Reviews

This series was an okay one. The type of series you'd want to binge rather than drag watching because every scene was immersive. I really enjoyed watching it and at the same time, I'm so nervous every time they would start playing the next game which we'd have to guess what. The production was huge and well-prepared. The characters, aka those staff of the game, were really unique looking with their masks and outfit. The acting was also effective; I really hated some characters and sympathize with some. I just don't know what's lacking in this series for me to say that it was quite enjoyable but not a favourite. Overall a good watch though. If you're looking for a thriller k-series and wouldn't be bothered with brutality, then this one might be for you.

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1st half of the story is a gem !

This drama is really cute and the way it was filmed gives it the feeling of Hollywood movies of 90s (ref to Sleepless in Seattle).
It is your classical love story but It also approaches issues that we don't really speak about in Chinese dramas. Evan Lin is stunning in his role and the FL acted well her character. Wu Yan is refreshing, bold, fearless, kindhearted but also childish and hot tempered.
The music that is a central part of this drama to vehicle the different characters emotions is also beautiful. The dialogues and quotes are well written and make most of the exchanges between ML and FL very heartwarming. You are hooked from the start and can't help to fall in love with main characters ... until ....

Unfortunately, the 2nd part of the drama started to fall out and i didn't like the reactions of the FL to create misunderstandings, sad parts in the story .... it didn't feel right and even idiotic.
The 2nd lead couple's story isn't strong enough and could be removed of the scenario without making any difference in the overall story. That's too bad, as the scenario could have been better to create characters with more complex emotions and connexions.

Overall, the drama is worth watching ... but you will feel a difference between its first and second half. There are some issues in the script that leave you disconcerting.

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Only For Lovers of Red Drivel

This drama started promising thanks to supernatural elements and story set among painters. But it didn't take long to devolve into typically bad romance, unnecessary love triangle, court scheming that doesn't go anywhere and ridiculous revenge sideplot that no one cares about. It peaked with really thrilling Ep 5 and 6 featuring a painting contest and now it's downhill from there in the Filler Zone where nothing ever happens and characters only regurgitate old talking points and endlessly remember the same peach picking from their childhood It's all so tiresome so I dropped it sometime after the 30 min mark of Ep 8, right after ML and SML declared romantic war over FL who loves toxic ML that leads her on and then plays hard to get. ML is the albatross around this drama's neck:

Ridiculously written - blind but never misses anything, the richest man in the kingdom that talks down to everyone, skilled martial artist/poet/horoscoper/musician, a masked vigilante plotting revenge for his family downfall, possessed by an evil God who gets activated whenever ML touches FL with whom he shares destiny (don't ask!), in short a textbook Mary Sue

Ridiculously styled - his red contacts make him look cross-eyed rather than blind, his V for Vendetta cosplay is laughable but his Evil God transformation that looks like a tree-hoppin Jack Sparrow takes the cake (read: character is as wild as his hair)

Toxic beyond redemption - emotionally manipulative, selfish, wishy washy, possessive, jealous, scheming, whiny, hateful...look, I enjoy so-called toxic romances cause they are entertaining but this OTP is toxic and boring, repetitive and redundant, takes itself too seriously and has no awareness how bad it really is. That's inexcusable. It doesn't help that the actor plays the character as if he's a robot - slow whispery speak, slow head movement (no, real blind people don't act like that) , creepy half smile, overall stiff posture as if he has a stick up his butt.

The rest of the cast is fine and give engaging performances, in particular FL, secondary ML who plays the youngest Prince and the duo who play FL's painter BFFs. They all have a great banter so too bad that the drama is ruining the Prince by saddling him with the love triangle where he cannot win because he doesn't check enough OTP Tropes. Childhood sweethearts? Nope. Destiny? Nope. Etc. Since ML checks them all (eg. you can play drinking game or go on a bathroom break whenever ML or FL relive the childhood memory of ML picking peaches for FL, or ML goes into demon possession convulsions because he and FL touched) , it's a game over so why drag a character who won't move the needle into this, and pivot the drama away from really compelling world of painting and toward generic drivel that we've seen in million other dramas? Missed opportunity.

Dropped without looking back.

