Reviews

Not your typical romance K-drama

Cheese in the Trap appears to be a light-hearted, simplistic college-life romantic drama at the first glance. The true essence (and vision) of this series explores the complexity of human relationships and how each person's inner motivations and past life experiences influence their emotions, state of mind and finally, actions and choices in life. This exploration is done through the lens of the protagonists.

The male lead was written as someone who has sociopathic tendencies. Sure, but honestly, I don't think it's fair to say that he's the sole individual who is "problematic". Each character has his or her idiosyncrasies and personality flaws, which drive them to make ambiguous life decisions. What I found weak in the drama. perhaps, is that instead of SHOWING us the growth or inner conflict of each character after a traumatic experience, oftentimes, they were TOLD to us by the characters verbalising those experiences. This left me somewhat unconvinced of the message the drama was aiming to convey.

In my view, I thought the one with the true psychological issue might just be Baek In Ha. I mean, seriously, who acts like that on a day-to-day basis? Her persona seems to fit the criteria of someone diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (I've worked in psychiatry before), and even in the flashbacks of their childhood, the kid actress also portrayed that eccentricity. I don't know how Yoo Jung was able to tolerate her for so long. She needed the most professional help in my opinion. She was actually also my most disliked character in the series.

Cute stuff in the drama included the supporting characters' love arc, and the friendship of the Hong Seol and Baek In Ho. After this drama, I am a new fan of Seo Kang Joon! Park Hae Jin was also great in his portrayal of Yoo Jung; there was a lot of subtle emotions that he was able to convey very well.

I think it is good to go into the drama knowing that it is more than meets the eye. Good for those who want a drama that requires some reading between the lines. So, if you're looking for your typical feel-good K-drama, this is not it.

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Highly recommended

I thought of giving up after the first episode, which didn't seem well organized or interesting. I'm glad I didn't. It turned out to be one of the best drama series I have recently watched. Kitamura Yukiya is excellent in portraying a man, who wants to live as a woman after having married and fathered a daughter, and does so without annoying mannerisms to caricature his character. The scene of his getting re-acquainted with the daughter after seven (?) years is both touching and funny, calm but powerful. Nagasaku Hiromi is marvelous in playing the character, who always wears a smiling face to mask her wisdom, defiance, and pain. The story of redeeming herself over a hasty report that caused irreparable damages to her subject ten years ago is skillfully and convincingly told (a rare feat for a TV drama series involving a long time gap). The series also ends with another moving story to raise awareness and encourage action on the part of mass media to report truthfully and responsibly. Maiguma Katsuya gives credibility to the character of a boy friend torn between his love of the girl and his rivalry with her for being in the same business. Finally, Yoshine Kyoko has a perfect balance of dramatic and comic qualities to play her role, a young reporter with heart and commitment. Is there really a magazine office that is so relaxing and friendly?

I changed my score for music. There is Bach in the background piano music, though not quite the tempo and version I would like, but it's still Bach!

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S2 is copycat nightmare

Not many people see what is wrong with the narratives that the writer has been busy promoting with HP2. It all started with the choice of ending in Ep. 12 S1. And the world of HP came tumbling down from that point onwards. Firstly, they killed the good characterisation of the first pure hearted soul in the group in S1. And in S2, they repeated the formula with the final pure hearted soul i.e. Shwa. It makes me wonder how can majority of viewers fail to see the amount of efforts this writer and her co-writers put to revamp Ikjun and GU? How can viewers fail to see that S2 is the reverse of the good written S1? That Lee Woo Jung tried her level best to undo what she and her S1 co-writers (yes, they change the whole team in S2, iirc) had written for S1. I still remembers what Shin PD said, the Kalguksu is very important because it shows the dynamic in the group. From there we can see married IkJun cared about Uju, and Jwon's focal point is Shwa. By Ep. 10 of S1, Shwa has shown her preference towards Jwon. Their closeness follows through with DLL until it became non-existent to pave way for Ikjun and GU. This is just the mechanics of things i.e. the script, the directing, the plot. Meanwhile, you can find in other review about the lack of morality that the writer and pd have been promoting in the pretense of good behaviour of 40 years old professionals who make good decisions at work but suck at handling their personal lives, and not to mention act like kids in puberty. As a single and an independent good thinking career woman, I find this drama an insult to my intelligence. Am I to accept a guy who patronises my way of eating at the age of 40, in public, as a life partner? Am I to accept a manchild as my life partner? Because I am wayyy above the shelves and may not get a second chance so I will just have to be done with anyone? *sigh* I have lived my 41 years, never ever would I settle for less. If it means a life without a partner, then so be it. I am still happy and I dictate what I will do for myself. But to let someone who is selfish and flawed to boot to rule and patronise me... the door is on your left, dude.

