Reviews

Again I was very excited for this drama because it reminds me of the j-drama Alice in Borderland which I really liked. I binged this in 2 days as well.

It was interesting to see how the games were inspired by children's ones although some of them were better than others and two of the games seemed really boring to me as for a viewer.

The characters were realistic and I was really happy to see the Indian actor there who scored quite a major role in the drama!

I rate Squid Game 8/10. It left me with some unanswered questions and the latter games weren't that interesting but it was still a wild ride to watch in a good way.

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Yang Yang & Dilraba have amazing screen chemistry together, which made the story much more enjoyable and heart warming.

Coming from someone who's seen Kings Avatar, and haven't seen any of Dilraba's work prior to You are my glory, I enjoyed the gaming aspect that was part of the plot for the first half of the story.

The first half was primarily about Dilraba's character. The "glory" was Yangs character, while the 2nd half was more about her being his glory.

I can understand those who can relate to China's space race from a sense of pride/honor standpoint, however it was boring story plot direction for myself, but they needed to go towards this route to lean on the "glory" theme.

Overall I enjoyed their chemistry together, and would've loved to see more development of their relationship.

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Having watched You are My Glory, Hot Girl, & Diamond lover, i'm impressed with Dilraba's range of acting.

The story started off strong with its quirkiness and romantic comedy aspects, as the episodes went the audience was more drawn towards Zhang Vin's character, as they developed his relationship and personality more. In comparison to Peter Sheng, who was basically hung up on his old image of the girl from his memory., only to realize the girl he wanted was always in front of him.

They probably could've developed the female lead + her old friend who came back for her relationship further, instead of banking on 10 year memory of each other. Zhang Vin's character from a story standpoint was kind of annoying, behavior was over PDA, which would question would someone really be able to act like this in society, or over dramatization for a story point.

The major love challenge was getting together, usually there are two obstacles, in your typical drama, getting together and finding ways to keep together through obstacles. The latter they kinda rushed through, would've loved to see them develop things further.

Overall the first 20+ episodes were good, the story hit a drag point where they didn't develop explore the relation further, other than use the typical distance move, get back together and then phase out, which many dramas have a tendency to do.

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Nothing happens. You might or might not mind.

the various Reply series are good if you:
- enjoy slice-of-life content
- don't need story progression
- don't mind repetition
- enjoy having a 'life lesson' delivered several times in a row
- don't need many minutes of romance, action, or suspense
- think that goat noises make everything funnier
- derive happiness from seeing brands and fads you might fondly recall from decades ago
- love references not only to history and pop culture, but also spotting re-use of phrases, scenarios and characters from other Replies


they're a horrendous choice if you:
- require plot development
- are allergic to filler storylines (= don't like your time wasted)
- hate laugh tracks and the idea that dumb noises should accompany jokes
- want (actually) funny jokes/comedy
- hate preachy voice-overs and the writers droning on and on about the same point
- don't like information initially omitted just to show the same scene again except slightly longer (= don't like your time wasted)
- feel underwhelmed when the writers try to sell you the same thing they already did in another Reply time and time again
- don't miss the 80s/90s in the first place
- want *all* questions answered
- don't like sudden giant time skips, especially for the purpose of furthering the romance storyline(s)
- can't stand screechy girls & people yelling at each other at length



Except for virtually all actors in Reply 1988 being really bad at crying on command, the casting, acting and production are all great.

The 80s music is very good / appropriate, but on Netflix and other legal streaming sites, a lot of the music and otherwise copyrighted content will be omitted, replaced, or blurred out. Especially if you watch the show to 'experience those times', you don't want to watch it like that.
I didn't care for any of the original music, it was very much forgettable.

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I don't usually fancy Costume drama, but...