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This is Romantic Drama

I truly enjoy this drama; the romance sequence (bed scene) drew my attention, and the main characters' parts were well-cast. They did an excellent job. I'd like to see more dramas with Anzu at Tetsoya, as well as Kakeru-kun. I really liked this Japanese drama since the actors' chemistry is fantastic. Every episode makes me sad because I thought Tetsoya and Anzu would never be together, and I feel bad for Kakeru at the same time. I pity him because he is so true and lovely, but it's a good thing he let his first love chose what she truly likes and loves. I'm so proud of him.

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Don't miss to watch!

Been watching cdramas for 5 yrs. But now i am totally hooked & can’t get over in this drama. Everything were excellently executed. Now it’s very hard to watch a new drama because now i always have a comparison & set of standard. As a critic viewer i found CRUSH a superb drama with so many depth meanings & tackles reality of life. I liked the most about their weaknesses & disabilities but inspite of those Love conquers all. Kuddos to the whole team of crush production! Looking forward to new couple project of Evan Lin & Wan Peng!hoping for on & off camera love story!!!

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Best youth drama, EVER!

I'm not going to pretend that I'm an expert on dramas as I'm sure many of you out there have certainly watched more shows than I have but as someone who's casually watched Korean dramas and Chinese dramas for the past few years, I can confidently say that this is indeed the BEST YOUTH DRAMA I HAVE EVER WATCHED. EVER.

The casting is spot on and each character plays their part PERFECTLY. I think they're mostly rookie actors but they did their best and the acting, though certainly not Oscar worthy, fit the drama extremely well.

As the synopsis says, this is a drama that tells the stories of five very different friends as they navigate their last year of high school in China. And it did it very well. There's the stress of the gaokao, the burden of financial problems, the loyalty amongst friends, the bond between teacher and students, family issues, and of course, some good ol' romance.

What was especially refreshing was the male lead. He's, surprise surprise, not some cold and arrogant CEO, not a bully to the girl he likes, and not a shitty guy to his friends or classmates. I really liked seeing a wholesome male lead for once in these dramas. The female lead was the most relatable character for me and I admired her so much. She's genuinely a positive role model for a lot of young kids out there. Not to mention their other three friends.

Maybe you've yet to experience what they have as 17 and 18 year olds or maybe you've already experienced that or maybe you're experiencing that right now. But I'm sure you'll end up seeing your youth in a positive light-- whether you're reminiscing it, anticipating it, or living through it right now.

You'll smile, you'll laugh, and you'll cry. But you're going to love every single moment of it. I can swear on it.

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An Enjoyable Watch

【Ｓｔｏｒｙ】6.5
The premise of this drama is fun and exciting. Though I find the implementation of that premise to be a mixed bag. Over all broad view it's a great story, with a lot of excitement. I really like the story beats, as well as the twists and turns the story takes.

Sadly, the path to to these story beats is marred by the writing. This drama heavily relies on character emotion to drive the story forward. But, it uses this tool like blunt weapon with no grace. Characters will often do something irrational, with no plan or purpose behind their actions, using emotion as an excuse. This is hard to explain without spoiling anything, but the best example of this comes as soon as episode 2, between the male lead and the female lead, and continues throughout the show.

【Ａｃｔｉｎｇ／Ｃａｓｔ】9
I absolutely adore the cast in this drama. Every casting choice feels spot on and everyone really embodies their roles.
I'm knocking off a point for Park Hwan Hee crying scenes. They just feel uncomfortable because of the bad fake crying.

【Ｍｕｓｉｃ】10
Nothing much to say about the music. It is used when it is appropriate and the music fits the scenes.

【Ｒｅｗａｔｃｈ　Ｖａｌｕｅ】3
Once you have watched it once, I don't think you will get anything new from a rewatch. I also don't think it would be all that enjoyable once you know the story twists.

【Ｏｖｅｒａｌｌ】7
It is an enjoyable watch, but don't expect it to be life changing. If you are like me you will enjoy your time watching this show, but will also be annoyed with the way every most actions seem to have no real rational behind them.

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Definitely a must see KDrama

Episide 1 definitely caught my attention and since then, I kept waiting to see the next episodes. The plot is different from the othe other KDramas that I have seen so far. I enjoyed watching each episodes; it never disappoints me. I love the story. Great cliffhangers on each episode, it made me wish for a faster week so that I can watch the next one.

Kim Yoo-jung, Ahn Hyo-seop and Gong Myung are amazing; the entire casts are great.