People may watch drama for fun and flings and feelings, but I watch drama for some lessons to learnt. I don't waste hours for bullshits. For such a slice of life drama, HP2 fails miserably to depict real context of life by promoting toxic relationships and idiocy. In my definition, HP2 is a garbage full of carbon copies of other dramas/movies/musicals if viewers care to notice. The worse copycat or parody(?) attempts by this writer and her team of writers. If S1 is full of copies from her own previous works, S2 is above and beyond. They ventured out to pick scenes and ideas from other works. Well, the hospital stories in s2 are repetitive and such a bore. Fantasy where 0.0000001% patients die. The romance stories are too cliche, stupid and boring. Those female residents are high on hormones fighting for affections from their direct supervisors. The professors are repressed 40 years old who can't be relied on with regard to personal life issues. Is Yulje a love motel? My question, can Lee Woo Jung actually write her own original, interesting story without taking ideas from other writers?

So this is my answer. This writer is not worth my time. Her ideology is sick at best for me, personally. At any age, women should not be made to grovel for love and affection. These two things should come naturally if the man and woman are fated and meant to be partners. Have some dignity, ladies. When you are at 40, you have seen and learnt many things so as to not push yourself over a cliff for an affection. And don't get me started with this writer's making GU groveled and fixed on living a secret love affair, and not to mention using emotional blackmail, being manipulative when she herself is an abused victim. Lazy writing?

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A masterpiece

I have watched the anime 'Mo Dao Zu Shi' and the novel 'The cultivation of demonic arts' The untamed was based on. I am so in love with the cast, the plot and the emotions. I've rewatched The untamed twice and even though I knew what was coming in later on episodes it still broke my heart seeing Wei Wuxian fall apart, though me rewatching it was definitely worth the watch as I understood it more than I did when I first watched it.

The acting is really good. The actors did well with their roles and really put in more effort to make the characters emotions hit the viewers. Xiao Zhan did amazingly well with making Wei Wuxian's emotions show. I loved every bit of it. Wang Yibo also did amazingly well especially since Lan Zhan doesn't show his emotions that well, he did a great job with showing them.

Overall I just love it and how they made it.

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Predictable

Contrary to popular beliefs, it wasn't that great. It was predictable and held very little surprise factor. The only surprise factor was the annoying lady didn't get killed for not being picked to play in the couple game being the odd person out. The most annoying character in the series.

I called it on the old man in the first episode. Scenes of people getting killed were repetitive and that reduces the shock and disgust factor. On top of that, the main character is unlikeable. Then again, every character in the series are less than honourable. It's hard to root for useless people. The sad attempt to sell the sad North Korean story line didn't have much of an impact with me. It didn't matter to me as to who lived or die. I just wanted to know how it ends.

The detective story line could have been interesting but the writing was lazy when they revealed who the game master was. Which I also guess who it was when the detective looked through past years' files.

The supposed international VIP brought on another level of 'ick' factor. To think that these people were "friends" of the game creator. Birds of a feather right? The acting was so bad it brought down the seriousness of the scene and somewhat came across as a skit.

I felt the ending was stupid. Wasting 1 year was stupid. Dying his hair red was stupid. The whole holier than thou attitude and vowing to hunt down the game makers etc etc was stupid.

On the bright side, it had great cinematography and acting. Kudos on the acting, I really hated ALL of them.

Perhaps this would have been better as a movie.

