not to be missed.

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Give this gem a chance, it's really quite phenomenal!

I never write reviews, but I HAD to for this one. This entire drama is a RIDE. It put me through so many emotions, each episode bringing on a new perspective or insight.

First thing, there are some *hella* spoilers about FL's and ML's characteristics below the next paragraph. Second, I *highly* recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys a lowkey but somehow also intense psychological mind fck. Third, KEEP watching. Power through that initial uncomfortableness you may feel after hearing FL's past. Fourth, it's pretty subtle in how it does it, but this entire series is explaining the effects of s*xual ab*se, so if you're triggered by that, find something else. Lastly, only the right audience will understand it's full value. At face value it seems straight forward with cliche MCs (an annoying FL pushover who gets used by the aloof, cold ML etc.), so honestly, a lot of people will or have given it a bad rating. As I mentioned, it's complex in an almost subtle psychological way and definitely not for everyone and there's no shame in that.

Dramas get a lot of crap for being stupidly dense sometimes, but this one takes it to a whole other level in a BRILLIANT way. The undertones of misunderstanding and miscommunication in this bsh is just *chef's kiss*. And somehow, it's really not a frustrating "just tell them and sort it out already!" sort of thing either. It's more of a, gosh darn, THAT's why you're like this--this makes SO much sense. It leads you to think one thing, and the next thing you know, your entire perspective has changed on it. It's just so *real*. It's maturity, mental health, s*xuality, ignorance, consequences, psychological healing, and all sort of adulty things wrapped up in a wonderful, ever-evolving-beautifully bow. Even the supporting characters are well done and not annoyingly evil or as manipulative as they usually are (although, I'd have liked to see a story to the female roommate since everyone else had a story that helped to really explain their characters). Also, go in with the understanding that the ML is most-likely neuro-divergent despite it not saying so. (Forewarning, he's almost too gosh darn attractive that dude.)


ML & FL characteristic and past SPOILERS & EXPLANATIONS (since there's no way to explain why I love it without describing certain important aspects... it's also gonna be longgg):

I'm pretty sure the entire theme of this show is that how we see things and think about things will ultimately dictate the future. And it's amazing how subtle they made this, despite proof of it being there in every episode practically. Also, as I said it's a big shoutout to s*xual abuse awareness and the mental effect it has on its victims. Huge bravo to that one; showing how even if the victim doesn't understand fully, it still leaves a lasting impression. That, again, is a silent yet constant theme in the series.

FL had an experience akin to someone who was s*xually abused (by ML). It changed her. After that experience, she felt the shame and embarrassment that is typically seen in SA cases. So, with this new mindset, she believed ML looked down on her afterwards etc. and continued to go through life with this mindset, hence setting her up for failure in love and life and most importantly, selflove.

However, eventually it shows us the ML POV and we see that the FL's way of thinking and 'truth' is different from his. He didn't look down at her at all, he lowkey worshipped her and felt unworthy of being with her. In his own weird way, he also had a traumatic experience. I highly doubt he understood the extent to how wrong he was (seems like there's sometimes a lot of cluelessness from characters about s*xual abuse in k, c and j dramas) but I think he understood that he did something not completely right to her (he showed this by confessing he wanted to apologize but also felt conflicted because he didn't want to say he regretted being with her). I think this is why he's always like... quadruple checking with her to make sure it's okay he's doing this and that. Honestly, this self-consciousness of his is probably why he was having issues in the first place: he didn't want to repeat the experience since he, as well, felt abandoned afterwards. But I get the feeling he still doesn't understand why he feels this way (it's more of a subconscious thing that's shown in his actions). Add on to the possibility he might be neuro divergent, it makes him all the more confused and quiet about it.

Overview of how this drama made me feel:
(1st) I was amused at the ML being FL's roommate and rooting for a blossoming love between them. And the sexual chemistry was off the charts. ML is so hot, stop.
(2) I felt betrayed!!! I was SO angry at ML after hearing FL side of the story and watching her being used so blatantly (I almost checked out, I was so uncomfortable... but, trust me, keep watching!).
(3) I was frustrated with FL for wanting to be with ML despite such a traumatic past with him, as well as frustrated at how she was so easily letting herself be used.
(4) I put myself in FL's shoes and realized that it's a normal thing SA victims go through--wanting acceptance and love from their abusers and those around them. She had experienced abandonment in her head after the SA and it made her feel like she was worthless and useless. Thus, being used was a good thing in her eyes--it meant she was useful instead.
(5) I realized (quite sourly) that FL's experience wasn't the ML's... his story was different, more innocent, and about his own self-consciousness of feeling like he wasn't worthy of her. Meaning, they both lived in their own head and never thought to check in on one another about how they were feeling. They both thought something self-deprecating and, as I said, it set them up for failure.
(6) It ended weirdly but I still felt like there was enough closure. Overall, it wrapped up really well psychologically (ending spoilers on their characters below):