The other things I love seeing in this show are the paintings and details of the techniques based on how the painters use the diff types of brush; this even made me want to start painting ? Overall, I love this KDrama.

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Story was much better than the reviews!

I am so glad I was not swayed to drop this Taiwanese drama after episode 16-17 after I read a number of the reviews. So many viewers thought that the perfect ending should have been episode 16 but I disagree. Episodes 17-22 added more richness to the story. I thought the male leader was so natural in this role and was so convincing. The development of the female lead was seen throughout but especially towards the end. I usually watch mostly kdramas. I learned so much about cooking, the cuisine and the restaurant business. This was only my third drama from Taiwan and because I enjoyed Perfect Match so much, it will most definitely not be my last.

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Awful as romance; little better as historical - péssimo romance e pouco melhor como histórico

What's this drama about?
If it's based on a love story between Saimdang and Lee Gyeom, the story is horrible. It begins with a beautiful love affair between both. They swear happiness and you can see an extreme empathy, a deep knowledge of the other. Two creators wrapped in love. But...
Saimdang is a woman who, due to an unconscious error with a painting condemns her father to the death and the man who loves her to a life of suffering and loneliness. She marry a stingy, stupid, unfaithful man with all the flaws of the assholes. She even lives with her children and him and his mistress in the same house... Saimdang has four children who loves and educates them exemplarily. Her struggle and life is amazing, except for what she provoked in the man who loved her throughout her life as an adult. She will abandoned the man who did and does everything for her, who condemned himself to death for her, who supported her and saved her countless times and stay with her children (of course) and her disabled husband. Apparently, she apologizes to her husband for having married without love and with an ignorant (as if he did not know and was not common at that time...). Moreover, she still says that a man who spends all the money on drink and women, who gets a job without deserving it (due, there it is, to Gyeom) who is unfaithful, etc. is a good father. Apparently, for her, being a good father is playing games with her children, having fun with others, not working or studying and having no responsibility. After all, being responsible is only for the mothers, in her opinion.
Therefore, despite condemning Gyeom to eternal suffering, she still sends him to Italy because he will be an artist to be remembered and praised for centuries... It reminds me of Goethe's book, Werther, which made many men commit suicide out of love. So, we see the story happen: she is happy with her children, in her Korea, with her friends and family... And the man who loves her is creating works in Europe, pieces of art that overflow with suffering and hurtful love. We already know that being happy doesn't provoke the same creativity... the artist suffers but the rest of the world will contemplate his work. And the creator, sad and suffering lives in her shadow, looking at the moon, without the wing given to his beloved, broken in his suffering body.
Gyeom has bad luck at the same time: having fallen in love with Saimdang and that Choi Whieum Dang has fallen in love with him. And is life is to suffer...
We still think they can meet in a future life. The drama made me have that assumption and Saimdang still thinks that. However, at the end of the story we still realized that she has reached... success, living well with family. And he's photographing her from a distance...
For that reason, I believe that Gyeom, in a past life, must have slaughtered thousands, no! Millions of people for sure!! And of those, the whole family of Saimdang. And she will swear at that time to revenge them! And how did she get revenge!

If drama is seen as history...
Interesting the part of paper creation, the shape and techniques of painting, painting as an extension of words and poetry. Dramas have often portrayed the King as an imbecile with persecution complex, a patriarchal and unjust society. Minor plots, a woman that loves a man and wants to destroy him… There, Saimdang and Gyeom are exemplary in their conduct. And they have the fruit of their labor? Noooooooo! She raises her children in harmony and in the arts and he gradually fade in misery, unearthed in Italy. I didn't even know there was an Italy in Joseon era, but it looks like Seo Ji Yoon knew.
I will never review this drama, for my masochistic part was left in Bologna. The interesting thing is that Saimdang was a real fantastic woman and here she is not portrayed this way. But it's my fault, because I really wanted Gyeom to have a slice of happiness beyond Mount Geumgang... But the drama is about her...

The parts of the present are boring, the connection of Saimdang and Seo Ji Yoon seems stupid and meaningless, even more knowing that nothing will happen in the future with the photographer, Gyeom reincarnation ...



De que se trata este Drama?

Se for com base na história entre a Saimdang e o Lee Gyeom a história é horrível.

