Reviews

Agency above all

A deeper story than it looks, with a late-blooming yet most radiant love.
The pay-off at the end ties up threads and was incredibly satisfying, and I wish that anyone who gives this show a go watches it until the end. Stories that seem simple enough can hide despair, yet all it takes is one person to rewrite your end.

It's nice.
You should watch it.




I kind of need 500 characters but I do want to add- If you want a simple dish, fry up or buy some chicken and bell peppers, mix it with mango chutney and sambal oelek, throw some chopped garlic and whipped cream on it and throw it in the oven. Measure to taste.

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Favorite Drama of all time

Forever grateful to whatever stars aligned to make me watch Hidden Love. It was the first CDrama I have watched, and I am yet to find another cdrama that can keep me as bewitched by the drama and even the bts. Although the story itself is nothing extraordinary, and there are no real plot-twists etc, the viewer is kept hooked by the sheer chemistry of Chen Zheyuan and Zhao Lusi. Both of them were so beautiful and bewitching, there was no need for anything else. They could have been reading out the recipe to boil potatoes, and we would have been just as hooked. The OST was also chef's kiss. Forever star has become one of those unskippable songs.

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Five stars for the actor Chen Zheyuan is, and five more stars for the Chemistry of the cast

I dived into Sword and fairy 4 having never really liked any of the fantasy/xinxia/wuxia dramas that I have tried, but decided to get into it because of Chen Zheyuan. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found myself looking forward each day to the episodes released. The story has just enough to hook the viewer in, and the vfx is decent enough to not distract from the overall plot. I never expected the cast to have this much chemistry. And Chen Zheyuan did not let me down with his acting, I laughed with him and his silliness and innocence in the earlier episodes, and then I cried with him towards the end. He has so quickly become my favourite actor with his ability to breathe life into each of his characters and emote so well..

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the Green Flag series in a sea of Reds

If you're looking for a love story about a healthy relationship with deep connection, this is the one for you. I enjoyed how the characters healed each other and became better versions of themselves. Mok is such a likeable character and Day was a good balance of angst and hope.

There were some magical moments that were iconic like the "one palm distance close up", the "last twilight" scene at the top of the mountain, the moment when Mok's inner fears manifested as a result of their deepening relationship and he made the choice that he knew would hurt Day deeply, and when Night broke down during the family dinner over stew. These moments were magical because of the build up, the symbolism, the contexts that many can relate to, the raw emotions delivered by the actors, and they gave the characters depth and brought them to life.

While there were some stand-out moments in terms of cinematography and script (e.g. the last twilight scene) the musicality was odd in certain places and over dramatic in some.

The actors have a very natural chemistry and are able to portray a love that's mature and grounded in trust and respect.
Overall it was an enjoyable watch and I would have given it a higher rating if it had an alternative ending. I'm on team "should've been status quo" for this one...

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Sword and Fairy, where is fairy?

Two series, "Sword and Fairy", were added at one time. In one I like Ester Yu, in this one I like Chen Zheyuan. I guess I expected something more, the drama was interesting, and from a certain moment I couldn't wait for the next episode. However, the ending left me very disappointed. First of all, it is obviously not a happy ending for me, and secondly, many threads were not fully explained to me. Thirdly, I hoped that with the powers that ML had, something would definitely happen. Nice quiet drama with a few twists and turns. I probably won't watch it a second time.

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An almost perfect match of deftly written characters and an exceptional cast

While "Like Flowers in Sand" hasn't hit the general public consciousness like some of its contemporaries, whether that's due to star power of lead actors in the other shows or other reasons, this is the best drama of recent vintage and it's not close.

The concept is fresh even if ssireum wrestling isn't. The pacing of the narrative from episode to episode is executed almost flawlessly. The dialogue between characters never defaults to cliches and tropes. And the characters are both complex and endearing.

But it is the pairing of the characters with the cast that sets this drama on another level. Jang Dong Yoon plays the lead character Kim Baek Doo, the youngest, somewhat overlooked son in a family loaded with ssireum champions. Baek Doo initially impresses as immature, but as the show progresses, his childlike approach turns out to be more exuberance and honesty than childishness. And although he's not quick-witted, he's insightful. His journey from near-retirement to finding his way as a wrestler by itself is a compelling narrative. And Jang Dong Yoon is brilliant in this role. He nails the gestures, the expressions, the delivery of every line so that it is inconceivable that another actor could have played this character.