- ML needed to be more considerate of FL and think about how she may feel in situations rather than always think that he was unworthy of her and think about his own feelings. He will probably always have issues talking about and understanding such things like feelings, but if the ending tells us anything it's that he won't just do what he thinks he should based on his own feelings, and instead consider what FL is going through and adjust based on that.
- FL needed to stop assuming how others felt about her and making that assumption become her personality/self-identity. She needed to stop portraying her insecurities and assumptions on the ML and instead trust herself--self love, baby. And again, because ML probably will never truly tell her his feelings, she will still go through insecurities, but she will just have to trust herself (and him) that much harder. With him also adjusting his actions to her, this should make it easier to do as they continue to grow.

Idk if it's a good or bad thing they aren't split up, but I do think they will continue to grow and heal with or without one another.

Moral of the show from MY perspective: when you have s*x, make sure there's explicit consent (!!!!!!) and make sure to check up on one another after (aftercare is important for all parties involved). Also, just because you feel a certain way about something or someone, doesn't mean it's really that way. There's so many other perspectives than just yours, so just ask! Think positively! Oh, and it's never too early to teach your kids safe sex and how to properly get consent... because who knows when they'll be in a situation needing it. In this situation, it hurt not just the victim, but also the one doing it unknowingly.

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Good confusion!

OVERALL
This drama is probably one of the best mystery dramas, in my opinion. Watch it if 1) you're looking for a well-written plot, with little to no loopholes, 2) you like fantasy/time-travel dramas, 3) you want a emotional and touching love story. Think twice if 1) you don't like getting confused by a drama plot, 2) age gaps between the OTP bother you, 3) you want to see lots of smexy scenes. But then still give it a shot. This drama is really something!

THE STORY
There's mystery like the whodunits, in which you're still kind of in control of what you're seeing. The puzzle is basically over and you're just missing a piece or two to have the full picture. And then there's Some Day or One Day, where you basically only have one or two pieces and you have no clue what the full picture is going to look like. I was lost and confused for most of this drama, and I LOVED every second of it!

The Good: The best thing about Some Day or One Day is obviously the writing. Time travel plots are easy to mess up, but the writing was tight. Every detail went full circle and made complete sense down the line. I also loved the female characters of this drama. Male lead and second male lead were fine, but common. Female lead was a no-nonsense, straightforward kind of girl and I loved her attitude. And second female lead was so real, making every scene about her feel extremely significant, even though we aren't meant to care about her until quite late in the series. Oh, and the interactions between all characters, and especially the OTP, are absolutely awesome. Male lead is an example that other dramas should follow, instead of constantly repeating the cold, mean, narcissistic lead. There's a lot to like about Some Day or One Day.

The Bad: There isn't a lot I didn't like about this drama. I wish there'd been more cute, sweet or smexy couple scenes, but I understand why there isn't. I can also mention the fact that one mystery in the series isn't that much of a mystery - it's pretty obvious from the start, or the fact that the ending of second female lead is unrealistic and not very coherent - I didn't feel super comfortable with what the drama implies about people like her. But overall, these are small weaknesses compared to all the strengths of this drama. NOTE: For the best experience of Some Day or One Day, make sure you watch the supplemental ending sequence they made and uploaded on Youtube, and don't end the drama with the last episode.

THE ACTING
Very good. I'd seen the actress before in at least two dramas and I think she's one of the best in Taiwanese television. Here her skills are more apparent since she plays two different people and you can tell, in her mannerisms, that they're entirely different. Male lead was also very good. There's one scene (opening sequence of episode 8) that particularly shocked me and made me realize he's not so far behind. He's pretty good too. I don't know what to say in terms of chemistry, but the OTP is still pleasant to watch and you totally root for them. It was all good!

THE MUSIC
Perf. This drama is one of those in which the music almost steals the show. So many of the songs ended up in my playlist, it's crazy!