A história começa com um lindo romance de amor entre os dois. Juram felicidade e nota-se uma empatia extrema, um conhecimento profundo do outro. Dois criadores envoltos em amor. Mas…
Saimdang é uma mulher que, devido a um erro inconsciente dela com uma pintura condena o pai à morte e o homem que a ama a uma vida de sofrimento e solidão. Casa com um homem mesquinho, estúpido, infiel e com todos os defeitos dos imbecis. Até chega a viver com ele e a amante dele em sua casa…Tem 4 filhos que ama e os educa exemplarmente. A sua luta e vida é exemplar, exceto no que ela provocou no homem que a amou durante toda a sua existência como adulto.
Troca o homem que fez e faz tudo por ela, que se condenou à morte por ela, que a apoiou e a salvou incontáveis vezes pelos filhos e pelo marido deficiente. Pelos vistos, pede desculpa ao marido por se ter casado sem amor e com um ignorante (como se ele não soubesse e não fosse comum naquela época…). Além disso, ainda diz que um homem que gasta o dinheiro todo em bebida e mulheres, que arranja um emprego por favor (devido, lá está, ao Gyeom) que é infiel, etc. é um bom pai. Pelos vistos, para ela, ser bom pai será fazer umas brincadeiras com os filhos, divertir-se com outras e não ter nenhuma responsabilidade. Afinal, ser responsável é só para as mães, no entender dela.
Assim sendo, apesar de condenar Gyeom ao eterno sofrimento, ainda se sente mal e o manda para Itália porque ele será um artista a ser falada por séculos… Faz-me lembrar o livro de Goethe, o Werther, que fez muitos homens se suicidarem por amor. Assim sendo, vemos a história acontecer: ela feliz com os filhos, na sua Coreia, junto aos amigos e família… E o homem que a ama encontra-se a criar obras na Europa, peças de arte que transbordam sofrimento e desamor. Já sabemos que estarmos felizes não provoca a mesma criatividade… Que se lixe o artista, pois o resto do mundo contemplará a sua obra. E o criador, triste e em sofrimento vive na sombra dela, olhando para a lua, sem a asa dada à sua amada, quebrada no seu corpo sofrido.
Gyeom tem dois azares: ter-se apaixonado pela Saimdang e que a Choi Whieum Dang se tenha apaixonado por ele. E a sua vida é sofrer…
Ainda pensa poder se reunir com ela numa vida futura. Saimdang ainda pensa isso. Contudo, no final da história ainda nos apercebemos que ela alcançou… o sucesso, vivendo bem com a família. E ele a fotografá-la à distância…
Por esse motivo, acredito que Gyeom, numa vida passada, deve ter chacinado milhares, não! Milhões de pessoas de certeza!! E dessas, toda a família da Saimdang que jurará nessa altura vingança! E como se vingou!!

Se o drama for visto como história…
Interessante a parte da criação do papel, a forma e técnicas da pintura, a pintura como extensão das palavras e da poesia. Temos sempre retratado o Rei como um imbecil com complexo de perseguição, uma sociedade patriarcal e injusta. Aí, Saimdang e Gyeom são exemplares na sua conduta. E têm o fruto do seu trabalho. Ela cria os filhos na harmonia e nas artes e ele desfaz-se aos poucos, desterrado em Itália. Nem sabia que naquela época havia uma Itália, mas parece que a Seo Ji Yoon sabia.
Nunca reverei este drama, pois a minha parte masoquista ficou também em Bolonha. O mais interessante é que Saimdang foi uma mulher fantástica e aqui é retratada desta maneira. Mas a culpa é minha, pois realmente queria que Gyeom tivesse um rasgo de felicidade além do monte Geumgang… Mas o drama é sobre ela…

As partes do presente são aborrecidas, a ligação das suas mulheres parece-me estúpida e sem sentido, ainda mais sabendo que nada se passará no futuro com o fotógrafo…

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the most annoying female leader

I can't stand that female Tutor, the most annoying, ill-mannered, violent and idiot in all lakorns that i've seen.

People always talk about the MLeaders abuse in asian dramas but mostly the females are the same. In western romance dramas we don't have this kind of females roles nor this kind of relationships where the women are always ready to punch the guys, beaten them and so on.
Most of the time, with a few exceptions, in asian dramas women act like children and never according the age and profession characters. If they see a guy in the shower ( and most of this dramas have a shower scene) or in a bathing suit they scream like crazy. Is so idiot!