There's more including one of the more unconventional romances in the genre between Baek Doo and Lee Joo Myung's Du Sik, a wrestling match fixing scandal/murder that bring's Du Sik's Seoul detective back to the hometown she left as a child, the seaside townspeople's daily gossips, the Kim family's dynamic with three retired champion wrestlers and one brilliantly portrayed mother (Jang Young Nam is stellar) and a warm and refreshing group of childhood friends that reconnect as adults.

The casting director for "Like Flowers in Sand" absolutely hit this out of the park. Regardless of lead or supporting or guest role, every actor is matched perfectly to the character they play. Lee Joo Myung? Delightful. Park Kyu Bin as the young Du Sik? Sensational. Lee Jae Joon? So cool. Choi Moo Sung? Regal. And Kim Bo Ra? So good it is stunning. And it goes on and on.

The score is subtle but strong. The direction and photography don't disappoint.

It's not wholly without flaws as the match fixing and murder story does meander for much of the second half before it lurches forward as the finale starts. And the feints on the identity of the villain are rather clumsy and the ultimate unveiling underwhelms.

These are trivial issues though. "Like Flowers in Sand" is worth watching simply to see Jang Dong Yoon as Kim Baek Doo. But with so much more to enjoy, it should be at or very near the top of any ranking of current or recent dramas.

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Shallow Solutions to Deeper Relationship Issues

Watch it if you want to (only) be entertained by this dark comedy/satire with morally gray characters about marital relationships gone wrong. Although have plenty of sex scenes, but no nudity, a warning: it's not a romance genre. The ending left me dissatisfied (spoiler at the bottom of the review) but maybe I was looking for a realistic solution for the main couple's issues (hence my review title).

STORY/PLOT:

Romance (or slight romance) theme dramas nowadays are 80-90% about first loves and the rest are second chance loves (either with the same or different partner). Therefore, I was interested in this drama because of its unique plot. Although it's not a romance genre, it's about a married couple whose relationship went stale and about cheating cases by married characters. Definitely not for everyone's taste.

The Female Lead Woo Jin (Esom), works as a receptionist in a hotel, that's how she started noticing that the couples who went to the hotel are in infidelity relationships. Thrilled by the possibility she could get money to resolve debt problems by blackmailing them, she entailed her husband Samuel (Ahn Jae Hong), the Male Lead, who is a taxi driver to follow the cheating people.

I noticed that the rating decreased while the drama was airing. I guessed that watchers started this drama with the expectation that Woo Jin and Samuel would become somewhat 'judges' or 'problem solvers' for those cheating people. The cheating married partners would end the cheating or marriage relationship, or the cheated partners would divorce or seek solutions for the infidelities. But since this is a dark comedy, also only 6 episodes, this is not the case. While the audiences see that there are deeper issues that drive people to cheat, and there are no black or white characters to justify the cheating, however, there are no real solutions for the cases. The cheaters keep cheating, only with more risks (as the infidelity is exposed) but with less money (when they pay the blackmailers).

I will not detail the infidelity cases to spoil you. Watch and have your own opinions about them.

ACTING:

Although I don't watch much of them, in my opinion, Esom and Ahn Jae Hong are two fine experienced actors who did not even feel awkward performing the couple's intimate scenes. Their funny detective scenes while following the cheaters are hilarious to watch, too. I especially cracked up during the scene when Woo Jin and Samuel tried marijuana to stimulate sex.

The supporting/guest actors/actresses who acted in infidelity cases are great too. They acted out the emotional and the sexual scenes well.

ENDING: (Scroll below for spoilers and why I was dissatisfied with the ending)




















Since the couple had their own marital issues, Woo Jin and Samuel ended up getting divorced. The last scene setting is during the end-of-the-year holidays/Christmas. Because of the holiday blues, Woo Jin and Samuel feel lonely and depressed, as others celebrate the holidays with their loved ones. They meet and celebrate the holiday, and end up having sex. Thus ending their LNTS (Long Time No Sex) period, lol.