It's a huge compliment to the series, for I, who don't really watch costume drama, to like this series very much!!
I think it's only my second Chinese costume drama that I've watched since I usually just cannot bear to watch this kind of period dramas (for some odd unexplainable reasons haha). Moreover with the sad ending that really breaks my heart, this shouldn't be the type of drama I watch. But I just can't get enough of it once I start watching it! Great flow of storyline, perfect casting, and completed with nice OSTs makes this drama really good!!
If I'm not mistaken, there's an alter in the leads' age especially CSY compared to the one depicted in the novel. But I think it flows better this way to the next series of Forever and Ever that showcasing the love story of the main leads. The ML&FL perfectly show how excruciating it is to hold deep the love in the bottom of your heart and never be able to take it to surface and also the sacrifices they need to make along the way.

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The Most Refreshing Rom-Com of 2021

Before the release of Hometown Cha Cha Cha, we watched K-Dramas such as Penthouse, Nevertheless, etc., and this was such a refreshing break from the genres that were airing. It's reminiscent of the old 2015-2018 rom-coms I watched and dearly loved, but instead of teenagers, they're actually adults (34F and 35M) which I am so thankful for. The main couple has great chemistry with one another and I can't help feel like a teenage girl squealing at every scene with the both of them together. I love the city girl and country boy trope too, so I already love them together. Plot-wise, as of now, the pacing is great. Music-wise, the intro is also refreshing. I can't help but keep using the word refreshing in this review, but that's what this drama is. I'll return and update the drama after it ends, but so far, it's one of my favorites.

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One of my most favs Chinese drama of all time!!

The storyline is superb especially after the heart-wrenching ending of One and Only!!
I have read the translated novel of this adaptation prior to watching the series. While the main story plot stayed true to the original novel, there are tidbits of change in the series here and there which I'm actually appreciating as it gave the story a lot more sense.
Not the typical love that suddenly burns hot since the beginning, but the type that start with a spark of fire and continue to get bigger and stronger. Such a romantic and heartwarming love story, where ZSC&SY's love is gradually built up over time. The small love gestures appearing now and then suits the leads' low-key characters. It's really cute every time when ZSC carries SY's purse, although I personally don't usually like it when a guy carries the girl's bags, but somehow when ZSC does it, it just looks freaking adorable! Allen Ren and Bai Lu perfectly act the roles of ZSC&SY, especially the additions of a bit cheekiness to the acts make the couple more lovable than what I imagined when reading the novel.
Although it can be a good standalone series to watch, but I highly recommend to watch One and Only first so that you can feel much deeper emotions while watching Forever and Ever.

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Unexpected binge watch

Took this on based on Netflix recommendation and binged all 9 episodes. Admittedly it had a strong hunger games vibe but the story plot and character linkages had me hooked. Unexpected twists at the end. Wow, I was pleasantly surprised when it finished. The only gripe I have is that I'm not a fan of the foreign actors typically cast in kdramas. It's like they bring in foreigners living in korea with no acting skills. The foreign actors cast in this series I felt brought down the calibre of acting of the korean actors. Also limiting their script to swearing and yelling obscenities was frustrating - ugh!

Other than that it was a solid series.

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Chinese Go meets Sweet (maybe too sweet..) Love Story

It has an interesting storyline! I appreciate how the game of Chinese Go is explained quite beautifully here, even the cameo appearances of real life figures of Go players here and there are a nice touch. It’s refreshing to me to know deeper about Go as a none-Chinese viewer who have no idea how to play Go (and I still don’t get the rules actually hehe). Also love the Master characters!!! He’s really cute like a papa bear but also very supporting and kind.
For the ML&FL love story, it is also pretty nice with a good character developments specifically the ML. Although, for me personally, it’s way too sweet for my liking especially when they used the play on words with the pomelo flavored candy or ‘you’. It’s just to cringey and make my fingers curl every time hahaha. But, I think for those who like the saccharine sweet type of romance story, it will suit your taste just right.
Overall, I enjoyed watching this, but I don't think I will rewatch this in the future especially since it has quite a lot of episodes.

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Loved the main and second leads and the main leads reciprocated romance

I didn't watch the original Kdrama this is a remake off, but I really enjoyed this Jdrama.