Then there is the good guy or the good girl that look pathetic instead of looking smart, with self esteem... And this drama have all this.

The only one who is normal is the man leader Itt, he have family issues, feel abandoned and lonely, miss his mother and don't understand why his father don't alloud him to see her. So he act like a spoiled boy to call his dad attention, who just give orders but not love.
Well I've seen just 3 episodes but it's very easy to know what's gonna happening next so I've dropped the drama. To tell the true I just beginning to see it because of James. I gave an 8 to acting to James only.

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sweet enough but too draggy

i admit that this drama has an exceptional storyline (dentist x librarian) if it was compared to other common storylines that were used in many cdramas. frankly, i didn't wanna give it a shot in the first place, since i had no interest after reading its synopsys. somehow.. i was running out of romantic cdramas hence i tried it.
as far.. i was quite enjoying main lead cp's love story. i found myself was into Ai laoshi (the dentist) bcs hes the one that makes this drama even sweeter. i just felt annoyed by FL's facial expression in some certain scenes. for ex : the scene in which she should've been angry yet she didn't seem angry.
for the rest 2 cp, ugh i skipped their scenes cuz they were too aggravating! i love zhai xiaowen indeed, however i barely endure myself seeing him w/ that woman (considering their age gap really looks aloof judging by their faces). moreover, his character over here was more likely a jester imo. let alone liu te w/ his pair, i had no comment as i skipped most of his scenes as well.
long story short, i watched it for main lead cp sake. xièxiè HAHA

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Mediocre Story, Acting is Ok

Summary: if you have watched many many and many more historical drama and you’d say the plot is alright because it’s the same old story re-mixed. who on earth reviewed this as 10? The last scene is like a remake of Ten Miles Peach Blossom. Watch it for the first 10 episodes for a light fun ride but don’t expect much. The first part is like Ashes of Lover and the apprenticeship part. General & I part of showing off the military base is here and all the actions, prince turned monk is also in another wuxia drama, controlling empress is also in another drama.

The main actress Bai Lu looked more in love in The Legends , less in love in The Arsenals and also mediocre in her subsequence love team-up. The main guy looks more manly now compared to his previous dramas .
Pro:
- some and barely there original plot. Mute part is somewhat a refreshing change. The disciple- mentor relationship has been on many dramas, not to mention general military dramas.
- still good acting. Barely any chemistry . Bai Lu’s eyes glowed in other older shows.

Cons:
- DUBBING VOICE . So similar to 10 miles peaches and other drama. Bailu ‘s strong voice has been tempered down with the dub. While good, it’s not great enough.
- same old story except for the mute part. Who reviewed this? Did someone pay them because the story is not very original.
- low budget. Repetitive costumes and same old places as other dramas.
Unbelievable part. Of course writers think we’re stupid that a powerful family will allow their daughter to sleepover without a chaperone. Stu-pi-d.

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Tempted is a Dumpster Fire Show

This will be a review mostly discussing my take on the show - It will be a rant!!

Honestly, I have never written a review on this website before but I feel like I have to talk about how much this drama pained me to watch. I really enjoyed the beginning, it was decent. Nothing too bad or good but I was hooked on the idea. However, as I continued watching through this show, it was getting worse by the episode and I only watched four of them! Really says a lot. The idea of this scandalous life between corporate heirs and families interested me but what made me turn my head against this show was the writing of the main female lead's writing. She was not introduced at all until everything began unfolding and how she was related to the story which is a terrible thing to do if you are writing ANYTHING. I'm not even that much of a critique in story writing but even I can tell when the character writing and timing is this bad. At first, I thought she was just a side character who was going to have MINIMUM relevancy to the story. This thought is for good reason though because the first time we see her is as an actual side character's friend. It really felt like a 'Y/N wattpad' moment as she got more involved in the story throughout the episodes. Apart from that, her character in general is absolute garbage. Her character is so plain and boring, there is nothing really that lets the audience relate to her in any way or even like. Because we never get this audience to character connecting introduction of the main character in the beginning of the show, I was rooting for the supposed rival character because she was introduced FIRST and had way more depth than that sorry main lead could ever have. In conclusion, this show disappointed me because I thought it was actually going to be something good but even I could write something better than this shitshow and the main male lead will probably end up with the plain-jane good-at-everything character rather than the girlboss. Actually, they should all end up with family therapy course sessions.

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