Now this is where I was dissatisfied with the ending. I know it's a satire/dark comedy, so a realistic solution to Woo Jin and Samuel's marriage problems is probably out of the screenwriter(s) mind. But I think it would be better if they don't get back together in the last scene. The drama should have an open ending, after realizing their personal issues that contribute to their relationship, are contemplating getting back together, thus seeking professional help. The ending in the drama is shallow, in my opinion. It's like the typical cheesy Hallmark romance in which the couple reunites during the holidays.

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A bit weird and edgy, yet refreshingly and unashamedly honest about what love life also is like

"LTNS" (Long Time No Sex) starts off where other series usually end. TVING doesn't care about age ratings. “LTNS” is unusually explicit for a KDrama. At the same time, “LTNS” presents itself as a pitch-black comedy with venomously satirical overtones. Be prepared for an edgy series that is refreshingly and unashamedly honest about what love life also is like...

If desire in a relationship has been turned off over time by habit and everyday worries while instead alienation and disinterest are creeping in... what should you do? The protagonists unexpectedly find an almost absurd option to bring some excitement and “we”-time back into their relationship. With detective zeal, they set out to blackmail those in whom the fire of (actually forbidden) desire still burns happily... and in doing so, they thus try to create a (almost criminal) virtue out of their own need, so to speak.

"LTNS" has fun with scenes that convey uninhibited sexuality one moment, but are completely unerotically thwarted the next. It is somehow down to earth in a most peculiar way. Bedroom stories are being told here that we haven´t been waiting for. All of a sudden such a certain mood for certain hours is eventually collapsing like a house of cards due to a mishap or unexpected incident... A "Bravo!" in this context to the actors, too!

“LTNS” promises a special kind of bizarre, weird series delight with plenty of potshots at the mendacity concerning certain facades of a solid and sincere love life and family life that are usually and preferably presented to the outside world.

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A hero’s journey through personal growth, love and friendship

Don’t let the first episodes fool you into believing that this is a childish drama. Yes, the drama starts off as goofy and light-hearted but from episode 13 the tone completely changes to serious and mature and it stays that way until the end. The drama is about the male lead who has lived in isolation all his life until he meets the female lead. Together, with their two newfound friends, they go on a journey to find the truth about the male lead’s parents and the mystical sword left to him by his father.

This drama is based on a video game of the same name thus the atmosphere and script feel quite different from the usual wuxia cdramas (in fact I believe it’s xuanhuan genre). All Sword and Fairy dramas are stand alone, they take place in the same world but have different stories.

PLOT:
This is a plot driven drama with some romance on the side. The first 6 episodes are extremely goofy and lighthearted. Until episode 12 the story is at the setting stage, we discover about the world, get introduced to the four main leads and see their adventure side quests with other side characters.

Episode 13 is when the main story begins. The tone is changed from lighthearted to more serious and mature. The main conflict is addressed and we begin to learn the truth of what has happened 19 years ago (which all characters are involved with). The good guys meet the bad guys and the angst begins. Here the drama does a fantastic job showing the characters growth and the many wise life lessons they learn.

MAIN LEADS + ACTING:
The male lead appears dumb at the start but is actually uneducated as he has spent all his life in isolation. Despite that he adapts very quickly and shows us the wisdom he has learned from his father. He is kind-hearted, brave and protective. He has tremendous character growth throughout the drama. The actor Chen Zhe Yuan showed brilliant performance as always. He is the reason I started to watch this and his on screen presence did not disappoint me. The actor has such expressive eyes that all his emotional scenes HIT ME HARD.

The female lead is confident, outspoken, perceptively and brave without being annoying. She appears tough on the outside but is actually soft-hearted. She is quite unique from the typical female leads that I’ve watched. She has fantastic character growth from being morally conflicted and somewhat selfish to becoming the most supportive friend who is the glue of the friendship group. The actress Ju Jing Yi shines brightly like a diamond in this role, her on screen presence is fantastic and her acting radiant.

The second male and female lead are both more reserved and their stories are directly connected to the main leads. The male lead is called an Ice Cube. Despite his cold nature, he has the warmest heart. The actor is fantastic in his performance with micro-expressions and has a strong on screen presence. The female lead is kind but firm.