It's hard to find a drama where the main leads and second leads with romantic interest for the main leads, are lovable. By this, I mean that despite the second leads being in love with the main leads, the two love triangles, they actually helped the main leads get together after they were both rejected. Even if they weren't rejected, neither of them would have been with the leads because of their loyalty and friendships with the leads. The SFL was such a good friend to the FL, I wish they had more scenes together showing how they became such good friends. The SML was so adorable and friendly, he had a thing for the FL since episode 1.

I loved the relationship between the main leads. Despite the ML getting the SFL mistaken to be his childhood friend Ai, who was in fact the FL, he didn't fall for the SFL. His entire relationship with the SFL was revolved around his past with the FL. I LOVED that he fell for the FL again in the present without knowing who she really was, and I loved that he didn't think to be with the SFL romantically when he mistook her to be Ai.

The only thing I didn't like about this drama was how the plot mostly focused on the main leads and their relationship with the second leads, without actually focusing on the second leads as individuals. The supporting characters hardly got any screen time if it didn't include the main leads. Everyone and "Most" were friendly colleagues and possibly even friends, but their friendship is mostly implied rather than shown.

I loved how short and straight to the point this drama was, with no unnecessary drama from supporting or second lead characters. Their were no bad guys or annoying characters and all the characters actions were reasonable.
I loved how steady and strong the main leads relationship was and how they were both able to follow their own dreams.
I loved how the leads have always felt the same way about each other. The ML and FL were in love as children, when the FL was pretty and the ML was not. And how they fell for each other again, when the ML was handsome and the FL was no longer pretty. This is the kind of reciprocated relationship I love in romance dramas.

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Hilarious and Heartwarming

9/23/2021 - 8.75 rating - not quite a 9.0.

Hospital Playlist 1 was one of the first K-dramas I watched during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because I was so new to K-dramas, I didn't know what to expect from a slice-of-life drama. Maybe that's why my expectations were too high and I was a little disappointed. I did not quite get the hype of this drama, since it's so beloved by all.

Now that I have over 150 K-dramas under my belt, I think I know what I want and like. This drama needs to be reviewed as a slice-of-life drama, but not a plot-driven medical drama like Dr. Romantic. It's not about the medical cases and patients. With that in mind, I am able to enjoy Season 2 a lot more. I also forgot most of what happened in Season 1 ;)

Episode 1 started off great. You see the beloved characters and their tight friendship. Their friendship is the selling point of this drama. This episode was hilarious and heartwarming. The story of the mother who lost her son, and visited the hospital often, touches my heart on a personal level. The drama showcases people and relationships surrounding the patients and the medical cases. It talks about the unsung heroes, e.g. nurses and ER staff. If you have stayed in a hospital before, or accompanied someone, you know it's the nurses who do all the hard work. They are the ones answering your call at all hours. They really need a show dedicated to the hard working nurses. On another note, even though there are show about ER doctors, I appreciate them highlighting the importance of critical care in the ER, before all these hot-shot surgeons get a chance to operate. A side note, the ER in Hospital Playlist 2 is the calmest ER I've seen in drama-land.

There are so many funny interactions and moments. Just seeing two of the male leads sprinkling water on each other cracked me up big time. They acted so silly when all the BFFs are together. Top moments for me: The off-key singing of our FL, the cute son, father-son adorable relationship, siblings love, all BFF moments from our leads to our supporting cast.

However, I think I am most disappointed in the romance storylines. I know it's not a show focused on romance, but they are all not very satisfying. I also think the last episode is anti-climatic and boring.

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Strong Start, predictable end!

So I watched this show because I wanted to watch smth similar to Alice In Borderland And Die Now, and I watched this. I'll try not to give spoilers and just write generally.

Watched the trailer, gave me alot of expectations but I wasn't disappointed. First few eps are really good, but then towards the middle and end it kinda stops your hype. It's like, you'll be able to predict what happens next. Now alot of people compared this show to Alice in borderland. I'll tell you what's the difference. Alice In Borderland plays with your mind, you'll be playing with the characters and trying to solve with them which makes it quite interesting. SG games are also good, but you'll just figure it out quickly.