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Short, Sweet & Buoyed by the cast

"You're the most beautiful when you're doing the things you love and enjoy every moment of it"

Love the message it ultimately delivers.

The story itself between Sato Ai and Hasebe Sosuke is truly romantic. They have feelings for each other as children. He came back only to slowly fall back in love with her without knowing her real identity. Despite a rough start, he remains attracted to all the wonderful personality and traits of Ai. While to Ai, Sosuke turns out to be the same cute clumsy and sweet guy that she knows. Its nice to see a ML who although initially misunderstood FL and comes off as rude but doesnt take forever to realise it. Gotta give him credit for being humble enough to admit and apologize.

This production is buoyed by casting the right people for the leads. Both ML and FL were so good in their roles. ML can switch between cool and cold to clumsily adorable to sexy and flirty. FL is so expressive without goin over the top. She makes Ai so much more beautiful and special. Both of them are top notch at emoting. They deliver so well attraction, shyness and sexual tension.

Lastly the plot and production is good. A longer drama like K or C versions would have made it draggy or annoying. 10 episodes is just right in fleshing out character, plot that continuously moves and wrapping up nicely. Do watch, its easily one of the best version.

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Life is Baseball

As the proverbial phrase goes, when life gives you lemons you make lemonade out of them. Or in baseball terminology, when life throws a curveball at you, hit it right out of the park.

Hachigatsu wa Yoru no Batting Center de revolves around a mysterious ex-pro baseball player, Ito Tomohiro, who hangs out at a local batting centre helping a variety of female customers deal with their life problems using what he calls Baseball Theory. He is able to discern their predicaments by observing the way they bat and has an uncanny ability of psychologically projecting their psyche into an utterly immersive fantasy world - a baseball stadium where he draws upon his experience in baseball competitions and strategies to deal with their respective problems.

Central to this premise is 17-year old Natsuha Mai, a part-timer at the batting centre and who happens to have her own troubled past. Joining Tomohiro’s efforts in helping these customers enables her to eventually exorcise her own demons.

Running at 30 minutes each, this 9-episode medium-budget production features slice-of-life themes presented in an episodic format that involve the workplace, family and relationship dynamics. Although the themes are not explored with profound depth, as expected of a short series, the storytelling of each story arc is rather engaging and still manages to tug at the heartstrings, particularly in the final episode.

The leads are decently portrayed by Sekimizu Nagisa and Nakamura Toru, as Mai and Tomohiro respectively. A Japanese baseball legend makes a cameo appearance during each episode, along with the multitude of guest stars. The catchy and upbeat J-rock intro and outro themes are performed by CreepHyp, namely Shoumona and Konnani Kanashiinoni Hara ga Naru.

All in all, Hachigatsu wa Yoru no Batting Center de is a well-produced quality short format series which I would categorise as a lighthearted healing drama. The baseball terminology isn’t too challenging to comprehend, provided you have good quality subs, while the life lessons conveyed are contemplative rather than outright didactic. A wholesome viewing experience indeed.

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Peaceful watch, no heartache, no dreaminess

There isn't a major drama that goes on, the relationship build between the characters seemed quiet natural. I did like how adult their relationship was. The part about gaming and the specific about space went over my head so I skipped those parts. I don't think the viewers needed such in depth explanation on the game. The Sponsorship fee must have been very very high to be featured in so many episodes.

I watched this live and followed it every week and this was a drama I didn't think about after the episode ended. There are certain dramas where I obsessed on what's going to happen next but it didn't happen with this.

There are a few funny scene peppered in that kept me watching. Like thee AI girlfriend, the desert WiFi, meeting the parents for the first time.

I think this the the first Yang Yang drama that I tolerated. What is with him and game related dramas anyway... Somehow, the chemistry between them didn't come across to me. Yang Yang was way to stoic.

In conclusion, an okay watch. Something I won't watch again. Ask me what the characters' names are in a few weeks and I'm guessing I won't remember.

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If you haven't watched this series, what are you waiting for?