POSITIVE:
- A fantastic execution of a hero’s journey - from zero to hero.
- Engaging main plot. From episode 13 the plot was executed fantastically and I didn’t find a single episode boring or having the urge to skip parts.
- Villains are usually boring and evil for the purpose of being evil but in this drama the characters were well developed and a delight to watch. Everyone in this drama has a strong purpose and legitimate reason for what they were doing.
- Chen Zhe Yuan and Ju Jing Yi shone bright on screen with their brilliant acting and fabulous character’s growth. Both actors really stood out to me and pulled me into the story. Their performance was wonderful to watch.
- Pacing of the drama was perfect. The mystery and plot was built very well. With each episode the stakes were higher and higher and I could feel the angst towards the approaching end. Until the finale episode, I couldn’t guess what would happen.
- Cute romantic moments.
- Nice visual fight scenes especially towards the end of the drama.
- Great chemistry between the main leads. I was rooting for them from the start. I loved their banter and bickering.
- Many morally grey characters (including the female lead at the start) which I loved to see.
- Fantastic character growth for all important characters.
- Wise life lessons shown.
- Epic adventure vibes.

NEGATIVE:
- The first 12 episodes gave a wrong impression of the drama and were not particularly strong which is a shame as it made a lot of people drop this. There were side stories of side characters that I found boring. The main leads would help side characters and receive a small amount of information which meant it wasn’t a filler but at the same time the actual stories didn’t add any value to the plot. However the guest appearance of these side characters were done by actors that I knew and their acting was really good.
- At the start of the drama there was focus on the romance which made me believe that it would be a huge part of the drama but it wasn’t. In most episodes the romance was completely gone and the plot took the driver’s seat. The hopeless romantic in me needed more romance.
- One sided love stories that I wish weren’t there at all. Not really love triangles but both the second male and female lead fell for the main leads. They didn’t interfere in their relationship and were very respectful so I’ll give them that but I felt it kind of ruined the friendship aspect of the drama. Whenever the main leads would have a romantic moment, the director would always zoom in on the second male and female lead’s unhappy faces which didn’t sit right with me. I wish the focus was more on developing their friendship with each other rather than them falling in love with each other.
- I didn’t like the second female lead most of the time. Her character’s reserved personality was quite boring for me and I found her acting wooden at times especially compared to the rest of the cast. However she did improve towards the end of the drama. Despite what I said, many people loved her character so this is just a personal preference.
- Second male lead stole all romantic moments with the female lead. I honestly didn’t understand why the writers did it this way. But the female lead had so many emotional bonding scenes with the second male lead that were very impactful compared to her scenes with the male lead. I wish the writers focused on writing platonic friendships between them.

OVERALL:
If you are looking for a well executed plot driven drama about a hero’s journey through many trials and emotional growths with morally grey villans + you love Chen Zhe Yuan, give this drama a chance.

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Something to tug on your heartstrings

Well this made me way more emotional than I expected. The story has a message that is relatable whether you're a teenager or an adult. Very heartwarming and heart-wrenching at times, this series is a kind reminder to look for happiness even at the worst of times, because more often than not it's hidden deep in our everyday lives, too ordinary to notice but too outstanding to completely miss. The quote from the last episode is articulated much better, but if anyone wants to see how exactly it was worded, then check out the series. Eight episodes are way too short to miss out on!

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Food and care: couples therapy for the fulfillment of a promise

Directed by Tadaaki Horai, who we know for his participation in the live-action adaptation of the popular manga 'My Love Mix-Up!', and the 2021 BL drama 'Kieta Hatsukoi', and script by Takeshi Miyamoto, writer also from 'Old Fashion Cupcake', from 2022, Fuji TV ('The Novelist', 'Mood Indigo' and 'Playback') produces the six-episode series 'Perfect Propose' (パーフェクトプロポーズ).
Adapted from the manga of the same name by Tsurukame Mayo (鶴亀まよ), the work stars Shunya Kaneko ('Ultraman Trigger', Rent-A-Girlfriend, live action) and Kota Nomura ('Shup Up', 'Shin Shinchō Kōki', 'Classmate wa Sengoku Bujо̄' live-action) in the lead roles of Hirokuni Watari and Kai Fukaya, respectively.
The creators have allowed themselves changes to the original plot in order to give a more realistic vibe to both the characters and the story.
The main song is "Daydream", by the group OCTPATH.
Additional cast includes:
Jingi Irie as Kaneko, senior at Hirokuni's company.
Ayane Kinoshita as Hiyori, a junior employee at the company.
Rio Takahashi as Tatsumi, a junior employee.
Yuta Hayashi as the new employee, Sakamoto.
Ryo Iwase as Hirokuni's boss, Sato.
Toshiyuki Kitami as Kenji, the restaurant owner who taught Kai how to cook
Kotaro Tanaka as Koji's son.