Acting wise is good. All of the actors have done a good job. So i think that's ok.

For me, i think i expected alot after watching AIB and Die Now (chinese drama, really good. If you have time do check it out) But ig that hype died down as i was watching further eps. If this is your first time in this kind of genre or if you just want to watch it, go for it. This show is not all bad, you might be disappointed at some parts but overall its good. But personally for me, Japan will always take the cake for this types of genre.

Hope you have a great time watching!

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Hidden gem

You know it is a good series when you stayed up all night watching it! That is what I did. I was looking for my next fluff and well I thought an idol drama with holo love might sound interesting, plus my Zhang Ling He was starring in this series. Boy, I did not know what was in store for me!

What I love:

The fluff, the cuteness, the chemistry between the lead and second-leading couple. I also like the female lead. I usually find female lead annoying and stupid but this one she just full of life and super funny. I very much so enjoyed the chemistry she had with grandma. I think that is what made me continue watching the series to begin with. I like how the female lead did not play one of those I’m going to drive you crazy with my innocent yet smart tactile. I couldn’t stop comparing what other female leads would have done with the scene where Grandma tries to call her hustler that will kill anyone for her. In here you can tell FL has was common sense making her smarter and wittier compared to those female leads who would have fallen for it and begged for forgiveness. Because of this, she was able to get all four men in the house to let her stay and continue cleaning in place of Grandma.

The second leading couple, although I was slightly disappointed with the cliché of a strong independent female with an understanding comforting male couple, I think they actually made their relationship so realistic, with issues that partners do face that I actually like their pairing. Plus, did I mention I love Zhang Ling He??? ?

Let's not forget the main leading couple. With a lot of series nowadays, I seem to only have one favorite couple. But in this series, I’m in love with both couples. They're so adorable. I love how this wasn't a typical teen love; they don’t have this extremely annoying “I’m jealous” so I’m going to drive you crazy and hurt your feelings phase. I often find that childish and unbearable to watch. Let us not forget the amount of kissing scenes we get in this series!

What I often thought about:

How nice it would be to have a virtual world. I think these series tackle an issue that is pretty prevalent, although we don’t have our holo lover, a lot of us do hop online to live in this virtual world to escape so that we can continue living in this reality. We often forget to appreciate the small little things that virtual life can’t give.

The second lead couple and how cute they were! Yes, I’m a bit obsessed with Zhang Ling He!

The twist in the story, I didn’t expect that after getting caught in Bayhouse they were stuck into a virtual game. Everything felt so real and I’m sure many of us thought so too. The one thing that stuck out was how mean the NPC characters are and how they kept trying to make everything wrong. I also love the reference to inception totem and how at the end they all brought it out to make sure it was real and not a game.

I also didn’t expect the chase to be so long towards the end of the last episode but I am satisfied with the ending. Some relationships like Lu Wen Xuan came a bit too fast for and there wasn’t much development like Su Ming Lie where he had to overcome his fear of red lips and befriend a girl.

Some of the side characters that I love: grandma, Qi Chuan, and Xu Guan Han. I mean who doesn’t love grandma on a motorbike. You already know this grandma has personality and she means business! I thoroughly love her character in here. I also love how serious Xu Guan Han is in here, I mean he plays the bad guy who loves up these beautiful boys. He's serious, and if he doesn’t like you for any reasonable reason you’ll be kicked out and fired. He tries to create this perfect virtual world in place of this world he thinks is imperfect. I don’t realize how old he is until he played his character as a father. I look forward to more of his work! This was fun!

What I didn’t like:

It was hard to find anything in the series that I didn’t like besides this one poor editing, like when she fell in the pool. You can see that it was only waist-high and she standing up in that quick second.

I think this is a hidden gem and everyone should watch it! Super cute couples, you'll fall in love with everyone's character in here!

Re-watch value: 9/10

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