This is one of my feel-good series, will never get tired watching and revisiting my beloved characters, Tae Kyung and Go Mi Nam and the rest of A.N JELL. I've watched this ever since it was showed, which was year 2009! (My Gosh! I'm an a certified auntie of watching Korean dramas, LOL!) I am a huge fan of JGS and been waiting for a long time for him to have a drama wherein he will be the main lead and alas, HONG sisters fulfilled my wish come true.

The story is one of my interest, the gender-bender theme, plus my main guy, JGS and my favorite HONG sisters, so I really followed through with this drama.

Everything is HILARIOUS and interesting in this drama, from the story, OST, characters and my favorite DWEJITOKI stuff toy.

This is a not complicated drama, and you'll just simply enjoy watching them. So if you are still hesitating watching this, please, try watching it and enjoy it.

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It's ok you can watch

40 episodes was too long.
Typical story of entrepreneurship.
Bargainer was new,
The rest of story is similar
Middle age people falling in love
There is revange
There is a psyc.... sis
Stu... ex, one more she ex,
Forgiveness
Then second couple for filling
Also there is cat
Now a days many cats in our dramas

What I liked
AnAn
The long boring plot
It would have been better if it was short.
How they handled the psychological issues.

What I did not like
Awkwardness of leads( we can clearly see so many edict/ cuts).
Poor cat....
Meddling of others.
Overall you can FF/ watch in bits if you feel bored.
Or watch it.

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Expected Nothing Less from Gu Man

Both Yang Yang and Dilraba Dilmurat's acting abilities shine bright in this drama. Acting alone deserves a watch. Gu Man's story telling never falls to impress me. While Love O2O, is a sweet early college love story this is a mature drama. It's nice seeing the female lead already know herself and very clear where she stands both in her job and her own feelings, while the Male lead is the one confused and lost on an uncertain path he doesn't fully understand. Both characters shine in their own right but also like the chemistry it's the real personal moments of encouragement and questions being asked in the dialogue that make this drama relatable especially to people who are in their late 20's and beyond. The uncertainty in life, and striving to work towards your dreams even after time has sunk in, hit close to home for me.

I highly recommend this drama. Gu Man didn't disappoint and Yang Yang and Dilraba's acting in this is some of their best I have seen.

This drama is honestly the first one that made me feel sad and alone...it was a weird feeling to have. Still don't know how I feel about that...

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One of the best Korean thriller/psychological dramas

SFH was a drama I stumbled upon without any intention, and I'm glad I did because I was really satisfied with it. I'm going to make this a really short review, in simple terms: WATCH IT!

It has you hooked from the beginning and keeps you on edge every second, not only with the OST but also the way the drama has been filmed and executed. The psychological aspect is amazing, and the way this element progressively builds up through only a matter of 10 episodes - is commendable. You think you've finally grasped the main plot, or what's going to happen next but you're plastered with something completely different, leaving you second-guessing your thoughts and whatever you've grasped so far.

I mean, another bonus is Lee Dong Wook and how FINE he looks, but don't let that distract you from the fact that he's a part-time dentist who also has a passion for killing and cannibalism. (Siri, play 'Criminal' by Britney Spears <3)

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Full of nonsense

I looked forward to watching this drama, however, it ended up being nonsense.
If you are looking for a drama that made you 'feel good' by watching it, this might not be suitable for you.
You'll end up getting angry with the character that was built through the storyline.

The ML character that was supposed to be charismatic, handsome, and talented programmer seemed to be very childish and rude. The FL character that was supposed to be a smart female programmer ended up being foolish due to love.

In conclusion, it's okay to watch if you want to, but it's not a good show in my opinion.

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Too Busy ....

This drama just felt way to busy for me...

Each of the characters had there own story line, and it just felt all over the place, there was no flow or continuous of the characters. These are seven stories of seven best friends whose personalities are based on the Thai description of characters associated with a particular day of the week.

I am not going to get in detail of all 7 characters, as some of the stories were okay, where others I literally just had to skip through them.

Y Destiny is a wild bunch of everything, It's such a shame that the storylines were not very well written as all of the actors did such a good job with what they were given.

I think this drama, would have been a better, if they had reduced the number of stories and given the more screen time to the best or overall couple, instead of just putting them altogether.

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