With a mix of the popular JBL 'My personal Weatherman' and 'Old Fashion Cupcake', Hiro and Kai's romance will take us into a world of complex relationships with tender moments and a love story that will defy expectations. Two souls battered by life and circumstances will find comfort and forge an unforgettable and unbreakable bond.
Why has Kai been searching for Hiro for twelve years? How true is Kai's alleged old promise to “get married and live together”? Has Hiro forgotten that “he has been engaged to his friend since adolescence?” Has Kai taken the promise seriously and makes it his life's mission to make it a reality? Will Hiro be willing to keep his word given in the past? Will the two of them be happier together or apart?

PLOT

Hirokumi is on the verge of a nervous breakdown due to the stress caused by the deadlines for work tasks assigned by his demanding boss, as an employee of a corporate company. He feels that life can't be worse. But just when he thought things couldn't go any further, he meets again with an unexpected visitor: Kai, a childhood friend that Hirokuni used to babysit, who comes to make true a promise made by the two in the past.
It's been twelve years since they last saw each other. The circumstances under which the reunion occurs are not ideal. While Hiro is about to faint from the workload, Kai is homeless and asks for help. He, despite his reservations and with no other option, reluctantly allows Kai to move in with him. Soon his friend will reveal to him that he is gay. What Hiro would never suspect is that this circumstance will lead to an unexpected connection that challenges his preconceived notions.
Positioned in his new domestic life, Kai proves to be an expert in the culinary art, and makes delicious plates of home-cooked meals. The phrase “love enters through the kitchen” has never been better said. Hirokuni soon understands that being cared for and pampered isn't such a bad thing after all.
Kai's caretaker in the past, Kai will now take care of him. Kai becomes a caregiver fully willing to take charge of Hirokuni's messy life. This, a little clueless in matters of love, along with an optimistic and self-confident Kai, make the perfect couple in this series that skillfully combines drama and romance.
The unconditional power of love, acceptance, intricate threads of vulnerability, self-discovery, compassion and personal growth, surrounded by a warm environment of healing therapy and delicious food are woven into a tapestry of emotions that may not seem like much to us.
We will witness Hirokuni's metamorphosis from a lonely and exhausted man to one who finds solace and inner peace in the presence of Kai and their blossoming love.
As their lives intertwine, a new dynamic is produced that will enhance well-being and reduce problems in the strange relationship between the cool, handsome guy with remarkable domestic skills and the work-weary salaryman who lives a lonely life. .
The classic tropes of friends becoming lovers or old promises to keep will not detract from, on the contrary, they will enrich this fun and moving Japanese drama.
If you asked me to define 'Perfect Propose' in a few words, I would say that it is a healing gastronomic drama, a couples therapy in rescue of two souls wandering in pain. I would add that it is possible to become absorbed in the depth of the characters' emotions, the nuanced details of their interactions, and the beautifully rendered images that bring this love story to life.

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Greatly well done.

This came as a surprise to me. I didn't think it would be good. Most of the time kbl are mediocre cause either of bad plot or short run time. But this didn't have that issue. A very interesting plot and good enough run time (although more is always good). I liked the plot. It was something new. Although i would have appreciate they would lay down the rules of the game and made it more game like. Like looking at stats and what not. Because it was kinda of confusing. But other than that very good. I love the chemistry of the main leads. They can act very well.Especially the kisses. It didn't feel awkward and they kissed like any normal couple will do. Which is very rare in KBL. So i am thankful for that. Anyways good watch. I wish in the future we will get a 1 hour kbl. Cause they can do so great even with the time constraint.

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A series with loads of fun moments, a unique premise, with a deep theme hidden in it.