REWATCH VALUE
Because the best part of this drama is the mystery and that feeling of being confused, I don't think it's a drama you can rewatch many times, regularly. But it's definitely a drama you can rewatch after some time, when you've forgotten the details of the drama and you can rediscover them and get surprised again. I did. This is my second time watching!

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THANKS FOR PLAYING WITH ME

Squid Game was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. It's definitely something you could finish in one day if you were willing to give up that much time, but I think you'll find yourself getting sucked pretty easily into this cutthroat death game that also serves as a critique on capitalism.

First and foremost, I need to talk about the characters, or more specifically the participants of the game, because they were definitely a driving force in this story. Even though the time spent with each character varied, I still thought that most of them were really well-written and were able to provide a huge impact on the overall story. Each one had justification for participating in this game and I didn't find any of their actions to be overly forced. I found myself rooting for a majority of characters, and when each of them was killed off, it definitely struck an emotional blow. These are definitely not the usual 2-dimensional stock characters that are written into survival stories that we often see today. It was also really interesting to see how the different characters changed over the course of the game due to moral decay, or in some cases, didn't change at all, which helped to further the show's illustration of capitalism.

This then brings me on to the next thing I'd like to talk about, which is Squid Game's stance on capitalism. They pretty much nailed their argument against it, which basically boils down to: there is no equality under capitalism, and the poor will always suffer for the sake of the rich. The people who were running the game kept on stressing that the rules for each game were created in order to be fair for everyone and that every player would be given an equal chance to win, but it's also important to keep in mind that the reason these games were started in the first place was for the entertainment of the rich. There was never any equality to begin with because it was their poor status that placed them there in the first place.

The characters were also supposedly given the option of participating or not participating in the games, but in reality, just like with capitalism, there was actually no choice. Even though the people who were controlling the game insisted each player was there because it was their own decision, we're actually shown that these characters have literally nothing to lose. Nothing could be worse than the hellish situation they were placed in because of their debts under capitalism. It was only an illusion of free will, and ultimately, the choice was already made for them. This is an exceptionally well-crafted representation of how capitalism works. You have to participate in this rotten system in order to survive, and if you don't, you're basically deemed as having little to no value and are seen as less than a human being and basically become forced into poverty.

And even if you think you have a chance at beating this corrupt system, it doesn't come without a cost. No one becomes a millionaire or a billionaire without stepping on other people. There is no ethical way of achieving that status of wealth. Squid Game brilliantly illustrates this point by setting up the games in such a way that you can only win at the expense of other people's lives. Every dollar that was added to that heinous piggy bank represents the value that was attached to the life of every player who died. Specifically, players who were poor and impoverished and were only playing this game in order to pay off their debts. Capitalism strikes again by forcing poor people to compete with each other in order to survive and make a living, all the while the ultra-rich get to kick back and enjoy the show. There were lots of moments that were truly sickening to watch, but unfortunately, they are pretty accurate in regards to how a capitalistic society functions. The poor stay poor and the rich get richer.

Okay. Rant finished. I'd like to point out that I also highly enjoyed the production, acting, and music of Squid Game. It was all extremely well-executed and helped to add to the intensity of the show.

However, I did not like the ending. It felt like the writers were really building up to this big, grand conclusion, but instead, we were given an ending that was underwhelming, and quite frankly, didn't make much sense. It also seemed to undermine a lot of the character's actions from beforehand, so I was pretty frustrated with it.

Overall, I still pretty much enjoyed the show up until the ending. I kind of went into this with pretty low expectations if I'm being honest, so I was pleasantly surprised. If you're looking for a good show with lots of action but isn't mindless and cheap in the slightest, I would definitely give Squid Game a chance. It definitely deserves all the attention it is receiving since its Netflix release, and I hope that it can really help to pave the way for people to reconsider their beliefs about capitalism as we know it, as well as to help encourage Western audiences to branch out more when it comes to the kinds of media they consume. As director Bong Joon-Ho said while accepting an Oscar for his film Parasite, “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films." I think Squid Game's popularity will help more people realize the meaning behind this sentiment.

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A must watch for young people and parents.

This drama follows Seino Sakura and her high school friends as they learn about and explore different issues related to dating, sex and sexuality. They comprehensively cover all those issue that a teenager might face. It is basically everything sex ed should be in a drama.

Everyone should have access to factual information, free from bias and taboos. I feel that 17.3 About a Sex does a good job in this area. It is well-made, well-researched, well-presented in a mature, non-judgemental way. Safe for young people to watch alone, with friends or with parents. I would highly recommend this.

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