So, I went into this series without any clue...I haven't read webtoon...I directly started watching the series and my god I was invested like crazy since the first ep...
The game setting is very interesting and most importantly, it is well executed...given it's budget, series surprisingly executed almost every aspect flawlessly...for me, the series is 9.5/10 overall but...I added 0.5 because they deserve the praise for making such a beautiful series within limited budget...

Pros:
-there is no toxicity: every character is lovable and understanding...the love triangle situation is handled in a very mature way...
-acting: Lee taevin gives a standout performance here, he needs more work ASAP...
Other actors also did so well...it's very believable...
-story: the storyline is a rollercoaster ride... continuously oscillating between darker and deeper and themes lovey dovey elements...last two ep will make you cry...and all the cute moments will make you blush hard...also, the final takeaway of self love is unexpected but worth it...
-music: the music choices are well thought and elevate the overall feel...
-production and cinematography: the series looks high budget...the frames capture it's youthful nature perfectly...

Cons:
-screenplay: it could've been better.. if this had atleast 10 ep, the game and system error elements could've been explained in a better way...I wouldn't say it is bad...but it does confuse you frequently because the cuts are abrupt without any explanation...but maybe it can make sense if you consider it's game premise, thinking it might be because of glitches...

Overall, it's a must watch, not just as a bl but even as a general kdramas...This is a classic that will be remembered in years to come...
Definitely in my top three kBLs...(along with the eighth sense and to my star 2)

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love, for love's sake.

*the review does NOT contain major spoilers and is in my opinion fine to read before starting the show*

im so at loss for words its hard to even start writing this review (literally finished the show like 5 minutes ago) but regardless, ill try my best.

1. first of, the plot for this show is incredible. i was really afraid they wouldnt have enough budget or runtime to execute this story well, but i worried for nothing. the moment i watched episode 1 i knew that this show wouldnt disappoint me, and it didnt. the story was amazing, start to finish, and it was better than i could have ever imagined. the video game concept was so well done it almost made me feel like i was playing the game myself. continuing, due to the concept being done so well, every time something happened with the game it had me feeling a lot of emotions myself. especially in the scenes where we can see myungha in the black void, or the ones with the time running out or him having to make important decisions, those gave me the chills. really a surreal experience. another thing i loved is the lack of toxicity in this show. not a single time did i think "oh, this seems a bit wrong" or "there could have been a better way to resolve this" because even though secrets were kept, communication was also present, and all the main characters were absolute sweethearts. no unnecessary misunderstandings and all that. also a thing i want to mention is how i love how homophobia was dealt with in this show! usually i just prefer if they dont touch that topic at all, since most of the time in these shows it just ends up being "oh haha ur gay f**k u" and they do nothing to stop it, but i love how they approached it here with the characters defending themselves, snapping back at them and going "so what? whats wrong with it?". theres one scene that was super iconic but i wont spoil anything else. honestly i could say a lot about this show but this review is already getting long and ive only covered the story/plot part, so ill leave it at this.

tldr: they couldnt have done this plot better and i wouldnt change a thing about it.

2. the cinematography and overall quality of the show here was incredible!! no clue what kind of budget they had but whatever it was they did an amazing job with it. every single shot was stunning and the scenes were so pretty i couldnt stop myself from screenshotting every single episode, seriously its beautiful. i saw someone say this felt like watching a kdrama that just so happens to be a bl (since the quality of it is so good) and i definitely agree, this is in my opinion the best shot kbl yet. hoping the quality just goes up and up from here, although i doubt any kbl will be able to top lfls' cinematography, at least for the time being. a few of the shots also reminded me of the eighth sense (aka what used to be my no.1 kbl before lfls came to dethrone it) which is one of my favorite shows ever in terms of cinematography.

3. this is going to be very short but the acting was great. not a single character/actor was lacking. just incredible acting!

to sum it up, this show is absolutely beautiful, heartwarming, heartbreaking, fluffy, sad, bright yet dark all at once in the best way possible. theres not a single thing to complain about and this is hands down the best kbl i have ever watched (and i have watched almost every single one of them as of the time im writing this review). loved everything about it, the acting, the characters, the story, the quality, the cinematography, everything was incredible. all i can say is that this show is an absolute masterpiece that EVERYONE should watch. words simply cannot describe how good this show was.

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